Target To Open In Thunder Bay Soon

Target will soon open its doors in northwestern Ontario.

The company has announced a July 16th opening of its store in Thunder Bay.

It will be located at the former Zeller's Store in Intercity Mall.

Fire Situation Heating Up

MNR file photo

All quiet here, but the forest fire situation elsewhere in northwestern Ontario is heating up.

Debbie MacLean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says five new fires were spotted yesterday, bringing to 40 the number active.

Most were lightning strikes from storms that had passed through the area several days ago.

MacLean says the hazard sits at high and could peak to extreme by the weekend.

Kidpro/Parade Gone From FFCBC

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship has released its schedule for this year's event with a couple of glaring omissions.

Both the Kidspro and Parade of Boat are not listed as events this year.

No explanation from the organizing committee as to why.

The Kidspro allowed young anglers to fish in a tournament style event with the pro angling teams.

The parade was last cancelled in 2009 due to a lack of interest from anglers.

Kraft Happy With Local Match Up

It wasn't easy, but Kraft Canada is happy with the communities selected vying to be a part of its Celebration Tour.

Fort Frances and Dryden were among the twenty selected out of 620 submissions.

Kraft's Promotions Manager Sue Brooks says their bids best meet the criteria to advance.

Brooks encourages the communities to promote themselves as best they can get to get out as many people on voting day July 19th.

The winning community will earn a $25-thousand cash reward and a chance to host TSN's broadcast of its Sportscentre program.

Kraft will also bring in a variety of activities

Fourth of July Celebrations In International Falls

Rainy Lake CVB photo

Today's a holiday for our American friends celebrating the Fourth of July.

Festivities in International Falls focus around Smokey Bear park with games, crafters, food vendors and music getting underway at 11 this morning.

The main parade through the downtown core will start at 1 p.m. with a theme Honouring the Backus Community Centre.

There is also a kiddie parade starting at 12:30 p.m.

The day ends with a fireworks display lit off from the Falls High School track at 10 p.m.

Dragon Boat Club Coming Together

The recent success of the dragon boat races in Fort Frances is leading to the development of a club.

It will get a kick off tonight at 5:30 p.m.at the Sorting Gap Marina

NDCS's Jenny Greenhalgh says they hope to bring in trainers to generate more interest and have the boat used more often.

It's also expect a club will help expand the now growing dragon boat festival.

Those interested are asked to contact NCDS.

Tea Time At The Museum

Tea continues to be served at the Fort Frances Museum.

The museum began serving tea and scones as part of the Fort Frances Business Improvement Association's Market Thursdays.

Curator Sherry George says it ties in with a current exhibit of fine bone china that has been donated by area residents.

George says the teas have been well received, helping to attract new people to the Museum.

By-elections Date Panned

Ontario's opposition parties are crying foul over the premier's chosen date for five upcoming by-elections.

Progressive Conservative Lisa McLeod say Kathleen Wynne is playing "dirty tricks'' by sending voters to the ballot box just before the August long weekend.

All five by-elections are in Liberal-held ridings which McLeod claims gives the incumbent party a huge advantage with experienced workers already on the ground.

USA Out Pulls Canada

Greg Coleman (r) with trophy

Advantage International Falls.

The Americans took every event in the annual Pulling For Peace Tug of War with Fort Frances.

While relishing in the win, Falls Mayor Bob Anderson says it's a great event for both sides of the border.

Fort Mayor Roy Avis says everyone worked hard for peace in both countries.

Celebrities Help Pull For Peace

Sarah Campbell photo

There were celebrities on both sides of the border involved in tug of war.

Former Ontario Strongman champion Luke Skaarup was among those on the rope for the Fort Frances celebrity team.

The Falls celebrity team was dominated by a number of former Minnesota Vikings.

Former punter and now broadcast Greg Coleman says the event was a great way to boost the pride of communities who've taken a hit economically with recent downsizing of their major employers.

U.S. Consulate General Visit

FFCC photo

Canada's U.S. Consulate General is in the area to take part this week's festivities both in Fort Frances and International Falls.

Jamshed Merchant says it's given him a good perspective of the relationships enjoyed by the two communities.

He says his participation in the tug of war showed him the closeness of Fort Frances with International Falls.

Merchant is also meeting with elected officials to discuss mutual concerns.

New Faces To Riverside Board

There are some new faces to Riverside Health Care's Board of Directors.

Janice Beazley of Fort Frances and Doug Robinson of Rainy River have been appointed to the board for three years teams.

Carol Hyatt, representing the Emo area, joins for a one year term.

Marlis Bruyere and Norma Elliott, who serves as vice-chair, also return to the health care system’s governing body.

Michelle Marinaro remains as Chair

Help With Technology Offered

Seniors struggling with their cellphone or e-reader can turn to the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre for help.

The Library is hosting a tech boot camp each Wednesday this summer.

Cameron Penny will among staff ready to answer any question.

People can bring their devices and questions to the Library from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoons until the end of August.

Moose Triggers Three Vehicle Accident

No injuries following an accident east of Atikokan involving three vehicles.

OPP says a vehicle first hit a moose on Highway 11 near Sapawe, early yesterday morning.

A second vehicle stopped to assist when a transport struck both vehicles causing one to burst into flames.

The highway was closed for a short period of time.

Busy Weekend For OPP

A busy long weekend for OPP officers in the Rainy River district.

Police responded to 105 calls.

It included an assault of a woman at home on Fourth Street in Fort Frances Saturday night.

A 35-year-old woman faces charges.

Police are also investigating three break-ins, two at garages of homes on Christie Avenue where alcohol and a bicycle were taken.

Another happened at a cabin on Murdock Lake where an outboard motor, a chainsaw and other tools were removed.

OPP also nabbed three area motorists for driving while impaired.

Smokey Sky Not Worrisome

MNR file photo

The Ministry of Natural Resources says local residents shouldn't be too concerned about smoke that has been drifting into some parts of northwestern Ontario over the weekend.

Hazy, smoky conditions were reported in several communities.

The MNR says the smoke is from forest fires that are burning in northern Manitoba and even the Northwest Territories.

Despite very hot, dry conditions over the weekend, the MNR says there was not much in the way of fire activity, but the hazard has jumped into the high to extreme range across the northwest.

Ontario Names Ring Of Fire Negotiator

Ontario is putting former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Frank Iacobucci in charge of negotiations in the Ring of Fire.

Iacobucci will represent the province's interests in negotiations with Mattawa Chiefs negotiator Bob Rae.

He'll also report directly to Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle.

Dragon Boat Festival Success

There was plenty of Canadian pride in the Rainy River District as area residents gathered to celebrate Canada's birthday.

In Fort Frances, many took in the Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival.

Organizer Jenny Greenhalgh is pleased how the event, now in its second years, has grown.

Thirteen teams participated, almost doubling last year's entries.


Greenhalgh says tremendous support from sponsors and volunteers also helped make the event a success.

Dragon Boat Winners

It was a team representing the Fort Frances Dental Centre that came out on top of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Spokesperson for Dragon's Breath Lindy Coile says it was a challenge from Gillon's Insurance that got them involved.

The team beat out Smokey's Bears,  team representing the Ministry of Natural Resources, in the final.

BP Royalties,  representing Boston Pizza, finished third overall.

Fort Frances Makes The Final 20

Fort Frances is into the finals of the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The town was selected to be among twenty communities to advance for the right to earn $25-thousand and a chance to host a segment of TSN's Sportscentre.

It was nominated on two separate bids by the Fort Frances Curling Club.

The town will go head-to-head with Dryden on July 19 in a public vote.