Nurses Disappointed by Wage Offer

The Ontario Nurses Association is disappointed by the wage offer put forward by the province's hospitals.

A Ministry of Labour arbitrator heard from both sides over the weekend on the wage issue.

President of the Nurse's Association Linda Haslum-Stroud says the hospitals want to cut nurses' wages and benefits on the heels of a two year wage freeze.

The existing contract for nurses, including those who work in hospitals the Rainy River district, expires at the end of this month.

Fire Investigation Continues

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office and the OPP have wrapped up their investigation, at the scene at least, into last Thursday's motel fire in Fort Frances.

But the exact cause of the blaze at Reid's Voyageur Inn Motel is still not be released.

Meantime, a 39-year-old man who was taken to hospital is now in Thunder Bay.

His condition continues to be monitored.

Higher Fines For Distracted Driving Considered

New legislation to crack down on distracted driving in the province has been introduced at Queen's Park.

The bill proposes to increase the range of fines to between $300 and $1,000 and assign three demerit points against those caught using their cellphone or other electronic devices while driving.

The bill also requires drivers to keep at least one metre away when passing cyclists.

Violence In Treaty 3 Communities Tackled

A new strategy in is place to prevent violence in Treaty 3 communities.

The Green Light initiative was launched in Onigaming First Nation.

Karen Kejick says they need the support of the provincial and federal governments as well as others to put an end to violence.

The green light is a symbol of a community safe house for individuals who are in need of safety in the event of a domestic violence situation.

Surgeons Donate Research Dollars

A group of orthopedic surgeons is donating a total of two million dollars over the next ten years to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The money will be used to conduct a variety of orthopedic research projects.

One will look at diabetes patients and the high rate of amputations in northwestern Ontario.

NDP Offers Job Creating Incentive Plan

Ontario's New Democrats want to reward businesses and companies who create new jobs.

Leader Andrea Horwath is proposing a new job creation tax credit that would reimburse employers 10 per cent of a new workers salaries in their first year.

Horwath says it's a simple step that would get people working now.

Former Rainy River CEO Get New Post

The former president and Chief Executive Officer of Rainy River Resources has a new post.

Raymond Threlkeld has been named chairman of the board for Newmarket Gold.

Threlkeld was with Rainy River Resources prior it being acquired by New Gold in 2013.

New Gold's executive chair Randall Oliphant is a director with director Newmarket as well.

Letting The Energy Board Do It's Job

There's no intention by the provincial government to intervene on requests for rate increases by natural gas companies in Ontario.

As CFOB-News reported this morning, Union Gas is seeking an increase that could result in northern Ontario users paying as much as $190-dollars more over the next year.

In the legislature, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli says he's confident in the decisions of the Ontario Energy Board.

Union Gas say the proposed increase reflects the prices it will likely pay for gas and transportation in the future.

Natural Gas Price Hike Possible

Union Gas customers could be in line for a significant increase in their natural gas costs.

An application before the Ontario Energy Board proposes a rate increase that would see Union Gas users in northern Ontario pay about $190 more over a 12 month period.

Projected increases in Union Gas' purchasing and transporting costs are cited as the reasons.

If approved, new rates would take effect April 1.
      

More Weather Records

No shaking this cold weather.

More weather records were set across northwestern Ontario yesterday.

In Fort Frances, the thermometer reached - 29.8 C,  surpassing the old mark of - 28 C set in 1997.

Atikokan's low of - 31.8 C beat the old mark of - 30 C set way back in 1928.

Industry Opposing Bill 83

Northern Ontario municipalities and the forest industry are voicing their opposition to a bill aimed at avoiding lawsuits that are filed simply to muzzle environment groups who speak about against industry practices.

Bill 83 is currently in second reading.

President of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Jamie Lim says the bill is pointless.

Lim worries it will allow groups to spread malicious information without penalty.

Day Of Pink Approaching

File photo

The Canadian Mental Health Association in Fort Frances is working to paint the district pink.

It's preparing to celebrate Day of Pink on April 9.

Spokesperson Nancy Daley-Fulton says they're encouraging the region to wear pink on that day to help promote anti-bullying.

Day of Pink come out of an event at a Nova Scotia high school where a group of older students wore pink in support of another who was being bullied because he wore a pink shirt.

Scholarship Help From Rainy River Community College

Some incentive for families effected by the downsizing at the mill in International Falls to pursue a College program at Rainy River Community College.

The College's Foundation is putting an additional $10-thousand towards a scholarship and training fund.

Laid off workers or families members will be eligible to apply for scholarships of $500 to be used at the College.

Students who received the scholarship last year will receive an additional $500 if they return this fall.

Key Tags To Be Mailed Soon

A spring tradition is continuing in Ontario and right across the country.

War Amps key tags are being mailed to all homes.

Spokesperson Jamie Lunn says we here in northwestern Ontario can expect to get them sometime in late April.

Money from donations is used to help war amputees across the country.

New Businesses Eye Fort Frances

There could be some new businesses coming to Fort Frances.

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation says it's working with three new or expanding companies who have eyed the border community.

One is a small scale manufacturer who has also asked RRFDC to assist them with it's businesses plan for potential government support.

Snoasis 2 Today

Snoasis 2 goes today at Lion's Park in Fort Frances.

 

It's promoted by the Friends of the Museum.

 

Among events include building a community ice fort.

 

There's also smoosh boarding, ice bowing, face painting and free hot dogs.

 

Other activities include:

 

12 noon -2 p.m. Fun with the Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Cub

A toonie skate at the Memorial Sports Centre from 11 a.m, -1 p.m. and followed by a toonie swim at the pool from 1 p.m. to  3 p.m.

At 2 p.m. the Fort Frances Library will be host a "Storytime" where hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.

Support For Business Coming

Businesses in the Rainy River district will get some help with efforts to supply goods and services to the region's mining industry.

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation intends to hire an individual who will work with the businesses sector.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says they're also planning a workshop next month.

The Corporation is giving support to New Gold's plans for a mine north of Barwick, but has asked the company provide incentives and assistance that encourages the use of area businesses.

Police Now Involved In Fire Investigation

There is now police involvement in the investigation into last night's fire at Reid's Voyageur Inn Motel in Fort Frances.

Members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service were called to the downtown motel at around 8:30 last night.

A number of motel patrons had to be rescued.

A 39-year-old man was taken to LaVerendrye hospital and his condition is being monitored.

The cause of the fire has not been revealed, but the OPP's Forensic Identification Unit and Crime Unit are assisting in the probe.

Ontario Fire Marshall's office has also been contacted.

More Charges Laid In Kenora Accident

More charges have been laid in connection with an accident in the Kenora area caught on video that went viral.

OPP says it was that same video of the March 2 accident that allowed them to lay a distracted driving charge against a 36-year-old Manitoba man.

A frame of the video appears to show the driver of a truck, pulling out in front of an oncoming vehicle, to be holding a cellphone to his ear.

The driver was initially charged with failing to yield.

Ontario To Prohibit Paying Blood Donors

The Liberal government intends put a stop to donors from being paid for blood and plasma in Ontario.

Health Minister Deb Matthew says new legislation will be introduced in the near future.

Health Canada has received a licence application from at least one private, for-profit company wanting to open plasma collection sites in Ontario that would pay donors.

Matthews says she's taking action so ensure the voluntary donor system is not compromised and has written to her provincial and territorial counterparts asking to do the same.