Monday, April 9, 2012

Fort Frances Goes to Human Rights Tribunal


A Fort Frances man is heading to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario over what he terms is his recent firing from Resolute Forest Products.

Tony Morelli, who worked at the mill for 23 years, claims his rights were violated when he was let go for speaking out about safety issues at the Kraft Mill.

Company officials says they're not in a position to comment on matters related to employees.

Missing Boy Found


St. Louis County Sheriff's Office

A Minnesota boy with connections to Fort Frances,  who went missing with his father nearly two weeks ago has been found safe.

Police located 7-year-old Wyatt Nordrum and his dad, 41-year-old James Leon Nordrum Junior Saturday in a cabin within the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation.

Wyatt was allegedly kidnapped March 27th by Nordrum, who is in a custody battle with the boy's mother who lives in Fort Frances.

Sheriff's officials say the boy has been reunited with his mom.

Nordrum was taken to hospital for treatment of a self-inflicted neck injury and is facing several charges.

Fires Reported in Rainy River District


The forest fire season in northwestern Ontario is only a week old, but there's already been four fires in the Rainy River district.

The latest occurring Friday in the west end of the district where two human caused fires were reported by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

One, just north of Pinewood,  scorched over 16 hectares before being brought under control.

More Support for Centres


There's more support for keeping tourist information centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River open.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is the latest to voice its opposition to the planned closures.

President Ron Nelson wants Tourism Minister Michael Chan to meet with area tourism officials and hold off on the closures until then.

Question of the Week


Do you think the tourist information centres should be left open?

Let us know on our website, 931theborder.ca.

Last week, 62 per cent of respondents said they would not miss the penny when production ends this fall.

Health Unit Advisory


The presence of a water-borne bug at two water parks in Minnesota has the Northwestern Health Unit issuing an advisory.

Cryptosporidum was recently identified at Edgewater Water Park in Duluth and the Paul Bunyan Water Park in Brainaird.

The Northwestern Health Unit says there have been three known related illnesses in this area, all occurring around the recent March break.

Osisko, Metis Nation Sign Agreement


Osisko Mining is involving the Metis Nation of Ontario in its gold mining project near Atikokan.

The two sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that ensures ongoing consultation with the area's Metis community.

Theresa Stenlund, a regional Councillor with the Metis, says the company has very willing to work with them.

Stenlund says the company has already committed to outlining their project to the Atikokan Metis Council later this week.

Couchiching Players Meet Vinny


A thrill for a group from Couchiching First Nation on the weekend.

75 residents, many of them youth hockey players, got the chance Saturday to meet Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier in Winnipeg.

The group present him with a $2-thousand donation to his foundation which helps fight pediatric cancer.

Several of the players raised the money by shaving their heads.