Question of the Week

Doctors don't seem to be getting much public support in their fight with the province over fee cuts and a freeze on wages.

80 per cent of respondents to a question on our website give support to the government.

What do you think?

Have your say at 931theborder.ca.

Hospital's Interim CEO To Leave

Rainy Lake Medical Centre in International Falls is having to fill its top administrative position once again.

Stephen Erixon, who had been serving as the hospital's CEO in an interim capacity, will leave next month to take on the job full-time at a hospital in Lander, Wyoming.

Erixon has been Rainy Lake Medical Centre interim CEO since January 2011.

Diabetes Association Still Likes The Penny

The government is giving up on the penny, but the Canadian Diabetes Association still has interest.

Community Initiatives Coordinator Alexandra Erickson says they're asking people to donate as many of the one cents coins they want to the Association.

Erickson says they're foregoing setting up coin boxes to instead ask people directly to send their unwanted pennies, or any other coins, they're not certain what they want to do.

You can contact the Association's Thunder Bay office if you interested in donating.

Former Bank Note

A piece of local history has been picked up off the auction block.

A 10-dollar bill issued by the former First National Bank of International Falls was sold for an undisclosed amount of money.

Brendan Meehan of Connecticut acquired the bill, dated 1902, from another collector before selling it off himself.

It's one of only ten known to be still in existence.

The Bank was formerly located near the existing Well-Fargo and operated until the 1930's.

College Hires

Rainy River Community College has added to its recruitment staff.

Lucy Nevanen joins as a limited-term recruiter for the Science and Math Education programs.

Molly Franz will join the College's team in June and represent it at College and job fairs.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels Close To Contracts

The start of production at Atikokan Renewable Fuels could right around the corner.

The company says its close to nailing down some contracts with businesses interested in buying their wood pellets.

President Ed Fukushima says deal from Europe could be finalized within the next 30 days.

Fukushima says they also still working on a deal with Ontario Power Generation.

Lakers Need More Fans

A call for more fan support for the Fort Frances Lakers junior A hockey club.

Team president Milt Strachan says while the club has improved its on-ice performance in its three past season, lower than expected attendance is body-checking its financial picture in the red.

Strachan says the team is averaging close to 350 people a game, but far less than what they'd like to see.

The club is also looking at new fundraising opportunities and cutting costs to help improve the bottom-line.

More Charges Against former NWO man

A former Anglican Church minister and boy scout leader in northwestern Ontario is facing more sexual assault charges.

72-year-old Ralph Rowe will appear in Kenora Court at the end of this month.

The charges stem from incidents that allegedly took place between 1973 and 1986 in several remote First Nations.

Rowe was found guilty on more than 50 similar charges in two previous court cases.

He's currently living in the Vancouver area.

Communication Towers Proposed

Koochiching County is being asked to help the Minnesota Department of Transportation with plans to set up a tower along the Rainy River.

Environmental Services Manager Dale Olson says MIN-DOT would like to use an existing tower owed by Boise, and has asked the County to assist in kicking starting failed talks.

Meantime, AT & T is pursuing plans to set up a tower to improve cell-phone service near Rainy Lake Houseboats.

Exercise - The Simple Prescription

An Ontario doctor is promoting exercise as the most important thing we  can do to improve our health.

Dr. Michael Evans spoke to a Fort Frances audience last night as part of Mental Health Week.

He says seeing patients with a variety of illnesses led him to realize their prescription was so simple.

Evans outlines his reasons in a video posted on You Tube that's received more than a million and a half hits.

Union Concerned With Changes To Bear Wise Program

A union leader says Ontario residents face greater danger from bears this year because of provincial government cutbacks.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union president Smokey Thomas says changes to the Bear Wise education and response program are among what he terms ill-advised cuts at the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Minister Michael Gravelle says Ministry staff will no longer be involved in the trapping and relocating of bears.

Doctors Upset with Fee Cuts

The Ontario Medical Association says it was deceived by the Liberal government which has slashed a number of fees paid to doctors.

President Dr. Doug Weir says Premier Dalton McGuinty and Health Minister Deb Matthews were never interested in simply freezing doctors' salaries.

The Liberal government says the fee reductions will save 338 million dollars this year.

Question of the Week

Do you think the provincial government is right in cutting fees and freezing wages of doctors?

That's our poll question at 931theborder.ca.

Last week, 79 per cent of respondents said they plan to donate dollars to Riverside Foundation for Health Care's fundraiser for a new digital mammography unit.

New EDO Sought

The city of International Falls is planning to hire a full-time person responsible for economic development.

Councillor Tim McBride says it will ease the workload of other staff who are now doing some of the responsibilities of an economic development officer.

Mayor Shawn Mason abstained from voting say it's a position she may apply for in the future.

Agreement Holds Up New Cold Box

The finalizing of an agreement is holding up efforts to build a second unit at International Falls' cold weather testing facility.

An unnamed company is interested coming to the falls to conduct testing.

Koochiching Economic Development Authority's Paul Nevanen says they working on what is now a fourth final agreement.

Nevanan says if the facility is to open this year, they would need an agreement in place by June

Needle Disposal Promoted

The Northwestern Health Unit is launched new campaigns on how to safely dispose of needles found in public places.

Spokesperson Gillian Lunny says it's aimed at people of all ages.

Lunny says they're mandated by the province to operate needle exchange program, having distributed more than 124-thousand over the past year.

Doctors Fees Slashed

The Ontario government is slashing some fees paid to doctors, who have walked away from contract talks with the Liberals.

The changes include slashing payments for self-referrals - the practice of referring a patient back to a doctor's own practice for an additional procedure, and for cataract surgeries.

PC Want Wage Freeze Now

The Progressive Conservatives plan to introduce legislation that imposes an immediate two-year wage freeze on Ontario's public sector worker.

Leader Tim Hudak says the Liberal government's attempts to negotiate a voluntary freeze isn't working.

Hudak says the economic uncertainty created by the weekend elections in France and Greece and Ontario's recent credit downgrade require immediate action.

McGuinty Invites Opposition To Liberals

The opposition parties are accusing Premier Dalton McGuinty of trying to buy his way to a majority by using the government appointment process for partisan gains.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says there are reports McGuinty has bragged to the Liberal caucus about offering plum government posts to opposition members.

The Premier responded by saying the Liberals would welcome any Tories or New Democrats who want to cross the floor and sit with the government.

Stolen Vehicle Found

Ontario Provincial Police are on the lookout for two young men they believe may be connected to a stolen vehicle found in Stratton last week.

The vehicle was taken from Timmins and found abandoned in the parking lot of the Country Corner Cafe last Wednesday.

Police say the two men were seen hitch-hiking in the area.

They were carrying a cardboard sign that read "we don't bite" and a black guitar case.

Bear Program Changing

The provincial government's Bear Wise program is changing.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says the ministry will no longer trap and relocate bears.

That job will now be left up to the police to handle.

Mental Health Week

It is Mental Health Week in Canada.

Sandy Skirten with the Fort Frances chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association say it's to bring attention and awareness of mental illness and programs available.

The highlight of the week will be a Health and Wellness Fair Tuesday at the Townshend Theatre with a presentation from Doctor Michael Evans.

New Campaign To Save Tourist Centres Launched

Not for Sale.

That's the latest campaign from Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell in the ongoing fight to keep tourist information centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River open.

She's unveiled a  post-card campaign, asking people to fill out.

Campbell says Tourism Minister Michael Chan needs to understand the industry is too vital to the area to be put in jeopardy by centres' closings.

Doctors Talks Stalled

It seems the tough labour negotiations between Ontario's doctors and the province have reached an impasse.

The talks stalled late last week.

Health Minister Deb Matthews agreed Friday to the use of a conciliator, but insisted doctors agree to a wage freeze and set a deadline of yesterday to reach a new agreement.

Shape Your Future Fair Planned

Workplace and educational opportunities will be showcased at an event in Fort Frances  later month.

A first-ever career fair is being hosted by NCDS on May 24th

Cathy Tysz says it's for people of all ages.

Tysz says they have so far over 50 organization taking part with a lot of hand on activities.

Education Saluted

This is both Education and Catholic Education week across Ontario.

Education Director for the Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell says its an opportunity to showcase the schools to the public.

All schools across the district have events planned.

Nurses Week Recognized

 This is also Nursing Week in Ontario.

Riverside Health Care employs 90 registered nurses and 70 registered practical nurses.

It's chief nursing executive Lori Maki says they all play important roles in provide the best care possible.

A special recognition night will happen Thursday at the Fort Frances Legion for all nurses.

WSIB Short Of Funds?

There's a risk Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board won't be able to meet its obligations to more than 200-thousand injured workers in the next 20 years.

A report on the WSIB says the agency has less than 55 per cent of what it needs.

Three Complete Marathon For Canadian Cancer Society

Three Rainy River residents were among the 2,500 runners in Winnipeg that helped raise over $100-thousand  for the Canadian Cancer Society.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy and Ginger Bragg of Emo completed the half marathon hosted by Winnipeg Police in just under two hours.

Atikokan's Danyelle Kora finished in under 3.

Allan Cup 60th

A milestone for Fort Frances Allan Cup winning team.

It was 60 years ago that the Canadians beat Stratford on home ice to claim supremacy in Canada's senior hockey.

Gord Calder was a part of the team's run up until the final series.

He calls the win a thrill of a lifetime.

The Canadians were inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.

Tourism Season Outlook

Ont. Sunset Country Travel Assoc. photo

The area's tourism officials aren't sure what the coming summer will bring for their industry.

They did see the federal government address the issue of minor criminal offenses of American visitors at the border.

But Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association's Gerry Cariou doesn't think that will have a huge impact on numbers.

Cariou says the closure of the region's tourist information centres will have a negative impact.

More Questions About Tourism Centre Closings

The search for answers to why the tourist information centres in our region have closed continues at Queen's Park.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell told the Minister of Tourism in the legislature yesterday the numbers don't add up.

Michael Chan says tourists are simply getting more of their travel information on line.

Doctors Say Proposal Hurts Local Recruitment

Ontario's doctors say a proposal offered up by the province will have an impact in northwestern Ontario.

Ontario Medical Association president Doctor Stewart Kennedy says proposed cuts to the fees doctors charge will hurt the regions ability to recruit and retain physicians.

Kennedy says with the demand for more doctors south of the border, Ontario won't be able to compete.

Anti-Bullying Legislation Heads To Committee

It looks like anti-bullying legislation in Ontario is moving ahead in the legislature after being bogged down for weeks.

All three parties have agreed to allow two bills -- one Liberal and one Conservative -- to go to committee.

Education Minister Laurel Broten says she hopes the all-party committee can find a way to combine the two.

Fee Hikes Approved By Governor

The plan to hike hunting and fishing licenses in Minnesota has the Governor's approval.

Mark Dayton signed off a bill that boosts a range of fees to bolster wildlife resource management.

A resident fishing license will now cost $22 while a deer hunting license goes to $30.

The same bill also establishes an annual wolf hunt in the State.

Math Olympic Medallist

RR District School Board photo

A silver medal for a Robert Moore School student at the recent Math Olympics in Thunder Bay.

Grade 7 student Judy Wu was among six students from the school who participated.

The event requires students to demonstrate their understanding of mathematical concepts through a variety of problem-solving exercises.

Two others grade 7 students, Connor Bates and Robyn French, finished in the top ten of their respective divisions.

Atikokan Chamber Award Winners

Atikokan Chamber of Commerce has recognized it's community's best.

The Bargain! Shop was the winner of the Business Excellence Award sponsored by 931 The Border.

Sunset Windows and Doors earned Entrepreneur of the Year honours.

Atikokan Fire Rescue took the Health and Safety Award.

The Barnard Family, Ryan,  Jessie, Marvin, Cathy and Amber, received the Ambassador award for their work with the Atikokan 4x4 MudFling.

McHappy Success

It was a McHappy Day in Fort Frances Wednesday.

The local McDonald's Restaurant raised $2,032  as part of McHappy Day.

The money will go to the new Ronald McDonald House in Toronto.

Foundation Questions Use Of Budget Bill

The Quetico Foundation is accusing the provincial government of trying to circumvent the process with proposed amendments to legislation affecting the environment.

The province has included nine such amendments within the provincial budget.

The Foundation's Glenda McLachlan calls it odd the budget bill  is being used for this purpose as it doesn't give the public an opportunity to comment.

McLachlan says usually legislative amendments affecting the environment got through the Environment Bill of Rights registry.

District Church Involved in National Conference

The Evangelical Covenant Church in Rainy River is playing a key part in a national conference today.

The Church is serving as a satellite site to the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada's annual meeting, taking place in Edmonton.

Pastor Kors Pater says it's a first for this area.

Pater expects up to forty delegates from the district and Manitoba to take in the conference from Rainy River.

Training Workshop In Fort Frances

Those involved with helping with victims of crime will receive a little help themselves over the next two days.

Peggy Loyie of the Rainy River District Victims Services Program says Fort Frances is playing host to a conference entitled Responding Effectively to Acute Stress Reaction.

The conference is drawing people from around the region.

Fundraiser Success

The recent Cause for Paws fundraiser in International Falls is being hailed a huge success.

Officials says approximately 15-thousand 500 dollars was raised for the Borderland Humane Society.

That's up over last year's figure.

Trillium Funding Awarded

A Fort Frances sports group is receiving funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The Fort Frances Aquanauts Swim Club will received just over $28-thousand to purchase new equipment for safety instruction.

Youth Employment Centre Promoted

NCDS in Fort Frances is out promoting its youth employment centre.

Tyson Grinsell is one of two summer students hired and says they're doing a bit of travel to let both students and employers across district know about the services available.

They're setting up booths in local high schools and plan are planning visits to Rainy River, Emo and Nestor Falls.

They will also be at career fairs coming up in both Fort Frances and Atikokan.

Home Builder Sought Soon

The search for a builder for a home for locum doctors providing emergency room care at the hospital is Rainy River is about to begin.

The Rainy River Locum House Building Committee has given final approval to the home's design and is expected to soon advertise for tenders.

The committee is hoping to have a builder in place by the end of the month with construction starting in the middle of June.

To date, more than $154-thousand has been raised for the project.

Reserve Funds Directed Back To Classroom

The Rainy River District School Board is putting a portion of its reserve funds back into the classroom.

Trustees approved at their meeting Tuesday night to use $1.3 million from reserves toward a variety of programs for the next school year.

They include the appointment of a K-to-12- math coach, the training of a new Reading Recovery Teacher Leader and the funding of four teachers to be appointed as technology coaches.

Funding is also be devoted to maintaining an Aboriginal Early Learning Liaison and an Aboriginal Curriculum Coordinator

Educators Honoured

Three Atikokan educators are being honoured for their long tenure with the Rainy River District School Board.

Cathy Burton, a teacher at North Star Community School, and teacher Peter Burton and principal Jody Labossiere of Atikokan High School have been with the board for 25 years.

They were recognized by trustees at their meeting Tuesday night in Mine Centre.

Health Money Given

Koochiching County is receiving $450-thousand to address the health needs of its residents.

The dollars, from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, will be spread over a three year period.

It's to be used on a broad range of health care needs from health promotion and disease prevention to expanding oral and mental health services.

Burned Park Area Now Open

File photo

Much of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota burned in a wildfire last year is reopening to the public.

The 93-thousand acre area was closed last year because of concerns over standing dead trees.

Forest managers says visitors should still pay special attention to dead trees in the recovering wilderness and stay on established paths.