New Sawmill Announced in Atikokan

Resolute Forest Products plans spend 50-million dollars on building a new random-length sawmill in the Atikokan area.

The company expects to open the mill early next year, creating 90 jobs.

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown says its great news for the entire region.

The company says its reviewing potential sites, but plans construction for later this spring.

Madsen Public School Re-Opened

The Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium has re-opened the Madsen Public School in Red Lake.

The school was closed this morning due to a scheduled black out in the area by Hydro One.

Classes are running their regular schedules this afternoon.

Boil Water Advisory for Hudson

A boil water advisory has been issued for Hudson, due to low pressure in the distribution sytem.

Residents are reminded that all tap water should be boiled for one minute if it's used for consumption.

The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Wasacase Returns as Police Board Chair

No change this year for the Kenora Police Services Board.

Colin Wasacase was acclaimed to another one year term as
chairman.

Glenda McMillan will also stay on as vice-chair.

The police board held its first meeting of 2013 yesterday.

STR Working to Open Trails

Sunset Trails Riders are still working to set up all of their trails for the season.

Bruce McGregor with STR says they have been battling the conditions on some trails.

He says they haven't been able to get their groomer out on the lake trails because the ice still isn't
thick enough.

McGregor adds safety is the first priority in setting up the remaining trails and they hope to open them all up as soon as possible.

Infrastructure Funding for Small Communities Sought

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty wants to bring some financial help to municipalities trying to fix up aging infrastructure.

Rafferty says he plans to introduce a motion in the House of Commons sometime in February that address the needs of small communities.

Rafferty is hoping something can be put in place for next year's federal budget.

MNR Considering Year Round Fire Permits

The Ministry of Natural Resources is supporting a call for a year-round permitting system for open-air burning in northwestern Ontario.

Municipal leaders in the Rainy River district gave approval to the concept at their meeting on the weekend.

The idea arose after an early start to last year's forest fire season forced several municipalities to impose fire bans.

Currently, permits are only needed between April and October.

Marnie Brown of the MNR says extending permitting requirements allows for greater control on burning outside the normal burning season, especially in drought-like conditions.

Forestry Announcement Expected Today for Atikokan

Atikokan will get a visit by the president of Resolute Forest Products today.

Richard Garneau is scheduled to make an announcement that Mayor Dennis Brown says in an email will mean jobs and industry for his community.

The nature of the announcement has not been disclosed, but there's speculation in the community that Resolute plans to construct a new sawmill on the site of the former Buchanan own mill at nearby Sapawe.

Bariatric Surgery Soon to be offered in NWO

Weight loss surgery will soon be a procedure offered to patients in northwestern Ontario.

Health Minister Deb Matthews announced 300 thousand dollars for bariatric surgery at the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Center.

Deb Matthews says the money will allow 100 patients with severe obesity to be treated.

Matthews also announced an undisclosed amount of money to the company Regen Med.