New Administrator Named

International Falls council has selected its new city administrator.

Ken Anderson is expected to come on staff by March.

Anderson last worked as the head of planning and zoning with the city of Cross Lake, Minnesota.

Rainy River Schools Get Good Grades From Think Tank

An elementary school that's been the subject of closure talk in the Rainy River district has been identified as one of the areas top performing schools by the Fraser Institute.

The think tank is out with it's annual elementary school ratings based on the results of recent provincial-wide test scores.

Spokesperson Peter Cowley says Sturgeon Creek has done very well.

Although its rating dropped, Donald Young School in Emo scored a 6 out of 10 as Atikokan's North Star School.

Overall, Rainy River district schools averaged 5.1 out of 10.

Schools Future Decided Tonight

A decision on the fate of Sturgeon Creek, and two other small schools in the west end of the district is expected tonight.

Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board are to vote on whether to keep them open, or amalgamate them as one.

They indicated a willingness at a special meeting last month, to keep the schools open, which include Crossroads in Devlin and Donald Young in Emo.

They also supported the idea of building a new school to replace the aging Emo facility.

Administration has recommended all three become one as part of a new school in Emo.

Projects To Get Council Look

Fort Frances council will take a look at a number of projects it's wanted to do for some time at its budget meeting tonight.

It hopes to identify those that might be get financial support from the province in light of the recent shutdown of operations at Resolute Forest Projects.

Chief Administrative Officer Mark McCaig says approval might help offset some of the economic hardships faced and stimulate some short term jobs.

The list includes a number of road improvement projects, the demolition of the former Rainy Lake Hotel and the potential acquisition of Resolute's wood yard.

US Border Allow Minnesota Enhanced Drivers Licence As ID

Minnesotans without a passport can now use their enhanced driver's license to cross the border.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it will now accept the license as a form of identification.

Minnesota began offering the enhanced license option in 2012.

It contains encoded data required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for entry from Canada.

Ontario has offered enhanced driver's licenses since 2009.

Drug Bust Near Kenora

Two British Columbia men face drug charges.

OPP charged the 26-year-old and 45-year-old after the discovery of 25 pounds of marijuana and some methamphetamine inside a vehicle stopped on the Trans Canada Highway near Kenora last Thursday.

Police value the drugs at about 58-thousand dollars.

Minnesota Wants More Youth To Get The HPV vaccine

Minnesota is working to increase the number of young people who receive the HPV vaccine.

Only about one-third of girls and even fewer boys have received the vaccine.

The Department of Health's Kris Ehresmann says it's vital to get more young people vaccinated.

The department has received a $600-thousand grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help boast the immunization rates.

Hockeyville Submission Gets Support From NCDS

Supplied photo

The first official entry in the Boston Pizza Hockeyville contest has been made.

NCDS is showing off its support for Fort Frances's bid in the Kraft Hockeyville contest by decorating the front of its Scott Street office.

Businesses that show their pride and post a photo as part of the Fort Frances submission can win a prize pack from Boston Pizza.

This is the final week for people to submit stories and photos to help boost our communities chances of winning $25-thousand dollars for upgrades to the Memorial Sports Centre and the potential of hosting an NHL exhibition game.

Fort Frances is now fifth in terms of total uploads in this first round.

Go to Krafthockeyville.cbc.ca to provide your support.

Unifor Challeges Tory Leader To Debate

The leader of Canada's largest union is challenging provincial Tory leader Tim Hudak to a debate.

Unifor makes the challenge in a full page ad it placed in the Toronto Sun on the weekend.

The ad says the topic would be how “unions help create decent jobs in the province and why the PC jobs plan doesn't ad up.”

Hudak has proposed Ontario introduce "right-to-work" legislation that would give workers the right not to join a union, even if one exists within their workplace.

Hudak has yet to respond.

Taxpayer Federation Suggests Scrapping Early Learning Program

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says scrapping full-day kindergarten would help Ontario balance its budget.

The Federation makes its pitch in a submission to a pre-budget legislative committee gathering comment.

It calls the early learning program for four and five year olds misguided and having no positive effect on children.

The Federation also wants the provincial government to eliminate the 10 per cent hydro rebate given to homeowners, and stopping funding programs for businesses who hire youth.

Question of the Week

The Liberal government plans to increase Ontario's minimum wage to $11.00  an hour this summer with subsequent increases every October.

A fair increase or do you think it should be higher?

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

Good Year Predicted For Forest Industry

There are signs of life in Ontario's forest sector after years of dormancy.

The Ontario Forest Industries Association says 2014 should be a year of real growth.

President Jamie Lim says an upturn in the construction industry in the United States and globally bodes well for area lumber mills.

Lim says changes to Ontario's building code allowing wood in the construction of six story buildings will also be a benefit the industry.

Lim also sees a continuing role for the province in the recovery effort by maintaining programs such as the Northern Ontario Energy Subsidy and the forest access roads fund.

Job Fair In International Falls

Some help this week for people looking for work or thinking of a career change.

The International Falls Workforce Centre will hold a job fair this Friday.

Alyssa Hackenmueller says it's in part a response to the layoffs at the Boise mill last year.

In advance of the job fair, the Centre will hold a workshops around resume writing, job search techniques and and interviewing.

Early Learning Registration This Week

File photo

Early Learning programs will be celebrated across the Rainy River district this week.

Both the Rainy River District School Board and the Northwest Catholic District Board will hold open houses and student registration at their schools.

The program will be offered for the first time next fall at Crossroads School in Devlin, McCrosson-Tovell School, Mine Centre School, Nestor Falls School and Riverview School in Rainy River.

It's also scheduled for Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.

New City Administrator Named Tonight

A new city administrator for International Falls could be named tonight.

City council is to discuss the position at its meeting.

The city interviewed six candidates for the job early last month before narrowing the field to three.

The position became vacant last March following the departure of Rod Otterness who took on a position in Washington State.

Deputy administrator Betty Bergstrom has been filling in on a temporary basis since.

Strong Organ and Tissue Registration From Northwestern Ontario

Northwestern Ontario residents continue to lead the way in organ and tissue registrations.

Fort Frances among them, with about 43 per cent of its population registered donors.

President of the Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ronnie Gavsie says its important to be an organ and tissue donor.

Gavsie says one organ donor can help save the lives of eight people while one tissue donor can aid up to 75 people.

Former Bearskin Airlines Co-owner Dies

A former co-owner of Bearskin Airlines has died.

Harvey Friesen passed away suddenly yesterday in Palm Springs, California at the age of 65.

Friesen co-owned Bearskin Airlines with his brother Cliff before selling the company in 2011.

State Of Emergency Extended

A Peacetime State of Emergency in Minnesota has been extended for another 30 days.

Governor Mark Dayton says the extension was necessary as the State continues to deal with a shortage of propane and other home heating fuels.

Ministry Watching Snow Plowing This Winter

The provincial government says its closely monitoring winter road maintenance of the province's highways this winter.

Transportation Minister Glenn Murray acknowledges some contractors have been fined for not meeting snow plowing standards, and stronger action will be taken if his Ministry don't see significant improvements.

Murray also inviting resident to call contractors and the Ministry if they have complaints about the roads.

Youtube Video Seen As Educational Tool For Motorists

OPP sees a viral video of a near head-on collision involving two transports near Nipigon as a good educational tool.

In the video, one driver is forced to take evasive action to avoid an oncoming transport passing a snowplow.

Constable Anne McCoy says it points to the message they're trying to get across through a new Highway Safety Education Committee.

OPP are investigating and looking for the transport driver passing the snowplow which reportedly did not stop.

Caution: contains strong language.

Food Prices Continue to Rise

The food budget for a family of four in the Kenora and Rainy River district is nearing the one-thousand dollar a month mark.

It's a 60-dollar increase over last year's study.

The Northwestern Health Unit, Julie Slack says that's making it more difficult for those on low or fixed incomes.

Slack says the rising prices do show the need to strengthen community gardens, school breakfast programs and food banks even more.

Motion To Keep Veterans Affairs Offices Open

The doors close today, but MP's will vote Monday on an motion calling for eight regional Veterans Affairs offices to stay open.

NDP put forward the motion yesterday.

Veterans intend to hold memorial services today at affected offices, including the one in Thunder Bay, to signify the loss of service.

Propane Hotline Set Up

Minnesota is setting up a public hotline for residents who may have questions about the propane shortage in the State, or may be in danger of running low on heating fuel.

The hotline is manned Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day.

Governor Mark Dayton declared a State of Peacetime Emergency in Minnesota Monday in response to the persistent cold weather and the increased risk that households may run out of heating fuel.

MPCA Hands Out Fines To 65 Companies

A Baudette company is among 65 fined by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for environmental infractions in the last four month of 2013.

LaValla Septic Service was fined 18-hundred for individual septic treatment systems violations.

The MPCA says it also has another 141 ongoing investigations across the State

Minimum Wage Going Up

The minimum wage is going up in Ontario.

The province says the $10.25 an hour wage will go to $11.00 an hour June 1.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says it's going to improve people's lives.

The government also intends to introduce legislation when Queen's Park resumes that ensure future increases every October.

OPP Cracking Down On Reckless Drivers

As Ontario suffers through one of the worst winters in recent history, the OPP are taking a hard stance with reckless drivers who are jeopardizing the safety of officers and other emergency personnel responding to collision scenes.

Three OPP cruisers have been struck by passing motorists since Monday, sending at least one officer to hospital..

Last weekend, eight cruisers were struck with two officers suffering minor injuries.

Park Centre To Open This Winter

Voyageurs National Park is opening its Rainy Lake Visitor Centre this winter.

Beginning this Sunday, the centre will open Wednesdays through to Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The park says funding from the Voyageurs National Park Association is allowing for the centre to open.

The winter hours will continue until March 30.

Recycling Up In Fort Frances

Fort Frances residents are doing better when it comes to recycling.

Ontario Waste Diversion says about 20 per cent of all residential waste in 2012 reached blue boxes, slightly higher than from the year before.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Scott says it's not bad, noting a slight increase over 2011.

Scott admits northern Ontario communities are challenged by distance to markets and costs that can impact on local recycling efforts.

He says increased education and the creation of depots to collect such things as electronic equipment can further reduce the amount of material going to landfill.

Fight Continues To Keep Offices Open

The MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River is making a last ditch effort to save Canada's Veterans Affairs offices.

The offices, including one in Thunder Bay, are to close their doors tomorrow.

John Rafferty accuses the Harper government of turning its back on veterans by closing the offices.

Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino is apologizing for the way he treated veterans during a meeting in Ottawa Tuesday, but isn't backing down on the decision to close the offices.

Osisko Fighting Take-over Bid

Osisko Mining is taking legal action against Goldcorp.

Osisko alleges that Goldcorp misused confidential information prior to making a hostile take-over bid for the company.

Goldcorp's offer is about $2.6 billion, but Osisko calls it "opportunistic and financially inadequate."

Osisko is also in the process of mailing its recommendation to shareholders, urging them to reject the offer.

Heart Of The Continent Partnership Meets Today

Officials from both sides of the border gather in International Falls today for a meeting of the Heart of the Continent Partnership.

It's aim is to promote northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario

Chair Frank Jewell says part of their discussions will be around the organization's future.

Jewell says there will also be involvement for the first time in a long time from Fort Frances.

Dryden Reports Huge Deficit

While Fort Frances council works to pare down its budget, another northwestern Ontario community is facing some serious financial troubles of its own.

The city of Dryden has announced its facing a four-million dollar deficit going into the 2014 budget year.

City officials attribute the shortfall to reduced assessment of the Domtar Mill, fewer provincial grants and a one million dollar accounting discrepancy identified from 2011.

Fire Marshal's Office Investigating Ignace Blaze

The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been contacted to help investigate the cause of a massive fire to an Ignace grocery store.

Tuesday's blaze destroyed Gramma's Supermarket.

Fire crews were still working yesterday to mop up the fire and extinguish hot spots.

Grade 10 Student Publishes First Book

A Fort Frances high school student has launched her first novel.

Last of the Spirit Seers is a fictional book, but written around true ghost stories from the Rainy River district.

Author Claire Hyatt says she never though about writing a book initial.

It took her about 11 months to write and is already thinking of a second book.

The book is available at Betty's, the Fort Frances High School or through Amazon.com.

Lobby Group Questions Biomass Supply

A northwestern Ontario lobby group is trying to prove that the proposed biomass conversion of Ontario Power Generation's coal-fired plant in Thunder Bay will not meet the future energy needs of the region.

Common Voice Northwest spokesperson Iain Angus says the proposed supply of biomass will never be enough during a cold spell like we are experiencing now.

Angus says by his calculations the amount suggested would have been used up in three weeks had the conversion been in place already.

Memorial Service For Office Closure Planned

Veterans plan to mark the closing of the Veteran Affairs Canada office in Thunder Bay with a memorial service.

They plan to lay a wreath at the doors of the office Friday and hold a small memorial to signify the loss of services to northwestern Ontario.

The office is one of eight scheduled to close across the country.

Bridge Work This Spring

A bridge on Highway 11 will get some upgrades this year.

The Swamp River Bridge, just west of Shebandowan, will be replaced at a cost of $3.2 million.

Thunder Bay-based LH North will begin work in the spring.

Changes To Driver Renewals For Some Seniors

Drivers in Ontario over the age of 80 will no longer have to complete a written test to renew their licence.

Beginning April 21, the province will instead base renewals on a vision test, the individual's driving record and require the senior to participate in some educational programs.

Transportation Minister Glen Murray says it will help seniors stay safe on the road while flagging those who shouldn't be driving.

More Target Stores To Open In Canada

Minnesota retailer Target says it will open another store in Winnipeg this fall.

The store at Polo Park Mall will be one of nine to open across the Canada this year.

Target entered the Canadian market last year with 124 stores, including one in Thunder Bay.

Governor Prepares For Surgery

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will go under the knife next week.

He's having hip surgery at Rochester's Mayo Clinic.

The procedure is to reattach the major hip tendons to the bone around the hip joint that have become detached.

It's only expected to take an hour and Dayton says he expects a full recovery.

Fort Projects To Get A Second Look

Some Fort Frances projects that have been on the shelves for a while could get a dust off.

Chief Administrative Officer Mark McCaig says the town's received a lot of attention recently from the province, and to a lesser extend the federal government, about the latest shutdown of the Resolute Forest Products mill.

He says now might be a good time to review some of the work projects it's wanted to do and seek some financial support from government.

McCaig says approval could help create some jobs and economic growth to the community.

Council looking at discussion potential projects during its budget meeting next week.

Girls Retreat Wins

The program coordinator of the "I Am Awesome, And I Know It" is feeling good today.

The regional self esteem and empowerment retreat for women has received $45-thousand after being selected one of the grand prize winners of the Aviva Community Fund contract.

The retreat also received an additional $5,000 for making to the final round.

Coordinator Renee Martin-Brown says it will be used to help expand the program.

The first retreat, held in Nestor Falls last year, attracted 19 young girls across across northwestern Ontario.

Kenora Family Survived Ordeal In Bush

A Kenora family is back home safe after spending three nights stranding in the bush on the weekend.

The family, which included two children aged 6 and 10, had left Kenora January 18th for a week of trapping north of Minaki, but on their return Saturday, they encouraged mechanical problems with one of their snow machines while the other got stuck.

OPP say they had survival gear that made it possible to build a shelter and light a fire and enough food to survive until they were spotted by a pilot who'd been asked to help look for them.

Veterans Call For Minister's Resignation

PSAC photo

Veterans who were in Ottawa to argue against the closing of their regional offices left a brief, emotional meeting with Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino visibly frustrated and calling for his resignation.

Eight office, including one in Thunder Bay, will close this Friday.

Fantino called the meeting candid, but video shows the Minister and veterans trading testy exchanges.

Right To Work Campaign Reaches Northwestern Ontario

Unifor brings its "Right at Work" campaign to northwestern Ontario today.

President Jerry Dias says they're using an event in Thunder Bay to speak out about the threats to basic labour rights and what action unions can take.

Unifor is concerned about a federal bill, the union believes will make it easier to decertify unions in the federal sector on the basis of biased voting rules.

Pension Advisory Group Formed

Ontario has taken another step towards developing its own pension plan.

A technical Advisory Group has been created to advise government on how to strengthen retirement income security for people across the province.

They join former Prime Minister Paul Martin who was brought in as an advisor last week.

Smoking Ban in Foster Homes Sought

Debate is going on in Minnesota on a proposed bill that would ban smoking in foster homes.

It reached the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee yesterday.

The bill's author and Committee Chair Tina Liebling says many children in foster care are already suffering from at least one chronic medical condition and should be protected from secondhand smoke.

The bill now moves to the House Early Childhood and Youth Development Policy Committee.

Area Leaders Seek Proclamation

Another effort is being made to get the heads of State in Canada and the United States to declare July 2nd as Peaceful Borders Day in Fort Frances and International Falls.

The day coincides with the communities Peace Pull Tug of War.

Fort Mayor Roy Avis and Falls Mayor Bob Anderson have signed at letter to be sent to Prime Minister Harper and President Obama.

Harper has signed the declaration the past two years, but it has yet to get attention in Washington.

Grocery Store Destroyed By Fire

You Tube

Fire has destroyed a grocery store in Ignace.

The blaze at Gramma's Supermarket started around 2:30 Tuesday morning.

Mayor Lee Kennard who owned the store for five years calls the fire devastating.

No injuries are reported and the cause isn't known at this time.

Sledder Found

Two snowmobilers are recovering after spending a chilly night on Lake of the Woods.

RCMP initiated a search Monday after being informed the day before about the two being overdue from a fishing trip near Birch Point on the Lake's western shore.

They were eventually located in Roosevelt, Minnesota.

RCMP says the two had spent the night in the bush after becoming disoriented by blowing winds.

One the men eventually walked to a nearby home where he contacted his father's employer who called police.

Both were picked up, but the one man had to be taken to hospital in Roseau for treatment of frostbite.

Minimum Wage Action Promised Soon

The Ontario government says it will bring forward a plan in the near future on how it will address the minimum wage.

An advisory panel recommends it increase based on the province's inflation rate with the first to be retroactive to 2010 when the $10.25 an hour rate was frozen.

Labour Minister Yasir Naqvi says they're are reviewing its recommendations and will bring their plan forward shortly.