Board elections top the agenda at today's meeting of the Northwestern Health Unit in Dryden.
Fort Frances councillor John Albanese is seeking another term as chair.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Board of Health Elections Today
Fort Frances councillor John Albanese is seeking another term as chair.
OPP Seeking New Recruits
The help wanted sign is being posted by the Ontario Provincial Police.
Sergeant Darryl Wilson has been recruiting prospective members to the O-P-P for the past decade and says they're are always looking to replenish the ranks.
"A a large organization we are continuously looking for the competitive and suitable candidates," says Wilson, "because were always faced with officers retiring. Yes it's hard times, but we still need to be replacing those who are leaving."
About a dozen individuals attended a recent recruitment session in Fort Frances, but Wilson says they'll always had difficulties convincing people from northwestern Ontario to consider a career in policing.
"I never seem to have the numbers. If a class if going through of the full class a full dozen would be coming to northwestern Ontario. The numbers from the north that started living in the north might be only eight."
Wilson says some feel their age is a deterrent, but notes the last graduating class include a student who was 48-years old.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Local Sports for Thursday January 21
It was another split in games for the Rainy River Voyageurs on the basketball court.
Last night the men's team beat Vermilion 118-88, but the women's lost 62-57
Bantam girls hockey last night saw the BDO Dunwoody Stars defeat Energy Fitness Wild 3-1.
Scoring for the Stars were Shelby Tymkin with a pair and Taylor Hazel.
Shelby Rae had the Wild's lone goal.
In Atom girls play, the Rolling Lake Lightning and the International Falls under-10 girls team skated to a 3-3 draw.
Annalise Hayes had all three goals for the Lightning.
Lexi Edwards, Amber Tillander and Kara Schneider scored for the Falls' team
In Atom girls action from Wednesday night, it was Fort Frances Kaemingh Esso blanking the Emo Penguins 7-0.
Alyssa Alderson and Emma Noga each had hat tricks with Sara Jackson adding the other goal.
Carly McKinnon recorded the shutout.
It's a light high school schedule locally with only the International Falls Broncos girls basketball team in action.
The Broncos will host Eveleth-Gilbert - 7:30 p.m. at Falls High School.
Last night the men's team beat Vermilion 118-88, but the women's lost 62-57
Bantam girls hockey last night saw the BDO Dunwoody Stars defeat Energy Fitness Wild 3-1.
Scoring for the Stars were Shelby Tymkin with a pair and Taylor Hazel.
Shelby Rae had the Wild's lone goal.
In Atom girls play, the Rolling Lake Lightning and the International Falls under-10 girls team skated to a 3-3 draw.
Annalise Hayes had all three goals for the Lightning.
Lexi Edwards, Amber Tillander and Kara Schneider scored for the Falls' team
In Atom girls action from Wednesday night, it was Fort Frances Kaemingh Esso blanking the Emo Penguins 7-0.
Alyssa Alderson and Emma Noga each had hat tricks with Sara Jackson adding the other goal.
Carly McKinnon recorded the shutout.
It's a light high school schedule locally with only the International Falls Broncos girls basketball team in action.
The Broncos will host Eveleth-Gilbert - 7:30 p.m. at Falls High School.
Summer Jobs Money
The federal government is making more money available for businesses in the Rainy River district to help cover the costs of hiring summer students.
Just under $250-thousand will be allocated for the Canada Summer Jobs programs run by Service Canada.
It's an increase of about $31-thousand over last summer.
Employers can apply for the funding beginning February 1st.
Just under $250-thousand will be allocated for the Canada Summer Jobs programs run by Service Canada.
It's an increase of about $31-thousand over last summer.
Employers can apply for the funding beginning February 1st.
Hunting Ban Issued
A Red Lake man has been fined $3,500 and prohibited from hunting in Ontario for two years for illegally hunting deer in the Rainy River District.
The man was charged last November after MNR conservation officers spotting two men walking out of the bush in the Nelles-Patullo Road area, north of Stratton, and get into a truck.
The MNR later found a deer shot in a nearby farmer's field that was dragged to a fence near the road.
The man initially denied shooting the deer, but C.O.'s were able to match the bullet that killed the animal to his riffle.
The man was charged last November after MNR conservation officers spotting two men walking out of the bush in the Nelles-Patullo Road area, north of Stratton, and get into a truck.
The MNR later found a deer shot in a nearby farmer's field that was dragged to a fence near the road.
The man initially denied shooting the deer, but C.O.'s were able to match the bullet that killed the animal to his riffle.
Arts Funds Available
Arts organizations in northern Minnesota, including those in Koochiching County will have until the end of this month to apply for funding from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.
Eligible groups can request up to $6,000 per grant application, an increase from the previous amount of $3,500.
The required match for an application has also been decreased from 50 to 20 percent.
Eligible groups can request up to $6,000 per grant application, an increase from the previous amount of $3,500.
The required match for an application has also been decreased from 50 to 20 percent.
Tim Horton's Raises Funds
There's more fundraising taking place in the Rainy River District for the Haitian earthquake relief effort.
Tim Hortons has announced money raised through it's Children's Foundation coin boxes will be donated to UNICEF.
An additional $100-thousand is being donated at the corporate level.
Labour Meets with Cabinet Members
Union leaders with the Ontario Federation of Labour will get an audience today with two key members of the McGuinty Cabinet.
The meeting with Finance Minister Dwight Duncan and Labour Minister Peter Fonseca will focus around jobs and the economy.
OFL President Sid Ryan calls today's meeting a very positive step and is looking for constructive dialogue.
The meeting with Finance Minister Dwight Duncan and Labour Minister Peter Fonseca will focus around jobs and the economy.
OFL President Sid Ryan calls today's meeting a very positive step and is looking for constructive dialogue.
NDP Anti-HST Campaign in Kenora Riding
Area NDP are focusing attention on the federal Conservative held riding of Kenora in a push to kill the provincial harmonized sales tax.
And Thunder Bay-Superior North M-P Bruce Hyer says the riding's M-P Greg Rickford is not being honest with constituents when he says it's not a Federal issue.
"The federal government has bribed the Ontario into this with $4.3 billion dollars of our federal tax dollars," says Hyer, "which they're going to have to borrow on the money markets and increase our federal deficit."
NDP have been holding public meetings in the riding to rally support against the HST.
And Thunder Bay-Superior North M-P Bruce Hyer says the riding's M-P Greg Rickford is not being honest with constituents when he says it's not a Federal issue.
"The federal government has bribed the Ontario into this with $4.3 billion dollars of our federal tax dollars," says Hyer, "which they're going to have to borrow on the money markets and increase our federal deficit."
NDP have been holding public meetings in the riding to rally support against the HST.
Construction Activity Increasing in I. Falls
Watch for some activity along the U.S. side of the Rainy River this summer.
A new headquarters for Voyageur's National Park, an amphitheatre and a new U.S. Border Patrol Facility are expected to take shape this summer.
International Falls Mayor Shawn Mason says that's good news for her community.
"It's been a long time since we have seen groundbreakings happening in our community and some progress," says Mason. "I'm very thrilled with the support of a lot of great people we were able to begin our waterfront projects."
Mason reflected on 2009 and the year ahead at Falls city council meeting this past week.
Building Activity in 2009
A lack in the number of new homes in Fort Frances is being reflected in the overall building numbers for 2009.
Just under One-hundred permits were issued last year, most for home improvements.
Chief Building Official Rick Hallam says its continues a trend seen for several years now.
"There's been a very noticeable decrease in the number of new single detached dwellings being constructed in Fort Frances," says Hallam. "If you go back 10 or 11 years, we were doing upwards to 16 to 18 new homes a year. That's dropped off quite substantially. A lot of it now is additions or renovations."
Larger projects such as the new library, the elementary school and Boston Pizza accounted for much last year's total value of about $15-million.
Just under One-hundred permits were issued last year, most for home improvements.
Chief Building Official Rick Hallam says its continues a trend seen for several years now.
"There's been a very noticeable decrease in the number of new single detached dwellings being constructed in Fort Frances," says Hallam. "If you go back 10 or 11 years, we were doing upwards to 16 to 18 new homes a year. That's dropped off quite substantially. A lot of it now is additions or renovations."
Larger projects such as the new library, the elementary school and Boston Pizza accounted for much last year's total value of about $15-million.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Local Sports for Wednesday January 20
Tim Hennessey's goal 5 minutes left in the third stood as the winner as the Fort Frances Lakers edged the Sioux Lookout Flyers 4-3 at the Ice for Kids Arena last night.
Jaret Leclair, Justin Erhart and Matthew Caulfield added the other goals.
Jameson Shortreed faced 24 shots in net for the win.
Fort Frances Muskies boys' hockey team suffered its first NORWOSSA loss of the season at the hands of the Dryden Eagles.
Ethan Egli's third goal of the game 2-and-a-half minutes into overtime gave the Eagles a 5-4 decision.
Dryden had sent the game into OT with a goal just 47 seconds left in regulation.
Davis Smith with two, Nick Jourdain and Jeff Cridland had the Muskies goals.
In International Falls yesterday, the Broncos girls' hockey team defeated the Lake of the Woods Bears 3-1.
The Broncos boys' basketball team was bounced 78-55 by Hibbing while the girls' team earned a 62-48 decision over Tower-Soudan.
Rainy River Voyageurs basketball teams take to the court today at the College in games against Vermilion.
The women will kick things off at 6 with the men playing at 8
Jaret Leclair, Justin Erhart and Matthew Caulfield added the other goals.
Jameson Shortreed faced 24 shots in net for the win.
Fort Frances Muskies boys' hockey team suffered its first NORWOSSA loss of the season at the hands of the Dryden Eagles.
Ethan Egli's third goal of the game 2-and-a-half minutes into overtime gave the Eagles a 5-4 decision.
Dryden had sent the game into OT with a goal just 47 seconds left in regulation.
Davis Smith with two, Nick Jourdain and Jeff Cridland had the Muskies goals.
In International Falls yesterday, the Broncos girls' hockey team defeated the Lake of the Woods Bears 3-1.
The Broncos boys' basketball team was bounced 78-55 by Hibbing while the girls' team earned a 62-48 decision over Tower-Soudan.
Rainy River Voyageurs basketball teams take to the court today at the College in games against Vermilion.
The women will kick things off at 6 with the men playing at 8
Child Obsecity Discussed
Legislators in Minnesota are looking to curb a rise in childhood obesity in their state.
They'll calling for a number of measures that include the adoption of statewide physical education standards in schools and integrating physical activity in all classrooms, recess and extra-curricular activities.
A committee discussing the issue yesterday were told one-third of kids ages 2 to 19 are considered overweight or obese and Minnesota spends more than 9-billion dollars annually treating obesity-related issues.
They'll calling for a number of measures that include the adoption of statewide physical education standards in schools and integrating physical activity in all classrooms, recess and extra-curricular activities.
A committee discussing the issue yesterday were told one-third of kids ages 2 to 19 are considered overweight or obese and Minnesota spends more than 9-billion dollars annually treating obesity-related issues.
Bobcat Killed
Authorities in Minnesota were forced to kill a bobcat last week after it invaded a Littlefork home and killed the family's dog.
The Department of Natural Resources and the Koochiching County Sheriff's department were both dispatched to the home last Thursday where they found the 30-pound bobcat in a garage where it had entered through the doggie door.
It was later determined the animal appeared to have been starving.
The Department of Natural Resources and the Koochiching County Sheriff's department were both dispatched to the home last Thursday where they found the 30-pound bobcat in a garage where it had entered through the doggie door.
It was later determined the animal appeared to have been starving.
Green-Energy Deal Planned
It appears Ontario is about to sign a huge green-energy deal with a South Korean consortium led by Samsung.
The Ontario government is expected to sign a deal as soon as tomorrow that would see the consortium build dozens of wind and solar farms across Ontario.
There are signs the project could create 15-thousand jobs.
The Ontario government is expected to sign a deal as soon as tomorrow that would see the consortium build dozens of wind and solar farms across Ontario.
There are signs the project could create 15-thousand jobs.
Cattlemen Meet
Members of the Rainy River Cattlemen's Association will gather tonight for their annual meeting in Stratton.
Representatives from both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ontario Cattlemen's Association will be on hand.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Stratton Millennium Hall.
Representatives from both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ontario Cattlemen's Association will be on hand.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Stratton Millennium Hall.
Native Affairs Posting Panned
First Nation leaders are upset with Premier McGuinty's move to combine aboriginal affairs with the attorney general's responsibilities.
Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says it sends the wrong message to First Nations grappling with high suicide rates, economic hardship and long-standing treaty disputes.
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse says relations with First Nations have improved since the stand-alone ministry was created and the change could derail the efforts.
Attorney General Chris Bentley took over the post Monday during a cabinet shuffle.
Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says it sends the wrong message to First Nations grappling with high suicide rates, economic hardship and long-standing treaty disputes.
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse says relations with First Nations have improved since the stand-alone ministry was created and the change could derail the efforts.
Attorney General Chris Bentley took over the post Monday during a cabinet shuffle.
Cabinet Shuffle Not Impressing Hampton
The area's MPP isn't impressed with the changes made to the McGuinty Government's cabinet.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says Monday's cabinet shuffle does little to improve the region's economy.
"It completely ignores the issues of northern Ontario," says Hampton. "We have some really big issues to deal with - natural resources, the forest sector, the mining sector - and we have a Minister of Natural Resources whose from southern Ontario and probably doesn't know the difference between a hardwood and a softwood."
Hampton is also critical of the Native Affairs portfolio being handed to Attorney General Chris Bentley, suggesting it shows the province isn't serious about first nations issues.
Nursing Program Resuming
Confederation College and Lakehead University are now targeting this fall as the resumption of a community-based nursing program.
The program allows students to earn L.U.'s Bachelor of Nursing program at the College's regional campuses, including Fort Frances.
College president Pat Lang says they still need 32 students registered.
"We're at the stage now we're wanting to ensure we have sufficient number of students prepared and wanting to enroll," says Lang, "and also there will be job opportunities for those graduates in four years time."
Four students from the Rainy River district graduated from the pilot program which ended in the spring of 2009.
The program allows students to earn L.U.'s Bachelor of Nursing program at the College's regional campuses, including Fort Frances.
College president Pat Lang says they still need 32 students registered.
"We're at the stage now we're wanting to ensure we have sufficient number of students prepared and wanting to enroll," says Lang, "and also there will be job opportunities for those graduates in four years time."
Four students from the Rainy River district graduated from the pilot program which ended in the spring of 2009.
Mill Shutdown
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.
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.
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