Thursday, October 1, 2009

Albanese Health Unit

Fort Frances councillor John Albanese will remain on the Northwestern Health Unit Board of director for another three years.

The chair of the health unit had his position recently reappointed by the province.

Albanese has been on the board for the past twenty years, the last five as its chair.

Forest Fires

The fire season in northwestern Ontario is starting to wind down, but there are still a fewsmall blazes cropping up.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says they had to respond to a couple of fires in theKenora District over the past couple of days.

Both started on islands on Lake of the Woods and were caused by lightning.

One of the blazes was near Nestor Falls and was put out by volunteerfire crews.

The other was located southwest of Blueberry Island and grew to about 0.1hectares, before being extinguished by fire ranger crews.

Abitibi Bowater NOACC

Don't be afraid to print those e-mails.

That message from John Harrison, manager of AbitibiBowater's mill in Fort Frances.

Speaking at the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce meeting, Harrison says there is nothing wrong with using paper, and questions why government thinks there is.

Harrison says the vast majority of paper produced is being recycled into products such as boxes and feminine hygiene products.

H1N1 Williams

Local health care agencies are gearing up for a busy flu season.

Not only will there be the seasonal flu shots available, but starting in November,vaccinations for the HINI virus should be ready to administer.

Dr. David Williams is the Associate Medical Officer of Health for the province andsays to date, the outbreaks of the swine flu have been mild, but they are preparing for the worst.

Williams is meeting this week with staff from the Northwestern Health Unitto prepare for the upcoming flu season.

Drug Sweep

15-Thunder Bay residents and 1-North Bay man have been charged following a 10-month police drug investigation.

Two of the accused are aged 16 and 17.Police say the undercover investigation focused on drug traffickers operating in and around the Thunder Bay area.

Police laid a total of 84 charges, including trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

Officers seized cocaine, marijuana, marijuana plants and a rifle.

Drug Problem Dryden

Dryden Police Chief Shayne MacKinnon says the rash of recent home invasions and robberies in the community is mostly drug related.

MacKinnon says the potential for violent crime is always high when it involves the trafficking of illegal and prescription drugs.

He says Dryden is not unlike any other community in Northwestern Ontario and stresses Police are continuing their fight to get drugs off the streets.

Fatal Fire in Fort

One person is dead following an overnight fire at the Lakeview Trailer Court in Fort Frances.

Emergency personnel and fire crews were called around 11 o'clock last night.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The name of the deceased has not yet be released.

Thunder Bay Drug Bust

Fifteen Thunder Bay residents and one North Bay man have been charged following a 10 month police drug investigation.

Two of the accused are aged 16 and 17.

Police say the undercover investigation focused on drug traffickers operating in and around the Thunder Bay area.

Police laid a total of 84 charges, including trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

Officers seized cocaine, marijuana, marijuana plants and a rifle.

Paper Industry Fights back

Don't be afraid to print those e-mails.

That message from John Harrison, manager of AbitibiBowater's mill in Fort Frances.

Speaking at the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce meeting, Harrison says there is nothing wrong with using paper, and questions why government thinks there is.

Harrison says the vast majority of paper produced is being recycled into products such as boxes and feminine hygiene products.

LHIN's Prepare Health Report

A three year health services plan for the region is nearing completion.

The Northwestern Local Health Integration Network has been working on the integrated services plan for the past three years.

Kristin Sheilds is a spokesperson for the LHIN's and says their plan included extensive public consultations.

Sheilds says the Share Your Story, Shape Your Care initiative was recently given a prestigious international award for public participation.

Health Unit readies for Flu Season

The province is working with the Northwestern Health Unit to ensure there is enough vaccine for everyone wanting it this fall and winter.

Dr. David Williams is Ontario's Associate Medical Officer of Health and is meeting this week with health unit staff on plans to roll out immunization programs.

He says its ultimately up to local health units to decide how they want to do their vaccinations.

Williams says the HINI vaccination likely won't be available locally until the beginning of November.

He adds that the most vulnerable populations, including remote first nations will be among the first to receive the vaccine.

Two new forest fires

The fire season in northwestern Ontario is starting to wind down, but there are still a few small blazes cropping up.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says they had to respond to a couple of fires in the Kenora District over the past couple of days.

Both started on islands on Lake of the Woods and were caused by lightning.

One of the blazes was near Nestor Falls and was put out by volunteerfire crews.

The other was located southwest of Blueberry Island and grew to about 0.1hectares, before being extinguished by fire ranger crews.