ORNGE Jobs Safe in NWO

There are no cuts being made to ORNGE posts in Northwestern Ontario.

18 jobs were cut at the Province's air ambulance headquarters in Mississauga.

The cuts are being made as a way to reduce costs.

The restructuring only affects office positions and not pilots or paramedics.

Homan off to a fast start at the Ontario Scotties

The Rachel Homan rink holds down top spot at the 2012 Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts entering day three.

Homan has a 3-0 record, and is followed closely by five other teams at 2-1.

Homan says its important to get off to a good start.

Homan takes on the winless Alison Nimik Rink from St. Thomas in this afternoon's fourth draw.

Sherry Middaugh has a must-win game today as her 1-2 rink takes on another former Ontario champ, Jenn Hanna at 2-1.

Sunset Trail Riders

Snowmobile trails in the Kenora District are opened on a limited basis.


Shaun Clifford of the Sunset Trail Riders says although the trails are passable, extra caution is always advised no matter the time of year.

For updated trail reports or to track the groomers via GPS visit sunsetrailriders.ca

Softwood Lumber Agreement

The federal government has renewed the Softwood Lumber Agreement with the United States with hardly any opposition.

The deal was extended for two years until 2015.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says the agreement does provide some market certainty for
producers.
Both the Ontario Forest Industries Association, the Council of the Quebec Forest Industry and
Forest Products Association of Canada have all endsorsed the two year extension.

Treasury Metals

A peaceful protest was held at the Treasury Metals site near Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation this afternoon.


Wabigoon has attempted to seek a memorandum of understanding with the company for mining rights in the area.

Chief Ruben Cantin Senior says a deadline of last Thursday to receive a response from Treasury has passed with no response.
Cantin stresses they aren't against mining on traditional territory but adds that an agreement must be reached first.

ORNGE

ORNGE has reportedly slashed 18 jobs effective immediately.

According to media reports, the province's air ambulance service says it's an effort to reduce costs.

But it says the restructuring only affects office positions and not pilots or paramedics.

Emergency Room Staff

Kenora-Rainy River's MPP is trying to get Ontario's Health Minister to visit the riding.


Sarah Campbell says the ongoing struggles to keep the Rainy River Medical Centre's emergency room staffed was among reasons behind her request to Deb Matthews.

Campbell says one of the plans needed is a better strategy that helps communities, hospitals and clinic cope with their physicians leaving suddenly.

Kids For Cancer

The Canadian Cancer Society should get a big boost this spring.

The Kids For Cancer hockey tournament has so far registered 24
teams.

Dean Caron is one of the organizers and says that's the highest
number of teams they've ever registered.

The deadline to register is January 31st by contacting Dean Caron at
mailto:31st.dkcaron@shaw.ca or by calling 548-3070.

The tournament will take place from March 26th to April 1st.