New Faces On Board

There are a few new faces within Northwest Catholic District School Board's administration team.

Along with new education director Rick Boisvert,, Meghan Bourgeois has been appointed to the position of eLearning and Homework help.

Kelly Jaeger is the board's new Mental Health Leader.

Brendan Hyatt is principal of Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.

Ron Fryer takes on the same job at St. Patrick's School in Atikokan after serving as vice-principal of St. Francis and St. Michael's schools in Fort France
s.

Question Of The Week

Do you think Premier Wynne has the best interests of northern Ontario near the top of her government's agenda?

Let us know on our website, 931theborder.ca.

In last week's poll, 80 per cent felt the recent Kraft Celebration Tour exceed their expectations.

Kenora MP Unhappy With Ontario Premier

A Conservative MP isn't happy with the Premier.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says Kathleen Wynne's announcement of the deal to keep the Experimental Lakes Area open failed to mention any involvement of the federal government in the negotiations.

Rickford says the Province wanted a joint communications approach on the deal, but then turned around and failed to uphold its end of the bargain.

A joint news release did come out Monday, a day after Wynne's announcement.

Suicide Rate Up In Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Health is urging folks to take action when a friend, family or neighbour hints that they want to harm themselves.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.

The Department's Melissa Heinen says the suicide rate in the State has reached its highest point in a decade.

Heinen says since suicide is preventable, the numbers indicate much more needs to be done to connect those who are considering harming themselves with services available.

Province Steps Forward To Keep ELA Open

CJRL photo

The Provincial government has formally announced funding to keep the Experimental Lake Area open.

Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement for two-million dollars annually during her visit to Kenora Sunday.

Wynne says she's not sure why the federal government decided to pull out of the ELA but her government is committed to the scientific research being done there.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development will be responsible for operating the freshwater research facility.

Ministry Of Labour Probing ATV Accident

A 63-year old Ear Falls man is dead as the result of an all terrain vehicle accident near Marathon on the weekend.

OPP say James Buckner was operating the ATV on a trail when he lost control and was thrown off went it went down a hill.

Police says he was not wearing a helmet.

Because he was working for a mining company at the time, the Ministry of Labour is investigating.

New Fires In Fort Frances District

A couple of lightning caused fires identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Rainy River district.

The fires, one on Rainy Lake near Goose Island and the other on Lac La Croix near Spool Island, were both small in size and have been declared out.

The MNR continues to monitor two others that have been burning within Quetico Provincial Park since last Tuesday.

Fires In Boundary Waters Wilderness Now Out

Fires that have been burning on the Minnesota side of the border within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have now been declared out.

U.S officials says suppression efforts and significant rainfall have helped quell the fires, including one at the south arm of Knife Lake near the U.S.-Canada border.

Campsites, waterways, and portages closed because of the blazes have been reopened.

Confederation College Back In Class

It's another school year for Confederation College's Rainy Lake campus in Fort Frances.

As many as 80 first year students are expected.

Campus manager Anne Renaud says there's also new programs this year with its environmental technician program and the two-year tourism, travel and eco-tourism adventure program.

The College will hold two days of orientation before classroom learning begins Thursday.

Union Merger Approved

The merge of two of Canada's largest unions is now complete.

Almost 96 per cent of delegates at a conference in Toronto on the weekend approved of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers and the Canadian Autoworkers Unions becoming the newly formed Unifor.

Jerry Dias was elected its first president.

Unifor now represents almost 7-thousand members in northwestern Ontario, primarily in the areas of forestry, health care, manufacturing and transportation."

Kraft Buying The Water

Kraft Canada is stepping forward to cover the cost of extra water purchased by the Fort Frances Curling Club during last Sunday's Celebration Tour in Fort Frances.

Town council said last Monday night it would pay the $600.

But Kraft's Sue Brooks says as soon they found out about the purchase, they immediately reached out to the Club.

Brooks says about 3-thousand bottles of water had been made available, but were quickly grabbed by the huge crowd attending.

Highway 53 Upgraded

Motorists, heading to Duluth will encounter a switch in the route of Highway 53 near Cook.

Four-laning of a section of the Highway is taking place with a portion of the northbound lane now complete.

Traffic is being routed to that new lane so crews can construct the new southbound lane.

The project is expected to be complete by next summer.

Wolve Sent For Testing

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A wolf suspected of attacking a teenager at a campground in south-central Minnesota has tested negative for rabies.

A 16-year-old boy is recovering from last Saturday's attack at Lake Winnibigoshish.

The animal was trapped last Monday, but the department is still not certain if it was the animal involved.

A wolf muscle sample and the youth's shirt have sent to California for DNA testing.

I Am Awesome Conference

A conference for girls is set for next month in Nestor Falls.

The I Am Awesome and I know it Self-Esteem and Empowerment Retreat is aimed at girls between the ages to 10 and 14.

Director Renee Martin-Brown says it's aimed at helping build up self-confidence

Registration is through the group's website.

Power Outage To Be District Wide

A power outage to affect the town of Fort Frances this week will now be district wide.

The town will be without power from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday September 8.

Hydro One is now reporting that residents living east of town to Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation will be without power during the same time.

Residents living to west to Rainy River, including the Morson and Big Grassy areas and north to Nestor Falls, will be lose electricity from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hydro One is performing equipment upgrades during the outage.

Cabinet Minister Impressed With Premier's Admission

The Premier's admission of "trying" marijuana has at least one member of her cabinet impressed.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says he admires the Premier's honest in responding to the question.

The premier didn't say where she stands on the issue, but believes legalization and regulation of marijuana is one that needs to be debated.

Welfare Recipients Get Increase

People who receive social assistance in Ontario will see a slight increase on their cheques this month.

A one per cent hike in the Ontario Disability Support Program benefit went into effect Sunday.

A similar increase for people receiving Ontario Works happens October 1.

The increases were first announced in the provincial spring budget.

Birth Control Recall

The Northwestern Health Unit is alerting women in the region about a recall of birth control pills.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals first issued the recall of the oral contraceptive pill Freya-28 after a placebo pill was found in a one package.

The Health Unit says it doesn't dispense the brand of pill, but local pharmacies may

More Professional Development Suggest For School Teachers

Ontario's education minister says more professional development is needed for elementary school teachers, after test results show their students are struggling with math skills.

The Education Quality and Accountability Office says almost one in five Grade 6 students do not meet the provincial math standard.

Liz Sandals says many elementary teachers come from an arts background and aren't as comfortable teaching math as they are teaching reading or writing.

Kiss and Ride Being More Accepted

More parents appear to be warming up to the new Kiss and Ride lanes set up at three elementary schools in Fort Frances for safer drop off and pick up of children.

Officials say parents, reluctant to use the lanes on the opening day of school, gave it a try yesterday and express confidence with the program.

Parents are reminded the lanes in the afternoon don't open until the end of school which is 3:10 p.m. at St. Francis School,  3:15 p.m. at J.W. Walker and 3:25 p.m. at Robert Moore.

Fort Officials Happy With Trip To AMO Meeting

Fort Frances town officials appear happy with the outcome of meetings held last week at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa.

Chief Administrative Officer Mark McCaig says several issues were discussed with government ministers who were very receptive to the town's concerns.

Mayor Roy Avis says it was one of the best conferences he'd been to.

Premier Admits To "Trying" Pot

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she believes legalization and regulation of marijuana is an issue that needs to be debated.

But Wynne -- who yesterday joined the growing list of politicians who admit having tried pot -- isn't saying where she stands on the issue.

Road Projects Nearing Completion

A couple of road projects in Fort Frances are expected to be completed on time.

The town's Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says final paving of a section of Second Street East and Mowat Avenue is expected next week, allowing the roads to reopen to traffic by September 7.

Brown says crews are in the final stages of road work at Williams Avenue and expect
to be finished by September 27

IceBox University Established

An International Falls radio drama group is setting up its own university of sorts.

Icebox University is the tag IceBox Radio Theater is using to promote a series of free workshops around the dramatic arts.

Artistic Director Jeff Adams says some will begin this fall.

The group will hold an open house 6 to 9 tonight at Backus Community Centre.

Premier Traveling To Northwestern Ontario

Ontario's Premier Kathleen Wynne is making a trip to northwestern Ontario.

She's making stops in Kenora Sunday and Thunder Bay for the next couple of days.

Details of her trip are still being finalized, but while in Thunder Bay she'll hold a round table discussion on jobs with local business leaders.

MNR Keeping Staff Longer Than Expected

MNR File photo

The Ministry of Natural Resources is keeping its seasonal fire fighting staff a little bit longer.

Contracts have been extended that will keep them in place until the middle of September.

Information officer Debbie McLean says the recent warm weather prompted the move.

There are currently 26-active fires in the northwest region.

Three of them are in the Rainy River district.

Two are locating at the south end of Quetico Provincial Park.

As they pose no real threat and can help the park's ecosystem, the Ministry is allowing them to burn themselves out.

A third fire, northeast of Fort Frances near Cornell Lake, is currently being held.

All three were lightning caused.

Drug Seizure In Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay Police are charging two Serbian men in connection to a huge seizure of Oxycodone.

Police seized almost 33-hundred pills, valued at about $660-thousand, from a city motel room.

Both men are in their 70's.

Home Day Care Unioning To Continue

File photo

A drive to unionize Minnesota home day care workers will be allowed to continue while opponents appeal.

A U.S. District Judge is refusing to grant opponents an injunction pending appeal.

A group of day care operators say being forced to associate with a union would violate their First
Amendment rights.

Moose Dies At Thunder Bay's Chippewa Park

City of Thunder Bay is investigating the unexpected death of a seven year old bull moose at its Chippewa Wildlife Exhibit.

The staff discovered the dead animal Tuesday morning.

Cause of death is still being explored.

Worldest Oldest Known Black Bear Dies

Minnesota wildlife officials say the world's oldest known wild black bear has died of old age at 39 and a half.

The decomposed body of the animal identified as Bear number 53 was found recently in a secluded wooded area in northern Minnesota.

The Department of Natural Resource believes it died of natural causes.

The bear was first captured and radio-collared in 1981.

Region Looking For Benefits From Mining

The region's leaders continue to look at how the Rainy River district can maximize the benefits from the flourishing mining industry.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation's Geoff Gillon says part of the job will be to educate the business community on to make that happen.

Gillon says they've also promoting Fort Frances as a mining district, noting the proximity of the town to projects both here and in northern Minnesota.

Good Results From Day One Of Kiss And Ride

So far, so good in the response to the Kiss and Ride initiative in Fort Frances.

Efforts to improve traffic flows and student safety at Robert Moore, J.W. Walker and St. Francis Schools went into effect yesterday.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says overall, it went well and will look at tweaking the initiative in the days ahead.

McCoy says they will also continue to educate motorists about the new parking restrictions around the schools for a little longer before taking a harder line and issuing tickets.

New Education Director On The Job

It's not just the start of a new school year for students.

It's also one for Rick Boisvert,  the new Director of Education with the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Boisvert says he plans on building on the school's existing values.

He doesn't officially start until next week, but has been spending the last couple of weeks getting to know staff and schools.

Minnesota Test Scores Released

Ahead of a new school year in Minnesota, the State says its students saw a slight setback in standardized test scores in math this year, made small gains on the science test and struggled with a new reading test.

The Department of Education attributes the declines to a more rigorous testing.

Library Going To Fall Hours Next Week

The Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre is reverting back to fall hours next week.

Effective Tuesday, the Centre will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays.

The Centre will also be open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Power Going Out Next Week

There will be a lengthy power outage next week that will impact the town of Fort Frances.

Electricity will be lost from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday September 8.

The interruption is so Hydro One can perform equipment upgrades.

Sucessful Ride For Memories

Another successful Ride For Memories!

Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River's Rosanna Tomashowski says about 200 people took part in Saturday's event helping to raise over $46-thousand dollars.


Tomashowski says you can still make a donation to the Society help reach its 50-thousand-dollar goal by calling its office in Kenora.

Kiss And Ride In Place

It's the start of a new school year across the Rainy River district and the introduction of the Kiss and Ride initiative in Fort Frances.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says designated lanes at Robert Moore and J.W. Walker Schools are now in place for parents, bring their children to school, to use.

Volunteers are at the schools to help children exit the vehicles safely without the need of their parents getting out of the car.

There are also new parking restrictions around the schools, but authorities say no tickets will be issued immediately so people can get adjusted to the new pick and drop off procedures.


Kiss and Ride is also in place at St. Francis School.

Principal Kim Anderson says also have volunteers on hand to assist parents.

Parents are also being asked to use 2nd Street West to get to the School and going down First to Holmes Avenue when leaving.

Education Director Looks Ahead To New School Year

The director of education for the Rainy River District School Board is excited about the new school year inside the classroom.

Heather Campbell says it includes the introduction of early learning programs in three more of its schools.

Campbell says while it will be few days before final numbers are in, there are reports enrollment at some schools will be up this year.

New SCAP Campus Open

The new Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program school is now open.

About 100 students are attending classes at the Emo school.

Some rooms are still off limits as crews continue to finish off construction.

DSSAB Concludes Public Consultations

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board has heard plenty on how to deal with the housing needs and homelessness in the district over next ten years.

The Board held sessions in Rainy River, Atikokan and Fort Frances to gather input.

Chief Executive Officer Dan McCormick is happy with what he heard.

A final report is expected before the board in late October.

Town Helps Out Curling Club

The town of Fort Frances is picking up the tab for $600 worth of water given out during Sunday's Kraft Celebration Tour.

The Fort Frances Curling Club purchased the water after existing supplies ran out.

Mayor Roy Avis says it was needed given the heat of the day and the fact that a number of people had already been treated for heat-related illness.

Chief Administrative Officer Mark McCaig, who was on site at the time, says the water was much appreciated.

Avis also applauds the efforts of the club and volunteers for making the event a huge success. 

Don't Feed The Geese

Public is being asked to refrain from feeding the geese along the LaVerendrye Parkway in Fort Frances.

Fort Frances town officials say the birds have been congregating in larger numbers that usual.

It's also meant more work for town crews who are having to take time to clean the walkway of the mess left behind by the birds.

Prisoner Still Missing

Still no signs of a prisoner who escaped police custody in Kenora.

53-year-old Harvey Smith from White Dog First Nation bolted while being transferred from the Kenora Court House last Tuesday.

OPP and Treaty 3 Police don't consider him dangerous.

Economic Benefits Of Kraft Celebration Tour

Local officials are looking at the economic benefits of the Kraft Celebration Tour to Fort Frances.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation's Geoff Gillon says TSN's broadcast was huge in terms of their ability to promote the town.

He says it afforded the town thousands of dollars in advertising.

Gillon also applauds the entire community for rallying around the event.

New Drivers' Fees Sunday

The cost to drive Ontario is going up.

A host of new fees take effect Sunday, including driver's licenses increasing to $80.

Registration of vehicles in northern Ontario will go from $41 to $45, $49 next September and $54 in September 2015.

The province says the increases are necessary to offset the rising cost of maintaining provincial roads, bridges and highways.

Insurances Rates Drop For Some

There is good news for some Ontario drivers.

The Co-operators says it plans to reduces its auto insurance rates October.

Actual dollar savings will vary between drivers.

The province announced last week it will mandate a 15 per cent drop in rates over the next two years

Cops Given Stun Guns

Ontario's frontline cops will be allowed to carry stun guns.

Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur says the decision comes after lengthy consultations with police and coroners across the province.

Ontario's police chiefs have been advocating for the expanded use of Tasers for years but only supervising and specialized officers have been allowed to carry them.

Wolf Attack In Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking into a rare apparent wolf attack on a teenager.

It happened Saturday morning at a campground at Lake Winnibigoshish in north-central Minnesota.

A 16-year-old boy is recovering.

The DNR says a serious injury or fatal attack on a human has never been documented in Minnesota before.

Question Of The Week

Was the Kraft Celebration Tour as you expected?

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

In last week's poll, 65 per cent of respondent support an increase in Ontario's minimum wage.