Murder Suspect Dies

A police investigation into a murder in northern Ontario is now turning into a coroner's inquest.

Dwane Turk of Thunder Bay died while being held in custody in North Bay.

Turk was charged with second-degree murder in the death last week of 32-year-old-Christopher Jean, near Elk Lake, North of Sudbury.

Jean was also from Thunder Bay.

Former Mayor Charged

The former mayor of Kenora will appear in court in May on impaired driving charges.

74-year-old Len Compton was arrested early yesterday morning after O-P-P pulled over a vehicle in downtown Kenora.

Policing Needs Explored at Meeting

A discussion with the OPP over policing costs and manpower requirements has revealed a decision by Fort Frances town council to accept a contract that pays for fewer officers.

The decision was made December 20, but never reported publicly until now.

Mayor Roy Avis says the decision was above board.

"It was presented to council at an open committee meeting," says Avis. "and council looked at it. It was in our package. There was nothing that was done behind the scene. It was just a process of negotiations that we go through with all contracts."

Councillors may revisit the contract for 16 constables after OPP yesterday outlined differences with the current one for eighteen.

Bass Tournament Policing Requirements

Policing of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship was also discussed at yesterday's meeting.

OPP Inspector John Kendrick says it's a balance in meeting both community and event needs.

"(The town's) contract provides for you to have two officers in town," says Kendrick. "Well if those two officers are continuously at the bass tournament then they're not answering the calls for service in town. If there at the bass tournament, in accordance with the liquor license, and they're called away, they're not providing the services that required by the liquor licence act."

Tournament organizers plan to address the issue with the Police Services Board in the near future.

Chair Appointment Questioned

The Opposition is questioning the McGuinty government's appointment of a panel to investigate the use of Agent Orange in Ontario.

NDP Critic Gillies Bisson says it's chair, Doctor Leonard Ritter, worked for a federal department that approved the chemical's use for over four decades.

"How independent can he be," says Bisson, "if he is in fact the very person who is responsible for the approval of Agent Orange in the first place?"

Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey says she has all the confidence in Ritter's abilities.

Hampton on Jury Rolls

Howard Hampton is putting the blame on the McGuinty government for the jury crisis in the northwest.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP says there is no reason a judge had to postpone a jury trial earlier this month because there were not enough aboriginals on the jury roll.

"This was brought to the government's attention back in 2008," says Hampton. "It's pretty difficult for the provincial government to say we've been working on this."

Hampton says the government has not taken the issue seriously.

Contract Terminated

(Belmont Resources photo)



Belmont Resources has ended a potential agreement with another junior mining exploration company for partial ownership of a mining project north of Atikokan.

The agreement would have seen Dorex earn up to 60 per cent interest in Belmont's Lumby-Buffo property.

Belmot says Dorex failed to meet certain requirements and deadlines set out in the contract.

Federal Budget Reaction

Get ready for a May election.

The Harper government is poised to fall within days, with all three opposition parties planning to vote against the federal budget.

NDP Leader Jack Layton says the Conservatives latest fiscal plan was a disappointment.

Defeat of the government will likely occur this week.

Locally, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is standing behind his leader in not supporting the budget.

Rafferty says he wasn't impressed.

"I'm not going to support this budget in its present form," says Rafferty. "It's our job to press the government to ensure we have a budget that's good for all Canadians, and in my case, the people of northern Ontario."

Kenora's MP is questioning the NDP's motives.

Greg Rickford believes the Conservative Government struck a perfect balance in the budget.

Budget Tidbits for Northern Ontario

There are some budget goodies that could benefit this area.

The federal government's proposing an incentive program for doctors and nurses practicing in rural and remotes areas.

It's willing to forgive up to $40-thousand in student loans for doctors and $20-thousand for nurses to work in under serviced areas.

Funding for FedNor remains the same, but Industry Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada face large cuts to their budgets.

The federal government also proposes to extend until May 2012 the existing waiver of gun registry license fees at a cost of $21- million.

Community Safety Zone Developed

A new Community Safety Zone in Fort Frances could be in place this year.

The zone will stretch along Kings Highway from Legion Park to McIrvine Road.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says along with ongoing education, it will improve pedestrian safety.

"That will encompass a very high pedestrian population," says McCoy. "It encompasses two elementary schools as well as the High School and the Confederation College areas. As well, the pedestrian walkway in the area of McDonalds and A & W."

The zone must still be approved by the province before appropriate signage is placed.

It's need was first identified over two years ago by a project involving students from J.W. Walker School.

Exploration Deal

Two mining companies doing work in the Atikokan area have finalized a joint venture agreement.

The deal between Osisko Mining and Sparton Resources allows Osisko to take over partial interest in 7,5000 hectares of mining claims held by Sparton.

Osisko will spent a million dollars exploring the property that straddles its Hammond Reeve gold project.

Leon Back in Canada

Thunder Bay's Adam Leon is back in Canada.

He's the former Confederation College student who caused an international scare two years ago for stealing a Cessna and flying into American airspace without permission.

RCMP have escorted him back after his time in a Missouri jail.

He's appearing in a Thunder Bay court room today on theft charges.

Uploading Answers Sought

Fort Frances councillors will consider a political route in search of answers regarding the provincial uploading of municipal costs to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.

The board approved a $15-million budget last week, but councillor Ken Perry says any savings the province suggests aren't been seen by the municipalities.

"We're going to pull some changes and rattle some cages," says Perry. "The answers we're getting from everyone concerned are not consistent. That's my problem. show me some consistency. If we're right, we're right and if we're wrong, we're wrong. We can put it to bed one way or another."

Council will look to writing the Premier and having a question posed in the legislature.

Museum Assistant On Hold

The town of Fort Frances is holding off on the hiring of a museum assistant at the Fort Frances Museum.

The position became vacant with the move of Sherry George to curator.

Councillors last night decided to hold off filling the vacancy this year, allowing George time to assess staffing needs in the future.

Library Board Budget Rejected

(Fort Frances Library photo)

The Fort Frances Library Board is being asked to go back to the table to reduce its budget requirements for the new library.

It's budget has come in at about $22-thousand more than last year.

Town Councillors say they aren't prepared to provide any more than the $453-thousand allocated in 2010.

Regional Cyclotron in Budget

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the region's two NDP MP's may be about to put a kibosh on $4 million for a cyclotron for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The Conservative MP says the money is included in the federal budget, but approval rests with the NDP.

"Are they prepared for to vote against probably one of the most significant medical advancements in medical research for Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario in a long time?," asks Rickford.

Rickford says the money would be in jeopardy if an election is called.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

A walk that encourages men to lend their voice to end gender violence will take place next month in International Falls.

The "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" is organized by the Friends Against Abuse.

Executive director LeeAnn Meer says this year's walk will be an international affair.

"We are partnering with Fort Frances to do this," says Meer. "We have the groups over there, Victims Services and some of the others group, we are working with and planning it. Hopefully they will be joining us with the walk over here. So we are really reaching across borders to discuss a topic that really needs to be discussed."

The event takes place April 28

Bending Lake to go Public

A company with plans for the former Steep Rock Iron Ore mine at Atikokan is looking to go public.

Tom Ungar, a vice-president with Bending Lake Iron Group, says a move to the Toronto Stock Exchange will help raise the over $900-million for the project.

"We're well underway to hopefully raising and locking up that funding that needed," says Ungar. "When you can also offer someone the liquidity that a public company provides, it helps you."

Ungar says the company could begin trading on the Stock Exchange later this year.

Atikokan Hydro Bill Dropping Slightly

Hydro users in Atikokan may see a decrease in their bills in May.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved new rates for Atikokan Hydro.

The decrease amounts to about 26 cents per month on the average bill.

The drop takes into account a 10 per cent cut in hydro costs imposed earlier this year by the province.

Solar Project Up for Discussion

Fort Frances town councillors are expected to hear today from the company interested in helping set up solar panels on some municipal buildings.

Officials with Solar Logix are scheduled to be at tonight's budget meeting.

The project was discussed by Councillors at their last meeting, but some expressed concern with the maintenance of the panels and the sustainability of a contract to sell the power back to the grid.

Safeway Scam

Canada Safeway has issued a warning about a telephone scam involving an automated or live caller posing as a representative of the company.

The caller seeks personal credit card information under the pretext that the person has won a large prize.

A number of calls have been received in Western Canada.

Jury Rolls Concerning

There is concern among the legal community in northwestern Ontario over the issue of a lack of Aboriginal representation on the district's jury roll.

A murder trail in Thunder Bay was postponed this week because of it.

Lawyer Gil Labine says the issue of jury rolls needs to be resolved.

"Effectively it's put a stop to jury trials in Thunder Bay and the northwest region until that happens," says Labine.

A number of cases across northwestern Ontario coming up on the docket later this year could be effected as a result.

Area Concerns Shifting

The high cost of living in northwestern Ontario has become the main concern for many area residents.

A poll conducted by Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty during a telephone town-hall meeting this week found most want Ottawa to make live more affordable.

"We've got a health tax. We've got HST. We've got an electronics's tax, an eco tax and of course, the price of electricity continues to rise," says Rafferty, "and so people are finding it very difficult to make ends meet."

Health Care and the Economy were ranked low by the 2,500 people who participated in the survey.

Waste Transfer Considered

The town of Fort Frances says it's willing to discuss further a Ministry of Natural Resources request to have waste from Mine Centre sent to the town's landfill site.

The MNR wanted to know Fort Frances' interest in taking on waste as it works toward closing a dump now serving Mine Centre.

New sites are being explored, but a new transfer station is also being considered.

OPP Camp Coming to Fort Frances Area

Fort Frances' Sunny Cove Camp will be the site of this year's OPP's annual summer camp.

Forty children, aged 11 and 12, selected through the OPP's DARE programs in the Kenora and Rainy River districts will participate.

Constable Anne McCoy says its the second year for the week long camp.

"We're looking at a wonderful week with the kids and teaching them different development assets," says McCoy, " in helping them learn about team building concepts, life experiences and just having a great week and learning how to do different things to give them the strengths they need for life skills."

A $20-thousand provincial grant is helping to offset some of the camp's costs.

Boat Registration Changes

Canadians who own a canoe, kayak, sailboat, or a boat with a small motor will no longer have to register it with Transport Canada.

Transport Minister Chuck Strahl says the regulation was complicated, confusing, and was originally meant to apply only to commercial vessels.

Create Space for Peace

A book about a Fort Frances man's peace efforts will be presented to a local audience this weekend.

Create Space for Peace focuses on the work of late Gene Stoltzfus.

Dorothy Friesen says it was something that her husband considered before his untimely death one year ago.

"I think after he died it took on a different character," says Friesen, "and it was important to include some of his earlier roots and what other people saw and experienced - the kind of encouragement he gave them."

An event billed as the an inter-cultural peace event takes place at St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Frances Sunday at 3 p.m.

Fort Frances Woman Worried About Japan

A mix of emotions for a Fort Frances woman with ties to Japan.

Aya Sletmoen says the community she's originally from was hit hard by last Friday's earthquake and tsunami.

"I was so shocked. It didn't look like my country anymore," says Sletmoen. "Sometimes I was able to see my hometown on television and I'm just sad right now."

Sletmoen says, fortunately, her mother and sister managed to stay safe.

She's been in constant communication with them since.

First Nations Cancer Screening Program

First Nations adults in the northwest are the target for a new cancer screening program.

The Regional Cancer Centre in Thunder bay has received $100-thousand from Cancer Care Ontario for the program.

Vice President Linda Rabeneck says its an important one.

"The screening rates in First Nations and among aboriginals is too low," says Rabeneck. "Their burden of cancer is too high. Their survival rates are not as good."

The Centre is hoping to get 70 per cent of the region's First Nations people tested.

Population Drops

Fewer people are calling International Falls and Koochiching County home than they did ten years ago.

Census Data released yesterday shows the County experienced a 7 per drop in its population while the Falls is down about 4 per cent over the past decade.

The Falls population is down 300 to 6,424.

13,311 people are scattered through the County - a drop of one thousand from the year 2000.

Americans Refused into Canada

Canada Border Services Agency denied a dozen Americans from passing through its Fort Frances port of entry last month.

The agency says all had various criminal records ranging from drug convictions, assaults and burglary.

In one case, a woman tried to enter claiming to be married to a Canadian incarcerated in Arizona who was being deported back to Canada.

The woman was unable to prove the marriage.

Former Customs Officers Pleads Guilty

A former U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent who worked in International Falls has admitted making up a story about his family being threatened so he could be transferred to the southern border.

Thirty-year-old Andrew Rodriguez of East Grand Forks pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of making a false statement.

A sentencing date has not been set.

Pay Fees On-Line

The Rainy River District School Board is making it easier for parents to pay for their child's school fees.

An on-line pay system is in place for its three Fort Frances schools.

Board accountant Meaghan Cox says all parents need is a debit card.

"We can set up those fees online," says Cox, "and parents can go and create an account and log in to a secure on-line site in order to pay those fees. It's parallel to Internet banking or paying fees on-line and the funds flow directly to the school."

Cox says they hope to offer the system district wide in the future.

Northern Grow Bonds Cut

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says a Liberal decision to scrap the Northern Grow Bonds program shows they have no real plan for northern Ontario.

The agency overseeing the program is one of eleven being eliminated by the province.

Hampton says the program was introduced with much fanfare just six years.

"When the McGuinty Liberals introduced the so-called Northern Grow Bonds, they said it was going to be the greatest thing for the northern Ontario economy," says Hampton. "Now, seven years later, they're shutting it down."

The program raised about $13-million for small and medium-sized businesses through the sale of the bonds.

Hospital Phone Problems

Riverside Health Care Facilities is reporting some difficulties with its phone system today.

Hospital officials says people calling the main number and trying to connect with Health Centres in Emo and Rainy River and LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances may not be getting through.

The problems started last night and Bell Canada is investigating.

Area residents are being advised to hold off making non-emergency calls until corrections can be made.

Fire Service Review Conducted

Fort Frances' fire department is in the midst of a service review.

Newly appointed Fire Chief Frank Sheppard says the review is not tied to a recent arbitration award for firefighters.

"It was something that needed to be done here and needed to be done over the last few years and never got to it," says Sheppard. "It's part in parcel of a change in the way we do business to meet some some efficiency levels."

Sheppard doesn't anticipate many major changes impacting the public coming out of the review.

Water System Reviewed

The town of Fort Frances is getting good marks for its water system.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it comes from an inspection of the plant by the Ministry of Environment back in December.

"The town received an inspection rating of 98.59 per cent," says Wiedenhoeft. "The only reason we didn't receive a rating of 100 per cent is that we failed to submit include a minor concluding letter regarding our lead testing."

While not part of the study, the Ministry did recommend the town move to install water metres throughout the community.

Atikokan Budget Talks

Atikokan town council is giving its residents an opportunity to have some input into the development of the 2011 budget.

Mayor Dennis Brown says they will hold a luncheon meeting next Wednesday at the Municipal office.

"We're having a presentation to council of where we're at so far by staff," says Brown. "Then we're going to have a public meeting on Wednesday March 23 at noon to see if residents and local business owners will come out and provide some input into what we're planning."

Brown says it's too early to say what kind of tax increase, if any, will be brought forward.

One of the major projects is to replace an aging ice arena.

Invasive Species Legislation to be Released

Legislation aimed at preventing the spread of invasive species in Minnesota is being unveiled today.

Zebra mussels and Asian carp are among the species concerning the state's outdoors managers.

A draft plan, released in January, included increased fines and the hiring of additional conservation officers to inspect boats that spread invasive species.

I. Falls Seeks Toughest Weather City Title

The city of International Falls is among 64 cities competing for title of "America’s Toughest Weather City.”

It's an on-line event run by the U.S. based The Weather Channel.

The Falls is up against Green Bay, Wisconsin in a first round match-up with voting ending Friday.

FFCBC Makes Pitch to Council

Members of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship made their pitch to town council last night.

They're seeking a shopping list of requests for this year's tournament.

In a brief statement to council, president Gord Watson says the tournament is still viable.

"We have spent our time with a budget committee that has done an excellent job," says Watson. "It is still a very much viable event in Fort Frances."

Councillors are to discuss the Championship's requests at the committee level next week.

Police Meeting Planned

Fort Frances town council will hold a special meeting next week to discuss its policing concerns.

Mayor Roy Avis says the meeting will be with members of the Police Services Board and Ontario Provincial Police.

"What they'd like to do is have the detachment commander (Acting Inspector Steve Shouldice)come forward and the chair of the board," says Avis. "Any of the other board members will be there to answer questions for council if they have any questions."

Policing costs and the number of officers on patrol have been two of the issues in recent months.

New Fire Chief Named

The town of Fort Frances has a new fire chief.

Frank Sheppard has been appointed to the position after serving in an acting capacity since the retirement of Gerry Armstrong in January.

He also becomes the town's new Emergency Measures Coordinator.

Sheppard has been with the Fire and Rescue Service for the past twenty five years.

Friends of the Museum Created

An effort is underway to create a separate volunteer group that would lend some support to the Fort Frances Museum.

Curator Sherry George says a "Friends of the Museum" group could be beneficial in helping around the museum or fundraising.

"We're in the very early stages," says George. "We're just trying to get some names together. It was an idea that came up at our advisory committee meeting and we're just trying to generate some interest right now."

George says they're hoping to duplicate the success of a library group that was instrumental in getting a new facility constructed.

Area Teacher Elected to OSSTF Executive

A Fort Frances High School teacher will remain on the provincial executive of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.

Paul Elliott was re-elected as a vice-president for another two year term during the Federation's annual meeting that wrapped up yesterday in Toronto.

Elliot has been on the executive since 2005, the last four as its vice-president.

New Telemedicine Equipment Acquired

The Rainy River Medical Centre is getting some new telemedicine equipment.

The North West Local Health Integration Network is providing Riverside Health Care Facilities with nearly $12,000 to purchase and install the equipment.

Andy Gallardi, a senior director with LHIN, says patients in Rainy River will have easier access to specialists.

"It will be used for cardiac rehab, chronic disease prevention management, oncology, and pain management," says Gallardi.

The Rainy River hospital joins almost 190 existing sites already using telemedicine.

New Fire Chief to be Selected

The appointment of a new fire chief for the town of Fort Frances could be made tonight.

Town councillors are scheduled to first discuss the appointment behind close doors.

Deputy Fire Chief Frank Sheppard has been serving in an Acting capacity since the retirement of Gerry Armstrong earlier this year.

RRFDC Keeps Tent

The Rainy River Futures Development Corporation won't be selling its big events tent after all.

The Corporation had considered putting it on the market after noting it wasn't getting a lot of use.

It says after input from area municipalities, it will now keep the tent for at least another two years.

Washington Trip Productive

The mayor of International Falls is calling a recent trip to Washington productive.

Shawn Mason was joined with officials from the city, Koochiching and St. Louis County and as well as Voyageurs National Park last week.

Transportation was among topics discussed.

"We we're talking about issues surrounding International Falls being a North American transportation hub," says Mason, "as it relates to the second busiest rail port of entry in North America, our highway system and our International airport,
which is not only good for northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota, but all of North America as a continent."

Mason says they also took time to promote events associated with the Park headquarters' opening this summer.

MP Votes

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is getting some heat for leading MP's in missing votes in the house of commons.

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says it's no big deal.

"I think you have to keep in mind, first of all, that if a vote is missed it doesn't mean you're not in Ottawa working," says Rafferty. "I think that's maybe one of the misconceptions that comes out when you see that because votes come at the end of the day."
Rafferty has missed 26 votes, ranking him 96th out of the 305 MPs.

Camera in the Courts

Ontario's attorney general is prepared to look at putting cameras in the province's courtrooms.

But Chris Bentley says but there are many issues to consider such as privacy.

Meantime, cameras will be allowed to cover civil cases in Minnesota under a new order from the State Supreme Court.

Judges will still have the final say, beginning July 1.

Teachers Backing Liberals?

Ontario's public high school teacher's union seems ready to back Premier McGuinty's flagging Liberal government.

Union leaders are warning of a return to tough times if the Tories win October's provincial election.

They point to the bitter labour disputes and budget cuts seen under former Premier Mike Harris.