Throne Speech Delivered

The federal government's Throne Speech is making a lot of promises.

It includes working to improve the skilled trades sector.

The Throne Speech also mentions the federal government's vow to improve First Nation's education on reserve.

The Harper government will also continue pare down the size and cost of Government, reduce cell phone roaming costs and to make cable providers offer pick and pay TV services.

Community Living Unveils Plans For Former School

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We'll get a look later today at what the future plans are for the former Sixth Street School in Fort Frances.

Community Living Fort Frances and District intends to take the wraps off its plans for the property at an event at the site at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

The invite says the agency proposes to build a fully accessible, mufti-purpose building that will include areas for training, activities and office space.

Community Living purchased the former school for a dollar almost four years ago from the Rainy River District School Board.

Ontario Education Minister Looking At Education System

Education Minister Liz Sandals is talking about the future of the province's education system.

She's on an Ontario wide tour and visited Thunder Bay yesterday.

Sandals says some of the concerns are around meeting the needs of students with disabilities.

Sandals says students are also interested in learning about personal finance and entrepreneurship in high school.

Loans Considered For New Animal Shelter

Koochiching County and the city of International Falls are being asked to float the Borderland Humane Society loans to help build a new animal shelter.

City Solicitor Steve Shermoen says the loans will help get construction going and will be repaid over time.

Shermoen says he's aware of financial support the Society may get in the future that could help pay off the loans.

Both the City and County have previously agreed to provide $50-thousand each toward the project.

Branding Workshop Tonight

The Northwest Business Centre is helping area entrepreneurs put a fresh twist on marketing their products.

Centre Manager Diane Schwartz-Williams says The Creating and Communicating Your Brand Story workshop will be held tonight in Fort Frances.

The event costing 30 dollars goes from 5 to 9 tonight at the La Place Rendez Vous.

"Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Dreams" Showing Today

An inspirational documentary is being show today in Fort Frances.

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario's Darren Lillington says "Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Dreams", about Maggie Sofea, a young aboriginal woman from Summer Beaver First Nation, who had an accident at very young age and how she's overcome her disability to achieve several life goals including returned to her home  community.

The viewing take place at 2 p.m. at the Fort Frances Library.

Rainy River Resources Is Now New Gold

A friendly takeover of Rainy River Resources is now complete.

New Gold says it now controls all of the company's shares, completing a deal announced in June.

Executive chair Randall Oliphant is pleased the acquisition is now complete and says they can focus attention on advancing Rainy River's gold project north of Barwick.

New Gold is in the process of completing a detailed review and update of the feasibility study as well as advancing the permitting efforts.

NOMA President On Hand For Throne Speech

An interesting spectator from northwestern Ontario in Ottawa for the Throne Speech.

The president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, Dave Canfield was invited to attend.

Canfield says he also got a chance to meet face to face with the federal cabinet.

Canfield says Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford helped arrange for the invite which came directly from the Prime Minister's office.

Public Budget Requests Taken To Next Level

Fort Frances council is moving some of the public's budget requests on for further discussion.

Among them a new sidewalk along Keating Avenue requested by the Fort Frances Traffic Safety Committee.

Council agreed Monday night that it might be in a position to fund half the cost if proponents for the sidewalk agree to covering the other half.

Total cost is estimated at about 65-thousand dollars.

Normal Winter Forecast

Don't expect a lot of whitestuff in northwestern Ontario this winter.

Accu-Weather is out with its annual forecast and it shows below normal snowfall for the Rainy River district.

The long range winter forecast also suggests temperatures should be about normal.