Branding Exercise Clarified

Rainy River Future Development Corporation is clarifying the process used in the selection of a marketing firm to assist with the town's branding exercise.

Town council asked for an explanation after dealing behind closed doors with a complaint from a local businesses about the process.

The Corporation's Geoff Gillon says an independent committee was set up to review the submissions and make a recommendation.

Gillon says there were 16 inquiries made to the request for proposals with five submissions put forward by the deadline for the committee to review.

Twist Marketing of Calgary eventually selected.

Accident On Highway 502

Highway 502 has been re-opened to traffic.

The highway between Fort Frances and Dryden was shut down earlier this morning because of a jack-knifed tractor trailer unit.

There were no injuries reported.

NAN Grand Chief Calls For Far North Act To Be Repealed

The provincial government is being pressured once again to repeal the Far North Act.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation's Grand Chief Harvey Yesno says the legislation is too restrictive and limits opportunities for development.

But Natural Resources Minister David Orazietti says 30 first nations communities in the region have already developed land use plans under the Far North Act..

One Day Meeting Does Little For North

The NDP feels more should have come out of last week's Northern Leaders Forum in Timmins.

Critic Gilles Bisson says not much has changed after the one day event aimed at tackling the region's priority issues.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle defends the meeting, hailing it as historic.

Fewer Deer Killed In Minnesota Hunting Season

There are fewer deer being killed by hunters in Minnesota this season.

Preliminary numbers from the Department of Natural Resources for the firearms season show 144-thousand deer shot by hunters this year, a drop of 6 per cent over last year.

The statewide muzzleloader season remains open until this Sunday.

The archery season closes on New Year's Eve

CAp Planned On Senior Civil Servants

Provincial Liberals says they plan to reign in the huge salaries of Ontario top public sector workers.

Government Services Minister John Milloy intends to introduce legislation next year that will include a cap on the salaries of Ontario's most senior executives.

The move meets a demand from the New Democrats who wants salaries capped at $418-thousand.

Electricity Sector Pensions To Be Reviewed

The provincial Liberals is taking aim at the pension plans of workers with the publicly funded electricity sector.

They're appointing Jim Leech, who was in charge of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, to make recommendations on how to make the plans more sustainable and affordable.

The Liberals say the plans generally require a lower share of contributions from employees with the balance passed onto hydro users through their electricity bills.

Non-Urgent Medical Transfers Being Reviewed

A solution to the issues of non-urgent medical transfers in northwestern Ontario may be at hand.

Speaking Monday morning at Queen's Park, Health Minister Deb Matthews says they are working on a possible solution.

Tory MPP Christine Elliott says the province has received a proposal from Pacific Western Transportation from B.C., she says will improve service and save money.

Local Project Gaining Support

Some huge gains for the I Am Awesome and I Know it Girls retreat as it chases funding in the Aviva Community Fund contest.

It's move up to fourth place in the small projects category after clinging to 10th spot for much of last week.

However, the organizers still need the public's support to maintain a top ten showing and be eligible for an automatic $5-thousand and advance to the final round.

Click this link to vote daily.