NCDS Ready To Help

An area employment agency say its prepared to provide what ever assistance it can to assist employees at Resolute Forest Products effected by the indefinite idling of the kraft mill and a paper machine at the Fort Frances mill.

Jenny Greenhaulgh of NCDS says they've long expected to see many of those workers.

Greenhaulgh says a number of employees were already visiting, well before last Tuesday's announcement.

Biomass Contracts Awarded

There's some good news elsewhere for the region's forest industry.

The Ontario Power Authority has awarded two contracts for biomass for the Atikokan Generating Station.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels will supply 45-thousand tonnes of biomass wood pellets.

Resolute Forest Products will provide an additional 45-thousand tons.

The Authority says over 150 new jobs will be created through the wood pellet supply.

As part of that announcement, Resolute is spending $10-million to build a new wood pellet plant in Thunder Bay.

Construction will begin soon and open in 2014.

Christmas Kettles Need Bell Ringers

The Salvation Army in Fort Frances is seeking the public's support.

Lieutenant Dennis Maybury says they need volunteers for their Christmas Kettles set to go December 1.

Maybury says the time commitment can be as little as an hour or two.

Those who can assist are asked to contact the Salvation Army.

MPP Holds Holiday Collection Drive

MPP Sarah Campbell photo

A collection drive is being organized by Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell.

Campbell is setting up bins at locations throughout the riding for the collection food, clothes and toys that will go to specific organizations in each community.

Campbell says as an incentive and to promote local shopping, donors will be entered into a draw for a chance to win gift certificates to local businesses.

In the Rainy River district, those drop-off points are at the Royal Canadian Legion in Rainy River and at Campbell's constituency office in Fort Frances.

Cutest Pet

A 160 pound black Newfoundlander has been named the Cutest Holiday Pet in International Falls.

"Puller Express" owned by the Cummings family was a co-winner in the contest held Friday with a dog named "Flanders" owned by the Kossow family.

Nearly 20 dogs were entered in the first ever contest.

Teachers Begin Job Action

Elementary teachers with the Rainy River District School board have started a series of work-to-rule actions in their efforts to reach a new deal.

This after a Ministry of Labour conciliator issued a no-board report in their talks wih the board.

Local union president Trevor Bowles says focus for teachers will now only be on classroom instruction and ensuring the safety of students.

Some of the jobs action include teachers showing up for work 30 minutes before the start of school and leaving 30 minutes after classes end on Mondays and Tuesdays only.

They will also refrain from participating in extra-curricular activities on those days.

The teachers actions are more directed at the provincial government, they say has hindering local bargaining with the passage of Bill 115.

Kenora Man Seeks P.C. Nomination

Progressive Conservatives in Kenora-Rainy River are getting prepared for the next provincial election,some believe will happen next spring.

Randy Nickle, a prominent businessman in Kenora, says he's throwing his name into the hat to be the party's candidate.

The riding association intends to hold a nomination vote December 1.

Leadership Debate To Go In Thunder Bay

All of the Ontario Liberal Leadership hopefuls will be coming to northwestern Ontario next month.

Thunder Bay will be the site of one of several candidate debates.

It's scheduled for December 9, but a location has not yet been identified.

Residents wanting to participate are being asked to contact the local Liberal riding association.

Town Recognition Dinner Cancelled

Town of Fort Frances is canceling this year' dinner intended to recognize retiring employees, town volunteers and its citizen of the year.

The town says it's because of recent developments in the community, prior commitments by several of the honorees and a low response to the event in general.

It's now looking how at best to recognize individuals in a different way.

School Bus Cancellations

A school bus cancellation to pass on at this time.

The bus from Stanikoming First Nation driven by Desmond Jourdain won't be running today because of slippery road conditions

Hunt Numbers Down In Minnesota

Minnesota hunters killed 7 percent fewer deer this firearms season.

The Department of Natural Resources says the drop was expected.

The DNR increased the number of lottery areas where hunters had to have a permit to shoot a deer without antlers.

Resolute Commited To Helping Workers

Resolute Forest Products says it will assist workers affected by the company's decision to idle, indefinitely, its kraft mill and a paper machine at its Fort Frances mill.

As many as 239 employees are expected to be laid-off by next February.

Spokesperson Pierre Choquette says they are hoping to mitigate the impact as best as they can.

Some employees may be eligible for early retirement packages while others may be offered employment at Resolute's other operations.

Production at the kraft mill and paper machine number 5 is expected to come to a halt by the end of this month.

Another paper machine and the biomass boiler are being maintained.

Union Disappointed By Idling

One of the unions representing workers at the Fort Frances mill is disappointed by Resolute Forest Products decision to idle, idefinitely, the kraft mill and a paper machine.

Steven Boon of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union says employees were called on many times to help keep the mill competitive.

Boon feels the cancelling of a historic agreement for pulp by Boise in International Falls was a key factor in the shutdown of the kraft mill.

More Hope Of Continued Operations

Our elected officials continue to have discussions with Resolute Forest Products regarding its future plans for the Fort Frances mill.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says company officials have told her they are working to protect both the mill's assets and outside contractors.

Campbell says no request for provincial assistance was asked at this time.

Campbell says she came away from her discussions with Resolute with some hope of a restart at a later date.

Blame Pointed At Feds For Closure Decision

Fingers are being pointed at the federal government for some of the reasons behind Resolute's closure decision.

In Ottawa, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says the government's commitment to the forest industry has been less than adequate.

 Rafferty says since the Conservatives took office more than 30,000 forestry jobs have been lost in northern Ontario alone.

Infrastructure and Communities Minister Denis Lebel says any difficulties within the industry remain  market related.

Job Actions Expected In Class Today

Elementary teachers across the Rainy River district are expected to begin today a series of work-to-rule job actions to back demands for a new contract.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario says it's received the no board report from a Ministry of Labour conciliator regarding its stalled negotiations with the Rainy River District School Board.

Jackie Dupuis-Brandli says blame for labour unrest is solely with the provincial government which is hamstringing local bargaining with the passage of Bill 115.

New Recycling Measures Proposed

The Progressive Conservatives say they have a better plan for recycling hazardous and electronic waste in Ontario.

They're proposing to get rid of controversial eco fees and two industry-led stewardship organizations that oversee the  recycling programs.

The Tories say they'd instead set enforceable targets for diverting waste and allow producers and importers decide for themselves how to pay for recycling those products.

First Nations Salary Disclosure Bill

The federal Conservatives are pressing ahead with a bill to force First Nations chiefs to publish their salaries and financial details.

The government is invoking closure on the bill, which essentially calls a halt to parliamentary debate and forces it to a vote.

It was prompted by Canadian Taxpayers Federation research that found more than 200 band politicians had salaries higher than that of a provincial premier.

Insurance Case Before Human Rights Tribunal

Whether an insurance company can charge more to people over the aged of 80 is the subject of an Ontario human-rights hearing starting today.

Denis Olorenshaw argues the higher premiums for older-aged drivers amounts to age discrimination.

The 92-year-old launched a complaint two years ago when a company wanted to charge him 250 dollars more than his 62-year-old daughter.

Citizen Of The Year Named

The town of Fort Frances has named its citizen of the year.

He's is Ken Christianson, a long-time assistant coach with the Fort Frances Muskies boys hockey team.

Christianson will be honoured by the town officially at its annual dinner later this month.