Customs Officer Pleads Guilty

An International Falls Customs Border Protection Officer has plead guilty to a charge of sexual assault.

46-year-old Patrick Hamburg made the plea as his trail was set to begin yesterday.

Hamburgh was arrested last November.

A criminal complaint indicated his victim was a young girl who was assaulted multiple times over several years.

Hamburg faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Lawyer Named to Board

A Fort Frances lawyer has been elected to serve on the board of directors for the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Larry Eustace is among forty across the province elected to a four year term.

He's being in practice for 37 years.

UFC Fan Recalls Fight Involvement

A Fort Frances man is calling it a thrill of a lifetime.

Trevor Fitzgerald returned home yesterday after earning the right to place the welterweight championship belt on UFC fighter George St. Pierre Saturday.

"It's a once in a lifetime experience," Fitzgerald. "It's something I'll never forget. There's a lot of interest in it. I didn't necessary expect that but it was a real thrill for me personally."

UFC President Dana White granted Fitzgerald's request made the night before during a fan forum.

Workplace Accident Investigated

The Ministry of Labour is looking into the death of a man at a garage in Stratton what OPP describe as a workplace accident.

Emergency personnel were called to Stratton Service Thursday afternoon where they found 42-year-old Shawn McDonald inside unresponsive.

He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

No other details have been released.

Voting Day

It's election day.

Polls open at 8:30 a.m. across the Rainy River district.

Voters are being reminded to bring your voter's card as well as photo I-D and proof of address.

Your polling station will be listed on your voting card.

B-93 News will be providing updates shortly after the close of polls at 8:30 p.m.

Candidates Happy with Campaigns

The campaigning and debating are done for the candidates seeking election in Thunder Bay-Rainy River

NDP incumbent John Rafferty is anticipating strong voter turnout.

"There seemed to be more young people involved," says Rafferty. "First-time voters are curious. They're interested in voting. They're interested in finding out what's going on. I'm hoping that's a very good sign for this election."

Liberal candidate Ken Boshcoff was happy with his campaign.

"It was the number of people who came out to help me certainly was extremely encouraging, says Boshcoff. "I think even in the messaging I was able to do that people understand that yes, this is someone who has a really platform."

Conservative candidate Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann feels she gave 150 per cent to her campaign.

"I'm extremely, extremely optimistic that the folks in Thunder Bay-Rainy River are ready for a new face," says Comuzzi-Stehmann.

The Green's Ed Shields says his first-ever campaign was a steep-learning curve for him.

"I've learned a lot," says Shields. "I believe I improved since the Fort Frances debate and I met some excellent people. It was a privilege to get to know the other candidates. They're all great folks."

Former Municipal Police Officer Retires

One of few remaining officers from the former Fort Frances Police Service has called it a career.

Sergeant Don Robertson was with the municipal force when it was absorbed by the OPP in 1996.

Robertson says the changeover has been good for the town.

"The resources of the province was a huge change for me," says Robertson. "You could draw on so many talented people across the province as well as the infrastructure and the programs."

Robertson worked his last day Friday.

FedNor Reviewed

An analysis says FedNor is slow to approve projects in northern Ontario and doesn't measure its effectiveness.

The study by a consultant in Winnipeg says it takes an average of six months to get approval for a project.

The Industry Canada program has spent at least 150-million dollars in the region since 2006.

Mental Health Week

This is mental health week across Canada.

Nancy Daley of the Canadian Mental Health Association in Fort Frances says anyone at any age can be impacted by a mental illness.

"The theme is mental health for all," says Daley. "It focuses on the fact that kids also have stress, workplace mental health and mental health is everyones concern."

Daley says the local branch is using the week to promote the services and programs it offers.

Candidates Debate Forestry

The forest industry started a heated discussion between the candidates in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding at a debate in Thunder Bay last night.

Liberal Ken Boshcoff pointed out, during his time in office, the Liberals had come up with solutions to help the industry but after the 2008 election the Conservative Government didn't implement them.

Conservative Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann placed blame on Liberal policies for the downturn in the forest industry.

NDP incumbent John Rafferty mentioned the played a role in getting mills the black liquor subsidy.

Protection for Native Languages Needed

A Canadian filmmaker says it's important native languages be preserved.

Andree Cazabon spoke yesterday to delegates attending the Native Studies conference in Fort Frances.

Cazabon says more schools need to offer courses in native languages.

"It's not far fetched to think that if we don't preserve language and culture that we can find ourselves with a bus load full of Asian tourists saying to them 'no,no,no we don't have any more aboriginal people in Canada. They've all been absorbed into the mainstream and don't exist anymore."

Cazabon found in her latest project, 'Third World Canada,' that many young aboriginals are already unable to speak the native language of their grandparents.

Home Show Starts

Today is the start of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Home and Leisure Show.

Manager Anthony Mason says a strongman competition tonight is one of the big attractions.

"We're really stoked that we're able to host it," says Mason. "It's a sanctioned event for the competitors which means they will be competing for spots in the Ontario Strongest Man challenge."

The doors at the Memorial Sports Centre open at 4 p.m.

Horticuluralists Gather in Atikokan

Horticulturalists from across northwestern Ontario gather in Atikokan this weekend.

They're meeting for an annual meeting.

President of the Atikokan society, Alana Rechlin says they serve as a good resource for other planters.

"If they don't have the background knowledge, this is where the horticultural societies can come in," says Rechlin. "We can give them advice, literature to read or our own experience as to what will work and what won't."

The weekend meetings coincide with the Atikokan Society's 30th anniversary.

Festival Results from Thursday

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts has wrapped up.

Katelyn Bruyere and Adyson Hands each won twice for solo works while bands from Robert Moore and Fort Frances High School took several titles in the instrumental division.

The best of the festival will perform May 8

Here is a list of all winners from Thursday.

CLASS B812(II)
FIRST - Hailey McEvoy
SECOND - Justis Gauthier

CLASS B105
FIRST - Robert Moore School, Grades 4 and 5, Director – Mrs. Donald

CLASS B300
FIRST - Robert Moore School, Grades 7 and 8, Director - Karen Peltomaki

CLASS B302
FIRST - Fort Frances High School Intermediate Band, Director - Lisa Loney

CLASS B303
FIRST - Fort Frances High School Senior Band, Director – Lisa Loney

CLASS B304
FIRST - Fort Frances High School Stage Band, Director – Lisa Loney

CLASS B402
FIRST - Caleb Dueck , Lorianne Dueck

CLASS S1300
FIRST – Katelyn Bruyere

CLASS S1250
FIRST – Katelyn Bruyere

CLASS S1200-B
FIRST - Adyson Hands

CLASS S600
FIRST – Adyson Hands

CLASS B806
FIRST - Emma Kunkel

CLASS B802
FIRST – Cameron Daley

Community Reports Released

Healthy eating and physical activity top the list of the most important community health needs based a series of reports released by the Northwestern Health Unit.

The Health Unit's Tanis Fretter says they're now working to address those needs in the twelve communities involved.

"Some communities are development plans around what they identified mostly as either their top two or top three priorities," says Fretter. "We working with communities to help them figure out what next steps they want to take and we're committed to continuing that process as long as it takes."

Recreational opportunities, drug and alcohol use and mental health were other priorities identified.

Forest Tenure Bill Still Troubling

The Ontario Forest Industries Association is again expressing disappointment with the McGuinty Government and its handling of the Forest Tenure Reform bill.

Spokesperson Scott Jackson says no one is happy with it.

"There was an overwhelming concern with the speed at which this bill is moving forward," says Jackson, and a very clear request, in our opinion, from a variety of stakeholders that this needed to be slowed down in order to make sure we get it right."

The Government has filed a time allocation motion that would fast track the bill and eliminate further debate at the committee level.

Conferences Kick Off Today

Regional business and community leaders are taking part in two separate conferences starting today.

In Kenora, the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce is holding its spring meeting.

President-elect Andy Scribilo says it's a chance to discuss issues effecting their communities.

"This is our spring resolutions to take them down to Ontario Chamber of Commerce," says Scribilo. "We're really hoping the community gets involved through the Chamber to get some resolutions. That's the only way we can get the voice down to the Parliament."

Meantime, Thunder Bay is hosting the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference.

President Ron Nelson says four members of the McGuinty cabinet will also be there.

"The Minister of Natural Resources (Linda Jeffrey) will be there," says Nelson. "The Minister of University Colleges and Training (John Milloy) should be an interesting discussions knowing that Lakehead University is pushing for a law school."

Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli and Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle are also attending.

College President Search Nearing an End

The search for a new president at Confederation College is inching closer to an announcement.

Board of Governors chair Marilyn Gouthro says a replacement for the retiring Pat Lang could be named next month.

The board has shortlisted its selection down to six candidates.

Gifts for New Moms Wanted

It's a baby shower of a community-wide nature.

Residents across Koochiching County are being asked to donate items such as diapers, clothes and other accessories to help out new mothers.

Brenda Jones of the Rainy Lake Medical Centre says they're not just for people in need.

"It's to welcome every mother and to provide a gift for every new mother and baby that comes into Koochiching County," says Jones. "It's also an opportunity for these mom to learn about services that's provided to them."

Items will be collected by the Medical Centre and the Koochiching County Health Department on May 25 and distributed during visits by the local nurses.

Major Sponsor for Bass Tournament

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is receiving some much needed support for a Fort Frances business owner.

Sunset Country Ford will become the tournament's presenting sponsor following an undisclosed contribution from owner Nick Beyak.

"I see it as an investment really," says Beyak. "The bass tournament brings in so much to the community in terms as a dollar amount that it being a strong solid tournament I think its vital to the economic environment in Fort Frances."

Tournament chair Gord Watson calls the donation significant and a tremendous boast for the tournament.