High School Teachers No Longer Involed in Extra-Curricular Activities

High School teachers across the province, including those in the Rainy River district, are withdrawing their involvement in extracurricular activities beginning today.

It's the latest move in the public school teachers protest over Bill 115 they say hampers local contract negotiations.

Local union president Kent Kowalski says a repealing of that Bill would get negotiations back on track.

Teachers actions impact activities such as school sports and concerts.

Public Elementary Teachers Taking One-Day Strike Action

Public elementary teachers will be taking one-day strike action in the Stratford and Timmins areas today.

The teaching shutdown then moves tomorrow, hitting schools in the Kenora-Dryden area and Niagara.

Thunder Bay schools are targeted Wednesday.

No word yet on possible strike-action in the Rainy River district.

Education On Liberal Candidates Minds

Education a topic raised at the Ontario Liberal Leadership debate in Thunder Bay.

Kathleen Wynne says the provincial government needs to repairs relations with teachers.

Gerard Kennedy says more needs to be done for aboriginal students.

Glen Murray offered northerners the ability to have a say on employment training decisions.

Northern Issues Debated By Liberal Hopefuls

Ontario's Liberal leadership hopefuls don't all agree on whether northern Ontario needs its own regional government.

During a debate in Thunder Bay, Glen Murray called for full autonomy for the north so it can forge its own path.

Kathleen Wynne warns it sounds like separation, and that's not where she wants to go.

Teenager Makes Court Appearance

A 16-year-old boy, arrested in an incident which forced a lockdown of the Fort Frances High School last week makes a court appearance today.

OPP have now charged the boy, who can not be named, with four charges, including two counts of assault with a weapon.

He's been in custody since last Thursday's incident that brought police to the school following reports of a replica firearm being shown.

Cruisers Stuffed

Area residents have helped the OPP reach new heights in their annual Stuff a Cruiser campaign in the Rainy River district.

Twenty-one cruisers were filled in Fort Frances and in Emo Saturday with food and gift items for area agencies to distribute.

With nine filled two weeks ago in Atikokan, a total of 30 cruisers were stuffed in the district-wide event.

Docs Agree To New Deal With Province

Ontario doctors have endorsed a new deal with the province that will see some services scaled back and others modernized in order to find savings.

The Ontario Medical Association says the deal, worth over $11-billion dollars a year, will trim spending by 400 million through a half a per cent payment cut for all doctors.

Regional Airport Initiative Back To Council

The town of Fort Frances may take another shot at seeking support from area municipalities for a regional airport initiative.

Council is expected to vote on a report tonight that recommendations administration continue pursuing the airport concept. with area communities and First Nations.

The report suggests the town make another pitch for funding support when area leaders gather for their annual meeting in January.

Minneapolis Storm

File photo

A major winter storm has dumped between nine to 15 inches on a broad belt across central Minnesota including the Twin Cities.

Difficult driving conditions are reported in much of that area.

Minneapolis, St. Paul, and several suburban communities have declared snow emergencies.

Some flights out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport have either been cancelled or delayed.