New Chief Ready To Work For Community

The new chief of Couchiching First Nations intends keep her community more informed of the issues and decisions being made at council table.

Sara Mainville was elected in band elections last week.

Mainville says seeking more input is a key objective for her.

Mainville says she's also open to dialogue with the town of Fort Frances, but stresses she strongly advocates for the rights of her community.

Fort Frances Left Off Sweet 16 Hockeyville List

Fort Frances is no longer part of the Kraft Hockeyville contest.

The community did not make it through to the competition's voting rounds.

Organizer Jonathan Glueheisen says it came as a complete surprise given the strong community support showed during the nomination round.

Glueheisen adds that if he's to organize next year's push, he will need more manpower.

Police Providing Free Skating

Area police are stepping forward to offer free skating today at the Memorial Sports Centre in Fort Frances.

OPP and Treaty 3 Police, along with the Rainy River District Community Policing Committee have arranged for the open skate for youth and their parents.

Constable Anne McCoy says it will go from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Those under 13 must wear a helmet.

Members of the Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team and the Fort Frances Lakers will also be attended to lend a hand with supervision.

Ontario Providing Aid To Ukraine

Ontario's pledging to providing $100-thousand in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The money will be through the Canadian Red Cross to help emergency response teams provide first aid to those wounded on both sides of the conflict.

Ontario is home to one of the world's largest Ukrainian communities outside of Ukraine, with almost 350-thousand people.

Premier Worried About PC's Education Platform

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Ontario's premier is accusing the provincial Tories of creating a war on education.

In separate speeches to Catholic and High School teachers gathering for meetings on the weekend, Kathleen Wynne says the Tory agenda is concerning, calling it more radical that they expected.

Wynne is also encouraging teachers to lobby their MPP's to help pass Bill 122 that will help govern future teacher talks.

New Hydro Chairs Named

A former Ontario cabinet minister and a one-time New Brunswick premier will now head Ontario's key hydro companies.

Sandra Pupatello has been appointed chair of the board for Hydro One while Bernard Lord will assume the same role with Ontario Power Generation beginning April 1.

Both were only appointed to the respective boards last November.

Phys Ed Update Requested

U.S. Army photo

It's been four years since passage of the law requiring all Minnesota schools to include physical education.

Lawmakers now want to know how it's working.

State Rep. Kim Norton says a bill will be introduced today that asks for a report on the status.

It's recommended that elementary school children receive 150 minutes of phys. ed. per week - 225 minutes in middle and high schools.

Air Crash Anniversary

Today is the 25th anniversary of one of the most infamous air disasters in Canadian history.

Air Ontario flight 1363 crashed near the Dryden Airport killing 24-people back on this day back in 1989.

A subsequent inquiry into the accident led to improve safety procedures across the country.