NDP Worried About Possible MNR Closures

The NDP is looking for assurances from Ontario's Natural Resources Minister MNR offices in northern Ontario will remain open.

At Queen's Park, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says Nipigon, east of Thunder Bay has been told its office won't be closing, and wants the same given to others community.

Minister Michael Gravelle says any future operational changes will ensure the MNR's core values and services are maintained.

Body of Man Wanted In Nova Scotia Found

An OPP search in dense woods in northwestern Ontario has recovered the body of a man they believe is wanted in the alleged confinement and sexual assault of a teenage boy in Nova Scotia.

The body of 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham was recovered in an area around Geraldton near a 2003 Hyundai Elantra found on a logging road Wednesday night.

His cause of death is under investigation, but foul play is not suspected.

Cunningham's co-accused, David James Leblanc, was arrested Sunday.

Assisted Living Facility Planning Continues

The group aiming to get an assisted living facility built in the Fort Frances area has a better road map to reaching that goal.

Health officials, municipalities and others came together to provide input into a three-year strategic plan for the Assisted Living Action Group.

Chair Erma Armit says its key moving forward.

Armit says they hope to have a final document in place soon.

Human Trafficking Present Here

We might not see it on the streets, but an ex-RCMP officer says human trafficking is likely happening in northern Ontario.

Marty Van Doren, who coordinates a RCMP human trafficking awareness program, says many young girls and boys involved in the sex trade industry in Canada are coming from remote First Nations looking for a better way of life.

He says they get to the big cities where they're meeting people who mislead and later abuse them into working for them.

Van Doren was speaking to members of area police services boards gathered in Fort Frances.

School Grounds Get Facelift

Some improvements are coming to the grounds of Mine Centre School.

The Rainy River District School Board plans to use reserve funds on the project that includes an expansion of the school playground area and a new baseball diamond.

Over half-a-million dollars has been earmarked for the project.

Appointment For Area Liberal

The candidate who ran for the Liberals in this riding is the last provincial election has been elected to the Party's executive council.

Anthony Leek says his appointment as the Northern Region Vice President will help get local issues to the table.

Leek says the appointment also further strengths the local riding association.

Comedian Returns Home

A homecoming for a First Nations Comedian.

Ryan McMahon brings his talents to Fort Frances today for this first time in three years.

McMahon is on a self-funded cross-country tour to follow up on some of the national success he's achieved this year that includes being named to the new faces list at the Just for Laugh's Festival in Montreal and the taping of a television special for CBC.

Radiothon Nets Huge Dollars For Foundation

The final numbers are still being tallied, but Riverside Foundation for Health Care is much closer to reaching its goal in the "Together We Can Campaign."

Over 85-thousand dollars in donations were received during a four-hour radiothon Tuesday on 93.1 The Border.

Campaign co-chair Jan Beazley says it exceptional support.

OPP Looking For Savings

Ontario Provincial Police says their doing what they can to find savings for municipalities under contract with the OPP.

Speaking before area police services boards gathered in Fort Frances, Superintendent Rick Philbin of the OPP's municipal policing bureau says a change in a formula used to calculate costs has been lowered.

Philbin says a two-year wage freeze also helped, but some municipalities worry about the impact of a pending 8.5 per cent increase in 2014.

Drug Bust At Area Border

A Windsor, Ontario man is facing charges following the seizure of over $2-million in cocaine and heroin at the Pigeon River border south of Thunder Bay.

The over 14-kilograms of cocaine and 1-and-a-quarter kilograms of heroin were discovered hidden in a concealed compartment of a truck that attempted to cross into Canada September 22.

Some Quetico Park Fires Out

Two of the forest fires that have been burning for several weeks within Quetico Provincial Park are now out.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is continuing to monitor three others still active at the southern end of the park.

One is almost 300 hectares in size.

Books Of Life Created

A class of young students in Atikokan is playing a part in promoting aboriginal education across the province.

Grade 2 and 3 students from North Star Community School participated in an Ontario Teachers' Federation initiated that asked students to create books about their lives.

Teacher Kristy Cameron says she took her students works and compiled a CD entitled ""Living the Seven Sacred Teachings."

The students works were recently on display at a provincial launch of the project in Toronto.

Funds Sought For Trail Project

Int'l Falls photo

The City of International City and Koochiching County are teaming up to seek grant money for a trail project  linking the Falls with Rainer.

Fall's economic development officer Shawn Mason says it gives them a better shot at the $375-thousand requested from the State.

The project includes 1.2 miles of new paved trail with an exiting section being widened.

Total cost is just under one-million dollars with additional funding coming from the federal government, the County and the City.

Ontario Helps Minnesota On Fire

MNR file photo

More help from Ontario for Minnesota in their fight to suppress fires burning in that state.

Two Ministry of Natural Resources waterbombers and a birddog aircraft had to be called to help stop a fire in northwestern Minnesota that crossed into Manitoba Sunday.

MNR personnel are also assisting with several fires in Alberta.

Crossroads Students Raise Money For Terry Fox Foundation

More donations have been counted from one school from last Thursday's Terry Fox School Run.

Students at Crossroads Schools in Devlin raised over $21-hundred dollars for the Terry Fox Foundation.

Jordan Sparks Coming To I. Falls?

A visit with a long-time friend has led to talk of singer Jordan Sparks possibly performing in International Falls.

Falls city lawyer Steve Shermoen  met up with Spark's grandfather during the Ryder Cup in Chicago where he was introduced to the former American Idol winner.

Their talk led to fishing and a possible visit to the Falls.

Shermoen says there was even some discussion of Sparks performing in the city, but a lot has to be worked out to make that happen.

New School For Pikangikum

A new school for Pikangikuum First Nation.

The project is among three schools the federal government will move on this year.

Funding will come out of the $275-million previously budgeted to improve First Nations education.

Riverview Raise Funds For Terry Fox Foundation

More funding for the Terry Fox Foundation.

Students at Riverview School in Rainy River raised over $12-hundred  in last Thursday's Terry Fox School run.

Environmental Commissioner Critical Of Liberals

Ontario's environmental watchdog says the government is stumbling and retreating in the implementation of simple programs that used to work fine.

Environmental commissioner Gord Miller says the province is "blind'' to the impact forestry is having on wildlife and isn't doing enough to protect water resources against the continued threat of dry weather.

More West Nile Cases in Minnesota

Four more cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Minnesota this past week.

But the rate of infection is dropping.

Health officials say hot summer weather across most of the nation is the likely cause for the widespread West Nile outbreak this year.