Leons Opens

Officials with one of Canada's oldest furniture companies says Fort Frances is a good fit for their business.

Leon's Fort Frances officially opens at 12 noon today.

Franchise manager Nelson Sampson says they have no problem having stores in smaller communities.

"It grounds us a company," says Sampson. "It makes us remember what our roots are and what really the customers Leons' has and the industry has who rooted in small communities like this."

Yesterday, local dignitaries gathered with local franchise holder Mark Howarth and staff for a private celebration.

Palliative Care Discussed with Feds

Two Lakehead University Researchers are speaking with the Federal Government about palliative care in northern Ontario.

Dr. Mary Lou Kelley says they're telling the feds how they can better help residents who want to die at home.

"It isn't mandatory from the federal government to fund community services," says Kelly. "We feel the federal government should make a chance in that respect and then they should establish a palliative end-of-life care strategy."

They're also hoping to see cultural training for those providing palliative care in first nations.

Tourism Group Work Continues

The work toward creating a new tourism marketing zone for northern Ontario continues.

Paul Pepe is part of a nineteen member transition team set up to a establish the new tourism organization.

"We've been putting together the terms of reference and the transition plan for the Ministry," says Pepe, "and working towards that legal incorporation of the organizations that can then go out and appoint its inaugural board of directors."

Pepe says the northern zone has been broken up into three sub-regions with $1.54 million allocated for northwestern Ontario.

Students Trick or Treating for Can Goods

Some teenagers in Fort Frances and Emo will be among the treat-or-treaters this Sunday.

Natalie Hyatt, who will be among them, says they won't be asking for candy.

"The students will be trick-or-treating for can goods and non-perishable food items instead of candy," says Hyatt. "They will then be given to Safeway and the number of food items we collect will be matched by both Campbell's and Shaw and donated to the local food bank."

Hyatt says the students are part of a new high school group called "Saving Faces" that aims to help a variety of charitable organizations.

I. Falls Thinking Christmas

The International Falls Chamber of Commerce is thinking about Christmas.

President Faye Whitbeck says they're putting out a call to groups and organizations on both sides of the border interested in taking part in this year's 'Twas the Lights before Christmas Parade.

"We're just hoping they can get it on their calenders, get it in their schedules, to get employees together to have a company float," says Whitbeck, "friends to gather together in somebody's garage to build a float, or families to plan those little costumes for the youngsters to walk in the parade."

The parade is November 26th.

Registration can be made by calling the chamber office.

Indian Culture Celebrated

India's Festival of Lights, Diwali, will be celebrated at St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Frances this weekend.

It is the Indian equivalent to Christmas and celebrated around the world.

Wayne McIntosh, one of the organizers, says the Church will host an authentic East Indian supper Saturday in recognition.

"We're going to be having at least twelve dishes," says McIntosh, "and they will all be authentic and made from scratch. There will be vegetarian and non-vegetarian."

Tickets for the supper can be purchased by calling Sarah Gervais at 274-5872.

Poppy Campaign Subject to HST

The annual Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign is kicking off.

But Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says part of the money Canadians give to purchase a poppy will be now used to offset the HST on the Legions sales.

Rafferty says its like taking money from veterans.

"When you put that money in the box or give money to Legions I think it's really quite unfair that Canadians will now know that 13 per cent of the money they're giving simply goes back to the Government," says Rafferty.

Legions use the poppies as a way to remember fallen soldiers and as a fundraiser for their local chapters.

New Digs for VALA

(Mayor Roy Avis joins with officials with the Valley Adult Learning Association in an official opening of their new Fort Frances office)

The Valley Adult Learning Association has some new surroundings.

Administrator Barb Duguay says the move of its Fort Frances office to 241 Second Street gives them more visibility.

"We have so much to offer here," says Duguay. "A lot of the programs and services we offer are free to the public. We're funding by the Ministry of Training, Universities and Colleges and they want local literacy programs to get out there. Be more visible. Promote their programs."

Duguay says an increased of space has also allowed for an upgrade of their computer lab and more residents to access programs.

Substance Abuse Prevention Team Continues

(Rainy River District Substance Abuse Team photo)

Local officials say its important the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team be allowed to continue.

The group announced earlier this week funding from government that keeps the group operating until next March.

Coordinator Hugh Dennis says it continues their work of making residents, especially youth, aware of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

"I think this district should be very proud of the effort that people in the Health Unit, the Substance Abuse Team and the school, we've put into this effort," says Dennis. "Collectively we're trying to make a difference and I think we are."

Some of the funds have been used to purchase new equipment to support the group's work.

New Border Protection Legislation

Ottawa has introduced legislation to make it easier for Canadian and U-S authorities to tackle smugglers and other criminals on shared waterways such as Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods.

The legislation would allow specially designated Canadian and American personnel to work together aboard vessels, and continue to pursue and arrest suspects regardless of the international boundary line.

Storm Leaves Mess

A massive storm meteorologists say had a barometric reading like a hurricane is adding snow to the mix as it hangs around the U-S Midwest and central Canada.

The storm packed winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour stateside, and spawned a few tornadoes.

Snow is falling in the Dakotas and Minnesota, as well as southeastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba.

Heavy rain and high winds also blew through much of Ontario yesterday, leading to fallen trees and power failures from Thunder Bay down to Toronto.

Tories Hopeful

Progressive Conservatives see hopeful signs for next year's Ontario election from Rob Ford's mayoral victory in Toronto Monday.

The small 'c' conservative cruised to victory over former deputy premier George Smitherman.

Opposition Leader Tim Hudak says people across Ontario are hungry for a change, a view echoed by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

Tourism Meeting in Dryden

Tourism officials and campowners are gathering today in Dryden for the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association annual conference.

Today, they'll get an update on the new tourism zones and discuss the benefits of a Tourism License for Ontario.

Tomorrow the continuous issue of Americans with minor offences being denied access to Canada will highlight the talks.

Municipal Election Results

Two long-time municipal leaders retained their seats in last night's municipal elections across the Rainy River District.

Dennis Brown successfully defended his mayor's seat in Atikokan by taking 80 per cent of the vote to beat out Bob Davidson.

Jerry Duhamel, Bud Dickson, Bob Gosselin, Mary Makarenko, Marj Lambkin and Marlene Davidson were elected as councillors.


In Lake of the Woods township, Valerie Pizey outdistanced challenger Gerald Fisk to hold on to her mayor's seat.

Colleen Fadden, Glenn Anderson and Bill Lundgren were elected as councillors.

The fourth spot ended in a tie between incumbents Nancy Gate and JoAnn Moen which will force a recount.


Vince Sheppard is the new Mayor of Emo, defeating incumbent Ed Carlson.

Gary Judson was the only Emo councillor to be re-elected and joins newcomers Anthony Leek, Robert Simmons and Vernon Thompson.


Ross Donaldson beat out Ken McKinnon to be elected the new Reeve in LaVallee township.

He'll be joined at the council table by Dennis Allen, Jim Belluz, Freeda Carmody and Darcy Robson.


Brenda Jodoin, Aime Desaulniers, Bennett Drennan and Archie Wiersema were elected as councillors in Dawson township.

Mayor Eltjo Weirsema was acclaimed.

In Rainy River, Larry Armstrong, Ashley Stamler, Brent Anderson and Gord Armstrong were elected councillors and join Mayor Deb Ewald, who was acclaimed, at the council table.

And Rick Neilson was winner of the councillor race in Ward 4 in Chapple township's only election.

He returns to the council table along with Ken Wilson, Rilla Race, James Gibson and Reeve Peter Van Heyst who were all acclaimed.

Morley Reeve Not Yet Decided

Residents in Morley will have to wait until December before they know who will be reeve of that community.

Clerk-Treasurer Anna Boiley says because no one filed nomination papers for the position, it will be left up to the new council to determine how the vacancy is filled.

One option is an appointment among the four councillors who were acclaimed.

New Mayors in Northwestern Ontario

There are many new faces in the mayor's chairs elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.

Keith Hobbs won the top council seat in Thunder Bay.

Dryden Mayor Anne Krassilowsky lost her seat to Craig Nuttal.

Dave Canfield is back as mayor in Kenora after losing four years ago.

And Dennis Leney is the new mayor of Sioux Lookout.

The changes in Thunder Bay, Dryden and Kenora likely mean major shifts to the board of directors for the Northern Ontario Municipal Association where Krassilowsky is President.

School Board Elections

There are a couple of new faces on the Rainy River District School Board.

David Kircher out-polled both incumbents Dan Belluz and Terry Higgins to capture one of two seats in the Fort Frances area.

Belluz, who is currently chair, finished second in voting.

Ralph Hill beat out incumbent Glenda Belluz for the position representing the Alberton and LaVallee areas.

Dianne McCormack won the seat representing the Rainy River and area.

Margaret Heyens in Emo and Mike Lewis in Atikokan were acclaimed.

Chair Anne Marie Fitzgerald and incumbent Harold Huntley were returned to the Northwest District Catholic School Board as trustees for the Fort Frances area.

Teresa Larson will sit as trustee for Atikokan.

Results for the seat representing the west part of the Rainy River district were not received.

Delays Stalling Local Projects

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is pushing the provincial government to help keep seniors in the their own community.

Hampton says requests for funding for supportive housing projects in the Rainy River district are being held up by the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

"In Fort Frances, where the waiting list is equally long, they’re interested in supportive housing," says Hampton, "but they have put proposal after proposal after proposal to the North West LHIN without much of a response."

Hampton says the Rainy River District Social Services Administrative Board is also waiting for funds for a project in Rainy River.

Riverview Manor Open House

An open house will be held the renovated Riverview Manor in Rainy River today.

Executive Director of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board Donna Dittaro says residents will get a glimpse of the more than 430-thousand dollars worth of work done to the 14-unit complex.

"What resulted in two modified two-bedroom units and two modified one-bedroom units," says Dittaro. "The one-bedroom units will accommodate wheelchairs. The two-bedroom units accommodate people with walkers or prosthetics."

The open house goes from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. this afternoon.

Municipal Election Day Today

It's voting day in municipal elections across Ontario

Polling stations in communities using ballot boxes open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Voters in Fort Frances and Lake of the Woods township have until 8 p.m. to get their vote-by-mail ballots back to their respective municipal offices.

To vote, residents must be 18 and older and will need identification that shows name, a signature and qualifying address.

At some polls, voters who come without acceptable ID but are on the voters list can sign a declaration.

B-93 will have a list of all of the winning candidates in the Rainy River district on our newscast tomorrow morning.