Passport Compliance

The close proximity to the border may be a factor in many Fort Frances residents heeding the call to get a passport.

A study by the Toronto Star reveals almost 79-per cent of area residents had a passport six months after new U-S passport rules went into effect - the highest among northwestern Ontario communities.

Just 60 per cent of residents living to the west of Fort Frances have passports, while the number falls to 52 per cent in communities east of town.

Lake of the Woods Water Quality Study

A new water quality project is being launched for Lake of the Woods.

A number of First Nations communities around the lake are working together on the project.

Spokesperson Ryan Haines says they're now trying to secure the necessary funding.

"Funding from Lake of the Woods Sustainability Foundation would roll out this fall," says Haines. "This coming winter would be spent looking at existing water quality data, looking at aerial and satellite photos identifying high priority areas."

Haines says also they're hoping to secure funding from municipal and federal sources.

Local Projects Tracked

Just two-hundred jobs have been created in the Rainy River district through the provincial government's stimulus program.

Thrity-five projects received just over $6-million last year.

The figures are released in a new government website intended to track the progress of infrastructure projects.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says he's not that surprised by the job numbers.

"A lot of the capital, so-called stimulus projects announced as a way of fighting back against the recession in fact don't create a lot of jobs," says Hampton. "That's the just some of the choices that were made."

The province's site also indicates that as of October, about a third of the district's projects had not yet started.

Tibbs Files Nomination Papers

The town of Fort Frances has its first candidate for this fall's municipal election.

Sharon Tibbs has filled her nomination papers to seek re-election as councillor.

"I still got the drive and energy to want to do the job for the community," says Tibbs. "Getting on the senior sides of my years, the demographics of the community, I can bring that flavour to the table. It's something I have a passion for and want to continue it."

Tibbs has been involved in municipal politics for sixteen years, broken up only by an unsuccessful mayoral bid in 2003.

Ontario Budget

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has tabled his $126-billion budget.

Hospitals will get a 1.5 boost to their base funding while $63.5-million will go to replace federal child care funding.

There is a $310-million increase in post secondary education funding.

Despite a $21.3 billion deficit last year and nearly $20-billion deficit next year, the Liberals won't re-balance the books until 2017-18.

Northern Ontario residents will get some relief from high hydro bills, and companies in the north will be able to access lower electricity rates.

A new, $150-million-a-year program will create a northern industrial electricity rate aimed at reducing hydro prices by 25 per cent for large industrial users.

The budget will also provide low-to middle-income families in the north with an annual energy credit of up to 200 dollars, while singles would get up to 130 dollars.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle calls the budget a good one, especially for the north.

It also includes another 10-million dollar increase to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

"We've gone from 60 to 70 to 80 to 90-million," says Gravelle, "and there's a commitment to go to $100 million next year. This is incredibly important to northern Ontario communities and businesses that are able to access the funds."

$770-million will be also spent to fix up highways in northern Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton was not as warming to the budget.

He says the introduction of lower power rates is good news, but have come too late for many mills now closed.

"If you actually do the numbers all that it will do is ensure that the hydro bills for OSB mill, sawmills and paper mills won't increase over the next three years," says Hampton. "The troubles is that those bills are already too expensive and that why so mills have shutdown."

Hampton says the hydro credit for homeowners won't even cover the cost of the HST when it comes into effect this July.

More than one million Ontario public sector workers got some bad news in the budget --notice of a salary freeze.

The budget imposes an immediate pay freeze on public sector managers, and vows not to fund salary increases for unionized public workers when their contracts expire.

3-G Deal

3-G wireless is coming to the Rainy River district.

TBayTel is partnering with Rogers to give all of northwestern Ontario improved wireless services.

TBaytel President Don Campbell says customers are the big winners.

"We're going to be providing to call customers in the region expanded services, expanded access to hand-sets and content and worldwide roaming," says Campbell.

Rogers customers will have the same coverage as TBaytel and while TBayTel customers will have access to the Rogers network and the latest new phones.

Officials expect services in the Rainy River district to come online by the early part of 2011.

Fort Frances Trio Advance to National Event

Three Fort Frances High School students will head to Ottawa in May to push their business case for a funeral home.

They're among thirty school groups across Canada that won the right to compete in a business planning competition for native youth sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada.

Grade 12 student Stephen Mitchell says they now have to push their plan at the national event.

"We have to set up a booth,"says Mitchell, "like we have a real-live business. We have to have pamphlets to hand out and a logo in front of the booth. Basically to try to sell what you have to the people that come by. Some of them might be judges, but they don't really tell you."

It's the first time students from Fort Frances have participated.

Joining Mitchell in Ottawa will be Max Calder and Ryan Strachan.

K. I. Legal Expenses

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton wants the province to cover the legal expenses of a remote first nation community that was involving in a mining dispute with Platinex.

In the legislature yesterday, Hampton says Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation should be given the same consideration the province provided to the mining company.

"If the McGuinty government has $5 million for Platinex Inc., a company that showed no respect for First Nation rights, no respect for treaty rights," says Hampton, "will the McGuinty government do the fair, reasonable and decent thing and also compensate the First Nation, a very poor First Nation, for the more than $700,000 in legal costs they incurred in defending their constitutional rights?"

Hampton says the K-I band was forced to take money from its housing, recreation and education budgets to pay for its legal costs.

Mining Agreement

Six Treaty Three First Nations have signed a mineral exploration agreement with Sudbury based Canadian Arrow Mines.

The agreement formally recognizes the company's exploration activities in several locations around Dryden, Sioux Narrows and east of Fort Frances.

It also provides for employment and business contracts for the communities residents and compensation for any impact the company's work will have on aboriginal and Treaty rights.

Kenora Mayor Not Seeking Re-election

There will be a new mayor elected in the city of Kenora.

Current Mayor Len Compton says he won't be seeking re-election this fall after serving just one term.

Compton gave no reason for his decision.

Former Mayor Dave Canfield, defeated by Compton in the last election, and former Kenora councillor Andrew Poirier, have indicated their intention to seek the mayor chair.

Supervising Coroner Appointed

A northwestern Ontario physician has been appointed the Regional Supervising Coroner for northern Ontario.

Dr. Michael Wilson will take on his new responsibilities next month, overseeing the region's forty investigating coroners.

Wilson, who's worked in Nipigon as a family and emergency physician for the past decade, is also an Associate Clinical Professor at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Flights Added

Delta Airlines is adding additional flights this summer at Falls International Airport.

Beginning June 10, Delta will add a 7 a.m. flight out of the Falls and an 8:30 p.m. return from Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The move restores a schedule the Falls Airport Commission had requested since Delta went to just afternoon slights last September.

The schedule will return to two flights in September, but the commission is hoping Delta will maintain the early morning and late evening flight.

Warning Issued

Authorities in International Falls are issuing warnings to residents there of plans by a level 3-sex offender to live in the community.

28-year-old Michael Duane Johnson is set to be released from prison and move to the Falls on April 2.

According to the Department of Corrections, Johnson has a history of sexual contact with girls age 12 to 14.

Atikokan Rejects Mail-In Balloting

Voters in Atikokan won't be allowed to mail-in their ballots in this falls municipal and school board elections.

Township council voted against the idea of mail-in ballots at their meeting this week.

Mayor Dennis Brown was among those who saw no good reason to allow them.

"One of the purposes of the mail-in ballots is to try and get more participation at voting time," says Brown, "but in Atikokan that hasn't really been a problem. In the last four elections the voter turnout has been well over 50 per cent."

Brown says the cost of providing mail-in ballots would have also increased the cost of holding the election.

NCDS Expands

A new program forcing Northern Community Development Services in Fort Frances to expand locations.

Coordinator Cathy Emes says the Workforce Literacy and Essential Skills program is aimed at helping people better improve their literacy skills.

"International Literacy has developed this system where there's five levels of literacy," says Emes. "Everybody who comes to our organization will be tested and we will work with them on the areas they need help in."

NCDS is hiring four additional employees to deliver the program at a new office at 242 Scott Street beginning in early April.

Budget Day in Ontario

We'll find out today what the McGuinty government has in store for Ontarians when it tables its budget.

Some details have already leaked out, including funding for20-thousand new spaces at colleges and universities starting this September.

Premier McGuinty has also promised the budget will include special help for northern Ontario residents who have been hit hard by the recession.

The budget is also expected to include money for day-care spaces, to make up for a federal subsidy that ends next month.

Hugh Dennis Recognized

A number of area residents gathered at Fort Frances High School last night to show their appreciation for the outgoing coordinator of the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team.

Hugh Dennis says his past three years with the SAP-Team have been very rewarding.

"To work in the district with seniors and young people and the Substance Abuse Team as a group has been fabulous," says Dennis. "Obviously it's been a work of passion, but its also been very, very rewarding."

An end in provincial funding is forcing the SAP-Team to continue without a full-time coordinator.

Northern Help On the Way

Premier Dalton McGuinty is promising some relief for the north in tomorrow's budget.

McGuinty wouldn't go into details about the exact measures northerners can look forward to, but says they will go beyond anything announced in the throne speech.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says it's about time the government came up with some sort of plan for the north, but adds this attempt will likely be seen by northerners as a last-ditch attempt by Liberals to show they care about communities they have ignored for years.

Day Care Funding Possible

The Toronto Star says this week's Ontario budget will include $63.5 million to save 76-hundred subsidized daycare spaces.

Sources say Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will use tomorrow's budget to announce the Liberals will replace federal funding that runs out April 1st.

Premier Dalton McGuinty says he is ''very reluctant'' to evict kids kids from quality daycare spaces and challenges for their families and parents.

He says it's "not an easy challenge'' to make up for the federal subsidy, but it will be addressed in the budget.

Parking Lot Concern

Concerns are being expressed with the new parking lot behind St. Mary's Church being turning into a playground for skateboarders and road hockey.

Church officials are asking the town of Fort Frances to erect signs in the lot prohibiting sports activities from taking place.

A letter to the town indicates such activities are already occurring and continued use cause further problems.

Warning: Thin Ice

OPP say the public should be weary about going on still frozen lakes and rivers.

Constable Anne McCoy recent weather should be caution for concern.

"Just be aware that we are late into our winter season," says McCoy. "We're getting into spring and the thaw is starting. We want people to be aware that they have to take extra precaution when they're venturing onto ice surfaces."

American authorities report at least two ATV's and one vehicle have broken through the ice on Lake of the Woods in recent days.

Poop and Scoop Enforced

The town of Fort Frances says it will be enforcing a by-law that requires owners to pick up after their animals while in parks and the waterfront.

CAO Mark McCaig says the problem appears to have gotten worse.

"I just remind everyone that there's a $75.00 fine for not cleaning up," says McCaig, "and we will be enforcing it in the next little while because it's going worse a little bit over this past winter so we will be addressing it."

McCaig says pet owners should show consideration for others by helping to keep area's clean.

Portal to be Launched

A new website aimed at attracting more immigrants to northwestern Ontario is to be launched later today.

The Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal is the largest online collaborative immigration resource of its kind and will show case participating communities, including those in the Rainy River district, to potential immigrants.

Travel Grant Concerns

The NDP says dozens of people in northern Ontario are being forced to cancel appointments with specialists because of delays in government-funded travel grants.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the government is dragging its feet rather than helping northerners who must travel hundreds of kilometres in order to see a specialist.

"There are literally dozens and dozens of families who are being forced to cancel medical specialist appointments in places like Thunder Bay or Winnipeg," says Hampton, "because when they call the northern health travel grant office, the office says, 'No, we're not even going to deal with your application until after 10 weeks.' This puts people in a very difficult position."

Health Minister Deb Matthews says she was unaware of the problem and would look into it.

One Teen Still Missing

Two of three teens from the Training and Learning Centre in Watten Township who disappeared during an outing in Fort Frances have been found.

Police say they're still searching 14-year-old Sarah Kaityn Smith.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact police.

Duncan Keith Recognized

The Winter Olympics are long over, but former Fort Frances resident Duncan Keith’s contributions to Canada’s gold-medal winning hockey team are still be recognized.

Deputy Mayor Sharon Tibbs says Keith proved to be an ideal role model during a recent television interview.

"He's a product of our minor hockey," says Tibbs, " and he spoke very highly of this community and the hockey opportunities that he had here."

Council will forward a letter congratulating Keith and thanking him for portraying such a positive image.

Missing Snowmobiler

An American man is missing and presumed drowned after a snowmobile broke through the ice on Lake of the Woods north of Morson.

OPP say two men were travelling on snowmobiles in the area of Goose Neck Narrows on Sunday when one of the machines broke through the ice.

Sixty-eight-year-old Fred Bisel of Eagle Bend, Minnesota, is missing.

Brett Resources Take Over

A Quebec mining company is looking at taking over Vancouver-based gold explorer Brett Resources.

Osisko Mining is offering an all-share deal worth about 372-million dollars.

Brett is currently conducting explorations activities in the Hammond Reef area north of Atikokan.

The deal must still be approved by its shareholders, but the company's board of directors is recommending acceptance.

Missing Teens Sought

OPP are looking for three missing teens from the Training and Learning Centre in Watten Township.

Police says 15-year-old Reeva Chiefson, 14-year-old Tia Raylene Medicine and 14-year-old Sarah Kaityn Smith were on a Centre visit to Lions Park in Fort Frances Sunday when the three ran away from staff.

All three girls have ties to the Fort Frances area.

Anyone with information about the missing girls is urged to contact police.

Extra Employee Added

There will be an additional employee working at the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre when it opens this June.

Library Board Chair Joyce Cunningham says a $109-thousand grant is allowing for the hiring of a technology coordinator on a two-year contract.

"It will enable us to hire a person with the expertise and skills to fully develop the technology centre," says Cunningham.

The individual, yet to be hired, will also work with the library in Rainy River.

The funding comes from Ontario Library Service North and Southern Ontario Library Service.

Library Project Nears an End

(Fort Frances Public Library Photo)

Construction of the new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre is about 87 per cent complete.

Community Services Manager George Bell says the project is also on budget even with about 26 change orders.

"We had $232,150 in our contingency," says Bell. "This leaves us with $126,739 remaining to complete the project."

Bell expects much of the project to be complete by the end of April with the exception of landscaping.

Limited Number of Weddings Permited

Only a few weddings will be permitted this year at Sunny Cove Camp.

Four weddings, booked after council voted to allow such events, will proceed.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas would have liked more.

"We can't evaluate the impact on local business without having some data," says Hallikas, "and trying it for a year and looking at it at the end of the year would allow us to do that."

The owners of La Place Rendez-Vous had said catered weddings at the camp placed the town in direct competition with the private sector.

Council Walks Out on Council

Fort Frances councillor Ken Perry walked out of last night's council meeting after being refused a reimbursement of expenses incurred during at a recent meeting in Toronto.

No reason for the decision was publicly stated, but Perry later told CFOB-News it related to a return air flight from last month's Ontario Good Roads Conference.

Perry left from Toronto for a vacation in Las Vegas after the conference, instead of returning back to Winnipeg.

Perry says he was simply seeking the money the town saved by the change in flight, but was told he was not eligible because he did not incur any one-of-pocket expenses.

Bears Problems Expected Early

The weather may be nice, but it may bring about an unexpected problem - bears.

Linda Wall of the Ministry of Natural Resources' Bear Wise program says don't be surprised if they come into town sooner than later.

"Bears will be coming out of their dens earlier," says Wall. "They will be looking for food and the food won't be available. We are anticipating that we're going to see a spike in human-bear conflicts quite earlier in the season."

Wall asks that you remove bird feeders from your yard as a precaution.

Rafferty Goes to You-Tube

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is turning to You-Tube to help get his message out.

He's creating a new weekly video that will be posted each week to answer constituents' questions.

"What I'm hoping is going to happen is people are going to watch this," says Rafferty. "They can send in an e-mail. They can phone in if they have any comments, questions or concerns that I can deal with in these video records later on week-by-week."

The first video was posted Friday.

Summer Jobs Available

The province's summer jobs for youth program is back.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the goal this year is to have more students hired.

"Last year we managed to have 5,900 young people employed," says Gravelle. "This year our goal is to get it up to 6,200.

Employers have until April 30 to apply for subsidies.

Green Tax

Starting in May Ontarians will have a new fee added to their hydro bills.

The extra four-dollars a year is help raise $53-million to fund the Liberal government's new green energy program.

The government says the money will pay for home energy audits and a program that helps industrial and commercial firms switch to solar power.

But critics complain it's another burden to consumers who will soon see their hydro bills rise because of the harmonized sales tax.

Atikokan Defends Request

The Mayor of Atikokan is defending his decision to seek a change in how much money municipalities contribute to the Rainy-River District Social Services Administration Board.

Dennis Brown says the current balanced formula requires his community to pay more then they should.

"Fort Frances choose to make up because of a loss of assessment by increasing their tax ratio," says Brown, "whereas Atikokan choose to go the other way because we are constantly trying to attract businesses and we don't want increase the taxes."

Fort Frances opposes the costing formula proposed by Atikokan say it mean higher costs for the town.

The Board is to discuss the idea at its meeting next month.

Library Update Tonight

(Fort Frances Public Library Photo)

Fort Frances town councillors are to receive an update on the new Fort Frances Public Library at their regular meeting of council tonight.

Library Board Chair Joyce Cunningham is also expected to update council on fundraising efforts for the new library which opens in June.

And the decision to allow catered weddings at Sunny Cove Camp will also get another look tonight.

Owner of La Place Rendez-Vous, Paul Noonan had asked council to reconsider its decision, saying the move would hurt negatively on those now providing such services.

The public portion of tonight's council meeting begins at about 6:25 p.m.

Call to Open Rainy Lake Hotel

An area businessman wants the town of Fort Frances to explore the possibility of re-opening the former Rainy Lake Hotel.

Mario Galluzo, president of Causeway Insurance, says he's like to see the former hotel renovated into a facility that helps foster the development of small businesses.

"Many small businesses in the region are basically working out of their homes," says Galluzzo, " and this would be a great opportunity one - to bring some stimulus to Scott Street in renovating it - and two - providing a place for small businesses that everyone seems to be targeting to start and grow."

Galluzzo believes there may also be government funding to assist in the renovation.

The hotel has been closed since 2005.

Calls for Proposals Issued

(Left: Ontario Power Generation photo)

Ontario Power Generation is moving quickly on the next phase of conversion of its coal-fired generating plant in Atikokan.

Spokesperson Ted Gruetzner says they've put out a call to potential suppliers of the material they want to burn at the plant.

"We're asking suppliers to give us some pricing on about 90-thousand tonnes of fuel," says Gruetzner.

Gruetzner says they hope to have a preferred supplier in place by the end of the year.

The plant's conversion is to take place in 2012.

Mining Protest Ends

First Nations are ending their blockade of airstrips used by mining companies eager to study the Ring of Fire chromite deposit, 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

The First Nations say they're willing to work with the province and the province and mining companies to ensure their concerns are addressed.

The aboriginal leaders say a visit by Mines Minister Michael Gravelle to their communities factored into their decision to end the three-month long blockade.

Natural Gas Rates Increase

Union Gas Customers in Fort Frances and northwestern Ontario can expect to pay more for natural gas next month.

Vanda Wall of the Ontario Energy Board says Union Gas has been given approval to raise rates effective April 1.

"Union forecast an an increase to the price of natural gas in the next quarter," says Wall, "and there was also a price gas adjustment. What that is, is the difference between what Union forecast it was going to pay in the last quarter and what it actually paid. The total result is an annual increase of about $134.00 for customers in the Fort Frances rate zone."

There is also a slight change in the transportation costs.

HST Meetings

Another meeting in Fort Frances is planned to help businesses better understand the HST.

Two seminars are planned for next Thursday at the Rainy River Future Development Corporation's office on Scott Street.

Because seats are limited, the Corporation is asking those wanting to attend to call its office to first register for the free events.

Safeway Back on Board

(Left: Aric Supinski teamed up with Mike Salvador and Reid Norine in 2009 to reel in 11.11 pounds of bass to win the Kids-Pro Tournament)

Canada Safeway has stepped forward once again to be the major sponsor of the Kid-Pro tournament at this year's Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

The event, which brings together young anglers with tournament pros will be held July 18.

It's the fourth straight year Canada Safeway has sponsored the event.

Ski Tour Still a Go

Organizers say they're going ahead with a planned cross-country ski tour through Quetico Provincial Park tomorrow.

Chris Stromberg says despite a lack of snow, ski trails that cross still frozen lakes are still save.

Some portages will have to be made on trails that don't have snow.

Participants are to gather at Little Falls Recreation Centre in Atikokan tonight at 7 p.m. for an event briefing.

Search Continues

The Alzheimer's Society of Kenora-Rainy River continues its search for a new executive director.

Margaret Schoenville stepped down after eleven years to take on a position with a Manitoba College.

Board Chair Bill Naturkach says they're currently short-listing potential candidates.

"Our next meeting is this coming Sunday," says Naturkach. "Then will follow that will interviews and then selection and negotiation with a selected individuals, but we optimistic that it shouldn't be too long."

Naturkach is encouraged by the strong interest for the position.

Child Care Protest Today

Children along with their parents are planning to rally today at the legislature demanding the McGuinty government maintain child-care funding in the budget.

Andrea Calver of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care says Ottawa's funding for child-care subsidies is running out and the provincial Liberals aren't planning to top it up in the March 25 budget.

She says child-care centres may be forced to close as a result.

Gray Wolves

Minnesota is asking the U-S government to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list in that state and give it back the responsibility of managing the animals.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources feels the gray wolf population has recovered since it was put on the list in 1974, and that it's management plan ensures their survival.

The DNR has asked government to decide on its request within 90 days.

On-Line University Planned

Ontario is making plans to launch the province's first fully on-line university.

Few details are being released at the time.

All the government is saying so far is that Ontario Online Institute will offer e-courses from several universities.

On-Line University Planned

Ontario is making plans to launch the province's first fully online university.

Few details are being released at the time.

All the government is saying so far is that Ontario Online Institute will offer e-courses from several universities.

Library Move Planned

(Fort Frances Public Library Photo)

Staff at the Fort Frances Public Library are getting ready for the move to new surroundings.

The new library is set to open June 21st.

Chief Librarian Margaret Sedgewick says the move will take place in the middle of May and is hoping the public will give them a hand.

"We're starting to collect a list of volunteers," says Sedgewick. "We're going to try and make it a community event where people, families or groups can adopt a section of shelves and help us in the move that way."

Sedgewick says they are also currently replacing patrons old library cards with new ones that reflect the new address.

Pedestrian Safety Reviewed

The chair of Safe Communities Rainy River is encouraged by what he heard in yesterday's meeting regarding efforts to improve pedestrian safety in the west end of Fort Frances.

Kelly Schmid of the Ministry of Transportation outlined a number of initiatives including steps necessary to implement a community safety zone along King's Highway and McIrvine Road.

Bob Swing says the meeting was productive.

"Town council's done a great job of making sure they staying on the bone and they move this issue forward," says Swing. "Hopefully we're getting closer to a resolution."

Schmid did tell those attending that, under the Highway Traffic Act, a crossing guard was not permitted at the corner of Keating Avenue and Kings Highway because it conflicts with existing traffic lights.

Job Fair in I. Falls

Job seekers in the International Falls area will get some help today.

Sheila Demenge of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says the Community Resource and Job Fair is designed to help people learn more about the area's employment and education opportunities.

"We have manufacturing, retail and industry, and health care," says Demenge. "There's a wide range of businesses that are represented. We also have a few of the community colleges in the area coming and a few of the area's community resources."

The event at the Backus Auditorium is free to the public and goes from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

What Hooks You Here?

A group of local artisans want to know what hooks you here.

Pam Cain says the public is being invited to the Fort Frances Museum today to assist on a collaborative design for the What Hooks You Here project.

"We have a group of rug hookers involved who will take the design - develop it - and then bring the project to the community so that they actually do the rug-hooking," says Cain, "and create a final project that may have three panels to it that shows the design of What Hooks You Here."

The today's event goes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Renovations Funding

Three area agencies are receiving provincial funding for a variety of repairs, renovations and upgrades to their facilities.

Community Living Fort Frances is getting $44-thousand.

Atikokan and District Association for Developmental Services will receive about $46-thousand. dollars.

Riverside Health Care Facilities will use $8-thousand.

Plant Conversion on Schedule

(Ontario Power Generation Photo)

Ontario Power Generation says it’s still on track to convert the Atikokan Generating Station from coal to biomass in 2012.

Spokesperson Ted Gruetzner says there are some key things that still need to be complete.

"One is the engineering modifications for such things as storage and fuel handling," says Gruetzner. "The other is putting place a supply contract for the fuel itself. Third is a power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority."

Gruetzner says tests focusing on the feasibility of burning biomass are now completed.

HST on Therapy

There's a warning today from the NDP about the harmonized sales tax and therapy for autistic children.

Leader Andrea Horwath is demanding the government come clean about whether the new tax will apply on I-B-I therapy.

Horwath says that would rub salt in the wound for parents who are already dealing with long wait lists for the treatment.

Budget Date Set

The provincial government has confirmed its plans to bring down a new budget March 25.

It's to include a timetable Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will outline for eliminating Ontario's record $24.7-billion deficit.

Unlike the recent federal budget, which showed a small deficit after five years, Ontario is required by law to spell out exactly how long it will take to eliminate the red ink.

Ski Tour a Go

Despite recent weather, organizers are still planned to go ahead with a cross-country ski tour through Quetico Provincial Park this Saturday.

The event takes participants on a either a 35, 45 or 55-kilometre route and attracted about 60 skiers last year.

Organizer Chris Stromberg says a lack of snow forced them to eliminate the 55-K route this year, but the other routes travel mostly on lakes that still have upwards of two feet of ice.

Stromberg says there are some portages that skiers will have to walk.

The Province of Toronto?

A Progressive Conservative member of the Ontario legislature thinks Toronto should become its own province.

The member for Bruce-Grey-Owen-Sound, Bill Murdoch, made the radical proposition at a meeting of the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture.

He says rural Ontario is fighting a losing battle against what he calls "a Toronto mentality.''

Murdoch says Toronto decision-makers ignore rural voices and create policies that hurt agriculture and hamper rural food processors.

Murdoch says making Toronto the eleventh province is the only way rural Ontario will get a voice.

Park Improvements

One provincial park and a camp in northwestern Ontario are getting a facelift.

Neys Provincial Park near Terrace Bay and a Ranger camp near Sioux Lookout are receiving $700-thousand in federal and provincial cash for upgrades to both areas.

Scam Identified

OPP are warning area residents of a scam that's being found in northwestern Ontario newspapers.

Police says an ad, which promotes a Mystery Shopper Program, provides participants with a money order they're asked to cash in at their bank and send a large portion back to an address provided.

Kenora Death Investigated

OPP are looking into the death of a 24-year-old Kenora woman.

Police found the body of Deidre Lynn Chukra Sunday morning on the shore of Lake of the Woods near the northwestern Ontario city.

Chukra was the subject of a search after reported missing March 8.

Women's Health Symposium Returns

The Women's Health Symposium is returning to Fort Frances this May.

Organizer Linda Hamilton says along with speakers and a trade show, this year's event will include a number of short films.

"We've got some wonderful National Film Board movies to watch," says Hamilton. "They might be five, seven or eight minutes long focusing on our theme this year of Diversity."

Among the speakers lined up for the May 8 event at the Fort Frances High School will be Laura Horton of Seven Generations Education Institute.

Early Fires Possible

(Ministry of Natural Resources Photo)

The Ministry of Natural Resources is keeping a close eye on the melting snow.

The official start of the forest fire season begins April 1st, but Fire Information Officer Debbie MacLean says there are signs of the potential of fires breaking out before then.

"We have had below normal snow falls over the winter," says MacLean. "so that could indicate of the possibility of a dry spring. We never say its definitely going to be dry until we see if spring rain comes."

MacLean says the MNR will have a full compliment of firefighters in place by mid-April, but will have the ability to fight any fire that does occur before then.

Economic Development Examined

Rainy River Future Development Corporation is being asked to explore how it can expand on the economic development services it now provides to the town of Fort Frances.

At last night's budget meeting, councillors asked RRFDC to consider hiring an employee who work work specifically on town projects.

Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says there some issues to resolve first.

"The hard part is to take that individual and have it specifically work for the Fort Frances or the economic development advisory committee," says Gillon, "because who do they take orders from? Somewhere in there I have to figure out the benefit for both."

Council also want the economic development advisory committee to have a stronger role.

Costing Formula Reviewed

Area municipalities are being asked to reconsider the formula used to determine how much money they contributed toward social services in the district.

The town of Atikokan wants to adapt a formula based on each municipalities assessment, but Fort Frances councillor Sharon Tibbs the current formula is more balanced.

"It is the best overall for the district that everyone takes costs on proportionately," says Tibbs. "When you go to option 3 there are only four (communities) that will be paying higher and they will have to pick up what the reductions are from all of the others."

Tibbs says Fort Frances, along with the townships of Lake of the Woods, LaVallee and Morley would pay more under the proposed option.

Members of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board are to review the formula at a meeting next month.

E-I Changes Requested

Ontario is calling on Ottawa to expand Employment Insurance so workers are treated the same no matter where they live in Canada.

Because E-I is easier to get in regions of historically high unemployment, Ontario says many recession victims in the province were left out.

And Community and Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur says welfare cases are on the rise because people are exhausting their E-I benefits.

Cabinet Clean-Up

Seniors in the Rainy River district are being encouraged to look inside their medicine cabinets while doing their spring cleaning this month.

Any out-of-date or unused medications can be taken to a pharmacy for safe and free disposal.

Those who drop off old drugs by the end of this month will be entered in a draw to win a prize.

Last year, more than 50 people participated by turning in about 18 kilograms of unwanted medication.

Gravelle Visits 'Ring of Fire"

Ontario's mining minister will visit First Nations communities this week near the potentially massive chromite deposit known as the Ring of Fire.

Michael Gravelle's trip is aimed at reassuring the communities they will be properly consulted as the province seeks to develop the mine.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation warns it will take more than lip-service to ensure development can go ahead.

Letter of Commitment Signed

Grand Council Treaty #3 has signed a new Letter of Commitment with the provincial government.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says it reaffirms the government's commitment to continue working with area first nations.

"My relationship with Treaty # 3 is an important one," says Gravelle. "I think the relationship with all of our aboriginal communities and leaders is based on building and continuing to build positive working relationships. I think we're working very much in that direction."

Grand Chief Diane Kelly joined with Gravelle and Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey in Friday's signing.

Radar Speed Sign Posted

Motorists travelling along Kings Highway in Fort Frances near J-W Walker School may want to watch their speed.

Constable Anne McCoy says Ontario Provincial Police have a new radar speed sign that flashes the speeds of vehicles as they pass by.

"It can be operated alone or it can be operated with an enforcement officer within the vicinity of the sign," says McCoy. "It's basically an awareness and education component first off, but it can be used with the enforcement component."

A $4,300 grant from Safe Kids Canada to the Community Policing Committee aided in the sign's purchase.

Make HST an Election Issue

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton and Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty want the voting public to make implementation of the harmonized sales tax an election issue - right now.

The two held an on-line discussion Friday and Hampton feels public pressure can help kill the HST.

"Given the proclivity of Mr. Guinty to back flip on issues in the past don't be surprised if you see a back flip on this," says Hampton. "The important this is to keep the focus on now, not what if two years from now. Keep the focus on now because now the opportunity is there to force them to do something."

Both Hampton and Rafferty recommend calling McGuinty and threatening to vote against his party in the next election if the HST goes through.

Doctor Cooking Up Healthy Meal Next Month

An area physician will putting on a chef's hat next month to raise money for the Riverside Health Care's chemotherapy department.

Dr. Dimitrios Vergidis, who is the Oncologist for the Riverside Chemotherapy Program and Chief Oncologist for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, will host and prepare a five-course meal highlighting the healthy eating of the Mediterranean.

"It will be an evening to learn about cancer prevention and healthy lifestyles”, said Teresa Hazel, Foundation Director.

The event takes place Friday, April 23 at the Memorial Sports Centre Auditorium and replaces the popular Old Bags Lunch.

Hazel says the Lunch will return again next year.

Tickets are fifty dollars each with a portion of the price qualifying for a charitable receipt and can be obtained by calling the Foundation office at 274-4803 or Shawn McCaig at 274-4817.

Snowmobiling Ends

Snowmobiling in Voyageurs National Park has come to an abrupt end.

Park official says conditions of the trails and the ice are rapidly deteriorating and snowmobile travel is no longer recommended.

The park's ice road was closed earlier this week.

Respite Program Available

Local health officials are trying to increase the awareness of a program that gives family members or other caregivers who care for individuals still living at home, a break from those responsibilities.

Rainycrest Home Administrator Edith Bodnar says the short stay respite program provides for those seniors or adults to continue receiving their care by staying at Rainycrest for short periods of time.

"Clients can stay a few days," says Bodnar, "such as a weekend, a week or up to 60 days at a time. There is a maximum of ninety days in one year."

Bodnar says they have two private rooms set aside for the program and are staffed 24 hours a day.

Tax Collectors Deal

More than 12-hundred Ontario tax collectors will get a severance package worth -- up to 45-thousand dollars each -- despite the fact they won't be losing their jobs.

As part of the move to harmonize sales taxes with Ottawa the provincial collectors will become federal employees.

Progressive Conservative critic Ted Arnott says the move really amounts to a hefty severance package to change job titles.

Arnott says they'll work in the same office, not miss a day of work, and are paid up to 45-thousand dollars to change their business cards.

On-Line Town Hall

A town hall meeting on the harmonized sales tax will be held in cyberspace today.

Kenora-Rainy River Howard Hampton and Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty are hosting the event and will be taking viewers questions about the new combined tax.

"We are going to do an on-line web presentation that people can tune in to," says Hampton. "I simply want people to understand how big of a tax increase and how wide of a tax increase this is."

The webcast is at http://www.johnrafferty.ndp.ca/ or http://www.nwlive.ca/ beginning at 4 p.m.

Dams Back Up for Sale?

There's is renewed concern over the potential future of AbitibiBowater's hydro-electric dams in northern Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the company is again looking to sell the assets which would hurt the mills that use them for power.

"You end up paying a lot more for electricity," says Hampton. "That means the costs of producing paper accelerate and increase and your much more vulnerable of being shut down or the paper mill being closed."

Hampton is calling on the province to prevent any sale from moving ahead.

Internet Safety

The Ontario government has approved changes to the health and physical education curriculum for elementary schools to help kids better protect themselves online.

Starting next fall, there will be specific sections in the curriculum for Grades 4 and 7 about Internet safety and the potential risks of online activities.

There will also be "age appropriate'' discussions about online dangers in Grades 1 through 8.

Native Leaders Meet in Wabigoon

Former National Grand Chief Phil Fontaine is expected to attend a meeting of area First Nation Chiefs in Wabigoon today.

Fontaine is a keynote speaker of a Grand Council Treaty 3 meeting that aims to encourage and create economic opportunities for first nations through partnerships.

Fleury Visits Fort Frances

(Rainy River District School Board photo)

Don't Quit before the Miracle - that was the key message from former NHLer Theoren Fleury who spoke to about two hundred people at the Townsend Theatre last night.


Fleury is promoting his book "Playing with Fire" that outlines his career and past additions to drugs and alcohol, and says the response has been very positive.

"There's a lot of similarities in people's lives with mine," says Fleury. "It's funny how different people have picked out different things in the book that they said has inspired them and helped them get through some tough times as well."



Since arriving Tuesday, Fleury has spoken at area schools, met with local hockey teams and visited the district jails.



Today he travels to Atikokan where he will speak at the Atikokan High School.

Red Cross Branch Developed

There's a push to create a branch of the Canadian Red Cross in Fort Frances.

Shauna Hansson, district manager in Dryden says they're hoping to use the expertise of a number of volunteers to get the local office up and running.

"Right now we're looking for a branch council," says Hansson, "which is comprised of a president, vice-president and secretary. We're looking for people to represent the programs - disaster management, injury prevention programs, community initiative programs and fund development as we are a not-for-profit organization."

Hansson says there no specific target date for start-up, but could take at least a year before the council is fully functional.

211 Coming to District

The development of a comprehensive database for residents to find information about social, community, health and government services is underway in northwestern Ontario.

Trudy McCormick of the Northwest Community Legal Clinic says when active this fall, residents in the Rainy River District can access that database by calling 2-1-1.

"In any community you should be able to dial 2-1-1," says McCormick, "and be connected with someone who you can talk to about finding resources in your community for what ever your particular issue is."

An agreement involving the Lakehead Social Planning Council and 211 North will see the Legal Clinic responsible for maintaining that database.

It's hoped to call the system in place by the fall.

College Scholarships Awarded

The Rainy River District Campus of Confederation College has presented eight students with awards and scholarships totalling four thousand dollars.

Here is the list of recipients

Cheryl Maki - Metis Nation of Ontario Bursary

Patsy Roy - Metis Nation of Ontario Bursary

Elisabeth Nussbaumer - Corinne Boote Memorial Award (Awarded to a student from any program on the basis of financial need and academic achievement)

Beverly Dyke - Fort Frances Golf Committee Scholarship (Awarded to students from any program who are residents of Fort Frances or area attending any campus of Confederation College on the basis of financial need)

Peter Penner - Student Union of Confederation College Inc. Award (Awarded to students from any program on the basis of providing additional financial support. Involvement in campus life, community contributions and extra-curricular activities will be taken into consideration

Stacey Wilde - Student Union of Confederation College Inc. Award and Fort Frances Golf Committee Scholarship

Melissa Wood - Joseph B. Fero Memorial Award (Awarded to students from any program on the basis of financial need.)

David Egan - Fort Frances Golf Committee Scholarship, Student Union of Confederation College Inc. Award and Josh Klukie Memorial Award (Awarded to a student in the second year - third semester - of the Paramedic Program who has excellent academic achievement and good social skills with peers and others.)


David Egan was presented with three awards while Stacey Wilde earned two.

Other recipients were Cheryl Maki, Patsy Roy, Elisabeth Nussbaumer, Beverly Dyke, Peter Penner and Mellisa Wood.

Ice Road Closed

Voyageurs National Park has been forced to close its ice roads.

Recent warm weather and rain showers has left a significant amount of standing water and slush on the roads.

The park says if weather conditions permit, the roads may reopen.

Snowmobile trails in the park are still open, but sledders are being advised to use caution.

Voyageurs National Park Day

(National Park Service Photo)

Voyageurs National Park is front and centre in Washington today.


Park, County and city leaders have teamed up to promote the park as part of Voyageurs National Park Day at the Capital.

Cory MacNulty of the Voyageurs National Park Association says its an important day.

"It's an historic event," says MacNulty. "It's the first time we're really doing this going as a number of interest stakeholders in the park, going to Washington D.C. together to try to raise awareness with our delegation how important Voyageurs National Park is."

The group is holding several meetings with government officials and hosting a reception.

Water Quality Forum

Water quality on Lake of the Woods is again the main topic of discussion at a two-day international conference in International Falls.

Todd Sellars of Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation says the findings of a report on phosphorus and nitrogen in the lake will be released.

"The results of the nutrient and water quality modeling that our Foundation has been doing with Trent University and Minnesota St. Cloud State University as well as Minnesota Pollution Control and the Ontario Ministry of Environment," says Sellars. "That's been a two year project, so it will be the first peak of the results of that work."

As many as 80 scientists from Canada and the United States are expect to attend today and tomorrow.

Mining Deal with Area Native Communities

Brett Resources has signed an agreement in principal on a formal impact and benefits agreement with eight area First Nations relating to the company’s Hammond Reef Project north of Atikokan.

The deal is with Couchiching, Lac La Croix, Mitaanjigaming, Naicatchewenin, Nigigoonsiminikaaning, Rainy River, Seine River and Lac des Mille Lacs.

The agreement recognizes Brett's rights and obligations with respect to the Project.

In return the company will provide job opportunities to qualified band members and businesses.

The bands will also receive shares in the project and funding for education and training.

Resource Estimate Released

Rainy River Resources has a better indication of how much gold it has in plans for a potential gold mine in Richardson township, northwest of Emo.

President Raymond Threlkeld says a resource estimate points to about 2.3 million ounces of know resources, but more work must be done to confirm another 2.7 million ounces in inferred resources.

"It gives us an indication of what's there, but it does says if these are extractable ounces at this time," says Threlkeld.

Threlkeld says they may have a better indication about the inferred resources when another resource estimate comes out in the fall.

NDP Seek Budget Change

New Democrats are proposing a sub-amendment to the federal budget aimed at killing the Harmonized Sales Tax in Ontario.

The NDP want any reference to HST removed from the budget - which if passed would cancel a 4-point-3 billion dollar payment to Ontario to implement the controversial tax.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty, who supports the sub-amendment, says it would be irresponsible for any MP in Northwestern Ontario to support the budget that effectively raises the price of gas, hydro and snow removal.

A vote on the motion is scheduled for later this evening.

I. Falls in the Dark

Power has now been fully restored in the city of International Falls.

Amy Rutledge of Minnesota Power says the outage happened just after 6 a.m. and impact about one-thousand customers.

It forced school officials to cancel classes at Falls High School and West End Elementary.

Crash Victim Identified

A resident of Sioux Narrows has been identified as the victim of an early morning motor vehicle collision near Nestor Falls that closed Highway 71 for about ten hours.

OPP say 42-year old Brian Beacham was the driver of a northbound passenger van that came into collision with an oncoming transport in the southbound lane of the Highway in the vicinity of Caliper Lake.

Police says the closure was necessary to complete their examination of the scene.

The highway is now open.

Officer Killed

Investigators are putting together the evidence they've been able to find from yesterday morning's shootout that claimed the life of a15-year veteran Ontario Provincial Police officer.

Constable Vu Pham was shot in a gun battle that broke out after he'd pulled over a vehicle near Winthrop, north of London.

Witnesses say the gunman and officer were firing at each other from across a rural road, and that as many as 20 shots were exchanged.

But OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino says the officer was "immediately incapacitated'' in the gunfight and died later in the hospital.

The suspect, who was also hospitalized, is believed to be in his 70s, but his condition isn't known.

Throne Speech

Ontario's Liberal government says attracting more foreign students and investing in clean water technology will help the province get back on its feet.

The government's throne speech promises legislation to cash in on the huge demand for clean water technologies, something Ontario Federation of Labour president Sid Ryan calls a clever ploy.

Ryan says Ontario's Conservatives will be forced to talk about the deadly tainted water tragedy in Walkerton 10 years ago if the Liberals campaign on the clean water idea.

He says it would force Opposition Leader Tim Hudak into defending the policies of the Mike Harris government.

The Canadian Federation of Students calls the government's plan to bring in more foreign students to raise cash ``ridiculous,'' and says the best way to help all students is lower tuition fees.

The Tories say the government is looking at international students as a cash cow, while the New Democrats say the throne speech offers no relief to people worried about their jobs.

No Weddings Please

The owner of La Place Rendez-Vous is calling on Fort Frances town councillors to reconsider their decision to allow catered weddings at Sunny Cove Camp.

Paul Noonan told councillors last night that move puts the town in direct competition with businesses already offering similar services.

"Our banquet facilities as well as others in the community including the Legion, Curling Club and Arena are no where near maxed out," said Noonan. "Opening up an additional facility will only serve to negatively impact on all of us."

Noonan suggests the town consider alternative revenue generating initiatives such as opening Sunny Cove to public camping.

Recruitment Report Released

A report commissioned by the town of Fort Frances makes a number of recommendations aimed at improving the town's ability to attract and retain physicians.

Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation told councillors last night the key is creating an environment that welcomes doctors.

"It's highly competitive out there," said Gillon. "We can only do so much as a small community. But if we work together as a community and we show prospective physicians that we want them and we welcome them and we're prepare to support them, we have a very good chance of attracting younger doctors to the community."

Among the recommendations include creating an executive council within the current recruitment committee, increasing awareness of local incentive programs and hiring assistants to work with the committee.

Highway 71 Closed

Highway 71 has been closed in the Nestor Falls area due to what provincial police are describing as a serious motor vehicle accident that occurred early this morning.

Details of the accident, south of the community, have not been released at this time, and police say it's uncertain how long the highway will remained closed.

Stay tuned to B-93 for further details as they are made available.

Census Forms Out Next Week

(U.S. Census Bureau photo)

The U.S. Census Bureau has begun mailing advance letters to inform Americans of the pending arrival of the 2010 Census form.

The 10-question census is being distributed to about 120-million households next week.

Officials in Koochiching County, concerned with a potential decline in population, are pushing for students studying outside the county and seniors wintering in other states to identify the County as their main residency.