OWEN SOUND––Great news came from Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, early Monday evening concerning the Chi-Cheemaun. “I am tremendously pleased that due to increased and unexpected precipitation over the weekend the Lake Huron/Georgian Bay water levels have risen to a level sufficient for the Chi-Cheemaun ferry to dock safely at the Tobermory and South Baymouth ferry docks,” said ...

ICE LAKE—An Ice Lake business has been charged by the Ontario Ministry of Labour regarding an incident that took place last June in which the crane a man was working with at Dad’s Sales and Service tipped over and struck him. Wesley Gatchell of Massey was killed in the accident. Matt Blajer of the Ministry of Labour told the Recorder in an email May 10, 2013, “on May 6, 2013, charges were laid against an in ...

SUDBURY—Nine Manitoulin Island residents were presented with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards last week. Nearly 300 Sudbury area residents were awarded with Ontario Volunteer Service Awards for between five and 50 years of volunteer commitment to an organization at a ceremony held in Sudbury. Several were recognized with awards for providing four years of dedicated service to an organization, including Maxi ...

GORE BAY—With Ontario ranking ninth out of 10 provinces in Canada in terms of per capita funding allocated to long term care and needs not being met due to these funding shortfalls, the Manitoulin Lodge Family Council is hosting a roundtable discussion about long-term care with MPP France Gelinas, health critic for the New Democrat Party. “On May 23 we will have Ms. Gelinas here, as well as our MPP Michael ...

SOUTH BAYMOUTH—While the province of Ontario will be providing the funds toward necessary repairs of the fenders at South Baymouth and Tobermory, the province is still waiting for the federal government to give its authority for the repairs to be carried out. Meanwhile, the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) announced on Monday, “Lake Huron/Georgian Bay water levels remain below the minimum level requ ...

TORONTO—Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha saved a Sault Ste. Marie man from choking during a reception at Queen’s Park last week. “I was probably more scared than he was,” stated Mr. Mantha, in relaying the story of his lifesaving measures on Tuesday of last week. “You know what happened, happened quite quickly. I was in the legislature dining room, enjoying a meal and drink, and having discussion with o ...

KAGAWONG—At the recommendation of the Manitoulin Deer Management Committee and local fish and game clubs, the number of antlerless deer tags provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) for the annual Manitoulin deer gun hunt will remain the same for both wildlife management units (WMU) 43A and 43B. “I think I can sell that this year, but if the harvest numbers show there is an increase in the number ...

MANITOULIN—While it is now official that the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry service season has been delayed, there is a tremendous groundswell of local residents, businesses, politicians and municipalities (as evidenced by a rally of support for the MS Chi-Cheemaun season not to be delayed and petitions that are being eagerly signed by Island and off-Island residents) that all feel the delay of the ferry will be dis ...

OWEN SOUND—On April 25, the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) board of directors met to ensure that all possible action had been taken to avert delaying the scheduled May 3 start of the 2013 MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry season (which has now been delayed to at least May 10). An OSTC release Tuesday states, “the board is aware of the serious economic consequences that will result from the delay or lack of a ...

LAKE HURON—The International Joint Commission (IJC) is recommending that the US and Canada governments look into some type of structures be put in place on the St. Clair River to slow its outflows and restore the lakes closer to their historic levels. Lakes Huron and Michigan have gone more than 14 consecutive years with below average water levels. “We are very pleased with what they are recommending,” stat ...