New Taxing District in International Falls Area

2009-04-08

07:46:22

A group looking to establish a special taxing district to help fund emergency medical services in the International Falls area got its blessing from the city this week.

Officials say it will help with local efforts to bring an advanced life support service to the Falls Ambulance Service. Terry Ehrman, chair of the group, says the district will help bring a services that 's badly needed.

"We feel it is the best way in try to move forward with funding this endeavour," says Ehrman. "and ensure the Ambulance Service of International Falls and ALS to the community."

Ehrman says the new district would governed by a board with representing Koochiching County and the cities of International Falls and Ranier. The group hopes to obtain grants for  start-up costs.

Softwood Lumber Dispute

2009-04-08

07:44:34

The U-S is slapping a 10 per cent duty on Canadian softwood lumber imports in a test of the 2006 softwood lumber agreement.

The United States Trade Representative says the U-S is owed almost $55-million U-S in penalties  from four provinces, including Ontario, for not sufficiently lowering exports of lumber as prices dropped. In February, an international tribunal found that Canada didn't properly calculate quotas on exports for the first six months of 2007.

Canada plans to appeal the new tax.

College Policies Under Review

2009-04-08

07:26:52

Confederation College is reviewing its policies after a student stole a plane and flew over three states Monday.

Officials say the pilot, 31 year old Adam Leon, was trying to commit suicide by having U-S fighter jets shoot down his plane. College president Pat Lang says Leon had not shown any questionable behaviour.

"He was a good student," says Lang. "He was described as being very personable, very polite, very pleasant, very engaged. He's was described as an excellent students by his faculty members."

While the college is reviewing its policies, Lang says security was not compromised because aviation students have access to the airport hangar. Leon has been charged with transportation of stolen property and illegal entry. He'll appear in court in St. Louis on Friday.

Beef Recall

2009-04-08

07:24:40

There's a warning about some beef products sold at Canada Safeway.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to eat certain lean ground beef because it may be contaminated with E. coli. The agency says the meat was prepared for certain Canada Safeway stores in northeastern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The affected packages bear a best before date of March 19th.

There has been no reported illness linked with consumption of this product.

Causeway Work to Continue

2009-04-08

06:56:16

The second phase of work on the Noden Causeway is expected to take place this year.

The work includes further repairs to the steel piles that support the structure. Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says the northern Highway's budget is still being reviewed, but he's committed to keeping the work moving.

"This is a project we remain committed to," says Gravelle. "It's one that's very, very important. And there's a certain sense of urgency which is why we're continuing to support it in a very significant way."

Last year, Gravelle announced the province would help fund the work over a five year period.

E. Coli Warning

2009-04-08

06:55:28

There's a warning this morning about some beef products sold at Canada Safeway.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to eat certain lean ground beef because it may be contaminated with E. coli.

The meat was prepared for certain Canada Safeway stores in northeastern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The affected packages bear a best before date of March 19th.

There has been no reported illness linked with consumption of this product.

Police Chief to Retire

2009-04-08

06:54:19

The city of International Falls has asked its police chief to take an early retirement.

City Administrator Rod Otterness says the retirement of Chief Chris Raboin is being made strictly for financial reasons and not personal.

Raboin's retirement at the end of April is expected to save the city more than 300-thousand dollars over the next five years.

Raboin has been the police chief for International Falls since 1998.

Tenders for Road Work Opened

2009-04-08

06:49:06

Another major capital project in Fort Frances now has some costs attached.

Tenders for road and sewer and water repairs around Abitibi-Bowater's biomass boiler were opened Tuesday afternoon. The four bids will be reviewed before a final selection is recommended to council later this month. The bids are;

LTL Contracting Ltd., Thunder Bay - $6,332,935.04

K.R. Wagner - $6,490,214.13

Bay City Contractors, Thunder Bay - $5,415,588.15

George Armstrong Co. Ltd., Fort Frances - $6,820,983.75