Cost of Food Up

The Northwestern Health Unit says the cost for families in the Kenora-Rainy River district to eat healthy each month has risen 11 per cent over the past year.

Nutritionist Julie Slack says the over $916.00 price tag for food is leading many to make unhealthy food choices so they have money for other expenses.

"Food tends to be or often is the one that you will let go," says Slack, "or choose what is cheaper. Often less healthy foods are the cheaper foods so people might be making food chooses that aren't the best so they can pay their rent."

Slack says while food prices continue to rise, incomes have not kept up at the same pace.

Testing Exceeds Provincial Standard

The town of Fort Frances is looking to see if it can still limit the number of water samples it takes to test for lead despite exceeding provincial standards this past summer.

During June and October, adverse lead levels were found in just three samples of 22 sites tested.

That equates to about 13.6 per cent, but the province wants 10 per cent or less before allowing municipalities to reduce their testing.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says because the town has been within acceptable levels in the past, it's hoping to still qualify for reduced testing.

Baby Boom?

(Diane Maxey with one of many babies born in 2010)


It's turning out to be a banner year for births at Fort Frances' LaVerendrye Hospital.

Riverside Health Care Facilities says 218 babies have been born to the end of November, exceeding the 190 births born in all of last year.

It's also the highest number of births at the hospital since 1998 when there were 253.

This past November alone brought in 28 babies, compared with the 16 in the same month last year.

Senior Executives Gets Bonuses

Five senior AbitibiBowater executives are splitting nearly $5-million U.S. in cash and stock for their efforts in helping the forest products company restructure its operations and exit creditor protection.

Departing chief executive David Paterson gets about $1.1 million in restructuring recognition awards and profit bonuses.

OPP Cruiser Destroyed

Provincial police are eminding motorists to slow down or move over when passing an emergency vehicle stopped with its lights activated.

The warning comes following an incident near Upsala in which a transport slammed into the back of an empty cruiser, stopped while the officer was investigating a truck fire.

The officer was not hurt.

Failing to slow down or move over for an emergency vehicle can result in a fine of up to $2-thousand.

Drug Arrests

Four people face drug-related charges following three separate incidences in Fort Frances last month.

In one case, six pounds of marijuana, valued at over $57-thousand, a replica handgun and cash were found by OPP after stopping a vehicle December 1st.

Constable Anne McCoy says it's a sizable find.

"It is one of the larger marijuana seizures the police have made," says McCoy. "That's credit to the work and the intelligence work that the Community Drug Action Team has been doing in our area."

Another man was charged when police found $28-hundred worth of Oxycontin pills in a vehicle.

Another man was charged after police discovered 30 grams of marijuana in his possession.

Man Busted at Border

An International Falls Man faces charges after attempting to cross into the U.S. with marijuana taped to his body.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it happened Saturday around 12:30 p.m. as the 24-year-old man was walking to International Falls.

46 grams of marijuana taped to the man's leg was found when Customs officers conducted a secondary examination.

He was later turned over the Koochiching County Sheriffs office for prosecution.

Border Stats Released

A busy November for officers with the Canada Border Services Agency in Fort Frances.

Statistics released show more than 50-thousand people crossed the border, twenty of whom were found to have various criminality issues.

Eight of which were refused entry while the rest were allowed in on temporary visitor permits.

Officers also seized a boat, motor and trailer and a vehicle from Canadians residents who attempted to undervalue their purchases.

In both cases, the owners were forced to pay heft fines to get their property back.

Kenora Trial Underway

The trial of a 39-year-old Grassy Narrows woman involved in a police shooting in downtown Kenora this past summer is underway.

Helen Proulx faces four charges including assaulting a police officer with a weapon and assault with a weapon.

OPP Constable Kathrine Moyer told the court yesterday she told Proulx at least six times to drop the knife she was carrying.

Moyer said she only fired her gun after Proulx came at her, jabbing the knife in the officers direction.

Moyer testified Proulx also repeatedly to shoot her.

Testimony continues today.

Tire Tax Credit Proposed

The Canadian Automobile Association and the Ontario Safety League are behind a coalition asking for a $25-per-tire tax credit to encourage people to buy winter tires.

The CAA says evidence from Quebec, where winter tires are mandatory, shows they do reduce accidents and help save lives.

Premier Dalton McGuinty acknowledges the benefits of snow tires and even recommends drivers use them, but says he has no intention of providing a tax credit or rebate for buying winter tires.

The Ontario Safety League says McGuinty should reconsider his opposition to the tax credit, noting snow tires reduce accidents and cut down the number of people needing care in hospitals.

Early Learning Changes Planned

Published reports suggest the McGuinty government is expected to drop plans for boards to run before-and-after-school care for full-day kindergarten students.

The program is a key piece of its early learning program.

The move comes after lobbying from daycares, which worried about losing business, and from school boards, which didn't want to operate the programs.

A lack of interest led to the Rainy River District School Board opting not to offer the programs at Atikokan's North Star Community School, its first school to offer full-day kindergarten.

Rainy River Presents Bought Deal Offering

Rainy River Resources plans to raise $65-million dollars in a bought deal offering to help advance its gold exploration project north of Barwick.

The company will issue more than 5-million shares at a reduced rate of $12.65 C. each.

Shares of Rainy River have more than doubled in value since it increased its capital budget for the year by 33 percent in August to extend drilling activities at the high mineral grade project.

New Officers In Place

Treaty Three Police Service has added some new officers.

Four constables, three sergeants and a staff sergeant were sworn-in during a ceremony in Kenora yesterday.

Police Chief Conrad DelaRonde feels its important to recognize the officers and the work that they are doing.

"We always recognize or tend to see or hear about the bad things that have occurred in the police universe," says DelaRonde, "but there's a lot of good things happening. It's opportunities like this we should give official recognition for their accomplishments."

Terry Armstrong was also sworn in as the new deputy chief.

More Help Needed

It has enough food, but the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau is still looking for more people for its Community Christmas dinner.

With the dinner just ten days away, only a handful of volunteers have stepped forward while the Fort Frances Legion Ladies Auxiliary is offering to cook some of the turkeys in advance.

The bureau's Karen Mitchell says help is still required in setting up the Knox United Church hall and serving and clean-up at the dinner.

Mitchell says those also wanting a meal delivered to them on Christmas must call the Volunteer Bureau by Monday.

Hampton Expects Campaign Push by Liberals

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says Ontarians can expect to see campaign-style ads showing up in advance of next fall's provincial election.

Hampton says the McGuinty Government has been under siege in the Legislature and will likely start an active campaign very soon.

"I think the government will use the Christmas break as a period of interuption," says Hampton, "and then they will begin what will amount to an eight or nine month election campaign."

Hampton says the government has been hurt by recent reports by the Ombudsman and the Auditor General.

Bus Impacted by Cold

A second straight day of sub-zero temperatures is having an impact on some school buses today.

Iron Range has cancelled all of its runs in Atikokan.

Jane Peterson's Dove bus, ANH route, is delayed 25 minutes.

Rising Policing Costs Concerning

Rising cost of policing has the town of Fort Frances seeking help.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the cost to contract police services to the OPP has rising almost 19 per cent over the past four years, and the province should provide more financial help.

"I would like to say demand, but I thing we have to suggest at this present time, that they increase their provincial policing grant as part of the OMPF funding (Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund)," says Wiedenhoeft, "to cover the additional costs of police services in Ontario to those communities that are contracting the OPP."

Wiedenhoeft says a recent wage settlement for officers could lead even higher costs to the town.

Town Buys Old Library

The town of Fort Frances is purchasing the former library building.

Mayor Roy Avis says it still to be determined, though, what they will do with the building.

"There's been letters written from people showing an interest," says Avis. "What we're doing is we're going to be looking at what we're going to do with it in the future whether it be sold or leased, who will get it. All those things have not been dealt with yet, but we're going to have a committee set up in order to look at all of those."

The one-dollar deal with the Fort Frances Public Library Board was part of a memorandum of understanding struck in October and formalized last night.

Support Sought for Fire Victim

There's a campaign underway to help out a 72-year-old area woman get back into her home.

The woman was forced from her home, south of Finland, last week because of an electrical fire.

Neighbour Jim Scheibler says she has no insurance and he's hoping to rally area support for her.

"It's really tough on her," says Scheibler. "She's lived there many years and it's her home. So we're just looking for help from the community to just step up and try to get her home again."

Anyone who can assist can call Jim or Maxine at 487-1425.

Educational Staff Help Needy

Fort Frances High School and Confederation College's Rainy River campus have joined in the campaign to help the district's needy.

Staff at both institutions waged a friendly competition in collecting non-perishable food items.

College campus manager Anne Renaud says her staff did well.

"I think we're pretty close," says Renaud. "I don't know if we're going by weight or size of boxes, but I think relative to the number of stuff that we have we did very well and we helped the community which was the main goal."

High School principal Al McManaman says the biggest winner was the community.

The collection was held in conjunction with the OPP Stuff a Cruiser campaign.

Essay Winner Address Council

A grade 5 students from Robert Moore School in Fort Frances says the building of a dirt bike track would be high on his list if he were mayor.

Daymond Morriseau was the winner of the town's Local Government Week essay contest held back in October.

"I have a lot of friends that would benefit from a dirt bike track as they also have dirt bikes," says Daymond. "I would build this track behind the Lakeview Trailer Park as there is a lot of open space in the back."

Daymond pitched his idea to council last night.

Stuff A Cruiser Overstuffed

A huge show of support from area residents to the OPP's Stuff-a-Cruiser initiative to collect food items for five separate agencies.

Constable Anne McCoy says four cruisers places in locations around Fort Frances and Emo were filled a total of thirteen times Saturday.

"I can't believe how much everyone gave," says McCoy. "I'm just so appreciative of all the help from the community and all the volunteers who came forward to get the message out."

The food will be distributed to the Salvation Army, the United Native Friendship Centre, Sunset Country Metis Association, a food bank in Emo and to the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau to help with its community Christmas dinner.

New Owner for Ford Dealership

(Nick Beyak holding Olympic Torch at his GM dealership in Dryden during 2010 Torch Run - CKDR photo)

New owners for the Ford dealership in Fort Frances.

Nick Beyak, current owner of the GM dealership in Dryden, will take ownership of Sunset Country Ford next month.

"Having two dealerships in two different towns I think is a good business move from a diversification stand point," says Beyak, "and two difference manufacturers is good also. Looking really forward to getting back to Fort Frances and doing business there."

Beyak is the son of the late Tony Beyak who operated the former Causeway Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealership.

Kelly Welcomes Resource Sharing Agreement

The Grand Chief of Treaty 3 says increased interest by mining companies striking agreements with area bands is exciting.

Kelly says Friday's signing of a Resource Sharing agreement between Osisko and several area bands is something that should be shared by others.

"I think the relationship that's developed through Brett Resources and the Fort Frances Chiefs and Lac Des Milles Lac First Nation and then now with Osisko is one that should be representative probably as a best practise for other industry that's looking to do business in the Treaty 3 area," says Kelly.

Kelly also issued caution about having to much mining activity that could make their lands not sustainable for the future.

Murder-Suicide in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay police are investigating a suspected murder-suicide involving a man and a woman in the rural township of Oliver Paipoonge.

Police entered a home yesterday in the community just west of Thunder Bay and found the bodies of a man and woman, who are both 69.

Regional Strategic Plan Considered

There's a move to do some strategic planning for the entire Rainy River district.

Area representatives gathered this week to determine the interest of such an exercise.

Rainy River Councillor Gord Armstrong helped spearhead the meeting.

"If you look at each municipalities they're trying to do their own little thing," says Armstrong. "That's great. We want them to do that, but it's time we look at the district as a whole because we have things across the district that if we work together it would be wiser to do that."

Armstrong says more details on how the process would work will come to area municipal leaders when they gather for their annual meeting in January.

AbitibiBowater Out of Bankrupcty Protection

AbitibiBowater has finally emerged from 20 months of creditor protection.

The company says its transformed itself into a lower-cost forest products company better able to withstand slowing demand for newsprint.

The Toronto Stock Exchange says new shares in the Montreal-based company will begin trading today.

Resource Sharing Agreement Signing

Representatives from Osisko Mining and several area First Nations will sit down later today to sign a new Resource Sharing agreement pertaining to the company's Hammond Reef project near Atikokan.

The document provides for ongoing dialogue between the company and first nations and for employment and training opportunities for native people.

First Nations communities signing the document will also receive shares in Osisko as milestones in exploration and development are reached.

Julian Austin Returning

(Julian Austin during 2010 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship)

Another fundraiser is in the works for the Fort Frances Community Chest.

Fort Frances Chamber manager Anthony Mason says Canadian country artist Julian Austin has agreed to return to the community to help the fund.

"He graciously donated to come back to Fort Frances and perform," says Mason. "The committee has decided we are going to plan another event for Community Chest to raise money and we plan having him perform somewhere in Fort Frances at a later day."

Austin performed at this summer' Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

Operation Children Child Success

Operation Christmas Child in the Rainy River district is being hailed a huge success.

Over 460 shoe boxes, filled with items for children living in under-developed countries, were collected.

The collection of those boxes happened last month, but area residents can still participate through an new on-line feature at http://www.samaritanpurse.ca/.

Most of the on-line boxes will go to children in Haiti.

More Snow for Borderland

Old man winter is taking another swipe at the Rainy River district.

Bill Laidlaw of Signal Weather Services says expect five to 10 centimetres of snow with a strong wind causing for concern for area motorists.

Laidlaw says temperatures will climb to about minus 5 C today, before dropping back down tomorrow.

Meantime, the National Weather Service in the U.S. has issued a winter weather advisory for northern St. Louis, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and Cook County until six tonight.

It's predicting between two to five inches of snow as the storm tracks through the Northland.

Mine Centre Landfill Site to Close

The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking at closing a landfill site in Mine Centre.

Spokesperson Cheryl Gartley says the site has reached its capacity, and different options to deal with residents wastes are being considered.

"We've hired a consultant who's analyzing the area in a forty kilometre area around the community of Mine Centre," says Gartley. "They're going to locate some candidate sites where they can plan either a new waste disposal site or an alternative method of managing the household waste which could be a transfer station."

Gartley says the existing landfill won't close until a preferred option is in place.

Museum Curator Leaving

(Pam Cain shown here working on the 'What Hooks You Here Project' this past summer)

The town of Fort Frances is losing its museum curator.

Pam Cain is stepping down at the end of this year from the position she's had since 1984.

"I'm calling it a retirement after 26 years," says Cain. "But I have a new position as executive director of the Community Arts and Heritage Education Program based out of Thunder Bay. It works with artists, schools and community groups to promote arts and heritage activities in the community. It's something right up my alley."

Town council is expected to discuss how they'll replace Cain at its meeting Monday night.

Mining Deal

Sparton Resources says it's closed a half-million dollar private placement with Osisko Mining.

It's part of a Letter of Intent giving Osisko the option to buy 70 per cent interest in 7,500 of mining claims near Atikokan held by Spartan and other parties.

The claims are near Osisko's Hammond Reef project.

Sturgeon Creek School Honoured

(Principal Kendall Olson (l), teacher Elizabeth Husser and parent Dave McKelvie with Dr. Bette M. Stephenson award from EQAO)


Sturgeon Creek School and it's Alternative Program are being applauded after receiving a prestigious award from the agency responsible for the province's standardize tests.


The Dr. Bette M. Stephenson award from the Education Quality and Accountability Office recognized the school's high level of achievement and improvement in the annual tests.


Teacher Elizabeth Husser says its a good feeling to be recognized.

"Knowing that there were twenty schools in the entire province that were recognized, and that we were one of them, shows that great things happen in small schools too, "says Husser.

The school received the award during a ceremony in Toronto last month.

Busing Concerns

A group of parents whose children ride the bus to school are calling for changes to the Rainy River District School Board's transportation policies.

Jackie McCormick, who was denied permission for her son to be dropped off a different location while their sitter was away, says the current policy doesn't meet the needs of students or parents.

"Parents are picking kids up at school because they have no choice but to do that because they can't get off at a different location," says McCormick. "We have people who have to pull their kids out of school for a week at a time because the kids are staying at grammas or aunties and they can't get picked up by the bus there."

McCormick says the parents want the ability to make alternative transportation requests based on child care or work-related needs.

New Chair for District School Board

(Newly elected trustees with the Rainy River District School Board were officially sworn into office at their first meeting Tuesday night)


The newly elected trustee from Atikokan is now the chair of the Rainy River District School Board.


Mike Lewis was appointed to the position at last night's inaugural meeting.


Rainy River area trustee Dianne McCormack was selected the vice-chair.

Rainy River Council Take Office

Economic development will be a key priority for Rainy River's new town council over the next four years.

The new council was sworn-in Monday night and Mayor Deb Ewald attracting new business has to be number one.

"We need to get an industry or something going here," says Ewald. "It's pretty bleak right now, but we've got everything in place. It's just to find the right business or right thing to move here."

Ewald says ongoing sewer and water improvements and resolving a housing issue for locums working at the Rainy River Health Centre also face the new council.

Population Decline Hurts Health Unit

A decline in the population in the Kenora and Rainy River districts is going to hurt the Northwestern Health Unit in the pocket book.

The Health Unit says a decline of almost 3,800 people over the past past five years will result in the loss of $204-thousand from the amount paid by area municipalities in 2011.

The Health Unit hopes to address the shortfall in its budget which will come to the board in February.

Adopt an Angel Program

There's been a huge response to Family and Children's Services Rainy River District's Adopt an Angel program.

Residents are asked to take an Angel from trees placed at selected businesses and purchase a gift for the name on that angel, representing children involved with the agency.

Community Integration Worker Debra Bruyere says they've already exceeded last year's response.

"we would just like to thank the public for such a great response this year," says Bruyere. "We've been very happy with the stores that have come on board to help us. It's been wonderful this year."

Angels can still be found on trees at The Bargain Store and Wal-Mart in Fort Frances and Tompkin's Hardware in Emo.

Fort Frances Council Sworn-In

Fort Frances town council is back on the job.

The town's elected officials were officially sworn-into office last night after being acclaimed in October's municipal election.

Mayor Roy Avis says many challenges await.

"As our population ages we must work with our citizens in supportive assisted living units," says Avis. "The condo project will also be an very important order of business. Doctor shortage has been an ongoing problem and we must have a continual focus in that area."

Avis said council will also work in the best interests of the residents, lobby government for adequate financial support in dealing with aging infrastructure and put attention on business retention."

Avis also assigned councillors to various committees with Sharon Tibbs serving as deputy mayor for the next two years.

Rainy River Council Sworn-In

Inauguration ceremonies were also held for the newly elected council in Rainy River last night.

Councillor Gord Armstrong was selected deputy mayor by Mayor Deb Ewald.

Fort Frances Trustee Re-appointed Chair

Long-time Fort Frances trustee Anne-Marie Fitzgerald has been re-elected as chair of the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Her appointment came during the board's inaugural meeting on Friday.

Cathy Bowen, a trustee from Sioux Lookout, was elected vice-chair.

Day of Remembrance Ceremony Held in Fort Frances

Women from the Rainy River district who have been victims of violence were recognized as part of yesterday's National Day of Remembrance ceremonies in Fort Frances.

Peggy Loyie of the Rainy River District Victim Services says such an event must continue.

"Because we won't stop doing this until we start to see some radical change in action," says Loyie. "Action in part of perpetrators. Action on part of legislators. Action on part of ourselves as community members to take action against violence against women."

About sixty people attended the vigil held at Knox United Church.

Among the highlights were Marie Hartlin and Leona Grandbois who spoke about how the tragic death of their mother impacted their lives.

Community Dinner Needs Help

The Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau is putting out a call for people interested in helping out with this year's Community Dinner.

Karen Mitchell says the need for volunteers is their biggest need right now.

"We need volunteers," says Mitchell. "I haven't got many volunteers yet for kitchen help like to clean the tables, do the dishes, put food out when it runs out or when somebody gets up to leave put a new placemat and plate out. We don't have anybody yet."

Mitchell says they're also looking for help in the kitchen preparing the food for the December 25 event.

Auditor Concerned About Hospital Overcrowding

Ontario's auditor general says hospitals aren't discharging patients on time and still face overcrowding and delays in their emergency departments.

Jim McCarter says more than 50-thousand patients stayed in hospital longer than necessary last year because their ongoing care couldn't be arranged.

McCarter also says only 16 per cent of government stimulus cash was actually spent in the province in the first year.

Half the money went to a small number of infrastructure projects that, in most cases, weren't shovel ready.

Border Skating Club Seeks Kurt Browning Visit

The Border Skating Club is trying woe Kurt Browning.

President Doctor Lorena Jenks says they're involved in a Skate Canada contest that asks clubs to show how they're using it's new logo with a seminar from the four-time Canadian and World Champion up for grabs.

"What we did for our club is we used a digital version of the logo in the background and then interviewed many of our skaters why liked about skating," says Dr. Jenks, "and tried to highlight the Skate Canada motto which is compassion, spirit, triumph."

Click the link to vote for the Border Skating Club's submission.

Voting continues until the end of December

Acts of Kindness Fundraiser Successful

(Emcees Dale Fortes and Joelle Blanc-Paull selected a winner at Friday's Acts of Kindness Fundraiser)

The first ever Acts of Kindness fundraiser for the Fort Frances Community Chest is being hailed an overwhelming success.

About $20-thousand was raised in Friday's event.

Community Chest committee member Larry Cousineau says it's great support for the fund.

"This is helping people tremendously," says Cousineau. "The Community Chest is just what it is - a chest of money that's kept to one side for people who need it for medical reasons."

Over one-hundred services and products were auctioned off both at the Fort Frances Legion and on-line.

Tax Bill Payment Deadline Extended

Northerners living or with property in unorganized areas will get some extra time to pay their tax bills.

First payment was due last Friday, but it will now be at the end of January.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the bills, delivered only last week, should never have come out during the winter in the first place.

"People are getting hydro bills that are totally unreasonable," says Hampton. "People are being forced to pay the HST on any purchases they make and people are trying to get ready for Christmas. Then this arrives in the mail."

Hampton says complaints from property owners to his office prompted government to change the deadlines.

Rafferty Disappointed by Stimulus Rpoert

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M.P. John Rafferty is disappointed to hear the federal stimulus program hasn't lived up to the government's promise of job creation.

A report from the Parliamentary budget officer suggests few municipalities receiving money experienced employment growth.

"We all know that when some governments make those kind of declarations there's a lot of political-puffery, but the proof in the pudding on this one," says Rafferty, "and I think Canadians are pretty disappointed that that's what has happened."

Rafferty says the development of a national job strategy would have gone a long way to getting more people employed

National Day of Remembrance

Sombre memorials will be held in many centres across Canada today, on this, the 21st anniversary of the Montreal massacre.

On this day in 1989, an enraged gunman killed 14 women at L'Ecole Polytechnique.

In Fort Frances, a vigil is planned at Knox United Church beginning at 6 p.m.

Foundation Seeks New Operating Table

Riverside Foundation for Health Care is hoping to deliver a new state of the art operating table to the emergency department at LaVerendrye Hospital this Christmas.

It's this year's Christmas appeal objective.

Director Nicke Baird says letters seeking donations were issued last week.

"Inside is a pledge card and if they would like to donate they can fill out the pledge card and mail it back with a cheque," says Baird.

Cost of the operating table is about 45-thousand dollars.

Local Project Seeks Votes

An area woman is looking for district wide support to help win a Pepsi Canada contest.

Jackie Badiuk has proposed the idea of creating more green spaces at area schools to the Pepsi Refresh Everything Project contest in hopes of winning $25-thousand.

"I work at the high school at lot and I'm part of the Big Green Committee, the environmental club, and we've tried to come up lots of different ideas of ways to green our community," says Badiuk. "I saw the ad for the Refresh Everything and it just popped into my head to apply."

People can link to the project by clicking this link http://www.refresheverything.ca/rrdsbgreenspace

Man Convicted on Sex Offences

A 44-year-old man has been sentenced to 66 months in jail and ordered to register with the Sexual Offenders Information Registry after being found guilty of three counts of Sexual Exploitation and a charge of Sexual Interference.

The charges against Garry Donald Mathewson were laid in July following a police investigation involving three males victims that took place in the Rainy River and Thunder Bay districts between 1992 and 1999.

Mathewson was also ordered by a court judge Wednesday to submit DNA samples to the Sexual Offenders Database and stay away from places frequented by children for the next ten years.

Trails Not Open Yet

The abundance of snow around the Rainy River district is generating some excitement among snowmobile enthusiasts.

However, not all trails maintained by the Borderland Snowmobile Club can't be yet be groomed.

President Dave Goodman says there's just no frost in the ground.

"The main reason you need the frost is all is that in swamp areas or soft areas the groomer will sink very quickly and get stuck," says Goodman, "and we can take the risk of taking the groomer into the swamps especially."

Goodman says the current cold stretch will help and some partial sections of trails could be open next week.

Choraliers Receive Money

The Fort Frances Choraliers have received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Choir director Diane Maxey says the over $11-thousand will help purchased some much desired equipment.

"We are getting a trail to house all of the equipment for easy access to move it around," says Maxey. "We're hoping to get our risers that we've wanted for a long, long time and portable. And we'll probably have a wireless microphone that will help us a lot in our performances."

Maxey says because the choir does not have a charitable number, the Valley Adult Learning Association helped obtain the money by submitting the application under its name.

Catholic Trustees Take Office

Newly elected trustees with the Northwest Catholic District School Board take to office for the first time tonight.

Teresa Larson, representing Atikokan, Catherine Bowen and James Kulchyski from Sioux Lookout, Kathy Bryck and Robert van Oort of Dryden, Anne-Marie Fitzgerald and Harold Huntley from Fort Frances and Mark Chojko-Bolec representing Stratton and area will be sworn-in at a ceremony at St. Francis School in Fort Frances.

The trustees will then elect a new chair and vice-chair.

Doctor Honoured

A Fort Frances doctor has been recognized by the Ontario College of Family Physicians.

Doctor Jason Shack was one of seventeen Ontario physicians to receive the College's Award of Excellence.

The award recognizes family physicians for their contributions to patient care, their communities and their profession.

Acts of Kindness Promoted

The Acts of Kindness fundraiser for the Fort Frances Community Chest happens tonight at the Fort Frances Legion.

Steve Sinclair, whose family benefited from a contribution from the chest about five years ago, says it's important the fund remain vibrant.

"The financial support from Community Chest is the most important thing that you can have," says Sinclair. "To know that there is someone there to help you in a time of need, but equally important is the community outreach. Neighbours helping neighbours. You need them both."

Over 100 items will be auctioned off at tonight's event.

Atikokan Council Sworn In

Atikokan's Mayor says the township's new council's enters with more hope for a better future than ever before.

Dennis Brown and his council were officially sworn into office last night.

Brown says they take office with the community on the verge of a boom.

"All we need to do is to see them come to fruition," says Brown. "I'm talk about initiatives in the mining with Osisko and Bending Lake. I'm talking about the wood biomass at the former particleboard plant and the opportunities that could exist at the O.P.G plant. These are all good news stories."

Brown says plans for a new arena, maintaining medical services and continuing infrastructure work are other priority areas.

DMTS On-Line in Rainy River District

DMTS is looking to make its presence felt in the Rainy River district.

The city of Dryden-owned municipal telephone system has been offering cell services to the district since last October.

Marketing manager Tyler Peacock feels they can be competitive.

"Coverage, pricing, selection. Like I said before," says Peacock, "I think we have a great line up as far as a product line goes. Our prices are very competitive and we're here to stay."

Peacock says a new roaming agreement was also signed with AT&T that gives its customers better service in the U.S.

Dietary Allowance Remains

The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the Ontario government has done the right thing by keeping a special dietary allowance for welfare recipients.

The province says it's revising the allowance, which remains capped at a maximum of 250-dollars a month.

The Ministry of Community and Social Services had considered cutting the program after costs jumped from $6-million to more than $200-million a year.

Court Ruling Today

A decision is expected today on the status of prostitution laws in Ontario.

Ontario's highest court will rule on a lower court's decision on the laws that control prostitution.

The courts have said the laws could stay in effect until today.

Government lawyers have argued the lower court ruling should be put on hold while they appeal it.