Crash Victims Officially Released

OPP have now officially released the names of the victims in this month's Bearskin Airline crash in Red Lake.

Police confirm 25 year old Aniruddh Sawant, 34 year old Peter Traczuk, both of Winnipeg and 53-year-old Anna Johannesson, 53 year old Peter Struk, and 64 year old Sharron Taylor, all of Red Lake, died when the plane crashed short of the runway November 10.

Two others survived.

The Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate.

Economic Response Teams Moving Along

The mayor of International Falls is happy with the progress being made by the economic response teams set up to help offset the recent job loss at the Boise paper mill.

Bob Anderson says some of the individuals on the teams have come together to form a communication group to keep area residents informed.

Anderson says the group is also awaiting on a federal grant that will help put in place some of the other initiatives identified.

NDP Fighting Against Long-Term Energy Contracts

Electricity retailers beware.

The NDP is taking directed aimed at them with a private members bill that would prevent fixed term contracts.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says it's one of the biggest issues her office has to deal with.

Campbell says a recent report shows that people who have signed long term contracts often pay anywhere from 35 to 65 percent more for electricity.

Mayor Outlines Priorities

The mayor of International Falls has outlined his priorities for the next year.

Bob Anderson spokes last week during a meeting of the the International Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Anderson says he plans to focus on the basics, but sees the city's future focused on timber, tourism, technology and transportation and a strengthening of those areas.

He'd also like to see the development of a comprehensive plan to involve Koochiching County and the city of Ranier.

The last plan was done in 1966 and lead to a new by-pass.

Final Vote Day For Knox United Church

Knox United Church in Fort Frances is making a final push to gain a semi-final spot in the Aviva Community Fund contest.

The Church is hoping to secure a top ten spot as it seeks funding for its renewal project.

It's currently sitting in 13th spot, about 200 votes back of 10th, with voting in this third and final round ending at 11 a.m. today.

Click this link to vote.

FASD Committee Formed

Northwestern Ontario has a new committee focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Creighton Youth Services Director Jack Martin says the new committee will create a strong voice when speaking about FASD.

Martin says FASD is a lifelong illness and that early detection can prevent people from falling into substance abuse and mental health issues.

Chambers Scraps Pre-Thanksgiving Day Promotion

There will be no early Thanksgiving late night shopping promotion in International Falls this year.

The International Falls Chamber of Commerce says only nine of 112 businesses responded to its inquiry of the proposed promotion with eight supporting the idea of Wednesday evening shopping in advance of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

The Chamber says it may revisit the promotion next year.

Festival Of Trees Bidding On Now

Bids are now being accepted in the Festival of Trees.

The trees have been decorated and donated by a number of individuals, businesses and organization.

They're on display at the Fine Line Art Gallery in Fort Frances.

Bids will be accepted up until this Saturday.

Proceeds will go to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce and Fort Frances Kiwanis Club.

Sawmill To Start Up Again

Workers at the Resolute Forest Products sawmill in Thunder Bay are heading back to work following a sudden shutdown earlier this week.

The mill was closed Tuesday due to a recent string of accidents.

The company has since gone through a review of its health and safety procedures and plans to be back in operation this Sunday.

About 200 workers were affected by the shutdown.

Municipalities To Be Informed Of What's On The Rails

Rail companies must now let municipalities know when they're transporting dangerous goods through their communities.

Federal transport Minister Lisa Raitt has issued a so-called protective direction.

A release says it's aimed at enhancing safety and improving communication between railways and communities,

The directive is to remain in place for at least three years.

Province Reviewing Right-Of-Way Use

Complaints from Ontario snowmobile clubs has forced the provincial government to reconsider a controversial policy.

Transportation minister Glenn Murray confirms that a decision to charge snowmobile clubs for use of hydro right-of-ways is under review.

NDP critic Michael Mantha says its just one of a long line of policies that's hurting winter tourism in Ontario.

Murray says the policy was put in place because of liability concerns raised by the Ministries of Infrastructure and Energy.

Parents Asked For Help In Combating Cyber-bullying

Parents are being asked to help combat cyber-bullying.

OPP offer a "Respect Technology" program to schools in the Rainy River district.

But Constable Anne McCoy says parents can also learn how to protect, prevent and deal with the issue of cyber-bullying by finding tips on the website Commonsensemedia.org.

McCoy says many incidents of bullying are the result of comments made on social media sites that spread in a matter of seconds.

One School Recommended

Rainy River District School Board trustees are being asked to consider consolidating three elementary schools into one, with the new school built in Emo.

Trustees gathered Tuesday night to hear administration's take on recent accommodation reviews of Donald Young School in Emo, Sturgeon Creek in Barwick and Crossroads School in Devlin.

Administration suggests a single school would be provide the most benefits to the board and students.

An advisory committee also recommended a new school in Emo, but two others looking at the future of Sturgeon Creek and Crossroads recommended they remain open.

Trustees will make a final decision at their January meeting.

Snow Plowing Complaints Raised Already

Questions about snow plowing are being raised at Queen's Park again.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says has been her office is already being inundated with complaints about road closures after heavy snow fell in several parts of northwestern Ontario on the weekend.

Transportation minister Glen Murray says the government is putting more resources towards winter road maintenance, but says if there is a problem, he's willing to come to the region and talk to the local contractor.

Sheriff Worried About Emergency Prepareness Costs

File photo

Koochiching County's Sheriff is voicing concern with the cost of preparing for an emergency.

Brian Jesperson updated County commissioners at their meeting yesterday, of potential initiatives such as Counties being required to have a full-time emergency manager and a fully-equipped operation center.

Jesperson says the measures are being pushed with little financial support.

But he says failing to comply could impact on future federal support in time of a disaster.

Fire Charges Stay Put

Residents of Koochiching County won't see an increase in the cost of fire protection next year.

Fees for the Rural Fire Service Taxing District will remain the same.

Homeowners are charged 85-dollars while commercial property owners are charged based on the value of their buildings.

The city of Rainer is charged $29,500.


Rep Randy Pozniak says the only change is that they're letting people now sooner than before.

Pozniak says they've also changed the date of its annual meeting from February to June.

Thunder Bay Sawmill Shuts Down

Resolute Forest Products is shutting its sawmill in Thunder Bay down temporarily.

The company calls it a safety break after an employee broke his nose while on the job Monday.

Company spokesperson Xavier Van Chau says it was felt best to halt operations after what he calls a pattern of safety issues at the mill.

No word when operations will resume.

Murder Charge Laid

A 21-year old woman is facing a second degree murder charge following a death on Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

OPP say 20-year old Courtney Mamakeesic died from her injuries sustained in an altercation at a residence Sunday.

21-year old Clarissa Anderson of Kasabonika was arrested and will appear in a Kenora courtroom Friday.

Thin Ice Warning

Ice is forming on some waters and that is prompting a warning from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to stay off.

The warning follows the recent rescue of a man on Little Rock Lake in Benton County who fell through the ice while fishing.

The DNR says a few days of cold weather doesn't create ice strong enough to hold a person.

Public Asked For Input

The public is now being asked to help Fort Frances come up with a brand.

A new survey has been created to assist in the initiative.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says community input ensures the right brand is being developed.

The survey is found on the town's website or at the town office.

Mayor Questions New EDO Office

Some questions are being raised about the renovations at International Falls City hall.

Mayor Bob Anderson says he was surprised to see a new office being created for the town's economic development office, suggesting the move was being "slipped under the door."

Anderson says its sends the wrong message to taxpayers.

Other councillors say the move of the EDO office was always part of the plans and the costs are falling with an approved budget.

Warming Up To Festival Of Frost

Despite some negative reaction early on, the static display for Christmas floats in Fort Frances is now generating some positive interest.

One of the organizers of the new Festival of Frost, Robin Payeur says the event is shaping up every well.

Payeur says they now have at least ten floats, along with other events including pictures with Santa Claus, horses and sled dogs.

One of the floats will include a live nativity scene.

Payeur says they still have lots of room for others to take part.

The event goes November 30

Northwestern Health Unit Welcomes New Proposed Smoking Rules

Smiles all around at the Northwestern Health Unit.

The provincial government has introduced legislation that if passed, will ban smoking on playgrounds, sports fields, and restaurant and bar patios.

Youth Engagement Coordinator Catherine Kiewning says there's a lot of benefits to having smoke free outdoor spaces.


Kiewning is also pleased to see the proposed bill to double fines for those who sell tobacco to youth.

Funding Coming To Riverside

Some funding to assist local cancer patients is coming to Riverside Health Care Facilities.

The money from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation will go to replace an IV pump and a specialized pharmacy cart that ensures the safe delivery of chemotherapy to area patients.

A formal presentation will take place tomorrow at LaVerendrye Hospital.

House Fire In Falls

The American Red Cross is stepping in to assist an International Falls family.

The family of seven, which includes five children, was forced from flee after a blaze Friday in their 22nd Street East home.

An official with International Falls Fire Department says the fire was contained mostly to the kitchen area.

It was started when something was left unattended on the stove.

Missing Teen Found

A Fort Frances teen who was the subject of a police search has been found.

OPP says 15-year-old Adrianna Copenace was found safe and sound in Mitaanjigaming First Nation on the weekend.

She has been reported missing last Wednesday.

Foundation Boosts Scholarship Award

Some more incentive for students in International Falls to get good grades.

The Rainy River Community College Foundation has increased its annual award for “Top of the Class” high school students from $2,000 to $3,000.

Top of the Class students are those whose grade point average is 3.5 or higher.

If eligible students maintain a 3.25 grade point average while enrolled at Rainy River Community College, the scholarship is renewed for another year.

NDP Welcomes More Plows

Expect to see more snowplows on area highways this winter.

The provincial government is deploying 50 additional snowplows, 42-of them in northern Ontario.

NDP critic John Vanthof applauds the move.

The Ministry of Transportation and contractors were flooded with complaints last winter about snow clearing practices.

House Fire In Fort Frances

No injuries reported from a house fire in Fort Frances on the weekend.

Members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service were called out around the supper hour Saturday to a home on 3rd Street West near Central Avenue.

Fire officials says no one was home at the time.

The house sustained heavy damage, but its cause is still under investigation.

Memorandum Of Understanding Signed

A junior mining company looking for gold in the Atikokan area has signed a memorandum of understanding with an area First Nation.

Bold Venture's agreement with Lac Des Milles Lac First Nation pertains to its Wilcorp Gold project, located about 14 kilometres northeast of Atikokan.

Executive vice-president president David Graham says it sets out certain guidelines

Graham says the project is still in its infancy and when any actual drilling takes place is still to be determined.

U.S. Colleges Hold Information Session

Students thinking of going to nearby U.S. colleges can learn more about the opportunities available.

Officials with Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College will hold an information session in International Falls today.

They will be at the AmericInn from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. this afternoon.

Shoe Boxes Due Back This Week

If you obtained a shoe box as part of Operation Christmas Child, it's time to return it.

Quetico North in Atikokan, The Bargain Shop, Lowery's and Bethel Baptist Church in Fort Frances, Tompkins Hardware, Cloverleaf Family Foods and Calvary Baptist Church in Emo and Kreger Sales and Service in Rainy River have been designated drop off spots.

The boxes, to be filled with a variety of toys, school supplies and hygiene items, will eventually go to children in Central and South America.

Safe Schools Program At Catholic Schools

New security measures at catholic schools across the region go in place next month.

Beginning December 2nd, the front doors of all Northwest Catholic District School Board schools will be locked with cameras and buzzers installed to monitor who's accessing the school.

Education director with the Northwest Catholic District School Board Rick Boisvert says it enhances what they already do.

The measures follow those put in place last month at public elementary schools in the Rainy River District.

Horwath Visits Fort Frances

A visit to Fort Frances by Ontario's NDP Leader.

Andrea Horwath met for about 30 minutes with members of the Assisted Living Action Group who outlined to her their proposal to develop an assisted living facility in the Fort Frances area.

She later attended a party fundraiser.

Earlier in the day she was in Thunder Bay where she called on the Premier Kathleen Wynne to help communities struggling with property tax reassessments.

Horwath says it's unaceptable for communities to bleed taxpayers dry for decisions made by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

NDP Pans Bear Hunting Plan

The Ontario Government is once again allowing the hunting of bears this spring, but not in the Rainy River district.

A limited hunt will be offered over the next two springs in certain parts of the north, including areas around Thunder Bay.

NDP critic John Vanthof says it's really a step backwards given that all communities in the north aren't eligible to participate.

The hunt will also be open only to Ontario residents.

Wear Purple

Area residents are being encouraged to wear purple today.

It's part of the Shine the Light Campaign being promoted by Riverside Community Counseling as part of Women Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of woman abuse

Area businesses have also been asked to dress up their window displays in purple in support of the cause.

Area Woman Appears In Farming Calender

A familiar face to the Rainy River district's agricultural community is among those in a calender promoting the faces of farming in Ontario.

Kim Jo-Bliss, who manages the Emo Agricultural Research Station and her great uncle's farm, was selected during the summer to participate in the 2014 edition put out by Farm and Food Care Ontario.

Bliss and her story can be found on September of the calender available through her.

Bliss is the first from northwestern Ontario to be included in annual calender.

Limited Spring Bear Hunt Planned

Supplied photo

It will be legal to hunt bear in the spring again in some parts of Ontario.

The province will conduct a two-year hunt in eight different wildlife management units in and around the communities of Timmins, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay.

Natural Resources Minister David Orazetti says the initiative is a response to nuisance bear complaints by some municipalities this past year.

The hunt would be open only to Ontario residents with bear cubs and females off limits.

Fewer Deer Taken By Hunters

Fewer deer are being shot by Minnesota hunters this season.

The Department of Natural Resources says hunters harvested 77-thousand deer in the first three days of the State's firearms season.

That's down 8 per cent from last year's numbers.

The DNR still expects the final 2013 harvest to be similar to last year when about 185-thousand deer were taken.

Province Seeks Pipeline Hearings

The Ontario government is asking the Ontario Energy Board to hold public consultations on the proposed Energy East Pipeline.

A release from the province says it acknowledges the potential economic benefits of the proposed pipeline, but adds the consultation process will provide an opportunity for all Ontarians to share views on the proposal.

The findings will form the basis of a submission to the National Energy Board which has jurisdiction over the project.

Students Want Minimum Wage Increased

Students are the latest to call for a jump in Ontario's minimum wage to 14-dollars an hour.

Chair of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario Alastair Woods says coupled with high tuition fees, low wages make it increasingly difficult for students and their families to pay for post-secondary education.

Woods says by raising the minimum wage, the government would immediately improve the lives of students and youth.

Mine Centre Place 3rd In CardBoard Boat Competition

Students at an area school are some of the best builders of cardboard boats.

A group from Mine Centre School placed third at a regional Elementary Cardboard Boat race in Dryden.

The team included students Prudence Kabatay, Ziggy Skead, Reed Dennis and Ryan Stewart with guidance from teacher Barb Dennis.

Hospital Employee Charged

An Atikokan hospital employee is facing charges in connection with the theft of prescription medication from the hospital's pharmacy.

39-year-old Cynthia Carolyn King will appear in Atikokan Court December 12 on charges of theft and breach of trust.

The charges stem from an OPP investigation that began in April 2012 when hospital administration notified police of missing medication from the pharmacy.

Missing Youth Sought

OPP are seeking the public's help in locating a missing 15 year old girl.

Adrianna Copenance was last seen leaving LaVerendrye hospital in Fort Frances Monday evening.

She is described as being 5'2", 110 pounds with shoulder length dyed auburn hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing eye glasses with thick black frames, dark blue jeans, white DC shoes with neon yellow laces, a grey coat and dark grey hoodie.

Crash Victims Identified

A funeral home in Red Lake has identified the victims of Sunday's plane crash in that community.

The Herold Funeral Home says separate memorial services for 64-year-old Sharon Taylor, 53-year-old Peter Struk and 53-year-old Anna Johannesson will be held this weekend.

Two pilots, who are believed to be residents of Winnipeg, also died in the crash.

More Smoking Bans Proposed

There could be fewer places to smoke in the near future.

Ontario's Health Minister Deb Mathews says she intends to introduce legislation that will prohibit smoking on playgrounds, sports fields, and restaurant and bar patios.

Smoking is already banned inside eating establishments.

The proposed legislation will also ban the sale of flavoured tobacco products and increase fines for those caught selling tobacco to youth.

Mill Celebrations Planned

There are plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of opening of the Fort Frances mill.

The Fort Frances Museum is in the process of putting together a committee to help celebrate next year.

Curator Sherry George says it's a part of the community that deserves to be recognized.

George says part of the celebration will include a display at the museum.

She's also hoping to include other groups, such as schools.

Former Mining Ex Moves On

A former Rainy River Resources executive has found new employment.

Michael Mutchler has been hired on by Largo Resources as its Chief Operating Officer.

Mutchler held the same post with Rainy River Resources which has since been acquired by New Gold.

Falls Parade Seeking Participants

Falls Chamber photo

Preparations are underway for the 'Twas the Lights Before Christmas Parade in International Falls.

It takes place the evening of November 29.

Falls Chamber president Faye Whitbeck says they're now accepting entries.

Call the Falls Chamber to register.

Canadian participants are welcome.

Drug Charges Laid

A busy couple of months for the OPP and the Fort Frances Community Drug Action team.

They arrested and charged four men, a woman and a youth and seized quantities of prescription medications and marijuana in five separate drug investigations in September and October.

In one case a 67-year-old Fort Frances man was arrested after police stopped a vehicle traveling from Thunder Bay to find 95 oxycodone pills and more than 760-dollars in cash.

In Atikokan on Halloween eve, a 20-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were charged after OPP searched a home on Poplar Avenue to find 2-and-a-half pounds of marihuana and 54-hundred dollars in cash.