Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Search Continues

An OPP dive team is expected to join in the search today for a missing Florida man on Lake of the Woods.

Police say 68-year-old Bill Amason, a summer resident of Morson, was reported missing Saturday after his boat was found floating in the area of Obabikon Bay and his clothes located on a rock.

Police believe his boat may have drifted away while he was on shore and he went swimming after it.

Back to School

It's back to school for students across the Rainy River district.

Education Director for the Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell says staff have been busy over the summer preparing for the first day of classes.

The Board begins the year with new offices in Fort Frances and the early learning program being offered at Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

New Classrooms at St. Michael's

There are some new classrooms at St. Michael's School.

Two new classrooms were added to the Fort Frances school to accommodate the younger students attending the early learning program for four-and-five-year-olds.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board also created a new classroom at the school for a native language program.

New Mine Centre School Not Open Yet

(Students and staff gathered in June to mark the closing of the old school that will re-open temporarily today - Rainy River District School Board photo)

Unexpected construction delays to their new school will force students attending Mine Centre School to begin the year in the old facility.

The school had been slated for closure, but staff were asked back in June to prepare it for the start of classes in case the new school wasn't ready.

Board officials say the use of the old school should only be temporary.

Safety Zone in place Thursday

The signs are up, but a new Community Safety Zone in Fort Frances won't officially take effect until Thursday.

Drivers caught speeding in the area along King's Highway near area schools can see a doubling of fines.

The safety zone was put in place to help protect the safety of pedestrians walking in the area.

It will be in effect September to the end of June weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Condo Sales Continue

Officials aren't giving up on efforts to get a proposed condominium project in Fort Frances off the ground.

ReMax real estate agent Kathy Judson admits it's taking longer than expected to pre-sell the units, but there's still strong interest.

Judson says at least five more pre-sales are needed before the project can go to tender.

Ignace Sawmill to Reopen

After sitting idle for five years, the AbitibiBowater sawmill in Ignace is set to re-open.

The company says it plans to spend $32-million in capital investments to reopen and upgrade the facility by 2014.

Yves Laflamme, a company vice-president, says the mill will also contribute to improving the cost of fibre for its pulp and paper mills in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.