Thursday, November 8, 2012

New Fishing Regulations Proposed

The Ministry of Natural Resources is proposing some changes to fishing regulations effecting lakes in our region.

It includes a change in the slot size for northern pike and a reduction in limits for bass and crappie.

No changes are proposed for walleye or lake trout.

The MNR is now gathering input with the intent of making the changes permanent in January 2014.

Contract For Sonoco Workers

A new deal for employees at Sonoco in Fort Frances.

The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers union says a new five-year-deal has been ratified.

It includes a $500 dollar lump sum payment and pay increases in the final four years of the contract.

Sonoco provides paper cores for use in rolls of paper at paper mills such as Resolute Forest Products.

Another Open House On Gold Project

Another open house today on Rainy River Resources gold project.

It happens this afternoon at the Emo Legion, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Company vice-president Kyle Stanfield says it gives residents a change to learn more about the project and the environmental assessments now underway.

New Mayor Ready To Take Office

The new mayor-elect for International Falls says he's humbled by the show of confidence he received from voters in Tuesday night's election.

Bob Anderson defeated councillor Paul Eklund in the run off for city mayor.

Anderson was also mayor in the 1980's and says he's ready to work for the city again.

Anderson and new councillor-elect Pete Kalar officially take office in January.

Vote Numbers For Minnesota

Minnesota officials say unofficial turnout in Tuesday's election was about 76 per cent.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says the final turnout percentage will be a bit higher when the vote count is final.

Be A Fan!

Ontario Provincial Police and Special Olympics want you to "Be A Fan."

It's a campaign underway aimed at raising awareness and money for Special Olympians.

Gaby Hanzuk, a local coordinator, says OPP are their biggest fan with events such as their annual Torch Run.

The campaign includes the sale of red skate laces being sold at Fort Frances High School.

Local Soldiers Remembered

Soldiers from the Rainy River district who fought for Canada in past wars are being honoured at the Fort Frances museum.

Josie Miller, of the Branch 29 Legion Ladies Auxiliary, says photos and artifacts from area soldiers are are display.

It's a display that's usually up for Remembrance Day at the Legion, but Miller says they decided to bring it to the Museum for a wider audience.

The display will remain at the Museum until the end of December.

One of District's Oldest Residents Dies

Funeral services will be held this Saturday for one of the Rainy River District's oldest residents.

Walter Andrusco died in LaVerendrye Hospital yesterday at the age of 105.

Originally born in the Ukraine, Andrusko immigrated to Canada with his father when he was sixteen, eventually settling in Fort Frances.

Andrusco was an founding member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a member of the former Fort Frances Civic Band for several years before retiring as its conductors and bandmaster in 1979.

New Huts For Voyageurs National Park

There will be some new huts for snowmobiles travelling through Voyageurs National Park to use this winter.

Snowmobile-marker Polaris, in partnership with the Voyageur National Park Association, is helping to fund the construction of three warming huts.

The huts will also contain park and trail information.

The Minnesota-based company is also donating two new FS IQ WideTrak snowmobiles for park rangers to conduct winter environmental field studies and maintenance activities.