Visits to food shelves in Minnesota in the first three months of this year were up 28 percent over last year.
According to a new study from Hunger Solutions, more than 237,000 children visited food shelves with their families in that time, making it tough for local food pantries to stay stocked.
Executive Director Colleen Moriarty blames the increase on the recession, increased food prices and unemployment that has shot up to above eight percent this year.
However, she says, with all the federal resources available, no one in Minnesota should have an empty belly.
"Accessing those federal programs will lessen some of the burden on the food shelves, because they were never set up to meet this kind of dramatic need," says Moriarty.
Food agencies have doled out aid to a record 614,000 people this quarter alone.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Suspicious Fire - Burned Body Connected
Police in Thunder Bay say there's a connection between a suspicious apartment fire and a burned body found in a car.
Firefighters were called to the apartment fire in the city's north side Friday.
Hours later, cyclists found a burned male body inside a burned car found in woods along the Thunder Bay expressway.
The owner of the vehicle is a resident of the apartment and has not been located.
The body has been sent to Toronto for an autopsy.
Firefighters were called to the apartment fire in the city's north side Friday.
Hours later, cyclists found a burned male body inside a burned car found in woods along the Thunder Bay expressway.
The owner of the vehicle is a resident of the apartment and has not been located.
The body has been sent to Toronto for an autopsy.
Ignace Infrastructure Projects in Doubt
Two major infrastructure projects in Ignace are in jeopardy due to financial constraints in the community.
The Township recently received funding to upgrade three roads as well as build a multi-purpose recreation facility.
Mayor Lionel Cloutier says they're seeking more money from the both the federal and provincial governments to help lower the municipal share.
Cloutier says the projects may have to be delayed until next years to make it affordable for the community.
The Township recently received funding to upgrade three roads as well as build a multi-purpose recreation facility.
Mayor Lionel Cloutier says they're seeking more money from the both the federal and provincial governments to help lower the municipal share.
Cloutier says the projects may have to be delayed until next years to make it affordable for the community.
Report on Rural Road Released
A new report says rural communities should charge resource industries a fee for wear and tear caused by heavy trucks on roads.
The study by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy says the vehicles cause a disproportionate amount of damage to rural roads and residents living in the country are saddled with the costs of repairs because their municipalities don't have the tax base.
Rural municipalities spend about 40 per cent of their budgets on roads compared with an average of about 17 per cent for cities.
The study by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy says the vehicles cause a disproportionate amount of damage to rural roads and residents living in the country are saddled with the costs of repairs because their municipalities don't have the tax base.
Rural municipalities spend about 40 per cent of their budgets on roads compared with an average of about 17 per cent for cities.
More Forest Fires Reported
More forest fires are being reported in the Rainy River district.
One new blaze was reported yesterday bringing to 15 the number of fires in the district this year.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says it's looking at the potential of further starts as the fire hazard reaches high levels.
A small lightning fire along the northern boundary of Quetico Park is identified as the only active fire in the district.
One new blaze was reported yesterday bringing to 15 the number of fires in the district this year.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says it's looking at the potential of further starts as the fire hazard reaches high levels.
A small lightning fire along the northern boundary of Quetico Park is identified as the only active fire in the district.
Moffat Funds Handed Out
(Captain Angel Sandoval accepts Moffat Family Fund contribution from Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis)Nine local groups have benefited in funding from the Moffat Family Fund.
More than $43,000 was distributed by Mayor Roy Avis at town council last night.
Among the recipients was the Salvation Army who received $12,650. The Rainy River district Social Services Administration Board will get $9,000 while the Fort Frances Public Library will benefit from a $6,000.
The money is to be used towards services and programs that help children and families.
Also receiving money were the Family and Children's Services for the Rainy River District ($3,000), Fort Frances Museum ($2,600), Fort Frances Highlanders Pipes and Drums ($1,000), 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron ($2,000), St. John's Anglican Church ($3,000), Kitchen Creek Golf Club ($4,000).
Council Opts Not to Pass 'Buy Ontario' Policy
A request for a 'Buy Ontario/Buy Canada' policy failed to get an endorsement at the table from Fort Frances town council last night
While supportive of the policy, councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says legally the town can't pass such a resolution.
"Because we are a municipality we are obligated under legislation to follow an open, fair and transparent procurement policy," says Weidenhoeft. "It almost precludes us from supporting this resolution."
The Ontario Federation of Labour had touted the policy as means to ensuring local jobs were created with infrastructure projects.
While supportive of the policy, councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says legally the town can't pass such a resolution.
"Because we are a municipality we are obligated under legislation to follow an open, fair and transparent procurement policy," says Weidenhoeft. "It almost precludes us from supporting this resolution."
The Ontario Federation of Labour had touted the policy as means to ensuring local jobs were created with infrastructure projects.
Additional Portage Avenue Closures Today
There are also closures today on other parts of Portage Avenue.
Sections between Church and Nelson Streets and Scott and First Streets will be blocked off as the second phase of the road work around Abitibibowater's biomass boiler takes place.
Access between Scott and Church will be limited to local traffic, but on-street parking will be permitted on that section of the road.
Sections between Church and Nelson Streets and Scott and First Streets will be blocked off as the second phase of the road work around Abitibibowater's biomass boiler takes place.
Access between Scott and Church will be limited to local traffic, but on-street parking will be permitted on that section of the road.
Portage Avenue Underpass closed today
The Portage Avenue underpass gets shutdown today.
The closure from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. is the first of a week long closure as work at the underpass resumes.
Fort Frances' operations and facilities manager Doug Brown is confident the project will be completed this year.
"The big stuff is done," says Brown. "The retaining walls were all constructed last year. There's a little abutment wall on the east side that will require construction. It's very small scale compared to last year. It's slabs and earthwork. We're scheduled to be done by the end of October."
Brown says when additional closures are required, the public will be notified through announcements made by the local media.
The closure from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. is the first of a week long closure as work at the underpass resumes.
Fort Frances' operations and facilities manager Doug Brown is confident the project will be completed this year.
"The big stuff is done," says Brown. "The retaining walls were all constructed last year. There's a little abutment wall on the east side that will require construction. It's very small scale compared to last year. It's slabs and earthwork. We're scheduled to be done by the end of October."
Brown says when additional closures are required, the public will be notified through announcements made by the local media.
Fences and Hedges Being Measured
The town of Fort Frances is seeking voluntary compliance of its by-law pertaining to the height and location of fences, hedges and shrubs.
A study by the town's by-law enforcement department found several properties not adhering to the by-law.
Chief building inspector Rick Hallam says they're now looking for owners to adhere to the by-law.
"We realize that some of these fences and hedges have been in place for quite some year," says Hallam. "Not withstanding that, we do have to look to the need to gain compliance in the by-law and ensure the safe passage of traffic and pedestrians alike.
Hallam says most of the problem areas are properties located on corner lots.
A study by the town's by-law enforcement department found several properties not adhering to the by-law.
Chief building inspector Rick Hallam says they're now looking for owners to adhere to the by-law.
"We realize that some of these fences and hedges have been in place for quite some year," says Hallam. "Not withstanding that, we do have to look to the need to gain compliance in the by-law and ensure the safe passage of traffic and pedestrians alike.
Hallam says most of the problem areas are properties located on corner lots.
Monday, July 13, 2009
LCBO Workers Vote on Tentative Deal
Ontario Liquor Control Board Workers will vote on a new tentative agreement today and tomorrow.
The deal was reached late last month, averting a strike that had been set for June 24th.
The strike would have seen about six-thousand workers walk off the job.
Information meetings run by the Ontario Public Service Employees union have been underway so workers can learn the details of the new offer.
The deal was reached late last month, averting a strike that had been set for June 24th.
The strike would have seen about six-thousand workers walk off the job.
Information meetings run by the Ontario Public Service Employees union have been underway so workers can learn the details of the new offer.
More Fires in Rainy River district
Lightning is to blame for a couple of new forest fires in the Rainy River district over the weekend.
Two of the fires, one east of Fort Frances near Voyageurs National Park and one of the northern boundary of Quetico Park near Flanders, are listed as still active, but are small in size.
Strong winds and sunny weather on the weekend helped pushed the fire hazard to high levels across the northwest.
Two of the fires, one east of Fort Frances near Voyageurs National Park and one of the northern boundary of Quetico Park near Flanders, are listed as still active, but are small in size.
Strong winds and sunny weather on the weekend helped pushed the fire hazard to high levels across the northwest.
Moffat Funds to be Distributed
Money from the Moffat Family Fund is expected to be handed out at tonight's meeting of Fort Frances council.
The town received more than $43,000 from the Winnipeg-based Moffat fund earlier this year to hand out to local projects aimed at helping youth and families.
It's the seventh consecutive year the town has received money from the fund set up by the former owners of the local cable system.
The town received more than $43,000 from the Winnipeg-based Moffat fund earlier this year to hand out to local projects aimed at helping youth and families.
It's the seventh consecutive year the town has received money from the fund set up by the former owners of the local cable system.
Buy Canada Discussed Tonight
A request by the Ontario Federation of Labour to adopt a Buy Canada policy comes back to Fort Frances town council at its meeting tonight.
The OFL asked the town back in May to accept the policy as a way of ensuring local jobs are created by the federal-provincial governments infrastructure programs.
Also tonight, councillors will receive updates on work taking place around the community.
This includes construction of the new library and technology centre, the planned relocation of the tugboat Hallet and former fire tower to the waterfront and local road projects.
The public portion of tonight's meeting gets under at about 6:25 p.m. following an in-camera discussion pertaining to Sunny Cove Camp and First Nations Property Acquisitions.
The OFL asked the town back in May to accept the policy as a way of ensuring local jobs are created by the federal-provincial governments infrastructure programs.
Also tonight, councillors will receive updates on work taking place around the community.
This includes construction of the new library and technology centre, the planned relocation of the tugboat Hallet and former fire tower to the waterfront and local road projects.
The public portion of tonight's meeting gets under at about 6:25 p.m. following an in-camera discussion pertaining to Sunny Cove Camp and First Nations Property Acquisitions.
Portage Avenue Work Begins Today
Expect to see work crews at the Portage Avenue underpass today.
The installation of temporary traffic lights at either end of the underpass that will reduce traffic to one lane while work takes place.
However the first complete closure of the road will take place this week beginning tomorrow.
The underpass will be blocked from 9:00 a.m. to 7;)0 p.m. through to Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
The closure is necessary in the removal of the concrete abutment located on the east side of the road.
The installation of temporary traffic lights at either end of the underpass that will reduce traffic to one lane while work takes place.
However the first complete closure of the road will take place this week beginning tomorrow.
The underpass will be blocked from 9:00 a.m. to 7;)0 p.m. through to Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
The closure is necessary in the removal of the concrete abutment located on the east side of the road.
Tornado Victim Found
Provincial police say the body of a third man killed in a freak storm in northwestern Ontario has been recovered.
Divers with the Ontario Provincial Police underwater search and recovery unit located the body of 66-year-old Dennis Kinkaid just after seven last night.
The bodies of his friends - 65-year-old Bernie Jackson and 78-year-old Stan Hollis - were pulled from the water Friday.
All three men are from Ponca City, Oklahoma.
The trio was picked up by a tornado that swept through a hunting and fishing resort Thursday on Lac Seul.
The men were at the Fisherman's Cove Resort in Ear Falls when their cabin was ripped from its foundation and tossed into the lake almost a kilometre away.
Five other guests at the lodge, being identified as being from the Minneapolis and Wisconsin areas, suffered minor injuries after the tornado ripped apart their cabin.
Divers with the Ontario Provincial Police underwater search and recovery unit located the body of 66-year-old Dennis Kinkaid just after seven last night.
The bodies of his friends - 65-year-old Bernie Jackson and 78-year-old Stan Hollis - were pulled from the water Friday.
All three men are from Ponca City, Oklahoma.
The trio was picked up by a tornado that swept through a hunting and fishing resort Thursday on Lac Seul.
The men were at the Fisherman's Cove Resort in Ear Falls when their cabin was ripped from its foundation and tossed into the lake almost a kilometre away.
Five other guests at the lodge, being identified as being from the Minneapolis and Wisconsin areas, suffered minor injuries after the tornado ripped apart their cabin.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Rainy River Railroad Daze Begin
Railroad Daze gets underway today in Rainy River.
It begins at noon with the start of a weekend long silent auction.
There is also a slo-pitch tournament, parade, evening entertainment and the popular Great Beaver Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat race.
Events wrap up Sunday.
It begins at noon with the start of a weekend long silent auction.
There is also a slo-pitch tournament, parade, evening entertainment and the popular Great Beaver Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat race.
Events wrap up Sunday.
"Carbon Man" Now Canadian
"Carbon Man," has become Canadian.
The rights to Minnesota's symbol of climate change seen in television commercials statewide has been purchased by the Canadian Wood Council for use across Canada.
The commercial, created by Duluth-based Minnesota Forest Industries two years ago, shows how carbon dioxide is absorbed in trees and kept in the products made.
Executive Vice-President Wayne Brandt says they're flattered Canadians like the message and the way its presented.
The rights to Minnesota's symbol of climate change seen in television commercials statewide has been purchased by the Canadian Wood Council for use across Canada.
The commercial, created by Duluth-based Minnesota Forest Industries two years ago, shows how carbon dioxide is absorbed in trees and kept in the products made.
Executive Vice-President Wayne Brandt says they're flattered Canadians like the message and the way its presented.
Great Lakes Fish Report
A new report being released today says eating fish from the Great Lakes may be putting yourself at risk for alarmingly high levels of toxins.
The report from the advocacy group Environmental Defence focused on toxic chemicals in Great Lakes fish by examining advisories published by the Ontario Ministry of Environment.
Fish from Lake Superior had the lowest contamination level while Lake Ontario had the worst.
The report from the advocacy group Environmental Defence focused on toxic chemicals in Great Lakes fish by examining advisories published by the Ontario Ministry of Environment.
Fish from Lake Superior had the lowest contamination level while Lake Ontario had the worst.
Local Education Program Promoted
A program helping local students improve their oral language skills is being highlighted at national conference in Calgary today.
Rainy River District School Board's Education Director Jack McMaster has joined with educators from Kenora and Dryden to promote the Oral Language project to delegates attending the Canadian Association of School Administrators
McMaster says the success of the program here is gaining interest elsewhere.
"It's really starting to peak some people's interest," says McMaster, "mostly in Ontario, but this is a national conference. What's happening with this oral language project is going to be fairly large in North America and probably worldwide because a lot of countries are teaching their children English in school."
McMaster says the program, developed in the northwest, has been successful in helping children early in their school years improve their oral language skills.
Rainy River District School Board's Education Director Jack McMaster has joined with educators from Kenora and Dryden to promote the Oral Language project to delegates attending the Canadian Association of School Administrators
McMaster says the success of the program here is gaining interest elsewhere.
"It's really starting to peak some people's interest," says McMaster, "mostly in Ontario, but this is a national conference. What's happening with this oral language project is going to be fairly large in North America and probably worldwide because a lot of countries are teaching their children English in school."
McMaster says the program, developed in the northwest, has been successful in helping children early in their school years improve their oral language skills.
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