Hats Off To Seniors

Four area residents have been recognized as "Making a Difference."

Ruth Caldwell of Fort Frances, Brenda Wood of Atikokand and Jim and Davetta Sheppard of Rainy River are recipients of the first ever "Making a Difference" awards from the group Seniors and Law Enforcement Together.

Chair Robert Schultz says they're some of the many people who have helped seniors and SALT achieve its goals.

The group also recognized several groups, including 93.1 The Border, at its "Hats off to Seniors" Gala Friday.

OPP Commissioner Thanks SALT

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together is being recognized by one of its many partners.

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis was the guest speaker at Friday's "Hats of to Seniors" Gala."

Lewis says the OPP will continue to be a strong partner with the group to ensure seniors live in a safe and healthy community.

Students Encouraged To Make A Difference

A Fort Frances High School student is spreading the message of how young people can make change in the world.

Dexter Fichuk spoke to intermediate students at catholic schools in the Dryden, Atikokan and Fort Frances areas about his involvement with the organization Free the Children and its We Day events.

Fichuk says everyone of them can make a difference.

Fichuk says he's happy how more students are taking an interest and involvement in social issues.

Developments In Teachers Dispute

File photo

There appears to be some developments in the labour dispute between the province and teachers.

High school teachers with two southern Ontario school board have tentative deals.

The deals for York Region and the Guelph area must still be approved by Education Minister Laurel Broten.

Meantime, elementary teachers at York Region are set to limit the amount of time they spend at school as their contract dispute with the Liberal government escalates.

Teachers won't arrive until 30 minutes before the start of the school day, and leaving 30 minutes after classes end.

Back in the Rainy River district, elementary and secondary school teachers could be in a legal strike position at the end of this week.

Wynne Proposes Stronger Voice For North

A candidate for the Ontario Liberal Leadership is offering the north a stronger voice at Queen's Park.

Kathleen Wynne says provincial governments do listen to our needs, but needs to do more to respond because of the perception from some that they don't.

Wynne says if elected leader, she'll create a northern Ontario cabinet committee to better represent the region.

Three Charged

Three Fort Frances area residents face charges following a drug bust in the Kenora area.

23-year-old Joel Inkster, 29-year-old Dawn Jourdain and 21-year-old Allan Mutz were arrested last week after OPP stopped a vehicle to find a pound of marijuana and 14 ocycocete pills inside.

All three have since been released and will make a court appearance in Kenora December 20.

Ontario Leaders Weigh-In On OPG Plant

Premier Dalton McGuinty isn't budgeting.

McGuinty says he's not going to stop the potential shutdown of the coal-fired generating station in Thunder Bay for what experts say could be energy savings of $400 million.

Speaking in Thunder Bay, the outgoing premier says it's all about meeting the energy needs of the north.

McGuinty says it would be reckless to proceed without looking at the advice.

Ontario's NDP leader Andrea Horwath says it's time to take the politics out of the power plant debate.

But Horwath won't say whether she would keep the plant open if she were premier

Horwath says it's clear the issue has become a political football.

Many Drawn To Fort Frances Social Media Sites

A move towards increase use of social media is bringing results for the town of Fort Frances.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation has helped establish a variety of accounts.

Manager Geoff Gillon says it's mostly young people that are being drawn to the blog, Twitter and Facebook sites.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says it's also helping town planners identify what's important to those making the posts.

No Hospital Bed Available in Thunder Bay

Problems for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

No hospital beds are available.

Spokesperson Mark Henderson says the presence of about 60 long term care patients now in hospital is part of the problem.

Travel Still Allowed For Hockey Teams

There's an issue developing between Hockey Northwestern Ontario and Minnesota Hockey.

HNO says there's a belief that it's not issuing travel permits to teams wanting to compete in Minnesota tournaments.

General Manager Trevor Hosanna says permits are being issued, once an event is sanctioned properly and Minnesota Hockey seeks approval from U.S.A. Hockey.

The only exception is for Novice teams because Minnesota's similar division does not play official games as they do in do in Canada.

Bold Explores Atikokan Area

A junior mining exploration company has identified areas near Atikokan is may conduct drilling operations in the future.

Bold Ventures has been studying property about 14 kilometres east of the town which has been the subject of gold exploration in the past.

The company says a recent survey identified several untested areas that it will explore further.

Experimental Lakes Not Being Sold - Rickford

A federal MP is denying reports the Experimental Lakes area near Kenora is up for sale.

A coalition trying to keep the research facility open claims the Harper government is negotiating with an unnamed buyer.

But Kenora MP Greg Rickford says that's is not true

Rickford says some of the research done at the site is being moved to Saskatchewan.

Are We Interesting?

Reader's Digest is looking for the most interesting town in Canada.

It's an on-line contest that offers people that chance to write stories of their communities in hopes of winning $5-thousand for themselves and $5-thousand for their hometown.

So far, no Rainy River district communities have been nominated.

The contest closes December 18.

Local Rewards Program Out In New Year

A key component of the Go Local campaign is about to be launched.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says a rewards program, similiar to Air Miles, is expected to rolled out in the new year.

Consumers will be able to earn points that can be translated into gift cards to be used at participating businesses.

Drysdale expect as many as 50 businesses to take part.

The first phase of Go Local program, which includes a marketing program for businesses, was launched in Fort Frances last month with expansion across the district planned later.

Town On Track With Strategic Plan

Fort Frances town council is happy with the progress its making on its strategic plan.

Council is now into the second year of document.

CAO Mark McCaig says at total of 45 initiatives were brought forward.

McCaig says the proposed condomium project and effort to establish a regional airport concept are two area that haven't moved as far along as they'd like

Social Worker Critical of Methadone Use

A social worker from Toronto says the overuse of Methadone is doing serious harm to First Nations people across Northwestern Ontario.

Bridget Perrier says the use of the drug, which is prescribed by doctors to help addicts kick drugs like oxycontin, is only causing a more serious problem because it's simply transfering one addiction for another.

Perrier also claims doctors are over prescribing the drug and no one is supervising patients.

Mauro Out With Endorsement

More candidates are expected, but Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro already knows who he wants to succeed Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Mauro believes Sandra Pupatello is best to take on the Liberal Leadership because of her leadership qualities and understanding of the north

Mauro also believes Pupatello has the best chance to win the next provincial election, some speculate will happen next spring.

Price Increases Expected

Canadians should expect to pay more at the pumps and to heat their homes this winter.

The National Energy Board warns demand is expected to outstrip supply for all of the energy sources leading to hire prices for users.

Military Training Exercise

There will be some unusual action in the skies today in parts of Canada and the U-S and maybe in our area.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command will be conducting some flight exercises in several locations include in Minnesota.

Fort Frances Vying For Hockeyville Title Again

A Fort Frances resident is taking another shot at getting the town declared Kraft Hockeyville.

Jonathan Glueheisen's nomination in last year's contest failed to reach the finals.

He says he's better prepared this time.

The contest, which includes arena improvements and a chance to host an NHL exhibition game, begins December 15