Fort Frances Ready To Move On

The town of Fort Frances says it's ready to move ahead without the existence of its major employer for the past 100 years.

Resolute Forest Products announced this week it will permanently shutdown its pulp and paper mill.

Mayor Roy Avis says it has lift a cloud of uncertainty that existed for month with temporary layoffs and shutdowns along the way.

Avis says the focus now will be on initiatives that help offset the economic loss.

Students Empowered To Make Change

Students in northwestern Ontario who identify as being gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or trans-genders are being encouraged to promote dignity and human rights in their schools.

 

About 80 gathered for a conference in Fort Frances yesterday.

 

Human rights-consultant Chris D'Sousa hopes the message can spread outside schools as well.

 

D'Sousa was encouraged that school administrators and teachers attended to support the students efforts.

Tory Candidate Visits Atikokan

The Progressive Conservative candidate for Thunder Bay-Atikokan is kicking his election campaign with a visit to Atikokan today.

 

Harold Wilson says he's been chomping at the bit for several months to get his message out about the importance this election is to Ontarians.

 

Wilson also feels he can do a better job representing the riding that the Liberals have done.

Elections Ontario Sets Up In Former Library

The former library in Fort Frances will serve as the main returning office for the provincial election in the Kenora-Rainy River riding.

 

Ian Simpson returns as the returning officer.

 

There will also be satellite offices in Dryden, Kenora, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout.

 

There is also a satellite office in Atikokan at the Voyageur Mall for voters in the Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding.

Hudak Focused On Jobs

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak is remaining focused on his jobs plan.

He says yesterday's campaign start is the first day of his million jobs mission.

Hudak says jobs creation is the only issue that should matter in this election.

Premier Warns Against Voting PC or NDP

Premier Kathleen Wynn is warning Ontarians about voting for the PCs or NDP in the June election.

The Premier says the province has made several gains under Liberal leadership, but a change at the top could reverse that.

Wynne also makes no apologizes for the investments her government has made and is planning more of the same if re-elected.

Oberstar Funeral

Funeral services for former Minnesota congressman James Oberstar will be held today in Maryland.

International Falls Economic Development Officer Shawn Mason says he was a great advocate for the city.

International Falls Mayor Bob Anderson says Oberstar was instrumental in many city and area projects.

Oberstar died on the weekend at the age of 79.

He represented northern Minnesota in Washington for 36 years before being defeated in 2010.

Now Say It!

Graduating high school students in Minnesota are being encouraged to "Now Say It."

It's the name of a campaign by the Minnesota Secretary of State's office to get more young people to register for the November 4th general election.

While Minnesota has the highest voter turnout in the nation, turnout for non-presidential elections is often lower than presidential years — with the lowest rates among young people.

Native Policing Probed

Canada's auditor general has identified a number of problems with the First Nations Policing program.

Michael Ferguson suggests the program is not working as intended and aboriginal police services in Ontario often have different standards that other police departments.

Ferguson adds there are no assurances that policing facilities maintained by First Nation communities are adequate or meet building and fire codes.