Town Prepares To ReZone Former School Property

The town of Fort Frances is moving to rezone the area where the former Huffman School now stands to permit a housing development.

The town wants to create 16 lots.

Town planner Faye Flatt says they already have as many as 15 people interested and are accepting more names.

She says it doesn't mean people will be obligated to buy, or the town to sell one to them but will help move the process along when the lots do come up for grabs next year.

 A public meeting on the rezoning will be held November 26.

Temporary Fence Stays

The community garden in Fort Frances will have a fence around it this winter.

Fort Frances town council gave its blessing to having a temporary fence remain in place until the end of next year when a lease on the property expires.

It will also be marked with reflective tape to be seen by snowmobilers who drive by.

The fence was set up this year to keep deer away.

Garden organizers had requested the fence become more permanent.

County Concern About Area Post Offices

Koochiching County is standing with the city of Ranier in opposing proposed changes to postal services in that city.

The U.S. Postal Service is looking to reduce in half hour of services at the city's post office.

Mayor Ed Oerichbauer says a postal official at a recent public meeting hinted the plan is already done deal.

Oerichbauer says the U.S. Postal Service is also looking at reducing the hours at several other post offices located throughout the county.

Rainy River Resources Exploring New Ore Deposit

Rainy River Resources is beginning to unlock the potential of a recently discovered ore deposit near its gold project north of Barwick.

The company has released new assay results for the area its calling the Intrepid Zone.

It was found just a kilometre from where an open pit mine is planned.

President Raymond Threlkeld says the new results suggests the zone may contribute high quality ounces early in a planned underground operation and perhaps develop into another open pit mine.

Exploration Project Changing Hands

An exploration project in its infancy stages in the Rainy River district is being sold off.

B.C. based Duncastle Gold has signed a letter of understanding to acquire Mineral Mountain Resources Pipestone project in a cash and shares deal.

It's located about 60 kilometres north of Fort Frances.

School Suspensions Down

The Rainy River District School board is seeing fewer students suspended from its schools.

There was a 20 per cent drop in suspensions last year compared with the year before.

Superintendent of Education Casey Slack says figure also show lower numbers over a four year period as students progress through high school.

Slack attributes the decreases to measures the board has taken in its schools to make them safer.

Thunder Bay Presents Its Case

A Thunder Bay delegation is pleased with its meeting with Energy Minister Chris Bentley.

The group was in Toronto yesterday to discuss the decision that halted conversion of Ontario Power Generation's coal-fired Thunder Bay plant to natural gas.

Mayor Keith Hobbs believes they made a pretty strong case to keep the plant open, but says the city is prepared to consider a purchase if it shutdown.

Volunteers Wanted

Volunteers are wanted to assist with some of the work of the locum home in Rainy River.

Officials are seeking people to help stain siding.

Call Archie Wiersema at 852-3363 if you can help out.

Contract Talks Begin With Ontario Workers

Ontario government civil servants are making their case across the province as the bargaining starts in Toronto to get them a new contract.

Union spokesperson Neil MacDonald says the protection of services in northwestern Ontario is part of their demands.

The workers are holding an information picket today in Thunder Bay.

Doctors Get Deal

The Ontario government has reached a new fee agreement with the province's doctors that will add $100 million to their total compensation and reverse some earlier fee cuts.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the tentative fee agreement with the Ontario Medical Association includes savings in other areas to offset the additional payments for doctors.

Doctors will get to vote on the deal next month.

Hoskins In Race

Eric Hoskins is the latest former cabinet minister who's running to succeed Dalton McGuinty as leader of the Ontario Liberals.

He resigned as minister of children and youth services last week.

Hoskins joins Gerard Kennedy, Sandra Pupatello, Charles Sousa, Glen Murray and Kathleen Wynne in the leadership race that's to be decided in late January.

Two Died In Highway Accident

OPP says two people have died in a two-vehicle accident that closed a section of the Trans Canada Highway for several hours Monday night.

Police say 75 year old John Marsholok and 71 year old Irene Marsholok, both of Kenora, were in a vehicle that lost control and came into a collision with a mini van about 56 kilometres east of Kenora.

The driver the van was taken to hospital in Kenora for treatment and later released.

TVO Cuts

Ontario's publicly funded broadcaster is cutting up to jobs and cancelling some program as part of an effort to save two million dollars.

Between 35 and 40 employees will leave TVO between now and the end of next March.

Among shows being cancelled is "Saturday Night at the Movies'' which has been on the air for nearly four decades.

Province Prepared To Quell Job Action

The Ontario government is threatening to quickly end any teachers' protests that put student safety at risk.

Education Minister Laurel Broten is worried teachers are not taking attendance and providing proper supervision in hallways.

High school teachers at 20 boards, including Thunder Bay, began a series of work-to-rules strike actions yesterday after talks between their union and the province collapsed during the weekend.

Teachers in the Rainy River District are not yet involved in that action, but could be in a legal strike position November 22.

Fort Frances High School Students To Speak To Catholic Students

The Northwest Catholic District School Board is turning to a Fort Frances High School student to help in a student leadership forum.

Dexter Fichuk will be the keynote speaker at the forums taking place at catholic schools this week, starting Tuesday in Atikokan.

The Grade 12 student will speak personally about his involvement with Free the Children Organization and his "We Day" experience where an anti-bullying video involving him was recently shown.

Native Groups Joining Forces

Two First Nation government organizations are joining forces.

Chiefs of Grand Council of Treaty 3 and Anishinabek Nation are forming a unity to share ideas.

Treaty 3 spokesperson Dale Morrisseau says one of the main issues is protectng treaty rights.

Morrisseau says both communities have been working on the same proceeses so it makes sense to come together and share ideas.

Fort Water Third Best

The drinking water in Fort Frances is among the best in northwestern Ontario.

The town's water was selected third in an annual taste test held recently by the Northwestern Ontario Water and Wastewater conference.

Wabigoon Lake First Nation placed first while Red Lake was second.

Water samples were also rated for colour, odour and chlorine residuals

Kennedy Enter Leadership Race

The number of contenders to succeed Dalton McGuinty as Liberal leader and premier has grown to five.

Former MP Gerard Kennedy launched his bid yesterday, saying he has no ties to the scandals that have rocked Ontario's Liberal government.

Kennedy lost to McGuinty in the 1996 Ontario Liberal leadership race and lost the federal Liberal leadership to Stephane Dion 10 years later.

Campbell Acquires Kids In The Hall Prop

MPP Sarah Campbell photo

A prop used by the Canadian comedy troupe Kids in the Hall now sits in the Queen's Park office of Sarah Campbell.

A gas-powered bike with fake bones, used in the 2010 series "Death Comes to Town," was given to the Kenora-Rainy River MPP after the Kids went looking for places to store it.

Campbell, a fan of Kids in the Hall, considers the Bike to a piece of Canadian history.

Officer Charged

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit is charging a Kenora police officer in connection with a fatal collision back in September.

Constable Troy Bender has been charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death.

A female prisoner in the cruiser, 42 year old Gloria Assin, was killed after the cruiser she was in came into collision with a transport.

Bender will appear in Kenora court December 20th.

Students Remember

Students at Fort Frances High are taking time to remember veterans this Remembrance Day.

The school's student leadership council held a Remembrance Day assembly Thursday.

President Meghan Metke says all students should take time to reflect.

Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29 also participated.

Hoskins Steps Down

Another Ontario cabinet minister has stepped down as the race for the Liberal leadership heats up.

Eric Hoskins announced Friday he's resigning as as minister of children and youth services.

But he's not saying if he'll run for the Liberals top job.

He plans to release more details on his decision this week.

Baak Elected Majority Senate Leader

A State Senator who now represents Koochiching County will once again lead Democrats in the Minnesota Senate.

Tom Bakk's has been elected as majority leader.

Bakk, of Cook, led the Democratic minority for the past two years.

Outfitter Of The Year

NOTO photo

A lodge owner from the Rainy River district is being recognized.

Tom Pearson of Camp Narrows Lodge has been named Outfitter of the Year by the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association.

NOTO say it recognizes Pearson's outstanding contribution during the past year.

Facebook Game Established To Help Minor Hockey

A Rainy River district business is trying to help area hockey associations win some cash.

Darren Lowes of Lowes says building centre chain Tim-Br Mart has an on-line game called Sharp Shooter for people to play to help minor hockey.

$100,000 is up for grabs.

The game on Facebook continues until early January with winners announced a month later

Death Now A Murder

OPP have now released the name of the man found dead inside a Fort Frances motel.

He's been identified as 45-year-old Leo Whitecrow of Seine River First Nation.

Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says the case is now being considered a homicide.

However, the exact cause of death isn't being released at this time.

New Fishing Regulations Proposed

The Ministry of Natural Resources is proposing some changes to fishing regulations effecting lakes in our region.

It includes a change in the slot size for northern pike and a reduction in limits for bass and crappie.

No changes are proposed for walleye or lake trout.

The MNR is now gathering input with the intent of making the changes permanent in January 2014.

Contract For Sonoco Workers

A new deal for employees at Sonoco in Fort Frances.

The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers union says a new five-year-deal has been ratified.

It includes a $500 dollar lump sum payment and pay increases in the final four years of the contract.

Sonoco provides paper cores for use in rolls of paper at paper mills such as Resolute Forest Products.

Another Open House On Gold Project

Another open house today on Rainy River Resources gold project.

It happens this afternoon at the Emo Legion, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Company vice-president Kyle Stanfield says it gives residents a change to learn more about the project and the environmental assessments now underway.

New Mayor Ready To Take Office

The new mayor-elect for International Falls says he's humbled by the show of confidence he received from voters in Tuesday night's election.

Bob Anderson defeated councillor Paul Eklund in the run off for city mayor.

Anderson was also mayor in the 1980's and says he's ready to work for the city again.

Anderson and new councillor-elect Pete Kalar officially take office in January.

Vote Numbers For Minnesota

Minnesota officials say unofficial turnout in Tuesday's election was about 76 per cent.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says the final turnout percentage will be a bit higher when the vote count is final.

Be A Fan!

Ontario Provincial Police and Special Olympics want you to "Be A Fan."

It's a campaign underway aimed at raising awareness and money for Special Olympians.

Gaby Hanzuk, a local coordinator, says OPP are their biggest fan with events such as their annual Torch Run.

The campaign includes the sale of red skate laces being sold at Fort Frances High School.

Local Soldiers Remembered

Soldiers from the Rainy River district who fought for Canada in past wars are being honoured at the Fort Frances museum.

Josie Miller, of the Branch 29 Legion Ladies Auxiliary, says photos and artifacts from area soldiers are are display.

It's a display that's usually up for Remembrance Day at the Legion, but Miller says they decided to bring it to the Museum for a wider audience.

The display will remain at the Museum until the end of December.

One of District's Oldest Residents Dies

Funeral services will be held this Saturday for one of the Rainy River District's oldest residents.

Walter Andrusco died in LaVerendrye Hospital yesterday at the age of 105.

Originally born in the Ukraine, Andrusko immigrated to Canada with his father when he was sixteen, eventually settling in Fort Frances.

Andrusco was an founding member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and a member of the former Fort Frances Civic Band for several years before retiring as its conductors and bandmaster in 1979.

New Huts For Voyageurs National Park

There will be some new huts for snowmobiles travelling through Voyageurs National Park to use this winter.

Snowmobile-marker Polaris, in partnership with the Voyageur National Park Association, is helping to fund the construction of three warming huts.

The huts will also contain park and trail information.

The Minnesota-based company is also donating two new FS IQ WideTrak snowmobiles for park rangers to conduct winter environmental field studies and maintenance activities.

Teachers In Legal Strike Position This Month

Elementary and High School teachers in the Rainy River District will be in a legal strike position November 22.

This after their unions and the Rainy River District District School Board recommended a Ministry of Labour conciliator issue a no-board report in their contract talks.

Board chair Mike Lewis says its was really no surprise.

Lewis says while Bill 115 takes the right to strike away, teachers are still permitted to set up pickets under the Labour Relations Act.

The board is now preparing for the possibility of those pickets being set up in front of schools.

Teacher Job Action Cancelled

Job action planned today by some high school teachers in the province has been cancelled.

Members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation had been instructed to skip staff meetings and forgo standardized tests starting today.

The union says it plans to meet with government officials today to "fast track to potential resolutions'' to its labour dispute.

Obama Back For Four More Years

Democrat Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second four-year term as president of the United States, beating out Republican rival Mitt Romney.

In his victory speech, Obama says he's "more inspired than ever'' to tackle the big problems facing the country.

Democrats also took control of the Senate, but Republicans held onto the House.

Minnesota Election Winners

There's a new mayor for the city of International Falls.

Bob Anderson, a former mayor, returns after defeating councillor Paul Eklund.

Pete Kalar was voted to serve as councillor at large.

Wayne Skoe was elected to represent District 5 on the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners.

Board chair Brian McBride was unopposed in his return as District 3 commissioner.

Michael Holden, Michelle Hebner and Gordy Dault won the three seats up for grabs on the Independent School District 361's board.

Dennis Wagner was elected Mayor of Ranier.

Democrats took control of the Minnesota Legislature with top Republicans conceding the loss of both the Senate and House.

Democrat Rick Nolan beat Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack to recapture the 8th district U.S. congressional seat, a northeastern Minnesota seat long considered Democratic turf.

Senator Amy Klobuchar regained her seat for the Democrats in Washington.

Minnesota rejected constitutional amendments that proposed to ban gay marriage and one requiring photo I.D to vote.

Open House on Rainy River Resources Project Today

First the of two open houses on Rainy River Resources gold project goes this afternoon in Nestor Falls.

It's intended to give the public a say as the project north of Barwick undergoes environment assessments by both the provincial and federal governments.

The open house at the Nestor Falls Community Centre goes from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with another tomorrow at the Emo Legion.

Stuff A Cruiser Meeting

Ontario Provincial Police are preparing to stuff-a-cruiser or two.

The annual event aimed at gathering non-perishable food items for area agencies and their food banks goes in Atikokan November 24 and Fort Frances December 8.

Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says a planning session for the Fort Frances event goes today, 1:30 p.m. at the Fort Frances Public Library.

Twenty-seven cruisers were filled at events across the district last year.

Property Assessment Changes In Rainy River District

Property values are increasing in parts of the Rainy River district.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation says the assessed values of homes has increased an average of 1.66 per cent in Atikokan to over 8 per cent in Lake of the Woods township since 2008.

Assessments of homes in Fort Frances is up 2.72 per cent.

Decreases are seen in the townships of Chapple, Morley and Dawson and the town of Rainy River.

I. Falls Council Supports Main Street Fairness Act

International Falls City Council is giving its support to proposed legislation that would allow States to collect taxes from purchases made by consumers over the Internet.

Proponents says the "Main Street Fairness Act" levels the playing field between on-line retailers and store-front businesses.

Fall City Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says the proposed bill will bring additional revenue to the State which in turn helps maintain funding the city receives.

Lawsuit Launched

A lawsuit has been launched by six men from the Lac La Croix First Nation who allege being sexually abused while they were boys by a priest who lived and worked on the reserve in the 1960's.

Court documents filed in a Winnipeg court show the men are seeking unspecified financial damages from the federal government, a Catholic diocese in Thunder Bay and a Winnipeg-based Roman Catholic order, as well as the priest who died almost 20 years ago.

Respect Technology Presentation For Parents

Ontario Provincial Police will be helping parents to help their children respect and use safely their computers, iphones and ipads.

Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says a presentation tonight at Fort Frances High School is an extension of the Respect Technology program introduced a year ago.

Tonight's session is free and begins at 7 p.m.

New Strategic Plan For Health Unit

The Northwestern Health Unit is planning ahead.

CEO Mark Perrault says they've released a new strategic plan that will take them through to 2016.

Perrault says the plan is focused around four key areas such as physical activity and healthy eating.

U.S. Elections Today

Americans go to the polls today, and the presidential candidates are looking for those last minute undecided voters.

President Barack Obama is done with the road, but has interviews scheduled today.

Republican Mitt Romney is making appearances in Cleveland and Pittsburgh before heading home to Boston.

There are also local elections taking place in Koochiching County.

Councillor Paul Eklund and Bob Anderson are seeking the vacant mayor's seat in International Falls.

There are also races within the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners, Independent School District 361 and the city of Rainer.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Wynne Enters Leadership Race

Former education minister Kathleen Wynne says she would work to repair relationships with public-sector workers if elected Liberal leader.

Wynne announced her candidacy to replace outgoing Premier Dalton McGuinty last night in Toronto.

The Great One Invited To Pull For Fort Frances

The city of International Falls is lending a hand to Fort Frances in attracting celebrities to next summer's Pulling For Peace Tug of War.

Councillor Paul Eklund says they've recently sent a letter to hockey great Wayne Gretzky asking him to participate for the Canadian side.

The Falls has already attracted a number of former NFLers and most recently former NHLer and now player agent Neal Sheehy.

Go Local Promoted

Efforts continue to increase awareness of the Go Local program.

It was launched to the Fort Frances area last month with the intent of expanding across the Rainy River district at a later date.

Newly hired Program Coordinator Tonya Dolph says it's not about getting people to stop shopping outside the region, but rather to get them to shift more of their spending to local businesses.

Proponents says a shift of a small portion of the dollars now being spent elsewhere could help create businesses and new jobs.