Festival Resumes

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts enters its second week today with vocal performances taking the stage.

They begin at Knox United Church beginning at 9 a.m.

Dean Jobin-Bevan of Thunder Bay will adjudicate.

Festival Winners from Thursday April 7

The first week of the Rainy River district Festival of the Performing Arts has wrapped up.

Piano competition concluded yesterday with Alexa Veldhuisen scoring three first place finishes.

Next week, vocal performances and drams will take centre stage.

Here is a list of all winners from yesterday

CLASS P1004

FIRST - Meagan Empey

CLASS P904

FIRST - Alexis Sharp

SECOND - Cameo Harrison

CLASS P804

FIRST - Oryn Albanese

SECOND (TIE) - Katelyn Shortreed, Audrey Chojko-Bolec

CLASS P102

FIRST - Macy Anderson

SECOND - Jacob Gustafson

CLASS P303

FIRST - Emma Dykstra

SECOND - Cara Sane-Calder

CLASS P403

FIRST - Jordan Bruyere

SECOND - Tianna Veldhuisen

CLASS P031

FIRST - Alexa Veldhuisen

SECOND - Emily Loney

CLASS P035

FIRST - Alexa Veldhuisen

SECOND (TIE) - Caitlin Rittau, Annalise Rittau

CLASS P034

FIRST - Alexa Veldhuisen

SECOND (TIE) - Gemma Friesen, Sydney Beck

NDP Release Northern Ontario Platform

The NDP is out with a platform specific for northern Ontario. It includes more funding for seniors homes and programs to eliminate senior poverty.

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says they're big issues in this area.

"Many seniors can't pay their electric bill, can't put food on the table," says Rafferty. "They might be in perfectly good health otherwise. They live in their own home. We proposed to Mr. Flaherty long before this election that we need to increase G.I.S. immediately to ensure that we don't have any senior living in poverty in this country."

The platform also calls for increases to FEDNOR and ensuring it's a stand alone agency.

No Campaign Offices Planned

The Liberal candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River has opted not to open campaign offices.

Ken Boshcoff says limitations on campaign spending played a part of his decision.

Boschoff says he'll instead focus on meeting as many people as possible face-to-face.

He's also set up social-media sites on Facebook and Twitter to help deliver his message.

Green Party candidate Ed Shields is also using social-media to reach voters.

Conservative candidate Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann has an office in Thunder Bay, but no word yet if she has plans to set up satellite sites elsewhere.

NDP incumbent John Rafferty has campaign offices in Fort Frances and Atikokan.

Riverside Receives Grant

Riverside Health Care Facilities is receiving some funding from the Northern Cancer Fund.

The $25-thousand will be used to purchase equipment for the chemotherapy department at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Pennies at Play Reaches Half Way Mark

A campaign to raise money for new playground equipment at International Falls' Kerry Park is nearing the halfway mark.

Organizer of Pennies for Play Robin Bjorkquist says the $3,000 raised at last weekend's Purple Day Carnival puts them on target to reach the 17-thousand 500-dollar goal.

"Game Time has a 100 per cent matching grant fund," says Bjorkquist. "So if we can raise at least $10-thousand or more, they will match those funds to purchase a brand new play structure for Kerry Park."

The group hopes to reach its mark by the end of May.

Customer Service Challenge

(Lillian Gerley accepting a 2010 Customer Service Award for the UPS Store from George Emes of the Rainy River Futures Development Corporation)

The Rainy River Futures Development Corporation is now seeking businesses interested in taking part in this year's Customer Service Challenge.

Office Manager Cynde Milette says this year, customers get a say on who should be recognized for good customer service.

"We're going to open it up to the public to vote for their choice," says Milette. "They can all pick their top three. From those votes we'll compile a top ten as we've done in the past."

Businesses between Mine Centre and Rainy River have until April 15 to register.

Atikokan Budget Coming

Atikokan town council is looking at bringing in a budget next Monday that could include a two per cent tax increase.

Mayor Dennis Brown says they're trying to be cognisant of the financial challenges now faced by residents.

"We're looking at it that if its 2 per cent the average taxes would go up $25.00," says Brown. "Hopefully, we can come in better than that but we have a little more work to do on it."

Brown says plans for a new arena are still on the books, but won't proceed unless it receives some government assistance.

CN Stalling Pumping Station Project

The town of Fort Frances is growing frustrated with CN Rail.

The town has been waiting for almost a year for approval to run a sewer pipe through CN property, connecting the pumping station on Portage Avenue to the storm sewer system on Third Street East.

CAO Mark McCaig says the delay in that decision is holding up the town's plans to improve the station.

Changes for BIA

The Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association is hoping to entice more people to their businesses.

Chair Connie Cuthbertson says they've re-established the organization and are looking at some new events this summer they're calling "Market Thursdays."

"We're hoping to have a farmer's market in the downtown area as well as some artisans and crafters," says Cutherbertson. "Maybe even some buskers down there."

Cutherbertson says they're also exploring ways of enhancing the downtown core.

Trillium Funding Announced

Two Rainy River District communities are receiving funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The township of Emo will use over $83-thousand to fund an addition to its library.

Big Grassy First Nation is getting $27-thousand to purchase an events tent.

O.N.A Issues Health-Care Report

The Ontario Nurses' Association is out with its list of recommendations aimed at improving the health care system in rural and northern Ontario.

Vice-President Vicki McKenna says the Government needs a stronger plan.

"The government needs to address the root causes of some of the huge challenges in the health issues that people are presenting with," says McKenna. "These areas experience lower life expectancy, higher obesity rates and higher infant mortality rates than anywhere else in the province."

Among the recommendations include more funding toward the hiring of full-time nurses.

Park Closure Possible

About 800-thousand U.S. government workers could find themselves with out paycheques in 48 hours.

A budget deadlock threatens to shut down much of the American government starting Saturday.

It would including the closing of Voyageur's National Park near International Falls.

Boshcoff Takes Leave from City

Ken Boshcoff is taking a leave from his duties as councillor for the city of Thunder Bay to focus on his election campaign in Thunder Bay-Rainy River.

The Liberal candidate says he'll officially step aside April 12.

Music Festival Results

The final day of piano competitions at the Rainy River District Festival of the Arts takes place today.

They will start at 9 a.m. at Townshend Theatre before moving to Knox United Church at 6 p.m.

Here is a complete list of all winner from the first three days of competition.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, Monday April 4

PIANO DIVISION

Class P901
FIRST – Alexis Sharp
SECOND – Caitlyn Sande

CLASS P801
FIRST – Anika Alexander

CLASS P701
FIRST – Lorianne Dueck
SECOND – Kacia Veldhuisen

CLASS P 1002
FIRST – Meagan Empey

CLASS P902
FIRST – Alexis Sharp

CLASS P1704
FIRST – Sarah Bagacki and Anika Alexander

CLASS P501
FIRST – Moriah Carradice

CLASS P502
FIRST – Taylor Shouldice
SECOND – Moriah Carradice

CLASS P207
FIRST – Lemuel Carradice
SECOND (TIE) Jessica Empey, Katelyn Bruyere

CLASS P 307
FIRST – Cara Sane-Calder

CLASS P203
FIRST – Katelyn Bruyere
SECOND – Judy Wu

CLASS P407
FIRST – Tianna Veldhuisen
SECOND – Gareth Dunn

CLASS P507
FIRST – Moriah Carradice
SECOND – Beth Layne Ward

CLASS P607
FIRST – Adam Van Ael

CLASS P506
FIRST - Jilayne Derkson

CLASS P606
FIRST – Adam Van Ael

CLASS P1703
FIRST – Katelyn Bruyere and Jordan Bruyere

CLASS P073
FIRST – Mackenzie Wright

CLASS P107
FIRST – Macy Anderson
SECOND – Callahan Wiedenhoeft

CLASS P072
FIRST – MacKenzie Wright

CLASS P103
FIRST – Macy Anderson
SECOND – Jacob Gustafson

CLASS P1301
FIRST – Ryan Bodnar

CLASS P1302
FIRST – Denae Christie
SECOND – Samantha Martin

CLASS P1303
FIRST – Taylor Shouldice
SECOND – Niko Matias

CLASS P062
FIRST – Maxwell Williams

CLASS P063
FIRST – Maxwell Williams

CLASS P052
FIRST – Emma Keeler



FESTIVAL RESULTS – Piano Division – Tuesday, April 5

CLASS P907
FIRST - Caitlin Sande
SECOND - Cameo Harrison

CLASS P807
FIRST - Anika Alexander
SECOND - Krista Emond

CLASS P707
FIRST (TIE) - Lucas Koomans, Kacia Veldhuisen
SECOND - Raymond Polz

CLASS P1003
FIRST – Meagan Empey

CLASS P903
FIRST – Alexis Sharp

CLASS P803
FIRST - Anika Alexander
SECOND – Oryn Albanese

CLASS P703
FIRST (TIE) - Kaitlyn Chiasson, Lorianne Dueck
SECOND - Kacia Veldhuisen

CLASS P802
FIRST - Anika Alexander
SECOND - Audrey Chojko-Bolec

CLASS P702
FIRST (TIE) - Kaitlyn Chiasson, Raymond Polz
SECOND - Lorianne Dueck

CLASS P001
FIRST - Maxwell VanDrunen
SECOND (TIE) - Mya Hamilton, Kaylen Cunningham

CLASS P011A
FIRST - Star Martin
SECOND (TIE) - Calin Campbell, Sophie Carpenter

CLASS P002
FIRST - Kenna Spuzak
SECOND (TIE) - Mya Hamilton, Kaylen Cunningham

CLASS P004
FIRST - Jenaya DeBenetti
SECOND - Emma Bassett

CLASS P014
FIRST - Sophie Carpenter
SECOND (TIE) - Hannah Gamache, Mackenzie Jolicouer

CLASS P011B
FIRST (TIE) - Avery Hands, Gavyn DeBenetti
SECOND - Hannah Gamache

CLASS P012
FIRST - Katrina Klug
SECOND - Avery Hands



FESTIVAL RESULTS – PIANO DIVISION – Wednesday, April 6

CLASS P1304
FIRST - Kaitlyn Chiasson
SECOND - Maureen Gustafson

CLASS P306
FIRST - Cara Sane-Calder

CLASS P406
FIRST - Arthur VanAel
SECOND - Jordan Bruyere

CLASS P706
FIRST - Sarah Bagacki
SECOND - Kaitlyn Chiasson

CLASS P806
FIRST - Anika Alexander
SECOND - Krista Emond

CLASS P503
FIRST - Taylor Shouldice
SECOND - Moriah Carradice

CLASS P1404
FIRST (TIE) - Raymond Polz, Krista Emond

CLASS P101
FIRST - Brianna Eldridge
SECOND - Mira Donaldson

CLASS P201
FIRST - Katelyn Bruyere
SECOND – Judy Wu

CLASS P301
FIRST - Emma Dykstra
SECOND - Cara Sane-Calder

CLASS P202
FIRST - Katelyn Bruyere
SECOND (TIE) - Lemuel Carradice , Alyssa Chiasson

CLASS P302
FIRST - Emma Dykstra

CLASS P402
FIRST - Tianna Veldhuisen
SECOND - Gareth Dunn

CLASS P401
FIRST - Gareth Dunn
SECOND (TIE) - Tianna Veldhuisen , Jordan Bruyere

CLASS P1521
FIRST - Jacob Gustafson

CLASS P1522
FIRST - Alexa Veldhuisen
SECOND – Katelyn Bruyere

CLASS P1523
FIRST - Emma Dykstra
SECOND (TIE) - Tianna Veldhuisen , Moriah Carradice

CLASS P021
FIRST - Mykenzie Borger
SECOND - Mika Kooistra

CLASS P022
FIRST - Mika Kooistra
SECOND - Naomi Carradice

CLASS P032
FIRST - Caitlin Rittau

CLASS P023
FIRST - Aaron Rittau

CLASS P033
FIRST - Caitlin Rittau

CLASS P024
FIRST (TIE) - Mykenzie Borger. Mika Kooistra

CLASS P044
FIRST - Nicholas Veldhuisen

Kircher Disciplined

A Fort Frances trustee has received the lightest form of discipline possible for breaching the Rainy River District School Board's trustee code of conduct.

Chair Mike Lewis says a letter will be sent to David Kircher outlining the trustee's decision to censure him after he released confidential information about severance packages of two senior administrators from a previous in-camera meeting.

"The most significant consequences would have been to remove him from a committee," says Lewis, "or ban him from certain committees. That wouldn't serve anybody's purpose. We'll move on from here."

Kircher feels the decision was fair.

Residents Gather for Meeting

Last night's board meeting was attended by over sixty residents, all showing their support for Kircher.

Walter Horban says the board's focus should have been on investigating the decision to bolster the severance packages.

"The amendment to senior administration contracts and the method by which it was done, in our opinion, is a violation of the public trustee that the previous board was charged to protect," says Horban.

Horban also called for the resignation of trustees Dan Belluz and Marg Heyens, members of the previous board that approved the packages last November.

Chair Mike Lewis says the board will be contacting its legal counsel on labour negotiations to discuss the amendments.

Mine Centre School Name Selected

Mine Centre School has been chosen as the name of the new elementary school in that community.

It takes the name from the existing school.

Trustee Dan Belluz, a member of the naming committee, says of the 30 suggestions received, just one offered a different name.

The new school is to open this fall.

OFIA Turns Back on Forest Tenure Act

The provincial government is getting an earful for its decision not to hold committee hearings in northern Ontario on its new forest tenure legislation.

Scott Jackson of the Ontario Forest Industries Association says the McGuinty government doesn't seem interested in the opinions of northern Ontario.

"The only way we can read this is that once again the current administration doesn't believe that the voice of northern or rural Ontario counts," says Jackson. "This is about fast-tracking a piece of legislation without any due consideration with what the impacts are going to be."

The O.F.I.A. had tentatively agreed to support the Bill, but has since come out against it.

Returning Offices Open

Elections Canada now has its returning offices in place in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding.

Returning Officer Tom McCuaig says the top priority is the voting lists.

"We are updating those lists with calls coming in from electors to be revisited on the list or to be put on the list if they feel they're not on there," says McCuaig

McCuaig says voter information cards are also being sent to homes in the riding this week.

The main office is in Thunder Bay with satellite offices set up in Fort Frances and Atikokan.