New Campaign To Save Tourist Centres Launched

Not for Sale.

That's the latest campaign from Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell in the ongoing fight to keep tourist information centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River open.

She's unveiled a  post-card campaign, asking people to fill out.

Campbell says Tourism Minister Michael Chan needs to understand the industry is too vital to the area to be put in jeopardy by centres' closings.

Doctors Talks Stalled

It seems the tough labour negotiations between Ontario's doctors and the province have reached an impasse.

The talks stalled late last week.

Health Minister Deb Matthews agreed Friday to the use of a conciliator, but insisted doctors agree to a wage freeze and set a deadline of yesterday to reach a new agreement.

Shape Your Future Fair Planned

Workplace and educational opportunities will be showcased at an event in Fort Frances  later month.

A first-ever career fair is being hosted by NCDS on May 24th

Cathy Tysz says it's for people of all ages.

Tysz says they have so far over 50 organization taking part with a lot of hand on activities.

Education Saluted

This is both Education and Catholic Education week across Ontario.

Education Director for the Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell says its an opportunity to showcase the schools to the public.

All schools across the district have events planned.

Nurses Week Recognized

 This is also Nursing Week in Ontario.

Riverside Health Care employs 90 registered nurses and 70 registered practical nurses.

It's chief nursing executive Lori Maki says they all play important roles in provide the best care possible.

A special recognition night will happen Thursday at the Fort Frances Legion for all nurses.

WSIB Short Of Funds?

There's a risk Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board won't be able to meet its obligations to more than 200-thousand injured workers in the next 20 years.

A report on the WSIB says the agency has less than 55 per cent of what it needs.

Three Complete Marathon For Canadian Cancer Society

Three Rainy River residents were among the 2,500 runners in Winnipeg that helped raise over $100-thousand  for the Canadian Cancer Society.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy and Ginger Bragg of Emo completed the half marathon hosted by Winnipeg Police in just under two hours.

Atikokan's Danyelle Kora finished in under 3.

Allan Cup 60th

A milestone for Fort Frances Allan Cup winning team.

It was 60 years ago that the Canadians beat Stratford on home ice to claim supremacy in Canada's senior hockey.

Gord Calder was a part of the team's run up until the final series.

He calls the win a thrill of a lifetime.

The Canadians were inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.

Tourism Season Outlook

Ont. Sunset Country Travel Assoc. photo

The area's tourism officials aren't sure what the coming summer will bring for their industry.

They did see the federal government address the issue of minor criminal offenses of American visitors at the border.

But Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association's Gerry Cariou doesn't think that will have a huge impact on numbers.

Cariou says the closure of the region's tourist information centres will have a negative impact.

More Questions About Tourism Centre Closings

The search for answers to why the tourist information centres in our region have closed continues at Queen's Park.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell told the Minister of Tourism in the legislature yesterday the numbers don't add up.

Michael Chan says tourists are simply getting more of their travel information on line.

Doctors Say Proposal Hurts Local Recruitment

Ontario's doctors say a proposal offered up by the province will have an impact in northwestern Ontario.

Ontario Medical Association president Doctor Stewart Kennedy says proposed cuts to the fees doctors charge will hurt the regions ability to recruit and retain physicians.

Kennedy says with the demand for more doctors south of the border, Ontario won't be able to compete.

Anti-Bullying Legislation Heads To Committee

It looks like anti-bullying legislation in Ontario is moving ahead in the legislature after being bogged down for weeks.

All three parties have agreed to allow two bills -- one Liberal and one Conservative -- to go to committee.

Education Minister Laurel Broten says she hopes the all-party committee can find a way to combine the two.

Fee Hikes Approved By Governor

The plan to hike hunting and fishing licenses in Minnesota has the Governor's approval.

Mark Dayton signed off a bill that boosts a range of fees to bolster wildlife resource management.

A resident fishing license will now cost $22 while a deer hunting license goes to $30.

The same bill also establishes an annual wolf hunt in the State.

Math Olympic Medallist

RR District School Board photo

A silver medal for a Robert Moore School student at the recent Math Olympics in Thunder Bay.

Grade 7 student Judy Wu was among six students from the school who participated.

The event requires students to demonstrate their understanding of mathematical concepts through a variety of problem-solving exercises.

Two others grade 7 students, Connor Bates and Robyn French, finished in the top ten of their respective divisions.

Atikokan Chamber Award Winners

Atikokan Chamber of Commerce has recognized it's community's best.

The Bargain! Shop was the winner of the Business Excellence Award sponsored by 931 The Border.

Sunset Windows and Doors earned Entrepreneur of the Year honours.

Atikokan Fire Rescue took the Health and Safety Award.

The Barnard Family, Ryan,  Jessie, Marvin, Cathy and Amber, received the Ambassador award for their work with the Atikokan 4x4 MudFling.

McHappy Success

It was a McHappy Day in Fort Frances Wednesday.

The local McDonald's Restaurant raised $2,032  as part of McHappy Day.

The money will go to the new Ronald McDonald House in Toronto.

Foundation Questions Use Of Budget Bill

The Quetico Foundation is accusing the provincial government of trying to circumvent the process with proposed amendments to legislation affecting the environment.

The province has included nine such amendments within the provincial budget.

The Foundation's Glenda McLachlan calls it odd the budget bill  is being used for this purpose as it doesn't give the public an opportunity to comment.

McLachlan says usually legislative amendments affecting the environment got through the Environment Bill of Rights registry.

District Church Involved in National Conference

The Evangelical Covenant Church in Rainy River is playing a key part in a national conference today.

The Church is serving as a satellite site to the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada's annual meeting, taking place in Edmonton.

Pastor Kors Pater says it's a first for this area.

Pater expects up to forty delegates from the district and Manitoba to take in the conference from Rainy River.

Training Workshop In Fort Frances

Those involved with helping with victims of crime will receive a little help themselves over the next two days.

Peggy Loyie of the Rainy River District Victims Services Program says Fort Frances is playing host to a conference entitled Responding Effectively to Acute Stress Reaction.

The conference is drawing people from around the region.

Fundraiser Success

The recent Cause for Paws fundraiser in International Falls is being hailed a huge success.

Officials says approximately 15-thousand 500 dollars was raised for the Borderland Humane Society.

That's up over last year's figure.