A cool, damp summer means there has been fewer mosquitoes in northwestern Ontario.
The Northwestern Health Unit has been trapping mosquitos for its West Nile Testing program.
Public Health Inspector Al Mathers says there has been no evidence of the disease in this region so far.
Mathers says while mosquito trapping is being carried out in Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances, they will not be collecting dead birds for testing this year.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Local Teachers at ETFO Meeting
Issues impacting teachers from northern Ontario will be discussed at the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario meeting in Toronto.
Members of the local executive including president Trevor Bowles, Cynthia Donald and Mike Jones are attending.
Bowles says among the issues they'll bring up is a need for increased funding and access to professional development for teachers.
The meetings wrap up Thursday
Members of the local executive including president Trevor Bowles, Cynthia Donald and Mike Jones are attending.
Bowles says among the issues they'll bring up is a need for increased funding and access to professional development for teachers.
The meetings wrap up Thursday
Teachers Meet in Toronto
Elementary school teachers from across the province are gathering in Toronto today for the annual meeting of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.
The province's plans to introduce full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds in elementary schools is a part of the talks.
President David Clegg feels the government's plan missed the mark.
"The model that's suggested would see a teacher there only spend half a day," says Clegg, "which is the current situation. So we might spend as a province a billion dollars on a full-day kindergarten program and there wouldn't be one more minute of student-teacher-student time than there is today. That would be a mistake, a missed opportunity and certainly not the best chance for student learning."
The federation plans to release a report on the proposal later today.
The province's plans to introduce full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds in elementary schools is a part of the talks.
President David Clegg feels the government's plan missed the mark.
"The model that's suggested would see a teacher there only spend half a day," says Clegg, "which is the current situation. So we might spend as a province a billion dollars on a full-day kindergarten program and there wouldn't be one more minute of student-teacher-student time than there is today. That would be a mistake, a missed opportunity and certainly not the best chance for student learning."
The federation plans to release a report on the proposal later today.
AMO Meeting Begins
Municipal representatives from across the province will be looking for continued support from the provincial government.
More than 1,600 mayors and reeves have gathered in Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's annual meeting.
AMO President Peter Hume say while civic leaders have welcomed recent infrastructure announcements, there are still worries about the funding provided for other municipal services.
"We need to make sure that the funding we get for other things like social services and policing that are important to places like Fort Frances and others says in place," says Hume, "and the economic circumstances don't see that being reversed and placing further burdens on municipalities."
Fort Frances will be represented at the meeting by four members of council including Mayor Roy Avis.
More than 1,600 mayors and reeves have gathered in Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's annual meeting.
AMO President Peter Hume say while civic leaders have welcomed recent infrastructure announcements, there are still worries about the funding provided for other municipal services.
"We need to make sure that the funding we get for other things like social services and policing that are important to places like Fort Frances and others says in place," says Hume, "and the economic circumstances don't see that being reversed and placing further burdens on municipalities."
Fort Frances will be represented at the meeting by four members of council including Mayor Roy Avis.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Storm Warning Cancelled
A severe thunderstorm watch issued by Environment Canada for Sioux Narrrow-Nestor Falls and Morson has now been lifted.
The threat of strong winds, torrential rain and frequent intense lightning lead to warnings being issue for much of this morning.
The threat of strong winds, torrential rain and frequent intense lightning lead to warnings being issue for much of this morning.
NWO Connection to 2010 Olympics
There's a strong northwestern Ontario connection to the upcoming Winter Olympics in British Columbia.
Lindsay Durno, operations manager of Whistler Olympic Park, managed Big Thunder Ski Park in Thunder Bay before its closure in 1995.
Durno says the two sites are very comparable.
"The jumps are very similar, steel structure," says Durno. "The cross country trails are a lot less than at Big Thunder. It's comparable, but at a much grander scale at W.O.P."
Durno was in Fort Frances recently to compete in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
Lindsay Durno, operations manager of Whistler Olympic Park, managed Big Thunder Ski Park in Thunder Bay before its closure in 1995.
Durno says the two sites are very comparable.
"The jumps are very similar, steel structure," says Durno. "The cross country trails are a lot less than at Big Thunder. It's comparable, but at a much grander scale at W.O.P."
Durno was in Fort Frances recently to compete in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
Bass Fishing This Weekend
Bass fishing happens on two fronts this weekend.
Today, 110 angler teams will take to the water for the start of the Atikokan Bass Classic on Marmion Lake.
Laverne Haney and Mark Warren of Atikokan are the defending title holders.
While in Morson, over thirty teams will compete in the 5th annual Morson Bass Invitational with Terry Gill and Chad Hanson looking to defend their 2008 crown on Lake of the Woods.
Fishing in that tournament starts tomorrow.
Today, 110 angler teams will take to the water for the start of the Atikokan Bass Classic on Marmion Lake.
Laverne Haney and Mark Warren of Atikokan are the defending title holders.
While in Morson, over thirty teams will compete in the 5th annual Morson Bass Invitational with Terry Gill and Chad Hanson looking to defend their 2008 crown on Lake of the Woods.
Fishing in that tournament starts tomorrow.
Fall Fair Schedule
It's a busy day at the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society's Fall Fair in Emo.
The Borderland Racing Association kicks it off with a pancake breakfast begin at 7:00 a.m.
The logging competition in front of the grandstand begins at 9:30 a.m.
There will be plenty of farm animals to see with the miniature, draft and light horse shows and the beef and dairy cattle show getting underway this morning as well.
The midway opens at noon.
New Life Jacket Legislation Sought
OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino says he'd like to see all boaters be required to wear life jackets or personal floatation devices at all times.
Twenty-three people died in 2008 while boating on waterways policed by the OPP and this year 20 people have perished.
Only two of this season's casualties were wearing life jackets.
Fantino says it's been a summer filled with needless tragedy and many of the deaths would have been prevented by life jacket use.
Twenty-three people died in 2008 while boating on waterways policed by the OPP and this year 20 people have perished.
Only two of this season's casualties were wearing life jackets.
Fantino says it's been a summer filled with needless tragedy and many of the deaths would have been prevented by life jacket use.
AbitibiBowater Reports More Losses
AbitibiBowater, which has been under bankruptcy protection since April, says its second-quarter losses have doubled to more than half-a-billion dollars U-S.
The loss compares with a $251 million shortfall a year ago.
A report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission this week indicates second-quarter revenues plunged nearly 39 per cent to just over one billion dollars.
While the losses affected all areas of the business, newsprint -- AbitibiBowater's specialty -- was particularly affected with revenues tumbling 44 per cent over the past year.
The loss compares with a $251 million shortfall a year ago.
A report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission this week indicates second-quarter revenues plunged nearly 39 per cent to just over one billion dollars.
While the losses affected all areas of the business, newsprint -- AbitibiBowater's specialty -- was particularly affected with revenues tumbling 44 per cent over the past year.
Truck Route Open
Key parts of the truck route through the town of Fort Frances are now open.
The completion of paving of Victoria Avenue and Nelson Street has allowed the town to reopen both streets to truck traffic.
Town officials say this should help alleviate some of the congestion experienced in the downtown and central areas of the community.
The completion of paving of Victoria Avenue and Nelson Street has allowed the town to reopen both streets to truck traffic.
Town officials say this should help alleviate some of the congestion experienced in the downtown and central areas of the community.
Fort Frances Delegation Heads to AMO
Connecting link funding and Pither's Point Park will be some of the topics to come up as members of Fort Frances town council head to Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting.
Along with the conference's regular business, Mayor Roy Avis says private meeting have been set up with Transportation Ministry's Parliamentary assistant Linda Jeffery, Labour Minister Peter Fonseca and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid.
Councillors Ken Perry, Andrew Hallikas and John Albanese are also attending the meeting which begins Monday.
Along with the conference's regular business, Mayor Roy Avis says private meeting have been set up with Transportation Ministry's Parliamentary assistant Linda Jeffery, Labour Minister Peter Fonseca and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid.
Councillors Ken Perry, Andrew Hallikas and John Albanese are also attending the meeting which begins Monday.
Rezoning Application Denied
The township of Alberton has turned down a rezoning application that would have led to Weechi-it-te-win Family Services moving its Training and Learning Centre to property on Highway 11 at Ducharme Road.
In a unanimous decision, council Wednesday night refused the application put forward by Gayle Arpin, feeling the property should be left designed a business park.
Concerns with the centre would be to the highway, nearby rail lines and an aggregate pit were also cited.
Clint Calder, lawyer for Weechi-it-te-win says the agency is disappointed by the decision and will take some time before determining its next step.
"Right now everybody just kind of considering the options," says Calder, "whether to file an appeal, to file a new application, or move on and look for a new location."
Gayle Arpin, who submitted the rezoning application, can appeal the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board within the next twenty days.
In a unanimous decision, council Wednesday night refused the application put forward by Gayle Arpin, feeling the property should be left designed a business park.
Concerns with the centre would be to the highway, nearby rail lines and an aggregate pit were also cited.
Clint Calder, lawyer for Weechi-it-te-win says the agency is disappointed by the decision and will take some time before determining its next step.
"Right now everybody just kind of considering the options," says Calder, "whether to file an appeal, to file a new application, or move on and look for a new location."
Gayle Arpin, who submitted the rezoning application, can appeal the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board within the next twenty days.
Storm Warning Issue
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Sioux Narrows-Nestor Fall and Morson areas.
A severe thunderstorm is affecting communities along the northern and western parts of the Rainy River district this morning.
Large hail, strong damaging wind gusts, torrential rain and frequent intense lightning are being associated with this severe storm.
A severe thunderstorm is affecting communities along the northern and western parts of the Rainy River district this morning.
Large hail, strong damaging wind gusts, torrential rain and frequent intense lightning are being associated with this severe storm.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Emo Fair Begins Today
It will be a pioneer theme at this year's Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair in Emo.
Organizers are asking people to dress up in period costume and enter the parade.
President Emily Watson says a theme is something they haven't tried for a while.
"It's on again, off again," says Watson. "People, when they want to enter the parade, they ask what's our theme. The last couple of years we've trying to come up with a theme that's consistent throughout the fair."
Tied to the pioneer theme will be an old-time music dance Friday night where patrons will receive dance lessons to better enjoy the music.
The fair opens with the midway at 2:00 p.m. today.
Tonight it will crown a fair queen.
Organizers are asking people to dress up in period costume and enter the parade.
President Emily Watson says a theme is something they haven't tried for a while.
"It's on again, off again," says Watson. "People, when they want to enter the parade, they ask what's our theme. The last couple of years we've trying to come up with a theme that's consistent throughout the fair."
Tied to the pioneer theme will be an old-time music dance Friday night where patrons will receive dance lessons to better enjoy the music.
The fair opens with the midway at 2:00 p.m. today.
Tonight it will crown a fair queen.
Legal Aid Dispute
Ontario's attorney general says he's willing to set up consultations with those involved in a legal aid boycott if it will help move discussions forward.
Lawyers, including those in northwestern Ontario, have been refusing legal aid cases in their demands for more money in the system.
Attorney General Chris Bentley says he's been in constant talks with players in the justice system and would be happy to set up discussions in any structure that will help the sides communicate.
But he warns it's difficult to commit to increased funding during hard economic times.
Lawyers, including those in northwestern Ontario, have been refusing legal aid cases in their demands for more money in the system.
Attorney General Chris Bentley says he's been in constant talks with players in the justice system and would be happy to set up discussions in any structure that will help the sides communicate.
But he warns it's difficult to commit to increased funding during hard economic times.
Student Aid Demands Increases
Calls are flooding into financial aid offices at universities across Ontario as concerned students scramble to pay for their fall tuition.
Ontario Student Assistance Program applications are up 5.7 per cent this year for colleges and 4.6 per cent for universities.
University registrars are pointing to a record high student unemployment rate as the main reason young people are seeking financial assistance.
Ontario Student Assistance Program applications are up 5.7 per cent this year for colleges and 4.6 per cent for universities.
University registrars are pointing to a record high student unemployment rate as the main reason young people are seeking financial assistance.
Gren Party Candidate Wanted
The federal Green Party has started the search for a candidate to run in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding in the next election.
Russ Aegard represented the Greens in the last two elections, but is stepping aside to spend more time with his family.
Aegard received about 14-hundred votes in last fall's election.
Russ Aegard represented the Greens in the last two elections, but is stepping aside to spend more time with his family.
Aegard received about 14-hundred votes in last fall's election.
Building Permits Down
Despite the influx of millions of dollars in government infrastructure money, building activity in Fort Frances was far greater in 2008 than its been this year.
Statistics Canada says 33 building permits during the first six months of this year have accounted for nearly $6.5 million in construction.
This includes the building of the new library.
During the same period last year, a total of 57 permits were issued worth $13.6 million dollars.
Last year's activity was aided by the building of the native youth detention facility.
However over the past two months, more than $16.5 million worth of work has been started in Fort Frances, including the work on the new Robert Moore School.
Statistics Canada says 33 building permits during the first six months of this year have accounted for nearly $6.5 million in construction.
This includes the building of the new library.
During the same period last year, a total of 57 permits were issued worth $13.6 million dollars.
Last year's activity was aided by the building of the native youth detention facility.
However over the past two months, more than $16.5 million worth of work has been started in Fort Frances, including the work on the new Robert Moore School.
Federal Building Gets Upgrades
Some major improvements to a Fort Frances landmark.
The federal government is spending more than 246-thousand dollars on a variety of upgrades to its Scott Street building - home to several departments including Canada Post and Service Canada.
Conservative MP for Kenora Greg Rickford says the improvements are for both safety and security reasons.
"We believe this will be a substantial upgrade at 301 Scott Street," says Rickford, "and provide ultimately better service to residents of Fort Frances. It includes handrail upgrades and lock stone repairs to increase the safety for residents accessing the building. There will also be a security system upgrade to improve security."
Rickford says some of the work has already started, but expects most of it to occur next year.
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