The town of Fort Frances has denied a request to waive interest owed on an outstanding tax bill by AbitibiBowater.
The company was late in paying its third and fourth installments and wrote the town saying it was unlikely its monitor under creditor protection would approve the payment of the outstanding interest.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Riverside Issues Visitor Restrictions
Riverside Health Care Facilities is also implementing what its says are precautionary measures to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
It's restricting people from visiting the hospital if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.
Anyone entering the hospitals must stop at the information desks to self-screen and wash their hands before proceeding to Reception.
Riverside is also asking that no one under the age of 18 visit the hospitals unless they are sick and that people reporting to the Emergency Department do so without the need of an escort unless they are a child or require assistance.
Riverside recommends that if you have flu-like symptoms wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, Cough into a tissue or your arm or sleeve, minimize contact with others and don't go to work until you feel better.
It's restricting people from visiting the hospital if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.
Anyone entering the hospitals must stop at the information desks to self-screen and wash their hands before proceeding to Reception.
Riverside is also asking that no one under the age of 18 visit the hospitals unless they are sick and that people reporting to the Emergency Department do so without the need of an escort unless they are a child or require assistance.
Riverside recommends that if you have flu-like symptoms wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, Cough into a tissue or your arm or sleeve, minimize contact with others and don't go to work until you feel better.
Sick Notes Clog Emergency Room
Riverside Health Care Facilities is appealing to employers to reconsider their sick-note policies during the flu season.
They're concern with the number of people who have been visiting the emergency departments only to seek notes.
Some employers request the notes as proof their workers are sick.
In a release, Emergency Physician Doctor John Nelson says the emergency departments are meant for critically ill patients, not people who require a back-to-work slip.
Hospital officials say if you have flu-like symptoms, stay home.
They're concern with the number of people who have been visiting the emergency departments only to seek notes.
Some employers request the notes as proof their workers are sick.
In a release, Emergency Physician Doctor John Nelson says the emergency departments are meant for critically ill patients, not people who require a back-to-work slip.
Hospital officials say if you have flu-like symptoms, stay home.
Flu Clinics Promoted
The Northwestern Health Unit's medical officer of health admits they won't get everybody, but is hoping residents heed the advice of getting the H1N1 vaccine.
H1N1 flu shot clinics began yesterday for area residents.
Dr. James Arthurs says while reported cases of H1N1 may be low, the flu strain is very present in the district.
"If you're sick with flu," says Arthurs, "the definition of flu being fever, aches and pains, feel very tired and fatigued and develop a cough, the likelihood of developing H1N1 is 90 per cent."
Arthurs says they are giving priority to people in high risk categories, but won't turn away those people who aren't considered high risk and want their shot now.
Arthurs says the recent deaths of two teenagers in Ontario from the H1N1 flu could force a rethink of who should be getting the vaccine right away.
Children aged 5 to 18 were not initially considered at high risk, but Arthurs says that could change.
"This is an ongoing changing situation. It may look to many people that we are changing our minds but we are responding to the latest information and latest science."
Arthur says there are no plans to hold clinics in local schools, but that could also change if the number of children who contract the flu rise sharply.
H1N1 flu shot clinics began yesterday for area residents.
Dr. James Arthurs says while reported cases of H1N1 may be low, the flu strain is very present in the district.
"If you're sick with flu," says Arthurs, "the definition of flu being fever, aches and pains, feel very tired and fatigued and develop a cough, the likelihood of developing H1N1 is 90 per cent."
Arthurs says they are giving priority to people in high risk categories, but won't turn away those people who aren't considered high risk and want their shot now.
Arthurs says the recent deaths of two teenagers in Ontario from the H1N1 flu could force a rethink of who should be getting the vaccine right away.
Children aged 5 to 18 were not initially considered at high risk, but Arthurs says that could change.
"This is an ongoing changing situation. It may look to many people that we are changing our minds but we are responding to the latest information and latest science."
Arthur says there are no plans to hold clinics in local schools, but that could also change if the number of children who contract the flu rise sharply.
FOI Request for Hospitals
The Ontario Hospital Association wants the province's 155 hospitals to be subject to freedom of information laws.
It's asking the government to make the change.
CEO Tom Closson says recent controversies involving e-Health and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation should be viewed as a "wake-up call" for leaders of all public-sector organizations.
It's asking the government to make the change.
CEO Tom Closson says recent controversies involving e-Health and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation should be viewed as a "wake-up call" for leaders of all public-sector organizations.
All-Day Kindergarton Announced
Premier Dalton McGuinty says Ontario will start phasing in all-day kindergarten for four- and five-year-olds next fall.
It will begin with about 35-thousand kids next September.
The premier says the program will cost $1.5 billion dollars a year once it's fully implemented by 2015.
But parents will have to pay fees for their child to stay extended hours before and after kindergarten ends.
It will begin with about 35-thousand kids next September.
The premier says the program will cost $1.5 billion dollars a year once it's fully implemented by 2015.
But parents will have to pay fees for their child to stay extended hours before and after kindergarten ends.
OPSEU Vote Ends Today
The last ballots will be cast today by about 10-thousand part-time support staff at Ontario's 24 community colleges.
Staff, including those at Confederation College's campus in Fort Frances, have been voting since early October on whether to join the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
OPSEU claims part-time support staff do the same work as full-time staff, but for less pay and no benefits.
Staff, including those at Confederation College's campus in Fort Frances, have been voting since early October on whether to join the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
OPSEU claims part-time support staff do the same work as full-time staff, but for less pay and no benefits.
Federal Stimulus Money Questions
Kenora MP Greg Rickford is offering no apologizes for the amount of infrastructure stimulus funding his riding received.
A federal Liberal study of the federal stimulus program across the province concludes the spending heavily favoured Tory ridings, putting the Conservative-held Kenora riding at the top.
But Rickford says the Liberals' report does take into account the size of his riding.
"In my riding alone I have 42 first nations communities and 8 municipalities," says Rickford. "The Liberals presentation of the facts weren't only skewed and grossly distorted but they were patentedly false and used in an improper manner."
The Liberals says more than $33-million were distributed to 65 projects to the Kenora riding.
The Liberal study also identifies the riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River receiving over $25-million for 56 projects - fourth highest in northern Ontario.
MP John Rafferty, who welcomes that funding, says questions should be raised about the money that wasn't approved.
"That's the million dollar question so to speak," says Rafferty, "because for every project that wasn't approved in northern Ontario does that mean projects were approved in Conservative-held ridings. That's what we're trying to get answered to right now"
Rafferty says many of the local projects rejected were asking for only a few thousand dollars.
A federal Liberal study of the federal stimulus program across the province concludes the spending heavily favoured Tory ridings, putting the Conservative-held Kenora riding at the top.
But Rickford says the Liberals' report does take into account the size of his riding.
"In my riding alone I have 42 first nations communities and 8 municipalities," says Rickford. "The Liberals presentation of the facts weren't only skewed and grossly distorted but they were patentedly false and used in an improper manner."
The Liberals says more than $33-million were distributed to 65 projects to the Kenora riding.
The Liberal study also identifies the riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River receiving over $25-million for 56 projects - fourth highest in northern Ontario.
MP John Rafferty, who welcomes that funding, says questions should be raised about the money that wasn't approved.
"That's the million dollar question so to speak," says Rafferty, "because for every project that wasn't approved in northern Ontario does that mean projects were approved in Conservative-held ridings. That's what we're trying to get answered to right now"
Rafferty says many of the local projects rejected were asking for only a few thousand dollars.
More Portage Avenue Work Planned
Prepare for more road construction along Portage Avenue next year.
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown told Fort Frances councillors last night a continuation of work along Portage will take place between First and Sixth Streets, and it will mean another closure of the underpass.
"There will be a period when the Portage Avenue underpass won't be in service," said Brown, "because we have to dig up all of the pipes. There's main storm sewer pipes on Third (Street at Portage) that go across the whole intersection."
Brown said exact work schedules are not in place yet, but estimated the closure could be up to two weeks.
Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown told Fort Frances councillors last night a continuation of work along Portage will take place between First and Sixth Streets, and it will mean another closure of the underpass.
"There will be a period when the Portage Avenue underpass won't be in service," said Brown, "because we have to dig up all of the pipes. There's main storm sewer pipes on Third (Street at Portage) that go across the whole intersection."
Brown said exact work schedules are not in place yet, but estimated the closure could be up to two weeks.
New Garbage Collection Contract
The town of Fort Frances has struck a new five year deal with Asselin Transportation for garbage and recycling pick-up services in the town's residential areas.
Total cost is estimated at just over a million dollars, an increase of about 2 per cent over the current contract.
The deal does not include the hauling of recycling materials to Winnipeg.
That will still be done by Manitoba-based Gardewine.
The town and company also plan to meet with the Fort Frances downtown BIA to discuss how the collection of recycled materials can be administered for the BIA businesses.
Total cost is estimated at just over a million dollars, an increase of about 2 per cent over the current contract.
The deal does not include the hauling of recycling materials to Winnipeg.
That will still be done by Manitoba-based Gardewine.
The town and company also plan to meet with the Fort Frances downtown BIA to discuss how the collection of recycled materials can be administered for the BIA businesses.
Mill Incident Update
Authorities now say two people were involved in an incident at the AbitibiBowater mill in Fort Frances Sunday that left a 15-year-old girl with serious injuries, including burns to her body.
The Ministry of Labour says the two scaled a fence late Sunday evening and one made contact with a source of electricity.
When emergency personnel arrived on scene, the 15-year-old was found in a fenced off area near a power transformer.
The Electrical Safety Authority is also assisting OPP in the investigation.
The Ministry of Labour says the two scaled a fence late Sunday evening and one made contact with a source of electricity.
When emergency personnel arrived on scene, the 15-year-old was found in a fenced off area near a power transformer.
The Electrical Safety Authority is also assisting OPP in the investigation.
H1N1 Flu Clinics Kick Off Today
The Northwestern Health Unit will administer the first H1N1 vaccine in the Rainy River district today in the town of Rainy River.
A clinic at the health unit office by appointment only will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The first people to get the shot will be those at high-risk --people 65 and under with chronic health conditions, and healthy kids between six months and five years old.
The first clinic in Fort Frances will take place at the health unit office Wednesday while clinics at the Emo office begin Thursday - by appointment only as well.
A clinic at the health unit office by appointment only will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The first people to get the shot will be those at high-risk --people 65 and under with chronic health conditions, and healthy kids between six months and five years old.
The first clinic in Fort Frances will take place at the health unit office Wednesday while clinics at the Emo office begin Thursday - by appointment only as well.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Greyhound Welcomes Review
Greyhound Canada says its encouraged by a decision from the federal and provincial governments to review bus service in the country.
Federal and provincial Ministers of Transportation agreed to forming a working group during a meeting last week.
In a release, Greyhound says it looks forward to working with governments on the review.
The bus company is poised to halt bus services in northwestern Ontario in December unless it receives some kind of support from the province.
Federal and provincial Ministers of Transportation agreed to forming a working group during a meeting last week.
In a release, Greyhound says it looks forward to working with governments on the review.
The bus company is poised to halt bus services in northwestern Ontario in December unless it receives some kind of support from the province.
Amber Alert Changes
Police agencies across Ontario now have new, clearer guidelines over when to issue an Amber Alert in the case of abducted children.
Ontario Provincial Police Inspector Dave Ross says the wording has been simplified to make it easier for police and the public to understand the guidelines for when to issue an alert that's broadcast on highway signs, radio and television stations and in text messages.
Ross says previously, police had to actually confirm an abduction had taken place before an Amber Alert was issued _ now they only have to believe there's been an abduction.
He says police now only have to believe a child is in danger to issue an alert, whereas before they had to believe the child was in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
And now police only need to have information about the child or the abductor or the suspect vehicle, instead of all three, to issue an alert.
Ross says the case of slain eight-year-old Victoria Stafford _ in which an Amber Alert was not issued _ was a catalyst to initiate the review into the Amber Alert system, but it wasn't the only factor that led to the review being called by police commissioner Julian Fantino.
Ontario Provincial Police Inspector Dave Ross says the wording has been simplified to make it easier for police and the public to understand the guidelines for when to issue an alert that's broadcast on highway signs, radio and television stations and in text messages.
Ross says previously, police had to actually confirm an abduction had taken place before an Amber Alert was issued _ now they only have to believe there's been an abduction.
He says police now only have to believe a child is in danger to issue an alert, whereas before they had to believe the child was in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
And now police only need to have information about the child or the abductor or the suspect vehicle, instead of all three, to issue an alert.
Ross says the case of slain eight-year-old Victoria Stafford _ in which an Amber Alert was not issued _ was a catalyst to initiate the review into the Amber Alert system, but it wasn't the only factor that led to the review being called by police commissioner Julian Fantino.
AbitibiBowater Contract Talks This Week
Contract talks between AbitibiBowater and the union representing its workers is set to begin this week.
Wages, job security and even a call for concessions may be up for discussion, but Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union president Dave Coles says progress is not possible unless the government ensures a solution to the company's pension insolvency issue.
Abitibi's 20 Canadian pension plans are underfunded by almost one and a half million dollars.
AbitibiBowater declined to specifically comment on upcoming negotiations.
Wages, job security and even a call for concessions may be up for discussion, but Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union president Dave Coles says progress is not possible unless the government ensures a solution to the company's pension insolvency issue.
Abitibi's 20 Canadian pension plans are underfunded by almost one and a half million dollars.
AbitibiBowater declined to specifically comment on upcoming negotiations.
Incident at Mill Sends Girl to Hospital
A 15-year-old girl was sent to hospital with serious injuries, including burns to her body, following an incident at the AbitibiBowater Fort Frances mill last night.
OPP says emergency crews were called to the mill around 10:30 p.m. where they found the girl in a fenced-off area near a power transformer.
Exactly how the girl became injured or why she was in the restricted area have not been revealed.
The Electrical Safety Authority and Ministry of Labour are assisting police with the investigation.
OPP says emergency crews were called to the mill around 10:30 p.m. where they found the girl in a fenced-off area near a power transformer.
Exactly how the girl became injured or why she was in the restricted area have not been revealed.
The Electrical Safety Authority and Ministry of Labour are assisting police with the investigation.
New Engineering Program in Place
A new agreement with colleges in Minnesota’s Iron Range area will see engineering students able to earn a four-year mechanical engineering degree from Minnesota State University by working in their prospective field.
Students will spend up to three days each week working with engineers at Iron Range businesses, and two days in a classroom at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College which has campuses in Eveleth and Virginia.
The Arrowhead University Consortium Iron Range Engineering program now has 15 students with as many as 25 expected next fall and includes participation from Rainy River Community College in International Falls.
Students will spend up to three days each week working with engineers at Iron Range businesses, and two days in a classroom at Mesabi Range Community and Technical College which has campuses in Eveleth and Virginia.
The Arrowhead University Consortium Iron Range Engineering program now has 15 students with as many as 25 expected next fall and includes participation from Rainy River Community College in International Falls.
Fort Frances Council Meeting Tonight
The town of Fort Frances is being asked to support a new regional tourism project spearheaded by the town of Atikokan.
The Path of the Voyageur Regional Initiative is among issues on the agenda for tonight's council meeting.
Town council is also expected to discuss the province's proposed changes to the Underserviced Area's Program which assists communities efforts to recruit new physicians.
The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at about 6:30 p.m.
The Path of the Voyageur Regional Initiative is among issues on the agenda for tonight's council meeting.
Town council is also expected to discuss the province's proposed changes to the Underserviced Area's Program which assists communities efforts to recruit new physicians.
The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at about 6:30 p.m.
Operation Shoe Box Continues
There is still time to participate in Operation Christmas Child.
The program allows people to fill a shoe box with items for children living in under developed countries.
The district's coordinator Della McQuaker says people wanting to help-out can do so by visiting anyone of a number of collection depots in the district.
They can be picked up at Northland Basics, the Bargain Store, Tompkins Hardware, Calvary Baptist Church in Emo or by calling Caroline Kreeger at 488-5714.
The week of November 16 has been set as collection for the shoe-boxes for shipping.
The program allows people to fill a shoe box with items for children living in under developed countries.
The district's coordinator Della McQuaker says people wanting to help-out can do so by visiting anyone of a number of collection depots in the district.
They can be picked up at Northland Basics, the Bargain Store, Tompkins Hardware, Calvary Baptist Church in Emo or by calling Caroline Kreeger at 488-5714.
The week of November 16 has been set as collection for the shoe-boxes for shipping.
Four Laning Considered
Manitoba's Transportation Department has begun to study the possibility of twinning the last remaining undivided stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway in Manitoba.
Premier Greg Selinger says twinning the portion of the highway from Falcon Lake to the Ontario boundary is not currently in the department's plan.
But he says the idea is being considered, especially since the Ontario and federal governments will soon be twinning the undivided portion to the east of the provincial boundary.
Premier Greg Selinger says twinning the portion of the highway from Falcon Lake to the Ontario boundary is not currently in the department's plan.
But he says the idea is being considered, especially since the Ontario and federal governments will soon be twinning the undivided portion to the east of the provincial boundary.
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