The daily newspaper in International Falls ended its five-day-a-week schedule.
Beginning February 1, the International Falls Daily Journal will publish only on Wednesdays and Fridays as a renamed The Journal.
In a story published yesterday, Publisher Rob Davenport says the move was not prompted by slow ad sales, but rather an effort to focus more on local news.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Another Cabinet Vacancy Expected
Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson will announce today that he will quit provincial politics to run for his old job as mayor of Ottawa.
A source tells The Canadian Press that Watson was happy in the McGuinty cabinet but not pleased with the way Ottawa has been run and wanted to help the city get back on its feet.
Watson's move and the earlier resignation of deputy premier George Smitherman, to run for mayor of Toronto, is forcing the premier to shuffle his cabinet.
Government sources say McGuinty does plan some major changes to the cabinet but won't make any moves before next week.
Gerry Phillips, who is temporarily minister of energy and infrastructure, is said to want a lighter workload and is expected to be dropped in the shuffle or return to be minister without portfolio.
A source tells The Canadian Press that Watson was happy in the McGuinty cabinet but not pleased with the way Ottawa has been run and wanted to help the city get back on its feet.
Watson's move and the earlier resignation of deputy premier George Smitherman, to run for mayor of Toronto, is forcing the premier to shuffle his cabinet.
Government sources say McGuinty does plan some major changes to the cabinet but won't make any moves before next week.
Gerry Phillips, who is temporarily minister of energy and infrastructure, is said to want a lighter workload and is expected to be dropped in the shuffle or return to be minister without portfolio.
Full-Day Kindergarten to be Announced
Premier Dalton McGuinty will announce today which Ontario schools will offer full-day kindergarten to four- and five-year-olds this fall.
A government source says 600 schools will be able to offer the new program in September, including North Star Community School in Atikokan.
At least one school from each board will have the program, which will be rolled out across the province over five years.
McGuinty, who's making the announcement in a Chatham school today, is moving ahead with the costly initiative despite an unprecedented $25-billion deficit.
The Conservatives say the program, which will cost about $1.5 billion a year, should be put off until the province is in better financial shape.
The New Democrats say some kids won't be getting equal access to the program this fall because their schools don't have extra space or adequate facilities.
A government source says 600 schools will be able to offer the new program in September, including North Star Community School in Atikokan.
At least one school from each board will have the program, which will be rolled out across the province over five years.
McGuinty, who's making the announcement in a Chatham school today, is moving ahead with the costly initiative despite an unprecedented $25-billion deficit.
The Conservatives say the program, which will cost about $1.5 billion a year, should be put off until the province is in better financial shape.
The New Democrats say some kids won't be getting equal access to the program this fall because their schools don't have extra space or adequate facilities.
Airport Fuel Rises
Price of airplane fuel is going up again the Fort Frances airport.
The cost of low lead will now be 33 per cent above the town's cost while the cost for Jet A fuel is 42 per cent above cost.
The changes reflects increased prices in the cost for fuel and compares with the cost paid at airports elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.
The cost of low lead will now be 33 per cent above the town's cost while the cost for Jet A fuel is 42 per cent above cost.
The changes reflects increased prices in the cost for fuel and compares with the cost paid at airports elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.
New Councillor Policies
New policies how Fort Frances councillors are reimbursed for meeting they attend on behalf of the hour are now in place.
Council approved the policy at its meeting Monday night.
Human Resources Manager Christine Ruppenstein says a per diem given to councillors to attend meetings has clarified.
"It's been taken out of the travel policy,"says Ruppenstein, "to further reflect that its not necessarily meant just for travel, but is for attendance at functions that have been authorized by resolution."
The report also reflects an increase in salaries for mayor and councillors, effective this December.
Council approved the policy at its meeting Monday night.
Human Resources Manager Christine Ruppenstein says a per diem given to councillors to attend meetings has clarified.
"It's been taken out of the travel policy,"says Ruppenstein, "to further reflect that its not necessarily meant just for travel, but is for attendance at functions that have been authorized by resolution."
The report also reflects an increase in salaries for mayor and councillors, effective this December.
Review of Board Terms Underway
Fort Frances town council will take a further look at the length of terms served by community members appointed to various boards and commissions.
Council was asked last night to reduce the current length from four years to two, but town clerk Glenn Treftlin did not think that would have helped fill vacancies during this current term.
"In fact they're traditionally the same committees that had difficulties with two year terms getting the full slate of people to fill the vacancies," said Treftlin.
Some councillors felt a shorter term for volunteer members would help attract more residents to serving.
Council was asked last night to reduce the current length from four years to two, but town clerk Glenn Treftlin did not think that would have helped fill vacancies during this current term.
"In fact they're traditionally the same committees that had difficulties with two year terms getting the full slate of people to fill the vacancies," said Treftlin.
Some councillors felt a shorter term for volunteer members would help attract more residents to serving.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Local Sports for Monday January 11
A 3-2 record was good enough for Judy LaBelle and her Fort Frances foursome at the Northern Ontario Curling Association's inter-regional senior curling playdowns at the Fort Frances Curling Club.
LaBelle finished in a four-way tie for first place on the women's side which earned her team a berth to the provincial event next month in Blind River.
Five of the six women's teams entered advanced.
On the men's side, Thunder Bay's Al Hackner went through the event undefeated, while Larry Chepsiuk also of Thunder Bay needed a tie-breaker win over Bruce Melville to advance.
Fort Frances' Ken McKinnon finished the playdown with one win and four losses.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team beat the Beaver Brae Broncos of Kenora 8-5 at the Ice for Kids Arena Friday.
Shae-lynn Smith, Jessie Baker and Jillian Langtry had two goals each for the Muskies while Nicole Beadle and Courtney Bethune added singles.
International Falls Broncos boys team dropped a 6-3 decision to the Hermantown Hawks Saturday.
Matt Youso with a pair and Dylan Farmer scored for the Broncos.
Meantime, Broncos girls hockey team fell 8-1 to East Grand Forks Friday.
In the SIJHL, Fort Frances Lakers lost 8-3 to the Fort William North Stars.
Fort Frances Canadians Midget AA team won the championship of the Junior Gold Tournament in Brookings, South Dakota on the weekend.
The Canadians clinched the title with their third win of the tournament Sunday - a 4-1 decision over Mounds View, Minnesota.
Ryan Lundy had a hattrick while Brad McDonald added an empty netter in that game.
Fort Frances Boston Pizza Royals Pee-wee AA hockey team lost 4-1 to Kenora in the bronze medal game of its tournament at the Memorial Sport Centre.
The event was won by Dryden.
The Rolling Lake Lightning captured gold at a atom girls hockey tournament on the weekend beating the Lake of the Woods Flyers of Kenora 3-2 in the championship game.
Annalise Hayes had all three goals for the Lightning.
Kaemingh Esso beat the Emo Penguins in the bronze medal game 5-0.
Scoring for Esso were Alyssa Alderson with a hat trick, Caitlin Visser and Maighyn Degagne.
In college basketball, the Rainy River Voyageurs dropped both games played against Northland Community & Technical College Saturday.
The men lost 71-64 while the women fell 82-51.
LaBelle finished in a four-way tie for first place on the women's side which earned her team a berth to the provincial event next month in Blind River.
Five of the six women's teams entered advanced.
On the men's side, Thunder Bay's Al Hackner went through the event undefeated, while Larry Chepsiuk also of Thunder Bay needed a tie-breaker win over Bruce Melville to advance.
Fort Frances' Ken McKinnon finished the playdown with one win and four losses.
Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team beat the Beaver Brae Broncos of Kenora 8-5 at the Ice for Kids Arena Friday.
Shae-lynn Smith, Jessie Baker and Jillian Langtry had two goals each for the Muskies while Nicole Beadle and Courtney Bethune added singles.
International Falls Broncos boys team dropped a 6-3 decision to the Hermantown Hawks Saturday.
Matt Youso with a pair and Dylan Farmer scored for the Broncos.
Meantime, Broncos girls hockey team fell 8-1 to East Grand Forks Friday.
In the SIJHL, Fort Frances Lakers lost 8-3 to the Fort William North Stars.
Fort Frances Canadians Midget AA team won the championship of the Junior Gold Tournament in Brookings, South Dakota on the weekend.
The Canadians clinched the title with their third win of the tournament Sunday - a 4-1 decision over Mounds View, Minnesota.
Ryan Lundy had a hattrick while Brad McDonald added an empty netter in that game.
Fort Frances Boston Pizza Royals Pee-wee AA hockey team lost 4-1 to Kenora in the bronze medal game of its tournament at the Memorial Sport Centre.
The event was won by Dryden.
The Rolling Lake Lightning captured gold at a atom girls hockey tournament on the weekend beating the Lake of the Woods Flyers of Kenora 3-2 in the championship game.
Annalise Hayes had all three goals for the Lightning.
Kaemingh Esso beat the Emo Penguins in the bronze medal game 5-0.
Scoring for Esso were Alyssa Alderson with a hat trick, Caitlin Visser and Maighyn Degagne.
In college basketball, the Rainy River Voyageurs dropped both games played against Northland Community & Technical College Saturday.
The men lost 71-64 while the women fell 82-51.
Stamps Go Up
It's going to cost more to mail a letter starting today.
The cost of sending a first-class letter within Canada will increase from 54-cents to 57.
Letters to the United States will cost one-dollar -- an increase of two-cents.
Canada Post says it needs the extra money to invest in new mail-processing equipment.
Legal Aid Boycott to Expand?
Low-income Ontarians charged with serious crimes could find themselves in an even tighter legal spot in two weeks.
Members of the Criminal Lawyers' Association have reportedly voted unanimously to expand their boycott.
A memo says a deal must be reached by January 24, otherwise the expansion of the boycott will go ahead.
Frank Addario, past president of the association who is involved in the negotiations with the Ministry of the Attorney General, won't confirm the deadline cited in the memo.
But he says lawyers, who are already boycotting homicide and gun and gang cases under legal aid, have been ready to widen the boycott since the fall.
The lawyers want the government to pay them more money for work done for legal aid cases and/or agree to a binding review mechanism for compensation.
Members of the Criminal Lawyers' Association have reportedly voted unanimously to expand their boycott.
A memo says a deal must be reached by January 24, otherwise the expansion of the boycott will go ahead.
Frank Addario, past president of the association who is involved in the negotiations with the Ministry of the Attorney General, won't confirm the deadline cited in the memo.
But he says lawyers, who are already boycotting homicide and gun and gang cases under legal aid, have been ready to widen the boycott since the fall.
The lawyers want the government to pay them more money for work done for legal aid cases and/or agree to a binding review mechanism for compensation.
H1N1 Flu Numbers
The incidence of the H1N1 flu has pretty much vanished in northwestern Ontario.
The Ontario Ministry of Health says there were no new cases reported anywhere in region over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
There have been 73 cases reported by the Northwestern Health Unit since the fall, but no new cases reported in the past four weeks.
The Ontario Ministry of Health says there were no new cases reported anywhere in region over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
There have been 73 cases reported by the Northwestern Health Unit since the fall, but no new cases reported in the past four weeks.
Fort Councillors Meet
A report that calls for an increase in the salaries earned by members of Fort Frances council comes to its meeting tonight.
A committee of council reviewing council remuneration last November recommended the mayors salary increase to $23,000 a year while councillors would receive $12,000.
The increases would be the first in six years and would take effect this December, following this year's municipal elections.
Tonight's council meeting begins at about 6:15 p.m.
A committee of council reviewing council remuneration last November recommended the mayors salary increase to $23,000 a year while councillors would receive $12,000.
The increases would be the first in six years and would take effect this December, following this year's municipal elections.
Tonight's council meeting begins at about 6:15 p.m.
Phone Outage
A line break near Orr is being blamed as the reason for an outage to Internet, long-distance phone and 911 service to Koochiching and northern St. Louis Counties Friday evening.
Service to the area was restored by 9:30 p.m. after being knocked out for almost four hours.
An official with the St. Louis Country Sheriff's Office said residents could still make local calls.
The sheriff's office said firefighters manned phone lines at local fire stations to handle any emergency calls while 911 service was out.
The outage also impacted the U.S. Border and Customs Services causing lengthier than normal waits time for travellers going into States.
Service to the area was restored by 9:30 p.m. after being knocked out for almost four hours.
An official with the St. Louis Country Sheriff's Office said residents could still make local calls.
The sheriff's office said firefighters manned phone lines at local fire stations to handle any emergency calls while 911 service was out.
The outage also impacted the U.S. Border and Customs Services causing lengthier than normal waits time for travellers going into States.
Mill Fire Fought
Members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service spent nearly twelve hours Friday dealing with a fire at the AbitibiBowater mill in Fort Frances.
The fire broke out about 8 o'clock Friday morning in the kraft mill.
Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the roof area of the seventh floor on the north side of the building.
The building fire sprinklers assisted in containing the fire and fire crews had it under control within three hour, but deep snow and other debris on the roof hampered fire fighters ability to remove large sections of the roof where fire had extended and was continuing to burn into the insulation.
Cause of the fire is still under investigation and the extent of damage to the mill has also not been determined.
The fire broke out about 8 o'clock Friday morning in the kraft mill.
Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the roof area of the seventh floor on the north side of the building.
The building fire sprinklers assisted in containing the fire and fire crews had it under control within three hour, but deep snow and other debris on the roof hampered fire fighters ability to remove large sections of the roof where fire had extended and was continuing to burn into the insulation.
Cause of the fire is still under investigation and the extent of damage to the mill has also not been determined.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Local Sports for Friday January 8
Judy Labelle's Fort Frances team opened the inter-regional senior curling playdowns at the Fort Frances Curling club with a win.
LaBelle's foursome defeated Marion Clark of the Port Arthur Curling Club 9-1.
Their next game is against Cristiene Hall-Teravainen also from the Port Arthur Club at 11 a.m. today.
On the men's side, Ken McKinnon's rink was defeated 10-2 in its opener by Red Lake's Ken Anderson.
McKinnon plays Randy Fossum of the Port Arthur Curling Club also this morning at 11 a.m.
Fort Frances Lakers were shutout yesterday in Thunder Bay by the K & A Wolverines 2-0.
The Lakers remain in the Lakehead for a game tonight against the Fort William North Stars.
International Falls Broncos boys hockey team won its third in a row with a 4-1 beating of the Eveleth Golden Bears.
Jon McDonald and Willie Corrin each scored twice for the Broncos who will face Hermantown tomorrow afternoon at Bronco Arena.
The Broncos girls hockey team is in action this evening in East Grand Forks while the Broncos girls basketball team is in Virginia.
Fort Frances Muskies junior boys basketball team defeated Beaver Brae 52-26 in a game played in Fort Frances.
The Muskies girls hockey team resumes NORWOSSA play with a game against Kenora at the Ice For Kids arena beginning at 7:15 p.m.
Boston Pizza Royals Pee-wee AA hockey team hosts a tournament this weekend at the Memorial Sports Centre.
The Royals open play this morning at 11:15 a.m. with a game against Dryden.
Fort Frances Canadians Midget Double A team travel to South Dakota for a tournament in Brookings.
LaBelle's foursome defeated Marion Clark of the Port Arthur Curling Club 9-1.
Their next game is against Cristiene Hall-Teravainen also from the Port Arthur Club at 11 a.m. today.
On the men's side, Ken McKinnon's rink was defeated 10-2 in its opener by Red Lake's Ken Anderson.
McKinnon plays Randy Fossum of the Port Arthur Curling Club also this morning at 11 a.m.
Fort Frances Lakers were shutout yesterday in Thunder Bay by the K & A Wolverines 2-0.
The Lakers remain in the Lakehead for a game tonight against the Fort William North Stars.
International Falls Broncos boys hockey team won its third in a row with a 4-1 beating of the Eveleth Golden Bears.
Jon McDonald and Willie Corrin each scored twice for the Broncos who will face Hermantown tomorrow afternoon at Bronco Arena.
The Broncos girls hockey team is in action this evening in East Grand Forks while the Broncos girls basketball team is in Virginia.
Fort Frances Muskies junior boys basketball team defeated Beaver Brae 52-26 in a game played in Fort Frances.
The Muskies girls hockey team resumes NORWOSSA play with a game against Kenora at the Ice For Kids arena beginning at 7:15 p.m.
Boston Pizza Royals Pee-wee AA hockey team hosts a tournament this weekend at the Memorial Sports Centre.
The Royals open play this morning at 11:15 a.m. with a game against Dryden.
Fort Frances Canadians Midget Double A team travel to South Dakota for a tournament in Brookings.
Ice Castles Constructed
(Courtesy: Angela Petsnick)Work is well underway on two ice-castles by students at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances.
The students started construction this week and hope to finish by the end of February.
Grade 4 student Emma Cole says they're using old milk containers filled with water in its construction.
"First you pour water and then you put snow and you put a brick on," says Cole. Then you put on another and fill in the cracks with water and snow."
Students are asking the public to help out by donating their used containers to the school.
Young Leaders of Today
Young people in Fort Frances are being encouraged to become the leaders of today.
That message from members of the international renowned children's organizations Me to We and Free the Children who were on hand for a student leadership forum hosted by the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Britta Badour says young people have the ability to make real change now.
"It's not even about the future anymore," says Badour. "It's about doing things right now, right today. What we say in our speeches is that we are no longer the leaders of tomorrow, we're the leaders of today. We're the generation that we've been waiting for."
Galen Kerrick says already the world is seeing a growing number of youth groups involved in local, national and international causes.
That message from members of the international renowned children's organizations Me to We and Free the Children who were on hand for a student leadership forum hosted by the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Britta Badour says young people have the ability to make real change now.
"It's not even about the future anymore," says Badour. "It's about doing things right now, right today. What we say in our speeches is that we are no longer the leaders of tomorrow, we're the leaders of today. We're the generation that we've been waiting for."
Galen Kerrick says already the world is seeing a growing number of youth groups involved in local, national and international causes.
Census Concerns
It's a census year for United States, and lawmakers in northern Minnesota says wants to ensure people who live part of the time in the region get counted here.
House Democrat Tom Anzelc says it could be the difference in government determining adequate representation in the State.
"It is possible because of population shifts we could lose representation," says Anzelc. "Our districts may get larger."
Anzelc says it could also impact the amount of money that's provided by senior levels of government to cities, counties and schools boards.
House Democrat Tom Anzelc says it could be the difference in government determining adequate representation in the State.
"It is possible because of population shifts we could lose representation," says Anzelc. "Our districts may get larger."
Anzelc says it could also impact the amount of money that's provided by senior levels of government to cities, counties and schools boards.
Clean Energy Funding
A clean energy project proposed for Koochiching County is receiving $950-thousand in federal funding.
The Renewable Energy Clean Air Project proposes to turn municipal waste into synthetic gas and steam for industrial use or electrical generation.
The grant will cover about a third of the cost of the project's feasibility study, permitting, design and other pre-construction costs.
The Renewable Energy Clean Air Project proposes to turn municipal waste into synthetic gas and steam for industrial use or electrical generation.
The grant will cover about a third of the cost of the project's feasibility study, permitting, design and other pre-construction costs.
Namakan River Project Comment Sought
A public comment period for a proposed hydro development project on the Namakan River is now underway.
Ojibway Power and Energy Group, a partnership between Lac La Croix First Nation and Chant Construction of southern Ontario, recently released the project's draft environmental report.
The project proposes to divert water through an intake facility and powerhouse at Bill Lake and returned west of High Falls, site of a generating station.
Ojibway Power hopes to begin construction this spring.
Ojibway Power and Energy Group, a partnership between Lac La Croix First Nation and Chant Construction of southern Ontario, recently released the project's draft environmental report.
The project proposes to divert water through an intake facility and powerhouse at Bill Lake and returned west of High Falls, site of a generating station.
Ojibway Power hopes to begin construction this spring.
More HST Concerns
Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak says his party's fight against the HST isn't going to end.
Speaking to members of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Hudak says the north will be particularly hard hit.
"After all a family in Fort Frances will heat their home for six to eight weeks longer than in Toronto," says Hudak, "and next winter you'll be paying more to stay warm. Also for commuting, whether to drop the kids off for hockey or go to the grocery store, eight per cent more will be slapped down on the price of gasoline."
Hudak adds native residents won't be receiving exemptions at the till and will be forced to submit receipts for a refund on taxes paid.
Speaking to members of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Hudak says the north will be particularly hard hit.
"After all a family in Fort Frances will heat their home for six to eight weeks longer than in Toronto," says Hudak, "and next winter you'll be paying more to stay warm. Also for commuting, whether to drop the kids off for hockey or go to the grocery store, eight per cent more will be slapped down on the price of gasoline."
Hudak adds native residents won't be receiving exemptions at the till and will be forced to submit receipts for a refund on taxes paid.
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