Information Sharing At Border

Some of the information gathered from travelers at northwestern Ontario's border crossings in now being shared.

It's part of an initiative between the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Program director Andrew Lawrence says it expands on a pilot program conducted at four borders last year and is aimed at improving security at the border

Lawrence says much of the data collected is already contained in documents such as a passport.

Traffic Disruption Today In Fort Frances

A reminder to motorists in Fort Frances.

A section of Second Street, between Central and Mowat Avenues, is being closed this morning as crews begin the first phase of installing new sewer and water pipes.

Traffic lights at Central and Second will also be shut off as well.

Detour signs have been posted.

TSN Personality To Be A Part Of Tour

Eleven days before you get your votes in to support the Fort Frances Curling Club's bid to be a part of the Kraft Celebration Tour.

TSN's Jennifer Hedger would be among those in Fort Frances when we beat Dryden July 19.

Hedger, who missed the last two tours, says they help show community pride, giving them a chance to show off on a national stage.

Hedger says she'd love to come to Fort Frances, but encourages people to get online and vote often to make it happen when the polls officially open.

Caramel Set To Travel

Fort Frances Library photo

Caramel has his bags packed and passport.

The Fort Frances Public Library's pet guinea pig is visiting area libraries as part of a summer reading program.

Chief Librarian Alicia Subnaik-Kilgour says it connect with the program's travel theme.

Caramel begins his travels this week to the Rainy River library with stopped later in Emo and Atikokan.

Union Deal Helps Resolute Plan For Restart

An agreement between Resolute Forest Products and the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union will allow the company to restart an idled paper machine at its Fort Frances mill later this month.

Machine number 7 will run for two to three months beginning July 17.

CEP National Rep Stephen Boon says about 40 people, laid off earlier this year, will be asked to return.

He says the return will be voluntary and former workers who refuse won't be in fear of losing their severance or recall rights.

Boon says many workers who might be called back may have found new jobs and won't be able to return.


Boon says they are still hoping for some feedback from Resolute on what the long range plans are for the mill.

No Kid Pro Or Parade For Bass Tournament

2012 Kid Pro Winners

A lack of people to run them is to blame for the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship putting both the Kid Pro fishing tournament and Parade of Boats on hiatus this year.

The Kid Pro offered young people the chance to fish in a catch-and-release tournament style event with anglers competing in the main event.


President Gord Watson says there were angler concerns the event, held the Sunday before the main tournament, impacted on their ability to pre-fish.

But he says the main reason for it not going this year was the inability to find anyone to organize and run it.

Watson says similar issues faced the parade of boats.

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

Watson says if people step forward next year, both event could return.

Question of the Week

Will you miss the Kid Pro Fishing Tournament and Parade of Boats not taking place at this year's Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championships?

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

In response to our last question, 67 per cent feel a need for a public nuisance by-law in Fort Frances.

Castin' For Cash Underway

Another bass fishing tournament gets underway this morning.

Sixty-three teams are competing in the Castin' for Cash Bass Tournament on Lake Despair.

Wayne and Pat Howard are the two-time defending champs.

Teams leave the docks this morning with first day weigh-ins at 4 p.m.

Lightning Blazing Up New Fires

MNR file photo

Multiple forest fire starts are beginning to put pressure on the Ministry of Natural Resources,

As many as 40 new fires have popped up in the past three days, all lightning caused.

One of the largest is about 40 kilometres northwest of Red Lake which has been mapped at 2,600 hectares as the result of several smaller fires joining as one.

None of the fires burning are in the Rainy River district.

Teddy Bear Picnic Today

FF Library photo

It's a Teddy Bear picnic at the Fort Frances Library today.

It begins at 11 a.m. and cost $3.00 per person.

Program director Andrea Avis says there will be a lot of activities for young children and their favourite bear to participate.

Dr. Elaine also returns to provide teddy bears in need.

Thunder Bay's Jim 'n' I will provide the day's musical entertainment.

People are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic lunch, although there will be food sold on site.

And don't forget your favourite teddy bear.

Cold And Dry June In Borderland

It was a much colder and drier June in the Borderland.

The National Weather Service out of Duluth says the average temperature during the month in International Falls was about 15 C or 60.2 F  - about half a degree lower than normal.

Just 1.6 inches of rain were also recorded, more than two inches below the norm.

Acadia Buys New Station

Acadia Broadcasting is moving to add another radio station to its stable.

The parent company of  93.1 The Border has filed an application with the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission to purchase CKNI-FM in Moncton, New Brunswick,

The Saint John based company currently owns ten stations across the Maritimes and northwestern Ontario.

from Rogers Broadcasting.

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.