A rendition of Janis Joplin's song "Cry Baby" helped earn Brittany Hayes top spot at this year's Quest for the Best Talent held Tuesday night at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Hayes was the judges top choice among twenty other singers and dancers, taking home the 500-dollar top prize.
Katelyn Shortreed who sang "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac was second. Donny Hollywood with his version of Bon Jovi's "Wanted, Dead or Alive" was third.
Sarah Callaway earned the new rookie award for first time competitors with her jazz dance performance.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Lottery Success
Nearly $14 thousand has been raised for Riverside Health Care Facilities.
Riverside Foundation for Health Care raised that money through its annual Canada Day Cash lottery held yesterday.
The money will go towards the purchase of equipment at Riverside's three hospitals and at Rainycrest.
The Grand Prize winner of ten thousand dollars was Donna Williamson of Fort Frances. Barb Turgeon of Fort Frances won $2,000. Marie Kreger of Rainy River won $1,000. The four $500 winners were Mervin Benjamin, Angela Dokuchie, Mark Addison of Fort Frances and Candy Greengrass-Teeple from Stratton.
Riverside Foundation for Health Care raised that money through its annual Canada Day Cash lottery held yesterday.
The money will go towards the purchase of equipment at Riverside's three hospitals and at Rainycrest.
The Grand Prize winner of ten thousand dollars was Donna Williamson of Fort Frances. Barb Turgeon of Fort Frances won $2,000. Marie Kreger of Rainy River won $1,000. The four $500 winners were Mervin Benjamin, Angela Dokuchie, Mark Addison of Fort Frances and Candy Greengrass-Teeple from Stratton.
Canada Day Celebrated
Hundreds of residents in the Rainy River district took part in Canada Day festivities yesterday.
Events in Fort Frances, Barwick and Rainy River drew people gathered to celebrate the country's 142nd birthday.
Fireworks displays were also held in Rainy River and Fort Frances.
The township of Emo held off its fireworks until this Saturday when it will be part of the stock car races at Emo Speedway.
Events in Fort Frances, Barwick and Rainy River drew people gathered to celebrate the country's 142nd birthday.
Fireworks displays were also held in Rainy River and Fort Frances.
The township of Emo held off its fireworks until this Saturday when it will be part of the stock car races at Emo Speedway.
Rowe Verdit Today
A Kenora judge is expected to render a verdict today on new charges laid against Ralph Rowe.
The former Anglican minister and Boy Scout master stood trial in April on 11 charges of sexual abuse involving seven individuals.
Two years ago, Rowe was convicted on 20 counts of sexual offences involving First Nations boys in northern Ontario between 1977 and 1987.
He served four and a half years of a six year sentence in 1994 for indecent and sexual assaults involving boys aged 6 to 16.
The former Anglican minister and Boy Scout master stood trial in April on 11 charges of sexual abuse involving seven individuals.
Two years ago, Rowe was convicted on 20 counts of sexual offences involving First Nations boys in northern Ontario between 1977 and 1987.
He served four and a half years of a six year sentence in 1994 for indecent and sexual assaults involving boys aged 6 to 16.
New Police Chief
International Falls new chief of police is looking forward to the challenges the lie ahead for his department.
Mike Musich was appointed to the position earlier this week, filling a vacancy left by the April retirement of Chris Raboin.
Musich doesn't anticipate much change to the level of policing the city has always enjoyed.
"Not right now," says Musich. "I'm sure that we'll look at a few different things as time goes on, but should pretty much remain the same.
Musich has 23 years experience in policing, 21 with the International Falls department.
Mike Musich was appointed to the position earlier this week, filling a vacancy left by the April retirement of Chris Raboin.
Musich doesn't anticipate much change to the level of policing the city has always enjoyed.
"Not right now," says Musich. "I'm sure that we'll look at a few different things as time goes on, but should pretty much remain the same.
Musich has 23 years experience in policing, 21 with the International Falls department.
Deer Problems Identified
Deer continue to be a problem in Fort Frances.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says their increase presence is related to the growing number of deer in the Rainy River district.
Area biologist Melissa Mosley says that's due to the weather.
"We have a number of really mild winters for the past years or so," says Mosley. "That's helped increase the deer population. The severe winters help drive down their numbers and we really haven't held a couple of back to back severe winters that would bring those numbers back down."
Mosley believes public feeding of deer is also contributing to the animals presence in area neighbourhoods which should be reduced through the town's by-law prohibiting such a practice.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says their increase presence is related to the growing number of deer in the Rainy River district.
Area biologist Melissa Mosley says that's due to the weather.
"We have a number of really mild winters for the past years or so," says Mosley. "That's helped increase the deer population. The severe winters help drive down their numbers and we really haven't held a couple of back to back severe winters that would bring those numbers back down."
Mosley believes public feeding of deer is also contributing to the animals presence in area neighbourhoods which should be reduced through the town's by-law prohibiting such a practice.
Atikokan Mill Being Renovated
Work is underway to renovate the former Fibratech Plant in Atikokan.
Mayor Dennis Brown says Atikokan Renewable Fuels has finalized the purchase of the particle board plant.
"A group led by Ed Fukushima out of Thunder Bay have now gained ownership of the plant," says Brown, "Their plan is to make the necessary renovations to start producing wood pellets. They predict (operations to begin) in the first quarter of 2010.
The company is planning to invest an initial $15 million to convert the plant.
When the wood pellet operation is up and running, an anticipated 40 jobs will be created.
Mayor Dennis Brown says Atikokan Renewable Fuels has finalized the purchase of the particle board plant.
"A group led by Ed Fukushima out of Thunder Bay have now gained ownership of the plant," says Brown, "Their plan is to make the necessary renovations to start producing wood pellets. They predict (operations to begin) in the first quarter of 2010.
The company is planning to invest an initial $15 million to convert the plant.
When the wood pellet operation is up and running, an anticipated 40 jobs will be created.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Quest for the Best Talent Tonight
Some of the region's best talent takes to the stage tonight at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Quest for the Best Talent Show goes indoors, after being part of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship's entertainment for many years.
It features seventeen singers and three dancers.
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce opted to expand the act to include other talents after being a vocal competition since its inception in 1995.
Tickets are still available at the Fort Frances Chamber Office for $12.00 and 15.00 at the door if any remain.
Quest for the Best Talent Show goes indoors, after being part of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship's entertainment for many years.
It features seventeen singers and three dancers.
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce opted to expand the act to include other talents after being a vocal competition since its inception in 1995.
Tickets are still available at the Fort Frances Chamber Office for $12.00 and 15.00 at the door if any remain.
Grey Wolf Off Endangered Lists
More than four-thousand grey wolves in the upper Great Lakes region are going back on the US endangered species list -- at least for now.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service says it made a mistake by ending federal protection for wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin without public comment.
Under a settlement with five environmental groups which were suing the US government, the agency said it would return Great Lakes wolves to the list while considering its next move.
The wolves had been classified as endangered from 1974 until their removal in early May.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service says it made a mistake by ending federal protection for wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin without public comment.
Under a settlement with five environmental groups which were suing the US government, the agency said it would return Great Lakes wolves to the list while considering its next move.
The wolves had been classified as endangered from 1974 until their removal in early May.
New Atikokan Youth Centre
A new youth centre is coming to Atikokan.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing more than $51 thousand for the centre to be developed in the town's downtown area.
The centre, which will be geared toward youth 13 to 18, will include a canteen, games and furnishings.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing more than $51 thousand for the centre to be developed in the town's downtown area.
The centre, which will be geared toward youth 13 to 18, will include a canteen, games and furnishings.
Kenora-area Derailment
One person was injured following a train derailment near the Manitoba-Ontario border, about 20 kilometres east of Kenora.
A westbound CN freight train hit the rear-end of another CN train Sunday evening.
Three locomotives and six empty rail cars derailed.
A westbound CN freight train hit the rear-end of another CN train Sunday evening.
Three locomotives and six empty rail cars derailed.
More MNR Firefighters Return
Some of the Ministry of Natural Resources Firefighters who were helping fight fires in Alberta for the past two weeks are now home.
About 60 Ontario fire personnel returned to their home bases yesterday.
The remaining contingent of about 37 will return Friday.
About 60 Ontario fire personnel returned to their home bases yesterday.
The remaining contingent of about 37 will return Friday.
New Ministry Support by Industry
A move by the province to move forestry from the Ministry of Natural Resources to Northern Development is gaining some positive reviews.
The executive director of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Jamie Lim says it should be a good move for her members.
"If only certain parts of forestry are moved over to MNDF and critical files are left at MNR, it will increase costs and increase burden for operating in Ontario," says Lim. "I'm certain Premier McGuinty isn't going to make an announcement that's going to create greater burden."
Lim says the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines has been a real booster for the mining sector and hopes it can do the same thing for the forest industry.
The executive director of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Jamie Lim says it should be a good move for her members.
"If only certain parts of forestry are moved over to MNDF and critical files are left at MNR, it will increase costs and increase burden for operating in Ontario," says Lim. "I'm certain Premier McGuinty isn't going to make an announcement that's going to create greater burden."
Lim says the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines has been a real booster for the mining sector and hopes it can do the same thing for the forest industry.
Abattoir Construction Underway
Work on the new abattoir in Emo is now underway.
Members of Rainy River District Regional Abattoir Incorporated were joined by area producers and elected officials at the site yesterday for a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of construction.
President Steve Loshaw says its been a long time coming.
"The abattoir project in whole has been ongoing for almost thirteen years," says Lowshaw. "The current board has worked on its going into our fourth year and we've had a number of hurdles we've had to overcome. Today was very positive cause it was the start of construction. It shows we will have an abattoir."
When the two-million dollars facility opens at the end of the year, it will handle a variety of animals including cattle, elk and other smaller animals.
Members of Rainy River District Regional Abattoir Incorporated were joined by area producers and elected officials at the site yesterday for a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of construction.
President Steve Loshaw says its been a long time coming.
"The abattoir project in whole has been ongoing for almost thirteen years," says Lowshaw. "The current board has worked on its going into our fourth year and we've had a number of hurdles we've had to overcome. Today was very positive cause it was the start of construction. It shows we will have an abattoir."
When the two-million dollars facility opens at the end of the year, it will handle a variety of animals including cattle, elk and other smaller animals.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Power Outages on Weekend
Some residents in the Rainy River district found themselves in the dark this past weekend.
Hydro One spokesperson Danielle Gauvin says strong winds Saturday night caused a number of outages
"In the Fort Frances, there was 2,000 (customer without power)," says Gauvin, "but it wasn't all at one. It was from about Saturday midnight to about noon yesterday. All of those outages were resolved yesterday."
Gauvin says separate outages were also reported in the Devlin and Nestor Falls areas.
Hydro One spokesperson Danielle Gauvin says strong winds Saturday night caused a number of outages
"In the Fort Frances, there was 2,000 (customer without power)," says Gauvin, "but it wasn't all at one. It was from about Saturday midnight to about noon yesterday. All of those outages were resolved yesterday."
Gauvin says separate outages were also reported in the Devlin and Nestor Falls areas.
Forest Fire Hazard Drops
The weekend's wet weather has been a help to the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.
No new fires were reported in the West Fire Region over the weekend.
Rainfall has reduced the forest fire hazard to low across the region.
There are still 26 fires burning, none in the Rainy River district.
No new fires were reported in the West Fire Region over the weekend.
Rainfall has reduced the forest fire hazard to low across the region.
There are still 26 fires burning, none in the Rainy River district.
New Police Chief to be Decided
International Falls city council will discuss the appointment of a new police chief tonight.
Both the mayor and the city's human resources committee are recommending Sergeant Mike Musich be promote to chief.
The city had turned administrative control of the department over to Koochiching County's Sheriff Brian Youso earlier this month until the city found a replacement for Chris Raboin who retired at the end of April.
Council is also expected to approve the handing over of responsibilities of the city's animal pound to the Borderland Humane Society.
Both the mayor and the city's human resources committee are recommending Sergeant Mike Musich be promote to chief.
The city had turned administrative control of the department over to Koochiching County's Sheriff Brian Youso earlier this month until the city found a replacement for Chris Raboin who retired at the end of April.
Council is also expected to approve the handing over of responsibilities of the city's animal pound to the Borderland Humane Society.
Learning Centre Funding
The Atikokan Adult Learning Centre will be expanding its services.
The centre received $68 thousand from the province to create 60 new classroom spaces for residents looking to upgrade their skills.
The funding will allow for the purchase of additional desks and new computer workstations.
The centre is also planning a number of upgrades to its Rawn Road facility.
The centre received $68 thousand from the province to create 60 new classroom spaces for residents looking to upgrade their skills.
The funding will allow for the purchase of additional desks and new computer workstations.
The centre is also planning a number of upgrades to its Rawn Road facility.
Abattoir Construction Begins
The official start of construction of the Abattoir in Emo will begin today.
An official sod-turning ceremony will occur later this morning with members of the Rainy River District Regional Abattoir and other dignitaries on hand.
Work on the two-million dollar project is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
An official sod-turning ceremony will occur later this morning with members of the Rainy River District Regional Abattoir and other dignitaries on hand.
Work on the two-million dollar project is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Library Construction Set
A date has been set for the start of construction of the new library and technology centre in Fort Frances.
Crews and equipment with Aurora Construction are expected to be on site a week from today.
The nearly $5 million project is expected to open next spring.
Crews and equipment with Aurora Construction are expected to be on site a week from today.
The nearly $5 million project is expected to open next spring.
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