The city of International Falls wants to know what's being done about the air quality at AbitibiBowater's mill in Fort Frances.
Councillor Tim McBride says residents continue to complain about an odour and the city will ask Ontario's Environment Ministry for information on the actions to eliminate the problem.
"Our goal only was that we didn't know what was going on," says McBride, "and that's our goal - to be kept in the loop. We did get some information from both Abitibi and the Ministry so we look forward to more discussion, more dialogue."
McBride says the city feels there have been corrective measures taken, but haven't been keep up to date on what they are.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Lake of the Woods Water Quality
Kenora MP Greg Rickford is looking for more cooperation between Canada and the United States to improve the water quality of Lake of the Woods.
Rickford put forward a resolution last week calling on the International Joint Commission to become involved.
"We believe this is the most important step toward broader inclusion of Lake of the Woods in a international boundary reference question through the International Joint Commission," says Rickford.
The motion is to come back for a vote in the House of Commons this fall.
More Causeway Work This Falls
The next phase of work at the Noden Causeway is to begin this fall.
It includes new concrete decking on a 600 metre section of the Causeway's West Low Level Deck.
The work, to be done by southern-Ontario based Concreate USL Limited, will cost $8.8 million.
Police Shooting in Kenora
A section of Kenora's downtown remains taped off by the OPP following a shooting incident last night.
Reports say a woman armed with a knight was shot by police.
So far, OPP have not released any details of the incident, but eye witnesses suggest a woman lunged at an officer before shots were fired.
Reports say a woman armed with a knight was shot by police.
So far, OPP have not released any details of the incident, but eye witnesses suggest a woman lunged at an officer before shots were fired.
Hire a Youth Week
Service Canada's employment centre for Youth in Fort Frances is now open for business.
It's located in the federal government building on Scott Street.
Youth Services Officer Dayna DeBenedet says they're encouraging the district's businesses to consider hiring young people this summer.
"The benefit of hiring a youth is that you get usually a really dependable, reliable and enthusiast young worker," says DeBenedet, "and you also help them find out what kind of work they might be interested in the future and what kind of career they might want to pursue."
As part of Hire-a-Youth week, staff will be in Emo and Rainy River today meeting with prospective employers and holding information booths in Fort Frances later in the week.
It's located in the federal government building on Scott Street.
Youth Services Officer Dayna DeBenedet says they're encouraging the district's businesses to consider hiring young people this summer.
"The benefit of hiring a youth is that you get usually a really dependable, reliable and enthusiast young worker," says DeBenedet, "and you also help them find out what kind of work they might be interested in the future and what kind of career they might want to pursue."
As part of Hire-a-Youth week, staff will be in Emo and Rainy River today meeting with prospective employers and holding information booths in Fort Frances later in the week.
Drug Prices to Drop
Ontario consumers will see lower prices for generic drugs as of July 1st.
Health Minister Deb Matthews says the province is moving ahead with a ban on pharmacists from accepting so-called professional allowance fees in order to lower drug prices.
But the Ontario Pharmacists Association warns stores will have to boost dispensing fees and drug prices to offset the loss of that money.
Bring the Cup to Fort, Duncan
There is a local effort to get Duncan Keith to bring the Stanley Cup to Fort Frances - if the Chicago Black Hawks win.
A Facebook site - called "If Duncan Keith wins the cup, bring it to Fort Frances" has been set up to lure Keith and the Cup to the Borderland.
Members of the Stanley Cup winning team get the Cup for a day.
Born in Winnipeg, Keith played minor hockey here, before moving to Penticton.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Fort Frances Soldier Receives Medal
A soldier from the Fort Frances area has finally received his Medal of Military Valour.
Sergeant Russell Gregoire was presented the award from Governor-General Michelle Jean Friday at ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
The award recognizes his actions on June 2008 in which he helped lead a group of soldiers, who were ambushed and under heavy fire, to safety.
Gregoire had been cited for the award back in October, but was still in Afghanistan at the time.
Sergeant Russell Gregoire was presented the award from Governor-General Michelle Jean Friday at ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
The award recognizes his actions on June 2008 in which he helped lead a group of soldiers, who were ambushed and under heavy fire, to safety.
Gregoire had been cited for the award back in October, but was still in Afghanistan at the time.
Liberal Campaign HST
The political fight to sell the HST which kicks in July 1st is starting to resemble an election campaign.
The Liberal government is taking to the road pushing back hard against opposition claims that it is a "greedy tax grab.''
Premier Dalton McGuinty says Liberals will visit opposition-held ridings all month to tout the benefits of the tax.
Tower and Hallet Officially Open
Rain forced Friday's official opening ceremonies of the tower and tugboat Hallet to be held indoors.
Dignitaries gathered at the Ontario Travel tourism centre to cut the ribbon for the two landmarks.
Mayor Roy Avis feels any opposition there was to their move to the Fort Frances waterfront is now gone.
"There was a lot of scepticism at that time," says Avis, "and it's disappeared now. It's a great project and it's really gone forward. I think we're very proud of the museum and waterfront and will attract tourists to our area."
Avis says the landmarks enhance the waterfront area.
Dignitaries gathered at the Ontario Travel tourism centre to cut the ribbon for the two landmarks.
Mayor Roy Avis feels any opposition there was to their move to the Fort Frances waterfront is now gone.
"There was a lot of scepticism at that time," says Avis, "and it's disappeared now. It's a great project and it's really gone forward. I think we're very proud of the museum and waterfront and will attract tourists to our area."
Avis says the landmarks enhance the waterfront area.
Artists Recognized
(Left: Artists Cher Pruys and Burton Penner)The artists involved in the banner programme part of the Heritage project were recognized at ceremonies held to recognized the completion of the projects second phase.
The banners hang along the downtown and parkway areas of Fort Frances.
Burton Penner, whose banner illustrates the area's Voyageur life, is pleased to see his work on display.
"I'm honoured that they picked that," says Penner, "and glad they could use it. My interest has always been in history and the fur trade and I like to depict that in my art."
Chery Pruys had three designs chosen for the project.
"It's very exciting," says Pruys, "I'm really proud to be a citizen of this area and its great to see my artwork and help promote it and hopefully be a part of something that people enjoy looking at down at the waterfront."
Her work includes fishing along the waterfront, the Noden Causeway and the Rainy Lake mermaid.
Studio8 Design artist David Bodnarchuk and Iann Legge were also involved.
Gun-Bill Vote Expected
A private member’s bill to scrap the Federal long-gun registry has hit a snag.
A Commons Committee voted last week not to proceed with the bill.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty it now comes down to a vote in the House.
"Well the bill isn't dead," says Rafferty. "What the committee is recommending is that it be dead but there is a procedural vote that will come probably this week on whether the bill can be killed or not."
The bill to scrap the registry passed second reading in the Commons when eight Liberals and 12 NDP MPs joined with the Conservatives to support the bill.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Heritage Events Re:Scheduled
Weather has won out over today's events planned in conjunction with the official opening of the tower and tugboat Hallet on the Fort Frances waterfront.
An official ribbon cutting was planned for noon, but officials instead held an indoor event this morning at the Ontario Travel tourism centre.
The tug-of-war between the town of Fort Frances and the city of International Falls, scheduled for 12:30 p.m., has now been cancelled.
It will now be held July 2.
Other events planned for the waterfront have been moved indoors to the Memorial Sports Centre including the lumberjack show and arts activities.
A BBQ for the Fun in the Sun committee has also been cancelled, but there will be an similar one later today for the Muskies Sports Association at the Sports Centre.
An official ribbon cutting was planned for noon, but officials instead held an indoor event this morning at the Ontario Travel tourism centre.
The tug-of-war between the town of Fort Frances and the city of International Falls, scheduled for 12:30 p.m., has now been cancelled.
It will now be held July 2.
Other events planned for the waterfront have been moved indoors to the Memorial Sports Centre including the lumberjack show and arts activities.
A BBQ for the Fun in the Sun committee has also been cancelled, but there will be an similar one later today for the Muskies Sports Association at the Sports Centre.
Local Doctors Appreciated
(Front Row L to R: Dr. Barry Anderson, Dr. Lorena Jenks, Dr. Elaine Spencer, Dr. Brian Johnstone, Dr. John Porter Back Row L to R: Dr. Robert Algie, Dr. Angus MacKintosh, Dr, Jason Shack)More than 280 residents gathered at the Memorial Sports Centre for a community appreciation dinner in honour of doctors in the Fort Frances area.
Event chair councillor Andrew Hallikas says it was the first time the local Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee focused attention on the retention side of its work.
"And we need to recognize that if we wish to recruit new doctors we have retain the one's that we have," says Hallikas. "We can do this by showing our support for them and appreciation for their work and being seen as a physician friendly town."
Hallikas says last night's event was an opportunity for the public to say thanks to all doctors for their work.
Doctors Recognized
Three long-serving physicians in Fort Frances were honoured at a Community Appreciation Dinner last night.
Doctors Elaine Spencer, Brian Johnstone and Angus MacKintosh were cited for the care and contributions provided to residents of the Fort Frances area.
The three doctors have combined for nearly 125 years of medical practice to the area.
Dr. Angus MacKintosh has been practicing medicine in the Fort for the past 39 years.
"I would like to say that this indeed is a singular honour," says Dr. MacKintosh. "I am very, very pleased to receive it, but an even bigger honour has been to serve the community of Fort Frances for the past 39 years."
Dr. Spencer called it a special honour.
"I've had a great time in Fort Frances," says Dr. Spencer. "It's been fun to practice here. I was just did pap smears when I first came and that was quite limiting, but I got back to my love of anesthesia for quite a long time. I've developed general practice since then. I've enjoyed most of the minutes of it, not all of it."
Dr. Johnstone expressed his appreciation for the honour.
"I've enjoyed myself in Fort Frances," says Dr. Johnstone. "I keep on work because I can't think of anything better to do. I enjoy what I do."
The three physicians received special plaques of appreciation, including ones signed by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Doctors Elaine Spencer, Brian Johnstone and Angus MacKintosh were cited for the care and contributions provided to residents of the Fort Frances area.
The three doctors have combined for nearly 125 years of medical practice to the area.
Dr. Angus MacKintosh has been practicing medicine in the Fort for the past 39 years.
"I would like to say that this indeed is a singular honour," says Dr. MacKintosh. "I am very, very pleased to receive it, but an even bigger honour has been to serve the community of Fort Frances for the past 39 years."
Dr. Spencer called it a special honour.
"I've had a great time in Fort Frances," says Dr. Spencer. "It's been fun to practice here. I was just did pap smears when I first came and that was quite limiting, but I got back to my love of anesthesia for quite a long time. I've developed general practice since then. I've enjoyed most of the minutes of it, not all of it."
Dr. Johnstone expressed his appreciation for the honour.
"I've enjoyed myself in Fort Frances," says Dr. Johnstone. "I keep on work because I can't think of anything better to do. I enjoy what I do."
The three physicians received special plaques of appreciation, including ones signed by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Heritage Projects Opened
The second phase of Fort Frances' Heritage Tourism projects gets some recognition of its own today.
Museum Supervisor Pam Cain says events will kick off at later this morning.
"Starting at 10 a.m. at the Ontario Travel Information Centre and then walking the banner route down to the Fort Frances Parkway where we can admire our new interpretive banners and see the tower and Hallet," says Cain, "reflecting the history we are celebrating."
Weather permitting, an official opening of the tower and Hallet takes place at 12 noon with the annual tug-of-war between Fort Frances and International Falls taking place at 12:30 p.m.
A lumberjack show is also scheduled with shows planned for 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Museum Supervisor Pam Cain says events will kick off at later this morning.
"Starting at 10 a.m. at the Ontario Travel Information Centre and then walking the banner route down to the Fort Frances Parkway where we can admire our new interpretive banners and see the tower and Hallet," says Cain, "reflecting the history we are celebrating."
Weather permitting, an official opening of the tower and Hallet takes place at 12 noon with the annual tug-of-war between Fort Frances and International Falls taking place at 12:30 p.m.
A lumberjack show is also scheduled with shows planned for 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tourism Week
Today is a kick off to Tourism Week.
Staff at Ontario Travel tourism Centre in Fort Frances will be celebrating with an open house that begins at 10 a.m.
The Centre will have displays and is offering four different travel trips up for grabs.
Staff at Ontario Travel tourism Centre in Fort Frances will be celebrating with an open house that begins at 10 a.m.
The Centre will have displays and is offering four different travel trips up for grabs.
Influential Women Award Winner
A Fort Frances area woman is among this year's winners of the Northern Ontario Business' Influential Women of Northern Ontario awards.
Angela Halvorsen was presented with the Public Sector Award for the northwest region at a ceremony in Thunder Bay last night.
Halvorsen is the Business Investment Officer with the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.
Angela Halvorsen was presented with the Public Sector Award for the northwest region at a ceremony in Thunder Bay last night.
Halvorsen is the Business Investment Officer with the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.
May Weather Recapped
It felt warmer, but Environment Canada says the Rainy River district was at normal levels weatherwise for the month of May.
Climatologist Chantal Cerny says the average temperature was just slightly below normal.
"The mean temperature for the month of May was 11.5 C in Fort Frances," says Cerny. "Normals for the month is 11.6 C. There was a single day minimum temperature that was broken on May 9 with a temperature of minus 5 C. The past record was minus 4 in 1981 and 2008."
Cerny says the total amount of rainfall during the month was just above normal.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Physicians' Appreciation Week - Part 4
It's expected to be a sell out at tonight's community dinner as part of Physicians' Appreciation Week in Fort Frances.
Councillor Andrew Hallikas, who chairs the local Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, says only a few tickets remains for the event aimed at showing appreciation for local doctors.
"These folks have been doing such a good job for us and been working so hard under difficult conditions," says Hallikas, "it's nice for them to have the community with this show of support to come out and say 'Thanks you a lot. We appreciate what you've done for us.'"
Physicians' Appreciation Week is something new to Fort Frances and Dr. Robert Algie says the recognition is somewhat humbling.
"We know that we're appreciated,"says Algie. "We get individual feedback. Not always on a daily basis but certainly we get enough feedback through what we do at work to know that we're appreciated and are making a difference. I suppose being recognized in a more public way is also appreciated. We're a bit of a humble group and this public show is a bit uncomfortable for some of us, but we appreciate the efforts being made."
Algie also applauds the help of the area's nurse practitioners for easing the burden on local doctors.
"Their availability, plus some other chronic disease programs, has given people the opportunity to have access care they wouldn't otherwise have previously. Without that, people of Fort Frances would be really seeing a major difference in their ability to get into medical care. I think nurse practitioners have made a big difference for us."
Tonight's event at the Memorial Sports Centre begins at 6 p.m.
Councillor Andrew Hallikas, who chairs the local Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, says only a few tickets remains for the event aimed at showing appreciation for local doctors.
"These folks have been doing such a good job for us and been working so hard under difficult conditions," says Hallikas, "it's nice for them to have the community with this show of support to come out and say 'Thanks you a lot. We appreciate what you've done for us.'"
Physicians' Appreciation Week is something new to Fort Frances and Dr. Robert Algie says the recognition is somewhat humbling.
"We know that we're appreciated,"says Algie. "We get individual feedback. Not always on a daily basis but certainly we get enough feedback through what we do at work to know that we're appreciated and are making a difference. I suppose being recognized in a more public way is also appreciated. We're a bit of a humble group and this public show is a bit uncomfortable for some of us, but we appreciate the efforts being made."
Algie also applauds the help of the area's nurse practitioners for easing the burden on local doctors.
"Their availability, plus some other chronic disease programs, has given people the opportunity to have access care they wouldn't otherwise have previously. Without that, people of Fort Frances would be really seeing a major difference in their ability to get into medical care. I think nurse practitioners have made a big difference for us."
Tonight's event at the Memorial Sports Centre begins at 6 p.m.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
