International Falls is staying true to its claim as "icebox of the nation.
The temperature dropped to 37 degrees Sunday, enough to set the ninth record low of 2009.
The previous record for July 19 was 43 degrees, set in 1958.
The National Weather Service said International Falls has had an average temperature of 57 degrees so far this month.
The coldest July on record, in its entirety, was in 1992 with an average of 59.4 degrees.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Highway Contract Announced
Another highway contract has been announced for work in the Rainy River district.
Pioneer Construction is improving a 26-kilometre stretch of highway 71 beginning at the junction of highway 11.
The contract is worth $2.8 million dollars.
Completion is scheduled for this September.
Pioneer Construction is improving a 26-kilometre stretch of highway 71 beginning at the junction of highway 11.
The contract is worth $2.8 million dollars.
Completion is scheduled for this September.
Forest Fires Increasing
There have only been 17 forest fires in the Rainy River district, but the Ministry of Natural Resources says there has been almost twice as many forest fires across the province as last year.
Fire information officer Lindsey Munroe says most of the blazes are probably the result of lightning, since people aren't likely to be camping in the rainy weather.
Last year at this time, there had been 165 forest fires, compared to 309 this year.
The only active fire in the Rainy River district is located in Quetico Provincial Park where its being allowed to burn to assist in the regeneration of the park.
Fire information officer Lindsey Munroe says most of the blazes are probably the result of lightning, since people aren't likely to be camping in the rainy weather.
Last year at this time, there had been 165 forest fires, compared to 309 this year.
The only active fire in the Rainy River district is located in Quetico Provincial Park where its being allowed to burn to assist in the regeneration of the park.
Ecstacy Pills Now Considered Phony
A find of what Thunder Bay police claimed in May to be nearly three-million dollars worth of ecstasy pills - has now been found to be worthless.
Police at the time charged a man with drug trafficking after finding the alleged stash in a parked transport.
Police now say the pills are fakes -- containing no illegal chemicals.
Prospectors says the charge against a 33-year-old man will likely be dropped.
Police at the time charged a man with drug trafficking after finding the alleged stash in a parked transport.
Police now say the pills are fakes -- containing no illegal chemicals.
Prospectors says the charge against a 33-year-old man will likely be dropped.
Missing Boater Near Kenora
A search is under for a missing Winnipeg man in the Winnipeg River near Kenora.
Provincial Police say 25-year-old David Christopher Pundyk was thrown from a boat into the river early Saturday morning after two boats travelling together collided with one another.
Two other people were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries.
Provincial Police say 25-year-old David Christopher Pundyk was thrown from a boat into the river early Saturday morning after two boats travelling together collided with one another.
Two other people were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries.
New Management Team in Place
Newsprint giant AbitibiBowater has taken the first step towards becoming a leaner company by streamlining its management team.
The senior executive team has been reduced to six from nine people, with more head-office cuts to be announced in the coming weeks as the Montreal-based company restructures under court protection from creditors.
AbitibiBowater wouldn't indicate how many positions it is looking to cut, nor how much money is expected to be saved from the exercise.
The head office operation includes 750 people, including those under full-time contract.
The senior executive team has been reduced to six from nine people, with more head-office cuts to be announced in the coming weeks as the Montreal-based company restructures under court protection from creditors.
AbitibiBowater wouldn't indicate how many positions it is looking to cut, nor how much money is expected to be saved from the exercise.
The head office operation includes 750 people, including those under full-time contract.
Young Anglers Open Tournament
(Aric Supinski - winner of Safeway Kids Pro Fishing Tournament)
Fourteen youngsters participated in yesterday's Safeway Kids-Pro tournament to open the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
The catch-and-release style event saw Aric Supinski catch three good sized bass totalling 11.11 pounds to win this year's crown.
Aric was fishing with Mike Salvador of Sioux Narrows and Reid Norine of Wood Berry, Minnesota who will fish later this week in the championship.
Lynton Mounk had the biggest fish of the one-day event weighing in a 4.06 pound. He was fishing with Dave Bennett of Sioux Narrows and Brad Leuthner of Victoria, Manitoba.
Final Results
1. Aric Supinski - Pro-anglers Mike Salvador/Reid Norine - 11.11 lbs
2. Andrew Nicols - Tony Richards/Scott Crowe - 10.39 lbs
3. Danielle Jackson - Jeff Gustafson - 10.36 lbs
3. Hunter Calder - Jeff Gustafson - 10.36 lbs
5. Lynton Mounk - Dave Bennett/Brad Leuthner - 9.92 lbs
6. Noah VanHeyst - Ken Olson/Jo Olson - 8.47 lbs
7. Sarah Jackson - Joe Thrun - 7.67 lbs
8. Eric Cann - Larry Buttner/Alexa Buttner - 7.13 lbs
9. Dyllon Chapman - Phil Bangert/Rob Plumridge - 7.09 lbs
10. Brandon Bodnar - Troy Norman/Jay Samsal - 6.64 lbs
11. Rachel Devoe - Chad Buist/Rick Cooper - 6.26 lbs
12. Jacob Herbert - Dan Fraser/Nathan Bruyere - 4.37 lbs
13. Harliegh Brow-Rose - Roland Roy/Ryan Hastie - 1.08 lbs
14. Angel McCormack - Bryan Gustafson - 0.00 lbs
More H1N1 Case in Northwestern Ontario
Eight new cases of the H1N1 virus has been identified in the Kenora and Rainy River districts.
That brings to 68 the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 in the districts this year, compared to just five in the Thunder Bay district.
The Northwestern Health Unit is keeping to its policy of not identifying the exact locations of the confirmed cases.
Meantime, the Health Unit is also reported a new case of influenza "A".
Health officials say it's unusual to see cases of that flu strain at this time of the year
That brings to 68 the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 in the districts this year, compared to just five in the Thunder Bay district.
The Northwestern Health Unit is keeping to its policy of not identifying the exact locations of the confirmed cases.
Meantime, the Health Unit is also reported a new case of influenza "A".
Health officials say it's unusual to see cases of that flu strain at this time of the year
Underpass Closed
A reminder to motorists using Portage Avenue this week.
The Portage Avenue underpass will be closed to traffic from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. through to Thursday and again Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
It's to allow for the construction of the new walkway on the west side of the underpass.
While motorists travelling to and from Fort Frances' north end will have to use McIrvine Road, the underpass will still be open to pedestrians
The Portage Avenue underpass will be closed to traffic from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. through to Thursday and again Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
It's to allow for the construction of the new walkway on the west side of the underpass.
While motorists travelling to and from Fort Frances' north end will have to use McIrvine Road, the underpass will still be open to pedestrians
Forestry Shuffle Continues
A cabinet shuffle that will see the responsibility of Ontario's forests fall to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines is becoming a little clearer.
Michael Gravelle, the minister responsible, says his ministry will be responsible for promoting the forest sector.
"The most simplest way of looking at it that we will be handling the business side while the Ministry of Natural Resources will retain the regulatory side," says Gravelle. "But we are working very hard to come to some agreements. We want to make sure our ministry is a very strong effective one."
Gravelle admits there are still some significant challenges ahead for the forest sector, but believes adding it to his ministry will give it a bit of a boost.
Michael Gravelle, the minister responsible, says his ministry will be responsible for promoting the forest sector.
"The most simplest way of looking at it that we will be handling the business side while the Ministry of Natural Resources will retain the regulatory side," says Gravelle. "But we are working very hard to come to some agreements. We want to make sure our ministry is a very strong effective one."
Gravelle admits there are still some significant challenges ahead for the forest sector, but believes adding it to his ministry will give it a bit of a boost.
Student Workers Protest
Students working at provincial parks are protesting a government decision to exempt itself from paying them for statutory holidays.
The Employment Standards Act exempts the government from certain minimum labour standards, including compensating employees for vacation and statutory holidays.
That means student workers will lose an average of $450 on vacation and holiday pay over the summer.
A number of information pickets took place over the weekend at provincial parks in southern Ontario
No word on any similar protests at northwestern Ontario parks.
The Employment Standards Act exempts the government from certain minimum labour standards, including compensating employees for vacation and statutory holidays.
That means student workers will lose an average of $450 on vacation and holiday pay over the summer.
A number of information pickets took place over the weekend at provincial parks in southern Ontario
No word on any similar protests at northwestern Ontario parks.
Lake of the Woods to be Under I.J.C.
The International Joint Commission is being asked to bring Lake of the Woods under its jurisdiction.
The I.J.C. deals with international waterways along the Canada/U-S Border.
Executive director of the Lake of the Woods Sustainability Foundation Todd Sellars says they been working with various levels of government on the issue.
"In the interim our foundation is continuing to play that international coordinator role, pulling together the governments around science and policy efforts for the lake," says Sellars, "but we're optimistic that within the next year we should have a formal agreement for Lake of the Woods."
Sellars says getting an international agreement for Lake of the Woods is one of the Foundation's key priorities.
The I.J.C. deals with international waterways along the Canada/U-S Border.
Executive director of the Lake of the Woods Sustainability Foundation Todd Sellars says they been working with various levels of government on the issue.
"In the interim our foundation is continuing to play that international coordinator role, pulling together the governments around science and policy efforts for the lake," says Sellars, "but we're optimistic that within the next year we should have a formal agreement for Lake of the Woods."
Sellars says getting an international agreement for Lake of the Woods is one of the Foundation's key priorities.
Missing Woman Found
A Kenora woman who had been missing in the Red Lake area for nearly a week was found on the weekend in good condition.
O-P-P say Valerie Cain was located near the Chukuni River, about 30 kilometers south of the town Saturday morning.
Police say Cain had spent six nights in the bush after leaving a Red Lake motel a week ago to go to work at the town's hospital.
She was transported to hospital in Red Lake suffering from dehydration and extensive insect bits, but was otherwise said to be good condition.
Police did not explain how or why Cain had come to be in the bush.
O-P-P say Valerie Cain was located near the Chukuni River, about 30 kilometers south of the town Saturday morning.
Police say Cain had spent six nights in the bush after leaving a Red Lake motel a week ago to go to work at the town's hospital.
She was transported to hospital in Red Lake suffering from dehydration and extensive insect bits, but was otherwise said to be good condition.
Police did not explain how or why Cain had come to be in the bush.
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