Local Candidates Debate in Dryden

Provincial candidates in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding will debate the issues tonight in Dryden.

Dryden media are hosting the all-Candidates forum.

There's no word yet if any debates are planned in the Rainy River district.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan Debate

Residents of Atikokan get to hear tonight from the candidates seeking their vote.

Liberal incumbent Bill Mauro, NDP's Mary Kozorys and PC's Fred Gilbert will participate in a Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding debate at the Atikokan town hall.

It's hosted by the Atikokan Chamber of Commerce and begins at 7 p.m.

EQAO Board Results Released

The Rainy River District School Board says more of its students are doing better writing the standardize provincial tests.

Education Director Heather Campbell says they're close to matching the provincial averages in many areas.

Campbell says while reading scores improved over previous years, it will still be an area of focus for the board.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board is happy with its standardized test results.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says their students excelled in several areas.

Kelly says St. Michael's and St. Francis School in Fort Frances had high number of students exceeding provincial standards in all tests.

More Fires in Rainy River District

Two more forest fires in the Rainy River district.

Both were lightning caused.

One, northwest of Atikokan near Miranda Lake is listed as still being active.

The other was near Marmion Lake and is out.

Six others are still burn within Quetico Provincial Park.

Dummies Cancel

One of the main shows in this year's Tour de Fort's line-up is in jeopardy.

Brad Roberts, of the Winnipeg-band Crash Test Dummies, says they've cancelled a fall tour of Canada and the U.S. because of his back trouble.

Doctors have advised the lead singer not go out on the road for the remainder of this year.

The band was set to play at the Townsend Theatre in Fort Frances November 15.

No word if the concert will be rescheduled.

Coaltion Seek Healt Care Platforms

Ontario's politicians are being urged to make health care a top election campaign priority.

Natalie Mehra with the Ontario Health Coalition says access to care is a serious issue in Ontario and all the political parties need to detail where they stand.

The coalition will soon distribute two newsletters to 400-thousand households.

One is a voter's guide to how the parties stand on key health-care issues.

The other will focus on how tax cuts are affecting health care.

Ontario Election Day 8

A change in the polls has been followed by a change in Tory tactics.

Recent polls suggest PC Leader Tim Hudak has lost his lead over the Liberals.

Yesterday, Hudak broke from several days of blasting the Liberals over its proposed tax break for companies that hire new Canadians to focus on government waste.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says her office has not approved using Jack Layton's memory to raise money.

One Toronto candidate was calling voters to say the party is going through a rough patch since the federal NDP leader died last month and could use financial support.

Horwath says it's not an approach she agrees with and nor should NDP candidates.

Premier Daltom McGuinty says is promising to continue taking over some costs from municipal governments.

But, he says, it's not something the PC's would do.

Library Board Seeks Meeting with Town Council

The Fort Frances Library Board wants to meet with Fort Frances town council.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft, who sits on the board, says there's some conflicts between the provincial library act and the municipal act they need to resolve.

"We're going through a policy review at the library board," says Wiedenhoeft, "and the chair wants to resolve these subtle difference between the Municipal Act and the Library Act."

Mayor Roy Avis and town clerk Glenn Treftlin will attend to board's meeting later this month.

Rafferty Sails with Canadian Navy

(John Rafferty photo)


John Rafferty is back from being at-sea.

The Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP spent the weekend aboard HMCS Ville de Quebec as part of a program offered to federally elected representatives.

"It certainly opened my eyes what the Canadian navy does," says Rafferty. "It certainly opened my eyes to life on a frigate. And it opened my eyes to the sorts of Canadians who are involved with the Navy and what they have to do."

Rafferty says much of time was spent on manoeuvres in the Atlantic off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Lemonade Stand Helps Health Care

(Tatum Kielczewski and Kiera Sherlock with Lori Maki of Riverside Health Care Facilities)


Local health care services have benefited from the entrepreneurial spirit of two six year old girls in Fort Frances.

Tatum Kielczewski and Kiera Sherlock set up a lemonade stand on Scott Street Saturday.

They raised 45-dollars and turned all of their profits over to Riverside Foundation for Health Care.

Government Meetings Disappointing

Not all went well for the town of Fort Frances in its meetings last month with members of the McGuinty government.

Mayor Roy Avis revealed at last night's council meeting talks with Community and Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur led to more conflicting information about where savings from the uploading of social services are supposed to go to.

Avis says the Minister claims a letter sent to municipalities indicated the savings were to be directed towards programs.

Municipal Affairs had suggested savings be used toward local infrastructure.

Strategic Plan in Place

Fort Frances town council will be taking more advice from local groups over the next four years.

C-A-O Mark McCaig says it part of a new strategic plan that was formally approved by councillors at their meeting last night.

McCaig says the document looks to obtain opportunities out of the challenges facing the community.

Official Plan Review

The town of Atikokan has started the process of updating its official plan.

A public meeting was held last night with two workshops scheduled for tomorrow.

Greens Seeking New Candidate

Ontario's Green Party hopes to have a candidate in place for the Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding by Thursday.

Spokesperson Rebecca Harrison says they're scrambling to replace Russ Aegard who stepped down.

Aegard dropped out of the race for personal reasons.

Heritage Party Candidate in Place

The Northern Ontario Heritage Party will run a candidate in Kenora-Rainy River.

The party says Charmaine Romaniuk has filed her papers.

Party leader Ed Deibel says issues important to northerners can now be raised in the election campaign.

The 26-year-old Romaniuk is a Kenora resident who's also a student at Lakehead University.

Atikokan Sawmill Future

The planned sell off of the Atikokan Forest Products sawmill is becoming a election issue for candidates in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

An auction of equipment is set to go at the end of this month.

Liberal MPP Bill Mauro says there's still some hope for that mill.

But NDP's Mary Kozorys and PC's Fred Gilbert say the current wood allocation process is prohibiting the mill from reopening.

Liberals Release Northern Platform

The Liberals have released their platform specific to northern Ontario.

Anthony Leek, their candidate for Kenora-Rainy River, says it means real and measurable progress for the area.

"I think its another step towards positive growth," says Leek. "Really expanding a foundation for the north and look at what's worked really well through the Heritage Fund as well as through energy grants and credits."

The Grits are promising, among other things, to increase the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to $110-million.

NDP Northern Ontario Platform

The NDP is also out with its northern Ontario platform.

Kenora-Rainy River candidate Sarah Campbell says it includes improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant.

"That would ensure that cheques are processed within 30 days," says Campbell. "If they are not received by people within the 30 days, people will receive interests from the Ontario government."
Campbell says the NDP would also implement an industrial hydro rate to help local mills.

Election Leaders Day

Ontario's provincial leaders all start their day courting votes in the Toronto area.

Premier Dalton McGuinty will speak at the Toronto Board of Trade, then head to Mississauga and Richmond Hill.

PC leader Tim Hudak is also in Mississauga, then heads to Kitchener and London.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath is in Toronto.

More Forest Fires in Northwestern Ontario

(Ministry of Natural Resources photo)

A lengthy warm spell has allowed the number of forest fires burning across northwestern Ontario to grow.

Almost forty new fires were reported over the weekend, pushing to 51 the number of those active.

Seven of were in the Rainy River district, most caused by lightning from previous storms.

There are seven fires still burning in the district.

BWCA Closed

(File photo)

A forest fire has closed a portion of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area near Ely.

Fire officials say dry air and north winds pushed the Pagami Creek Fire farther south on the weekend, forcing authorities to move campers out of the area.

The fire has grown to about 4,500 acres.

ERT in Town

(OPP Photo)

Ontario Provincial Police remind residents in Fort Frances of their Northwest Region Emergency Response Team training exercises.

Officers will be visible in the west end of the town until tomorrow.

Road Closure

Motorists who use McIrvine Road in Fort Frances will need to find an alternative route today.

The road is being shutdown near the old Bingo Hall so work crews can install water and sanitary sewer lines to an adjacent piece of property.

The work will begin at 7 a.m. today with the road reopening by tomorrow night.

Knights Honoured

The Knights of Columbus in the Fort Frances area celebrated their 75th anniversary on the weekend.

Bishop Fred Colli was among many dignitaries on hand.

"The Knights of Columbus here celebrating 75 years is a testament to the dedication and sacrifice and willingness of men and their families who have come before them to continue the strong work of the Knights of Columbus," says Bishop Colli.

The Knights used the celebrations to make their final contributions to Riverside Health Care's Care Close to Home Campaign and to the St. Mary's Church building fund.

Several members were also recognized for their years of service, including the last remaining charter member John Duchnicki.

Ontario Election Day Two

(CJUK photo)


NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling out the Liberal Government for sending out press releases attacking her northern Ontario platform.

Horwath says if the McGuinty Liberals want to attack her policies they can take part in a northern Ontario specific debate.

Horwath spoke to a crowd of party faithful in Thunder Bay last night.

The issue of helping some newcomers find work in Canada became a hot topic yesterday on the campaign trail.

PC Leader Tim Hudak says a Liberal plan to give tax credits to employers who hire professionals trained aboard doesn't help the 500-thousand people in the province who can't find work.

The Liberal party countered by saying such attitudes are intolerant and anti-immigration.

Employment and training appears to be the focus of the party leaders as they visit the Toronto area today.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is in Newmarket at a solar panels plant.

Hudak visits a training centre in Toronto while Horwath is at one in Oakville.

Atikokan Residents to Celebrate Canoe Trip

(Atikokan Progress photo)


An Atikokan man, travelling the historic Voyageur route by canoe, will be see some familiar faces when he reaches Montreal next week.

Donna Zachariah says a trip is being organized for residents to greet Mike Ranta when he completes the 52-hundred kilometre journey.

"We certainly are going to have a celebration in Atikokan," says Zachariah, "but we also felt it was also very important to have him see, once he came up to Montreal in a canoe, somebody there from Atikokan. We feel what he's doing is representing the heart and spirit of Atikokan."

Residents are also being asked to sign a congratulatory banner.

Contest Deadline Extended

The Atikokan Economic Development Corporation is giving people some extra time to submit their ideas that help promote the town as the Canoeing Capital of Canada.

The Corporation set up a contest, but received only a few submissions by an August 31st deadline.

It's hoping more ideas come forward by the end of the month.

Knights of Columbus Celebrate

The Knights of Columbus will celebrate their 75th year in the Fort Frances area this weekend.

Grand Knight Herman Rodriques says the Knights have played a significant role in improving the quality of life for residents.

"One time, I'm told, in the early 1970's, the old Knight of Columbus hall across the arena was the place to be if you want to get married," says Rodriques. "The Knights did raise a lot of funds through its bingos and weddings. There was a very substantial contribution to the community."

A dinner Saturday night and a mass Sunday highlight festivities.

Border Concert Series Underway

The Border Concert Association will offer five shows as part of its entertainment series at Backus Auditorium in International Falls.

Paul Follan of Allied Concert Services says they come at a very affordable cost.

"The prices on the Canadian side are $45 for adults, $10 dollars for students and $95 for a family," says Follan. "It's the same price on the American side. It's a great value. If you go to all of them it's like nine dollars a show."

Street Corner Symphony, runner-up in the NBC Reality Show Sing Off, kicks things off September 30.

Ontario Election Day Two

On the provincial election campaign, Premier Dalton McGuinty says tens of thousands of new clean energy jobs would be put at risk if the Progressive Conservatives are elected on October 6.

McGuinty made the statement as he visited London to announce Samsung's intentions to build four manufacturing plants in southern Ontario.

McGuinty says PC Leader Tim Hudak's promise to tear up the contract with Samsung will kill the jobs the plants bring.

The New Democrats are promising to create a northern Ontario legislative committee as part of their northern election platform.

During a campaign stop in Sudbury Thursday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath also promised to re-establish an independent ministry of aboriginal affairs instead of the joint ministry that's now in place.

And Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says he will "enforce the law" when it comes to doctors who charge illegal user fees.

He says he'll make sure no one will be able to charge patients for medically necessary services if he's elected premier,

Union Attempts to Restart Talks

The union representing striking support staff at Ontario community colleges is urging students, staff and members of the public to pressure college administration.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is asking that calls and emails be sent urging a return to the bargaining table.

The strike is entering its second week.

Cafeteria Concerns

A proposal to have students enrolled in a hospitality program operate the cafeteria at Fort Frances High School is drawing some concern from at least one Rainy River District School board trustee.

Dan Belluz says while seeing the initiative as a learning experience, cost is a big factor.

The move to have students take over the cafeteria comes after the previous operator, Kathy's Katering, choose not to renew its contract citing increased demands from the board.

Ontario Election Campaign Day 2

More sniping and attacks are likely again today on the campaign trail.

The tone was set yesterday when the Liberals branded Tory Leader Tim Hudak 'Tea Party Tim.'

Hudak shot back that it was Premier Dalton McGuinty who is being divisive and accused him of wasting tax dollars.

New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath, however, says she didn't want to spend the campaign "squabbling" with her opponents.

Horwath brings her campaign to northwestern Ontario with a stop in Thunder Bay tonight.

Early Voting Opportunity

The provincial election campaign is only in its second day, but voters can cast a ballot today if they choose.

Chief Returning Officer for the Kenora-Rainy River riding Ian Simpson says it's through a new special ballot in place for this election.

Voters can apply for the ballot on-line or at area returning offices.

Simpson says it will be at least another week before voter information cards are sent out identifying voter days and locations.

Heritage Party Still Seeking Candidates

It's becoming doubtful the Northern Ontario Heritage Party will have a candidate running for election in Kenora-Rainy River.

Party leader Ed Deibel says no one has come forward to run in this or any of the ten other northern Ontario ridings he wanted this election.

If candidates can't be found in at least two ridings, the party, formed in May 2010, may have to de-register.

Boil Water Advisory

Residents in Couchiching First Nation are being advised to boil their water before using it for consumption.

The advisory comes after services were shutdown for several hours yesterday for maintenance.

It will remain in effect until further notice.

Ontario Election Campaign Begins

The campaigning for the October 6 Ontario election officially starts today.

Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty is seeking his third consecutive term as Premier.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says Ontario can't afford another four years of Liberal rule.

New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath is hoping to cash-in on the gains made by the federal NDP.

Kenora-Rainy River Candidates Ready

Candidates seeking election in Kenora-Rainy River are ready to campaign for your vote October 6.

Conservative Rod McKay says he's preparing to run a basic campaign focusing on the issues.

McKay feels the rising costs for northerners will be the key issue this election.

Liberal Candidate Anthony Leek will be busy getting himself known in the riding.

Leek says his campaign will be one of emphasizing on the positives that a Liberal MPP can bring.

Leek says infrastructure, forestry and First Nation as the key issues.

Sarah Campbell says she's ready to make a name for herself in Kenora-Rainy River.

The NDP candidate is confident she can win over those who've long supported the retiring Howard Hampton.

Campbell sees affordability as the key election issue.

The Green candidate for the Kenora-Rainy River Riding says she feels stronger and more informed than she did last Provincial election.

Jo Jo Holiday says its time for someone to adequately represent the people of this Riding.

Holiday says health care, education and child poverty are all issues that need to be corrected.

Returning Office Opens

Fort Frances will be the main centre for the returning office for the Kenora-Rainy River riding.

It will open its 2nd Street East location this morning with former high school principal Ian Simpson as returning officer.

New Skilled Trade Program

(Teacher Bob Guertin accepts a Certificate of Recognition from Board Chair Mike Lewis)


Fort Frances High School is giving its students the tools needed to exceed in the trades.

Teacher Bob Guertin says a new Specialized High School Major allows students to earn a variety of credits at one time.

Guertin says the program will give students greater opportunity to acquire future certification in the trades.

New Student Trustee

Rainy River High School student Kailee Heyens will represent area students on the Rainy River District School Board for the next year.

Heyens was sworn-in as the board's student trustee at last night's meeting.

The grade 12 student is also vice-president of her school's student council.

Free Flower Giveway

Here's your change to spread a little goodwill today.

Brad Hogan, owner of Fort Floral in Fort Frances, will be giving out free roses as part of F-T-D's Good Neighbour Day with the stipulation you pass them on.

Three-thousand flowers will be given away on a first come first serve basis.

Race Relations Examined in Report

A recent Harvard graduate has released the findings of a research project looking at relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in the Rainy River district.

Jeff Denis, now an assistant professor at McMaster University, says despite the proximity of native and non-native communities, and the many relationships, racism and prejudice persists.

"One of the things that's very common is something called sub-typing," says Denis, "where people view individuals who violate stereotypes as exceptions that prove the rule. So they will say things like 'my best friend is native, but he's not your typical native,' or 'we have good Indians in this town.' The implication is that Indians elsewhere are not so good."

The report is based on 18-months of research that included interviews and surveys across the district.

College Students Return

Confederation College students will have to cross picket lines as they return to classes today.

The College's support staff are joined in province-wide labour action.

This is orientation week and President Jim Madder says enrollment numbers are similar to previous years.

"At least on par if not above par," says Madder. "We have a number of programs such as flight, nursing, concurrent disorders, these are programs that are absolutely full. There are other program though that if people are interested in coming they should make inquiries to our registration offices."

As many as one hundred students are expected at the Rainy River campus in Fort Frances with 70 of them first-year students.

I. Falls Students Back to School

Today is the start of school for students in International Falls.

Superintendent of Independent School District 361 Jeff Peura says there's some indication enrollment will be up slightly.

"We've had some expansion at the mill," says Peura. "Boise International has brought in some new families to work which brought us some students. Then we've got some students coming back from other districts which is good to see because it means what we're doing is on the right track."

Peura says a project to improve air quality at Falls High School has also been completed in time for the start of school.

Trustees Meet

Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board meet for the first time tonight in the newly renovated board offices in Fort Frances.

It's also their first meeting of the new school year.

The appointment of a new student trustee and discussion of a protocol between schools and police are among items on the agenda.

Energy Rebates

Two Rainy River district mills will benefit from financial assistance given to forest companies to help with their electricity costs.

AbitibiBowater is getting $6.1 million for its mills in Fort Frances and Iroquois Falls through the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate program.

Ainsworth Lumber will receive $1.0 million for its Barwick Mill.

College To Open As Planned

(Unionized Support Staff at Fort Frances campus on picket line)


Confederation College is anticipating no major disruptions from a strike by its support staff when classes resumes Tuesday.

Staff are walking picket lines as part of a province-wide labour disruption.

Vice-President of Academics Judi Maundrell says they'll have Campus managers take over the duty of registration and helping students file for financial aid in the meantime.

Maundrell says most academic and apprenticeship programs will proceed as scheduled, but continued education programs are being delayed a week.

Drug Concerns

First Nation leaders are calling on Ottawa to help stem what they are calling an epidemic of prescription drug abuse across northern Ontario.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says it has been two years since they declared a state of emergency because of drug abuse, but government response has been minimal.

Legal Action Taken

Several First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario are seeking legal action to stop provincial power contracts to hydro dams on their traditional lands.

Lawyer David Estrin says Grand Council Treaty 3 is concerned that the contracts will have adverse effects on aboriginal and treaty rights and is asking an Ontario court to set them aside.

The complaint is relates to five hydro generating plants, including the one in Fort Frances.

Alcohol Prices Lowered

The province is lowering the LCBO’s mark-up on alcohol sold at duty free stores, including that in Fort Frances.

The mark-up will be reduced from 50 per cent to 30 per cent of cost.

A release from the province says the changes will improve the competitiveness of the duty-free stores, allowing them to create jobs.

The pricing change takes effect October 10.

Ranger Program Concluded

(Fort Frances District Ontario Stewardship Ranger photo)

The Ontario Stewardship Ranger program has wrapped its summer program in the Rainy River district.

Four area youth took part in a variety of outdoor activities.

Among projects was identifying rusty crayfish on area lakes and putting up fences on farms to keep cattle out of streams.

Tele-Health Funding

The North West Local Health Integration Network is earmarking two-million dollars towards the region's tele-health program.

The money will allow various health care organizations to hire more nurses for the program.

Hertiage Party Candidate Expected

The Northern Ontario Heritage Party says it will soon be announcing the name of its candidate who will seek the seat in Kenora-Rainy River in this October's provincial election.

The party was formed last year to bring attention to issues important to this region.

Missing Man Found

OPP have located the body of a Florida man from Lake of the Woods.

68-year-old Bill Amason had been reported missing Sunday after his empty boat was found floating in Obabikon Bay.

Police says a marine unit found his body in the same area Wednesday.