Monday, August 26, 2013

Large Turnout For Kraft Celebration Tour

The Kraft Celebration Tour is over, but for Fort Frances it was a huge success.

Hundreds of people came out to the Sorting Gap Marina yesterday to take part in the activities and the free BBQ.

Many booths ran out of items given away.


Fort Frances Curling Club's Ron Silver says it was a great end to a lot of work by a lot of people.

The Club also received a $25-thousand cheque towards its geothermal energy project.

TSN Broadcast Live From Fort Frances.

It was a live broadcast of TSN Sportscentre that drew many to the Marina.

In an address to the crowd, co-anchor Darren Dutchyshyn expressed his amazement of the town's beauty.

During the show, co-anchor Jennifer Hedger remarked about the weather, admitting she made a series miscalculation in expecting much cooler weather.

The show included a feature on the 1952 Canadians Allan Cup winning team, a top ten centered around former resident and NHLer Duncan Keith, and a few notes about Fort Frances as a community.

International Falls was also mentioned for being the backdrop for "Frostbite Falls" in the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.



Heat Problem During Tour Visit

Heat did prove to be a challenge at the Celebration Tour.

Temperatures soared to above 30 C and with the humidity it felt like 40 C.

Officials say a number of people were treated for heat-related illnesses, requiring a temporary treatment site to be set up at the Memorial Sports Centre.

A fire truck was also used to spray water to help cool the area.

Kraft Window Display Winner


The window display at Northwood's Gallery and Gifts was deemed the best by judges in a contest promoted by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce around the Kraft tour.

                                                   The staff earned three large gift baskets of Kraft food items from Safeway, two of which were given to the United Native Friendship Centre and the Salvation Army for use in their food banks.

OPP Investigation Attempted Abduction Case

OPP are investigating reports of a man driving a min-van in the region who may be trying to lure young children.

Police were altered of the incident in Atikokan last Tuesday in which two young girls said they ran away after a man tried to offer them candy to get in his vehicle.

The van, described as being light brown or tan in colour, could not be located.

Facebook posts since say there was a similar incident in Thunder Bay, but OPP says police there have no reports to confirm.

Rainy River DSSAB Holds Third Public Session

The final stop today for the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board as it gathers comment on a new housing and homelessness plan for the next ten years.

A session goes from 9:30 a.m. until noon at the La Place Rendez Vous.

You can also provide input through the Board's website.

Rainy River College Starts Classes Today

Still another day off for students in the Rainy River district, but those attending Rainy River Community College in International Falls go back today.

Dean Elena Favela says they begin the year with several new programs in cooperative arrangements with others.

They include the new security studies program with Itasca Community College that's attracted some interest.

Favela doesn't anticipate much change in enrollment despite pending layoffs at Boise.

Enrolment at the college usually numbers about 300.

Biz Kids Hold Market

Some potential business owners might be in our midst.

Participants of the Biz Kids program took to the streets Friday to sell products created during the week long program.

Dave Lyle of the Northern Ontario Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative says it taught kid all aspects of business.

A total of 7 youngsters between the ages of 8 and 14 took part.


Former Rangers Seek Return Of Program

Pressure is being put on the province to bring back the Ontario Ranger program.

Hundreds of former participants rallied in Huntsville Saturday as part of lobby efforts.

Spokesperson Emily Kerton tells CFOB-News there is support for the program's return and are hoping for a meeting with government to talk about ways of bring Ranger camps and the program back.

The province eliminated the 68-year-old program last fall.

Forest Fires Near Fort Frances

MNR File Photo
Two lightning-caused fires in the Rainy River district last week among thirteen new forest fires recorded by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Both blazes, north of Fort Frances near Fish Hawk Lake and Priam Lake, were both small in size and now out.

New Routes For St. Francis School Parents

A catholic elementary school will be a part of the Kiss and Ride initiative to start next week at two public schools as well.

Principal of St. Francis School Kim Anderson says parents are asked to follow a designated route to the school.

Anderson says special times in the morning and in the afternoon have been designated for parents to avoid school buses.

Drug Conference Planned

Children who are exposed to the illicit drug trade will be the focus of a conference next month in Fort Frances.

The Drug Endangered Children Conference is being hosted by the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team.

Chair Lori Maki says it's will help local agencies better understand the issue as a number of presenters from across North America will be in to talk about experiences elsewhere

Maki says the conference will also help improve communication and procedures between the agencies involved.

Coroner's Inquest Set

A coroner's inquest into the death of a 27-year-old man in Thunder Bay will be held in October.

Bruce Moonias died in December 2006 in hospital following an incident involving both the Nishnawbe Aski Police and OPP.

Municipalities Asked For Help In Cancer Fight

The Canadian Cancer Society is looking for more municipal help in its fight against Cancer.

It wants to see more municipalities pass smoke-free bylaws.

The Society's Florentina Stancu-Soare says Fort Frances council decision to eliminate smoking from front entrances of municipal buildings is welcomed news.

The Society is also looking for municipal support in pending legislation that would restrict young people from using indoor tanning areas.

Border Guards Find Undeclared Weapon

A Texas man will be in court Monday after trying to bring a loaded gun into Canada at the Fort Frances border..

Canada Border Services officers discovered the loaded .38 revolver in a holster the man failed to declare during a check of a vehicle August 14.

He man is now facing several charges including smuggling.

Nurses Seek End To Poverty

An Ontario nurses group wants the provincial Liberals to do better on promises to end poverty.

The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario has written to Premier Kathleen Wynne for measures they say will help thousand of families and individuals now struggling.

It includes
a hike in the minimum wage, reform of the social assistance system and better access to social housing.

Fort Frances Teen Wins Singing Contest

Young singers took to the stage at Smokey Bear Park in International Falls Thursday as part of a teen idol singing contest.

Dylan Ossachuk of Fort Frances took home top prize.

Holger Oleson was second with Tess Mellon claiming third prize.

New School Will Open On Time

A new school in Emo will open its doors to students as planned.

Work on the new site of the Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program is continuing.


While classrooms are ready for use, some areas, including the gym, won't be accessible until later this fall.

The Christian Parents Association of the Rainy River District says that won't disrupt classes for the approximately 100 students who will begin school as scheduled Tuesday.

Challenging Year For Summer jobs

A challenging year in the search by area students for summer employment in the Rainy River District.

NCDS in Fort Frances dealt with about 200 students looking for work.

Coordinator Tierza Keffer says in some cases, they were making multi visit in search for a second job in hopes of making more money and getting more hours.

Keffer says the downsizing at Resolute Forest Products was also factor in some students not returning and finding work where they are schooling.

CBS To Focus On Youth Next Clinic

The Canadian Blood Services wants more youth to become blood donors.

It will back in Fort Frances in October for another series of clinics.

Spokesperson Mike Choi says they will be greater efforts to get more youth involvement both as donors and volunteers.

Choi says attracting more young people is vital to ensuring a strong supply of blood in the future.

Youth Get Positive Tickets and iPods

Three youth are being rewarded for wearing their bicycle helmets this summer.

7-year-old Julia Sportak of Atikokan, 9-year-old Jesse Marschalk of Fort Frances and 9-year-old Kirsten Armstrong of Rainy River received new iPod Nanos.

OPP summer student, Jessica Coran, says they were among cyclists singled out.in their patrols.

Nearly 100 young cyclists received tickets for wearing their helmets that got them free ice cream and entry into a draw.