Companies Recognized For Platinum Find



Transition Metals photo

A couple of junior mining companies doing work in the Thunder Bay area have been handed the Discovery of the Year award by the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association.

 

Transition Metals and Impala Platinum Holdings are recognized for identifying a significant platinum find near Sunday Lake, about 25 kilometre north of the city.

 

They received the award during Association's annual awards dinner Tuesday night.

Mining Jobs Coming Up

A northwestern Ontario agency is forecasting a huge demand for jobs in mining in the region.

The North Superior Workforce Planning Board's 10 year outlook suggests a need to fill almost 5-thousand positions.

The report says the highest demand will be for haul truck operators and heavy duty mechanics.

Scam Warning

A warning of a scam circulating around northwestern Ontario.

People are getting phone calls asking for donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Hospital officials say the calls aren't coming from them or the Health Sciences Foundation.

The Foundation asks residents to report such calls to police.

OPP Nab Impaired Drivers

Four area motorists are facing upcoming court appearances on impaired driving charges.

Two drivers were charged after separate motor vehicle accidents in the Atikokan area over the past month -  including one who struck a moose.

Both were also charged for driving while under suspension.

The most recent impaired driver was picked up Sunday night in Atikokan.

Coalition Vote Draws Huge Support For Hospitals

A provincial health lobby group says it's found strong support to keep health services within Ontario hospitals.

The Ontario Health Coalition says it attracted more than 56-thousand people in a voluntary referendum held on the weekend who supported stopping private clinics from being set up to take over those services.

Despite its best efforts, the Coalition was unable to find individuals to man the vote in the Rainy River district.

PCs Select Candidate For Thunder Bay Riding

Derek Parks has officially been declared the new PC candidate for the riding of Thunder Bay-Superior North.

Parks, who hasn't lived in the area for some time, brushes off the suggestion he was specifically brought in to replace ex candidate Tamara Johnson.

Parks was acclaimed at the party's nomination meeting Tuesday night.

Tax E-Filing On Hold

Canadians won't be able to e-file their tax returns for the next little while.

The Canada Revenue Agency has temporarily shut down its electronic services website over security concerns.

The precautionary move is related to the so-called "Heartbleed Bug" - a newly discovered software that can swipe passwords and your personal information.

The deadline to file taxes is April 30, but the Agency is hinting extensions could be granted if the problem lingers.

Citizen Of The Year Named

International Falls Chamber of Commerce will honour its citizen of the year next month.

It's named Cynthia Warren for the award for her work with the organization Friends Against Abuse, as well as that with area seniors, church projects and women locked up in the local jail.

She'll be recognized during the Chamber's spring dinner May 22.

Festival Results Day 7

Emily Loney stood out as the top performer behind the ivories at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

Loney claimed three first place finishes in yesterday's piano competitions.

They continues today at the Townshend Theatre.

Here is a list of all winners from Wednesday.

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 9
FIRST:  Raymond Polz
SECOND:  Sarah Bagacki

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 7
FIRST:  Jordan Bruyere

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 6
FIRST:  Katelyn Bruyere
SECOND:  (Tie) Judy Wu, Madison Krikke

Piano Solo, Open Piano, Intermediate
FIRST:  Emily Loney
SECOND:  (Tie) Macy Anderson, Jesse Begin

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Level 5
FIRST:  Emily Loney

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Level 5
FIRST:  Emily Loney

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Quick Study, Grade 8
FIRST:  Tianna Velduisen
SECOND:  Anna Schwartz

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Quick Study, Grade 9
FIRST:  Erin Gustafson
SECOND:  Raymond Polz

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 2
FIRST:  Scott Jolicoeur

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Popular Selection, Grade 1
FIRST:  Joelle Bruyere

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 1
FIRST:  Mya Hamilton
SECOND: (Tie) Brandon Gustafson, Joelle Bruyere

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Own Choice, Grade 2
FIRST:  Cassidy Martin
SECOND:  Scott Jolicoeur

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 1
FIRST:  Jordan Eldridge

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 2
FIRST:  Calin Campbell
Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 4
FIRST:  Paige Whitefish

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 3
FIRST:  Shakira Wapoose

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 4
FIRST:  Paige Whitefish

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Level 3
FIRST:  Katrina Klug
SECOND:  Rowen Quast

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Level 2 (Age 9 and under)
FIRST:  Reese Jolicoeur
SECOND:  Kade Oster

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Level 2 (Age 9 and older)
FIRST:  Piper Danylchuk
SECOND:  Mackenzie Jolicoeur

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Jazz, Level 2
FIRST:  Micaela Jolicoeur
SECOND:  Reese Jolicoeur

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Level 2
FIRST:  Fletcher Klug
SECOND:  Emma Bassett

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Level 2
FIRST:  Sadie Tolton
SECOND:  Mackenzie Jolicoeur

More School Buses To Be Added

The bus ride for some of the Rainy River district's youngest learners should be a little shorter next year.

Additional school buses will be put on the road in Fort Frances and Atikokan to reduce the time students in early learning programs are on the bus.

Some are now riding a bus in excess of an hour.

Rainy River District School Board's Heather Campbell says money will come from the existing transportation budget by finding efficiencies in the system.

The extra bus in Atikokan, though, is pending agreement with the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Day of Pink

RRDSB Photo

Residents around the Borderland are being asked to take a stand against bullying today by wearing pink.

This is Day of Pink which is now recognized around the world.

Superintendent of Education with the Rainy River District School Board Casey Slack says they're using the day to launch a new way of reporting incidents.

Slack says the on-line form is found on all school websites and allows parents and students option to report incidents of bullying.

Slack says it doesn't remove the ability of students and parents taking complaints directly to a principal.

Seven Gens Ready For Mining Program

Seven Generations Education Institute is leasing the former Fort Frances bingo hall to help run a new mining preparedness program.

The lot is filled with a number of trailers from Cambrian College.

Chief Executive Officer Delbert Horton says it's all part of the $5.2 million received from the federal government.

Horton says they currently have 260 students enrolled in the programs throughout the region.

Ontario College Of Trades Bashed

The Ontario PC's are slamming the Ontario College of Trades.

 Leader Tim Hudak says the college is nothing more than a money grab and is standing in the way of creating jobs for young people.

Some in the industry says the college opens the door to a new government business tax.

Supporters say it has helped create a level playing field for shops and technicians through better enforcement.

Premier Kathleen Wynne also defends the year old College.

The Premier says the college is designed to make sure people in the skilled trades are qualified to do the job.

County Jail To House Extra Inmates

Koochiching County's jail could see a few more inmates in its cells.

The County has agreed to handle prisoners from Nett Lake, a small community bordering Koochiching and St. Louis Counties.

Sheriff Brian Jesperson says it comes with a few dollars to offset costs.

Jesperson says the contract also gives the County the option not to take inmates who may too violent for jail staff.

New Emergency Personnel Hired

Some new hires for International Falls emergency services.

International Falls Police have hired two new officers while the City's Ambulance service has added two new paramedics.

The Falls Fire department is also adding eight new volunteer firefighters, bringing its complement to 29.

Some of the new hires replace people who were leaving or retiring.

Training for all of the new hires is underway.

Fee System Working Well

A new reservation and fee system for Voyageurs National Park appears to be working well.

Park officials says the system, which went into place last week, saw 200 people make reservations for the 51 campsites available in the first two days the system went on-line.

Burn Now

MNR file photo

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is encouraging homeowners who want to burn to do it now.

The DNR says State burning restrictions will take effect once the snow is gone which could be in the next few weeks.

Restrictions in Ontario kicked in April 1.

Teacher Talk Legislation Now Law

Legislation to be used in future contract talks with the province's educators is now law.

Final approval of Bill 122 came yesterday at Queen's Park with New Democrat support.

The Liberals says it allows for associations representing school boards to be at the bargaining table with government and unions reps on province-wide issues.

Local bargaining will still continue on all other issues.

Almost all existing collective agreements are to expire at the end of this August.

Former Band Co-Manager Charged

The former co-manager of a northern Ontario reserve that was at the forefront of housing issues and treaty rights has been charged with fraud and theft.

62-year-old Clayton Kennedy will appear in May 28th.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Sergeant Jackie George it stems a lengthy investigation initiated in February of last year.

In private life, Kennedy is the partner of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence.

Man Charged In Dog Attack

A man is facing a charge under the Fish and Wildlife Act after a dog attacked a deer in Dryden.

OPP says the dog was running-at-large and last Thursday's incident was witnessed by a number of people.

One of the individuals was forced to put the deer down because of the injuries sustained.