Teachers Strike Planned For Monday

Classrooms at public elementary schools across the Rainy River district will be empty Monday.

Teachers, occasional teachers, and education support staff will participate in a one-day strike in protest over Bill 115.

Trevor Bowles, a local president with the Elementary Teachers Federation says no pickets are planned in front of schools.

They'll instead gather at the Memorial Sports Centre as a central location with picketing happening at the Rainy River District Board office in Fort Frances.

Teachers in Atikokan will be protesting in front of MPP Bill Mauro's office in Atikokan.

Seniors Group Wants Meetings Over Resolute

A group of former mill workers that's been fighting for the protection workers pensions is now calling on Fort Frances town council to hold a community meeting regarding Resolute Forest Products.

Chair of the Seniors-Retirees Against Pension and Elder Abuse Allan Bedard says they would also like company president Richard Garneau being involved.

Bedard says it should include representatives of those impacted by the company's decision to idle its kraft mill and a paper machine in Fort Frances.

Bedard says recent comments by Garneau promising to protect pensions was encouraging news they'd like to explore further.

Ontario Electricty Distribution Companies Suggested They Merge

A panel of three former cabinet ministers is recommending about 80 local distribution companies merge into much larger regional electricity distributors, with just two in northern Ontario.

Chair Murray Elston says they did not take a position on allowing more private players in the electricity system, but is confident there would be $1.2 billion dollars in savings over 10 years in either case.

The New Democrats say the panel's report clears the way for more privatization and higher rates.

The Progressive Conservatives like the idea of voluntary mergers of electricity distribution companies, but want to make sure local voices still have a say in the operation of the new utilities.

Visitor Restrictions At Rainycrest

Visitor restrictions have been imposed at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

It's because of a number of confirmed cases of gastroenteritis at the Fort Frances seniors facility.

Only family members are being allowed to visit for now, but they're asked not to visit if they suffer from a cough, fever, nausea or diarrhea.

All group programming by Activision has also been halted until further notice.

Christmas Dinner Planning Going Well

It has the food, it just needs a few extra bodies.

Karen Mitchell of the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau says planning for this year's Community Christmas Dinner is going well with all of the food needed gathered during last weekend's Stuff-a-Cruiser campaign.

Mitchell says they'll still looking for people to assist, especially with Meal's on Wheels that will deliver dinners to people who can't get to Knox United Church.

Call Gabi Hanzuk (274-3764) or June Caul (274-2209) for more information.

Those wanting a meal delivered must call before next Friday.

NOTO Executive Director Steps Down

Some changes for a regional tourism group.

Executive Director of Nature and Outdoor Tourism In Ontario, Doug Reynolds is stepping down at the end of next month as part of restructuring of the more than 80-year-old group.

Reynold says the group likely would not have survived without making some significant changes.

Reynolds is hoping to continue working on projects within the organization after his departure.

Gift Cards May Be Useless

The LCBO says you may not be able to redeem LCBO and Vintages gift cards that a website is offering at a significant discount.

The LCBO says the offer is not authorized by the them and it has no knowledge of the source of the gift cards being offered through this site.

Auditor General Focuses On OPP

The auditor general has found the Ontario Provincial Police were doing a poor job of keeping track of what's in their evidence lockers and parking lots.

Auditor General Jim McCarter says the OPP were unable to locate 200 vehicles in their fleet but eventually were able to track them down.

However, McCarter says visits to eight OPP detachments found police records did not match the contents of their evidence lockers, where cash, drugs and guns are often stored for use in court.

He says there were examples where a gun was missing from a locker or there was too much cash in the evidence room compared with the written records.

The auditor's annual report also criticizes the OPP for increasing spending and hiring at a time when crime and highway accidents rates have been declining and for allowing overtime costs to soar by 60 per cent since 2004-05.

Work To Acquire Tourism Centre Underway

The ball is rolling in efforts to acquire the provincial tourism centre in Fort Frances.

Town council recently directed the Rainy River Future Development Corporation to proceed with exploring a possible purchase of the now-shuttered centre.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says the first step is determining potential uses.

Drysdale says they also have to wait for the province to decide on the value for the building.

Federal Government Justifies Need For Name Tags

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says there is a good reason for having border crossing guards wear name tags.

He says they are meant to provide transparency to the public.

The customs officers are concerned wearing name tags could jeopardize their safety.

Their protests led to delays at two crossings in southern Ontario yesterday.

MP Seeks Funding Help For Legions

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A northwestern Ontario MP wants to give Royal Canadian Legions easier access to funds for repairs to their buildings.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty is proposing the federal government set up an infrastructure  renewal fund that would match whatever dollars Legions can raise locally for upgrades.

Rafferty make his request in a motion put forward in the House of Commons earlier this week.

Four New Chamber Directors Named

There are four new faces on the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Rick Smith of Canadian Tire, Paul Noonan of La Place Rendez-Vous, Marie Allen of BDO and Company and Steve MacNeil with Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting will fill four vacancies on the board.

Mark Caron of Caron Electric returns as president while 93.1 The Border's manager Leo Melanson continues as First vice-president.

Some High School Activities Continuing

Not all extra-curricular activities at high schools in the Rainy River district have been effected by teachers' decisions to stop their involvement in those activities.

Semi-formal dances planned for schools in Fort Frances, Atikokan and Rainy River are proceeding as planned.

A board spokesperson says the amount of planning that went into the events was a factor in letting them go.

School administration and parents are also stepping in to provide supervision

Former CFOB Employee Dies

A former employee with CFOB and a long-time community volunteer has died.

Michael Freeman was 51.

Freeman worked as news director for CFOB in the last decade.

He started his career as a sports writer for the Fort Frances Times in the early 1990's.

More recently, Freeman served as the public address announcer during Fort Frances Lakers games.

An announcement of funeral arrangements is pending.

Morphine Seized

A Winnipeg woman is in custody after police seized 10 thousand dollars worth of morphine pills in the Dryden area.

The 22-year-old is currently awaiting a bail hearing on a trafficking charge.

Monday, OPP arrested a 50-year-old Kenora man on a trafficking charge in that city after he was found with a small quantity of morphine pills and cash.

Downtown Business To Close

A long-time business in downtown Fort Frances is closing.

Mario's Jewellers will continue to operate through Christmas before shutting the doors for good sometime early in the new year.

Owner Marilyn Venerus feels its time to retire.

Mario's Scott Street location has been the site of a jeweller store operating by different owners for more than one hundred years.

Town Still Pressing For Condo Project

The Town of Fort Frances isn't giving up on the yet to be developed condominium project.

Council has given approval to getting a meeting with developer Robert Zanette.

The project was first proposed two years ago, at which time Zanette stated he wanted to sell most of the units before starting construction on Front Street location.

Premier Still Hopeful Of Teachers Deal

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Premier McGuinty is still hoping for a deal with public teachers before the end of the year, despite ongoing job actions across the province.

McGuinty says his government managed to get an agreement with Ontario's doctors after a "bumpy and very rocky road."

If teachers don't reach deals with their school boards by the end of this month, the province will impose a contract that will freeze the wages of most instructors and cut their benefits.

Meantime, one-strike strikes by public elementary teachers move to Thunder Bay schools today.

Over five-hundred teachers plan to rally at five schools and at the offices of MPPs Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle in their protests over Bill 115.

Jaguar Now Testing In International Falls

The makers of Jaguar and Land Rover have started cold-weather testing of its vehicles in International Falls.

Company officials joined with City and Koochiching County officials yesterday to officially open an expansion of the Falls Cold Weather Testing Facility.

Global manager of testing John Florida calls its one of the best around.

A willingness by the City and County to expand the facility helped attract the automarker to the area.

Jaguar-Land Rover will use the facility for the next five years with a possibility of that deal being extended.

DNR Considers Moose For Endangerd Species List

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to add moose to the state's endangered species list.

The moose population is declining in Minnesota, so the DNR wants to list the animal as a "species of  concern."

The status wouldn't limit hunting.

That would happen only if moose moved to threatened or endangered status.

Native Leader Stages Hunger Strike

You Tube

A northern Ontario aboriginal chief has launched a hunger strike out of frustration with the federal government.

Chief Theresa Spence of the remote Attawapiskat First Nation says she doesn't fear the ultimate outcome, should she not get what she wants -- a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and aboriginal leaders.

Spence says she wants the Prime Minister to show more respect towards First Nations concerns.

Customs Officers Angry Over Name Tags

A dispute over name tags has sparked a slowdown at two Canadian border crossings in Ontario.

The Canada Border Services Agency says some officers at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and Sarnia's Blue Water Bridge are refusing to work as they question the health and safety implications of wearing a name tag on their uniform.

The agency says the new policy is in line with similar ones in place on the U.S. side of the border and in the Canadian Forces.

CD Sales Strong

Cornell Farms photo

The sale of a locally produced and recorded Christmas concert in support of the Salvation Army is progressing.

Two thousand dollars has been raised to date through the CD and DVD sales of the Christmas Melodies concert featuring local performers recording at Cornell Farms in August.

Organizers are hoping to reach the $5-thousand mark by Christmas.

TD Bank is now coming on board to assist with a sales blitz to help organizers reach their financial target.

Premier To Teachers: Let Court Decide Issue

Premier Dalton McGuinty is asking teachers taking job action to let the matter be resolved in court instead of disrupting schools.

He says involving students in the conflict over Bill 115, now being challenged in court, is the wrong thing to do.

First Nations Concerned With Federal Omnibus Budget Bill

CJRL photo

Aboriginals across Northwestern Ontario are speaking out against the recent federal government's omnibus budget bill.

Protesters say First Nations lands and treaty rights are being infringed by Bill C-45.

Rallies were held Monday outside Kenora MP Greg Rickford's offices in Kenora and Dryden.

Onigaming Chief Norman Copenance says its time chiefs come together to stand up for their self governance.

Blue Artist Nominated For U.K. Award

More accolades for Atikokan blue artist Sunday Wilde.

A radio station out of the U.K. has Wilde among its nominees for best female blue act in its year end awards.

Area residents can vote by email your choice to studio@severnfm.com with the subject: blues awards.

New Council Committee Formed

The mayor of Fort Frances says the town is working diligently to minimize the impact felt by the  indefinite idling of the kraft mill and a paper machine at Resolute Forest Products.

Roy Avis says he's forming a council sub-committee under his direction to look at the town's economic future under his direction.

Avis says council's also had talks already with Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle; Northern Development Parliamentary Assistant Bill Mauro and company officials.

Regional Airport Concept Still On Table

Fort Frances town council is giving the go ahead to continue pursuing a regional airport initiative with area municipalities.

A pitch will likely come when area municipal leaders gather for the annual meeting in January.

Concerns Expressed With New Homes' Size

A Fort Frances councillor is objecting to the size of homes the town will permit in a new planned subdivision.

Council gave approval last night to the rezoning of the former Huffman School site to allow of sixteen new lots.

Councillor Ken Perry worries the town's being too restrictive by imposing a minimum size on homes to be built.

A one story home must be 15-hundred square feet with a two story unit coming in at 12-hundred and 50 square feet.

Water Park Requested

Jenna Mose

A couple of Grade 5 students are calling on Fort Frances council to consider the development of an water park.

They made their pitch in essays as part of a contest held during Local Government Week.

Jenna Mose of Robert Moore School proposes the park be indoors.

Destiny Morrisseau, also of Robert Moore, suggests a park similiar to the one in Emo.

Teacher Strikes Hit Northwestern Ontario Schools

EFTO File

Elementary school teachers one day strikes over Bill 115 hit a little closer to our area today.

Public schools in the Kenora, Dryden, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout area, as well in Niagara, are the targets.

Premier Dalton McGuinty said yesterday the teachers are striking over money.

But their union maintains it is trying to roll back legislation that gives Queen`s Park the power to impose a new collective agreement.

College Hires Interim Dean

Rainy River Community College is hiring a new Interim Dean.

Elena Favela will begin her new position January 7.

She's currently serving as a counsellor at Anoka Technical College.

No Request For Funds Being Made

Riverside Foundation for Health Care won't be asking for money this winter.

The Board has decided not to issues its annual Christmas appeal letter.

Chair Livia Lundon says they decided to give the district a break following the phenomenal generosity received in the campaign for the new digital mammography unit.

$650-thousand was raised in six months.

Electric Car Travels Northwestern Ontario

Paul Noonan photo

A Saskatchewan based group is helping to educate the public on electric cars.

Officials with Sun Country Highways is travelling the country in an electric car, to newly installed charging stations, including one here in Fort Frances.

Vice President Chris Misch says their tour is to show it's possible to run the cars anywhere.

The charging station is located at the La Place Rendez-Vous.

High School Teachers No Longer Involed in Extra-Curricular Activities

High School teachers across the province, including those in the Rainy River district, are withdrawing their involvement in extracurricular activities beginning today.

It's the latest move in the public school teachers protest over Bill 115 they say hampers local contract negotiations.

Local union president Kent Kowalski says a repealing of that Bill would get negotiations back on track.

Teachers actions impact activities such as school sports and concerts.

Public Elementary Teachers Taking One-Day Strike Action

Public elementary teachers will be taking one-day strike action in the Stratford and Timmins areas today.

The teaching shutdown then moves tomorrow, hitting schools in the Kenora-Dryden area and Niagara.

Thunder Bay schools are targeted Wednesday.

No word yet on possible strike-action in the Rainy River district.

Education On Liberal Candidates Minds

Education a topic raised at the Ontario Liberal Leadership debate in Thunder Bay.

Kathleen Wynne says the provincial government needs to repairs relations with teachers.

Gerard Kennedy says more needs to be done for aboriginal students.

Glen Murray offered northerners the ability to have a say on employment training decisions.

Northern Issues Debated By Liberal Hopefuls

Ontario's Liberal leadership hopefuls don't all agree on whether northern Ontario needs its own regional government.

During a debate in Thunder Bay, Glen Murray called for full autonomy for the north so it can forge its own path.

Kathleen Wynne warns it sounds like separation, and that's not where she wants to go.

Teenager Makes Court Appearance

A 16-year-old boy, arrested in an incident which forced a lockdown of the Fort Frances High School last week makes a court appearance today.

OPP have now charged the boy, who can not be named, with four charges, including two counts of assault with a weapon.

He's been in custody since last Thursday's incident that brought police to the school following reports of a replica firearm being shown.

Cruisers Stuffed

Area residents have helped the OPP reach new heights in their annual Stuff a Cruiser campaign in the Rainy River district.

Twenty-one cruisers were filled in Fort Frances and in Emo Saturday with food and gift items for area agencies to distribute.

With nine filled two weeks ago in Atikokan, a total of 30 cruisers were stuffed in the district-wide event.

Docs Agree To New Deal With Province

Ontario doctors have endorsed a new deal with the province that will see some services scaled back and others modernized in order to find savings.

The Ontario Medical Association says the deal, worth over $11-billion dollars a year, will trim spending by 400 million through a half a per cent payment cut for all doctors.

Regional Airport Initiative Back To Council

The town of Fort Frances may take another shot at seeking support from area municipalities for a regional airport initiative.

Council is expected to vote on a report tonight that recommendations administration continue pursuing the airport concept. with area communities and First Nations.

The report suggests the town make another pitch for funding support when area leaders gather for their annual meeting in January.

Minneapolis Storm

File photo

A major winter storm has dumped between nine to 15 inches on a broad belt across central Minnesota including the Twin Cities.

Difficult driving conditions are reported in much of that area.

Minneapolis, St. Paul, and several suburban communities have declared snow emergencies.

Some flights out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport have either been cancelled or delayed.

16-year-old Arrested In High School Scare

Some tense moments at Fort Frances High School.

Students and staff were placed in a lockdown situation for about an hour yesterday after reports of someone carrying what turned out to be a replica firearm.

It happened just before the noon hour.

OPP Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says it ended without incident.

A 16-year-old boy was taken into custody away from the high school and the replica firearm seized.

The Fort Frances High School and the Rainy River District Board is offering support to students to help cope with the incident.

They are making counsellors available.

Parents are also being encouraged to discuss the incident with their children and inform the school if any additional support is needed.

High School Sports Teams Benched

Some high school sports teams from Rainy River district high schools are having to hang up their gear a little earlier than expected.

The school board responsible for high schools in the Kenora and Dryden areas has put an immediate halt to all extra-curricular activities at its schools because of the teachers planned withdraw from events on Monday.

Education Director Jack McMaster says the board simply couldn't guarantee adequate supervision for further games.

Any games scheduled for the weekend, involving high schools from Rainy River, Fort Frances and Atikokan and the Kenora-Dryden area schools, have been cancelled until at least after the Christmas break.

A volleyball tournament at Fort Frances High School is proceeding.

The Muskies girls hockey team is also continuing travel to Portage La Prairie, Manitoba for a tournament.

Victims Of Gender Based Violence Remembered

Victims of gender based violence from the Rainy River district among those being remembered.

A list of nineteen area woman, killed in the past twenty years, was shown during a ceremony at Knox United Church in Fort Frances.

Peggy Loyie of Rainy River District Victims Services is hoping that list someday stops growing.

The ceremony coincided with National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

Public Board Ends Year With Surplus

The Rainy River District School Board is reporting a surplus for the last school year.

Manager of Financial Services Meaghan Cox says much of the over $3-million, though, is the direct result of legislated measures contained inside Bill 115, reducing sick day and retirement gratuities for teachers.

Cox says other efficiencies the board was able to control help in saving about 775-thousand in the 2011-12 school year.

The auditor also gave a clean report, finding for the first time no issues related to funds collects by school groups.

Trustee David Kircher says it shows measures put in place three-and-a-half years ago to protect those funds are working.

Search In Remote North

A search is underway for two men along the west coast of Hudson Bay, southeast of Peawanuck.

Provincial police says the men left Peawanuck Monday on snowmobiles and were expected to return from a fishing camp at an undisclosed location.

NOMA Seeking More Control Over Development

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association wants the region to have more authority over it's own development.

Vice-president and Kenora Mayor, Dave Canfield, says it would benefit the entire province.

Canfield says they'd like to see a stronger role in areas such as natural resources, energy and infrastructure.

Mineral Rights Leases On Hold

State leaders are holding off on awarding a package of mineral rights leases recommended by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Executive Council voted to defer action until the Minnesota Court of Appeals weighs in on whether the DNR should conduct an environmental review of the leases.

Several northeastern Minnesota residents wanting the delay are worried exploratory drilling could contaminate ground water if not regulated properly.

Greenpeace Withdraws From Boreal Forest Agreement

Greenpeace photo

Greenpeace is withdrawing from an agreement signed by several forest companies to stay clear of critical habitat areas in the Boreal Forest.

The environmental group claims Resolute Forest Products, one of the signatories to the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, is violating the deal in the Quebec area.

It's released a number of photos of new logging roads and clear cutting in areas previously identified as being off limits.