Used Hockey Equipment Wanted

An equipment drive has been launched to help kids get the gear they need to play hockey this winter.

OPP and Source for Sports stores across northern Ontario had initially launched the campaign to help remote First Nations children.

Constable Anne McCoy says it's now led to one that will also help those in the Rainy River district.

Tagg's Source for Sports will be accept used hockey equipment until September 16th, turning them over to Kidsport to distribute.

Plane Crash

Transportation Safety Board officials are to investigate the crash of a float plane near Sioux Lookout that claimed the life an a Minnesota pilot.

A board spokesman says initial reports suggest the amphibious Cessna 206 was trying to land Monday on the chutes of Abram Lake when the aircraft flipped over into the water.

The pilot, identified as being from Sunfish Lake, west of St. Paul, was transported to Sioux Lookout hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Classrooms Not Ready

It will at least next week before new early learning classrooms at St. Michael's School in Fort Frances are ready for use.

Education Director for the Northwest Catholic District School Board Mary-Catherine Kelly says some work is still needed, but it didn't stop the new four-and-five-year-olds from starting the school year.

"What we were able to do was facilitate a staggered entry for our students," says Kelly. "The children are coming to school and meeting with their teachers. In the second week of school, those classrooms will be ready."

Kelly says the board will also participate this year in several programs to improve student success.

College Striking Likely

The union representing support staff at Ontario's community colleges sees little chance of avoiding a strike.

OPSEU will be in a legal strike position tomorrow morning.

The bargaining chair for the colleges says his side remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached.

Organize for School

A professional organizer from International Falls will be providing tips today on how parents and their children can get adjusted to a new school year.

Nicki Bergstrom is hosting two one-hour workshops at Falls Elementary.

Bergstrom says they'll help parents cope with the stress that often comes in getting children ready for school.

"Some of the things that we'll be talking about is actually preparing an adequate routine for your child, "says Bergstrom. "Also organizing around the house. Keeping information where it needs to be kept."

There's a ten dollar charge to the workshops at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Alzheimer Ride Successful

(Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts photo)


This past weekend's Alzheimer Society Ride for Memories was a little short of its financial goal, but the event is still being hailed a huge success.

The more than $31-thousand raised was about $4-thousand less than expected.
But Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts, Lynn Moffatt says the turnout was huge.

"This year we had more riders than any year before," says Moffatt. "We had 160 riders. We had riders from as far as Thunder Bay coming out to this event."

Money raised goes towards support and services to families and people suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia related diseases.

Atikokan Trade Show Restyled

(Booth at past Atikokan Trade Show - Atikokan Chamber of Commerce photo)


Atikokan's Chamber of Commerce is taking a different approach to promoting its community.

Office Manager Jolene Wood says they're forgoing the traditional fall trade show for an event that encompasses the entire downtown area.

"What we want to do is showcase some of the businesses downtown," says Wood, "and give them an opportunity to have sidewalk sales or promotions of their own. Just to let people remember that we have shops downtown and to get them to come down and get shopping."

The September 10th event will include some booths at the Legion for out-of-town businesses wanting to participate.

Fire Within Voyageurs National Park

Park officials are monitoring a lightning caused fire within Voyageurs National Park.

The fire, approximately half-an-acre in size, is burning near Tooth Lake, about 2 miles south of Namakan Lake.

It was first detected Sunday.

Because of the area's remoteness and the fact there's few values at risk, the park says it won't be doing any immediate suppression efforts.

Toll Booth Threats

Dryden's Mayor is fuming are learning local taxpayers could be on the hook for the cost of paving a section of the Trans-Canada Highway through the city.

The Ministry of Transportation is planning on paving both ends of the highway up to the city limits.

Craig Nuttall is threatening to set up a toll booth if his city is forced to pay to pave the rest of the road.

Aggressive Bears in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging people to be careful after recent reports of aggressive behavior by black bears in the Ely area.

The DNR says some reports involve collared bears that are part of research being conducted by biologist Lynn Rogers.

Rogers though disputes that the collared bears are aggressive.

Search Continues

An OPP dive team is expected to join in the search today for a missing Florida man on Lake of the Woods.

Police say 68-year-old Bill Amason, a summer resident of Morson, was reported missing Saturday after his boat was found floating in the area of Obabikon Bay and his clothes located on a rock.

Police believe his boat may have drifted away while he was on shore and he went swimming after it.

Back to School

It's back to school for students across the Rainy River district.

Education Director for the Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell says staff have been busy over the summer preparing for the first day of classes.

The Board begins the year with new offices in Fort Frances and the early learning program being offered at Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

New Classrooms at St. Michael's

There are some new classrooms at St. Michael's School.

Two new classrooms were added to the Fort Frances school to accommodate the younger students attending the early learning program for four-and-five-year-olds.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board also created a new classroom at the school for a native language program.

New Mine Centre School Not Open Yet

(Students and staff gathered in June to mark the closing of the old school that will re-open temporarily today - Rainy River District School Board photo)

Unexpected construction delays to their new school will force students attending Mine Centre School to begin the year in the old facility.

The school had been slated for closure, but staff were asked back in June to prepare it for the start of classes in case the new school wasn't ready.

Board officials say the use of the old school should only be temporary.

Safety Zone in place Thursday

The signs are up, but a new Community Safety Zone in Fort Frances won't officially take effect until Thursday.

Drivers caught speeding in the area along King's Highway near area schools can see a doubling of fines.

The safety zone was put in place to help protect the safety of pedestrians walking in the area.

It will be in effect September to the end of June weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Condo Sales Continue

Officials aren't giving up on efforts to get a proposed condominium project in Fort Frances off the ground.

ReMax real estate agent Kathy Judson admits it's taking longer than expected to pre-sell the units, but there's still strong interest.

Judson says at least five more pre-sales are needed before the project can go to tender.

Ignace Sawmill to Reopen

After sitting idle for five years, the AbitibiBowater sawmill in Ignace is set to re-open.

The company says it plans to spend $32-million in capital investments to reopen and upgrade the facility by 2014.

Yves Laflamme, a company vice-president, says the mill will also contribute to improving the cost of fibre for its pulp and paper mills in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

Liberals Promising Doctor House Calls

Ontario's Liberals are kicking off the last week before the provincial election campaign begins in earnest by courting seniors.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the Liberals are promising to bring back doctor house calls for seniors if elected October 6th.

The Liberals say their promise will apply to anyone who has trouble getting to their doctor's office.

Both the NDP and Progressive Conservatives call the $60-million program an election gimmick.

Hudak to Hit the Road

The Progressive Conservatives are expected to launch what they're calling their "campaign for change'' later today.

Leader Tim Hudak will be joined by his caucus and candidates in Toronto to announce he's hitting the road as he tries to convince Ontarians he should be the next premier.

The election campaign officially begins next Wednesday.

Pace Car Program Promoted

Drivers in the Rainy River district are wanted to set the pace this fall.

Safe Communities Rainy River District is asking motorists be part of its Pace Car Program.

Administrative Coordinator Grace Silander says it simply asks them to sign an oath to drive slow in school zones.

It's an effort that initially started in December.