Trees of Kindness Attracts Several Pledges

Many area residents are pledging acts of kindness.

The acts were placed on a tree set up by the United Native Friendship Centre in Fort Frances for Day of Pink.

Children's Mental Health Coordinator Dorian Chambers is hoping it spreads throughout the year.

Similar trees were also up at the Legal Clinic, Fort France Library and NCDS.

New Anti-Bullying Law In Minnesota

Supplied photo

New legislation is now in place that strengthens anti-bullying laws in Minnesota schools.

Governor Mark Dayton, who signed the bill into law, says he's not going to tolerate bullying.

The new measure provides school districts with guidance and the flexibility to adopt their own policies.

It also clearly defines what behaviors should be considered bullying, including online forms, and requires schools to investigate complaints and train staff how to respond.

Grade 11 student Jake Ross, who helped provide input, says it give all children the protection they need to stay safe.

Ministry Denies Funding For New School

The Ministry of Education is saying no to funding to build a new school in Emo to replace Donald Young School because the project doesn't  meet its criteria.

Rainy River District School Board Chair Mike Lewis says it doesn't mean the Board should give up trying secure the necessary funding.

One of the Ministry's criteria is for buildings that consolidate schools, something the board had voted against in February after conducting reviews of Donald Young, Sturgeon Creek and Crossroads Schools.

Park's Winter Trails Deteriorating

The snowmobile season in Voyageurs National Park is over, but you might be able to get in a little cross-country skiing still.

The Park says its trails for skiing and snowshoeing are still open, but are deteriorating rapidly with the recent warm weather.

The park has stopped grooming and equipment rentals.

Companies Recognized For Platinum Find



Transition Metals photo

A couple of junior mining companies doing work in the Thunder Bay area have been handed the Discovery of the Year award by the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association.

 

Transition Metals and Impala Platinum Holdings are recognized for identifying a significant platinum find near Sunday Lake, about 25 kilometre north of the city.

 

They received the award during Association's annual awards dinner Tuesday night.

Mining Jobs Coming Up

A northwestern Ontario agency is forecasting a huge demand for jobs in mining in the region.

The North Superior Workforce Planning Board's 10 year outlook suggests a need to fill almost 5-thousand positions.

The report says the highest demand will be for haul truck operators and heavy duty mechanics.

Scam Warning

A warning of a scam circulating around northwestern Ontario.

People are getting phone calls asking for donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Hospital officials say the calls aren't coming from them or the Health Sciences Foundation.

The Foundation asks residents to report such calls to police.

OPP Nab Impaired Drivers

Four area motorists are facing upcoming court appearances on impaired driving charges.

Two drivers were charged after separate motor vehicle accidents in the Atikokan area over the past month -  including one who struck a moose.

Both were also charged for driving while under suspension.

The most recent impaired driver was picked up Sunday night in Atikokan.

Coalition Vote Draws Huge Support For Hospitals

A provincial health lobby group says it's found strong support to keep health services within Ontario hospitals.

The Ontario Health Coalition says it attracted more than 56-thousand people in a voluntary referendum held on the weekend who supported stopping private clinics from being set up to take over those services.

Despite its best efforts, the Coalition was unable to find individuals to man the vote in the Rainy River district.

PCs Select Candidate For Thunder Bay Riding

Derek Parks has officially been declared the new PC candidate for the riding of Thunder Bay-Superior North.

Parks, who hasn't lived in the area for some time, brushes off the suggestion he was specifically brought in to replace ex candidate Tamara Johnson.

Parks was acclaimed at the party's nomination meeting Tuesday night.

Tax E-Filing On Hold

Canadians won't be able to e-file their tax returns for the next little while.

The Canada Revenue Agency has temporarily shut down its electronic services website over security concerns.

The precautionary move is related to the so-called "Heartbleed Bug" - a newly discovered software that can swipe passwords and your personal information.

The deadline to file taxes is April 30, but the Agency is hinting extensions could be granted if the problem lingers.

Citizen Of The Year Named

International Falls Chamber of Commerce will honour its citizen of the year next month.

It's named Cynthia Warren for the award for her work with the organization Friends Against Abuse, as well as that with area seniors, church projects and women locked up in the local jail.

She'll be recognized during the Chamber's spring dinner May 22.

Festival Results Day 7

Emily Loney stood out as the top performer behind the ivories at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

Loney claimed three first place finishes in yesterday's piano competitions.

They continues today at the Townshend Theatre.

Here is a list of all winners from Wednesday.

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 9
FIRST:  Raymond Polz
SECOND:  Sarah Bagacki

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 7
FIRST:  Jordan Bruyere

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 6
FIRST:  Katelyn Bruyere
SECOND:  (Tie) Judy Wu, Madison Krikke

Piano Solo, Open Piano, Intermediate
FIRST:  Emily Loney
SECOND:  (Tie) Macy Anderson, Jesse Begin

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Level 5
FIRST:  Emily Loney

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Level 5
FIRST:  Emily Loney

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Quick Study, Grade 8
FIRST:  Tianna Velduisen
SECOND:  Anna Schwartz

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Quick Study, Grade 9
FIRST:  Erin Gustafson
SECOND:  Raymond Polz

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 2
FIRST:  Scott Jolicoeur

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 1
FIRST:  Joelle Bruyere

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 1
FIRST:  Mya Hamilton
SECOND: (Tie) Brandon Gustafson, Joelle Bruyere

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 2
FIRST:  Cassidy Martin
SECOND:  Scott Jolicoeur

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 1
FIRST:  Jordan Eldridge

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 2
FIRST:  Calin Campbell
Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 4
FIRST:  Paige Whitefish

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 3
FIRST:  Shakira Wapoose

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 4
FIRST:  Paige Whitefish

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Level 3
FIRST:  Katrina Klug
SECOND:  Rowen Quast

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Level 2 (Age 9 and under)
FIRST:  Reese Jolicoeur
SECOND:  Kade Oster

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Level 2 (Age 9 and older)
FIRST:  Piper Danylchuk
SECOND:  Mackenzie Jolicoeur

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Jazz, Level 2
FIRST:  Micaela Jolicoeur
SECOND:  Reese Jolicoeur

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Level 2
FIRST:  Fletcher Klug
SECOND:  Emma Bassett

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Level 2
FIRST:  Sadie Tolton
SECOND:  Mackenzie Jolicoeur