Protest Today

Motorists travelling along Highway 71 may encounter a brief delay this morning.

Members of Onigaming First Nation near Nestor Falls intend to protest measures contained in the federal government's omnibus bill they say effect the environment and First Nation Treaties.

Chief Norman Copenance says the protest will be peaceful.

Protesters will begin with a ceremony at the community's school before marching along the Highway around 10 a.m.

Opposition Differs on Teachers Dispute

Opposition parties continue to differ in their response to the ongoing strikes by public elementary teachers in Ontario.

NDP are stand in support of teachers in calls to repeal legislation imposing a contact on them.

PC education critic Lisa MacLeod says government should use Bill 115 to end the rotating strikes.

The Liberal have the power to end the strikes, but are allowing them to continue if 72-hour notice is provided.

RIDE Numbers Released

Maybe a sign area motorists are getting the message about drinking and driving.

OPP say just one driver so far has been charged with impaired driving in the Rainy River district during this year's Festive RIDE program that began at the end of November.

Two other motorists, checked by police, had their licenses briefly suspended after being found with a blood alcohol limit of between 0.05 and 0.08.

More High School Games Cancelled

More high school hockey games at Fort Frances High School have been cancelled because of the labour dispute with teachers.

School officials says all games up to January 14 have been cancelled for both the boys and girls teams.

All other sports at Fort High are currently cancelled into the new year as high school teachers continue their withdrawal from extra-curricular activities in protest over Bill 115.

New Food Program In Place

A new program to provide healthy meals to residents of International Falls and area in need is exceeding expectations.

A new Community Cafe has started out of Backus Auditorium in conjunction with the Falls Hunger Coalition.

Ward Merrill of Backus says they're serving meals once a week.

Nearly 140 people have visited since the Cafe opened two weeks ago.

The program is volunteer driven with donations helping to fund it.

New Commissioners Sworn-In

They don't officially take office until January 1st, but Koochiching County has sworn-in the two people elected to office in November's elections.

Brian McBride, who was unopposed in a re-election to District 3 and Wayne Skoe, elected to represent District 5, took the oath of office yesterday.

Skoe  replaces long-time Commissioner Mike Hanson who decided not to seek re-election.

Minnesota May Look At Its Gun Laws

Minnesota's Democrats say now is the time to take a closer look at the state's gun laws.

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut has been a catalyst for those discussions in the U.S.

Michael Paymar, who will lead the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, says every state has every has a responsibility to evaluate their gun laws.

Meantime, Republican Rep. Tony Cornish plans to introduce a bill that would allow teachers to arm themselves in the classroom.

Former MP Joining CNIB Board

A former MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River will be lending his expertise to a group that helps Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.

Ken Boshcoff has been appointed to the CNIB's Ontario-Nunavut Board of Directors.

Boschoff, currently a Thunder Bay city council, has commemorated the appointment by using Braille on his business cards.