Council Talking Trees

Trees a topic for discussion at Fort Frances council last night.

Concerns about fallen and decaying trees were first brought up a local resident three weeks ago.

Town crews took care of problems at Legion Park, but councilor Andrew Hallikas says Pither's Point Park still needs to be addressed.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says because the park's land is in dispute, permission is needed from area First Nations before work can take place.

Brown says there's also a need for some discussion about trees planted along Highway 11 in honour of war veterans.

Town To Address Zoning By-Law Issues

The town of Fort Frances intends to address a number of zoning issues around the community all in one swoop.

Planner Faye Flatt says a number of properties have been identified as being in non-compliance of the zoning by-law and she'll be contacting owners about possible changes.

Flatt says she's also hoping to include any property owner who may be considering new development and will require a zoning by-law chance in the process as well.

Any changes likely won't come until early in the new year.

Fort Council Pursues Provincial Dollars

Fort Frances council will pursue provincial funding for two infrastructure projects.

The town's hoping to do work along a section of Colonization Road West, near Armstrong Place, and Third Street East between Crowe and Frenette Avenues next year.

The combined price tag is about $2.8 million.

Council Says No

Fort Frances council is saying no to an apartment building owner's request to be exempt from the town's environmental fee.

The owners of Skyview Apartments feel that because their garbage collection is handled by a private firm, they shouldn't be required to pay the 4-dollar charge.

The new fee went in place this year to generate more revenue for the town's waste management services.

County Gives CN Ultimatium

CN is being given a deadline to fix up a rail crossing in Rainer.

Koochiching County Commissioner Wade Pavleck says it's so bad that a resident in a wheelchair can't cross.

Pavleck says the County's been promise the work will take place, but feels they've waited long enough for it to happen.

The County intends to tell CN that if the job isn't done by October 25, it will offer up its own crews to do the work.

Slash Burning In Crossroute Forest

A warning to users of bush roads in the Crossroute Forest area.

Resolute Forest Products has started the burning of residual branches and tree tops that remain after logging.

The burning is done to aid in reforestation.

Officials say smoke from the fires may reduce visibility so caution is advised.

Death Ruled Not Suspicious

OPP say the death of a hunter in the Rainy River area isn't suspicious.

The body of an American man was found by other hunters he was with Monday night, 30 kilometres north of the junction of Highway 11 and Highway 611 North.

His name has not been released pending notification of family members.

Fort Men Face Drug Charges

Two Fort Frances men face charges following a drug bust in Kenora.

OPP seized 12 pounds of marijuana after stopping a vehicle on Highway 17 Monday night.

Police value the drugs seized at over 36-hundred dollars.

A 20-year-old and a 26-year-old will appear in court in December on possession charges.

Throne Speech Today

The Harper government unveils its parliamentary agenda today with the Speech From the Throne.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is looking for a promise to restore the 23 million dollars taken out of the FedNor budget so more industry can be developed here.

Rafferty believes the Prime Minister will try to make Canadians forget about his governments broken promises.

Mail Sorting Now Done In Thunder Bay.

Sorting of all of the region's mail is now being done at Canada's Post's sorting station in Thunder Bay.

A new system went in place last month.

Spokesperson John Caines says the city plant is now handling mail for areas such as Fort Frances, Dryden and Kenora.

Caines says the move is being made to help make the system more efficient and no jobs have bee lost because of the change.

CN Strike Looming

C.N. rail traffic across Canada could be coming to halt at the end of the month.

About 33-hundred employees, including conductors and yardmen, will be in a legal strike or lock out position October 28.

They've been without a contract since the middle of July.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference says the company's seeking concessions that could lead to train crews working longer hours.

The union says it's interested in continuing conciliated talks, but the offer was rejected by C.N.

Flu shot Clinics Open This Month

It's that time of year again.

The Northwestern Health Unit says its flu shot clinics will start up later this month run until the middle of November.

Public Health Nurse Shannon Brown says it's important that everyone get it, especially those who are high risk.

A list of clinics and times are to be posted on the Northwestern Health Unit's website this week.

Museum Gala

Friends of the Fort Frances Museum will hold its second annual  Wine and Cheese Fundraising Gala next month.

The November 7 event will include a silent auction and music provided by the Borderland Orchestra and other local performers.

Last year's event raised about $2,000 towards museum programming.

Girls Retreat Seeking Contest Funding

The organizer of a retreat for young girls is hoping to win a nation-wide contest.

The I Am Awesome and I Know It conference is vying for funding in the Aviva Community Fund.

Renee Martin-Brown says winning would help her promote the event throughout northwestern Ontario and cover the cost of presenters at future events.

First round voting ended Monday with second round qualifiers to be announced next Tuesday.

Sheriff To Use Facebook

Koochiching County's Sheriff's Department is turning to Facebook to help get its message out.

Sheriff Brian Jesperson says the idea of using social media came to him at a recent conference in Colorado

The page will go up next week featuring safety tips, emergency management information and a ten most wanted list.

Town Employee Recognized

A long time employee with the town of Fort Frances is being recognized.

Municipal by-law enforcement officer Arlene Byrnes has received an Ontario Municipal Law Enforcement Service Medal from the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers Association of Ontario for twenty years of service.

Teen Fatalities Reviewed

Some sobering statistics on driving fatalities in Canada, especially if your a teenager behind the wheel.

New research finds 16-to-19 year drivers are 30 per cent more likely to be killed in a car crash than drivers over 20.

The study by Traffic Injury Research Foundation finds that males account for 74 per cent of all teen deaths with alcohol the main contributing factor.

Almost one-fifth, or 19 per cent, of female teen driver fatalities were due to distraction.

Motorists Charged For Not Wearing Seatbelt

Too many drivers in the province continue to ignore Ontario's seatbelt law.

Provincial Police says they issued over 42-hundred tickets to motorists across Ontario for failing to click it in a recent seat belt campaign that wrapped up Sunday.

Minnesotan Told to Check Their Medicare Coverage

Minnesotans with Medicare Part D or an Advantage Plan are being urged to take a fresh look at their coverage, as the yearly open enrollment is now underway.

Seth Boffeli with AARP Minnesota says during the enrollment period, it's important that all beneficiaries review their plans.

About 800-thousand Minnesotans rely on Medicare for their health care.

Hospital Looking At Sharing Doctors

Hospital officials in Fort Frances and International Falls are exploring the idea of sharing medical services.

Interim Chief Executive Officer with Rainy Lake Medical Centre in the Falls Bob Haley tells CFOB-News he and Riverside Health Care's CEO Alan Katz have discussed the idea of recruiting specialists who could work at both hospitals.

Haley says they now looking at what it will take to allow doctors to work on both sides of the border.

Environmenta Commissioner Questions MNR Changes

Ontario's environmental commissioner is questioning the provincial government's transformation of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Gord Miller says changes contained within last spring's budget that went unnoticed gives government the authority to hand over Crown land to private companies.

Miller says the impact of the changes could be felt the greatest in the Far North.

Fort High Students Attend We Day

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A group of high school students from Fort Frances are back from experiencing We Day in Minneapolis.

About thirty attended last Monday's event aimed at aimed at inspiring young people.

Grade 11 student Cameron Penny says it was incredible experience.

Julia Qwast, also in grade 11, says it now has her thinking about what she can do in her school, in the community and possibility for people in under developed countries.


Many of students taking part were also at We Day in Winnipeg last year.

Minnesota Looks At Reopening Possibility

A glimmer of hope to Voyageurs National Park reopening.

The Associated Press is reporting Minnesota is mulling over an offer from the Obama administration to allow States to use their own money to operate National Parks impacted by the partial shutdown of U.S. government services.

State officials says they first need to review costs and revenues.

Minnesota Man Walking Through Wilderness Areas

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A journey likely no one taken in a long time.

Jason Zabokrtsky has embarked on a walk through Quetico Provincial Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness area back home to Ely, Minnesota.

He says one of the riskier parts will be having to swimming some lakes.

Zabokrtsky says he's pre-mapped an 80 mile route he hopes to complete in two weeks.

Dayton Ready To Assist

A show of support for International Falls and those impacted by the downsizing at the Boise mill.

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton sat down last Wednesday to hear from civic leaders about the challenges and some of the projects they hope to move forward on.

Dayton says he's willing to help where possible.

A review of the forest industry and its future was one of the suggestion put forward to the Governor.

PC's Call For Election

The Leader of the Ontario Conservative Part is calling for an election.

Tim Hudak's demand comes as a result of the audit for the Oakville gas plant that has costs Ontario tax payer between 675 and 815 million dollars.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says the vote won't happen unless the Liberals call the vote themselves.

Meantime, Premier Kathleen Wynne says it's difficult to get accurate estimates on the cancellation of the Oakville gas plant.

It was one of two  projects cancelled in 2011 by then premier Dalton McGuinty

Common Ground Success

Provincial Liberals says they're seeing success to its Common Ground initiative.

The campaign is inviting Ontarians to submit ideas the party will consider in its next election platform.

Since the site when up more than a week ago, more than six-thousand users have submitted one thousand ideas.

Assisted Living Facility Now Open

The doors of an assisted living facility in International Falls are now open.

The Good Samaritan Society officially cut the ribbon to its new Northwinds Assisted Living facility last week.

Administrator Adam Coe says the five million dollar building offers a blend of independence and assistance to the residents.

A new nursing home is also now in use with an official opening still to be determined.

Bayfield Continues Drilling

Bayfield Ventures continues to report strong gold findings from a drill program being conducted north of Barwick.

The company has been working in an areas adjacent to Rainy River Resources, soon to be New Gold's, project and has released its latest assay results.

Chief Executive Officer Jim Pettit says the company is pleased with the progress, noting a summer exploration program helped identified several areas where they will concentrate on in the future.

Gamble Responsible

A message of gambling responsible.

Responsible gambling awareness week goes this week.

The Responsible Gambling Council's Heather Ly says there are many signs to watch for if you think someone may have a gambling problem.

Ly says their research has found 3.4 per cent of Canadians identify as problem gamblers, effecting one in 10 families.

Local Artist On Display At Museum

A local artist the latest to be highlighted at the Fort Frances Museum.

The works of Cher Pruys are now on display and will remain up until the end of the month.

Curator Sherry George says its a great opportunity for those who may never have seen her artwork.

A chance to meet the artist happens Wednesday evening.

Falls Hospital Optomistic About Future

Officials with Rainy Lake Medical Centre in International Falls are assuring the public they'll be stronger than ever when a relationship with Duluth-based Essentia Health comes to an end.

The two sides broke off talks during the summer without a resolve to Essentia's desire for more control in a 5 year partnership.

Speaking to Koochiching County's board, interim Chief Executive Officer Bob Haley says the hospital is still viable on its own.

County commissioners, though, want Rainy Lake to be more open about the decisions its making.

Charter Board Member Steps Down

A long-time board member with Riverside Foundation for Health Care has stepped down.

Larry Cousineau was one of the inaugural members when the board formed in 1997, serving as chair between 2005 and 2007.

He joined after serving several years on the hospital board

He says strong public support from across the district for the Foundation's activities help make his time on the board enjoyable.

Cousineau cites the expansion of LaVerendrye, the implementation of a CAT Scan unit and the purchase of equipment for hospitals in Emo and Rainy River as key accomplishments for the Foundation during his tenure.

Board Appoints Members

Riverside Foundation For Health Care's board has reappointed Craig Sanders to another one year term.

Bill Gushulak and Deanne Cunningham return for three more years.


Wallace "Rob" Crowe joins as a new member.

Bev Langner of the Rainy River Auxiliary;  Heather Oltsher of the Emo Auxiliary;  and June Keddie representing both the La Verendrye and the Rainycrest Auxiliaries will represent their organizations on the board for another year.

Thunder Bay Senior Home Death Investigated

An investigation is underway into the death of a resident at a privately-owned senior home in Thunder Bay.

For privacy reasons, Revera Home Health isn't disclosing how the resident died at its Pinewood Court Home or the person's name.

Officials do say they have reported the incident to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and are cooperating with its investigation.

Road Project Gets Funds

The town of Fort Frances will get provincial funding after all for a road, sewer and water improvement project completed this summer.

It's receiving more than $847-thousand to offset some of the costs of the work along along Second Street East and Mowat Avenue.

That project is coming in about $1.2 million.

The town was one of the first communities awarded money under a new fund designed for small and northern communities after being denied under a previous program earlier this year.

Gas Plant Audit Number Increase

The opposition are on the attack after a new report from Ontario's Auditor General says the Liberal's decision to cancel construction of a gas plant in Oakville three years ago has cost taxpayers $675-million.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says it's money that could gone into hiring more nurses, freezing child care fees or building more affordable housing unit.

PC Critic Lisa McLeod points the blame on Premier Kathleen Wynne, saying she signed the document authorizing the cancellation.

International Walk To School Day Recognized

Students in International Falls have recognized International Walk to School Day.

Yesterday was intended to encourage physical activity among young people.

Elementary students walked en mass to school from Kerry Park yeseterday morning.

Full Ban On Flavoured Tobacco Products Sought

A coalition of Ontario health agencies are calling for a complete ban on flavoured tobacco products.

New data shows 57-thousand young people in the province admit to using them despite legislation banning certain products.

Director of Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco Michael Perley says the number is concerning.

Perley says companies have found loopholes in current legislation allowing their products to stay on the market and only a complete ban will lower the number of young users.

Falls Resumes Bidding Process

International Falls will again seek bids for certain work on land intended for a multi-modal facility.

The city had agreed to seek bids in May, but councillors learned Monday night Mayor Bob Anderson had asked the process be put on hold because of concerns he had with the project.

Councillor Gail Rogenrud feels the Mayor overstepped his bounds by not coming to council first.

Anderson says no harm was done by his request because there's no one committed to paper for the area.

Pennies For Play Returns

Another playground in International Falls is the target of an improvement campaign.

Backus Community Centre is spearheading the Pennies for Play initiative for new equipment at Green Acres Park.

Spokesperson Robin Bjorkquist says they're hoping to raise $20-thousand.

A similar campaign two years ago raised nearly $18-thousand for equipment at Kerry Park.

Woman Charged In Police Chase

A 25-year-old Thunder Bay woman is in custody following a vehicle chase early Sunday morning which started  in Dryden and ended in Ignace.

One police cruiser almost ended up in the ditch in the ordeal that ended with OPP using a spike belt to help stop the vehicle.

The woman faces several charges including impaired driving, dangerous driving, and assaulting police with a weapon.

Little Growth Expected Among Small Businesses

There could be little growth among Ontario's small businesses next year.

A new study finds 75 per cent of Ontario's small business owners state they have no plans to hire next year while 90 per cent do not expect to expand their business.

52 per cent admit to having no business plans for next year.

NOVA Awards Seek Nominees

Calling all community leaders who are under 40.

A Thunder Bay-based young professionals network is looking to recognize you as part of the 2014 Visionary Awards.

Organizer Keith Anderson says the purpose of the NOVA Awards is to create a top 20 list for northwestern Ontario.

The deadline for nominations is November 15.

No Extra Tags Available

For the first time since surplus deer-hunting permits were made available six years ago, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says no permits will be available for this year's hunt.

It says every permit area received applications for at least 100 percent of the permits available.

The firearms season in most areas opens November 9.

New Billing Model Proposed

Ontario Provincial Police are deferring contract renewal discussions with municipalities.

It's a response to an announcement by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services which is coming up with new billing model for how municipalities pay for policing.

The province says the new model will give municipalities more control over costs and help them tailor crime prevention strategies particular to their needs.

It intends to solicit input this fall

Municipalities whose contracts expire before January 1, 2015 are being given options to consider until the new billing model takes effect.

Police Costs Savings

The town of Fort Frances is seeing some savings with its policing costs for last year.

The total cost has come in at just under $2.6 million - $123-thousand less than what OPP has estimated.

The cost is still $65-thousand over 2011.

OPP are estimating this year's cost to be about $100-thousand dollars over last year's actual figure for the equivalent 18 uniformed staff assigned to policing the community

Summer Crime Stats

An ordinary summer for provincial police in Fort Frances.

Statistics released show OPP responded to about 950 calls during the months of June, July and August - about 50 less than last summer.

A total of 275 charges were laid during the summer months, compared with the 359 in the summer of 2012.

Some of the charges were laid by the OPP's Community Drug Action Team who were involved in 9 separate incidents, seizing such drugs as oxycodone, methadone and marijuana.

New Interim Chief Starts Job

The interim chief for Treaty 3 Police Service begins his first day today.

Dan Davidson is taking over the retiring Conrad Delorande.

Davidson is originally from the Morson area.

Promoting Respect

There's a little more respect going around the Rainy River district.

It's because of the work by the group Celebrating Diversity which is out promoting its "Respect - It Lives Here" initiative.

One of the trainers Nancy Daley-Fulton feels they are making a difference.

Daley-Fulton says they've held workshops with a wide array of organizations and businesses
across the district and welcomes other to take part as well.