2009-05-11
07:53:11
The Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener will headed back north.
Governor Tim Pawlenty announced Kabetogama would host the annual event next year. The small city, 30 miles southeast of International Falls, last played host to the Governor's opener in 1982.
At this year's event in White Bear Lake, the governor kicked off the fishing season by catching three northern pike and one bass.
2009-05-11
07:41:29
An outspoken opponent to the North American Free Trade Agreement is blaming the trade deal for the downturn in the forest industry in northern Ontario.
Maude Barlow suggests NAFTA has been bad for the local economy.
"I think NAFTA and the whole notion of free trade is part of a concept of letting the market make decisions," says Barlow, "making everything that's good for big corporations and making everything else adapt so it doesn't matter about the workers, it doesn't matter about justice and it doesn't matter about the environment. Everything has to be about setting the market conditions for big business to win."
Barlow is also worried the free trade deal discussed recently between Canada and the European Union could also have disastrous impacts on the economy.
2009-05-11
07:27:11
A federal government agency has revealed it provided AbitibiBowater with some short-term funding - to help it with its internally restructuring and to avoid bankruptcy protection.
Export Development Canada says it undertook two separate transitions in March.
Eighteen million dollars was provided in the form of a loan to help with the company's restructuring process. E.D.C.also offered up to $100 million to help the forestry company improve its credit structure, which would have been utilized had it been successful in restructuring its operations outside of bankruptcy protection.
The funds were never required.
2009-05-11
07:26:19
Three by-laws come before Fort Frances town councillors when they meet tonight at the civic centre.
One pertains to an amendment to the town's dog by-law to better clarify the definition of a kennel. Another will establish the town's tax ratios.
Councillors will also discuss a proposed agreement with the township of Alberton regarding the maintenance of Oakwood Road.
The public portion of tonight's meeting begins about 5:40 p.m.
2009-05-11
07:24:53
Federal Transport Minister John Baird says officials are working flat out to deal with a flood of requests for infrastructure money.
Only a small amount of the four billion dollars the government has earmarked for stimulus programs has trickled out so far. The cash, which is to be matched by provinces and municipalities, started flowing on Friday.
The town of Fort Frances is seeking approval on four applications. One for the new library and technology centre and three road's projects.
2009-05-11
07:24:01
The Ontario Municipal Board has dismissed an appeal by a Fort Frances resident to have a zoning by-law amendment reversed.
The decision paves the way for the United Pentecostal Church on Emo Road to be sold and turned into apartments by local developer Dave Petsnick.
At an O-M-B hearing last month, Larry Buttner, who lives near the church, identified a number of concerns he and other residents had with the proposed development.
But in his ruling issued last week, board chair Gary O'Connor said while the concerns were sincere, there was no land-use planning evidence to demonstrate the proposal should not be allowed to move ahead.
Randy Thoms – News & Sports Director
