Country 1053 News: Jun 26, 2012

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Gas Line Break At Champlain Place

Some residents of Champlain Place were told to leave their homes this afternoon. A contractor digging a drive way hit a gas line causing an evacuation of about 20 people. The City's Fire Department expects the residents to to be back in their homes by supper time.

Gravelle Talks Forest Management Corporation

Ontario is giving a giant chunk of forest land over to area First Nations and surrounding communities. The Northeast communities will form a Forest Management Corporation that will over see the sale of timber. Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle says the corporation will be operational by the Spring of 2013.

Quality Of Life Improvements No Thanks To Feds

A new report says the gap between aboriginal and non aboriginal residents quality of life is improving. The benchmarking report is backed by the Federal Government and states the gap is not as big as it once was. Pic River Chief Roi Michano says things have improved but no thanks to the Government. The report was released on Tuesday and states more First Nations people are finding jobs and self employment is on the rise.

Deer By Law To Be Re-Examined

The City is considering amending the deer feeding by law. Council will make a decision on July 23rd which if passed will allow feeding on private property on McKellar and Mission Islands only. Long time 103rd Street Resident Rob McCallum feels the Mission Island deer are a tourist attraction.

Hit & Run

Police are charging a 37 year old woman in connection to a hit and run at the intersection of Secord and Dufferin Street today. Police say an eastbound Intrepid was struck by a northbound Subaru that did not stop at the posted stop sign. The driver of the SUV left the collision scene on foot and was later located by police and arrested on outstanding warrants. She's been charged with Failing to Remain, Driving without a licence and Failing to Stop. More charges are pending.

Press Repeat...Hotel Announcement Not Ready

The cloak of secrecy surrounding the proposed hotel at Prince Arthur's Landing is still firmly in place. Developer Gisele MacDonald can't say when the official announcement will be made adding it's a complex process. Meantime the developers are showing off the condominium designs.

Oh Canada! What A Day It Will Be

Staff are releasing details about what is happening this Canada Day long weekend. Coordinator Megan Shanks says the parade is back again this year at 6:00 p.m on Water Street. Brand new activities this year include canoeing, kayaking and even dragon boating at the marina. Canada Day festivities at Marina Park officially begin at 5:00 p.m. on July 1st and wrap-up with the fireworks display at approximately 11 o'clock.

Bruno's Talks Business

Money can be made and lost during times of disaster. The May 28th flood ended up being a neutral event for Bruno's Contracting from a business perspective. They lost money because they had to leave projects alone because of the water, but Secretary-Treasurer, Silvio Di Gregorio says they were able to help the M.N.R. Di Gregorio says the down time on their own projects was minimal and that they are back on schedule.

MP Warns Of New Bill

There could be another omnibus bill coming before MP's in the House of Commons this fall. Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he hasn't been told what it may contain, but worries debate will be limited as it was with the budget bill. The budget bill contained changes to several pieces of legislation effecting such things as old age security, the environment and fisheries.

$2.7 Million Invested For Red Lake Gas Pipeline

The future is looking bright for Red Lake. FedNor Minister Tony Clement and Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced last week that they will be investing in the area. An investment of 2.7 million dollars will support a gas pipeline project, which will provide 180 businesses with natural gas in the next 5 years. The development is estimated to create 120 jobs.