Weechi-it-te-win Now Handling Child Welfare Case For Off-Reserve Natives

Some additional workload for Weechi-it-te-win Family Services.

For the first time, the native-based agency can now provide child welfare services to aboriginals living off reserve within the Kenora and Rainy River district.

Executive Director Laurie Rose says an agreement with Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services allows that to happen.

Weechi-it-te-win had been asking the province for the expanded mandate for years without success before Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services voluntarily agreed to let the native-agency take over.


The two agencies sign the agreement in a ceremony Friday.

Update From ALAG Today

An update today on the progress being made by a group aiming to get an assisted living facility constructed in the Fort Frances area.

Members of the Assisted Living Action Group are expected to make a presentation to town council at their meeting tonight.

Telehomecare Now Available

People with heart disease and other related health issues can now get some help managing their condition at home.

Northwest Community Care Access Centre spokesperson Marg Milani says they just launched their new telehomecare program.

Residents enter data that's sent on-line or through phone and monitored by a nurse who can identify a course of medical action if necessary.

Maternal Care Program Coming To Confederation College

The province is giving some money to Confederation College to start a new program for expectant mothers.

President Jim Madder says they're currently working on the curriculum for the new "Maternal Care" program.

Madder says they're teaming up with First Nations health care organizations to develop the program which will be offered by next fall.

Province Commited To Getting Sawmills Running Again

The provincial government is promising to work with local lumber companies to get them back in operation.

Natural Resources Minister David Orazietti says the government wants to see as many people back to work in the forestry sector as possible.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says the government does see the urgency in getting the mills up and running and is willing to do what it can to make that happen. 

Museum Establishing Planning Group

Fort Frances Museum is now putting together a group to help in the planning of the 100th anniversary of the Fort Frances mill.

The first roll of paper was produced  in May 1914.

The museum wants to commemorate the 100 years since through a variety of events and displays.

The first meeting of the planning committee will take place Thursday night at the Museum.

If you're interested in helping out, call Sherry George at the Museum.

Hydro Users To Be Eligible For Energy Savings On Bill

Ontario energy consumers could soon take advantage of a new cost saving measure.

Starting in 2015, the province will allow on bill financing for energy saving products.

Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli says there will be plenty of options available.

The plan, which was announced in the long term energy plan, will allow consumers to pay for qualifying upgrades with the price reductions in their bill.

Knox On Its Way

Knox United Church is on its way to raising over a million dollars for its building renewal project.

About $5,000 was raised in a kick-off dinner and auction Saturday.

The Church is planning to install a new elevator and renovate washrooms to make the Fort Frances facility more accessible.

Church Fundraiser Kicks Off Tomorrow

Knox United Church in Fort Frances kicks off an ambition fundraising campaign tomorrow.

The Church will hold a dinner and silent auction towards raising $1.2 million dollars to make the building more accessible.

Campaign co-chair Bill Gushulak says they hope to start construction next spring with the installation of a new elevator and renovated washrooms.

Tickets for tomorrow's event still available at Fort Frances General Supply or at Brockies Jewellers.

Growth Plan Gets A Look

Provincial cabinet ministers, along with municipal, business and aboriginal leaders are in Timmins today to share ideas on the Northern Growth Plan.

Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association President Dave Canfield admits they are a little disappointed at how long its taken to get the plan off the ground.

The province put out the Growth Plan two years ago.


Premier Kathleen Wynne is also among those attending the Northern Leader's Forum.

Budget Surplus Projected

Minnesota is projecting an $825 million dollar budget surplus for next year.

Minnesota Management and Budget, in a November Economic Forecast, projects the surplus at be over one-billion dollars, but $246-million must be used to complete repayment of money taken from an education fund to balance the budget a few years ago.

Another $15-million will go to the State airports fund, restoring money borrowed in 2008.

New Education System Proposed

Ontario's Secondary School Teachers Federation is renewing a debate over education in Ontario.

It's proposing the province create just two systems based on Canada's official languages.

President Paul Elliot says it's mirrors what is already done in Quebec.

Elliot says the change would eliminate duplication now existing between the current four systems and allow for savings to be re-invested into education.

Best Buddies At SCAP

It's good to have a buddy at an elementary school in Emo.

Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program has a program where older students are paired with younger ones.

Grade 11 student Jenny Dyck says it creates more of a student community.

The program was initiated three years by the school's student council.

Grade 7 student Courtney Sinclair says it's great for younger students to get the ability to hang with those in the high school grades.

School officials says the program has helped in leadership development, creating a greater sense of responsibility and positive mentoring among students.

Holly Daze In Emo

It's Holly Daze in Emo.

Local stores are holding specials sales.

There's also a craft sale at the Emo Legion, a baby contest at Hair and Body Care Shoppe.

Later tonight, the Christmas Parade will run through Roy, Queen and Front Streets to Golden Age Manor, starting at Donald Young School at 6 p.m.

Members of the Emo Hospital Auxiliary will be collected non-perishable food items for the Emo Food Bank.

A fireworks display takes place after the parade

Legal Aid Lawyers Seek Collective Bargaining Rights

Legal Aid Lawyers Facebook photo

Legal Aid lawyers across Ontario are pressing for the right to collectively bargain with Legal Aid Ontario.

The effort start almost two years ago.

Toronto lawyer Jillian Rogin says since then, 80 per cent of lawyers across the province has signed a petition asking the agency to voluntarily accept its wishes.

Legal Aid Ontario has said there's no precedent for lawyers to be represented by what they call a trade-union, a claim disputed by Rogin.

No Separate Rate For Northern Ontario

Ontario's Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli is deflecting criticism over the high cost of electricity in the North, resulting from the province's new long-term energy plan.

Despite numerous calls for a separate electricity rate in northern Ontario, Chairelli says that's not part of the plan and won't be considered by the Province.

According to the plan released earlier this week, we will face a 33 percent hike in our electricity rates over the next three years.

Tug Of War Changes

Some changes could be in store for the annual Pulling For Peace Tug of War between Fort Frances and International Falls.

Falls Councillor Cynthia Jaksa says during a meeting that included Fort Councillor Rick Wiendehoeft, Canada's Consulate-General in Minneapolis, Jamshed Merchant suggests a pull between the members of the U.S. National Guard and Canadian Military Reservists.

Jacksa says members of the Minnesota Vikings won't be taking part, so the celebrity tug may be limited to local celebrities or political dignitaries they do hope to invite.

New Canadians

A Fort Frances woman can now call herself a Canadian citizen.

Rowena Calica was among 32 across northwestern Ontario who took the oath at a ceremony in Thunder Bay Wednesday.

Calica came here from the Phillipines.

The new Canadians originally hailed from over 18 different countries.

School Board Employees Honoured

Three employees with the Rainy River District School Board have been recognized for reaching the 25 year mark in their employment.

Educational assistants Diane Maraj and Joyce Scott, and custodian Linda Brough were honoured by the Board at its meeting Tuesday

All three work at Fort Frances high School.

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Travel Safe

The Ministry of Transportation is reporting all roads in northwestern Ontario, including those in the Rainy River district, to be snow covered with poor visibility resulting from blow snow.

Conditions are same on the highways in Koochiching County.

If you have to drive today, do so with extreme caution and adjust you speed to the road conditions.