PC'S Seeking Pension Changes

P.C. Leader Tim Hudak wants changes to what he's the calls "gold-plated pension plans'' for public sector workers.

Hudak says new nurses, teachers and civil servants should receive defined contribution pension plans instead of the more lucrative _ and costly _ defined benefit pensions.

Hudak also wants pooled pension plans for private sector workers who don't have a pension.

Detox Centre Needed

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The head of an Aboriginal health agency says it's getting better, but much still needs to be done to combat alcohol and drug addictions among First Nations.

Calvin Morriseau of the Fort Frances Tribal Health Area Services says services they've long wanted are still non-existent.

They include the need for a detox center and in patient treatment programs.

Morriseau says it's forcing many to leave the area to access the necessary services.

Water And Sewer Rate Increases Proposed

The city of International Falls is proposing an increase to its water and sewer rates.

It's planning to up water rates 5 per cent each year for the next three years to offset a deficit in its operating costs.

Sewer rates will rise to help cover the cost of a new wastewater treatment facility.

New Weather Records

This week's mild weather has brought some new temperatures to the Rainy River district.

Atikokan's high of 10 C eclipsed the old mark of 8.8 C set in 1979.

Fort Frances hit 11.2 C, a full two degrees more than the previous high, also in 1979.

Highs of 54 F Sunday and 52 F yesterday were also new records for International Falls.

Wilde Number 1

It's only been available for a few weeks, but Atikokan blue artist Sunday Wilde's new album has hit number one in the blues category of an international on-line music chart.

Wilde says it represents activity by radio stations around the world who have downloaded her music.

Wilde says a potential tour of Brazil next summer has also developed as a result of the increased popularity.

She's also preparing for concert appearances in Canada and in the southern United States to promote the album recorded last month at Seine River Lodge.

National Addictions Awareness Week Kicks Off

First Nations are raising awareness about the issues of drug and alcohol dependancy.

Several residents staged a walk through the streets of Fort Frances Monday as a kick off to National Addictions Awareness Week.

Calvin Morriseau of the Fort Frances Tribal Health Area Services says it's especially important with the Christmas season fast approaching.

First Nation communities across the district are holding a variety of events as are the Couchiching Treatment and Support Services, Unitd Native Friendship Centre and Tribal Health Services.

Gravelle Diagnosed With Cancer

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Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle has been diagnosed with a form of aggressive lymphoma.

The MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North he was given the news from doctors last week and is confident he will beat it.

Gravelle says despite his cancer and future chemotherapy, he intends to maintain his duties as the city's MPP and as Minister.

Hats Off To Seniors

Four area residents have been recognized as "Making a Difference."

Ruth Caldwell of Fort Frances, Brenda Wood of Atikokand and Jim and Davetta Sheppard of Rainy River are recipients of the first ever "Making a Difference" awards from the group Seniors and Law Enforcement Together.

Chair Robert Schultz says they're some of the many people who have helped seniors and SALT achieve its goals.

The group also recognized several groups, including 93.1 The Border, at its "Hats off to Seniors" Gala Friday.

OPP Commissioner Thanks SALT

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together is being recognized by one of its many partners.

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis was the guest speaker at Friday's "Hats of to Seniors" Gala."

Lewis says the OPP will continue to be a strong partner with the group to ensure seniors live in a safe and healthy community.

Students Encouraged To Make A Difference

A Fort Frances High School student is spreading the message of how young people can make change in the world.

Dexter Fichuk spoke to intermediate students at catholic schools in the Dryden, Atikokan and Fort Frances areas about his involvement with the organization Free the Children and its We Day events.

Fichuk says everyone of them can make a difference.

Fichuk says he's happy how more students are taking an interest and involvement in social issues.

Developments In Teachers Dispute

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There appears to be some developments in the labour dispute between the province and teachers.

High school teachers with two southern Ontario school board have tentative deals.

The deals for York Region and the Guelph area must still be approved by Education Minister Laurel Broten.

Meantime, elementary teachers at York Region are set to limit the amount of time they spend at school as their contract dispute with the Liberal government escalates.

Teachers won't arrive until 30 minutes before the start of the school day, and leaving 30 minutes after classes end.

Back in the Rainy River district, elementary and secondary school teachers could be in a legal strike position at the end of this week.

Wynne Proposes Stronger Voice For North

A candidate for the Ontario Liberal Leadership is offering the north a stronger voice at Queen's Park.

Kathleen Wynne says provincial governments do listen to our needs, but needs to do more to respond because of the perception from some that they don't.

Wynne says if elected leader, she'll create a northern Ontario cabinet committee to better represent the region.

Three Charged

Three Fort Frances area residents face charges following a drug bust in the Kenora area.

23-year-old Joel Inkster, 29-year-old Dawn Jourdain and 21-year-old Allan Mutz were arrested last week after OPP stopped a vehicle to find a pound of marijuana and 14 ocycocete pills inside.

All three have since been released and will make a court appearance in Kenora December 20.

Ontario Leaders Weigh-In On OPG Plant

Premier Dalton McGuinty isn't budgeting.

McGuinty says he's not going to stop the potential shutdown of the coal-fired generating station in Thunder Bay for what experts say could be energy savings of $400 million.

Speaking in Thunder Bay, the outgoing premier says it's all about meeting the energy needs of the north.

McGuinty says it would be reckless to proceed without looking at the advice.

Ontario's NDP leader Andrea Horwath says it's time to take the politics out of the power plant debate.

But Horwath won't say whether she would keep the plant open if she were premier

Horwath says it's clear the issue has become a political football.

Many Drawn To Fort Frances Social Media Sites

A move towards increase use of social media is bringing results for the town of Fort Frances.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation has helped establish a variety of accounts.

Manager Geoff Gillon says it's mostly young people that are being drawn to the blog, Twitter and Facebook sites.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says it's also helping town planners identify what's important to those making the posts.

No Hospital Bed Available in Thunder Bay

Problems for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

No hospital beds are available.

Spokesperson Mark Henderson says the presence of about 60 long term care patients now in hospital is part of the problem.

Travel Still Allowed For Hockey Teams

There's an issue developing between Hockey Northwestern Ontario and Minnesota Hockey.

HNO says there's a belief that it's not issuing travel permits to teams wanting to compete in Minnesota tournaments.

General Manager Trevor Hosanna says permits are being issued, once an event is sanctioned properly and Minnesota Hockey seeks approval from U.S.A. Hockey.

The only exception is for Novice teams because Minnesota's similar division does not play official games as they do in do in Canada.

Bold Explores Atikokan Area

A junior mining exploration company has identified areas near Atikokan is may conduct drilling operations in the future.

Bold Ventures has been studying property about 14 kilometres east of the town which has been the subject of gold exploration in the past.

The company says a recent survey identified several untested areas that it will explore further.

Experimental Lakes Not Being Sold - Rickford

A federal MP is denying reports the Experimental Lakes area near Kenora is up for sale.

A coalition trying to keep the research facility open claims the Harper government is negotiating with an unnamed buyer.

But Kenora MP Greg Rickford says that's is not true

Rickford says some of the research done at the site is being moved to Saskatchewan.

Are We Interesting?

Reader's Digest is looking for the most interesting town in Canada.

It's an on-line contest that offers people that chance to write stories of their communities in hopes of winning $5-thousand for themselves and $5-thousand for their hometown.

So far, no Rainy River district communities have been nominated.

The contest closes December 18.