CAA'S Worst Roads Campaign wrapped up their province wide tour in Kenora and Dryden last week.
The 7th annual campaign is used to to prod governments to invest more to repair roads, highways and bridges.
Spokesperson Korey Kennedy says Northwestern Ontario residents can help fix area roads and highways just by voting.
Votes will be accepted up until September 30th on www.worstroads.ca.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Hospital Foundation Fundraisers
The Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation is gearing up for another funraising year.
The foundations annual general meeting is being held this Thursday and will be used to highlight the group's previous sucesses and goals for this year.
Director Meagan Barr says this year they'll be fundraising for a PCR instrument for the labratory.
Barr notes the PCR equipment costs 50 thousand dollars and is just one of the many purchases the hospital has identified in its capital equipment wish list.
The foundations annual general meeting is being held this Thursday and will be used to highlight the group's previous sucesses and goals for this year.
Director Meagan Barr says this year they'll be fundraising for a PCR instrument for the labratory.
Barr notes the PCR equipment costs 50 thousand dollars and is just one of the many purchases the hospital has identified in its capital equipment wish list.
MNR Fires B.C.
It's been a busy year for some of Ontario's forest firefighters - in British Columbia.
Another one hundred firerangers and support staff will be joining the 230 now helping with suppression efforts in the west coast.
Dave Manol an incident commander, says area firefighters benefit from these type of exchanges.
It's been almost eight weeks since the first group of firefighters were deployed in B-C by the M-N-R.
Another one hundred firerangers and support staff will be joining the 230 now helping with suppression efforts in the west coast.
Dave Manol an incident commander, says area firefighters benefit from these type of exchanges.
It's been almost eight weeks since the first group of firefighters were deployed in B-C by the M-N-R.
Fatal Crash near Nipigon
1-person is dead and 7-are injured after a crash on the Trans-Canada Highway near Nipigon.
A minivan carrying 6-people, including 4-children, crossed the centre line and hit a Jeep, carrying 2.
The male driver of the van died at the scene.
The others were taken to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with undetermined injuries.
No names have been released.
A minivan carrying 6-people, including 4-children, crossed the centre line and hit a Jeep, carrying 2.
The male driver of the van died at the scene.
The others were taken to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with undetermined injuries.
No names have been released.
Thunder Bay Drug Bust
Four Fort William First Nation men face drug charges following raids at 2-homes by Thunder Bay OPP.
Police say that 20 grams of marijuana, more than 10 grams of cocaine and drug paraphernalia were seized.
One man was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance, obstructing a police officer and breach of an undertaking.
He is being held for a bail hearing.
3-others have been charged and released.
Police say that 20 grams of marijuana, more than 10 grams of cocaine and drug paraphernalia were seized.
One man was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance, obstructing a police officer and breach of an undertaking.
He is being held for a bail hearing.
3-others have been charged and released.
Alzheimer's Ride For Memories
Photo Courtesy of Bruce WalchukThe totals are in from last week's Alzheimer's Ride for Memories.
The fundraiser was a major success, with the event raising the most money ever in its 7-year history.
137-motorcycles participated and nearly 35-thousand dollars was raised.
Rickford Employment Forum
A round table discussion on maximizing employment opportunities in Kenora was held on Tuesday.
Community stakeholders spent the afternoon brainstorming ideas on how to create more jobs in Kenora.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford says it was a fruitful discussion.
The meeting also looked at how to best use recent funding announcements from the Federal Government.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Howard Hampton on Hydro
The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River says a harmonized sales tax mixed with a planned rate increase at Hydro One will have a crippling effect on fixed and low income families across the North.
Howard Hampton says the Provincial Government is headed down the wrong path.
Hydro One is asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve a rate increase of 9.5-percent in 2010 and 13.3-percent in 2011.
Howard Hampton says the Provincial Government is headed down the wrong path.
Hydro One is asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve a rate increase of 9.5-percent in 2010 and 13.3-percent in 2011.
KI Platinex National Chief
Assembly of First Nations National Chief is weighing into the ongoing dispute between Kitchen-nuh-may-koosib Inninwug First Nation and the exploration company Platinex.
Shawn Atleo is urging the province to consult with the first nation community on a land use plan, suggesting mining permits be cancelled until the plan is complete.
Platinex wants to resume exploration on the property near the community under the authority of a 2007 court order.
The band is opposed to such activity.
Shawn Atleo is urging the province to consult with the first nation community on a land use plan, suggesting mining permits be cancelled until the plan is complete.
Platinex wants to resume exploration on the property near the community under the authority of a 2007 court order.
The band is opposed to such activity.
Hospital Deal
The Ontario Hospital Association has reached a negotiated deal for hospital employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The deal impacts workers at 54 hospitals, including those at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora.
The four year agreement includes wage increases and the forming of a committee to examine the issue of sick leave.
Both parties have agreed to ratification no later than October 30.
The deal impacts workers at 54 hospitals, including those at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora.
The four year agreement includes wage increases and the forming of a committee to examine the issue of sick leave.
Both parties have agreed to ratification no later than October 30.
First Nation Funding
Two Sioux Lookout area First Nations are sharing Provincial funding to develop a community-based land use plan.
Cat Lake and Slate Falls will use the 770-thousand dollars in Northern Heritage Fund cash to identify employment and business opportunities.
The land use plan will help guide future development in forestry, mining, tourism and hydro development.
The initiative is a 3-year project.
Cat Lake and Slate Falls will use the 770-thousand dollars in Northern Heritage Fund cash to identify employment and business opportunities.
The land use plan will help guide future development in forestry, mining, tourism and hydro development.
The initiative is a 3-year project.
Expensive Fire
Its going to cost a Fort Frances man a lot more to burn brush than expected.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has fined Bradley Bodnarchuck 150 dollars and ordered him to pay 45 hundred dollars for the cost of fighting his fire, which got out of control.
Bodnarchuck had been burning wood waste at his cabin on Rainy Lake this past July.
He tried to extinguish it and thought it was out, but the next day it spread into the bush.
An MNR fire ranger crew had to be called into put it out.
He pled guilty to failing to properly extinguish a fire.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has fined Bradley Bodnarchuck 150 dollars and ordered him to pay 45 hundred dollars for the cost of fighting his fire, which got out of control.
Bodnarchuck had been burning wood waste at his cabin on Rainy Lake this past July.
He tried to extinguish it and thought it was out, but the next day it spread into the bush.
An MNR fire ranger crew had to be called into put it out.
He pled guilty to failing to properly extinguish a fire.
Lousy Summer
If you thought it was a cold Summer, you were right!
Temperatures from April to August were below normal across Northwestern Ontario.
CJRL Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says the good news is that Summer has finally arrived.
Precipitation levels were above average in Red Lake and Sioux Lookout, but near normal in Kenora, Atikokan, Dryden, Ear Falls and Ignace.
Temperatures from April to August were below normal across Northwestern Ontario.
CJRL Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says the good news is that Summer has finally arrived.
Precipitation levels were above average in Red Lake and Sioux Lookout, but near normal in Kenora, Atikokan, Dryden, Ear Falls and Ignace.
Hampton on Forestry
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the McGuinty Government is not addressing the real issues impacting the forest industry.
The Liberals have announced a series of public consultations on how to modernize the sector.
Hampton says he want's to see less talk and more action.
He stresses the Government is trying to create the impression that they are doing something to help Northwestern Ontario communities.
The Liberals have announced a series of public consultations on how to modernize the sector.
Hampton says he want's to see less talk and more action.
He stresses the Government is trying to create the impression that they are doing something to help Northwestern Ontario communities.
Fall Election?
The M.P. for the Kenora Riding says he's disappointed the Liberalswill no longer support the Harper Minority government.
On Tuesday, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff indicated he's withdrawing his support for the Conservatives.
Greg Rickford says he's disappointed by the developments and what it could mean for future infrastructure support for local communities.
Rickford says a fall election is almost a certainty now.
A vote of non-confidence could come as early as the first week inOctober.
On Tuesday, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff indicated he's withdrawing his support for the Conservatives.
Greg Rickford says he's disappointed by the developments and what it could mean for future infrastructure support for local communities.
Rickford says a fall election is almost a certainty now.
A vote of non-confidence could come as early as the first week inOctober.
Fire Update
It has been a quiet forest fire season in Northwestern Ontario.Ministry of Natural Resources
A total of 1,165 hectares burned at this point last year.
The official end to the season is October 31st.
Meanwhile, Ontario is sending more crews to British Columbia to help fight fires in that province.
A total of 1,165 hectares burned at this point last year.
The official end to the season is October 31st.
Meanwhile, Ontario is sending more crews to British Columbia to help fight fires in that province.
Fort Drug Bust
Two Quebec men have been arrested on drug charges in Fort Frances following a routine traffic stop.
Yesterday morning, the OPP pulled over a vehicle for speeding at the west end of Fort Frances on King's Highway.
Police ended up calling in a K-9 officer and seized about 75 grams of marijuana, with a street value of about 12 hundred dollars.
Both men have been charged with possession of Canabis.
They are due to appear in Fort Frances court on September 28th.
Yesterday morning, the OPP pulled over a vehicle for speeding at the west end of Fort Frances on King's Highway.
Police ended up calling in a K-9 officer and seized about 75 grams of marijuana, with a street value of about 12 hundred dollars.
Both men have been charged with possession of Canabis.
They are due to appear in Fort Frances court on September 28th.
Northern Politics
Northern Ontario is getting more attention by the country's political leaders.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in Sault Ste. Marie today for anannouncement.
Michael Ignatieff and his Liberals are winding up their meeting in Sudbury today.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in Sault Ste. Marie today for anannouncement.
Michael Ignatieff and his Liberals are winding up their meeting in Sudbury today.
Bear Wise Hotline
The Ministry of Natural Resources has some numbers to back upwhat people have been saying.
Black bears are real nuisance across much of the province.
Phone calls to the Bear Wise hotline -- requiring a response bythe M-N-R or police -- are up by thousands of calls over last year.
Black bears are real nuisance across much of the province.
Phone calls to the Bear Wise hotline -- requiring a response bythe M-N-R or police -- are up by thousands of calls over last year.
Terry Fox Plaque
A Parks Canada plaque honouring Terry Fox now sits at the memorial for the Marathon of Hope runner in Thunder Bay.
The plaque was unveiled yesterday to mark the spot were Fox was forced to abandon his run 29 years ago.
So far over 450 (m) million dollars has been raised in Terry Fox Runs around the world.
The plaque was unveiled yesterday to mark the spot were Fox was forced to abandon his run 29 years ago.
So far over 450 (m) million dollars has been raised in Terry Fox Runs around the world.
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