Cheating on EQAO Tests Examined

Ten public schools in Ontario have been investigated for cheating and irregularities on last year's province-wide tests in reading, writing and mathematics.

Marie Parsons, chief assessment officer at the Education Quality and Accountability Office, says some schools cheated while others inadvertently broke the rules.

Parson says in some cases, students were provided questions beforehand or handed back answers to correct.

Local Food Bill Proposed

Ontario's New Democrat leader Andre Horwath is planning to bring forward new legislation aimed at helping farmers.'

She says she'll introduce a private member's bill that would require all government ministries to buy local food.

Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell says she's open to the idea, because it builds on what the governing Liberals have already done to promote Ontario-grown food.

OFAH Upset With Long-Gun Registry Debate

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is stepping into the debate over the federal long gun registry.

OFAH supports the campaign to dismantle the registry, but spokesperson Greg Ferrant is upset by some of the misinformation being published by the opposition.

"It's nothing more than an attempt by the opposition parties to derail a productive debate on this issue," says Ferrant, "and to attempt to frighten NDP members into changing their vote."

Ferrant is also disappointed by some New Democrats who have announced plans to change their vote when a private members bill came back to the House of Commons.

Flood Hits I. Falls Hospital

Rainy Lake Medical Centre is cleaning up after a water break forced the International Falls hospital to cancel much of its in-patient services and transfer patients to other nearby hospitals.

Executive Director Brian Long says last night's break left nearly 7 inches of water on the facilities lower floor.

Long says the hospitals emergency room is still functional, but it could be later today or tomorrow before they can determine when other services can resume.

Treaty Three Opposes Far North Act

Grand Council Treaty Three has joined the ground swell of opposition against the Far North Act.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she's worried the provincial government is taking away some of the decision making over their traditional lands.

She adds that the Toronto-based discussions and consultations are not appropriate for decisions that affect this region.

WEEE Depot a Success

The first-ever collection of electronic waste from the Rainy River district is being hailed a success.

A total of 46 pallets of old computers, televisions, cellphones and other old electronic equipment were collected during Saturday's event at the Fort Frances Public Works yard.

Executive Director with Ontario Electronic Stewardship Carol Hochu says centres in southern Ontario will now remove the hazardous materials and break down the other components for recycling.

The material collected filled two transport trailer units.

Big Dollars Raised at Terry Fox Runs

New organizers, a different route and good weather attracted over one-hundred people for Sunday's Terry Fox run in Fort Frances.

A total of $11,528.23 was raised for the Terry Fox Foundation, compared to the over $11-hundred raised last year.

This year's run was organized by members of the Church of the Holy Spirit with participants walking along the Fort Frances waterfront.

Area schools are likely to add to the total as they will hold separate runs in the near future.

Run spokesperson Cheryl Wolfe says some Terry Fox run t-shirts are still available by calling 274-7074.

In Atikokan, seventeen people raised a total of $2,382.10 in an event organized by the local TD Canada Trust branch.

Last year 42 participants helped raise about $22-hundred.

This was the 30th anniversary of Terry's Fox's Marathon of Hope.

Fishing Town Contest Enters Final Week

It's down to a two town race in the World Fishing Network's contest to find the Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada.

Nestor Falls sits in second spot, behind Port Alberni, British Columbia, as voting enters its final week.

The northwestern Ontario community is continuing its appeal for support from the region as its fights for the title and the 25-thousand first prize money.

Atikokan Information Incorrect

An Atikokan man is not happy with the how the Ministry of Education is portraying the community.

Mike McKinnon says the Ministry's school finder website contains inaccurate information about Atikokan, including the number of residents which a university degree.

"We are a little below the provincial average in terms of education levels," says McKinnon. "That translates to about 15 per cent having some university education and for the provincial ministry of education to spread information that's is zero per cent is, to me, insulting."

McKinnon has written to the Ministry asking for the information to be corrected or removed.

Catholic Students Excell

The Northwest Catholic District School Board says its students continue to shine in their writing of provincial tests.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says the results from the April tests continue to show significant improvements.

"Our grade threes have seen an increases of eight per cent in reading, ten per cent in writing and they've remained level in mathematics," says Kelly. "In grade six , we've seen increases by four per cent in reading, ten per cent in writing and a minimal decrease of two per cent in mathematics."

Kelly says high marks were recorded at all schools, including Our Lady of the Way in Stratton where 91 per cent of grade three students exceeded the provincial standard for math.

MP's Back to Work Today

It's back to work for Members of Parliament.

Raffery says he'll be introducing several private members bills.

"My second Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder bill that I'm putting forward this week calls for the government to have a national strategy," says Rafferty. "What we have now are pockets of people who are working and doing their best on this particular issue. What this bill calls for is the government to say 'listen, this is a serious issue. We need a national strategy in how we're going to deal with it."

Rafferty says he's also hoping to see his private members bill on pensions become law.

Harper Calls for NDP Support

The prime minister is calling on northwestern Ontario New Democrats to help his government abolish the long-gun registry.

The bill to kill the registry will be put to a vote Wednesday.

Harper suggests NDP MP's may face a revolt in their rural ridings if they don't vote with his party.

First Nations Reiterate Opposition to Act

Northwestern Ontario First Nations say they will not recognize the Far North Act if it's passed by the provincial legislature.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says the voices of First Nations people in northern Ontario are being ignored.

The bill would block up to 42 per cent of Ontario's land mass from development, protecting 225-thousand square kilometres of boreal forest.

NOSM Talks Break Down

Talks have stalled in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine labour dispute.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union representatives left the table Friday afternoon after four days of talks last week.

A NOSM representative says progress was made but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

Atikokan Song Needs Video

An Atikokan musician is looking for pictures to put to a song she wrote about her hometown.

Jinx Stus first performed the song at Atikokan's one-hundredth anniversary more than a decade ago, but decided only recently to post it to You Tube in hopes of finding the right video for the song.

"I thought it I could generate some interest and get some video to put over top of it and show what our town is about, it would be a great marketing tool," says Stus. "That's what exactly what we did, upload it to You Tube, and now were kind of waiting around to see if anyone has any footage or pictures to help market Atikokan."

The song has received a number of views on You tube, but no video just yet.

Here is the "Atikokan Song" as written and performed by Jinx Stus

Rafferty Opposition to Registry Remains

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is standing firm on his position on the long-gun registry.

In a statement issued yesterday, Rafferty reiterated his decision to vote in favour of a Conservative private members bill that proposed to scrap the registry.

Rafferty says he's following the wishes of his constituents by doing so.

Partnerships Encouraged

A British Columbia First Nation leader is touting the importance of good relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities.

Chief Clarence Louie of Osoyoos was the key note speaker at the Northern Networks Trade Conference yesterday in Fort Frances.

He says the development of business relations is a win-win.

"I do see it happening more and more across the country," says Louie, "where First Nations people are developing businesses, partnering up with businesses and bringing their own economic development ideas to the table."

Louie's own band developed its own corporation that owns several businesses and employs hundreds of people.

Q-Gold Resumes Drilling

Q-Gold Resources has started a second phase of drilling at the Foley Gold Mine Complex near Mine Centre.

The company says its will focus attention on two veins, known as Jumbo and Bonanza to determine gold and silver grades.

A first phase of drilling was completed in August with the results anticipated later this month.

Committee Formed for Kenora Election

Three retired municipal officials from the Rainy River district have been appointed to an Elections Compliance Audit Committee for Kenora's municipal election.

Former Chapple township clerk, Doris Dyson, Bill Naturkack, former CEO of Fort Frances and former Atikokan Clerk Warren Paulson are part of a five-person committee which is set up to review a candidate's financial records if requested.

Worst Roads Campaign

The Canadian Automobile Association's Worst Roads Campaign is underway.

Spokesperson Kory Kennedy says anyone fed up with decaying infrastructure is urged to cast their vote online.

"This campaign resonates extremely well with individuals throughout the province," says Kennedy, "appreciating that it has grown in scope as well as magnitude since the launch in 2003. Since then, we've ensured 90 per cent of the roads nominated to the annual top twenty list have been repaired or are slated to be repaired."

The campaign concludes at the end of September.