The election of chair and vice chair will lead tonight's meeting of the Rainy River District School board.
The elections for the two top position are done on an yearly basis.
Dan Belluz is the current chair while Judy Eliuk is vice-chair.
Trustees will also elect their representative to the Ontario Public School Board's Association, a position currently held by Eliuk.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
DriveTest Strike Continues
The provincial government says it will not legislate an end to a strike by driving examiners.
Labour Minister Peter Fonseca insists the most productive solution is a negotiated settlement with the help of government mediators.
The strike affects 93 full-time and part-time DriveTest sites, including one in Fort Frances, which grant or renew licences to novice drivers and those over 80.
It's now into its fourth month.
Labour Minister Peter Fonseca insists the most productive solution is a negotiated settlement with the help of government mediators.
The strike affects 93 full-time and part-time DriveTest sites, including one in Fort Frances, which grant or renew licences to novice drivers and those over 80.
It's now into its fourth month.
Back to Work Legislation Tabled
Legislation to end the strike at CN Rail is expected to be passed in the House of Commons within days.
Labour Minister Rona Ambrose has introduced a bill to force striking locomotive engineers back to work and to send outstanding issues to binding arbitration.
Ambrose says the transportation system is a vital part of the economy and a strike could hurt the fragile recovery.
About 17-hundred engineers walked off the job after talks broke down Friday night.
Murdered Women Remembered
Six women murdered in the Rainy River district at the hands of men are to be remembered in a dedication later this week.
The Atikokan Crisis Centre will be planting the trees in front of its second-stage complex.
Executive Director Donna Kroocmo says its important to have a visual reminder that violence against women happens here.
"People don't think it happens locally, but it does," says Kroocmo. "These are women that were murdered by their partners in the Rainy River district. I want to plant the trees with a plaque in front of the tree that identifies her name, age and date of death."
The dedication is to coincide with National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and the twentieth anniversary of the 14 women killed at a Montreal University.
The Atikokan Crisis Centre will be planting the trees in front of its second-stage complex.
Executive Director Donna Kroocmo says its important to have a visual reminder that violence against women happens here.
"People don't think it happens locally, but it does," says Kroocmo. "These are women that were murdered by their partners in the Rainy River district. I want to plant the trees with a plaque in front of the tree that identifies her name, age and date of death."
The dedication is to coincide with National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and the twentieth anniversary of the 14 women killed at a Montreal University.
Health Plan Released
A long-awaited health plan for northwestern Ontario has now been released by the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.
The plan includes suggestions to improve wait times in emergency rooms, improve access to primary, long term and specialty care, and the prevention of chronic disease.
Executive Director Gwen Dubois-Wing says the goal of the three year integrated health plan is to improve access to the health care system.
"As we talked with people they would relay their concerns about gaps within the system," says Dubois-Wing, "so how do we build a more robust system so that people don't experience the gaps and their care needs are addressed."
Dubois-Wing says they will be working with hospitals and other health care providers in the region to implement the plan.
The plan includes suggestions to improve wait times in emergency rooms, improve access to primary, long term and specialty care, and the prevention of chronic disease.
Executive Director Gwen Dubois-Wing says the goal of the three year integrated health plan is to improve access to the health care system.
"As we talked with people they would relay their concerns about gaps within the system," says Dubois-Wing, "so how do we build a more robust system so that people don't experience the gaps and their care needs are addressed."
Dubois-Wing says they will be working with hospitals and other health care providers in the region to implement the plan.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Local Sports for Monday November 30
Fort France Midget AA Canadians fell 6-3 to Wayzata in the B-side final of the Gus Lindberg Memorial Midget Double-A hockey tournament held at the Memorial Sport Centre on the weekend.
Ryan Lundy, Jeff Gustafson and Tarran Romyn scored for the Canadians who went 1-1-1 during the round robin portion of the tournament.
Thunder Bay's Current River Comets beat Duluth 4-3 in the A-side final.
A pair of bronze medals for girls hockey teams playing at tournaments in Warroad on the weekend.
The Nor-Fab Flames brought home the bronze in the pee-wee side with a 4-3 win over Grand Forks.
The Dynamic Homes Hurricanes Atom girls rep team also earned bronze after losing to Roseau 4-2.
Fort Frances Muskie Girls Hockey team captured gold at the Northern Shield Classic in Dryden, beating Red Lake in Saturday's final 3-1.
Jillian Langtry had two goals and Danielle Jean had one.
Melissa Payne had the win in net.
Fort Frances Muskies Boys hockey team defeated Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 5-3 to win the Thanksgiving Shootout trophy.
Friday, the Muskies hammered a team from Bagley-Fosston, Minnesota 19-0.
Fort Frances rinks skipped by Tierzah Keffer and Ethan Jordbro fell short in their bids to advance to the provincial junior curling playdowns.
Keffer finished with 1 win and 3 losses at the Inter-Regional event in Atikokan on the weekend.
Jordbro was 2-4 on the men's side.
Fresh of its gold medal win in at a Dryden tournament, the Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team is in action tonight in Baudette.
Muskies face the Lake of the Woods Bears beginning at 7:30 p.m.
International Falls boys hockey team has been ranked fourteenth in the state in a pre-season poll of Class A high schools.
Broncos open their season tomorrow against Hibbing.
In minor girls hockey from the weekend, the Fort Frances Atom Leftovers tied the Emo Penguins 2-2 on Saturday.
Jenna Clendenning and Kelsey Langtree scored for Fort Frances.
Ryan Lundy, Jeff Gustafson and Tarran Romyn scored for the Canadians who went 1-1-1 during the round robin portion of the tournament.
Thunder Bay's Current River Comets beat Duluth 4-3 in the A-side final.
A pair of bronze medals for girls hockey teams playing at tournaments in Warroad on the weekend.
The Nor-Fab Flames brought home the bronze in the pee-wee side with a 4-3 win over Grand Forks.
The Dynamic Homes Hurricanes Atom girls rep team also earned bronze after losing to Roseau 4-2.
Fort Frances Muskie Girls Hockey team captured gold at the Northern Shield Classic in Dryden, beating Red Lake in Saturday's final 3-1.
Jillian Langtry had two goals and Danielle Jean had one.
Melissa Payne had the win in net.
Fort Frances Muskies Boys hockey team defeated Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 5-3 to win the Thanksgiving Shootout trophy.
Friday, the Muskies hammered a team from Bagley-Fosston, Minnesota 19-0.
Fort Frances rinks skipped by Tierzah Keffer and Ethan Jordbro fell short in their bids to advance to the provincial junior curling playdowns.
Keffer finished with 1 win and 3 losses at the Inter-Regional event in Atikokan on the weekend.
Jordbro was 2-4 on the men's side.
Fresh of its gold medal win in at a Dryden tournament, the Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team is in action tonight in Baudette.
Muskies face the Lake of the Woods Bears beginning at 7:30 p.m.
International Falls boys hockey team has been ranked fourteenth in the state in a pre-season poll of Class A high schools.
Broncos open their season tomorrow against Hibbing.
In minor girls hockey from the weekend, the Fort Frances Atom Leftovers tied the Emo Penguins 2-2 on Saturday.
Jenna Clendenning and Kelsey Langtree scored for Fort Frances.
Warm Weather Comes to an End
A high of 28 degrees Friday ended a string of 242 consecutive days that International Falls had recorded a high temperature above 32 degrees.
It's the 3rd longest stretch at International Falls followed behind the 246 string of days in 1958 and the 244 days in 2001.
It's the 3rd longest stretch at International Falls followed behind the 246 string of days in 1958 and the 244 days in 2001.
Parade Winners
Fort Frances' downtown area was brighten Saturday evening with the annual Parade of Lights.
More than 20 organizations participated.
Awards went to Mike Tullio, Boston Pizza, Rainy Lake Conservancy, St Mary’s Youth Group and the Novice Girls Hockey Team for their floats.
More than 20 organizations participated.
Awards went to Mike Tullio, Boston Pizza, Rainy Lake Conservancy, St Mary’s Youth Group and the Novice Girls Hockey Team for their floats.
Cancer Drug Funded
Just months after Ontario's ombudsman criticized the government, the Health Ministry is extending funding of a potentially life-saving cancer drug.
Health Minister Deb Matthews says Ontario will now fund Avastin for up to 24 two-week treatments if medical evidence shows their disease hasn't progressed.
Government figures show the average length of survival for people who receive Avastin with other chemotherapy is close to two years -- compared with a little over a year without the drug.
Health Minister Deb Matthews says Ontario will now fund Avastin for up to 24 two-week treatments if medical evidence shows their disease hasn't progressed.
Government figures show the average length of survival for people who receive Avastin with other chemotherapy is close to two years -- compared with a little over a year without the drug.
More Residents Asked to Get H1N1 Shot
The push to get Ontario residents inoculated against H1N1 is turning next to workplaces and college and university students.
Ontario has launched a $650-thousand "Join the Resistance'' ad campaign to encourage college and university students to roll up their sleeves for the flu shot.
Ontario's chief medical officer of health says that almost half of those hospitalized in Ontario for H1N1 are people under 20.
Ontario has launched a $650-thousand "Join the Resistance'' ad campaign to encourage college and university students to roll up their sleeves for the flu shot.
Ontario's chief medical officer of health says that almost half of those hospitalized in Ontario for H1N1 are people under 20.
Forensic Unit Opened in Northwest
A new OPP forensic identification services unit has opened in Thunder Bay.
The state-of-the-art building provides the OPP and area police services with advanced tools to analyse evidence.
The $6.6-million facility includes a bio-hazard lab, bloodstain room for blood spatter examination and modern fingerprinting technologies.
Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci says it'll advance the science of criminal investigation in northwestern Ontario.
The state-of-the-art building provides the OPP and area police services with advanced tools to analyse evidence.
The $6.6-million facility includes a bio-hazard lab, bloodstain room for blood spatter examination and modern fingerprinting technologies.
Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci says it'll advance the science of criminal investigation in northwestern Ontario.
National Day of Remembrance Marked
Area agencies will mark a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women with events across the district this week.
Both the United Native Friendship Centre and Rainy River District Victims Services are promoting activities to bring public awareness.
Peggy Loyie of Victims Services says violence against women is happening in our own back yard.
"This year marks the 20th year since the Montreal massacre where 14 women were killed at École Polytechnique," says Loyie, "but in those 20 years since we've been able to name at least nine women who have been murdered in our district alone."
Among events planned will be a solemn ceremony at Knox United Church this Sunday.
NEXUS Centre Opens Today
The NEXUS Enrolment Centre opens is doors in Fort Frances today.
The centre is to be located at 301 Scott Street.
Area Port Director for the U-S Customs and Border Protection Christine Lessard says the move from International Falls will help deliver the program more effectively.
"It was felt this would give us a bigger and better space with easier access for customers," says Lessard.
The centre serves as an interview site for those applying for the NEXUS card, considered an acceptable form of identification to cross the border.
The centre is to be located at 301 Scott Street.
Area Port Director for the U-S Customs and Border Protection Christine Lessard says the move from International Falls will help deliver the program more effectively.
"It was felt this would give us a bigger and better space with easier access for customers," says Lessard.
The centre serves as an interview site for those applying for the NEXUS card, considered an acceptable form of identification to cross the border.
Border Water Patrols Enhanced
Canada and the U.S. governments are giving more powers to authorities to police force border waters.
A framework agreement will allow specially designated Canadian and American law enforcement personnel to jointly work on marine law enforcement vessels in boundary waters, such as Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods.
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says the officers will have the powers to enforce laws from both sides of the border.
"This will enhance our security on both sides of the border," says Nicholson, "by reducing smuggling and trafficking illegal drugs, guns and people."
Nicholson says its hoped to have the new units in place next summer.
A framework agreement will allow specially designated Canadian and American law enforcement personnel to jointly work on marine law enforcement vessels in boundary waters, such as Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods.
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says the officers will have the powers to enforce laws from both sides of the border.
"This will enhance our security on both sides of the border," says Nicholson, "by reducing smuggling and trafficking illegal drugs, guns and people."
Nicholson says its hoped to have the new units in place next summer.
CN Locomotive Engineers Strike
Canadian National Railway locomotive engineers walked off the job at Midnight Friday after mediated contract talks collapsed.
Pickets were set up across northwestern Ontario including in the Rainy River district.
CN communications director, Mark Hallman, says supervisors and managers who are qualified engineers are taking over operation of the locomotives to minimize any possible disruption of freight service.
Teamsters union spokesman Stephane Lacroix says the dispute centres on CN's demands to limit a wage increase to 1.5 per cent and to revise mileage caps for the engineers.
With no further contract talks scheduled, the railway is pushing for binding arbitration to settle the dispute.
The union is offering to submit wage issues to binding arbitration on the conditional that all other outstanding issues are resolved at the bargaining table.
Meantime, a senior government official says Ottawa is prepared to table back-to-work legislation today to end the strike if the two sides haven't reached an agreement.
The official, who declined to be named, said the government would prefer the union and the company to negotiate but to protect the Canadian economy it could not let the strike continue.
Pickets were set up across northwestern Ontario including in the Rainy River district.
CN communications director, Mark Hallman, says supervisors and managers who are qualified engineers are taking over operation of the locomotives to minimize any possible disruption of freight service.
Teamsters union spokesman Stephane Lacroix says the dispute centres on CN's demands to limit a wage increase to 1.5 per cent and to revise mileage caps for the engineers.
With no further contract talks scheduled, the railway is pushing for binding arbitration to settle the dispute.
The union is offering to submit wage issues to binding arbitration on the conditional that all other outstanding issues are resolved at the bargaining table.
Meantime, a senior government official says Ottawa is prepared to table back-to-work legislation today to end the strike if the two sides haven't reached an agreement.
The official, who declined to be named, said the government would prefer the union and the company to negotiate but to protect the Canadian economy it could not let the strike continue.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Local Sports for Friday November 27
Fort Frances Lakers managed just 18 shots in a 4-2 loss to the K and A Wolverines in Thunder Bay last night.
The teams were tied 2-2 in the second with the Lakers getting markers from Jake Ransom and Morgan McNeill before the Wolverines scored twice in the third for the win.
Netminder Jameson Shortreed stopped 53 of 57 shots in the loss.
Fort Frances Canadians host the Gus Lindberg Memorial Midget AA hockey tournament at the Memorial Sport Centre this weekend.
Six teams have entered with the Canadians playing their first game tonight against Kenora's Saint Thomas Aquinas at 6:15 p.m.
Nor-Fab Flames Peewee Girls and the Dynamic Homes Hurricanes Atom Girls teams are in tournaments in Warroad this weekend.
Nor-Fab opens play tonight against Warroad while the Hurricanes begin the tournament with a game against Roseau tomorrow.
In high school hockey, Fort Frances Muskies boys team travels to Detroit Lakes for a pair of exhibition games while the girls team is in Dryden for a tournament.
The girls first game is this afternoon against Sioux Lookout.
Atikokan is the host site of the Junior Men's and Women's Inter-Regional Curling Playdown.
Seven men's and four women's teams are competing in the 3-day Tournament.
Fort Frances is represented by Ethan Jordbro's rink on the men's side and Tirzah Keffer on the women's.
The teams were tied 2-2 in the second with the Lakers getting markers from Jake Ransom and Morgan McNeill before the Wolverines scored twice in the third for the win.
Netminder Jameson Shortreed stopped 53 of 57 shots in the loss.
Fort Frances Canadians host the Gus Lindberg Memorial Midget AA hockey tournament at the Memorial Sport Centre this weekend.
Six teams have entered with the Canadians playing their first game tonight against Kenora's Saint Thomas Aquinas at 6:15 p.m.
Nor-Fab Flames Peewee Girls and the Dynamic Homes Hurricanes Atom Girls teams are in tournaments in Warroad this weekend.
Nor-Fab opens play tonight against Warroad while the Hurricanes begin the tournament with a game against Roseau tomorrow.
In high school hockey, Fort Frances Muskies boys team travels to Detroit Lakes for a pair of exhibition games while the girls team is in Dryden for a tournament.
The girls first game is this afternoon against Sioux Lookout.
Atikokan is the host site of the Junior Men's and Women's Inter-Regional Curling Playdown.
Seven men's and four women's teams are competing in the 3-day Tournament.
Fort Frances is represented by Ethan Jordbro's rink on the men's side and Tirzah Keffer on the women's.
Out-of-Province Health Visits Increase
Health Minister Deb Matthews says she's trying to tackle a huge increase in out-of-province visits covered by Ontario health insurance.
A new report says Ontario agreed to fund almost 12-thousand procedures or treatments outside the province last year, up from about 2-thousand in 2001.
Matthews says the government is putting more money into reducing those visits.
A new report says Ontario agreed to fund almost 12-thousand procedures or treatments outside the province last year, up from about 2-thousand in 2001.
Matthews says the government is putting more money into reducing those visits.
More Flu Clinics Here
The Northwestern Health Unit has unveiled its December schedule for vaccinations clinics for the H1H1 flu.
Clinics in Rainy River, Fort Frances and Atikokan have been scheduled through to the middle of December.
But in other parts of the province they appear to be coming to an end - despite the fact that many people have not got the shot.
Public health units in Hamilton and Stratford plan to close their clinics next week, saying demand for shots is dropping.
Clinics in Rainy River, Fort Frances and Atikokan have been scheduled through to the middle of December.
But in other parts of the province they appear to be coming to an end - despite the fact that many people have not got the shot.
Public health units in Hamilton and Stratford plan to close their clinics next week, saying demand for shots is dropping.
Legal Aid Boycot Grows
A boycott of the legal aid system in Ontario could be widening to include all offences.
The Criminal Lawyers' Association is considering its options but some lawyers are pushing hard for an escalated protest to back demands for higher fees.
The boycott now only applies to cases involving guns and gangs and homicides.
Lawyers voluntarily take on legal aid work so the government can't force them back to work.
The Criminal Lawyers' Association is considering its options but some lawyers are pushing hard for an escalated protest to back demands for higher fees.
The boycott now only applies to cases involving guns and gangs and homicides.
Lawyers voluntarily take on legal aid work so the government can't force them back to work.
Lodge Burns
OPP say foul play is not suspected in a fire that destroyed a tourist camp in northwestern Ontario.
Yesterday's fire levelled the main lodge at Cedar Point Lodge near Waldhof, west of Dryden.
No one was injured.
Yesterday's fire levelled the main lodge at Cedar Point Lodge near Waldhof, west of Dryden.
No one was injured.
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