Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Blood Donor Clinics in Fort Frances

Another blood donor clinic is set for this week in Fort Frances.

The clinics at the Fort Frances High School run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Canadian Blood Services spokesperson Michael Hyduk says there's a critical need for blood across the country, especially for some particular blood types.

"Right now we're seeing a shortage across the country in Type 'O' blood and Type 'AB' blood," says Hyduk. "We're looking to get donors through the doors and help boost supplies with those particular types."

Hyduk says they're hoping for at least 300 donors over the course of the two days.

New Chamber Manager Named

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has a new manager.

Anthony Mason began his first day on the job yesterday.

Mason says he's looking forward to his new duties.

"I do have though and things I would like to try," says Mason, "but I want to just learn my position and do it well. I want to get out and meet the businesses in the town. Once I feel more comfortable in the position then I'll start voicing my opinions and thoughts."

Prior to moving to Fort Frances, Mason was the economic development officer for the township of Rainy River for the past two years.

Busy Labour Day Weekend for Police

It was a fairly busy Labour Day weekend for Ontario Provincial Police in the Rainy River district.

Officers responded to five motor vehicle collisions and laid nearly 30 charges to motorists and two to boaters.

Police also responded a several acts of mischief in Barwick, Pinewood and Fort Frances.

Legal Aid Boycott Continues

The Criminal Lawyers' Association says the province is still shortchanging legal aid, despite a $150-million-dollar increase in funding over the next four years.

The group says the proposed plan fails to make up for cuts and freezes under previous governments.

The Association says it will continue its boycott of legal aid.

Gravelle Hopeful With Greyhound

Ontario's minister for the north says Greyhound's threat to cancel bus service in northwestern Ontario is ``a great concern.''

But Michael Gravelle is still hopeful a bailout won't be necessary to keep the buses on the roads.

Greyhound says unless the government coughs up 15-million dollars in subsidies, it'll close routes in northwestern Ontario and Manitoba this fall.

By-Pass Alternative Proposed

The city of International Falls has put forward a proposal aimed to stopping a proposed by-pass.

The city wants Koochiching County to join forces in seeking federal funding for a road to the Foreign Trade Zone, rather than for the by-pass.

City lawyer Joe Boyle says that road would have more benefits locally.

"The road to the Foreign Trade Zone will improve this community's economic future," says Boyle, "which according to KEDA (Koochiching Economic Development Authority) the area in the Foreign Trade Zone is the second busiest rail port in the United States."

Boyle says seeking federal help for that road is something neither side has considered.

Annexation Plans Opposed

The city of International Falls is stepping into the debate over annexation plans by the city of Rainier.

The city says it's opposing the plans because it includes part of the City Beach, the Foreign Trade Zone and land where a road to that zone would be build.

City Administrator Rod Otterness says the city only learned two weeks of a map showing the impact area.

"It took us multiple conversations to get that map," says Otterness. "In fact, we we're informed by a county employee the county made a decision not to publish that map."

Koochiching County Commissioner Wade Pavlech, who attended last night's council meeting, denied the county was withholding any information regarding the annexation plans.

Waterfront Development Gets Boost

A project called the cornerstone of International Falls' waterfront development is about to move ahead.

A deal with the U.S. Government Services Administration will see the city build an estimated 20-million dollar Voyageur Heritage Centre and National Park Headquarters and leasing it back to the National Park Service.

Mayor Shawn Mason says it will be located directly across from Fort Frances' Sorting Gap Marina.

"In having the Voyageur's National Park facility right there on the waterfront along side walking trails, biking trails, docks for lake and river access, a boat launch, picnic pavilions, the Irvin N. Anderson Amphitheatre, a heritage centre really evolves Voyageurs National Park in our community," says Mason.

Mason says construction costs for the estimated 20-million dollar project will be covered from proceeds obtained during the 20-year lease.