Man Convicted on Sex Offences

A 44-year-old man has been sentenced to 66 months in jail and ordered to register with the Sexual Offenders Information Registry after being found guilty of three counts of Sexual Exploitation and a charge of Sexual Interference.

The charges against Garry Donald Mathewson were laid in July following a police investigation involving three males victims that took place in the Rainy River and Thunder Bay districts between 1992 and 1999.

Mathewson was also ordered by a court judge Wednesday to submit DNA samples to the Sexual Offenders Database and stay away from places frequented by children for the next ten years.

Trails Not Open Yet

The abundance of snow around the Rainy River district is generating some excitement among snowmobile enthusiasts.

However, not all trails maintained by the Borderland Snowmobile Club can't be yet be groomed.

President Dave Goodman says there's just no frost in the ground.

"The main reason you need the frost is all is that in swamp areas or soft areas the groomer will sink very quickly and get stuck," says Goodman, "and we can take the risk of taking the groomer into the swamps especially."

Goodman says the current cold stretch will help and some partial sections of trails could be open next week.

Choraliers Receive Money

The Fort Frances Choraliers have received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Choir director Diane Maxey says the over $11-thousand will help purchased some much desired equipment.

"We are getting a trail to house all of the equipment for easy access to move it around," says Maxey. "We're hoping to get our risers that we've wanted for a long, long time and portable. And we'll probably have a wireless microphone that will help us a lot in our performances."

Maxey says because the choir does not have a charitable number, the Valley Adult Learning Association helped obtain the money by submitting the application under its name.

Catholic Trustees Take Office

Newly elected trustees with the Northwest Catholic District School Board take to office for the first time tonight.

Teresa Larson, representing Atikokan, Catherine Bowen and James Kulchyski from Sioux Lookout, Kathy Bryck and Robert van Oort of Dryden, Anne-Marie Fitzgerald and Harold Huntley from Fort Frances and Mark Chojko-Bolec representing Stratton and area will be sworn-in at a ceremony at St. Francis School in Fort Frances.

The trustees will then elect a new chair and vice-chair.

Doctor Honoured

A Fort Frances doctor has been recognized by the Ontario College of Family Physicians.

Doctor Jason Shack was one of seventeen Ontario physicians to receive the College's Award of Excellence.

The award recognizes family physicians for their contributions to patient care, their communities and their profession.

Acts of Kindness Promoted

The Acts of Kindness fundraiser for the Fort Frances Community Chest happens tonight at the Fort Frances Legion.

Steve Sinclair, whose family benefited from a contribution from the chest about five years ago, says it's important the fund remain vibrant.

"The financial support from Community Chest is the most important thing that you can have," says Sinclair. "To know that there is someone there to help you in a time of need, but equally important is the community outreach. Neighbours helping neighbours. You need them both."

Over 100 items will be auctioned off at tonight's event.

Atikokan Council Sworn In

Atikokan's Mayor says the township's new council's enters with more hope for a better future than ever before.

Dennis Brown and his council were officially sworn into office last night.

Brown says they take office with the community on the verge of a boom.

"All we need to do is to see them come to fruition," says Brown. "I'm talk about initiatives in the mining with Osisko and Bending Lake. I'm talking about the wood biomass at the former particleboard plant and the opportunities that could exist at the O.P.G plant. These are all good news stories."

Brown says plans for a new arena, maintaining medical services and continuing infrastructure work are other priority areas.

DMTS On-Line in Rainy River District

DMTS is looking to make its presence felt in the Rainy River district.

The city of Dryden-owned municipal telephone system has been offering cell services to the district since last October.

Marketing manager Tyler Peacock feels they can be competitive.

"Coverage, pricing, selection. Like I said before," says Peacock, "I think we have a great line up as far as a product line goes. Our prices are very competitive and we're here to stay."

Peacock says a new roaming agreement was also signed with AT&T that gives its customers better service in the U.S.

Dietary Allowance Remains

The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the Ontario government has done the right thing by keeping a special dietary allowance for welfare recipients.

The province says it's revising the allowance, which remains capped at a maximum of 250-dollars a month.

The Ministry of Community and Social Services had considered cutting the program after costs jumped from $6-million to more than $200-million a year.

Court Ruling Today

A decision is expected today on the status of prostitution laws in Ontario.

Ontario's highest court will rule on a lower court's decision on the laws that control prostitution.

The courts have said the laws could stay in effect until today.

Government lawyers have argued the lower court ruling should be put on hold while they appeal it.

Carbon Monoxide Bill Debate

Making carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in Ontario may move a step closer to becoming the law today.

A Progressive Conservative MPP's private member's bill is up for second reading.

It would amend the building code to put detectors in homes, condos and rental apartments.

Energy Credits Issued

Eligible Northern Ontario residents who applied for the Northern Energy Tax Credit can expect their first payout this month.

Single residents, 18 and older, with an income of $35,000 to $48,000 will receive up to $130.

Families with a household income of $45,000 to $65,000 are eligible for up to 200-dollars.

Residents have until the end of next June to apply for the credit.

Stuff-a-Cruiser Launched

Several area agencies will benefit from a Christmas fundraiser being put on by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Details of the Stuff-a-Cruiser initiative were released today.

Constable Anne McCoy says area residents are being asked to purchase items to be stuff into four police cruisers placed around Fort Frances and Emo.

Items collected with be shared among the Salvation Army, the United Native Friendship Centre, the Sunset Country Metis Association, the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau for its Community Dinner and a food bank in Emo run by the Anglican Church.

Preferred items include canned soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, baked beans, canned meat, turkey, ham, Kraft dinner, pasta, spaghetti sauce, instant potatoes, cereal, peanut butter, jam, tea, coffee, packets of sugar, canned pasta, cranberry sauce, Stove Top stuffing, pancake mix and syrup, powered milk and packets of salt and pepper.

Man Identified in Weekend Stand-Off

OPP are now confirming the identified of a man involved in an assault and lengthy stand-off with police that occurred Saturday in Fort Frances.

30-year-old Richard Edward Kabatay has been charged with attempted murder and remains in custody at the Fort Frances District Jail.

As B-93 first reported, Kabatay made his first court appearance Monday and will return next Monday.

Police also say the man injured in the assault was stabbed and remain in hospital with serious injuries.

Recycling Options Get Public Review

Residents in Fort Frances and Atikokan got their chance this week to comment on a study aimed at increasing recycling in their communities.

John Smith of Trow Engineering says many of the options are based on what's being tried elsewhere.

"There are a number of best practices that have been flushed out from municipalities in Ontario that can help towns like Atikokan and Fort Frances," says Smith.

It's suggested Fort Frances ban recycling materials from landfill and the use of plastic bags in stores while Atikokan consider a promotional and educational program to increase recycling.

Plant Conversion Underway

Ontario Power Generation says it's work to convert the coal-fire plant in Atikokan is well underway.

It's to burn biomass fuel by 2013.

C.E.O. Don Mitchell says part of the work includes developing an energy supply agreement and seeking pricing bids for fuel.

"We are excited about the conversion project in Atikokan," says Mitchell. "What we need to do is to establish a solid business case and then negotiate the agreement to proceed."

Mitchell says a number of bids were received in their call from suppliers.

Atikokan Town Council Sworn-In

Inauguration ceremonies for Atikokan's newly elected municipal council takes place tonight.

Mayor Dennis Brown, councillors Bud Dickson, Bob Gosselin, Mary Makarenko, Marj Lambkin, Marlene Davidson and newcomer Jerry Duhamel will be officially sworn into office.

It happens at the Atikokan town hall beginning at 5 p.m.

Rec Study in Rainy River

The town of Rainy River has received $25-thousand from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to conduct a structural assessment of its recreational facilities.

The study will look at the town's community centre, arena and curling rink with an aim towards developing a long-term replacement plan.

Salvation Army Kettles Ring Today

The Salvation Army will kick off its 2010 Kettle Campaign in Fort Frances today.

They'll be located at Walmart, Canada Safeway, Canadian Tire, LCBO and outside area banks.

Captain Angel Sandoval says more manpower is still needed.

"We need volunteers," says Sandoval. "Volunteers are the stone for this campaign."

Sandoval says they've set $15-thousand dollars as a campaign goal, the same as 2009.

Lakes Closed to Tourist Outfitters Only?

The NDP is concerned about reports that some tourist outfitters are being given exclusive access to Northern lakes and crown land.

Natural Resources Critic Gilles Bisson says he's been contacted by many people who have seen signs at some lakes restricting access to Tourist outfitters only.

"We understand tourist outfitters need to make a living," says Bisson, "but that should not be at the exclusion and access of everybody else."

Bisson says most of the restricted lakes are in the Wawa area, but suspects some lakes in northwestern Ontario may have also been closed off to the public.