First Nation Chief Charged With Extorton

The Chief of the First Nations Community on Lake of the Woods has been charged with extortion.

RCMP charged Chief John Thunder of the Buffalo Point First Nations in connection with a complaint about correspondence directed at a federal government official involved with the Buffalo Point Cottage Owners.

It's alleged the Chief's correspondence was an attempt for derail a civil legal proceeding involving the Cottage Owner’s Association.

Path Of The Paddle Getting Closer To Reality

The dream of creating a canoe route across the region remains alive and well.

Path of the Paddle has been officially incorporated and a committee is hard at work finalizing the route.

Melissa Pomeroy is director of the Trans-Canada Trail in Ontario and says they hope to the Path in place by 2017.

Pomeroy says the route through Quetico Provincial Park is complete while others going through Rushing River, Turtle and White Otter areas should be finalized by next spring.

Provincewide Bargaining Proposed

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Ontario intends to create province-wide bargaining for teachers.

Education Minister Liz Sandals introduced the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act yesterday,  that if passed, would establish a clear process in future negotiations.

The proposed model would feature a central bargaining table where government, unions and teacher federations would tackle issues with province-wide impacts, such as pay and benefits.

Local bargaining would also occur involving school boards and local federations and unions.

The government wants the Act in place before teachers contracts end next August.

Campbell Dealing With Complaints On High Hydro Rates

Hydro prices in Northwestern Ontario continue to be an issue for Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell.

Campbell says she has been getting flooded with calls and emails from residents who can't afford their bill.

She says blame can be blamed on the Liberals and the cost of cancelling two gas plants in southern Ontario.

Campbell says since 2007, the off-peak hydro rate has gone up by 140-percent.

Anglers Charged

Four Minnesota men are out $740 each after pleading guilty to overfishing.

The men were charged following a recent Minnesota Department of Natural Resources investigation.

The men were found to have 84 sunfish over the legal limit after conversation officers had searched freezers in several locations.

The DNR says the fish were from lakes around Effie, about 70 miles southwest of International Falls.

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

You might see a lot of red shoes this afternoon in International Falls.

It's part of the annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes aimed getting men, especially, to bring more awareness to the issue of sexual and domestic violence.

Friends Against Abuse LeeAnn Meer feels the campaign does make a difference.

The walk begins at 4 p.m. at Backus Community Centre.

Rainy River Woman Wins Lottery Prize

A Rainy River woman is a little richer today.

Marilyn Jenson was one of 30 early bird winners in the Canadian Cancer Society's Lottery.

Jenson picked up $25-thousand dollars in cash.

Sister Kennedy Centre Celebrates

It's a week long celebration at the Sisiter Kennedy Centre in Fort Frances.

The Centre kicked off its 30th anniversary with some of those involved in its development on hand Monday.

Deanne Cunningham, mayor during the planning and construction, credits Sister Betty Kennedy who help ran smaller centre out of a an area church for getting the ball rolling.

Dave Bourgeault helped head the fundraising campaign at the time and says it was an easy sell.

The Centre is holding a variety of events this week to mark the anniversary.

New Senior Award Handed Out

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One of Fort Frances' oldest residents is the first recipient of a new award being offered by the Sister Kennedy Centre.

Hubert Medhurst has received the first ever Senior Citizen of the Year award.

Director Nick Wihnann says the 106-year-old has been a big part of the centre since its development thirty years ago.

Wihnann says selection of Medhurst for the inaugural award was an unanimous selection by the board.

Armed Robbery In International Falls

International Falls Police Department is hoping for witnesses will step forward to aid in their investigation into an armed robbery in that city.

Police says someone entered Koerter's Amoco Sunday night at about 7 p.m., armed with a knife and demanded cash before fleeing on foot.

An undisclosed amount of money was taken.

Road Closure

A road to Mitaanjigaming First Nation will be closed temporarily this week.

The Mitaanjigaming access road, formerly known as Stanjkoming Road, will be closed at kilometer 2 Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, October 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.

The Ministry of Transportation says the closures are necessary while a construction project along the road takes place.

Ontario Will Cover Medical Trips To Manitoba

Ontario's health minister is ensuring area residents that if they can get medical care in Manitoba, the province will cost the costs.

Deb Matthews clarified the province's policy in response to questions in Queen's Park about a Kenora cancer patient who was recently denied permission to travel to Winnipeg for treatment.

Matthews says part of the problem stems from a directive issued by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to Manitoba physicians that was not accurate and has been corrected.

Cyber Summit In Minnesota

Officials in Minnesota are gathering in Minneapolis to share notes on the cyber threats they face and how to manage the risk.

The Better Business Bureau's Dan Hendrickson says it's a real issue that requires a statewide solution.

It's estimated that nearly half of the data breaches in the U-S last year were from malicious attacks.

House Fire In Fort Frances

No injuries reported in a house fire that occurred Tuesday morning in Fort Frances.

Member of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service were called out at around 6 in the morning to the home in the 11-hundred block of Second Street East.


Damage was extensive

The cause of the blaze is under under investigation.

New Contract For CN Police

CN Police have a new contract.

The Canadian National Railways Police Association says its member have ratified a new four year deal that begins in January.

The agreement provides for wage and benefits improvements for the 74 officers with CN across Canada, including here in Fort Frances.

MP Wants National Rail Strategy

A northwestern Ontario MP is looking for changes to the laws that govern train transportation.

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says this weekend's fiery derailment in Alberta should be a call to action for the Harper government

Hyer wants the feds to develop a national rail strategy.

City Supports Return Of Ranger Camps

A campaign to re-open Ontario ranger camps has some municipal support.

Thunder Bay city council is sending a letter to the provincial Liberals asking them to bring back to Ontario Ranger program.

The program saw young people from across the province work in provincial parks and other ministry of natural resource related jobs until it was cut over a year ago.

MnSure Information Session

Koochiching County residents will get some information about Minnesota's new heath insurance marketplace, MNsure.

Rainy Lake Medical Center's Foundation will host a presentation October 30th at Rainy River Community College with MnSure officials on hand to answer questions.

MnSure is being put in place for individuals and small groups to obtain health coverage as part of President's Obama's Affordable Care act.

Bell To Track Your Use

Starting next month, Bell will be tracking what its customers do online, what TV shows they watch, and what kind of mobile apps they use, unless they opt out.

The company has updated its privacy policy to say on November 16, they will start collecting customer data.

They say it's to improve network performance, create marketing reports and sell targeted ads.

You can opt out, though, by registering on Bell's website.

Seniors Recognized

Two seniors from the Rainy River are being recognized by the provincial government.

Alex Broski of Atikokan and Janet Loney of Emo are among 21 receiving Senior Achievement Awards, the province's highest honour for seniors that recognizes those who've made outstanding contributions in their communities.

Broski is cited for his leadership in a range of projects with the Lions Club, being a founding member of Atikokan's Sports Days, and chair of the local Christmas Cheer fund for three decades.

Loney created Emo's Meals on Wheels program, and helped establish the Assisted Living Building Committee.

Chemical Spill Cleaned Up

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A rail car that toppled over Friday on Resolute Forest Products mill property in Fort Frances has now been emptied and hauled away.

Some of it's contents, hydrogen peroxide, spilled, but crews had it contained by Saturday.

The chemical is used in the bleaching process at the mill, but officials says it posed no risk to the public at any time.

Roads that had been closed during the incident have now been reopened.

Mock Emergency Planned

Area emergency personnel will be put to the test next Tuesday as they participate with Energy Fundamentals Group or EFG in an exercise simulating a natural gas leak.

EFG's Michael Pelletier says it's being done in conjunction with Union Gas and the town of Fort Frances.

The exercise is also being evaluated by the National Energy Board.

Highway Accident Kills Five

OPP continue to investigate a horrific crash on Highway 17 near English River Saturday night involving a transport and a pickup truck that claimed five lives.

Provincial Police have released the name of the transport driver killed as 43-year old Sukhwinder Thandi of Cambridge, Ontario.

The names of the four men killed in the pick-up have not been positively identified.

Two oth
.   
er vehicles were involved in the accident, although none of the occupants were injured.

Operation Impact Numbers Revealed

The numbers of this year's Operation Impact Campaign are in.

OPP Constable Dave Shaw says all of their statistics were down from last year.

Police still laid 244 speeding charges, one stunt driving charge, 34 for seatbelt violations and 4 distracted driving charges.

The month long campaign ended last Sunday.

Forest Fire Season Winding Down

The forest fire season in Northwestern Ontario continues to be a quiet one.

Ministry of Natural Resources Spokesperson Deb MacLean says the last fire was in Red Lake, and was put out last Wednesday.

Two prescribed burns in the Sioux Lookout area are still active, but are listed as being held.

The official end of the forest fire season is October 31.

Blood Donor Clinics Seeking Young Donors

The Canadian Blood Services is back in Fort  Frances.

It will hold clinics at the Fort Frances High School today and tomorrow.

Spokesperson Mike Choi says part of the visit is to attract more young people as donors.

Choi says they hoping to collect 240 units of blood.

Senior Centre Celebrates

Anniversary celebrations for a senior's center in Fort Frances this week.

The Sister Kennedy Centre is celebrating 30 years with a variety of events.

It will kick the week off this morning with an official opening at 9 a.m. with a number of dignitaries on hand.

Freshie Week

This week is Freshie Week at Fort Frances High School.

The main event is the naming of a Freshie King and Queen.

A total of ten nominees will participate in a week-long friendly competition towards a crowning this Friday.

This year's nominees for Freshie Queen are Victoria Beaudry, Kassidy Fryer, Caitlin Visser,  Jess Steele, and Sara Selman.

Cole Sandelovich, Brett Hahkala, Hunter Koles, Christian Audette, and Cole Kowalski vye for the title of  Freshie King.

Comunity Living Outlines Plans For Former School

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Community Living Fort Frances and District has taken the wraps off its plans for the former Sixth Street School.

It intends to demolish the former school and construct a new multi-use facility featuring space for training, activities and offices.

Executive Director Alanna Barr says the plan came out of input from a variety of individuals.

A fundraising campaign for the estimated $3.5 million dollar project will be launched soon.

Gold Project Still Proceeding

New Gold is assuring the public it intends to continue work on a proposed gold mine north of Barwick.

It's acquisition of Rainy River Resources is now complete..

Director of Sustainability Kyle Stanfield says while there is a new owner to the project, there are no plans to scuttle the work take placing.

Stanfield says they're still aimed for obtaining ministerial approvals early next year and possible construction next fall.

Tory MP Defends Government Agenda

Northwestern Ontario's lone Conservative member is defending the federal government's agenda outlined in Wednesday's Throne Speech.

The Minister Responsible for Fednor Greg Rickford says there were many perks identified for our region.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty notes may of the promises made will be done if government returns to a balance budget, something he doubts will take place.

NDP Want Wynne To Testify Again

The NDP wants Premier Wynne back before a committee examining the decision to cancel two gas plants in southern Ontario.

Critic Gilles Bisson says the recall of the Premier is needed to answer some of the questions arising out of the Auditor General's latest report that now puts the cost of the cancellation at over $1.1 billion.

Since the recall is not binding, it's up to the Premier to decide if she want to appear.

Drug Bust Details To Be Announced

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Details of a lengthy drug investigation in northwestern Ontario are being reveal today.

It involved Dryden Police, OPP, Treaty Three Police and the Anishinabek Police Service.

A media conference is planned for this morning in Kenora police say will address the results of a lengthy undercover operation that led to large amounts of cash, drugs and property being seized.

Charge Laid In Fort Severn Death

A 19-year-old man from Fort Severn First Nation is facing a charge of second-degree-murder in connection with the death of a woman in that remote community earlier this week..

Nishnawbe-Aski Police say 24-year-old Georgina Beck Stoney died at the community's nurse station Monday.

Charged is Tommy Raymond Miles Junior.

Community Television Station On Fundraising Drive

Officials with a community television station in International Falls are now focused on funding.

A community drive is underway to raise funds for equipment.

Board member and city councillor Cynthia Jaksa says it includes purchasing gear to stream programming on-line throughout Koochiching County.

Jaksa says they also want to purchase cameras to be placed in communities outside International Falls where resident can use to record their own programming for the station.

Long Time Kenora Councillor Died

A former Kenora councillor has died.

Helene Dubenski, often known as the hat lady, died earlier this week at the age of 96.

Dubenski served as a councillor for 27 years under 6 different mayors during the 1970's, 80's and 90's.

Motorists Paying For Road Improvements

A new study says Ontario drivers are paying most of road infrastructure costs, to the tune of more than $7.5-billion a year.

The Conference Board of Canada says drivers of cars, minivans, SUVs and light pickup trucks now pay 70 to 90 per cent of the costs through fuel taxes, fees and tolls.

The report notes that municipalities that own and maintain a large part of the infrastructure collect a relatively small portion of that revenues.

E-Waste Day In International Falls

Residents of Koochiching will get an opportunity next month to rid themselves of their old televisions, computers and stereos.

Rainy River Community College, along with Wisconsin-based 5R Processors, will hold a collection day November 2.

Most consumer electronics and home office equipment will be accepted.

New Deal For Medical School Dean

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has the only dean its known, for a little longer.

Dr. Roger Strasser has been reappointed Dean in a deal that will keep him around until the end of June 2019.

Strasser was first hired in 2002 as the school's Founding Dean to aid in its development and subsequent opening in 2005.

Let's Talk

Confederation College student union is talking.

It's launched a new monthly live talk show series titled "Let's Talk About...."

The Student Union says it intended to engage students and the community in dialogue on a wide variety of what can be difficult, challenging or taboo subjects.

Each show will be broadcast via video conference to the college's regional campuses and recorded for the web.

The first show, about sex, took place yesterday
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Throne Speech Delivered

The federal government's Throne Speech is making a lot of promises.

It includes working to improve the skilled trades sector.

The Throne Speech also mentions the federal government's vow to improve First Nation's education on reserve.

The Harper government will also continue pare down the size and cost of Government, reduce cell phone roaming costs and to make cable providers offer pick and pay TV services.

Community Living Unveils Plans For Former School

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We'll get a look later today at what the future plans are for the former Sixth Street School in Fort Frances.

Community Living Fort Frances and District intends to take the wraps off its plans for the property at an event at the site at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

The invite says the agency proposes to build a fully accessible, mufti-purpose building that will include areas for training, activities and office space.

Community Living purchased the former school for a dollar almost four years ago from the Rainy River District School Board.

Ontario Education Minister Looking At Education System

Education Minister Liz Sandals is talking about the future of the province's education system.

She's on an Ontario wide tour and visited Thunder Bay yesterday.

Sandals says some of the concerns are around meeting the needs of students with disabilities.

Sandals says students are also interested in learning about personal finance and entrepreneurship in high school.

Loans Considered For New Animal Shelter

Koochiching County and the city of International Falls are being asked to float the Borderland Humane Society loans to help build a new animal shelter.

City Solicitor Steve Shermoen says the loans will help get construction going and will be repaid over time.

Shermoen says he's aware of financial support the Society may get in the future that could help pay off the loans.

Both the City and County have previously agreed to provide $50-thousand each toward the project.

Branding Workshop Tonight

The Northwest Business Centre is helping area entrepreneurs put a fresh twist on marketing their products.

Centre Manager Diane Schwartz-Williams says The Creating and Communicating Your Brand Story workshop will be held tonight in Fort Frances.

The event costing 30 dollars goes from 5 to 9 tonight at the La Place Rendez Vous.

"Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Dreams" Showing Today

An inspirational documentary is being show today in Fort Frances.

Spinal Cord Injury Ontario's Darren Lillington says "Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Dreams", about Maggie Sofea, a young aboriginal woman from Summer Beaver First Nation, who had an accident at very young age and how she's overcome her disability to achieve several life goals including returned to her home  community.

The viewing take place at 2 p.m. at the Fort Frances Library.

Rainy River Resources Is Now New Gold

A friendly takeover of Rainy River Resources is now complete.

New Gold says it now controls all of the company's shares, completing a deal announced in June.

Executive chair Randall Oliphant is pleased the acquisition is now complete and says they can focus attention on advancing Rainy River's gold project north of Barwick.

New Gold is in the process of completing a detailed review and update of the feasibility study as well as advancing the permitting efforts.

NOMA President On Hand For Throne Speech

An interesting spectator from northwestern Ontario in Ottawa for the Throne Speech.

The president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, Dave Canfield was invited to attend.

Canfield says he also got a chance to meet face to face with the federal cabinet.

Canfield says Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford helped arrange for the invite which came directly from the Prime Minister's office.

Public Budget Requests Taken To Next Level

Fort Frances council is moving some of the public's budget requests on for further discussion.

Among them a new sidewalk along Keating Avenue requested by the Fort Frances Traffic Safety Committee.

Council agreed Monday night that it might be in a position to fund half the cost if proponents for the sidewalk agree to covering the other half.

Total cost is estimated at about 65-thousand dollars.

Normal Winter Forecast

Don't expect a lot of whitestuff in northwestern Ontario this winter.

Accu-Weather is out with its annual forecast and it shows below normal snowfall for the Rainy River district.

The long range winter forecast also suggests temperatures should be about normal.