Traffic is once again flowing on Scott Street.
Barricades blocking the intersection at Scott and Portage Avenue were removed this morning.
The intersection was closed for the past week as crews installed new sewer and water lines along Portage.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Conservation Signage Going Up
The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking to better promote the Rainy Lake Islands Conservation Area.
The area includes more than 54-hundred hectares of crown land islands and was established more than five years ago.
MNR District Planner Rachel Hill says they're now looking at a project that will see signs placed in high traffic areas to better inform the public of the conservation area.
The area includes more than 54-hundred hectares of crown land islands and was established more than five years ago.
MNR District Planner Rachel Hill says they're now looking at a project that will see signs placed in high traffic areas to better inform the public of the conservation area.
Condo Project Reviewed
The future of a condominium project in Fort Frances will get a further review today.
Members of the planning and development committee will consider extending a purchase agreement with developer Robert Zanette.
Zanette informed town council last week that despite a lack of sales in the Front Street project, he's willing to continue marketing through the winter with possible construction next spring.
The Thunder Bay-based developer still feels there is demand for the units.
Members of the planning and development committee will consider extending a purchase agreement with developer Robert Zanette.
Zanette informed town council last week that despite a lack of sales in the Front Street project, he's willing to continue marketing through the winter with possible construction next spring.
The Thunder Bay-based developer still feels there is demand for the units.
Scott Street to Open
A week long closure of the intersection at Scott Street and Portage Avenue is expected to end later today.
Fort Frances Superintendent of Environmental and Facilities Doug Herr says installation of new water and sewer lines was completed on the weekend.
Herr says a crushed asphalt surface will be put down on the roadway, allowing traffic to move freely down Scott by the end of the day.
Fort Frances Superintendent of Environmental and Facilities Doug Herr says installation of new water and sewer lines was completed on the weekend.
Herr says a crushed asphalt surface will be put down on the roadway, allowing traffic to move freely down Scott by the end of the day.
Underpass Closure Defended
The town of Fort Frances is defending the lengthy shutdown of the Portage Avenue underpass.
The closure was extended another three weeks following of the discovery of a silty clay underneath the road bed last week.
Superintendent of Environmental and Facilities Doug Herr says it required the contractor to do additional work on the site.
"So they had to excavate three feet of material and put a crushed rock material in there to get more stability so they can actually work off of it," says Herr.
Herr says the presence of the clay was not previously know until crews starting digging up the road last week.
The closure was extended another three weeks following of the discovery of a silty clay underneath the road bed last week.
Superintendent of Environmental and Facilities Doug Herr says it required the contractor to do additional work on the site.
"So they had to excavate three feet of material and put a crushed rock material in there to get more stability so they can actually work off of it," says Herr.
Herr says the presence of the clay was not previously know until crews starting digging up the road last week.
Property Standards Questioned
A Fort Frances councillor feels some businesses are being unfairly targeted by the town's enforcement of its property standards by-law.
Ken Perry told council last night five west end property owners received letters he says suggest they install tall fences or trees around their properties.
Perry questioned the motives behind the letters.
"Why did we send five property owners letters when we have 40 plus properties in that area and one of them conforms to anything close to what the by-law says?," said Perry. "and we're asking five of these people to put up a fence."
Perry admitted there is a need for improvement in the area, but doubts any of the owners receiving letters will comply.
Mayor Roy Avis says a review of the by-law maybe in order, but the town needs to take steps to improve the community.
"I think that the direction that's gone to administration is that we want to see this community cleaned up," says Avis., "We want to see them fight blight. We want to see a better community for us to live in and make it acceptable to people who drive in the community. We have the best cemeteries in the area, but we have detractions in other areas."
But the town's Chief Building Officer says the town has no plans to force property owners in the west end to erect fences or trees around their property.
Rick Hallam says the letters issued to property owners simply asked them to make an effort to tidy up their properties.
Hallam says owners were informed of an option of erecting a fence or trees as a buffer, but there was no direct order issued for them to move in that direction.
He adds the town recently revised its property maintenance and occupancy standards by-law this past March.
Ken Perry told council last night five west end property owners received letters he says suggest they install tall fences or trees around their properties.
Perry questioned the motives behind the letters.
"Why did we send five property owners letters when we have 40 plus properties in that area and one of them conforms to anything close to what the by-law says?," said Perry. "and we're asking five of these people to put up a fence."
Perry admitted there is a need for improvement in the area, but doubts any of the owners receiving letters will comply.
Mayor Roy Avis says a review of the by-law maybe in order, but the town needs to take steps to improve the community.
"I think that the direction that's gone to administration is that we want to see this community cleaned up," says Avis., "We want to see them fight blight. We want to see a better community for us to live in and make it acceptable to people who drive in the community. We have the best cemeteries in the area, but we have detractions in other areas."
But the town's Chief Building Officer says the town has no plans to force property owners in the west end to erect fences or trees around their property.
Rick Hallam says the letters issued to property owners simply asked them to make an effort to tidy up their properties.
Hallam says owners were informed of an option of erecting a fence or trees as a buffer, but there was no direct order issued for them to move in that direction.
He adds the town recently revised its property maintenance and occupancy standards by-law this past March.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Devlin Drug Bust
The seizure of a quantity of marijuana and cannabis marijuana has resulted in drug charges being laid against two residents of Devlin.
Constable Anne McCoy says the charges stem from an investigation involving members of the Fort Frances OPP Detachment, their Drug Enforcement Section and the Northwest Region Drug Unit.
Over fifty marihuana plants and 700 grams of cannabis marihuana were seized.
Police estimate the street value of over $68,000.
Ryan Lennstrom and Donna Shoemaker, both of Devlin, have been charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act including one count of production of marihuana and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Both are scheduled to appear in Fort Frances Court on October 5.
Constable Anne McCoy says the charges stem from an investigation involving members of the Fort Frances OPP Detachment, their Drug Enforcement Section and the Northwest Region Drug Unit.
Over fifty marihuana plants and 700 grams of cannabis marihuana were seized.
Police estimate the street value of over $68,000.
Ryan Lennstrom and Donna Shoemaker, both of Devlin, have been charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act including one count of production of marihuana and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Both are scheduled to appear in Fort Frances Court on October 5.
Wolf Concerns
A series of wolf attacks has prompted police to warn residents living along Lake Superior's north shore to guard their children and pets.
Three dogs have been preyed upon by timberwolves in the last month, and more since March.
The latest attack came Thursday near Marathon.
Ontario Provincial Police believe the same wolf is responsible for all of the attacks.
Three dogs have been preyed upon by timberwolves in the last month, and more since March.
The latest attack came Thursday near Marathon.
Ontario Provincial Police believe the same wolf is responsible for all of the attacks.
Fort Frances Councillors Meet
The latest update of work projects around Fort Frances will be provided at tonight's meeting of town councillors.
Also on the agenda are several service contracts involving the Fort Frances Children's Complex.
A permanent closure of a runway at the Fort Frances airport is also on the table during the public portion of the meeting which begins at about 5:30 p.m.
Also on the agenda are several service contracts involving the Fort Frances Children's Complex.
A permanent closure of a runway at the Fort Frances airport is also on the table during the public portion of the meeting which begins at about 5:30 p.m.
H1N1 Update
The spread of the H1N1 virus apparently hasn't completely died off just yet.
After reporting no new cases a week ago, the Ontario Ministry of Health is now confirming three new cases of H-1-N-1 in this region.
The province has not indicated which communities the virus was identified in, but brings to 73 the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 in northwestern Ontario this year.
After reporting no new cases a week ago, the Ontario Ministry of Health is now confirming three new cases of H-1-N-1 in this region.
The province has not indicated which communities the virus was identified in, but brings to 73 the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 in northwestern Ontario this year.
Strike Advoided at Northern Ontario University
Students attending Laurentian University can breathe a sigh of relief.
A tentative contract agreement has been reached between the Sudbury university and its non-teaching staff.
The 250 workers, including administrative and maintenance staff, have been without a contract since June 30.
The agreement came as both parties were entering a legal strike or lock-out position.
A tentative contract agreement has been reached between the Sudbury university and its non-teaching staff.
The 250 workers, including administrative and maintenance staff, have been without a contract since June 30.
The agreement came as both parties were entering a legal strike or lock-out position.
Youth Employment Centre Closes
The economy was a factor, but officials with Service Canada's Youth Employment Centre in Fort Frances are happy with how their year went.
The centre officially closed for the season Friday.
Youth Services Officer Dayna Debenedet says over one-hundred students accessed their services.
"We're pleased," says Debenedet. "It was a little slower than usual partly because of the economic situation in town, but we're pretty happy with the number."
About 70 to 80 jobs from the local area were posted at the local centre, but hundreds more from around northwestern Ontario were also available to area students to consider.
Debenedet says this year's Odd Job Squad and Hire-a-Student weeks also proved very successful with many students finding employment.
The centre officially closed for the season Friday.
Youth Services Officer Dayna Debenedet says over one-hundred students accessed their services.
"We're pleased," says Debenedet. "It was a little slower than usual partly because of the economic situation in town, but we're pretty happy with the number."
About 70 to 80 jobs from the local area were posted at the local centre, but hundreds more from around northwestern Ontario were also available to area students to consider.
Debenedet says this year's Odd Job Squad and Hire-a-Student weeks also proved very successful with many students finding employment.
Forestry Strategy Demanded
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is calling on the McGuinty Liberals for a strategy that helps secure the future of the province's forest industry.
His call comes in the wake of last week's announcement by AbitibiBowater to idle two paper machines at its Thunder Bay mill.
Hampton foresees the situation getting worse unless action is taken now.
"We could well see another paper mill close in northern Ontario in the next few months," says Hampton. "It would be very tragic and there's a real need for government action."
Hampton says that action must include the availability of affordable power to remain competitive with mills elsewhere in country and the United States.
His call comes in the wake of last week's announcement by AbitibiBowater to idle two paper machines at its Thunder Bay mill.
Hampton foresees the situation getting worse unless action is taken now.
"We could well see another paper mill close in northern Ontario in the next few months," says Hampton. "It would be very tragic and there's a real need for government action."
Hampton says that action must include the availability of affordable power to remain competitive with mills elsewhere in country and the United States.
A Change of Firefighters in B.C.
(Ontario FireRangers battling the heat and the blazes in British Columbia - MNR Photo)
A two week tour of duty in British Columbia has been completed by 122 fire rangers employed by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Melissa Austin of Dryden returned home Saturday and says fighting fires in British Columbia is much different than in northwestern Ontario.
"There we've been making a lot of hand-tool lines than making pumps and water to put out the fire," says Austin. "There's been a lot more helicopters helping to put out the fire.
The MNR sent another 122 fire rangers out back west to replace those who returned home.
Another 40 MNR personnel still will travel to B.C. today.
Conservancy Annual Meeting
A decade of protection and preservation of the Rainy Lake watershed was recognized on the weekend by members of the Rainy Lake Conservancy.
For the past ten years, the Conservancy has been involved in research, education and advocacy of the watershed.
At its annual meeting yesterday, president Anne Newhart said that will continue.
"Along with our regular program of public education, research and developing conservation partnerships, we hope to work more with private landowners who want to protect their land in the long-term through conservation easements or land procurement measures," said Newhart.
Strong public support was also cited as a reason for the Conservancy's longevity.
Membership has grown from an initial 11 members to over 200 today.
For the past ten years, the Conservancy has been involved in research, education and advocacy of the watershed.
At its annual meeting yesterday, president Anne Newhart said that will continue.
"Along with our regular program of public education, research and developing conservation partnerships, we hope to work more with private landowners who want to protect their land in the long-term through conservation easements or land procurement measures," said Newhart.
Strong public support was also cited as a reason for the Conservancy's longevity.
Membership has grown from an initial 11 members to over 200 today.
Friday, August 7, 2009
NAN Protest Goes to Queen's Park
Nishnawbe Aski Nation took its opposition to a bill seeking to map land in the Far North to the Ontario legislature to ask the government to scrap the plan.
Grand Chief Stan Beardy, along with several youth and other aboriginal leaders, says the bill infringes on First Nation treaty rights.
Beardy says the plan will give the government too much power to decide how to handle lands where First Nations live, and argues the consultation process is so rushed that it's not legitimate.
New Democrat Gilles Bisson says the government is ``mucking up''the process by leaving out the people most directly affected - just like with the Mining Act.
Bisson says even the industry agrees the process needs more time to clarify rules and avoid confrontations down the road.
The Ministry of Natural Resources insists there's still plenty of time to make changes to the bill - promises to protect at least 225,000 square kilometres in a network of conservation areas - noting the current round of consultations is just the beginning of a lengthy process.
Grand Chief Stan Beardy, along with several youth and other aboriginal leaders, says the bill infringes on First Nation treaty rights.
Beardy says the plan will give the government too much power to decide how to handle lands where First Nations live, and argues the consultation process is so rushed that it's not legitimate.
New Democrat Gilles Bisson says the government is ``mucking up''the process by leaving out the people most directly affected - just like with the Mining Act.
Bisson says even the industry agrees the process needs more time to clarify rules and avoid confrontations down the road.
The Ministry of Natural Resources insists there's still plenty of time to make changes to the bill - promises to protect at least 225,000 square kilometres in a network of conservation areas - noting the current round of consultations is just the beginning of a lengthy process.
10th Anniversary Celebrated
The Rainy Lake Conservancy will recognize its 10th anniversary this weekend.
The Conservancy will hold its annual meeting Sunday at La Place Rendez-Vous beginning at 2 p.m.
Dale Callaghan, one of the founding members, says the group has been effective in its work to preserve and protect the Rainy Lake watershed during its time.
"We're involved in water testing," says Callaghan, "something we've been involved with since we started. We've promoted science and research on Rainy Lake. We have a board member on the Rainy Lake Fisheries Charity Trust. We promote clean water and healthy shorelines."
Callaghan says the work they're doing now is all for the future of the area.
The meeting is open to the public.
The guest speaker will be Rachael Hill, district planner with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Conservancy will hold its annual meeting Sunday at La Place Rendez-Vous beginning at 2 p.m.
Dale Callaghan, one of the founding members, says the group has been effective in its work to preserve and protect the Rainy Lake watershed during its time.
"We're involved in water testing," says Callaghan, "something we've been involved with since we started. We've promoted science and research on Rainy Lake. We have a board member on the Rainy Lake Fisheries Charity Trust. We promote clean water and healthy shorelines."
Callaghan says the work they're doing now is all for the future of the area.
The meeting is open to the public.
The guest speaker will be Rachael Hill, district planner with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Canoe Race Returns
Quetico Provincial Park continues to celebrate its Centennial Anniversary with the return of the legendary Cross Quetico Canoe Race.
The 200-kilometre endurance challenge takes competitive paddlers over lakes, portages, rivers and creeks.
This year's race starts tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. and is expected to end Sunday night at 6 .p.m.
The starting and end point is the Main Beach of French Lake at the Dawson Trail Campground.
About twenty teams from Minnesota and Ontario are scheduled to compete.
The 200-kilometre endurance challenge takes competitive paddlers over lakes, portages, rivers and creeks.
This year's race starts tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. and is expected to end Sunday night at 6 .p.m.
The starting and end point is the Main Beach of French Lake at the Dawson Trail Campground.
About twenty teams from Minnesota and Ontario are scheduled to compete.
Nurses Appeal to Supreme Court
Some Ontario nurses are asking the Supreme Court of Canada for permission to sue the province over the SARS crisis.
In May, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the action.
But the Ontario Nurses' Association says that ruling leaves nurses at risk during outbreaks, like the current H1N1 flu pandemic.
In May, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the action.
But the Ontario Nurses' Association says that ruling leaves nurses at risk during outbreaks, like the current H1N1 flu pandemic.
H1N1 Spread Slows
The spread of the H1N1 virus seems to be waning in northwestern Ontario.
The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show no new cases of the virus in the region in the past week.
There are currently 70 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the northwest, but the symptoms are considered mild.
The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show no new cases of the virus in the region in the past week.
There are currently 70 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the northwest, but the symptoms are considered mild.
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