After 12 days of spraying the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, for jackpine budworm, the Ministry of Natural Resources will begin a post-spray assessment within the next month. The assessment will compare defoliage checks from before and after the spraying. “They are looking at the effectiveness of the spray,” said […]
District News
FORT FRANCES—After months of negotiations, the Rainy River District School Board approved a four-year contract with its local occasional secondary teachers Tuesday night. “I think we can truly say we have a collective—meaning both sides—agreement that’s going to work well for the next little while, and above all, will form […]
FORT FRANCES—As a result of changes to provincial funding formulas, the Rainy River District School Board is facing a $1-million shortfall for the 2006/07 school year—and will have to make cuts to balance its budget. Special grants for remote, rural, and distant schools have been realigned while the declining enrolment […]
As deputy reeve, Ed Carlson officially was appointed the acting reeve of the Township of Emo during council’s regular meeting last Tuesday—the first without former reeve Russ Fortier at the helm. Council regretfully accepted Fortier’s letter of resignation and the meeting was conducted “business as usual.” Temporary Public Works superintendent […]
An election was held at the 24th-annual general meeting of the Rainy River District Future Development Corp. last Wednesday to fill three positions on its board of directors for the forthcoming three-year term. The four candidates—George Emes, Eugene McPherson, Dan Onichuk, and Kim Williamson—each had the opportunity to speak to […]
Riverview School in Rainy River and McCrosson-Tovell School in Bergland will be recognized at tonight’s regular meeting of the Rainy River District School Board for their new literacy initiative this year entitled “We Can Read.” The program set a goal of having the students at both schools read a total […]
GRASSY NARROWS, Ont.,—The Superior Court of Ontario has ruled in favour of a Grassy Narrows motion obliging the province to pay part of its legal costs in a logging battle. The Northwestern Ontario community of Grassy Narrows has long complained that decades of logging have poisoned area waters with toxins […]
The Ministry of Natural Resources reported one new fire in the region yesterday—Nipigon #25, located northwest of the community of Eabametoong. There are no problems anticipated with this fire, with two crews on site and heli-bucketing support. Meanwhile, Red Lake #14 was declared “under control” yesterday. Crews will use infrared […]
Russ Fortier stepped down from his post as reeve of the Township of Emo last week, citing “personal reasons” for the sudden departure. “I’m tired, worn out,” he said Friday morning. “It’s time to take care of myself.” He said although it was a difficult decision, he gave notice to […]
While Alberton council got a brief introduction to Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) at its regular meeting last Wednesday, La Vallee Township held a public meeting that same night to present its proposed CIP to community residents. And both councils ultimately decided to move forward with the plans. Tannis Drysdale and […]
The local food council is preparing a brochure for the public which will list the farms in Rainy River valley where local products can be purchased. “We want to share with everyone else that not only can we speak about buying local products, but we can tell people where to […]
The provincial government has reversed its decision to close all coal-fired electricity plants in Ontario, meaning the Atikokan generating station will continue operating for now. “It’s great news. It’s very uplifting for the community,” said Mayor Dennis Brown. “The future is looking much better for Atikokan.” The Ministry of Energy […]
