A problem at the company's effluent treatment system has shutdown the AbitibiBowater Mill in Fort Frances.
A company spokesperson says its because the system exceeded its daily biochemical oxygen demand limit due to the cold weather.
The company won't say how long it will be down or how many of the 565 employees have been effected.
However, some workers tell B-93 they've told they could be back to work within two weeks.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
New Native Casino Opening
A new casino hotel and conference centre will officially open this week in the Red Lake, Minnesota Reserve, north of Bemidji.
The new Seven Clans Casino is the second casino in the state to be built with all native funds, using a 31-million dollar loan Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community, which runs Mystic Lake casino.
The complex is bringing 100 new full-time and part-time jobs to one of the poorest areas in Minnesota, with most of those jobs held by tribal members.
The new Seven Clans Casino is the second casino in the state to be built with all native funds, using a 31-million dollar loan Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community, which runs Mystic Lake casino.
The complex is bringing 100 new full-time and part-time jobs to one of the poorest areas in Minnesota, with most of those jobs held by tribal members.
OPG Fine
Ontario Power Generation has been fined one-hundred thousand dollars after pleading guilty to a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The violation related to a January 2008 workplace injury at its operating station in Atikokan in which an an employee suffered burns to his hand, arm and chest in January 2008 after shining a flashlight into an electrical unit that caused an arc flash of electricity.
It was revealed in court that the worker used a bypass key to circumvent a lockout system and opened the hatch door while the equipment was still energized.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the key used to bypass the system was available to all workers.
The violation related to a January 2008 workplace injury at its operating station in Atikokan in which an an employee suffered burns to his hand, arm and chest in January 2008 after shining a flashlight into an electrical unit that caused an arc flash of electricity.
It was revealed in court that the worker used a bypass key to circumvent a lockout system and opened the hatch door while the equipment was still energized.
A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the key used to bypass the system was available to all workers.
Local Sports for Tuesday January 19
Fort Frances Lakers begin an eight-game home stand tonight with a game against the Sioux Lookout Flyers.
Game time at the Ice for Kids Arena is 7:30 p.m.
International Falls Broncos girls hockey team hosts Lake of the Woods at Broncos Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Broncos boys basketball team hosts Hibbing - 7:30 p.m. at Falls High School - while the girls team travels to Tower-Soudan.
Last night in local girls hockey, the Rolling Lake Lightning tied Kaemingh Esso 2-2.
Emma Noga and Annalise Hayes did the scoring for their respective teams with two goals each.
Another local curling team in in position to vye for a provincial title.
Isaac Keffer finished with a 3-and 1 record at the Northern Ontario Curling Association's bantam boys inter-regional playdown in Thunder Bay on the weekend to earn one of two spots to the provincial event in Longlac next month.
On the girls side, Samatha Mueller of Fort Frances and Myan Miller of Stratton fell short in their bids to advance.
Game time at the Ice for Kids Arena is 7:30 p.m.
International Falls Broncos girls hockey team hosts Lake of the Woods at Broncos Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Broncos boys basketball team hosts Hibbing - 7:30 p.m. at Falls High School - while the girls team travels to Tower-Soudan.
Last night in local girls hockey, the Rolling Lake Lightning tied Kaemingh Esso 2-2.
Emma Noga and Annalise Hayes did the scoring for their respective teams with two goals each.
Another local curling team in in position to vye for a provincial title.
Isaac Keffer finished with a 3-and 1 record at the Northern Ontario Curling Association's bantam boys inter-regional playdown in Thunder Bay on the weekend to earn one of two spots to the provincial event in Longlac next month.
On the girls side, Samatha Mueller of Fort Frances and Myan Miller of Stratton fell short in their bids to advance.
Shared Costs Sought
The town of Fort Frances will be looking to the area school boards from some help in covering the costs of two proposed capital projects.
The town will again ask the school boards for a share in the cost of relocating the tennis courts to St. Francis Sports Fields - costing about half-a million dollar dollars.
It will also look for shared cost in replacing the stage floor at the Townsend Theatre.
The town will again ask the school boards for a share in the cost of relocating the tennis courts to St. Francis Sports Fields - costing about half-a million dollar dollars.
It will also look for shared cost in replacing the stage floor at the Townsend Theatre.
McDonald's Fundraising Figures
There's been a good show of support for McDonald's fundraising efforts for Haiti at its restaurants in Fort Frances and International Falls.
In the Fort, Seven-hundred and fifty dollars was raised for Doctors Without Borders through Friday's coffee sales.
Another five-hundred dollars was raised for the Salvation Army from the Hotcake sales on Sunday.
While in the Falls, six-hundred and 25 dollars was raised through both the coffee and hotcake sales for the Salvation Army.
Another $600 was collected by the Salvation Army's kettles at the restaurant.
All three restaurants will again be raising money through the sale of its Hotcakes this Sunday.
In the Fort, Seven-hundred and fifty dollars was raised for Doctors Without Borders through Friday's coffee sales.
Another five-hundred dollars was raised for the Salvation Army from the Hotcake sales on Sunday.
While in the Falls, six-hundred and 25 dollars was raised through both the coffee and hotcake sales for the Salvation Army.
Another $600 was collected by the Salvation Army's kettles at the restaurant.
All three restaurants will again be raising money through the sale of its Hotcakes this Sunday.
Cabinet Changes
Premier Dalton McGuinty has promoted four new faces to the Ontario cabinet and dropping three veterans in one of his largest shakeups ever.
Among the new faces are Carole Mitchell as the new minister of agriculture and Linda Jeffrey taking over natural resources from Donna Cansfield.
Brad Duguid becomes the new minister of energy and infrastructure, while Attorney General Chris Bentley will add Duguid's old aboriginal affairs portfolio to his duties.
Jim Bradley moves from transportation to municipal affairs and housing, Kathleen Wynne moves to transportation while former agriculture minister Leona Dombrowsky takes over education.
Michael Gravelle remains as Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.
Among the new faces are Carole Mitchell as the new minister of agriculture and Linda Jeffrey taking over natural resources from Donna Cansfield.
Brad Duguid becomes the new minister of energy and infrastructure, while Attorney General Chris Bentley will add Duguid's old aboriginal affairs portfolio to his duties.
Jim Bradley moves from transportation to municipal affairs and housing, Kathleen Wynne moves to transportation while former agriculture minister Leona Dombrowsky takes over education.
Michael Gravelle remains as Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.
Community Safety Zone on Hold
A proposal to establish a community safety zone in the west end of Fort Frances has yet to find its way into this year's budget.
Last fall, members of Safe Communities Rainy River and the town's active transportation committee suggested the zone around J.W. Walker School, St. Francis School and Fort Frances High School as a way of improving pedestrian safety.
But town councillors say more information regarding costs and funds are needed before a decision can be made.
Last fall, members of Safe Communities Rainy River and the town's active transportation committee suggested the zone around J.W. Walker School, St. Francis School and Fort Frances High School as a way of improving pedestrian safety.
But town councillors say more information regarding costs and funds are needed before a decision can be made.
Sunny Cove Upgrades
The town of Fort Frances is proposing $130-thousand in improvements to Sunny Cove Camp this year.
That would cover a number of electrical, mechanical and structural upgrades and changes to make facilities more accessible.
The town is also pegging operating costs at about $54-thousand which is about the same when the Camp was operated by the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club.
The town took ownership of the Camp in a deal with the Kiwanis late last year.
That would cover a number of electrical, mechanical and structural upgrades and changes to make facilities more accessible.
The town is also pegging operating costs at about $54-thousand which is about the same when the Camp was operated by the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club.
The town took ownership of the Camp in a deal with the Kiwanis late last year.
Waste Management Concerns
Declining revenues and higher operating costs for waste management within the town of Fort Frances is among issues impacting the budget.
Councillor Ken Perry says the town needs to find ways of generating revenue through recycling to help offset costs.
"We can't keep paying $4.00 a bag for recycling and $2.00 a bag for dumping garbage at the dump," says Perry. "It's going to get worse and worse."
Perry says there is some interest in the community to do a pilot project, but the proponent has yet to make his proposal public.
Councillor Ken Perry says the town needs to find ways of generating revenue through recycling to help offset costs.
"We can't keep paying $4.00 a bag for recycling and $2.00 a bag for dumping garbage at the dump," says Perry. "It's going to get worse and worse."
Perry says there is some interest in the community to do a pilot project, but the proponent has yet to make his proposal public.
Budget Work Underway
Fort Frances town councillors got down to business last night on the 2010 budget.
New numbers show a shortfall in the operating budget of about $530-thousand which Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon said is partly due to a change in provincial tax ratios.
"When I gave council the information in December I didn't have the new starting ratios the province was going to give us," say Witherspoon. "What I gave you was the estimates based on the 2009 tax rates."
Some reduced costs to proposed projects has trimmed the capital budget from $10.8 million in December to $10.
New numbers show a shortfall in the operating budget of about $530-thousand which Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon said is partly due to a change in provincial tax ratios.
"When I gave council the information in December I didn't have the new starting ratios the province was going to give us," say Witherspoon. "What I gave you was the estimates based on the 2009 tax rates."
Some reduced costs to proposed projects has trimmed the capital budget from $10.8 million in December to $10.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Local Sports for Monday January 18
Rainy River's Tim Nordin defeated Red Lake's Ken Anderson in the final of a Northern Ontario Curling Association's regional event in Red Lake. The win moves Nordin's team to a qualifying event to be played in Marathon next week.
More than 320 runners took part in this year' Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard runs in International Falls on Saturday.
Brian Davenport of Minneapolis was the winner in the 10-K race while Jennifer Jones of Florida was the top female finisher.
In the 5-K event, Tyler Lehman of Littlefork crossed the line first while Hailey O'Donnell of Fort Frances was tops among the women.
Fort Frances Lakers were dumped 7-2 by the Dryden Ice Dogs in Dryden Saturday.
Henry Guiterrez had both Laker goals.
Fort Frances Canadians Midget AA hockey team lost out in the semi finals of the Championship side of the Wayzata Junior Gold A Tournament to White Bear Lake in a shoot out. The final score was 2-1 with Dillan Grinsell getting the lone goal.
The Canadians went 2-0 in round robin play beating Burnsvlle 6-2 and St. Louis Park 4-2.
Fort Frances Muskies girls' hockey team split NORWOSSA league games on the weekend.
Muskies fell 5-0 to St. Thomas Aquinas of Kenora on Friday, but rebounded Sunday with a 6-3 win over Red Lake.
Carlee Bosma had a pair of goals in the game while Courtney Bethune, Taylor Dixon, Jillian Langtry and Ericka Tymkin added singles.
Rainy River Voyageurs women's hockey team split games against the University of North, winning 3-2 Saturday but dropping a 5-3 decision on Sunday.
Brittany Finnson, Stevie-Lee Langford, Brenley Anderson did the scoring in Saturday's game.
Courtney Scholler with a pair and Anderson had Sunday's markers.
In minor girls hockey, the Rolling Lake Lightning won a pair of games, first edging the Emo Penguins 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Annalise Hayes with 2 and Shannon Bird had the Lightning goals while Taylor Croswell and Avery Cates scored for the Penguins.
Sunday, the Lightning defeated the International Falls under-10 girls team 3 - 1 with Lauren Hamilton, Kassidy Fryer and Annalise Hayes doing the scoring.
At Falls High School Friday , the Broncos girls hockey team ended a four-game losing skid with a 5-1 win over Park Rapids.
Broncos boys basketball team won its third in a row with a 88-51 decision over Babbit-Embarrass.
Broncos girls basketball team lost its sixth straight 69-35 to Hibbing.
In college ball, the Rainy River Voyageurs men's basketball team fell 89-84 to Central Lakes in overtime on Friday, but rebounded for an 86-57 win over Itasca Saturday.
The women lost both of their games by identical 71-64 scores.
Fort Frances Muskies senior boys' basketball team earned a silver medal at a tournament in Thunder Bay on the weekend.
Muskies lost to host St. Ignatius in the final 54-33 after defeating St. Patrick's and Westgate in the opening rounds.
Fort Frances Muskies junior Girls Volleyball Team split into two squads for a tournament in Dryden on the weekend.
Team Black was knocked out of the playoffs by Churchill’s “A Team” in two sets while Team Gold reached the semi-finals before losing to Portage Collegiate's grade 10 team in two sets.
More than 320 runners took part in this year' Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard runs in International Falls on Saturday.
Brian Davenport of Minneapolis was the winner in the 10-K race while Jennifer Jones of Florida was the top female finisher.
In the 5-K event, Tyler Lehman of Littlefork crossed the line first while Hailey O'Donnell of Fort Frances was tops among the women.
Fort Frances Lakers were dumped 7-2 by the Dryden Ice Dogs in Dryden Saturday.
Henry Guiterrez had both Laker goals.
Fort Frances Canadians Midget AA hockey team lost out in the semi finals of the Championship side of the Wayzata Junior Gold A Tournament to White Bear Lake in a shoot out. The final score was 2-1 with Dillan Grinsell getting the lone goal.
The Canadians went 2-0 in round robin play beating Burnsvlle 6-2 and St. Louis Park 4-2.
Fort Frances Muskies girls' hockey team split NORWOSSA league games on the weekend.
Muskies fell 5-0 to St. Thomas Aquinas of Kenora on Friday, but rebounded Sunday with a 6-3 win over Red Lake.
Carlee Bosma had a pair of goals in the game while Courtney Bethune, Taylor Dixon, Jillian Langtry and Ericka Tymkin added singles.
Rainy River Voyageurs women's hockey team split games against the University of North, winning 3-2 Saturday but dropping a 5-3 decision on Sunday.
Brittany Finnson, Stevie-Lee Langford, Brenley Anderson did the scoring in Saturday's game.
Courtney Scholler with a pair and Anderson had Sunday's markers.
In minor girls hockey, the Rolling Lake Lightning won a pair of games, first edging the Emo Penguins 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Annalise Hayes with 2 and Shannon Bird had the Lightning goals while Taylor Croswell and Avery Cates scored for the Penguins.
Sunday, the Lightning defeated the International Falls under-10 girls team 3 - 1 with Lauren Hamilton, Kassidy Fryer and Annalise Hayes doing the scoring.
At Falls High School Friday , the Broncos girls hockey team ended a four-game losing skid with a 5-1 win over Park Rapids.
Broncos boys basketball team won its third in a row with a 88-51 decision over Babbit-Embarrass.
Broncos girls basketball team lost its sixth straight 69-35 to Hibbing.
In college ball, the Rainy River Voyageurs men's basketball team fell 89-84 to Central Lakes in overtime on Friday, but rebounded for an 86-57 win over Itasca Saturday.
The women lost both of their games by identical 71-64 scores.
Fort Frances Muskies senior boys' basketball team earned a silver medal at a tournament in Thunder Bay on the weekend.
Muskies lost to host St. Ignatius in the final 54-33 after defeating St. Patrick's and Westgate in the opening rounds.
Fort Frances Muskies junior Girls Volleyball Team split into two squads for a tournament in Dryden on the weekend.
Team Black was knocked out of the playoffs by Churchill’s “A Team” in two sets while Team Gold reached the semi-finals before losing to Portage Collegiate's grade 10 team in two sets.
Church Alcohol Purchases Questioned
Ontario's liquor agency is losing faith in the way churches buy their sacramental wine in the province.
An internal report for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario says the current rules are too lax and are being abused by some unscrupulous operators.
Priests, ministers, rabbis and others have long been allowed to buy sacramental wine, brandy, cognac and liqueur outside the otherwise strict rules set by the LCBO, as long as the products are used in religious ceremonies in a regular place of worship.
An internal report for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario says the current rules are too lax and are being abused by some unscrupulous operators.
Priests, ministers, rabbis and others have long been allowed to buy sacramental wine, brandy, cognac and liqueur outside the otherwise strict rules set by the LCBO, as long as the products are used in religious ceremonies in a regular place of worship.
Beer Name Challenged
Ontario's alcohol and gaming commission is taking shots at Alberta-based Boxer Beer.
The agency received a complaint that the beer's name could be construed as using sports to advertise -- which isn't allowed under Ontario's liquor regulations.
The brewing company says it's surprised by the investigation, noting that it worked with the agency for several months to make sure it had have all its approvals.
Sunset Country Talks with Government
The Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association plans to take part in the province's meetings on the new tourism region for all of Northern Ontario.
Gerry Cariou says despite their objections to the large tourism organization they still plan to voice their thoughts to the government.
"The province has decided one organization for the 80 per cent of the land mass is the right thing to do," says Cariou. "We disagree with that but we're participating anyway because it doesn't appear to be a democracy in Ontario. It appears to be an autocracy."
Cariou says Sunset Country will continue to exist on its own since 70 percent of its funding is based on memberships with the rest coming from the province.
Gerry Cariou says despite their objections to the large tourism organization they still plan to voice their thoughts to the government.
"The province has decided one organization for the 80 per cent of the land mass is the right thing to do," says Cariou. "We disagree with that but we're participating anyway because it doesn't appear to be a democracy in Ontario. It appears to be an autocracy."
Cariou says Sunset Country will continue to exist on its own since 70 percent of its funding is based on memberships with the rest coming from the province.
Budget Meeting Tonight
Fort Frances council will met tonight for the its first line-by-line discussion on the 2010 budget.
Going in, preliminary figures back in December showed the town's looking at an operating budget deficit of about $400-thousand.
About $11-million dollars in capital spending was also proposed.
Going in, preliminary figures back in December showed the town's looking at an operating budget deficit of about $400-thousand.
About $11-million dollars in capital spending was also proposed.
EDC Explored in Fort Frances
The chair of Fort Frances' economic development advisory committee says the town's study of a new economic development commission may benefit the town.
Bill Gushalak, whose committee recommended the study, says it could put the town in a better position to take advantage of future opportunities.
"We want to make sure that if we have an economic development commission in place that perhaps we can be a little more hand-ons for some of the existing businesses and industry here," says Gushalak, "so that as people reach ages of retirement or need assistance for new areas to delve into it would be wonderful to have a person on board."
Gushalak says he sees the creation of the new commission working cooperatively with the Rainy River Future Development Corporation, which now handles economic development for the town.
Bill Gushalak, whose committee recommended the study, says it could put the town in a better position to take advantage of future opportunities.
"We want to make sure that if we have an economic development commission in place that perhaps we can be a little more hand-ons for some of the existing businesses and industry here," says Gushalak, "so that as people reach ages of retirement or need assistance for new areas to delve into it would be wonderful to have a person on board."
Gushalak says he sees the creation of the new commission working cooperatively with the Rainy River Future Development Corporation, which now handles economic development for the town.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Local Sports for Friday January 15
Three district men's curling teams are taking part in a Northern Ontario Currling Association regional event in Red Lake, a step towards earning a spot at the provincials next month.
Rinks skipped Trevor Bonot of Stratton, Tim Nordin of Rainy River and Wayne Beacham of Fort Frances will open play tonight.
Four third period goals gave the K & A Wolverines a 7-4 win over the Fort Frances Lakers at the Ice for Kids Arena last night.
The Lakers are in Dryden tomorrow.
In High School action, Fort Frances Muskies junior boys' basketball team defeated Dryden 61-33 while the seniors were 36-23 winners.
The girls' volleyball teams were not as successful with both the senior and junior teams dropping 3-set matches to the Eagles.
Tonight, the Muskies girls' hockey team travels to Kenora to play St. Thomas Aquanis.
A busy today for Falls High School teams.
The Broncos girls' hockey team travels to play Park Rapids.
The boys' basketball team hosts Babbit-Embarrass - 7:30 at Falls High School while the girls team is in Hibbing.
Fort Frances Canadians Midget AA team heads to Wayzata, Minnesota to participate in a Junior Gold A tournament.
Canadians open play tomorrow morning against Burnsville.
Rainy River Community College basketball teams are at Central Lakes tonight and Itasca tomorrow.
Rinks skipped Trevor Bonot of Stratton, Tim Nordin of Rainy River and Wayne Beacham of Fort Frances will open play tonight.
Four third period goals gave the K & A Wolverines a 7-4 win over the Fort Frances Lakers at the Ice for Kids Arena last night.
The Lakers are in Dryden tomorrow.
In High School action, Fort Frances Muskies junior boys' basketball team defeated Dryden 61-33 while the seniors were 36-23 winners.
The girls' volleyball teams were not as successful with both the senior and junior teams dropping 3-set matches to the Eagles.
Tonight, the Muskies girls' hockey team travels to Kenora to play St. Thomas Aquanis.
A busy today for Falls High School teams.
The Broncos girls' hockey team travels to play Park Rapids.
The boys' basketball team hosts Babbit-Embarrass - 7:30 at Falls High School while the girls team is in Hibbing.
Fort Frances Canadians Midget AA team heads to Wayzata, Minnesota to participate in a Junior Gold A tournament.
Canadians open play tomorrow morning against Burnsville.
Rainy River Community College basketball teams are at Central Lakes tonight and Itasca tomorrow.
Crisis Centre Name Change
It's now official.
The Atikokan Crisis Centre's name change has been approved by the provincial government.
It's now called the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope.
The Atikokan Crisis Centre's name change has been approved by the provincial government.
It's now called the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope.
Government Helping Native Business
The Ontario government want to give First Nation companies a better chance to bid on government contracts in their communities.
Native Affairs Minister Brad Duguid says he's putting into place a new procurement policy.
"That's going to give aboriginal businesses an opportunity to get a leg up on government contracts that impact aboriginal communities," says Duguid.
Duguid made the announcement during a native economic development forum in Thunder Bay yesterday.
Aboriginal leaders from across the region have gathered to begin work on a new economic strategy.
Duguid says its important to build strong aboriginal businesses.
"What we're doing here today is looking for other ideas and ways that we can work in partnership to build stronger aboriginal economies. We know that a strong aboriginal economic and community will contribute to a stronger Ontario economy."
Native Affairs Minister Brad Duguid says he's putting into place a new procurement policy.
"That's going to give aboriginal businesses an opportunity to get a leg up on government contracts that impact aboriginal communities," says Duguid.
Duguid made the announcement during a native economic development forum in Thunder Bay yesterday.
Aboriginal leaders from across the region have gathered to begin work on a new economic strategy.
Duguid says its important to build strong aboriginal businesses.
"What we're doing here today is looking for other ideas and ways that we can work in partnership to build stronger aboriginal economies. We know that a strong aboriginal economic and community will contribute to a stronger Ontario economy."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
