600CKAT North Bay News

Snow buildup could cause fire danger

jeff.turl — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:31:44 +0000

The North Bay Fire and Emergency Service is asking residents to check around their homes to ensure gas meters and gas appliance exhaust vents are clear of ice and snow. They say a blocked vent could result in carbon monoxide problems. Officials also say carefully remove the snow from those areas, being cautious not to hit connections which could become loose — and be aware of their location when clearing snow from the roof. Meantime, residents are encouraged to keep fire hydrants and exit doors free of snow.

Spokesman says New Deal for Northern Ontario has Fed support

jeff.turl — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:12:15 +0000

A spokesman for the group seeking a new deal for the ONTC says he believes the Federal government is showing signs it will support the establishment of a “port authority”.
The group now hopes to persuade the provincial government not to sell off parts of the crown corporation. Federal support is key and Roy Hains believes his group now has it, via local MP Jay Aspin.
That support he says, is critical.
But Hains told the local chamber of commerce directors that an obstacle is the lack of certainty over the liberal leadership, Until the leadership convention, he won’t know who to talk to.
So far he says, he’s hasn’t had good luck getting a logical explanation from the province on why a new deal won’t work.
Hains wants to keep the crown corporation intact, and expand it to service the huge Ring of Fire chromite discovery…one that has been described as another Sudbury basin.
The plan is to ship the chromite by rail, rather than road.
Hains says building the line will take 5-6 years. He added 125 workers have already left the ONR over the uncertainty.

MNR slow to support Lake Nipissing walleye restocking

jeff.turl — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:06:52 +0000

A recently formed Lake Nipissing watch-dog group says part of the 190 million dollars in annual revenue generated by the lake is at risk if the walleye crisis can’t be solved.
The Lake Nipissing Stakeholders Association was formed last summer after rumours surfaced that the fishery may be closed entirely. President of the association is fish-camp owner Scott Nelson.
He told Chamber of Commerce directors Thursday that his group wants to see restocking of the lake to stop the rapid decline in the sport fish.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reports there is a marked drop in the numbers of walleye, and that over-fishing is to blame.
But Nelson says the ministry isn’t being helpful in solving the issue. “It’s not positive, it’s more like non-responsive.”
In fact the M-N-R last week dropped the allowable daily harvest of walleye from 4 to 2, something the group says will impact the number of tourists that want to fish.
So Nelson says his group wants to raise 105 thousand dollarsm to open a second hatchery.
An addditional 25 thousand will go toward fish food.
Nelson says fisherman want to fish, and eat what they catch, and what they want to eat is walleye.

Santa Fund registration starts Nov 20

s.burthillyard — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 18:04:10 +0000

It’s getting to be that time of year when the Santa Fund kicks off. Co-chair Lachlan McLachlan says they will be set up to accept registrations for this years Santa Fund at the LIPI office on Main East as of this coming Tuesday. He says the registration deadline is December 7th. As for the packing and delivery of baskets that will take place on December 22nd and 23rd. You can also apply on line at santafund.ca He says they’re hoping to register over 800 families and raise 175 thousand dollars. You can drop off your donation at the Nugget on Worthington. You can also apply at santafund.ca

Written by: bob.coles@northbayradio.rogers.com

Labour rights documentarycoming to Capitol Centre

s.burthillyard — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 18:02:50 +0000

A documentary being shown at the Capitol Centre Monday is being used to fight for workers rights. The movie is entitled We Are Wisconsin and is about the battle in the badger state between the governor Scott Walker and workers about their rights. The president of the North Bay and District Labour Council is Henri Giroux. He says the film should have meaning in Ontario following changes made by the premier and prime minister. He says changes to bill 115 and the protective services bill in Ontario and federal moves to change old age security are proof to people they should be concerned. The film will be shown at 7 pm Giroux says there will be a question and answer session with two Wisconsin residents and a Nipissing University professor following the film. He says the proroguing of the legislature has given them time to raise awareness.

Written by: bob.coles@northbayradio.rogers.com

Financial Stress growing in Ontario

s.burthillyard — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 17:17:43 +0000

A new survey finds financial stress across Ontario continues to mount. A new survey commissioned by Credit Canada Debt Solutions and Capital One Canada, finds high stress levels in all parts of the country. Credit Canada’s Laurie Campbell says for many here in Ontario, worrying about money is a real eye-opener. 28% have lost sleep thinking about their financial situation. The survey also finds 30% in Ontario report feeling anxious this past year about not being able to pay their bills. Nationally, the survey found women are more stressed than men.

December Events

s.burthillyard — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 17:16:00 +0000

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Near North Palliative Care Network says people who have lost a loved one sometimes have a tough time. That’s why they’re hosting a holiday and grief presentation at Cassellholme on Monday December 3rd. Meantime, on December 9th a worldwide candle lighting ceremony is being held — with a local event at Cassellholme that evening. The services are held each and every year in memory of deceased children. As candles burn down in one time zone they are lit in the next, creating a 24 hour wave of light around the globe.

Written by: bob.coles@northbayradio.rogers.com

Hunger increases locally and nationally

s.burthillyard — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 17:15:35 +0000

A recent report suggested more Canadians are using food banks as a mean to support themselves. Manager of the North Bay Food Bank Amber Livingstone says they have seen an increase locally. She says with lots of people had good paying jobs and are now working at minumum wage and fewer hours than before. The report also said nearly forty percent of Canadians dependant on the food banks are children. Livingstone says that is around the same number they are seeing in the city. Livingstone says one way to battle the hunger issue in Canada would be for the government to make housing more accessible. She says if more people could spend less of their income on rent, they could have more to spend on groceries.

Written by: matthew.sookram@northbayradio.rogers.com

Nominations for local leading women and girls sought

s.burthillyard — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:43:14 +0000

Local nominations are being sought by Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli for the Leading Women/Leading Girls Building Communities Recognition Program awards. The awards are meant to reconize individuals who exhibit exceptional leadership in working to improve the lives of others in their schools or communities. The deadline for nominations is January 18th — with nominees requiring three letters of support from 3-none family members and they must not have been previously nominated. The names are then put forward by MPP’s. Those chosen for the award will be honoured in March, during International Women’s Week.

Written by: vickityler@northbayradio.rogers.com

Online Petitions Approved by Council

matthew.sookram — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:11:31 +0000

We told you last week about petitions being launched in the north. Essentially, they call on the province to do a better job of listening to northern concerns and stops developing policies that hurt the north. They call on the government to not take action like divesting Ontario Northland and closing provincial parks. The petitions are available at city hall to sign and will be sent to all political leaders at Queen’s Park. City councillor Mac Bain says more consultation is needed before the policies are enacted. He says northerners are angry and need to be listened too. written by bob.coles@northbayradio.rogers.com