Hunters Fined

Three southern Ontario residents will pay $2,750 in fines for their part in the illegal shooting of a moose last October.

The three had stopped on Highway 11, west of Kashabowie, to shoot a moose that was standing in the ditch on the opposite side of the road.

They later tried to lie to Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation officers about where it was shot.

Physical evidence from the animal helped the MNR determine the true location.

Busing Concerns Out of Their Jurisdiction

The Rainy River District School Board says busing concerns expressed by a Fort Frances man in an interview with CFOB aren't within its jurisdiction.

Andrew Labbe was commenting on the board's proposed policy changes, the board says will offer more flexibility to the busing needs of parents and children in the future.

But the board says because Labbe's students attend a catholic school, its policy does not apply, even though catholic and public school students may ride the same bus.

Friendship Centres Seeking Provincial Support

Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres is looking for more support from government.

Sheila McMahon, Federation president and executive director of the United Native Friendship Centre in Fort Frances, says growth among the Urban native population is putting a strain on Centres across Ontario.

"We're finding there's gaps in services and we have large long waiting lists in our communities," says McMahon. "A lot of the friendships centres were built back in the seventies and some of those buildings are condemned or in bad shape."

McMahon addressed the Federation's concerns with government officials this past week.

Independent Panel Needed

The opposition is giving little faith to a Government's established panel that will examine the use of Agent Orange in Ontario during the 1950's, '60's and '70's.

NDP Critic Gilles Bisson told the Legislature yesterday an independent third-party investigation would ensure the truth of the chemical use is told.

"The process you are currently establishing to investigate the use of Agent Orange has the very people who used the Agent Orange and are still using some form of defoliant in charge of the investigation," says Bisson. "Why will you not now agree that we need to have an independent third party investigate this matter?"

Natural Resources Minister Linda Jefferey feels the concerns are premature because members of the committee have not been selected.

OPG Gets Modest Increase Hike

Ontario Power Generation has been given approval to increase its electricity rates by about one per cent.

The government-owned utility, which supplies about 70 per cent of Ontario's electricity, had applied to increase the payments it gets from hydroelectric and nuclear stations by 6.2 per cent.

New Curator Named

The town of Fort Frances has named a new museum curator.

Sherry George takes on the position vacated by Pam Cain at the beginning of this year.

George says one of her goals is help foster new groups that gets more people to take interest in the museum.

"Wee have a genealogy course this Saturday and we're hoping to get a group going with that," says George. "I also like to look into creating a historical society."

George says she's also hoping to instill her love for history into some of the museum's programming.

Falls Enters Ultimate Fishing Town Contest

International Falls is in the running for the World Fishing Network's Ultimate Fishing town contest.

The Falls has entered into the American version of the contest which is running simultaneously with one in Canada.

It's the first time that WFN has run the contest in the U.S.

Nestor Falls and Fort Frances are nominated on the Canadian side.

Nominations on both sides of the border close April 8 with public voting starting April 12.

Concerns Still with Board Busing Policy

Some parents say proposed changes the Rainy River District School Board is making to its busing policy still don't meet their needs.

The board is looking at changes it says provides for more flexibility, especially for children in joint-custody arrangements.

Andrew Labbe of Fort Frances says many shift-working parents like him don't fall within the board's criteria of a regular weekly schedule.

"From what I'm reading it won't accommodate a four on-four off schedule," says Labbe. "Four on-four off schedule is eight days, not seven, so it wouldn't work in a management weekly schedule."

The board's gathering input into the policy until March 25.

Condo Project Still a Go

(An open house for the new condominium project yesterday attracted many interested residents)

The developer of a condominium project in Fort Frances says he's got the project back on track.

Robert Zanetti says he takes full responsibility for a nearly two-year delay in getting construction started.

He says he's got a new team in place to make it happen this year.

"We've got the local contractor all set up," says Zanetti. "We've made all our final selections. We've added Kathy (Judson) from ReMax. I just got overwhelmed in Thunder Bay so we're restarting and hoping to get going by summer time."

Zanetti says no changes have been made to the plans for the 23-unit building.

Firefighters Award Clarified

The town of Fort Frances says the total cost of an arbitration award for its unionized firefighters is much greater than it first reported.

The four-year agreement announced last month includes wage increases totalling 16 per cent.

The town had said it would cost $171-thousand.

It now says that figure only relates to the final year of the deal.

The total costs are now pegged at $335-thousand.

C-501 Passes to Next Level

A private member's bill that aims to protect severance and termination pay in bankruptcy cases has passed a key legislative vote in the House of Commons.

M-P's voted 164-119 in favour of moving Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty's bill from the Report Stage to a third reading.

Rafferty was hoping to have that vote last Friday.

He says it could now take place as early as June.

LGA Discussed with Governor

Civic leaders from around Minnesota have expressed the importance of local government aid to Governor Mark Dayton.

About two dozen mayors and other city leaders met Dayton at an event arranged by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.

International Falls councillor Cynthia Jaksa was among them.

The Municipal officials says further cuts to the aid program will only hurt their ability to provide services and maintain facilities.

Lakes Get Reviewed

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on management plans for several lakes and streams in the International Falls area.

The DNR is reviewing plans for twelve separate bodies of water.

The plans can be found at the Department's International Falls office with comments accepted until March 25.

Buckets of Love

A village in Haiti will be the benefactor of a fundraising effort by students at St. Francis School in Fort Frances.

Grade 7 student Ann Jean says for the next six weeks, they'll be collecting money to help a village get access to fresh, clean drinking water.

"We're supporting an organization called Free the Children that helps other countries around the world," says Jean. "Most of the students are pretty excited to get the chance to help."

The "Buckets of Love" campaign hopes to raise at least one thousand dollars.

Public Input on Mine Site Rehab Sought

The Ministry of Natural Resources is forming an advisory committee to assist it with a rehabilitation of the former Steep Rock Mine site in Atikokan.

The Ministry is working to address environmental issues surrounding for former iron ore mine site.

Project Manager Rob Purdon says the committee will hold its first meeting later this month.

"We're going to get some public feedback on the current uses of the site," says Purdon, "and what they envision for site management activities going forward."

Purdon is hoping to have a draft plan in place by the end of the year.

Condo Project Update Today

Area residents will get more information today on the future of a condominium project slated for Fort Frances.

Thunder Bay developer Robert Zanetti is back in town to promote the project at a open house.

It's been almost two years since it was first unveiled.

Zanetti then had stated he wanted to pre-sell at least twenty units before construction began.

Tonight's meeting goes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

More Debate on Bill C-501

John Rafferty's private members bill C-501 is expected to come back to the House for more debate today.

The bill proposes to protect termination and severance pay in bankruptcy cases.

The Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP was hoping to fast-track it through third reading last Friday.

Rafferty says it could be now be June before a final vote is taken.

Water Conference Begins

An annual conference looking at the health of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake basin gets underway in International Falls today.

Organizer Todd Sellars says delegates to this year's forum will get a chance to provide some feedback on a interim report looking at the management of the basin.

"The IJC task force will be running a task force (this afternoon) a workshop to consult with the folks attending the forum," says Sellars. "It's a real good opportunity to provided input."

Some of the sessions will also focus on the state of the fisheries and effects of nutrients and algae on water quality.

Schools to Benefit from Mining

Minnesota school stand to benefit from two proposed copper mining projects in northeastern Minnesota.

Two ventures hope to mine copper, nickel and precious metals near Ely and Babbit on what are called "school trust lands.''

Under the state law, income from those lands goes to a fund for schools.

An analysis says the projects could generate $2.5 billion if approved.

On-Line Homework Help Provided

Rainy River District School Board's intermediate students have access to math teachers across the province to assist them with their homework.

It's part of a pilot project called the Homework Help Initiative.

Spokesperson Denise Rybuck says it's one more mechanism to help students.

"If a student arrives at a point where they're not understanding something," says Rybuck, "or run into a question that they need some assistance with they can go on-line and be able to ask that question and get support from a certified teacher somewhere in the province of Ontario."

A separate educational resource bank has also been established that offers resources on a wide range of other subjects.

Solar Panel Project Considered

Five municipal buildings in the town of Fort Frances are being targeted as potential sites for solar panels.

The panels would go on the roofs of the public works garage, Memorial Sports Centre, Fort Frances Children's Complex, water treatment plant and Fort Frances Civic Centre.

The project would cost about $450-thousand, but net the town more than $760-thousand by selling the power back to the grid.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the town is assured a return of 80 cent per kilowatt hour for twenty years if the project proceeds.

"We're already have the agreement where we can sign on it, " says Brown. "We have one year after they improve it. They approved us so we get the 80 cents. Then we go out and put it in within a year. If we don't get it done within a year we lose the agreement."

Some councillors, though, want more information before proceeding.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says he's leery about the plan because he doesn't know how it can be sustainable.

Capital Budget Get Review

Fort Frances town councillors have slashed about $1.1 million off the 2011 capital budget.

The cuts came during a first review of the budget last night.

Among items dropped include a 200-thousand dollar replacement the roof of the O-P-P Detachment and Fire Department building.

Other items, such as the reconstruction of a section of Scott Street, are pending the availability of government funding.

Partnership Renewed

Fort Frances High School has some new shop equipment resulting from a partnership between the Rainy River District School Board and Confederation College.

It was obtained by the College with a $130-thousand provincial grant.

President Pat Lang says it helps the high school and provides the College with a chance to offer new programming through its Rainy River campus.

"It supports the School-College work initiative," says Lang. "It supported a construction program, a multi-skills program and it supports trades and technology."

College and School Board officials also joined yesterday at the high school to reconfirm a long-standing partnership between the two.

Agent Orange Panel Coming

An independent panel into Ontario's use of Agent Orange is expected to be up and running by the end of the week.

Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey says she'll soon name the head of the panel

Close to 650 calls have flooded provincial hotlines in the wake of recent revelations Agent Orange was used in Ontario for more than three decades.

Call Smart Metres a Failures

The opposition is calling the one billion dollar smart meter program in Ontario a complete failure.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says smart meters are not saving energy or money, and calls them "cruel and unusual punishment" for hydro users.

Energy Minister Brad Duguid says on average, consumers are saving "modestly" with smart meters, but admits the majority are paying more.

Mafia Crackdown

The Italian mafia is the target of a major crackdown by police today, with 41 suspects being sought in Italy, as well as in Canada.

Italian police are hunting for members of the crime syndicate 'ndrangheta that has become one of the world's biggest cocaine traffickers.

The syndicate is reported to have ties to Thunder Bay.

Let the Bragging Begin

Two Rainy River district communities are among those to be nominated to the World Fishing Network's Ultimate Fishing Town Contest.

Nestor Falls, who finished second in voting last year and Fort Frances will be among communities the public can vote.

Other communities can still get on board.

They have until April 8 to make submissions.

Long Waits for Patients Questioned

Some Atikokan seniors are expressing concern with the time it's taking to see a physician in that community.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton raised the issue in the Legislature last week.

Hampton says some seniors informed him that they've being told the wait to see a doctor can be as long as fourteen weeks.

"I think what people in Atikokan are asking is 'is this the new standard in Ontario?" says Hampton. "I think that where we have to hear from the Minister of Health. Is this the new standard."

Hampton says some residents have gone as far travelling to Thunder Bay access a doctor.

Gas Prices "Out of Control"

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty believes gas prices in northwestern Ontario are out of control.

In the House of Commons Friday, Rafferty says removal of the HST would help bring them down.

"Gas costs $1.34 in Atikokan and Thunder Bay today," says Rafferty. "The price would be at least 6.5 cents less were it not for the new federal HST charge."

Rafferty says studies suggest the recent increase in prices is netting the federal government almost $7-million each week

Gilbert Selected Tory Candidate

The Progressive Conservatives have tapped retired Lakehead University President Fred Gilbert to run against MPP Bill Mauro in Thunder Bay-Atikokan in the next provincial election.

Gilbert feels the region can be represented better in Queen’s Park.

"The primary issue for me is helping to ensure that northern Ontario has a stronger voice," says Gilbert. "I think in the last while there's been a definite neglect of the interests of northern Ontario and I'd like to change that."

Gilbert was nominated to the represent the riding during an Association meeting over the weekend.

Energy Savings at Robert Moore

(Tim Pagee of Union Gas (l) presents a cheque to Raymond Roy, Manager of Plant Operations and Maintenance, Rainy River District School Board - supplied photo)

The Rainy River District School Board says careful planning and the installation of some energy efficient equipment is helping keep energy costs down at the new Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

Manager of Plant Operations Raymond Roy says a $12-thousand grant from Union Gas allowed the board to install the latest in heating and ventilation systems when the school was built.

"The upgrade cost to install the energy efficient equipment was about $39,000," says Roy. "We got a $12,000 grant to cover that off and we're saving at least $8,000 a year in energy so it's a pay back of about four years."

Roy says savings equate to about 33-thousand cubic metres of natural gas.

Blood Donor Clinic Set

Canadian Blood Services is gearing up for another blood donor clinic in Fort Frances.

It will happen April 12 and 13 at the Fort Frances High School.

Spokesperson Harvey Heather they're hoping to attract more than 300 donors.

"The need for blood is always ongoing," says Heather, "and we want to keep an optimal blood supply. It's looking good right now. That can change very quickly, though."

You can book an appointment by calling 1-888-2-Donate - that's 1-888-236-6283

Research Project Launched

(Northwest Catholic District School Board photo)


An Atikokan elementary school will be involved in a province-wide research project looking at the early learning program.

Education Director with the Northwest Catholic District School Board Mary Catherine Kelly says the full-day kindergarten program at St. Patrick's School is among those to be studied.

"The purpose of the research is to see how things are rolling out," says Kelly," so that we can share the stories of early-learning for the first two years and we can track on a longitudinal basis how the results are affecting student achievement."

Kelly says, for her, the program which began this school year, has been a huge success for the board, students, teachers and parents.

Growth Plan Released Today

The long-awaited Northern Growth Plan is being released today.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the document is an economic vision for northern Ontario for the next 25 years.

"And we are going to be looking at ways that we can guide investment decisions from southern Ontario, based on what northerners have told us," says Gravelle. "This has been a three-year consultation period. We’ve talked to thousands of northerners. They’ve given their advice to us."

Simultaneous announcements will be made this morning in Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury.

Third Reading for Bill C-501

It's a important day for Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty.

An amended version his Bill C-501 to protect workers severance and termination pay when a company enters bankruptcy proceedings, goes to a third reading.

Rafferty is cautiously optimistic about it advancing to the Senate.

"I've spoken with representatives from the other three parties," says Rafferty. "They've all indicated to me they are supportive, but as often happens on the hill you can't always count on that."

The Bill had also intended to protect pensions, but those sections were eliminated at the committee level.

NDP Trying to Save Northern Ontario in Brier

The federal NDP wants to save Northern Ontario and its place on the national curling stage.

Sports Critic Glenn Thibeault of Sudbury says they're trying to stop the Canadian Curling Association from eliminating the region's place at the Brier and giving it to the defending champion.

"We want the governing body to recognize keeping Northern Ontario in the Brier is an important piece for us," says Thibeault. "We have a petition for people to sign, both on line and on paper."

Thibeault says the region's vastness and uniqueness support the need for a separate Northern Ontario entry.

Carnival Kicks Off

Nestor Falls kicks of its annual Winter Carnival today.

Events include judging of the ice and snow sculptures, a youth scavanger hunt and a dance.

Organizer Howard Dodds says they also have some incentive to attend.

"Anybody that buys a ticket for that dance gets a chance to win the all participant's draw prize," says Dodds. "This year that is a LG 42 inch Plasma TV."

Tomorrow there's a fish derby, Poker Derby and a cribbage tournament.

"Lame Duck" Legislation Sought

The chair of the Rainy River District School Board says it's time school boards be included in "lame duck" legislation.

It restrict the decision making by municipal councils if most elected officials aren't returning in an election year.

Mike Lewis says it would have prevented the previous board from making the decision that's led to Fort Frances trustee David Kircher being found to have breached the trustee code of conduct.

"It was legal," says Lewis, "but I don't think it was ethical. Particularly since only two trustees (knew) they were the only two returning to the board because it was after the election. If this was a municipal council they would not have been allowed to do that because it's a lame duck."

Lewis says he's written several Ministries and all three Party Leaders requesting the changing.

Full Day Kindergarten Expanded

(Rainy River District School Board photo)

The provincial government is providing funding to both the Rainy River District School Board and the Northwest Catholic District School Board to expand full-day kindergarten.

The funding has been earmarked for Robert Moore School in Fort Frances and Sacred Heart School in Sioux Lookout.

Classes at Sacred Heart will begin in the fall of 2012.

The public board had previously decided to move up the start of the Robert Moore program to this fall by covering the start-up costs itself before provincial funding kicks in.

Detachment Opens

Treaty Three Police Service has opened its new detachment in the Rainy River District.

Police Chief Conrad Delaronde says the move from offices in Emo to Couchiching First Nations adds more visibility to the communities they directly serve.

"We're not the the police service of jurisdiction of Emo," says Delaronde. "We weren't part of the community, so to speak, to serve our communities and provide that policing service out of there. It will have a significant impact in our ability and the people taking ownership of the Police Service building. They actually own it and we're the occupants."

Twenty officers policing First Nations between Seine River and Big Grassy work out of the detachment.

Booze Law Changes

Police are raising concerns over plans to relax Ontario's liquor laws.

The changes include allowing people to wander freely at festivals with a beer in hand, and permitting booze to be served at weddings and charity fundraisers until 2 a-m.

But some chiefs of police say that could encourage underage drinking, create a logistical nightmare for officers and unsafe environments for families.

Canadian Red Cross Month

March has been designated Canadian Red Cross Month.

It kicked off yesterday with a flag-raising ceremony in Fort Frances.

Communication Services Coordinator Ammie Gumany says they're putting out a call for more volunteer assistance.

"We're still in desperate need of volunteers especially for the Disaster Management Assistance program," says Gumany. "We need a certain number of individuals to make up a team. We're also looking to recruit and that training is free."

Those interested can contact the Dryden and District branch of the Red Cross.

Kircher Found in Violation of Code of Conduct

Fort Frances public school board trustee David Kircher has been found to have breached the trustee code of conduct.

In a 4-2 vote, Rainy River District School Board trustees approved the motion last night related to Kircher's release of information pertaining to a November in-camera session by the previous board.

Chair Mike Lewis, who voted against the motion, says Kircher has fourteen days to respond.

"At the next board meeting, April 5, we can then vote to confirm or reject the motion that was passed tonight," says Lewis. "If it's confirmed, then a recommendation will be for a consequence."

Kircher was surprised by the outcome, but insists no wrongdoing.

School Board Seeks Pepsi Dollars

Three school-based environmental projects are among the finalists in the latest Pepsi Refresh Everything Contest.

Angela Petsnick of the Rainy River District School Board says one seeks $25-thousand for area schools to produce films about the environment.

"Each school will be able to create a green film with a film maker," says Petsnick. "We have done this in the past with J.W. Walker School but we would like to try and do this with all of the schools in the district."

Other projects include creating an outdoor classroom and starting a vermicompost project both at Fort Frances High School.

The public can vote for the submissions by clicking this link to the Pepsi Refresh Everything website.

Atikokan Metis Council Installed

(John Rafferty photo)

The Atikokan Metis Council is now officially part of the Ontario Metis Nation of Ontario.

The council, formed over a year ago, had been given interim status before a chartering ceremony could be held on weekend.

President Marlene Davidson says it's an important designation for the Metis people in the Atikokan area.

"That means we have all the backing of the Metis Nation of Ontario," says Davidson, and can take part in any of the projects going on and have the support of the Metis Nation."

Davidson says more than 60 families have registered as being Metis with the Council so far.

Peaceful Borders Day

Fort Frances and International Falls are asking U.S. President Obama to declare July 2 International Peaceful Borders Day.

International Falls City Administrator Rod Otterness says it's part of the ongoing effort to increase national exposure of the annual tug-of-war between the two border communities.

"The exciting and positive events that we're able to engage in on a daily basis with our friends in Fort Frances does reflect upon the broader meaning of just how lucky both the United States and Canada area," says Otterness.

Otterness says he'd like Canadian Prime Minister Harper to sign a similar declaration

More Downtime Planned

More downtime is planned for workers at the AbitibiBowater mill in Fort Frances.

The company says both the paper and kraft mills will be halted for fourteen days beginning March 28 because of poor market conditions.

More than 500 employees will be effected.

The news comes as about 230 employees are in the middle of a shutdown of the mill's paper machines that is to end March 7.

Mining Company Acquires More Land

Another mining company is beefing up its assets in the Rainy River district.

Mineral Mountain is acquiring 1,100 hectares from Whetstone Minerals.

The property is located 70 kilometres northeast of the Rainy River gold deposit and next to the former Straw Lake Beach Gold Mine.

The mine, now owned by Mineral Mountain, operated between 1938 and 1945.

Trudeau to Visit Fort Frances

Margaret Trudeau is coming to Fort Frances.

Sandy Skirten of the Canadian Mental Health Association says the ex-wife of the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau will be speaking at the Townshend Theatre April 14.

"She'll be discussing her live story, living with bipolar," says Skirten. "Some of the journeys she's had throughout her live. This is also part of the celebration of the Fort Frances branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, our thirtieth anniversary."

Skirten says getting Trudeau to visit was something the local branch has been working on for many years.

Task Force Releases Interim Report

A Task Force looking at the management of Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake has released an interim report.

Canadian Secretary Kelli Saunders says the group, formed by the International Joint Commission, is putting forward some ideas gathered from the first six months of its work.

"(It includes) some of our initial thoughts on governance structures that might work for this watershed which is our ultimate goal," says Saunders. "(It's) to start getting some feedback from people before we get to the end of our mandate."

Saunders says a series of public meetings to discuss the report will be held in early April.

Food Box Program Expands

(Clover Valley Farmer's Market photo)

Clover Valley Farmer's Market is looking to introduce a smaller box to its popular food box program.

Donna Lowey, a food purchaser for the program, says it's a response to public demand.

"We've had lots of customers say 'we've love to get your box, but there's just one or two us and there's way to much food'," says Lowey. "We are going to launch a box that's suitable for singles or a couple."

Lowey says the $15 box could be in place this month.

The larger $25 box will continue to be offered.

Five Arrested in OPP Drug Busts

Five Rainy River district residents face drug charges following separate drug busts last month.

In one case, Provincial Police seized over $37-thousand worth of drugs, including 36 marijuana plants, a quantity of marijuana bud and a quantity of prescription pills from two homes in LaVallee township and Chapple township last Thursday.

A 26-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man from LaVallee township each face production charges.

A 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, from Potts Township, face charges of possession and Insecure storage of a firearm.

In a separate incident, an area man will appear in a Fort Frances court room next month on possession charges.

He was arrested on February 15 in Couchiching First Nations with several Oxycontin pills in his possession.

OPP says the man did not have a prescription for the drugs.