Stratton Debate Organized

There will be a provincial election debate in the Rainy River district.

The Rainy River Federation of Agriculture is sponsoring an event a week from tomorrow at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.

A meet and greet, sponsored by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, takes place the day before in Fort Frances.

Advance Polls Open

Advance polls open today in the provincial election.

Returning officer for the Kenora-Rainy River riding Ian Simpson says voters can go to the returning office in Fort Frances or to the Rainy River Community Centre beginning at 10 a.m.

In Atikokan, there is an advance poll at Elections Ontario's office on Main street.

Three Face Drug Charges

Three people in the Rainy River district will make future court appearances on drug charges.

A 60-year-old Fort Frances man was charged after OPP seized  $3,000 worth of marijuana plants from a home in late August.

A week later, a marijuana grow operation was discovered in Barwick where police seized plants and dry marijuana, valued at over $23-thousand.

A 47-year-old man was charged.

A day later, a 44-year-old woman from Couchiching First Nation was charged after police stopped a vehicle and found $4,100 worth of cocaine inside.

Environmental Film Festival

The environment takes front and centre at a film festival at Fort Frances High School today.

Beth Fairfield, chair of the Rainy River District School Board's Environmental Education Committee says it's the event's third year.

Students will see a number of short films.

An expo will also be held to showcase environmental products and services in the district.

The festival is restricted to students only, but the expo is open to the public from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Dayton Talks Jobs

(Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton listens to International Falls Mayor Shawn Mason at economic development summit)

Education and transportation were among areas identified needing support to help generate jobs in Koochiching County.

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton heard from a variety of individuals at his economic development summit on job creation.

International Falls Mayor Shawn Mason says promotion of its foreign trade zone would go along way to meeting that goal.

The input will be further discussed as a State-wide jobs summit planned for the end of next month.

Demo Project at Area Schools

Schools in the Rainy River District are being used as demonstration sites to find ways of integrating speech and language services for young children.

Ann Anderson, the public board's speech language coordinator, says they're focusing on the needs of students going from preschool to junior kindergarten.

Lonna Oster, a speech language pathologist with the Kenora – Rainy River District Preschool Speech and Language Program, has been seconded to head the project.

Support Workers Back on Job

Support workers with Confederation College are back on the job today.

They still have to vote on a tentative deal that ended a 16-day old strike at all of Ontario's 24 community colleges, but their union is recommending acceptance.

Voting is expected to take place within two weeks.

Rainfall Warning

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the Morson and Nestor Falls areas.

A system moving across the area over the next 24 hours is expected to bring up to five centimetres of rain in some areas.

Lesser amounts are expected around Fort Frances and Atikokan.

Ontario Election Day 14

Premier Dalton McGuinty says he can find health care savings without making cuts to hospitals.

Tory Leader Tim Hudak promises to end the mandatory smart meter program, call the meters a government cash-grab.

The NDP is promising to help municipalities with public transit costs if they commit to holding the line on fares for four years.

Debate in Kenora

Candidates in Kenora-Rainy River will debate regional issues in Kenora today.

This one is sponsored by the Kenora Chamber of Commerce.

Weather Aids Minnesota Fire Fight

Firefighters appear to be gaining ground on a forest fire that has blackened 147 square miles of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota.

Fire information officer Doug Anderson says significant rainfall has resulted in the fire being 23 per cent contained.

Rainy River Resources Finds Nickel

There's gold - now there appears to be nickel at Rainy River Resources gold project north of Barwick.

The company says it recently found what it believes to be a new nickel deposit.

Further exploration is planned to better define the size of the discovery.

St. Mary's 60th

St. Mary's Church in Fort Frances has started celebrations towards its 60th anniversary.

Bishop Fredrick Colli says it's a significant milestone.

The church was originally constructed in 1951.

Former Family Services Worker Facing Charges

The former director of family services with the Rainy River First Nation is reportedly facing multiple charges in connection with alleged abuses of two teenage girls and a woman.

Metrolinx News reports 60-year-old James Leonard Cardy is free on bail after turning himself into Winnipeg Police last week.

The alleged offences took place in Winnipeg between January and November of last year.

An band official says Cardy was dismissed from his position earlier this year.

College Support Workers Get New Contract

The province's 24 community colleges should be back to normal within days after striking staff reached a tentative deal.

The eight-thousand support workers, including those with Confederation College, who were on picket lines since just before school resumed are expected back on the job tomorrow.

No details will be released until after a ratification vote.

Internet Safety to be Promoted

Ontario Provincial Police will likely roll out its Internet Safety programs to Rainy River district schools next month.

Constable Anne McCoy says they've come up with a curriculum that touches every age group, their parents and teachers.

McCoy says Tim Hortons, a past supporter of the DARE program, will continue on with this program through the sale of its Smile Cookies this week.

Passport to Farm Safety

A program that emphasizes safety on the farm is being tested in the Rainy River district.

Administrative coordinator for Safe Community's Rainy River Grace Silander says 26 area farms are involved in Passport to Farm Safety.

Pilots are also being done in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and southern Ontario before expanded elsewhere by mid-October.

Parliament Resumes

Members of Parliament will return to their seats today in the House of Commons.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty plans to reintroduce a private members bill to protect workers severance.

Rafferty says he'll also be watching for the Conservatives to bring their plan to kill the long-gun registry very early in the session.

Canada Responses to Tax Dispute

The Harper government is pressing the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to back off on its effort to find offshore tax cheats in Canada.

The IRS is going after people who are citizens of both Canada and the U-S, and didn't file a U.S. tax return.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says many of those dual citizens are not high rollers with offshore bank accounts -- and Canada is not a tax haven.

The U.S. also proposes to compel Canadian banks to notify the I.R.S. of accounts held by clients with dual citizenship.

Weather Impacts Forest Fire

The weather is expected to be a factor again in that huge forest fire burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area near Ely.

Rain yesterday helped prevent further spread of the 147-square mile fire which is 11 per cent contained.

Clear skies and strong winds forecast today could blow smoke back over Lake Superior.

Dayton Visits International Falls

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton brings his economic development summit to International Falls today.

The summit aims to gather ideas on job creation.

It takes place 2 p.m. at Rainy River Community College.

Hockey Equipment Drive Continues

A drive to collect used hockey equipment for area youth in the Rainy River district is being extended.

The Taggs Sources for Sports store in Fort Frances will collect items until September 23rd.

The equipment will later be given to Kidsport for distribution.

Candidates Debate in Dryden

Health care was a main topic of discussion at an all-candidates debate in Dryden for those seeking election in Kenora-Rainy River.

Liberal Anthony Leek says he'd make sure there's good use of existing health care dollars.

Progressive Conservative Rod McKay wants to see money wasted elsewhere is put back on the front lines.

Sarah Campbell of the NDP wants to see more nurse practitioners hired to ease the pressure on doctors.

Candidate Debate in Atikokan

Candidates in Thunder Bay-Atikokan tackled a number of economic development issues in a debate last night in Atikokan.

Questions about forestry and mining were fielded in the debate sponsored by the Atikokan Chamber of Commerce.

No Debate in Fort Frances

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has opted for a more informal event to help educate local voters about the candidates in Kenora-Rainy River.

Manager Anthony Mason says the September 28 mix and mingle takes the place of a candidates debate.

Candidates will be allowed ten minutes to outline their platforms and have their own booths to meet voters one-on-one.

Bed Shortage Concerns

Ontario's politicial partys are being asked to address the shortage of acute care beds in local hospitals.

Judy Bain of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions says they're concerned with the number of elderly who are forced to stay in hospital while waiting for a long term care bed to open up.

The Council brought its campaign to northwestern Ontario yesterday.

Ontario Election Day 10

Day 10 of the provincial election campaign will see the party leaders campaign across the province.

NDP Leaders Andrea Horwath visits Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay on the heels of the Premier's visit.

Dalton McGuinty is in Windsor and Cambridge.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is focusing on voters in the Toronto area.

Support Received for Minnesota Fire

Teams of elite firefighters have arrived to a wildfire in northern Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

One hundred highly trained firefighters from Arizona were to be deployed to the fire last night.

Another highly experienced crew of fire managers from the Rocky Mountains has taken over command of the blaze which is at about one-hundred thousand acres.

More Forest Fires Sparked

Five new fires have popped up in the Rainy River district.

There are now twelve active fires in the district, nine within Quetico Provincial Park.

All are lighting strikes from previous storms.

Rachel's Challenge Tickets Available

Tickets for the Rachel's Challenge presentations in Fort Frances are now available.

Steve Latimer of the United Native Friendship Centre says he's excited about the support to bring the positive peer-pressure initiative to the region.

Tickets can be obtained on a first-come first-service at Northwoods Gallery and Gifts, United Native Friendship Centre and at Cloverleaf Grocery in Emo.

Green's Select New Candidate

The Green Party has apparently found someone to run in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

Jonathan Milnes is the party's replacement for Russ Aegard who stepped down last week because of personal commitments.

Governor Plans Visit

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will be in International Falls Monday.

He'll be at Rainy River Community College in the latest stop of a state-wide economic development summit aimed at gathering ideas on job creation.

It will also be his first visit to the Falls since becoming Governor last fall.

Atikokan B & E's Investigated

OPP have called in their Rural and Agricultural Crime Team and Forensic Identification Services to assist with the investigation of a series of break-ins in Atikokan.

Seven separate homes and businesses were targets of thieves between September 5 and September 12.

Copper Theft Arrests

Two Atikokan residents have been charged in connection with the theft of copper wire from Atikokan Hydro.

A 27-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman will appear in court next month on break and enter, theft and possession of stolen property charges.

Borders to Share Officers

United States and Canada plan to designate officers who can work investigations on both sides of the border in a new pilot program next year.

The initiative stems from broad agreement earlier this year by both countries to co-operate more on law enforcement.

Details of the pilot program, including precisely where and when it will begin, were not disclosed.

Yeah! It was That Cold!

International Falls is living up to its moniker as the "Icebox of the Nation."

The National Weather Service says the thermometer dipped to minus 7 C or 19 F yesterday morning, the earliest ever temperatures have dropped to the teens in September.

Hospitals Receiving Financial Gift

Area hospitals will benefit from a substantial gift from a long-time resident of the Rainy River district.

Director with Riverside Foundation for Health Care Nicke Baird says the resident, who is choosing to remain anonymous, is providing the Foundation with $100,000.

Baird says the fund will be turned into an Endowment Fund that allows the Foundation to benefit from the interest earned.

Liberal's Absence Defended

Ontario's Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle is coming to the defence of his Leader.

Premier Dalton McGuinty won't be attending a northern issues debate in Thunder Bay, because of what the Liberals now say is a conflict with a prior commitment.

Gravelle disputes claims his party doesn't care about the region and favours having a northern issues segment as part of a province-wide televised debate on September 27 in Toronto.

McGuinty is in Thunder Bay today.

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.