Question of the Day - December 16

91 per cent of respondents to our question on B93.ca support the federal government's decision of third-party management for Attiwapiskat.

Today's question, do have plans to attend a religious service on Christmas?

Tell us at B93.ca.

Riverside Reducing Energy Costs

Riverside Health Care Facilities is looking to reduce its energy costs at its Fort Frances facilities.

Senior Director of Facilities Ed Cousineau says recent energy audits of LaVerendrye Hospital and Rainycrest identified areas for improvement.

Cousineau say they're now reviewing those audits to determine what projects they'll focus on first.

Food Costs Rise

The cost of feeding a family of four in the Kenora and Rainy River districts continues to rise.

The Northwestern Health Unit says its' now costing $918.00 a month to feed a family healthy food.

Public Health Dietitian Chelsea LeCain says that makes this area the most expensive in the province to buy basic foods.

Lecain says many residents don't eat well because they're reducing their food budget to help pay for other things like utilities and rent.

New CEO Named

Atikokan General Hospital has found a successor for its retiring CEO.

Doug Moynihan, vice-president of corporate services with Sioux Lookout's Meno Ya Win Health Centre, will take over from Robert Wilson January 15.

Board chair Vic Prokopchuk says Moynihan's involvement in the creation of the Sioux Lookout hospital will help in a planned upgrade at Atikokan General.

Wilson retires at the end of this month after eight years on the job.

Boat Race Proposed

An event that promotes the district's fur trading heritage is being explored.

Rainy River councillor Gord Armstrong is suggesting a race involving Voyageur long boats between Atikokan and Rainy River.

Armstrong has been talking to area municipal leaders on how to make it happen.

Armstrong would like to see it happen next summer, but says there's still a lot of details work out.

Question of the Day - December 14

There appears some divide over whether the town of town of Fort Frances should proceed with plans to develop the Nelson Street Park into residential lots.

51 per cent of respondents to our question on b93.ca say no.

49 per cent, though, think the town should go ahead.

Today's question, will you do most of your Christmas shopping this year at stores or on-line?

Tell us at b93.ca.

Auto Insurance Questioned

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath wants a legislative committee to study auto insurance rates.

Horwath stops short of accusing insurance companies of discrimination, but says rates always seem highest in the poorest areas.

Attawapiskat Meeting in Thunder Bay

The main players trying to sort out the housing crisis in Attawapiskat First Nation will meet tomorrow on neutral ground.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan will sit down with the band chief Theresa Spence in Thunder Bay.

More Recognition for Atikokan Singer

Atikokan blues artist Sunday Wilde is receiving more international attention. recognition

Her album "What Man? Oh, that Man" has been nominated as Best Acoustic Blues Album of the year in Germany by an industry magazine.

Wasser-Prawda is allowing on-line readers to vote until the end of January.

Wilde was named a fan-favourite this year in the Independent Music Awards.

Nelson Street Residents Fight for Park

Some residents of Nelson Street are asking Fort Frances town council to again abandon its plans to turn a park into housing lots.

They voiced their opposition to councillors at a meeting last night.

Michelle George says the park is too important to lose.

A similar proposal three years ago was abandoned because of  residents' opposition.

No Halloween Curfew

Fort Frances town council is backing an administration report to not implement a curfew or time limit on Halloween trick or treating.

Local resident Jackie Lampi-Hughes had asked council last month to consider limiting treat-or-treating to the hours of 6 to 8 at night.

Snow Art Proposed

There could a number of snow sculptures dotting the Fort Frances landscape if a local arts group has its way.

The newly formed Rainy River Arts Collective is seeking the use of town properties and help moving snow for its works.

Lindsay Joy Hamilton says it would be a contest to help promote local arts.

Hamilton says the February event would be open to everyone.

Rainy River Resources Looks Ahead

2012 is shaping up to be a busy year for Rainy River Resources.

Vice-president of Operations Garrett McDonald says key elements of the company's gold project north of Barwick are expected.

It includes an updated resource estimate and the start of a feasibility study.

The company has targeted the end of 2015 as a possible start-up for the mine.

Pellet Plant Opening Delayed

It's going to take a little longer to open a wood pellet plant in Atikokan.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels was hoping to begin production this year.

But owner Ed Fukushima says there's been some contract challenges.

Fukushima says the delay could be anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

Question of the Day - Dec. 13

Area residents appear to be backing the district's lawyers in their fight to have a judge for the Ontario Court of Justice remain in the district.

All of the respondents to our question on b93.ca says there's a need for a permanent resident judge here.

The position is to be relocated to the Kenora district next year.

Today's question, should Fort Frances town council develop the Nelson Street Park for housing or abandon its plans altogether.

Cast your ballot at b93.ca

Rainy River District Losing Judge

Lawyers in the Rainy River district are expressing concern over a decision to move an upcoming vacant judge's position in the Ontario Court of Justice here to the Kenora district.

Justice Thomas McKay is relocating to London, but Ontario's Chief Justice has told the District of Rainy River Law Association the vacancy will be relocated.

President Barbara Morgan says that's only going to impact court services here.

The Association is seeking a face-to-face meeting with the Chief Justice.

Stuff A Cruiser Campaign Overstuffed

A huge show of support from the Rainy River district this weekend to the OPP Stuff a cruiser campaign.

Enough food and gift items were collected in six hours Saturday to fill a total of twenty police cars.

Constable Anne McCoy says it was a phenomenal day.

The food is to be shared by the Sunset Country Metis Association, the Salvation Army, the United Native Friendship Centre, the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau for its Community Christmas Dinner and a food bank in Emo.

Seven cruisers were filled in a similar campaign two weeks ago for agencies in Atikokan.

Meals on Wheel Needs Help

The Meals on Wheel program in Fort Frances is looking for more help.

Coordinator Gabby Hanzuk says service organizations and churches have helped deliver meals to the elderly for forty years, but they too are facing their own membership struggles.

Hanzuk is hoping the program will be of interest to the area's business community.

Call 274-3764 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.  if you can help.

National Strategy on Forestry Proposed

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says it's time for a national strategy on forestry.

Rafferty feels the federal government has been neglecting the industry for too long, and communities dependant  on forestry are struggling to survive.

Rafferty put forward three motions in the House of Common's last week he hopes will spur discussions leading to a strategy.

Government Accused of Ignoring Northern Health Care Needs

The Liberal government continues to be pressed over looming health care concerns in northwestern Ontario.

As Rainy River Health Centre looks for more permanent coverage of its emergency room, comes word that Ear Falls is losing its only doctor at the end of the year.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell accuses the government of ignoring the needs of the north.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says her government has made it a high priority to increase physician coverage in the North.

Youth Centre Seeks Adult Help

The youth centre in Atikokan is looking for more adult help.

Chair of the Atikokan Youth Initiatives Eva Shields says they're hoping to find enough volunteers to keep the centre open during the Christmas.

Shields says a strong volunteer base could also aid two part-time employees the Centre has other times of the year.

Board Human Resources Manager to Retire

The Rainy River District School Board will be looking for a new Human Resource manager in the new year.

Diane Ross will end a 28-year-career with the board at the end of next March.

She first joined the board as a school attendance councillor.

Polar Plunge Incentives

A jump in the lake could earn you a 3D Blu Ray Home Theatre System.

It's one of the prizes being offered to participants at the Voyageur Lion's Polar Plunge on January 1.

Event chair Jim Martindale says new sponsorship provides for some incentives they hope will inspire more jumpers and increased fundraising.

The top fundraiser gets the theatre system with Canadian Tire offering up gift certificates.

   

P.M. Defends Attawapiskat Decision

Prime Minister Harper is defending the decision to force the Attawapiskat First Nation to pay for the consultant named to handle the reserve's finances.

It's costing the band $1,300 dollars a day to have the third-party manager appointed by Harper.

The prime minister says the government is just making sure the band council stops mismanaging taxpayers' money.

Session Ends

 The Liberals are following through on an election commitment with a bill introduced in the legislature today.

It would expand a program that provides up to eight weeks of unpaid leave for people caring for a sick or injured family member.

The Liberals have also introduced a bill to provide a home renovation tax credit to seniors, and have promised to cut full-time tuition fees in the new year.

Governments Addicted to Corporate Welfare

A report from a right-wing think tank says Ontario governments are addicted to dispensing ``corporate welfare.''

The Fraser Institute says Ontario governments of all political stripes spent almost 28-billion dollars on direct subsidies to corporations between 1991 and 2009.

Author Mark Milke says its money that could have been used to almost eliminate the Ontario health premium, reduce taxes or Ontario's annual deficit.

NOMA Not Pleased with Environmental Commissioner

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association doesn't seem to be a fan of Ontario's Environmental Commissioner.

NOMA is critical of some of the comments Gordon Miller makes in his annual report.

Vice-President Dave Canfield says Miller doesn't really understand the importance of forestry to our economy.

NOMA takes issue with the Commissioner's suggestion that the Caribou Conservation Plan will have only a "limited" affect on local communities.

Search for More Hospital Help Continues

Riverside Health Care Facilities says it's prepared to deal with possible closures of the emergency room at Rainy River Health Centre.

CEO Wayne Woods says the main focus is still trying to get continued assistance for the town's lone full-time physician.

The hospital has been relying on locum doctors since July and has assistance through to the first week of January.

Atikokan Trustee Chairs Board Again

An Atikokan trustee will continue to serve as chair of the Rainy River District School Board.

Mike Lewis was reappointed to the position in year end elections held last night.

He's been chair since elected to the board in 2010.

Dianne McCormick of Rainy River will again serve as vice-chair.

Local Victims of Violence Remembered

Nineteen women from the Rainy River District who lost their lives in acts of violence were remembered at ceremonies in Fort Frances and Atikokan.

Donna Kroocmo of the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope says its a stark reminder that violence against women isn't solely a big city problem.

Events were held in both towns to coincide with the National Day of Remembrance.

Christmas Hamper Applications Available

Atikokan Christmas Cheer is now accepting applications for this year's hampers.

Committee member Alex Broski anticipates demand to be about the same as last year.

Applications can be picked up at Kenora-Rainy River Children and Family Services Atikokan office, Atikokan Native Friendship Centre and Atikokan Health Centre until December 16.

Native Leaders Seek U.N. Help

Leaders of the troubled Attawapiskat community want the United Nations to help them with their housing crisis.

Aboriginal chiefs from across Canada have adopted a resolution to ask the U.N. to step in to ensure Ottawa is doing its job for the troubled reserve.

New Transmission Line Proposed

A new First Nations led company has been formed to develop a new power line in Northwestern Ontario.

The project, to be completed in two phases, will connect several First Nations communities north of Pickle Lake.

Green Energy Policies Defended

Premier McGuinty is defending his green energy policies in the wake of a scathing report by the province's auditor general.

Jim McCarter found billions of dollars of wind and solar projects were approved with little oversight, which will push up electricity bills.

But McGuinty says renewable power will save health-care cash by reducing Ontario's dependence on dirty, coal-fired generation.

Border Deal Revealed Today

Prime Minister Harper meets up with U.S. President Obama at the White House to take the wraps off a new border-security agreement that's been years in the making.

The pact looks to boost intelligence-sharing and streamline cross-border trade, while beefing up cyber security and better tracking travellers.

Police Searching for International Falls man

Police are looking for a missing man from International Falls.

58-year-old William Raymond Hart was last seen leaving his home Friday morning, but hasn't been heard since.

International Falls Police says he was driving a 1999 Ford F-150 extended cab pick-up, green in colour.

More Help for Rainy River Health Centre

Interim help continues to keep the emergency room at Rainy River Health Centre open.

Speaking in the legislature yesterday, Health Minister Deb Matthews says any concern emergency services wouldn't be available during the Christmas holidays has been alleviated.

Matthews says the Ministry is working with area health officials to find further help for the communities lone full-time doctor.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says more long-term solutions are needed.

User Fees Go Up in Fort Frances

The cost to access most town programs and services in Fort Frances will go up about 3 per cent next year.

Bag tags were not touched, but the minimum charge at the landfill goes will go from 16 to 18-dollars.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says it will help offset rising costs due to recycling.

Fees at use the Townsend Theatre will also not increase, but Community Services Manager George Bell says they are looking at upping a surtax applied to ticket sales to raise money for facility upgrades.

Non-Residents Not Paying Fair Share?

The cost paid by non-residents of Fort Frances to access to town services still a bone of contention for some members of council.

Most fees are 25 per cent higher than that paid by residents.

But councillor Paul Ryan says they may still be too low.

Non-residents fees were also effected by the 3 per cent increase.

Falls Water Rate Increase

Residents of International Falls will pay more for water in the new year.

Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says the fact people are using less water is impacting on the water budget.

Rates will go up $2.00 a month on the minimum in-town rate and $3.48 to the out-of-town rate beginning January 1st.

Fort Frances Trustee Returns as Chair

A Fort Frances trustee is back as chair of the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Anne-Marie Fitzgerald has been a trustee since 1994 and the board's chair since 2006.

Fitzgerald also serves on the Provincial Board of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association.

Christmas Kettles Ring

The Salvation Army's Christmas kettles are now ringing in Fort Frances.

Th agency is hoping to raise $15-thousand - the same goal as last year.

Captain Angel Sandoval says the need for the agencies help is as great as its ever been.

Sandoval says volunteers are also needed to help ring the Kettles bells at several locations this month.

Mural to Get Touch Up

Downtown wall murals in Fort Frances will get a touch up in the new year.

The Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association will be working with local artist Lindsay Hamilton to fix-up murals located on the walls of the CIBC and the Masonic Building.

President Connie Cuthbertson says the murals aren't in bad shape.

Cuthbertson says the BIA is also looking at the painting of a third mural.

Man Removed from Plane

A 27 year old West Jet passenger's mental state is being evaluated after an unexpected landing at Thunder Bay's Airport over the weekend.

Police say a man became agitated during the flight, and the flight crew had to restrain him until landing in the city.

The unnamed man said a bomb was on the plane as he was being removed.

No explosive device was found.

Support for Attawapiskat

First Nations chiefs in B.C. are rallying behind the troubled northern Ontario reserve of Attawapiskat.

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is urging band councils across the country to raise funds for humanitarian assistance on the reserve.

The Harper government took control of public funds away from Attawapiskat last week over concerns about health, safety and financial mismanagement.

Long-Gun Bill Waiting for Approval

Still two weeks left in the current sitting of Parliament, but its not known if the bill to scrap the federal long-gun registry will be passed before Christmas.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford is optimistic.

The current sitting of the House of Commons is set to wrap up on December 16.

Child Poverty Report

A report being released today says a 2009 decision to boost the Ontario Child Benefit to cushion struggling families during the recession helped pull 19-thousand children out of poverty.

But it also says the province is still a long way in keeping its 2008 pledge to cut child poverty by 25 per cent by 2013 and lift 90-thousand kids out of poverty.

Auditor Report Today

Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter will issue the province's annual report card today.

The report includes 13 value-for money audits of Ontario ministries and agencies ranging from consumer protection to the quality of health care.

Socio-Economic Impact Study Underway

Oskisko Mining has started looking at the impacts its proposed open-pit gold mine near Atikokan might have on existing services in the district.

The company projects up to two-thousand employees in the construction phase and five hundred in the mill.

Mark Bowler, a senior advisory, says a socio-economic impact study will identify potential challenges.

Bowler says having enough trained staff might be one of the early challenges.

Boise in Good Shape

There's some good news emerging from Boise's mill in International Falls.

Mill manager Bert Brown says the mill's is extremely stable, but still needs to work on getting costs down without the need for layoffs and production shutdowns.

Brown says the mill is also focused on improving safety with a goal of being incident free.

Chamber Elects Officers

The Fort France Chamber of Commerce has its slate of officers for the next year.

Mark Caron, of M.L. Caron Electric returns as President.

Caron says improving on the next year's Home and Leisure Show will be one of the main objectives for the Chamber.

Social Media Promoted to Businesss

Businesses in the Rainy River district are being encouraged to use social media more to attract customers.

Melissa Schenk of MS2 Productions says with a good on-line identify sites such as Facebook and Twitter can help businesses owners become remembered..

Schenk is in the Fort Frances this week to hold workshops.

Feds Blasted over Attawapiskat Stance

Some aboriginal leaders are blasting the Harper government for putting the Attawapiskat First Nation under third party management.

The Chiefs of Ontario say the government is not showing respect and support for residents of the northern Ontario reserve.

The government wants an accounting of the 90 million dollars it gave to Attawapiskat over the past five years.

Cell Phone Bill Goes to Committee

A bill designed to reduce sticker shock when Ontarians open their cellphone bills has passed second reading in the legislature.

The Liberal private member's bill would make the cost of using a cellphone more transparent, and clarify contracts so that customers know what they're paying for.

It now goes to committee for study.