Local News Archives for 2013-12

In spite of the cold weather volunteers were again out on the weekend

Operation Red Nose has completed another weekend of getting people and their vehicles home safely.  The Rotary Club’s Committee Co-chair Ted Hewitt says their volunteers again braved the cold.  He reports this past weekend was their fifth for Operation Red Nose this year and it again was a good weekend.  He says between Friday and Saturday nights they provided a total of 24 rides even though both nights were very cold, in the minus 30 to minus 40 range. Hewitt thanks all those who volunteered from within the community from Denare Beach to Bakers Narrows.

             

Operation Red Nose will be available tonight which is New Year’s Eve and Hewitt expects it to be very busy as in past years.  If you can help out you can call Ted at 204-687-7450.

Your address labels can help children

The War Amps are conducting their annual address label campaign in Manitoba and across the country.  Their Safety Events Coordinator James Jorden says funds raised by these address labels support their child amputee program. He says the money that is received through donations goes to funding artificial limbs for child amputees in the local Manitoba area.  He adds the great thing to note is that a lot of these limbs that these kids are receiving are quite expensive so the support is excellent for these kids to have.

             

The War Amps receive no government grants so their programs are funded solely by public support of their key tag and address label services. For information you can visit their website at www.waramps.ca.

An exploration company continues to report losses

Foran Mining Corporation has reported its financial results for the twelve month period ending September 30th.  It recorded a net loss of almost 1.9 million dollars compared to a net loss of just over 1.4 million dollars for the twelve months ending September 30th, 2012.

             

As of September 30th the Company had a total of 4.6 million dollars in cash and cash equivalents compared to 9.6 million on September 30th, 2012.

             

Foran is a diversified exploration and development company with projects in the Flin Flon mining belt.  Its flagship McIlvenna Bay project is located in east central Saskatchewan 65 kilometers west of Flin Flon.  They report it contains one of the largest undeveloped volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in Canada.

 

Your support helped the Salvation Army to have a successful Christmas season in the Flin Flon area.

Salvation Army Major Debbie Allan reports they did better than expected with their Christmas kettles this year.  She says their goal was 10 thousand dollars and they did half as much more raising 15 thousand dollars.  She adds it’s just amazing, Flin Flon and area people are very generous and they can use the money to help pay for the Christmas hampers this year.

              Major Allan says they did 80 hampers and bought toys for 103 children.

The Recycling Center has made some changes for this week.

Flin Flon’s Recycling Center Administrator Deb Odegaard reminds you they will be closed Wednesday which is New Years Day and the red bag pickup that usually falls on Wednesday will take place on Thursday this week in the Uptown and Creighton areas.  She also reminds you of the Christmas items they can’t take at the Center.  She says unfortunately Christmas gift wrap is not something they can recycle and the other thing is a lot of times some people get packages stuffed with Styrofoam and plastic wrap and that sort of thing and those are not recyclable and should be removed before items are brought to the Center.

              Anyone needing more information can call the Recycling Center at 204-687-6169.

In spite of three weeks of awareness and enforcement people still drink and drive

The RCMP check stop program ran through a third week last week.  They report over 25 hundred vehicles were checked across Manitoba during 91 check stops.  32 people were charged with either impaired driving or driving over .08 with the average blood alcohol reading of .154 roughly twice the legal limit and the highest .250 over three times the legal limit which was the reading for three impaired drivers.

             

An additional three people were charged with refusal, 10 people were charged for not wearing their seatbelts, 305 charges were laid under the highway traffic act, there were six other criminal code driving offences, 25 written warnings and several small seizures under the controlled drugs and substances act.

Your generosity helped others to have a good Christmas

Flin Flon’s Elks Lodge delivered 107 Christmas hampers this year.  Their Exalted Ruler Gord Evans says they received a lot of support from the community. He says they had a lot of help for packing and had hordes of people for delivery.  He says it took about half an hour and they were done delivery.

             

Evans thanks all who donated to the Christmas Cheer hamper program as well as those who came out to pack and deliver the hampers.  The hampers were delivered last Saturday.

Operation Red Nose is still available to get you and your vehicle home safely

Operation Red Nose has three nights left for this season, tonight, tomorrow night and New Year’s Eve.  The Rotary Club’s committee co-chair Ted Hewitt says last weekend was another good one for their service.  He says it was their fourth in the 2013 campaign and between Friday and Saturday they provided a total of 50 rides.  He adds both nights were very cold in the minus 40 range so those who used their service appreciated getting themselves and their vehicles home safely.  Hewitt thanks all those who volunteered from within the community from Denare Beach to Bakers Narrows.

             

If you are interested in volunteering for New Year’s Eve forms are available at Standard Insurance, Flin Flon Insurance and Scotia Bank.

 

We should remember the message of the Christmas story

In his annual Christmas message Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall reminds us that the spirit of Christmas is the baby Jesus who was born that night and grew into a man who told us to love one another.  He says it’s a reminder that to whom much is given of them much shall be required just like the restaurant in Moose Jaw that make Christmas dinner for the less fortunate, the class of kids in Milestone who regularly visit a senior’s home or the families in Prince Albert who lovingly place necessities and small treasures in shoe boxes for kids half way around the world who they will never meet.  He adds that’s Saskatchewan people reaching out to each other and to those around the world.

             

Wall encourages all in their great province, where so many have so much, to share Christmas with someone who needs warmth and cheer.

Winter in Manitoba is the theme of the Premiers Christmas message

In his Christmas message Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger offers warm greetings on behalf of the Province of Manitoba.  He says as we look forward to spending time with family and friends illuminated by the glow of the Christmas tree or Hanukkah candles he thanks you for making this province the vibrant, friendly and diverse place it is.

             

Selinger encourages everyone to get out and enjoy the great outdoors as there is truly no better time and place for winter family fun than Christmas time in Manitoba.

             

On behalf of the Members of the Legislative assembly, staff and government employees he wishes all Manitoba families a safe and happy holiday.

 

There is praise for the people of Saskatchewan in a Christmas message

Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield says Christmas is a season of thanksgiving and one of the things she’s most grateful for is the generous and caring people of the province.  She says the province’s motto From Many People’s Strength was well chosen as their diverse population is their greatest strength.  She says the province is known for its volunteers who give freely of their time and energy to improve communities.

             

Schofield adds this year she launched the Lieutenant Governor’s Military Service Pin that she hopes to present to every Saskatchewan person who has served in the Canadian Armed Forces as well as members of Police Forces who have served in military operations.

             

She closes by wishing all much happiness and good health today and throughout the coming year.

The spirit of Christmas is the theme of a Christmas message

In extending holiday greetings Manitoba’s Lieutenant Governor Philip Lee says during the Christmas season the spirit of joy, goodwill and generosity abound. He notes customs and traditions that reflect our heritage are celebrated and shared throughout the province, colorful decorations and lights brighten the beauty of our communities, we look forward to seasonal music, favorite treats and exchanging gifts and simple pleasures such as gathering with family and friends help remind us what is truly meaningful in our lives.

             

Lee wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday filled with kindness and warmth of the season.

The lights were on in the village.

Judging for the Village of Lights took place on the weekend.  Judges toured Denare Beach on Saturday evening to judge the Christmas lights and displays that were put out.  The winners were first Lorraine and Chad McPherson of 9 Ohoo Road and second Art Jordan of 417 First Street,

              The annual contest was sponsored by the Village of Denare Beach and Bayside Resort.

Local talent will be featured at a musical evening.

Doug McGregor and Ann Ross will host local musicians and performers at Norva later this week.  McGregor says it will be their third annual open mike night and they’re looking for local people to come out and play some music and have some fun. He says they feature a variety of people as whoever shows up get to play, its free and they’ve had some good turnouts, they usually take a silver collection at the door and there’s usually good eats there.  He adds a variety of ages perform and it’s a relaxed atmosphere so it’s pretty easy going.

              The musical evening takes place Friday starting at 7 at the Norva Center on Green Street.

You can help recognize successful women business owners.

The Women Business Owners of Manitoba is accepting nominations for the 2014 Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.  Awards Committee Manager Lise Carbineau explains the basic criteria for nominations is the business owner must be in business for at least three years, have at least a 50 percent or more ownership in the business and have the leadership role in the organization making major decisions.

              Carbineau says anyone can submit a nomination by visiting their website www.wbom.ca by January 17th.  She says they have had winners from across the province including one from Thompson a few years ago.

Area rinks will benefit from government grants

The Saskatchewan government has invested nearly 1.6 million dollars in 520 facilities in 362 communities through its Community Rink Affordability grant.  Included in the list of grants is the Town of Creighton for the Sportex and the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation for Dechambault Lake.  The Government says   the 25 hundred dollar per indoor ice surface grant helps communities, non-profits, schools, rink boards and First Nations communities keep their rinks open and running efficiently adding they’re allowing rink owners to hire caretakers, keep rinks open longer and repair and upgrade facilities.

              Sport Minister Kevin Doherty says local rinks provide significant sport and recreation opportunities to people living in both small towns and city neighborhoods and that’s why the grants have been made available for a second year.

The lights and Christmas displays have been judged

Judges from the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce Light Up In the Spirit of Christmas contest toured the Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach areas last evening and determined the winners in the contest.  There were 31 homes and businesses entered.

             

Home winners included Rob Simon at 80 Green Street in Flin Flon and the Domineys at 180 Dominion Boulevard in Flin Flon.  The best decorated business was the Flin Flon Public Library for their inside decorations and the most lit up block last evening was Phelps and Douglas.

             

All homes and businesses entered will receive a certificate of honorable mention.

 

Santa is coming to the library

The Flin Flon Public Library will be hosting Story Time with Santa on Monday.  Administrator Cindy McLean says it’s a family fun day so put your best holiday pajamas on, grab the children and come to the library where they’ll be serving free hot chocolate, coffee and cookies and of course story time with Santa.  She says don’t forget you camera and they will be having treat bags for all the children so they look forward to having a really good turnout and a really fun day.

             

McLean adds Doug McGregor and Ann Ross will be singing carols and our MLA Clarence Pettersen and RCMP Sergeant Shayne Smith will be reading stories for the children.

             

Story Time with Santa runs from 1 to 2:30 Monday afternoon at the Public Library.

 

You are reminded to be sober on the roads this holiday season

RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson says thousands of Canadians are injured or killed by impaired drivers.  He says the RCMP are continuing their program of enforcement to raise awareness and to stop alcohol and drug impaired drivers.  He adds these are entirely preventable tragedies that have immense costs and devastating effects on our community.  Paulson encourages all Canadians to help change attitudes and behavior and ultimately to save lives.  He says a small decision can have some great consequences, so make the right choice before your get behind the wheel as everyone has the right to come home safe.

             

The RCMP will continue their check stop program through the holiday season to keep impaired drivers off the road.

Production continues to increase at a mine development near Snow Lake.

VMS Ventures reports considerable progress was made in November at the Reed copper mine which is owned 30 percent by VMS and 70 percent by Hudbay who is the operator.

             

During the month they surpassed two thousand meters of total underground project and pre-production development, completed 627 days without a lost time accident, completed 85 meter ore development from two zones with production of over 13 thousand tonnes of ore, completed two ventilation raises, commissioned the main fresh air ventilation fan on the 50 meter level and remain on budget and on schedule.

             

The focus this month is on safety and continued ramp development down to the 135 meter level and pre-production development at the 110 meter level of the mine.  The project is expected to reach commercial production by the second quarter of next year.

 

The Recycling Center can not handle some Christmas items

Flin Flon’s Recycling Center wants to reduce the amount of non-recyclable material they’ll receive over the Christmas season.  Their Administrator Deb Odegaard says Christmas wrap, Styrofoam and plastic wrap that comes with some gifts are examples of what they can’t take at the Recycling Center. She says they will be closed Christmas day and New Years day but they will have people working on Boxing Day so if people want to stop by that day they can.  She adds they are also changing their red bag pick ups that fall on Christmas and New Years days this year so the pick up for Christmas day will be Monday, December 23rd in the Willowvale, Channing Birchview, Mile 84 area and the New Years pick up will be the following day January 2nd in uptown and Creighton.

             

Anyone needing more information can call the Recycling Center at 204-687-6169.

Now is the time to get your tickets for a January event

The Creighton branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation will be holding their annual dinner, dance and awards night January 25th.  The organization’s Alex McGilvery says they have a great night planned with a really good dinner by Shirley Slugoski, a cash bar, a penny parade, door prizes, lots of fun people and music for a dance later in the evening.  He says it’s a really fun time and a chance for people to get together and enjoy January a little bit.

             

The cost is 35 dollars but if you buy your ticket before December 31st you can save 5 dollars.  Tickets are available by calling Mavis Thurston or call Alex McGilvery at home, at the United Church or email celticfrog@live.com.

 

Mail delivery concerns should be passed on to Canada Post

At Tuesday night’s Flin Flon City Council meeting Mayor George Fontaine expressed disappointment in the fact Canada Post plans to stop door to door delivery resulting in the loss of letter carrier jobs adding there is a consequence to losing jobs which affects smaller communities more than bigger centers. He says residents should contact city hall, Canada Post or their member of parliament to express their concern for communities like Flin Flon.  Council will be discussing the idea of contacting Canada Post if there are concerns in the community.

             

Fontaine congratulated the Community Choir on their recent performance in New York noting they gave us a good name internationally.  He also reported he received a picture from Judy Zimmer of Rotary Park in 1953 noting it’s nice to see the progress made in developing the park over the years.  He said he would like to publicly thank her for the work she has done around the park.

             

Mayor and Council closed by wishing everybody a Merry Christmas.

 

There are plans to regulate snowmobiles in the trailer park

At their meeting last night Flin Flon City Council passed on first reading an amendment to the bylaw dealing with the licensing and placing of mobile homes in the city owned mobile home district. Councilor Skip Martin says the amendments deal with recent complaints of noise and exhaust fumes in the trailer court.  The changes will regulate where and how long snowmobiles can be idled, run or revved and that they must have a functioning muffler.  Martin says the rules are required because the homes are so close together in the trailer park.  The changes require two more readings before becoming part of the bylaw.

             

Mayor George Fontaine reported he was called by a scam artist asking him to send money to help out a nephew who had been hurt.  He says the caller was very convincing and he wanted to warn residents not to fall for these scams.

It is time to light up your homes in Denare Beach

Residents of Denare Beach are encouraged to be part of the Village of Lights by putting Christmas lights up by Saturday.  Organizer Maureen McBratney says this is the fifth year for the event and they are asking people to get into the spirit of the season and light up their yard, fence, house, garage, boat and have the lights turned on December 21st between 4 and 10. She says they have a couple of judges that’ll drive around and have a look at the community all lit up and prizes will be awarded the next day at the Christmas party at the Denareplex.

             

The event is sponsored by the Village of Denare Beach and Bayside Resort.

Some people are still drinking and driving

The second week of the RCMP holiday check stop program has resulted in several charges being laid.  During last week 1795 vehicles were checked across Manitoba during 80 check stops.  14 people were charged with impaired driving or driving over .08 with the average blood alcohol reading .176 or more than twice the legal limit and the highest reading .240 or three times the legal limit. Two people were charged with refusal and there were 6 twenty-four hour alcohol related road side suspensions.

             

As well multiple drug seizures were reported by several detachments and 200 other traffic related highway traffic act charges were laid.

The library is practicing forgiveness at Christmas time

The Flin Flon Public Library’s Administrator Cindy McLean says now is the time to return overdue library books.  She says they will waive your fines for the month of December and all you have to do is bring in a toy for the Children’s Gift Program or purchase a children’s Christmas book at the library and that donation goes to the children and they waive your fine.

             

McLean adds the library also has a huge selection of children’s Christmas books on sale until December 24th.

Your trip south will get smoother and safer

After announcing earlier this year plans to upgrade number ten highway from Bakers Narrows to Flin Flon starting next spring the Manitoba government has now announced plans for upgrades on the highway from Swan River to Riding Mountain National Park.

             

The 56 million dollar highway upgrade includes significant resurfacing and repaving to new national highway standards as well as a new bridge at Drifting River north of Ashville to make the highway safer and ease congestion from the Park north to Swan River.

             

The five year project will see 39.2 million dollars spent in the Swan River area and 16.4 million in the Dauphin area.  These upgrades are in addition to 21 million dollars in recently completed and ongoing upgrades on that stretch of highway.

 

Another group of people got home safely on the weekend

Operation Red Nose completed its third weekend in the Flin Flon area.  The Rotary Club’s Co-Chair Ted Hewitt says they had another cold but successful weekend.  He says they had good coverage for any people who wish to use their service.  He says Friday and Saturday nights they provided a total of 47 rides and both evenings were very cold so those who used their service appreciated getting themselves and their vehicles home safely.  Hewitt thanks those who volunteered from the Flin Flon Ski Club and the Knights of Columbus.

             

Hewitt adds they are still looking for individuals or groups to volunteer for December 27th and 28th as well as New Year’s Eve.  Volunteer forms are available at both Standard and Flin Flon Insurance and Scotia Bank.  For information you can call Ted at 204-687-7450.

 

Callinan has received its latest payment from Hudbay

Callinan Royalties has received interim quarterly payments for the quarter ending September 30th of just over 2 million dollars from the six and two thirds net profits interest royalty and just over 113 thousand dollars from the production royalty of 25 cents per ton of ore from Hudbay.  This is down from payments of just over 3 million dollars in the same quarter last year.  The payments are due to Callinan’s royalty interests on lands that include the Triple Seven and Triple Seven North mines in Flin Flon.

             

Callinan CEO Roland Butler says the Triple Seven mine encountered some challenges earlier this year, yet there were production increases at Triple Seven and contributions from the Triple Seven North ramp.  He says with weaker metal markets, their royalty revenue for the recent quarter was negatively impacted however he adds operational issues have been managed and Hudbay has reported that mining of high grade copper zones is planned for the near future.

Some communities in our area will benefit from recreation grants

The Manitoba Government has announced families in remote northern communities will benefit from new and upgraded recreational and community facilities with financial help from the province’s Community Places Program North.

             

In our area Cranberry Portage will receive 55 thousand dollars for safety improvements to the community beach, the town of Snow Lake almost 30 thousand for upgrades to the Snow Lake Center on Family Violence and just over 28 thousand for upgrades to the Mining Museum, the Town of The Pas almost 7 thousand dollars for upgrades to Zimmer Park and Cormorant Lake 40 thousand to upgrade the school gym.

             

Under the Community Places Program North organizations in northern remote communities can apply for one hundred percent of their project costs up to a maximum of 75 thousand dollars.

 

The Santa store will be available to students for the 10th year

Creighton Community School is running its annual Santa Store at the school this week.  School Coordinator Carol Sutherland explains the school community council requests donations from within the school and the community then they will set up the family room in a store setting for the students to shop for their parents, grandparents and loved ones.  She says all the gifts are 25 cents a piece and all gifts will be either wrapped or bagged for a complete surprise for their loved ones on Christmas morning.

             

If you would like to donate gifts you can drop them off at the school.  The Santa Store will be open for students at Creighton School to shop tomorrow and Wednesday.

You can buy a gift from the angel tree

The Salvation Army has set up an angel tree in Walmart in Flin Flon to help collect toys for their Christmas hampers. Major Debbie Allan explains on the tree there are cards that indicate that you can buy a present for either a boy or a girl of ages between birth and 12 years old and you give that gift to the staff at the Walmart customer service desk and the Salvation Army picks it up and will match it with a child that is in need.

             

Allan adds this is a great source of toys for their hampers and she hopes people will purchase gifts soon.

A new book just in time for Christmas

Flin Flon writer Alex McGilvery is officially releasing his new book on Sunday afternoon.  McGilvery says Playing on Yggdrasil is about a young girl Justine whose mother passed away and a couple of years later she’s in school and she’s being bullied and teased because she doesn’t have a mother so she makes a friend with a tree in the school yard.  He says the tree is something more than just an ordinary tree though, it’s yggdrasil which is the world tree in Norse mythology which connects whatever needs to be connected so she gets taken away and gets to go on adventures and learn a considerable amount about life, faith and hope.

             

The book release will take place Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Norva Center on Green Street.               

 

McGilvery says he will be selling copies of the book himself and they will be sold at the library.

A local entertainer is launching his second CD

Well known local singer C.C. Trubiak is holding a launch for his second CD Tiny Army tomorrow afternoon.  Trubiak says it was recorded in Ottawa and he had a lot of help in making sure it was ready to go.  He says there’s a lot of contributors that he got to involve himself with for this project so not only did it take a lot of weight off his shoulders in terms of having to write all the songs, he got to have some really well written songs by friends back in Ottawa to incorporate and lots of talented musicians on there playing and adding a lot of variety and heart to the album.

             

The launch will take place tomorrow from 1 to 3 at Northern Rainbows End with advance copies available.  The CD will officially come out on Tuesday and will be available at the Orange Toad, Northern Rainbows End, the Norva Center, on iTunes or his website cctrubiak.com.

 

It is time to enter your favorite Christmas display in a contest

The Light Up in the Spirit of Christmas contest is sponsored by the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Elect Dianne O’Brien explains the contest encourages a lot of people to decorate their homes and businesses and you’re asked to nominate displays for prizes. She says what they are really looking for is input from the community, Flin Flon , Creighton, Denare Beach or wherever to call CFAR and nominate the houses that they see who really have put a big effort on the Christmas display whether its lots of lights or a nice display.  She adds it could be a business or a residence and all they do is give CFAR a call and say this is who we nominate and we would like to see them get an award for their Christmas display this year.

             

Nominations should be called in prior to the judging that will take place the evening of December 18th.  Three prizes will be awarded from Manitoba Hydro.

There are some changes in a Christmas party being held on Saturday

An annual Christmas party is being held in Creighton Saturday afternoon.  Recreation Director Channa Senyk says they will hold a Winter Wonderland celebration indoors at the Sportex.  She says they cancelled the sleigh rides and the bonfire due to the windchill and the fireworks will be postponed to New Year’s Eve.  She says indoors they have lots of kid’s games, free skating, hit the target, face painting, balloon animals, lots of crafts and a coloring table.

             

Senyk adds there will be hot dogs and hot chocolate free to the first one hundred kids and Santa Claus will be there from 1 to 3 with opportunities for pictures with Santa from 1 to 2.

Drug charges have been laid in Flin Flon

Between November 28th and 30th the RCMP “D” Division Action Response Team was in Flin Flon to conduct proactive drug enforcement, combat illegal drug trafficking and to monitor high risk prolific offenders. During the three day blitz officers executed search warrants under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and two residences were searched resulting in the seizure of 3840 dollars cash and 48 grams of marihuana from a residence on Second Avenue and 1030 dollars cash and 116 grams of marihuana from a residence on Ross Street.

 

Four Flin Flon residents between the ages of 18 and 45 have been charged with possession of marihuana for the purpose of trafficking.  All have been released and will appear in Flin Flon Provincial Court on January 9th.

 

The DART members included RCMP officers from across the province along with RCMP officers from Creighton, a police service dog from Battleford and officers of the Prince Albert Police Service.

 

Flin Flon City Council continues to work for the future

Mayor George Fontaine spoke to the Chamber of Commerce yesterday on issues now being dealt with by council.  He said council has been looking at the long term survival of the community and how to build it.  He said they are working on infrastructure noting the heart and lungs have been dealt with with the new sewage and water treatments plants and now are working on the arteries replacing pipes that have been in the ground for decades.

             

Fontaine said they are demolishing buildings including the Willowpark Curling Rink which is no longer used but the cement pad will be staying and that can be used for recreation.  He also reported they recently met with provincial ministers and asked for all crown lands within the city limits to be turned over to the city without having for pay for them so they can take control of developing them when needed.

             

Fontaine said talks continue with cottage areas, Creighton and Denare Beach on recreation cost sharing as well as with cottage areas on sharing the cost of fire services.

             

He also said the city is open to economic development and will look at any ideas that will benefit the community.  He added look forward to announcements on affordable housing within the next six months.

 

 

You can still provide input on a community plan

The Flin Flon Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation held a community consultation Monday evening.  The Corporation’s Laurence Gillespie says the Neighborhoods Alive program requires them to develop a five year plan through consultation with the community.  He says they are looking for what people think will improve Flin Flon, what keeps them here, what they are currently missing in terms of services and resources available to the community, what sort of things they would like them to do to try make things better.  He says part of their program is to try to develop a sense of community in Flin Flon, get people a stronger sense of identification with their community and so programs that work towards that or initiatives and events that will help people identify more strongly with Flin Flon.

             

Gillespie says they have information from a recent survey and are coming to the end of the consultation process but if you still want to share your ideas you can call him at 204-687-6972.

It is time to get your team together for a health challenge

The annual six week In Motion Health Challenge will get underway January 13th.  The Committee’s Christa McIntyre encourages teams of two to four people to enter for a fee of five dollars a person with weekly prizes and a top prize of 500 dollars awarded. McIntyre says teams will collect points for meeting challenges with some changes this year.  She says they are sticking with the same challenge sheet that they have used every year so people will have to do things like the physical activity, drinking water and the healthy eating but the new twist this year is a kindness challenge and they put that in there to try to promote kindness in our community and they are bringing back Trivia Night.

             

To register your team call Christa at 204-681-3145, fax to 204-687-8602 or email cmcintyre2@nrha.ca by January 6th.

A water leak has resulted in the movement of some patients at the hospital

There was a fresh water leak on the fifth floor of Flin Flon General Hospital early Sunday morning.  Communications Coordinator for the Northern Health Region Glen Hildebrand says they have taken the precaution of moving nine patients from the fifth floor to other locations in the hospital.  He says as soon as you end up having to disturb any of the ceiling tiles the infection control practices come in and you’re mindful of any potential airborne contamination so when folks are doing the clean up they’ll be wearing masks and the like to insure that they’re adequately protected.  He adds they’re also notifying the patients and the staff who were on the fifth floor during this period of time that this is the situation and these are the precautions they’re taking.

             

Hildebrand says the fifth floor will not be available for about a week as the clean up continues.

A service helped cold drivers this past weekend

Operation Red Nose had a successful second weekend in the Flin Flon area.  The Rotary Club’s Co-Chair Ted Hewitt reports between Friday and Saturday evenings they provided a total of 38 rides.  He says both nights were very cold and they also noted that the RCMP had check stops out so those who used their service appreciated getting themselves and their vehicles home safely.  Hewitt thanked those who volunteered from Hudbay and the group of friends from Bakers Narrows.

             

Operation Red Nose encourages all groups holding Christmas parties to call and give them notice so they can have the required volunteers needed to get partiers home safe.  You can call Ted at 204-687-7450 or Jane at 204-687-6488.

Local actors hit the stage this weekend with a classic Christmas story

Flin Flon’s Ham Sandwich Theatre Group will be performing Dicken’s A Christmas Carol Friday and Saturday nights.  Director Beth Heine says it’s a fairly large cast with lots of scene changes and lots of action and it’s the traditional story with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet to come.  She says they’ve got John Taylor as Ebenezer Scrooge, they got some of their usual people including Tom Heine, Linda Allen and Diane Therrien and there are some new people who have come to town and joined the group.

             

The performance begins at 7:30 Friday and Saturday nights in the Flin Flon Community Hall.  Tickets are available at Northern Rainbows End on Main Street.

Schools continue to work on their goals for this year

It’s going to be a busy year at Ecole McIsaac School according to a presentation last night for the Division’s Board of Trustees.  Principal Steve Lytwyn and Vice-Principals Sylvie Dufour and George Trevor appeared before the board with this year’s goals.  Teaching and support staff were all involved in the planning process which will see students achieve academic growth of ninety-five percent.  The administration will strive to maintain a safe and caring school environment and improve overall attendance.  As of last nights meeting attendance at the school was just above 95 percent.  Technology will be further incorporated to improve the student’s academic achievements and the use of professional learning communities at the teaching level will also help students in their learning endeavors.

             

In other school news the board approved the request from the Hapnot Travel Club to proceed with plans for their trip to Greece in the spring of 2015.  Board chair Murray Skeavington encouraged all families to come out and enjoy the upcoming Christmas concerts.  Hapnot’s jazz, choir and band will be performing tonight at 7 and the junior high band performs their winter concert tomorrow at 7.

We are sounding better than ever

After 76 years as an AM station CFAR made the move this afternoon to the FM dial to provide listeners with a better sound and stronger signal locally.  Station Owner Tom O’Brien says the move to include 102.9 FM has taken a while to become a reality.  He says the thought of wanting to go to FM has been with them for probably a decade and they really got serious about it two years ago, made application about a year and a half ago and started the process.  He adds he’s surprised it took as long as it did but that’s how long it takes and they’re excited that they’re finally a the end of the process and can get this thing going and open up a new chapter here.

             

102.9 FM officially came on the air at 1:02 this afternoon.  CFAR will continue to broadcast at 590 AM for listeners outside the range of the FM signal.

We will sound even better this afternoon

CFAR has been broadcasting on the AM dial since November 14th, 1937.  After 76 years Station Owner Tom O’Brien says it was decided to expand our signal to include 102.9 FM.  He says the biggest difference that people are going to notice is the quality of the sound, of the music, of everything that comes out of their radio.  He adds FM is just a superior product, it has more fidelity and more range and that will be by far the biggest thing.

             

CFAR will officially switch on the FM signal at 1:02 this afternoon but will continue to broadcast at 590 AM for listeners outside the range of the FM signal.

Exploration is getting underway at a former mine site south of Flin Flon

QMC Quantum Minerals Corporation has received the necessary permits for the upcoming drill program on their Namew Lake Project 65 kilometers south of Flin Flon.  A two phase work program including six thousand meters of diamond drilling and refined geophysics is now planned.  QMC’s 39 thousand hectare Namew Lake Project is adjacent to the eastern side of Hudbay’s Namew Lake Mine which they say has produced 2.57 million tonnes of copper, nickel, gold, silver, palladium and platinum within the Flin Flon Mining District.

             

The upcoming drill program will focus on expanding the previously announced Rocky Lake VMS discovery zone originally identified by Hudbay within QMC’s Namew Lake VMS Project.

The Manitoba government says it is moving our highways out of the fifties and sixties

Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton says last weeks announcement on improvements to number six highway from Winnipeg to Thompson is a commitment to an important connection for Flin Flon, The Pas, Thompson and other communities in the north.  He says the key element here is with this investment they are going to be raising the level of the highway up to national highway standards.  He says instead of a 1950s or 60s level of design people are going to see a real difference.  In fact he adds they have 50 millions dollars work on highway six in the upcoming year alone and over the next over the next five years they are investing 187 million dollars.

             

Ashton says they have committed to other roads noting the Premier has announced the upgrade over several years of number ten highway between Bakers Narrows and Flin Flon starting next spring.

Ideas will be shared at a meeting on Monday

The Flin Flon Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation will be holding a community consultation Monday evening.  The Corporation’s Laurence Gillespie says this is the climax of their consultation process.  He explains they’re going to talk about the initial results of the first survey they’ve done of the population here in this process.  He says it’s a big chance for people if they want to put their two cents in as they gather responses, partly to what has already been gathered but also to get fresh opinions from the population.

             

Gillespie says what they hear at the meeting will determine the course of action they take over the next five years.

             

The meeting starts at 7 Monday evening in Flin Flon City Council chambers.

 

Your ideas are still wanted on Power Smart

The Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro Stan Struthers and Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen held a public consultation to help Hydro do more through its Power Smart programs to save families and business groups money and at the same time helping to ensure a reliable supply of electricity for the future. Struthers says the Power Smart program has many advantages noting 845 million dollars has been saved by Manitoba families over the period of Power Smart programs.  On the commercial side he says a number of industries have talked to him about the advantages of being here in Manitoba because of cheap hydro rates and programs that help them take advantage of those rates giving them an advantage over other jurisdictions and other provinces.

             

Manitoba Hydro offers 27 programs for homes and businesses through Power Smart including financial rebates and technical support for energy efficient building upgrades and appliances.

             

You can still submit your ideas online at www.manitoba.ca/powersmart.

 

Members of the Flin Flon Fire Department team can shave now

A 12 member team from the Flin Flon Fire Department and other supporters proved growing a mustache can have benefits.  The team took part in Movember growing mustaches to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer.  Team Captain Darren Romo says their team was smaller than the 25 people they had last year due to other commitments.  He says it went good but not quite as well as it has in the last couple of years.  He says they finished with just over 48 hundred dollars and they finished 17th in the Great Canadian Fire Fighter Challenge.

             

Romo thanks everyone who supported their team not only this year but in the past two years noting they have raised around 30 thousand dollars for the three years they have participated.

There is a program to make sure children get a gift

The 20th annual Christmas Gift Program designed to enable parents to give their children a gift at Christmas when circumstances prevent them from do so is underway at the Flin Flon Friendship Center.  The Center’s Program Events Coordinator Jeremiah Herman says now is the time to register.  He says pretty much anybody can apply if they are going through hard times in the Christmas season.  He says he does request a health card when you pick up your gift which can be for anywhere from newborns to 17 years of age.  Herman notes what’ll happen is you’ll call the Center, make an appointment, he’ll give you a time frame and you’ll come in, pick out a gift and wrap it for your child.

             

To register call the Center at 204-687-3900.

             

Herman says they also welcome donations for the gift program. You can drop off gifts or cash donations at the Friendship Center at 57 Church Street.

 

It is time to apply for an Elks hamper

Flin Flon’s Elks Lodge is accepting applications for Christmas hampers until December 13th.  Exalted Ruler Gord Evans explains anybody can apply for a hamper if they are less fortunate and don’t have enough to have a meal at Christmas time.  He says what they normally like to do is have people phone in for somebody but if they’re in dire straits and need a hamper they don’t mind people phoning in for themselves.

             

To apply you can call Gord Evans, Linda Martindale or the Elks Hall and leave a message.  You can also call to donate to their hamper program. The hampers will be delivered on December 21st between 9 and noon.

             

The hampers will not include toys as those are available from the Christmas Gift Program by calling the Friendship Center at 204-687-3900

The RCMP will be watching your driving habits this month

Flin Flon RCMP will join other detachments across the province in the annual holiday check stop program that is now underway.  Constable Cam Lussier says their detachment and the northern Traffic Services Unit will participate.  He says the main focus again this year will be on impaired driving and high risk drivers and this will be done through detection at check stops as well as during regular patrols throughout December so expect to be stopped.  He also reminds everyone to keep their drivers licence on them as well as use the services of taxis and Operation Red Nose.

             

The check stop program will run until January 1st.

You are invited to light a candle Friday

The Women’s Resource Center is holding its annual candle light vigil Friday evening to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.  The Center’s Colleen Arnold asks everyone to take part. She explains this candle vigil is in memory of the Montreal massacre where 14 young women lost their lives to gender violence, so they say a few words at 5:15 on Main Street and then have a moment of silence in remembrance of these 14 young women and they hope that Main Street will be lit up all the way down to the Bargain Store.

             

If you plan to take part and would like a candle call the Women’s Resource Center at 204-681-3105 or pick one up on Main Street Friday evening.

Students will have more opportunities in Cranberry Portage

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has announced students from across the north who come to study and train at Frontier Collegiate will soon have a new 57 thousand square foot campus expansion and receive valuable skills training.  He says they are spending up to 23 million dollars for a new residence so people from all over northern Manitoba can come there and get excellent skills training in the high need jobs in demand in Manitoba but also have a very good place to live.  He says it sort of re-invents the historic role that community has played for many years.

             

Selinger says the government’s commitment to add 75 thousand workers to the labor force by 2020 starts with ensuring every student can get quality education and training opportunities noting skilled jobs will be needed in developing Manitoba Hydro, in expansion of the mining industry and as other industrial sectors continue to expand.

There are changes at the Recycling Center

The Flin Flon and District Environment Council advised City Council at their meeting last night they will not be requesting an increase in their per capita rate for the grant to support recycling so the rate will remain at $11.40 per person for next year.

             

They also advised they are no longer sorting material at the Center but are sending it out for sorting reducing the number of staff they have.

             

They also expressed concern about the amount of material dropped off at the Center on weekends and asked the city to consider the purchase of two trailers to be placed at convenient locations in the community such as Walmart and a location uptown.  The letter was referred to the finance committee.

             

Council awarded the contract for demolition for the Willowpark Curling Rink and the number two heating plant to Whitfords and they received the Fire Chiefs report for November indicating there were four incidents during the month.

Manitoba hydro wants your input on Power Smart

The Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro Stan Struthers and Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen will hold a public consultation tomorrow night to get your opinion on Hydro’s Power Smart program.  Struthers says they want to make sure people in the Flin Flon area can share their ideas on what is already a good program. He says within ten years we could run out of power in Manitoba.  He adds if we do nothing, if we take the advice of some and pause which leads to canceling projects like you saw happen back in the 1990s, we’ll leave ourselves exposed.  Struthers says we have a growing population in Manitoba and a growing economy so they need to continue to invest in hydro so they can keep our rates among the lowers on the continent.

             

The meeting will be held tomorrow evening from 6 to 8 in the Flin Flon Community Center.

People got home safely on the weekend

Operation Red Nose had a successful first weekend of taking vehicles and their owners home safely in the Flin Flon area.  The Rotary Club’s Committee Co-Chair Ted Hewitt says they had ten rides over Friday and Saturday nights.  He says in past years the first weekend was notoriously quiet and this past weekend was no exception.  He says they had good coverage for any people who wanted to use the service and he thanks those who volunteered from the Border Explorers and the Steelworkers noting even though they were not overly busy they got together for an evening of fellowship and enjoyed themselves. He says they expect this coming Friday and Saturday to be much busier.

             

Hewitt adds they are still looking for groups and individuals to volunteer for December 20th and 21st, 27th and 28th and New Years Eve.  Volunteer forms are at Flin Flon Insurance, Standard Insurance and Scotia Bank on Main Street.  If you have questions you can call Ted at 204-687-7450.

A weekend event attracted a lot of attention

The CADAC Center’s Festival of Trees was held in the Creighton Community School gym Friday and Saturday under the theme Christmas Past, Present and Future.  Those attending were asked to vote on items that had been designed and donated by various individuals, businesses and organizations.

             

The People’s Choice Award for Center Pieces went to Christmas Rose by the Parkinson’s Society, for Wreaths to Pretty in Pink by the Town of Creighton and for Trees to Team Walmart.

             

The Best in Show went to the tree Winter Wonderland by Hudbay designed by Ashley Thompson and Carla Simon.

             

Next year’s theme will be Sounds of Christmas.

 

 

 

 

There are new opportunities opening for our students

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has announced the investment of almost one million dollars for a new state of the art science lab and Skills Training Center for Hapnot Collegiate.  Selinger says the Center will provide students with valuable training.  He says with this Center students can learn how to be a plumber, a carpenter, a welder, an electrician, learn to do computer aided design or any other skill.  He says the building will be flexible and will be able to be adapted to what the needs are of the community and where the job opportunities are and that will tie into University College of the North and even southern Universities.

             

The new 60 by 100 foot building is currently under construction in front of the school on Green Street.

             

Selinger adds their science action plan is ensuring that high school students have access to the best labs and equipment and are taught according to a continually updated science curriculum.

 

It is a service designed with you in mind

The Rotary Club of Flin Flon has named Colleen Arnold Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center as the Honorary Chairperson for Operation Red Nose this year.  Arnold says the service is set up so you can enjoy the season and get you and your vehicle home safely.  She says she is very honored that she was asked and she believes that Operation Red Nose is a great service that is offered in our community.  She says everybody’s safety is assured and they’re great with supporting other organizations and groups with money.

             

The service is free but donations are accepted to support local youth organized sports.

             

Operation Red Nose began over the weekend and continues every Friday and Saturday night in December as well as New Year’s Eve.

 

 

Creighton has made a good impression

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization has recognized the Town of Creighton and their Community Liaison Committee for continuing to investigate the possibility of hosting a nuclear waste storage facility.  Creighton is one of the communities selected to move on to phase two of the selection process which includes field studies and further awareness building in the community.  In presenting a plaque to Mayor Bruce Fidler the Organization’s Director of Social Research and Dialogue Joanne Facella said they have learned a lot from each other through phase one.  She says the Town of Creighton has worked with the NWMO to shape and evolve the activities and steps required in the site selection process to ensure meaningful community involvement.  She adds it has led the way in defining how project safety must be demonstrated to Canadians and community and laid the basis for working in partnership locally, with surrounding communities and with aboriginal people.

             

Facella repeated an earlier announcement that all communities that have taken part in the process will receive 400 thousand dollars to set up a Community Well Being Reserve Fund that will benefit community programs.

A group of employees has put in thousands of years of work

Membership in Hudbay’s Quarter Century Club climbed on Friday night with the presentation of watches to 32 employees who have completed 25 years of continuous service with the Company.  MC Cal Huntley said this Club represents over 75 thousand years of service.  Hudbay Vice-President of Manitoba Operations Brad Lantz thanked the award winners and all employees noting this has been a good year for Hudbay.  He said all the projects they have been working so hard on over the last few years are starting to pay some dividends which is great to see.  He added next year they’re going to see an increase in production in the area which is great and is all that they’ve been waiting for and it takes a lot of hard work from people out there to make that happen.

             

Safety awards were presented to 28 employees with 25 years, 9 with 30 years, 12 with 35 years and 1 with 40 years without a lost time accident.  Recognition was also given to 13 employees who retired over the past year.

Archives:

2024-03 | 2024-02 | 2024-01 | 2023-12 | 2023-11 | 2023-10 | 2023-09 | 2023-08 | 2023-07 | 2023-06 | 2023-05 | 2023-04 | 2023-03 | 2023-02 | 2023-01 | 2022-12 | 2022-11 | 2022-10 | 2022-09 | 2022-08 | 2022-07 | 2022-06 | 2022-05 | 2022-04 | 2022-03 | 2022-02 | 2022-01 | 2021-12 | 2021-11 | 2021-10 | 2021-09 | 2021-08 | 2021-07 | 2021-06 | 2021-05 | 2021-04 | 2021-03 | 2021-02 | 2021-01 | 2020-12 | 2020-11 | 2020-10 | 2020-09 | 2020-08 | 2020-07 | 2020-06 | 2020-05 | 2020-04 | 2020-03 | 2020-02 | 2020-01 | 2019-12 | 2019-11 | 2019-10 | 2019-09 | 2019-08 | 2019-07 | 2019-06 | 2019-05 | 2019-04 | 2019-03 | 2019-02 | 2019-01 | 2018-12 | 2018-11 | 2018-10 | 2018-09 | 2018-08 | 2018-07 | 2018-06 | 2018-05 | 2018-04 | 2018-03 | 2018-02 | 2018-01 | 2017-12 | 2017-11 | 2017-10 | 2017-09 | 2017-08 | 2017-07 | 2017-06 | 2017-05 | 2017-04 | 2017-03 | 2017-02 | 2017-01 | 2016-12 | 2016-11 | 2016-10 | 2016-09 | 2016-08 | 2016-07 | 2016-06 | 2016-05 | 2016-04 | 2016-03 | 2016-02 | 2016-01 | 2015-12 | 2015-11 | 2015-10 | 2015-09 | 2015-08 | 2015-07 | 2015-06 | 2015-05 | 2015-04 | 2015-03 | 2015-02 | 2015-01 | 2014-12 | 2014-11 | 2014-10 | 2014-09 | 2014-08 | 2014-07 | 2014-06 | 2014-05 | 2014-04 | 2014-03 | 2014-02 | 2014-01 | 2013-12 | 2013-11 | 2013-10 | 2013-09 | 2013-08 | 2013-07 | 2013-06 | 2013-05 | 2013-04 | 2013-03 | 2013-02

Frontline Sport & Leisure - U-Pick/Opinion Poll

It's Frontline Sport and Leisure's U-Pick Of The Day- Songs Inspired By Movies

Your Calendar

March

S M T W T F S
          1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31            

Weather