Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Town Back in Court over Pither's Point Park

The town of Fort Frances is heading back to court in an attempt to continue its use of Pither's Point Park.

A hearing on the matter will be held in Superior Court on Thursday in Thunder Bay.

Mayor Roy Avis is reserving comment until after the hearing, but in a release issued this morning, the town says it will bring forward a motion that attempts to clarify the use of the park until legal questions surrounding its use and ownership are resolved.

It adds ongoing negotiations with the federal and provincial governments and area First Nations laying claim to the land, have not led to any resolve.

The town says its also been informed an agreement reached last year with the bands the town to continue maintenance and use of the park is not being extended into this year.

Missing Teenager Sought

OPP are seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing Fort Frances teenager.

Police says 16-year-old Caitlin Henderson was last seen last night when she left her home to go on a bike rider.

It's believe her route includes the along the waterfront.

She described as being 5'4", 130 lbs. with brown eyes and having straight black should length hair.

She was last seen wearing a yellow zip-up hoody sweatshirt, faced blue jeans, a white tank top with a grey sleeveless shirt and was riding a newer 21 speed Sportek Aggressor mountain bike, grey in colour.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Caitlin Henderson is asked to contact police.

Man Tasered in I. Falls

Police in International Falls were forced to use a Taser on a man to help put an end to a domestic dispute on the weekend.

Police say a 37-year-old man was holding a .308 caliber gun and using a victim as a shield when officers arrived at an Eighth Street home on Sunday.

The man now faces a charge of felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

Commercial Bait Dealers Charged

Two Baudette men have had their commercial minnow licenses revoked for three years.

69-year-old John Hult and 55-year-old Kim Barsness were also fined $1,500 each after being convicted last week in Beltrami County District Court of illegally selling minnows.

An investigation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found the two had used invasive species infested equipment from Lake of the Wood to take minnows from another lake.

I. Falls Woman Honoured

An International Falls woman has been recognized for her volunteer efforts with the Rainy Lake Medical Centre.

Marguerite Davison was named Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year at a recent appreciation dinner.

Davison was honoured for her work in the hospital's health information management department.

BIA Changes Proposed

Some Fort Frances business owners are proposing a revamping of the Downtown Business Improvement Association.

George Emes, one of the proponents, says the plan includes setting up new committees overseeing B.I.A. activities without paid staff.

"Over 67-per cent of our budget is going to our operating expenses," says Emes, "and we think that's far too high. We just can't afford it."

Emes says the plan is not intended to scrap the B.I.A. in its entirety but to get more people involved.

The B.I.A. is to discuss the issue at a meeting Thursday.

Seniors Move Questioned

The opposition is questioning why some seniors in Kenora are being told they have to go to Fort Frances for long-term care.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says part of the blame is the government's inability to adequately fund beds at the home in Kenora.

"Many people have written to the minister, and I've written to the minister, asking that the 12 long-term-care beds that are shut down due to lack of funding receive the operating funding they need," says Hampton.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says none of the seniors needing long-term care are leaving the Kenora, but the beds closed don't meet provincial standards.

Census Numbers

Seventy-two per cent of residents in International Falls filed this years 2010 Census forms.

City officials say more participation is needed.

Councillor Cynthia Jaksa says it could mean the difference in representation both at the state capital and Washington.

"We are going to concede power to the southern part of the State and the State House if we don't get out their and participate," says Jaksa.

Members of the U.S. Census Bureau will be going door-to-door in the near future in attempt to count those who did not file the form by last Friday's deadline.

Cable Changes

Shaw cable and Internet subscribers in Fort Frances may experience some service outages over the next two weeks.

The cable company says its performing a system-wide upgrade to make way for more channels and new services.

The work began yesterday and is to take about two weeks to complete.

More Fires

This is wildfire prevention week in Ontario and officials say it's a serious issue because of an unusually mild winter.

There have been a number of new fires across the West Fire Region in recent days and fire officials says that trend is likely to continue.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Natural Resources reported one new human-caused fire in the Rainy River district, bringing to thirteen the number of fires in the first three weeks of the forest fire season.

Northwestern Ontario remains under a high to extreme forest fire hazard.

Festival Results Day 6

The first day of vocal performances at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts netting a number of multiple winners.

Jade Green led with the way with three first-place finishes.

Ali Jackson, Maggie LeMesurier, Taylor Shouldice, Isaac Firth, Kennedy Latimer, Rebecca Sokoliuk, and Anne Jean were all double winners.

Vocal performances continues today at Knox United Church.

Instrumental and band also get underway tonight at the Townsend Theatre with both the Borderland Community Orchestra and Fort Frances High School Bands in competition in separate classes.


FESTIVAL RESULTS, VOCAL DIVISION, Monday, April 19, 2010

CLASS V100
First - Joelle Bruyere

CLASS V101
First - Star Jewell Martin
Second - Carmen Hebert

CLASS V102
First - (TIE) Ali Jackson, Maggie LeMesurier

CLASS V103
First - McKenna Begin
Second - Anne Jean

CLASS V145
First - Isaac Firth
Second - Faith Pollard

CLASS V146
First - Alyssa Vandrunen
Second - Natasha Peters

CLASS V106
First - Taylor Shouldice

CLASS V168
First - Jade Green
Second - Emma Dykstra

CLASS V176
First - (TIE) Jade Green, Ali Jackson, Maggie LeMesurier

CLASS V127
First - Anne Jean

CLASS V160
First - Jade Green

CLASS V161
First - Andrew Loney
Second - Kenzie Godin

CLASS V162
First - Taylor Shouldice
Second - (TIE) Alyssa Vandrunen, Maggie Gauthier

CLASS V163
First - Jessica Whalen
Second - (TIE) Malinda Porter, Caitlin Sande, Phoebe Firth

CLASS V130
First - Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V132
First - Nelson Bragg
Second - (TIE) Jessica Whalen, Emily Turcott

CLASS V133
First - Rebecca Sokoliuk

CLASS V153
First - Isaac Firth

CLASS V118
First - Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V121
First - Rebecca Sokoliuk
Second - Katelyn Shortreed

CLASS V169
First - Anne Jean
Second - Kenzie Godin

CLASS V170
First - Larissa Desrosiers
Second - Maggie Gauthier