Committee To Begin Work Soon

The Northwest Catholic District School Board plans to have a committee in place early this week to review Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.

The board intends to confirm its Accommodation Review Committee at its meeting tonight with committee members gathering for the first time tomorrow.

The elementary school with about 15 students is being looked at because of low enrolment.

Exact dates for public meeting will likely determined when committee members meet.

Area Bishop Surprised By Pope's Resignation

The Bishop for the Diocese of Thunder Bay says he's surprise to see the Pope resign.

Bishop Fred Colli calls this week's announcement by Pope Benedict XVI courageous.

Colli hopes the resignation sets an example to other church leaders about when to call it quits.

Improvement Program Gets Make-over

There's some changes coming to incentive programs for residential property owners in Fort Frances.

The town has been offering rebates since 2003 to owners who demolish, renovate or rebuild older homes.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says some requirements to participate are being changed to allow more property owners to participate.

Drysdale says despite heavy marketing, few people had taken advantage of them.

Some of the rebates offered will also be reworked.

Court Hearing On Two-Chain Issue

Legal wrangling over a section of property known as the two-chain shore allowance heads to a Fort Frances courtroom next week.

The Superior Court of Justice will hear a claim first filed by four area First Nations in 1998 against the province and federal governments.

In court documents filed,  the bands are seeking a declaration that the allowance is part of the Agency One reserve.

Four weeks over the next two month, have been set aside to hear the case.

New Health Care Programs This Fall

Rainy River Community College is planning to offer some new programs in the health care industry this fall.

The International Falls-based college is partnering with Hibbing Community College to deliver programs that help train new medical laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, nurses.

A certificate program in elder care and gerontology will also be offered.

College officials says the programs address high demand areas.

Rainy Lake Hotel Staying Up

The Rainy Lake Hotel will remain standing for at least another year.

Fort Frances town council has removed the nearly $1.7 million dollar demolition and creation of a market square from its capital budget.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas says they just can't afford do to it right now.

Hallikas says the building will be secured with the intent of revisiting the plan another year.

Capital List Shortened

The list of proposed capital projects for the town of Fort Frances is now a lot shorter.

Town council got their first look at the $12.5 million wish list Wednesday night.

Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says administration whittled it down to make it more manageable.



There's now a list of about 40 projects that managers have considered to be high priority.

Council will take a closer look at the short list at a later meeting.

Subdivision Going To Tender

The town of Fort Frances is seeking interested developers for various components of the planned subdivision at the former Huffman School property.

Ads will be place in Thunder Bay and Fort Frances.




Town planner Faye Flatt says the bids will better determine the sale price of the lots.


Tenders will close March 12.

Local Groups Taking Over Concert

Two groups are taking over the planning of the summer concert in International Falls.

Falls Rotary Club and Backus Auditorium will do it with support from the city.

Ward Merrill of Backus says they're prepared to give it a go for at least three years.

Three cover bands are being considered for the July 20th concert at the Irvin N. Anderson Amphitheatre.

Biomass Considered For Thunder Bay Plant

Ontario Power Generation is now considering burning biomass as its coal-fired generating station in Thunder Bay.

OPG suspended work last fall to convert the plant to natural gas.

Plant Manager Chris Fralick says he remains optimistic the plant will continue to operate beyond 2014.

Mamma Needs To Redecorate

Riverside Foundation For Health Care is preparing for its next fundraiser.

The Foundation's Spring Luncheon will be held May 5 at Robert Moore School.

It's being called "Mamma Needs to Redecorate," so organizers as looking for gently used items that would be used to decorate a house.

Donations can be dropped off at 562 Church Street or call Nicke Baird at 274-4803.

Mauro Left Out Of Provincial Cabinet

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is expressing a tinge of disappointment after being left out of the new cabinet of Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Mauro says it's something he's learned to accept about politics.

Mauro says he has been asked to serve as chair of the new northern Ontario cabinet committee and serve as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Metis Welcomes New Aboriginal Affairs Minister

The Metis Nation of Ontario is welcoming the appointment of David Zimmer as Aboriginal Affairs Minister.

President Gary Lipinski says the Metis have enjoyed a previous relationship with the new minister when he served as a parliamentary secretary.

Lipinski says he's looking for Zimmer to continue to work towards implementing the objectives agreed upon in the recent framework agreement with the province.

Area Educator Retiring

A former director of education with the Rainy River District School Board is about to bring his career to an end.

Jack McMaster, who's now with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, has announced plans to retire this July.

He began his career as a teacher in 1980.

He served with the Rainy River board for five years before moving to Kenora in 2010.

Charges Laid

OPP have now laid charges against a man in connection with an incident last week where a mini-excavator was used to cause damage to several vehicles in Kenora.

OPP had to use a stun gun to stop the operator.

The 64-year old man will appear in Kenora court at the end of the month on charges that include mischief and unauthorized possession of a weapon.

Plans For Kraft Mill Decided Soon

Resolute Forest Products appears to be getting close to determining what plans it has for the now idled kraft mill in Fort Frances.

President Richard Garneau says a decision could be made by the spring.

Garneau says the company has been investigating the type of grades that could be produced at the mill, idled back in November.

He says given its access to cheap electricity and an abundant wood supply, there's good reason to look at finding how the mill can be reopened.

Budget Talks Begin Today

Fort Frances council will sit down today for the first time to discuss potential capital spending in 2013.

Almost $12.5 million in projects have been identified a the draft document.

It includes $1.6 million to tear down the old Rainy Lake Hotel and turn the site into an open-air market square.

No Job Sharing For Now

Koochiching County is moving ahead with hiring its own engineer.

The County discussed the idea of sharing the job with Lake of the Woods County.

Commissioner Rob Eklund says there was interest, but it was felt that giving the time needed to make it happen, it wouldn't be in the best interest to proceed at this time.



Eklund says there was discussion of holding a joint board meeting in the future to discuss issues of common concern.

Atikokan Mayor Honoured

A significant honour for the Mayor of Atikokan.

Dennis Brown has been awarded the Economic Developers Council of Ontario Community Leadership Award.

Brown says its something he'll cherish.

The award recognizes a municipal official who demonstrates leadership toward economic development in their community.

Police Officer Suspended

A Treaty 3 Police officer has been suspended from duty after allegedly being found drunk in a police vehicle.

Constable Garland Kejick of Shoal Lake was charged with impaired driving Saturday after Treaty 3 Police were called about a cruiser parked on an ice road on Lake of the Woods, a couple of kilometers from Sabaskong First Nation.

The 49-year-old will now appear in a Kenora court room March 7.

Gravelle Happy To Be Back

Michael Gravelle can barely contain his excitement in being named to Premier Kathleen Wynne's cabinet.

Gravelle says to be back as Northern Development Minister is what he was hoping for.

Gravelle says one his priorities will be furthering the Ring of Fire mining development.

He's also pleased to have control of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund which also falls within his Ministry.

Liberals Keeping Tuition Fee Break In Place

The provincial Liberals are giving a failing grade to a P.C. proposal to scrap a 30 per cent break for post-secondary tuition.

The Tories says few students qualify and the money isn't going to those who need it most.

New Colleges and Universities Minister Brad Duguid says taking money away from any students would simply defeat the purpose of trying to make the system more accessible.

Missing Teens Found

Two Fort France teenagers reported missing have been found.

OPP says the two 13-year-olds were reported missing yesterday, but located Tuesday morning in the Fort Frances area.

Keep Snow Away From Gas Meters

Union Gas is reminding its customers to keep gas meters and external exhaust outlets for appliances free from ice and snow

Officials says it ensures both the meters and your gas appliances are working safely.

Tories Want Student Grant Scrapped

Ontario's Tories want to scrap the 30 per cent tuition grant the Liberals created for post-secondary students.

The Progressive Conservatives say the government's rules mean the money isn't going to those who really need or deserve it -- and two-thirds of students don't even qualify.

Education Minister Focusing On Extra-Curricular Activities

Ontario new education Minister want to work with public school teachers on a return of extracurricular activities.

Most teachers have withdrawn from those activities to protest imposed contracts.

Liz Sandals won't say if a resolve can be found by the end of the school year.

Teachers unions, meantime, say they welcomes Sandals as education minister and look forward to working with her.

Cabinet Reaction

The president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association likes Michael Gravelle back as Northern Development Minister.

Ron Nelson says there's great continuity to work wit.

He says one of NOMA's main focuses with Gravelle will be to get the the Northern Ontario Growth  Plan moving again.

Nelson adds the new Liberal cabinet provides a nice blend of fresh faces and experience.

Meantime, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell has mixed feelings towards the new Liberal cabinet team.



She too likes Gravelle back as Northern Development Minister, but isn't a huge fan of Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti as the new Natural Resources Minister.

Campbell is happy, though, that Queen's Park will finally reopen for business after being prorogued since October.

Provincial Cabinet In Place

Ontario's newest Premier is willing to work with the NDP and Conservatives to keep her minority Liberal government alive.

Kathleen Wynne and her cabinet ministers were sworn into office yesterday.

Wynne wants them to co-operate with their opposition colleagues

The legislature is to resume sitting next Tuesday.

Here is the complete list of cabinet ministers

Deb Matthews, Minister of Health, Deputy Premier.
John Gerretsen, Attorney General.
John Milloy, Government House Leader.
Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance.
Liz Sandals, Minister of Education.
Bob Chiraelli, Minister of Energy.
David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources.
Michael Coteau, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Brad Duguid, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Ted McMeekin, Minister of Community and Social Services.
Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Consumer Services.
Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs.
David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources.
David Zimmer, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.
Rezi Moridi, Minister of Research and Innovation.
Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Labour.
Teresa Piruzza, Minister of Children and Youth Services.
Mario Sergio, Minister Responsible for Seniors.
Laurel Broten, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Chair f Cabinet).
Eric Hoskins, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment.
Glen Murray, Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation.
Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines.
Jim Bradley, Minister of Environment.
Harinder Takhar, Minister of Government Services.
Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Go Local Rewards Program Pushed Back

The rewards program in the Go Local campaign has been delayed further.

Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says the machines needed have arrived and the cards are coming soon.

He's now hoping to have the program rolled out in March.

When in place, cardholders will be able to acquire points from participating businesses towards gift cards to those stores.

Gillon says about 30 businesses are on board with others to be added in the future.

Busy Year For OPP

A busy year for the OPP in the Rainy River District.

Police responded to more than 7,800 calls in 2012.

Detachment Commander, Inspector Steve Shouldice says police were able to clear up many of those cases.

Shouldice says over 30-thousand hours of policing service were also provided to Fort Frances last year, which exceed a contract by about four-thousand hours.

CUPE Rally at Campbell's Office in Dryden Today

Sarah Campbell will receive a lot of valentines today from the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

The union representing workers at the Kenroa-Rainy River District Child and Youth Services is dropping them off for the area's MPP to deliver to the new Premier.

Union president Don Pearson says they're to signify the funding problems the newly merge agency is facing.

Pearson says its also taking twice as long to service client, and services they can provide are becoming limited.

Major Blaze On Lake

A costly fire at the north end of Lake of the Woods on the weekend.

Friday's blaze at Clearwater Bay, west of Kenora, completely destroyed a multi-story cottage.

It had been recently up for sale, with a list price of $2.45 million.

Cause of the fire is under investigation.

School Bus Cancellations For Monday February 11

Here is a list of School Buses in the Rainy River District cancelled today.

DB100 - Jane Peterson    Dimit Buslines
DB104 - Bradley Shoemaker    Dimit Buslines
DB105 - Harrold Boven     Dimit Buslines
Seine River F.N. Elementary Bus to Mine Centre - Ted Menson
IR302 - Herman Rodrigues    Iron Range
IR304 - Stacy Bragg    Iron Range
IR306 - Nancy Allan    Iron Range
IR308 - Karen Kellar     Iron Range
IR312 - Roman Mlynarski    Iron Range
Red Gut Bay to Mine Centre - Duane Morrison
Stanjikoming F.N. - Brian Wayash
DB103 - Karen Borger    Dimit Buslines
SM235 - Shane McDonald    Shane McDonald
Seine River F.N. High School Bus - Norman Allan Jr.
Seine River Handicap Bus - Ringo Whitecrow
DB101 - Tracy Mose    Dimit Buslines
DB112 - Aleata Jerry    Dimit Buslines
Red Guy Bay High School Bus to Fort Frances - Mike Morrison


IR107 driven by Lyndon Hughes is operating this morning, but its afternoon route to Reef Point has been cancelled.

This list will be updated as bus lines notify 93.1 The Border.

Mayors Planning To Fight MPAC Decisions

A united front is forming in opposition to how the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation is assessing mill properties.

MPAC has substantially lowered the assessment rates on some facilities, including in Dryden, which means lower tax dollars for municipalities.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall is now enlisting the mayors of Thunder Bay, Espanola and Fort Frances in hopes of discussing the issue with the premier.

Northwest LHIN Release New Health Care Plan

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network has a new three-year plan it says will advance health care in the region.

It focuses on four key areas.

CEO Laura Kokocinski says it will be accomplished with an expectation of new money coming from the province, instead looking at the existing pot of $600-million and determining whether they're using it in most effective way.

The plan includes creating a more integrated health care system across the region, increasing the use of electronic medical record, improving access to care and enhancing services to assist with chronic care patients in their own home.

E.I. Complaints Mounting

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty believes too many people are being denied employment insurance benefits.

Rafferty says complaints to his office have been more frequent since the federal government made changes to the E.I. system.

Rafferty says many of the complaints have come from workers employed on a seasonal basis.




He believes the federal government purposely wanting to see a number of denials to help save money.

New Role for MP

A new role for our MP.

John Raffery is part of a new all-party Entrepreneur caucus in Ottawa.

Its aim is to support and foster discussion on entrepreneurship in Canada.

It held its inaugural meeting yesterday.

Border Crossing Numbers Up

A rise in the number of people crossing the border at Fort Frances.

The Canada Border Services Agency says almost 60-thousand travelers were processed at the Fort Frances port of entry in December .

That's a three per cent increase from the number in November and almost two per cent higher from the number of people crossing in December 2011.

New Northern Development Minister Expected

There's going to be a new Minister responsible for Northern Development next week.

Rick Bartolucci says he won't be in Wynne's new cabinet when it's sworn in Monday.

Bartolucci made that confirmation after announcing he would not be seeking re-election in Sudbury in the next provincial election.

City Police Doing Its Job To Nab Speeders

International Falls City Police are being applauded for their efforts towards reducing the number of deaths on Minnesota highways.

The State wants the number brought to Zero.

Frank Scherf, a liaison with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, says local authorities are doing their part.

City Police have also acquired a new radar unit that help pinpoint speeders more accurately.

Scherf says police are being encouraged to take a "no excuses" approach to speeders in helping the State reach its goal.

State Employees Getting Pay Hike

Thousands of Minnesota state employees may soon get a raise.

State Senators approved a new contract that includes a 2 percent pay hike.

The House is expected to vote on the contract sometime next week.

Students Stepping Up For Extra-curricular Activities

Students appear to be taking a leadership role in extra-curricular activities at area high schools.

Dexter Fichuk, the student trustee with the Rainy River District School Board, says the teacher's withdrawal from activities is actually helping students develop new skills in the planning of events.

Fichuck says he'd still like the teachers involved, but hopes students can continue to have a greater role in planning when they do return.

Teacher withdrew their involvement in extra-curricular activities in December in protest over legislation that eventually imposed new contract on them last month.

Duncan Leaving

Ontario's Finance Minister is resigning.

Dwight Duncan says on Twitter this morning he's stepping down as the member of Windsor-Tecumseh a week from today.

Duncan, who supported Sandra Pupatello, had made it clear during the Liberal leadership race that he intended to resign his seat soon.

Wynne Pledging Support To Forestry Industry

Premiere-designate Kathleen Wynne is giving her commitment to sustaining the forestry industry in northern Ontario.

Wynne says it's great to see the industry coming back and the government wants to help it succeed.

She also wants to meet with the region's leaders to find further ways of strengthen the industry.

Meantime, the soon-to-be premier says she'll be appointing herself as Ontario's agricultural minister.

Wynne, who lives in downtown Toronto, says there's no reason why a city politician can't represent rural folk and understand their issues.

Minnesota Power Planning Transmission Line

Minnesota Power is exploring routes through the northern part of the State for a new transmission line to link with Manitoba.

Minnesota signed a deal in 2011 to acquire electricity from Manitoba Hydro beginning in 2020.

Cindy Hammerlund of Minnesota Power says they're currently in the planning stages for the line with construction proposed by 2017.

Hammerlund says whether the line goes through Koochiching County is still undetermined.

County Considers Sharing Engineer

Koochiching County will see if nearby Lake of the Woods County is interested in sharing the services of a County Engineer.

Commissioner Wade Pavleck raises the idea as the County looks to replace its engineer who retires in April.

Pavleck says there might be some benefits to sharing the position.

More Casinos Still Possible

Premier-designate Kathleen Wynne isn't ruling a possibility of more casinos in Ontario.

Wynne sees no reason to believe they'll halt plans to add new gambling facilities.

But she's leaving it up to communities to decide if they want one or not.

Kenora has been identified as a potential site, with Fort Frances town council recently expressing interest as well.

New Radiation Treatment Available

Cancer patients in Northwestern Ontario will now have access to an improved method of radiation.

Regional Cancer Care Northwest has installed a new linear accelerator at the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre.

Vice President Dr. Mark Henderson says it better focuses treatment of a tumor.

A second accelerator is also planned for the hospital later this fall.

Law School Hired First Staff

Lakehead University has hired its first three faculty members for its new law school in Thunder Bay.

Karen Drake and Dr. Mariette Brennan have been hired as Assistant Professors of Law.

Rob Hudson will act as the Faculty Head of the School's Law Library.

The school is scheduled to open this September.

CN Workers Deal

CN Rail and the union representing its signals and communications workers have ratified a new deal.

The four-year deal impacts about 700 workers across Canada.

It includes improvements to wages and benefits and is retroactive to January 1st of this year.

City Hall Improvements Planned

Some improvements are planned for the inside of International Falls City Hall.

The $148-thousand worth of work will lead to new administrative offices and counter space to deal with the visiting public.

A portion of the work has been awarded to KBB, an International Falls firm, at $82 thousand.

City public works department will do some of the other components.

Mayor Bob Anderson voted against the project, saying he struggles with its need.