Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Health Unit Promotes Healthy Pregnancy

Bringing new life into the world is no easy task.

That's why the Northwestern Health Unit is promoting healthy conception throughout the month.

Public Health Nurse Kathy Bryck says there are some simple messages for mothers-to-be including making
sure they are taking a folic acid supplement, eating well and making healthy life-style choices.

Bryk says people can book one on one appointments to discuss conception by calling any of the health units offices.

Bastone and Landry Acclaimed in Catholic School Board Elections

No change at the top of the Kenora Catholic District School board.

The separate school board held its inaugural meeting of the year last night and acclaimed both it's chair and vice-chair.

Frank Bastone is back again as chair and says he's looking forward to working with his vice-chair Paul Landry once again.

Bastone says they are looking forward to the completion of the expansion at Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys this year.

Construction on the four million dollar project is now underway.

Students At Catholic Board Raise Money for Typhoon Survivors

Students at the Catholic School Board have opened their hearts and
wallets for the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Phillipines.

A total of over 43 hundred dollars has been raised in a variety of
fundraisers over the past month.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says their donations will now be matched by the federal government.

Eikre says donations continue to trickle in so they still don't have a final figure yet for their fundraising efforts.

Harborfest Ticket Sales Brisk

The temperatures may be cold, but Harborfest tickets are proving to
be a hot commodity.

Last week, the Harborfest committee announced its concert line up for
the Saturday evening concert:  The Sheep Dogs and Three Days Grace.

Director of Entertainment, Dave Blake says since then tickets have been
flying off the shelves at a record pace.

He says they've sold several hundred of tickets in just four days.

Harborfest is also hoping to announce details of its Sunday concert in
the next week or so.

Police Re-Open Highway 502


Provincial Police have reopened Highway 502.

The road between Dryden and Fort Frances was closed for about an hour early this morning due to a jack-knifed transport.

No injuries are reported.

The state of the highway has become a topic of conversation as of late.

There are reports that Iron Range Bus Lines is refusing to use the road until it is properly maintained.

The bus company is using Highway 71 as an alternative to 502, even though
that's makes a longer bus trip.

Province Promising Solution to Non-Urgent Patient Transfers

A solution to the problem of non-urgent medical transfers in
northwestern Ontario may be at hand.

In the Ontario Legislature yesterday morning, Health Minister Deb Matthews says they are working on a possible solution.

She says they have been meeting with the Northwest Local Health Integration Network, but wouldn't say what exactly the solution might be.

Tory MPP Christine Elliott says the province has received a proposal from Pacific Western Transportation from B.C. which will not only save money but improve service in this region.

NAN Grand Chief Calls for Repeal of Far North Act

There are renewed calls to repeal the Far North Act.

At the Northern Leaders Forum, NAN Grand Chief, Harvey Yesno
told Premier Kathleen Wynne the legislation is hampering economic
development.

Natural Resources minister David Orazietti says first nations are buying
into the planning provisions of the Far North Act, with more than 30 communities already participating.

NAPS Gift Wraps Toys for Christmas

This Christmas will be a lot brighter for aboriginal children in the far north.

Members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service have been wrapping Christmas presents and all of the toys and gifts will be delivered to various First Nations communities.

The toys being shipped to Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Goose Bay have an estimated value of 110-thousand dollars and were collected throughout the year by the Canadian Toy Association.

It's expected that more than 7-thousand children will benefit this year from the program.