Sault lawyer Paul Cassan says employers have obligations to their employees during the current H1N1 flu pandemic. Cassan says its key for employers to have a pandemic plan in place for employees before it hits.  Cassan says a pandemic plan should include placement of hand sanitizers in the workplace and encouraging workers to use them frequently, offer time off to get the flu vaccine, and allow them to work from home during a pandemic if they can. He adds that employers do not have the legal right to require employees to be vaccinated if they do not wish to be, with some exceptions, like healthcare workers.  Cassan states that an employee does not have to report to work if he or she feels they are exposed to a fellow employee with H1N1.  He adds there are other legalities for employers to keep in mind, such as paid time off for someone who has H1N1 or who is caring for a family member who has it, and not posting the name of an employee who is off sick because of H1N1 because of privacy laws.

Sault MPP David Orazietti has announced $45,000 in provincial funding from the province’s Healthy Communities Fund to encourage active living in the community. The money will be used for identifying which schools are best suited as community hubs for after-school programs and to create waterskiing and downhill skiing programs for those with disabilities.

The clock is ticking towards a December 2nd deadline for Greyhound to sustain bus service from Sault Ste. Marie to points further north and west. City councillor Terry Sheehan told EZ Rock News that he has been keeping in touch with the situation and is worried about how affected passengers will cope if a solution isn’t reached soon. Sheehan is particularly worried about how college and university students — among others — will find their way home north and west for the holidays. He adds there are two bus service providers interested in taking over in Caribou Coach and North Country Travel both of Thunder Bay — adding negotiations between the providers and Greyhound were ongoing the last he heard. Sheehan is disappointed about the lack of response from Greyhound recently as Wednesday’s deadline approaches and adds he hasn’t heard much from David Orazietti or Tony Martin either – but adds he will continue to plug away on the issue between now and Wednesday’s deadline.

Sault Police are advising drivers that with colder weather approaching, there are some simple rules to follow when on the road. Stay alert, slow down and stay in control.  Other tips for safe winter driving include keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, install winter tires and simply driving according to highway and weather conditions. Police are announcing those simple rules to prevent what happened last year from happening again — more than 90 accidents were investigated by police over 24 hours after the first major snowfall of 2008-2009.

Long-time Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains supporters Gary and Joanie McGuffin are hosting a Fine Art Print Sale at the Water Tower Inn from noon until 6 on Sunday. All 150 original prints from the McGuffin’s Ancient Forest Journey and Lake Superior Exhibitions will be available.  In addition to the prints are available, the McGuffins will be signing prints, books and 2010 calendars in the Gallery.

The Art Gallery of Algoma is having their first Auction and Loan Gala tonight at 7 o’clock. Proceeds from the event will go to gallery activities that include children’s art making classes, exhibitions by artists from throughout the region and various free public services. The event features a live auction, two draws for free art loans, food services and musical entertainment. The auction will include fourteen works of art ranging from five hundred to five thousand dollars in value, including pieces by Roberta Bondar. The gala comes two weeks after the art gallery’s grand re-opening, where five hundred people attended.

Highway 129 was closed for more than six hours yesterday south of Chapleau. Police closed the highway around 10 a-m when a tractor trailer lost a load of scrap steel at Flame Lake. The highway was re-open to traffic around 4:30 in the afternoon.

Minister Responsible for FedNor Tony Clement announced 75 thousand dollars today for the Soo Curlers Association.  The Canadian Curling Association money will assist the local effort in hosting the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.  The support from FedNor will enable the Soo Curlers Association to transform their venue into a premier visitor facility during the Scotties, which takes place January 30th to February 7th.

Algoma Public Health flu clinics now include seasonal influenza vaccinations to everyone in the community. People are reminded that clinics are made by appointment only — appointments can be made by calling Algoma Public Health flu hotline at 541-2332 or 1-800-469-2449.  Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8 a-m to 5 p-m.  More information on the flu can be found at algomapublichealth.com.

Attorney General of Canada Rob Nicholson introduced legislation to protect cross-border waterway that include the Great Lakes.  The Keeping Canadians Safe Act will allow for stronger co-operative bilateral policing efforts aimed at curbing cross-border criminal activity in these areas.  Officers here will be authorized to enforce the law on both sides of the border to help ensure that criminal organizations no longer exploit shared waterways.  Today’s news follows a framework agreement on integrated law enforcement operations in boundary waters that was signed by both Canada and the U-S back in May.