Friday, April 17, 2009

Terry Evanshen Opens Conference

2009-04-17

06:53:56

The man who lost himself will open today's Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association meeting in Fort Frances.

More than 10 years ago, C-F-L Hall-of-famer Terry Evanshen awoke from a coma not knowing who he was, his family or his football past. Evanshen, who has been on a slow recovery since, says its important to be the best one can be.

"We're all going through very difficult time right now," says Evanshen, "but when you look at my life and how I had to rebuild myself again that we try to put things in proper perspective. Try to look within ourselves and realize it's not the highs or low which happen to you in your life, but what you do with it that really counts."

Evanshen's life has been the subject of a made-for TV movie. He now now travels the country as a motivational speaker.
 

NOMA Opens

2009-04-17

06:49:42

'Global Challenges, Regional Strengths, Northwestern Solutions.'

That's the theme for this year's Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference. The conference Thursday today in Fort Frances.

President, and Dryden Mayor, Anne Krassilowsky says there will be several issues discussed.

"For this year, we'll be addressing the forest value-added projects around the community and how to get them started," says Krassilowsky. "We'll work with the minister to find some kind of answer. We'll also be looking at tourism. We've all seen Greg Sorbara's tourism report. One of the biggest concerns is that we don't want to see Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association disappear. It's part of our identity."

Today's sessions include how to build healthy relations with native communities and the emerging bio-economy in northwestern Ontario.

Tourism Minister View Centre

2009-04-17

06:23:34

It appears the town of Fort Frances will get an opportunity to lobby the province's tourism minister directly for changes to the local tourist information centre.

Monique Smith is expected to tour the centre with town officials today. The town has been seeking changes that improves the centre's access.

The number of visitors to the centre has been dropping in recent years.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Pither's Point Park Stays Open

2009-04-16

06:41:50

Pither's Point Point will remain open this year.

The town of Fort Frances announced yesterday in a short one paragraph news release that an agreement with four area first nations communities will see the town continuing to operate the park this year. No other details were provided.

The announcement came as a court hearing scheduled for yesterday to deal with a town request to continue operating the park was moved to the end of July.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Residential Meeting In Vatican

2009-04-15

07:22:19

After two years of pushing, a delegation of Canadian residential-school survivors has been granted a rare private audience with the Pope.

The April 29th meeting at the Vatican is fuelling hope that Pope Benedict might apologize for abuse in aboriginal institutions run by Roman Catholic missionary congregations, including those in northwestern Ontario.

He's also expected to present survivors with a signed declaration of the church's will to work toward reconciliation

Music Festival Results Day 2

2009-04-15

07:19:09

MUSIC FESTIVAL

Robert Moore School's choirs walked away with four honours Tuesday during the second day of competition at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

The school's senior kindergarten, Grade 3 and 4, and both the boys and girls grades 4 to 8 choirs earned top marks in their respective categories. The second day for the vocal competitions at Donald Young School also saw Taylor Shouldice and Kennedy Latimer earn double honours.

The festival continues today with more vocal competitions at Knox United Church. The first day of instrumental events goes Wednesday at the Townsend Theatre and Donald Young School. Here is a list of all winner from Tuesday.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, VOCAL DIVISION, Tuesday, April 14, 2009

 

CLASS V220

                First – Donald Young School, Grades 3 to 8, Director: Katherine Williams

CLASS V274E

                First – Nestor Falls School – Director: Ken Brown

CLASS V223E

                First – Robert Moore School, SK, Director:  Michelle Cain

CLASS V241-II

                First – Robert Moore School, Grades 3 and 4, Director:  Mrs. Beckett

CLASS V249E

                First – Robert Moore School, Grades 4 to 8 Girls, Director:  Nathalie von Niebelschutz

CLASS V251E

                First – Robert Moore School, Grades 4 to 8 Boys, Director:  Nathalie von Niebelschutz

CLASS V248F

                First – Riverview French Choir, Grades 3 to 8, Director:  Anne Carradice

CLASS V116

                First – Kenzie Godin

CLASS V117

                First – Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V161

                First – Taylor Shouldice

                Second – Maggie Gauthier

CLASS V162

                First – Kennedy Latimer

                Second – Phoebe Firth

CLASS V129

                First – Taylor Shouldice

                Second – Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V200

                First – Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V208

                First – Scott Barker and Lauren Gurski

CLASS V180

                First – Lauren Gurski

                Second – Melissa Friesen

CLASS V181

                First – Brittany Hayes

                Second – Debbie Friesen

CLASS V205

                First – Melissa Friesen

CLASS V165

                First – Ken Brown

CLASS V222

                First – Renee Martin-Brown and Ken Brown

CLASS V173

                First – Debbie Friesen

 

 

Smoking Charge

2009-04-15

07:09:05

O-P-P have laid what may be the first charge in northwestern Ontario under the new provincial law prohibiting smoking in a vehicle with children inside.

It came in the Thunder Bay area Sunday when police spotted a male passenger smoking in a vehicle with two people under the age of 16 in the car.

The new law came into effect in January.

Forestry Funding Reaction

2009-04-15

06:55:13

There is mixed reaction to yesterday's announcement by the federal government how it will role out 170-million dollars to help the ailing forest industry.

President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Anne Krassilowsky says its a step in the right direction.

"It is good help," says Krassilowsky, "but let's see what it really means. I'm looking at $120 million to go to the development of new products. Is that value-added? That would be my first question. And how is that going to work in northwestern Ontario would be my second question."

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty isn't as welcoming. He says the federal government should be offering more loan guarantees, as well as holding a national summit to develop a more long-term strategy for the industry.

 

Portage Avenue Traffic Delays

2009-04-15

06:53:35

There will be some traffic delays on Portage Avenue at the underpass for the next couple of day.

Crews will be on site to conducts tests of the soil anchors installed last year on the east wall.

As a result, the road will be reduced to one lane from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. both Wednesday and Thursday.

Fort Frances in Court Today

2009-04-15

06:52:41

The town of Fort Frances has a date with a court judge this morning.

Town lawyers will be asking the judge to consider a notice of motion filled in court last week that would allow the town the ability to continue operating Pither's Point Park. A lease signed by the town in 1908 expires at the end of this month.

The town is asking for the right to continue operating the park until litigation between area native bands who surrendered title to the land, and the federal, provincial and municipal governments is resolved, or for as long as an Ontario Order in Council that declared the site a park - remains.

Fundraising Chair Speak Out

2009-04-15

06:41:19

The fundraising chair for the new Fort Frances Library and technology centre wants town council to hold a special meeting to reconsider its decision to reject the project's construction contract.

Mark Kowalchuk says he was shocked by Monday's decision, but feels there is some hope to have it built this year

"The good news is that there may still be a very small window of opportunity to build the library-technology centre as designed," says Kowalchuk. "If, after council’s decision to kill the project, they realize the full financial and political implications for now and many years to come, this project could still move ahead."

"We had corporate sponsorship, and provincial and federal sponsorship on this project, along with the local fundraising efforts, and I just think that there's more to this decision to whether or not this library get built. I think the ramifications can be extreme." 

Kowalchuk says project also represents an opportunity to foster new business and attract new investment.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis is confident construction of the library and technology centre can be built this year. Avis says there is council support for a new library and with a little Avis feels a little fine-tuning of the numbers will help deliver a plan council can live with.

"We have to look at the municipal portion, the ongoing maintenance costs in the years to come," says Avis. "I think with a little bit of fine tuning we can get it back on the right tracks."

Avis is also hopeful those who contributed to the project financially will continue to do so.

Meantime, one of the main contributors to the Fort Frances library project won't be withdrawing its funding just yet.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines says until there is an official announcement from the town that the project will not proceed, the Ministry remains committed to the nearly 440-thousand dollars announced in January.

But Anne-Marie Flanagan confirmed the money can not be used for anything else and would have to be forfeited if the project does not go ahead.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Festival Opens

2009-04-14

07:57:54

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts is underway.

The event opened with vocal competitions yesterday with Anne Jean, Caitlin Sande and Lauren Gurski each winning honours in two separate categories.

The vocal competitions continue Tuesday at Donald Young School. Here is a list of all winners from the first event's first day.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, VOCAL DIVISION, Monday, April 13, 2009

 

CLASS V175

                First – Karrigan Johnston

CLASS V100

                First – Naomi Carradice

                Second – Karrigan Johnston

CLASS V101

                First – Star Jewell Martin

CLASS V102        

                First – Anne Jean

CLASS V103

                First – Alyssa Van Drunen

CLASS V104

                First – Isaac Firth

CLASS V106

                First – Emily Brown

CLASS V107

                First – Phoebe Firth

                Second – Ericka Tymkin

CLASS V108

                First – Caitlyn Sande

                Second – Jessica Whalen

CLASS V109

                First – Lauren Gurski

                Second – Katelyn Shortreed

CLASS V144

                First – Anne Jean

CLASS V145

                First – Maggie Gauthier

CLASS V146

                First – Caitlin Sande

                Second – Ericka Tymkin

CLASS V148

                First – Lauren Gurski

CLASS V168

                First – Dylan Ossachuk

CLASS V169

                First – Taylor Shouldice

                Second – Kenzie Godin

CLASS V170

                First – Ericka Tymkin

                Second – Phoebe Firth

CLASS V171

                First – Katelyn Shortreed

                Second – Jessica Whalen

CLASS V172

                First – Melissa Friesen

                Second – Rebecca Sokoliuk

CLASS V173

                First – Debbie Friesen

Zebra Mussels Found

2009-04-14

07:51:38

A recent discovery of zebra mussel shells in a Minnesota lake has the state's Department of Natural Resources issuing warnings to boaters of the importance of making sure their vessels are free of invasive species before launching.

The D.N.R. is not certain if the shells found in Prior Lake were from living mussels or were brought there, the department says its likely the lake is infested.

Zebra mussels were first discovered in Minnesota 20 years ago in the Duluth harbour and have since spread to a number of inland lakes.

Road Work Starts in May

2009-04-14

07:39:44

A major road project is about to begin in Fort Frances next month.

The $5.4 million dollar project will see upgrades to Portage Avenue beginning at First Street, Nelson Street and parts of Victoria Avenue. Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says a public meeting will be held in the near future to discuss the work because of the impact it will have to several facilities.

"We are going to affect (access to) the hospital, police station, fire hall, and others," says Brown. "A preconstruction meeting is of the essence so that we haven't forgotten something."

The town has secured more than $2 million in government grants for the project with a large portion of the remaining costs being covered through its share of the federal gas tax allocation. C-A-O Mark McCaig says the project will address a number of safety issues in the area.

"There's going to be a lot of trucks travelling from the biomass land-mining sites at the landfill," says McCaig. "There's going to be travelling under our underpass and the road needs to be truck ready."

Work is to begin May 4 with a target end date of September 18.

Hallet and Fire Tower Contract Decision Delayed

2009-04-14

07:25:24

There was no decision from Fort Frances town councillors Monday night on a contract to move the tugboat Hallet and fire tower from Pither's Point Park to the waterfront.

Community Services Manager George Bell says a conference call with the contractor to get further information had to be postponed until next week. That will delay council's decision on the proposed $1.3 million contract until its next week in two weeks.

Councillor Paul Ryan questioned whether the pending end of a lease for Pither's Point Park would impact the project.

"If we do do this job and the contract is awarded, there could be a possibility our assets are on somebody else's property, said Ryan. "I'm just wondering if that will create a problem when we go on the property and try to get our stuff off of it."

The town's lease for the Park expires at the end of the month. Town lawyers will be in court Wednesday seeking an extension.

 

Council Says No to Building Contract

2009-04-14

06:51:19

Fort Frances town councillors voted down last night a construction contract for the new library and technology centre.

Nearly fifty library supporters left dejected after a 5 to 2 vote against accepting the $3.7 million contract. Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it was the overall costs of $4.7 million and the town's portion that swayed him to vote no.

"My concern is that if you look at the potential expenditure of this project," say Wiedenhoeft, "the potential expenditure could be in the high of $1.5 to $1.6 million....if things don't fall into place. I think if you look at a project of this size, you have to look at the potential expenditure as being a possibility."

Councillor Ken Perry also felt the town was not in a position to proceed.

"I think the plan for the library is too grand of scheme for us," says Perry. "I'm afraid that down the road we're not going to be able to afford the budget of a new library. When you build a bigger building, the budget for the new building is bigger than the old one and that's what's going to happen here."

Chair of the Fort Frances Library Board Joyce Cunningham was disappointed by the decision. The board's been working toward a new library for nearly 15 years. Cunningham doesn't believe there's anything more than board can do.

"This is something that would be good for the citizens of the community, but it would also be an economic stimulus," says Cunningham, "and in fact when we received the $1.6 million (from the Ministry of Culture) that was a major part of the reason we got that. so I'm extremely disappointed by what has happened."

Cunningham also stands by comments made last week that a no vote would essentially kill the project. The decision by council came as word of a $25,000 donation from an unidentified donor was set to be announced.

While all of council agreed there was a need for a new library, only councillors Sharon Tibbs and Andrew Hallikas felt council should have accepted the contract.

Monday, April 13, 2009

On-Line Passport Service Shutting Down

2009-04-13

12:31:42

In a couple of weeks, it'll be the end of the line for Passport On-Line.

Passport Canada says it will stop accepting online applications at the end of the month. The move to cancel the service follows complaints from Canada's privacy commissioner about sloppy security and an embarrassing online security breach more than a year ago.

 

Support for Christine Elliot

2009-04-13

12:30:45

Christine Elliott picked up a couple of endorsements today in her bid to become the new Ontario's Progressive Conservative leader.

Both Janet Ecker and David Tsubouchi _ cabinet ministers in the Ernie Eves and Mike Harris governments _ say they'll vote for Elliott. Elliott _ the wife of federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty _ is one of four declared candidates vying to replace John Tory as party leader.

The others are Tim Hudak, Frank Klees and Randy Hillier.

U-I Claims Up in Koochiching County

2009-04-13

12:29:55

More than 200 claims for unemployment insurance were made in Koochiching County during the month of March.

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, that's almost double from February's figure of 104.

Seatbelt Blitz

2009-04-13

12:28:48

The Ontario Provincial Police will be on the lookout for drivers who fail to wear their seatbelts.

The OPP's Spring Seatbelt campaign gets underway this week, and officers will be checking for proper seatbelt use. The annual campaign also targets children's car seats.

The blitz will run from Wednesday through to April 26.