Pither's Point Decision

The town of Fort Frances has been granted the right to continue its use and maintenance of Pither's Point Park.

Mayor Roy Avis says a Superior Court judge has ruled in favour of the town's request until either the issue of ownership can be resolved by the courts or by a further court order.

"We're granted an injunctive relief regarding the Point Park," says Avis, "and we will be trying to maintain it to the status we've had in the past making sure its looked after for all people to enjoy."

Avis doesn't see the granting of the motion putting a halt to their discussions with the area First Nations who are laying claim to the park site.

Local Officials Looking for Government Action

There's been a quick response from the area's senior elected representatives to Couchiching First Nation's plans to set up a toll booth on the Highway through their community next month.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty understands the band's frustration over the lack of a response to their concerns, and hopes to convince government officials to sit down with them to find some solutions.

"I've talked to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and the Minister of Health and asked them to intervene in this matter," says Rafferty, "to use their leadership in this issue and to ensure the concerns of all the residents in the region are properly addressed."

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says he'll also be looking for action from the province that begins to address the band's concerns.

"I would hope there would be a response," says Hampton. "I think if any reasonable person looked at some of these issues and saw how long they have dragged on without an resolution, most reasonable people would say 'that's too long,' and government should be doing something to respond in one way or another."

The toll is planned for May 21.

Hydro Outage Unplanned

A pole fire is being blamed for a power outage that affected much of the west end of the Rainy River district late yesterday afternoon.

The outage, which impacted nearly 38-hundred Hydro One customers between Fort Frances and Rainy River, occurred shortly after 4 p.m. and came following a planned one in parts of the district.

Power was fully restored by 9:30 p.m.

MNR Hopes for Lots of Rain

Ministry of Natural Resources Fire Crews will be keeping their eyes on the sky over the next couple of days.

Fire Information Officer, Debbie MacLean says a good drenching this weekend could lead to a lifting of the Restricted Fire Zone.

"Fire managers are considering at this time," says MacLean, "but until we see some definite relief from that rain there will be no change."

There were no fires reported yesterday.

Search Continues

A canine unit is among resources being used in the search of a district man who escaped OPP custody Thursday morning.

Constable Anne McCoy says the man fled while he was inside the Fort Frances detachment.

"The officers were investigating at the detachment," says McCoy, "and Matthews Bradley Meyers, who's 25-years of age and from Emo, fled from custody."

McCoy says the public should consider Meyers dangerous, and call 9-1-1 immediately if he's spotted.

Home Show Starts

(Left: Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce photo)

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will kick off its annual Home and Leisure show tonight at the Memorial Sportsplex.

Chamber Manager Anthony Mason says over sixty vendors will be on display.

"It starts today at 4 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m.," says Mason, "and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's three-dollars to get in and with that you have chance of winning one of two Chamber gift certificates worth $500."

New this year will be the boat show which is jointly promoted by Pinewood Sports and Badiuk Equipment for the first time.

Fundraiser at Home Show

Northwestern Ontario's representative to the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant will be at this weekend's Home and Leisure Show.

18-year-old Felicia Schmutz will be helping to raise money for the Free the Children foundation which helps children in underdeveloped nations.

"They help children get a good education," says Schmutz. "They help with water and sanitation and health care. They've also build five-hundred schools and several water projects."

Schmutz is hoping to raise at least two-thousand dollars and will be situated at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce booth.

Toll Booth Planned

Couchiching First Nation is planning to set up a toll both on Highway 11 near the Noden Causeway next month.

Band officials say its over the lack of response to a number of issues they've been long trying to resolve with both the provincial and federal governments.

It includes compensation for land used to build the highway and the contamination of soil at a former sawmill.

The toll is set to go in place May 21.

The band says is also plan to beginning charging launch fees at Five Mile Dock.

Drug Changes Attacked Again

Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton was on the attack yesterday over proposed drug changes impacting the province's pharmacies.

Hampton told the legislature small pharmacy owners in his riding are worried about the impact to their businesses.

"The independent pharmacies in Red Lake, Emo and Rainy River, if they were forced to close, would have literally thousands of people having to travel, in some cases, 100 kilometres or more to the next pharmacy," said Hampton. "They are concerned that they may have to close, because they see your scheme as a one-size-fits-all strategy that ignores communities in northern Ontario."

Health Minister Deb Matthews says an increase in the dispensing fee provided to pharmacies will offset any losses incurred by the proposed change.

Local Teen Heads to Pageant

The Rainy River district will be represented at a teen pageant this summer.

18-year-old Felicia Schmutz of Emo earned the right to represent northwestern Ontario at the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant in July after competing for the Manitoba title in Winnipeg over the weekend.

"After the show, I was asked if I wanted to represent a section of Winnipeg or northwestern Ontario," says Schmutz. "I really wanted to do northwestern Ontario because it's home and I don't too many have represented the area before."

Schmutz is now hoping to attract sponsorship to attend the July event in Toronto.

Rail Crossing Improvements

The federal government has announced dozens of projects to make rail crossings safer.

It includes upgrades to a crossing in the Rainy River district.

Transport Minister Rob Merrifield says these improvements will help save lives.

"The investment that the government is making really there to continue the downward trend of accidents and derailments and injuries right across the country," says Merrifield, "particularly in those communities where we are investing."

Thirty-five thousand dollars spent on a crossing at Paquette Road in the township of Dawson will include construction of an access road in conjunction with the crossing's closure.

Blackout today

Some residents in the west end of the district will be in the dark for several hour today.

Hydro One is planning a six hour power interruption impact customers in the townships of Burris, Carpenter, Dance, Devlin and Crozier.

It's to begin at 10 a.m.

Thefts Investigated

OPP are looking into a rash of thefts from vehicles in Atikokan.

Four separate vehicles were broken into over the past two weeks.

Items taken include CD's, an iPOD, guitar, tobacco and cash.

Police say in three of the cases, the vehicles were left unlocked.

Strike Adverted

A last-minute deal has averted a strike by Ontario property assessors.

The strike was set for midnight, but a tentative two-year deal has been reached and the union executive is recommending acceptance.

The contract calls for a wage freeze over the next two years.

There are approximately 15-hundred property assessors in Ontario who determine the value of land and properties in the province.

Canada Day Festivities in Doubt

This year's Canada Day and Fun in the Sun activities in Fort Frances could be in doubt.

Monday, council committed five-thousand dollars towards events, but member Scott Turvey says that's half of what the organizing committee wanted.

"If we don't get cash sponsorship from the business community or a private investor within two weeks, we will be, as a committee, giving Fun in the Sun back to the town in order for it to do whatever the town can do." says Turvey.

Turvey says past events have encountered shortfalls picked up by the committee, something they can no longer afford.

Connecting Link Funding Pondered

A provincial program to help municipalities pay for improvements to roads that link with the provincial highway system remains a big mystery in the minds of Fort Frances town council.

Town has been banking on the money to do a major upgrade of Scott Street, but councillor Paul Ryan says the fate of the program remains uncertain.

"It was supposed to be in the Northern Growth plan," says Ryan. "I've read the Northern Growth plan at least twice and it's not in there. Are they going to call it something else or they're looking at it. It seems to have fallen through the cracks. It's every unfortunate."

Road improvements were a topic of discussion at the recent Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference, but councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says most of the emphasis was on twinning the Trans-Canada Highway.

Rail Safety Week

Local drivers might be forced to stop at a railway crossing today as part of Rail Safety Week.

Railway police are conducting safety blitzes at crossings right across the country.

National director of Operation Lifesaver Dan Di Tota says they may be inconvenient, but they're designed to make motorists think twice every time they approach crossings.

"Day after day they go over these crossings there are no trains and then there's the one day the trains show up," says Di Tota. "They can't allow for complacency to set in."

Today's blitz will occur in Couchiching with another planned tomorrow at the crossing on McIrvine Road in Fort Frances.

Olive Branch in Drug Battle

Health Minister Deb Matthews says some pharmacists are willing to sit down and talk about the government's proposed changes to Ontario's prescription drugs system.

Matthews says she's eager to speak with pharmacists angry over the plan to slash generic drugs costs and come up with some sort of agreement.

But that small step is unlikely to end the ongoing battle, since a coalition of community pharmacies, which has been the strongest opponents to the changes, still disagrees with the proposals.

Many Driven to Quit

A number of smokers in the Kenora and Rainy River District were driven to quit.

Figures released by the Canadian Cancer Society show 465 individuals made the attempt to quit smoking during the month of March as part of its Driven to Quit Challenge.

That's almost double the number who participated in the contest in 2008.

Seatbelt Blitz Numbers Released

Provincial police say a large majority of motorists in northwestern Ontario are getting the message about wearing their seatbelts.

Sergeant Shelley Garr says a recent seatbelt blitz did lead to 180 charges, compared with 312 in the 2008 campaign.

"The spring seatbelt campaign is increasing public awareness," says Garr. " It does seems to be working. When you look at 180 compared with 312 there's a substantial difference and that's a good thing."

The 10-day blitz also resulted in 12 charges for improperly installed child seats.

Rock'n' For a Reason

A number of local celebrities will be Rock'n' for a Reason this weekend.

Riverside Health Care's Teresa Hazel says they'll be taking part in a new fundraiser for the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary during the Home and Leisure show.

"We have to give some credit to the Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary because they've done it as well," says Hazel, "and they're letting La Verendrye use it here in Fort Frances. They're getting volunteers and special guests to rock on a rocking chair for an hour to raise money."

Sixteen individuals will be taking part and will be asked for pledges from the public.

Economic Development Changes Considered

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation is proposing an enhancement of economic development services for the town of Fort Frances.

Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says it includes provisions for more involvement by the town's economic development advisory committee.

"They are an advisory committee to council, so they respond when (council) asks," says Gillon. "What we would like to have council do is have the advisory council review the current terms of reference and come back to council with recommendations on how they'd like to change that."

Gillon says because the current contract is partly funded in part by FEDNOR, the changes would need the agency's approval.

He doesn't expect the changes to cost more money, but is asking the town to set aside $20-thousand to offset costs FEDNOR may not cover.

Union Gas Upgrades to Continue

Union Gas will resume work to replace aging pipe and gas meters in Fort Frances next month.

Director of Engineering Doug Alexander says much of the work this year will be in the town's east end.

"We will work on roughly 1,500 service connections," says Alexander. "Of that we will simply reconnect 995 services, but will also put in 524 new services of the old steel pipe that was put in back in 1971."

The gas company is into the second year of a $10-million project.

DSSAB Vote On Hold

Municipalities in the Rainy River district continue to wait the outcome of a vote on a proposed change to how they fund the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.

The vote, which needs both a majority of municipalities and electoral votes to pass, was conducted earlier this month.

Municipal officials say they now trying to determine the number of voters in the unorganized areas which could impact the final tally.

The Municipal Provincial Assessment Corporation is helping to determine the numbers, but there is no word when they will be made known to the DSSAB board.

Pension Bill Gets Support

A private members' bill that aims to protect workers' pensions when a company restructures or enters into bankruptcy proceedings got its first debate in the House of Commons' yesterday.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he was pleased with how the other parties responded to his bill.

"All of the parties indicated a desire to get it into committee so they can call some witnesses and bring the bill back to the house," says Rafferty. "There certainly seems to be a will among all of us to work cooperatively on this."

A final vote is expected sometime in the fall.

Festival Ends

Robert Moore School students were at the top of the list of winners on the final day of the Rainy River Festival of the Performing Arts on Friday.

The school earned first place marked in four separate English Drama classes.

J.W. Walker and St. Francis Schools were winners in two categories.

Callahan Wiedenhoeft was the top individual winner with two first place honours.

The annual highlights concert will be held this Sunday at Townshend Theatre.

Here is a list of all winners from Friday


FESTIVAL RESULTS, ENGLISH DRAMA DIVISION, Friday, April 23, 2010

CLASS A900
First – St. Francis NSL, Grade 6 – Corine Bannon
CLASS A1200-A
First – Robert Moore School, Grade 4 – Mrs. Donald
CLASS A1200-B
First – Robert Moore School, Grade 5 – Mrs. Donald
CLASS A700-C
Huffman School, Kindergarten/Grade 1 – Karen Peltomaki (Non-Competitive)
CLASS A703-A
First – J. W. Walker School, Grades 2 and 3 – J. Johanson
CLASS A703-B
First – Robert Moore School, Grade 3 – Mrs. Norris
CLASS A704-B
First – Robert Moore School, Grade 4 – Mrs. Beckett
CLASS A704-C
First – J. W. Walker School, Grade 4 – J. Johanson
CLASS A705-B
First – St. Francis School, Grades 4 and 5 – Solange Busch
CLASS A101-D
Jenaya DeBenetti (Non-Competitive)
CLASS A103-B
First – Callahan Wiedenhoeft
CLASS A103-F
First – Mira Donaldson
CLASS A103-D
First – Callahan Wiedenhoeft
CLASS A104-D
First – Siobhan Mackintosh
Second – Olivia DeBenedet
CLASS A105-A
First – Jade Green
CLASS A105-D
First – Mackenzie Wright
Second – Joleigh Hayes
CLASS A107-A
First – Andrew Eldridge
CLASS A107-E
First – Shawn Brady
CLASS A201
First – Jade Green
CLASS A202
First – Danté Tookenay

Fort Frances Council Tonight

Fort Frances councillors will get an update today on Union Gas' plans to upgrade its infrastructure in the town.

The gas company is spending $10-million to replace old lines and meters and began its two-year project in the west end last year.

Also at tonight's regular meeting of council, a decision on whether to proceed with a planned increase in councillors salaries.

Mayor Roy Avis had asked that the increase, approved earlier this year, get a re-think in light of Premier Dalton McGuinty's comments that municipalities consider holding the line on employee wages.

The public portion of tonight's meeting gets underway at about 6:20 p.m.

More Human-Caused Fires Reported

A ban on burning in northwestern Ontario did little to prevent the outbreak of more human caused fires over the weekend.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reports 21 new fires in the west fire region, including three in the Rainy River District.

Two of those fires in this region were identified as being human-caused.

The MNR says dry conditions and high to extreme fire hazards with minimal rain in the forecast will keep a restricted fire zone in place for a while.

Busy Weekend for Local Firefighters

Members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue were busy dealing with a number of grass fires of their own.

Among them, a fire that broke out just around midnight last night near the Fort Frances Curling Club and took fire fighters nearly two hours to battle.

Saturday afternoon, fire fighters were called to AbitibiBowater to deal with a fire on a locomotive.

The fire was contained to the engine compartment and no other rail cars were damaged.

The extent of damage to the locomotive was not immediately known.

Organ Donations

There's a strong willingness by northerners to sign organ-donor registrations.

An analysis by the Toronto Star says about 30 per cent of Fort Frances residents registered consent for organ and tissue donation.

In communities west of the town, 17 per cent of residents have signed the donor registry, while it's 37 per cent in Kenora and 29 per cent in Dryden.

The Trillium Gift of Life Network says 90 per cent of Ontarians say they support organ donation -- yet only 17 per cent have registered their intent to donate.

Literacy Coach Time Expanded

The Northwest Catholic District School Board is using several thousands of dollars from its reserve fund to support the increase of literacy-coach time at its area schools.

Board chair Anne-Marie Fitzgerald says increasing the times of its literacy coaches can only lead to improvements in the classroom.

"There goal is to promote student learning and raise achievement in the area of literacy," says Fitzgerald. "We have found the role of the literacy coaches in our schools to have a profoundly positive effective on improving literacy targets board wide."

The $170-thousand will be help cover salary and benefits needed to increase the hours of the literacy coaches.

E-Learning Helping Northern Ontario

The creation of a distance education program for residents in southern Ontario is expanding learning opportunities for northern Ontario citizens.

Raeann Watson, coordinator for Contact North's site in Fort Frances, says they're working with E-learning to bring access to post-secondary institutions and programs never available in the past.

"The best example is Lambton College, working with Sheridan College, working with Confederation College, is putting on the pharmacy tech training right now," says Watson. "Up until Confederation agreed to work with Lambton and Sheridan to put it on, the techs that needed to get that upgrading were scheduled to go to southern Ontario."

Watson says with E-Learning, students can take programs that fit their own schedule.

Fire Ban in Place

The Ministry of Natural Resources is placing a ban on open fires.

Much of northwestern Ontario is now under a Restricted Fire Zone.

The MNR says fire hazard has reached extreme levels due to the unusually dry spring conditions which have resulted in increasing forest fire activity.

The long-term weather forecast offers no relief in the form of significant precipitation.

The ban covers an area between Red Lake and Pickle Lake in the north to the U.S. Border, but excludes Quetico Provincial Park.

Burn restrictions also went into place in Koochiching County and 37 other Minnesota counties today.

Much of the state is also experiencing dry weather conditions.

Campfires are also banned in Voyageurs National Park.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reports almost 900 fires in the state this year.

Cabinet Ministers Attend NOMA

Municipal leaders will sit down with a handful of Provincial Ministers today in Marathon at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

President Anne Krassilowsky says a visit by Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne will be timely.

"We all know we have transportation issues in more way than one," says Krassilowsky, "looking at public transportation across the province and road conditions, to the challenges of obtaining funding."

Other speakers include Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle and Municipal Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Donna Cansfield.

Meanwhile, delegates are being asked to support a resolution that calls for improvements to FEDNOR.

The resolution suggests the economic development program become a crown agency with a budget of not less than $90 million a year.

It's also calling for grants to be processed within four months.

Sex Ed Proposal On Hold

It's back to the drawing board for the Ontario government on its proposal to update the province's sex education curriculum.

After defending the new sex ed curriculum for two days, Premier Dalton McGuinty suddenly had a change of heart.

McGuinty says it's important to educate elementary kids about sex, but adds the government clearly didn't do a good enough job of consulting parents on the ideas.

He says the Liberal government should have taken time to inform parents about the changes it had in mind.


The opposition parties are accusing McGuinty of making policy on the fly and bowing to pressure from church groups.

Under the changes McGuinty has withdrawn, Grade 1 kids were to be taught to identify genitalia using the correct words, while Grade 3 students would have been taught about same-sex families.

Victims Services Program Holds Open House

An open house yesterday for the Rainy River District Victim Services Program.

The event held to promote it and other services for victims of crimes

Trudy McCormick of the Northwest Community Legal Clinic says her agency is one such group that works hand in hand with the program.

"If they've been a victim of crime there are times when people can be compensated for that," says McCormick. "They can be compensated for out-of-pocket expenses. They can be compensated for pain and suffering. They come to our office and we can help them do the applications, and if it comes to a hearing we can even represent them if they qualify financially."

Dorion Chambers of the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope was among those on hand.

"We have a protocol between Victim services," says Chambers. "It's a transportation protocol. If there's a woman in crisis in the Rainy River district they will assist us in getting that woman to safety to the shelter in Atikokan."

Yesterday's open house was held in conjunction with National Victims of Crime Awareness week.

Principal Honoured

Some honours today for a elementary school principal in the Rainy River River District.

Brendan Hyatt is being recognized by the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario as a regional principal of the year at an event tonight in Windsor.

Hyatt is principal of Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.

Festival Ends Today

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts will come to end today with the final Drama competitions.

They take place this morning at the Townshend Theatre and this afternoon at Knox United Church

Yesterday, Melissa Fletcher earned five first place certificates in the English Drama division while Shawn Brady led the way in the French drama division with two wins.

First Nations/Hampton Fight HST

Frustrated First Nations groups are planning a protest at the Ontario legislature today in their escalating fight over the H-S-T.

Inside Queen's Park yesterday, Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton called for native people to be exempt from the HST

"When the McGuinty Liberals faced anti-HST backlash from the real estate industry, the Premier very quickly exempted homes that cost up to $400,000 from the HST," said Hampton. "When Tim Hortons protested against the HST on the coffee and muffin lunch, the McGuinty Liberals very quickly exempted restaurant meals up to $4 in value from the HST. If you care about the plight of First Nations, why will you not act just as quickly to exempt First Nations from the HST?"

First nation leaders say the new harmonized tax will rob them of a point-of-sale exemption on the provincial portion of the merged tax.

Trustee Redistribution Accepted

There will be different look to the Northwest Catholic District School Board this fall.

Trustees voted Tuesday night in favour of moving one of three seats designated to Fort Frances to Sioux Lookout.

Board Chair, and Fort Frances trustee Anne-Marie Fitzgerald says it reflects changes in population, but won't impact the decision making at the table.

"It really shouldn't have any affect," says Fitzgerald, "because we do try to base our decisions not by area but whats best for the board as a whole."

An extra seat given to reflect the amalgamation of the former Atikokan Roman Catholic District School Board will be designated to Atikokan.

Seats assigned to Stratton and Dryden remain unchanged.

Fence Fight Over

A fight over a fence to keep deer off their property has a couple in Fort Frances picking up stakes and moving.

Marie and Lynwood Anderson say they are finished with fighting Fort Frances and are going to pack up and sell their home and move to New Brunswick.

After a long fight, the couple pleaded guilty earlier this month to having a fence not in accordance with town's fencing bylaw, and were given 60 days to remove it.

Forest Fire Hazard Reaches Extreme

The Ministry of Natural Resources says northwestern Ontario is under a high to extreme forest fire hazard.

Fire information officer Mitch Miller says with no precipitation in the forecast, fire managers are urging the public not to burn.

A ban on fires in organized municipalities within the Rainy River District is still in place.

There have been a total of 100 fires so this season - 13 in the Rainy River district.

Restrictions Imposed

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has added burning restrictions in several counties due to the hazardous fire conditions created by drier weather.

The restrictions imposed in 37 counties, including Koochiching County, affects all burning, including campfires, fireworks, outdoor welding, and prescribed burning.

The restriction will go into effect tomorrow.

NOMA Begins

Municipal leaders from across the northwest are in Marathon this week for the annual meeting of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

The gathering will be attended by several high level provincial cabinet ministers.

There are about 20 regional issues that will also be discussed over the next three days.

Blood Donor Clinic

A successful first day for the Canadian Blood Services at its blood donor clinics being held at Fort Frances High School.

A total of 146 donors contributed 129 units of blood yesterday.

Spokeperson Harvey Heather says that's eleven over its first day target and will help 387 patients.

The clinic continues today from 12 noon to 3 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Seatbelt Enforcement Blitz Continues

Ontario Provincial Police say a number of area motorists are getting caught driving without their seatbelts.

Police are in the midst of their spring seatbelt enforcement blitz, and Constable Anne McCoy says officers are still finding some motorists and their passengers failing to take the extra second to buckle-up.

"We will get those people who forget to buckle-up," says McCoy, "or are distracted and are not buckling up. It's so important. It is a fine of $240 and two demerit points. It is a dangerous thing (not to use a seatbelt)."

The enforcement blitz continues through to Saturday.

Power Increase Coming

Hydro users in Fort Frances can expect to see a jump in their electricity bills next month.

The Fort Frances Power Corporation received approval from the Ontario Energy Board to increase the delivery portion of the bills by about 2.5 per cent.

The increase takes effect May 1st.

Forestry Talk at Queens Park

Provincial NDP say much of a fund set up to help the forestry sector remains unused.

Leader Andrea Horwath says they've found about half of the 500-million dollar fund for forestry sector assistance has not been touched.

"Five years ago, the government promised $500 million in forestry sector assistance," says Horwath. "A freedom-of-information request submitted by my office found that $236 million, nearly half of that fund, sits unused. Why do hundreds of millions of forestry dollars sit in a Toronto bank account while families in northern Ontario continue to lose good jobs?"

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the program is just one of many the province has implemented to help the forest sector.

Sex-Ed Expanded

Premier Dalton McGuinty says he stands by a sexeducation curriculum that will see lessons being taught as early asGrade 3.

The curriculum, to be implemented in September, is raising the ire of so-called family focused groups who say the material is inappropriate.

But McGuinty says kids are going to get their hands on sexual health information and it's better to present them with information from reliable sources.

In Grade 3 kids will start learning about "invisible differences'' between people such as gender identity, sexual orientation and family background.

In Grade 5 kids will be taught to identify parts of there productive system and describe how the body changes during puberty.

The Grade 7 curriculum will include learning ways of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Another Sponsor Signed

Another major sponsor is back on board for this year's Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championships.

Mercury Marine renewed its commitment to the tournament yesterday.

Mercury has been a part of the Bass Championship since its inception.

Festival Day 7 Results

A busy day at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts yesterday with competitions in both vocal and instrumental.

In the vocal division, Lauren Gurski and Emily Turcotte ended their day with four first place finishes, including one as members of a trio.

Taylor Shouldice earned top honours in a vocal class, then won three more first place certificates performing on the fiddle and violin in the evening instrumental performances.

Competitions in Instrumental conclude today at the Townshend Theatre with vocal performances at Knox United Church.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, VOCAL DIVISION, Tuesday, April 20, 2010

CLASS V126
First - Kennedy Latimer
Second - Taylor Shouldice

CLASS V138F
First - Emily Turcotte

CLASS V138M
First - Nelson Bragg

CLASS V139
First - Katelyn Shortreed
Second - Rebecca Sokoliuk

CLASS V108
First - Emily Turcott
Second - Nelson Bragg

CLASS V109
First - Katelyn Shortreed

CLASS V110
First - Lauren Gurski

CLASS V180
First - Lauren Gurski
Second - (TIE) Nelson Bragg, Emily Turcott, Rebecca Sokoliuk

CLASS V186
First - Taylor Shouldice
Second - Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V188
First - Emily Turcott
Second - Nelson Bragg

CLASS V189
First - (TIE) Katelyn Shortreed, Rebecca Sokoliuk

CLASS V179
First - Jessica Whalen
Second - Caitlin Sande

CLASS V172
First - Lauren Gurski
Second - (TIE) Nelson Bragg, Rebecca Sokoliuk

CLASS V222
First - Professional Ensemble: Renée Martin-Brown, Ken Brown, Lisa Vos, Dan Vos

CLASS V181
First - Ken Brown

CLASS V173
First - Ken Brown

CLASS V207
First - Duet: Phoebe-Ann Firth and Isaac Firth

CLASS V206
First - Duet: Anne Jean and McKenna Begin

CLASS V208
First - Duet: Jessica Whalen and Ericka Tymkin

CLASS V213
First - Trio: Emily Turcott, Nelson Bragg and Lauren Gurski

CLASS V171
First - (TIE) Phoebe Firth, Jessica Whalen
Second - Katelyn Shortreed


FESTIVAL RESULTS, INSTRUMENTAL DIVISION, Tuesday, April 20, 2010

CLASS B303
First - Fort Frances High School Band

CLASS B304
First - Fort Frances High School Senior Stage Band

CLASS S1250
First - Katelyn Bruyere

CLASS S1251
First - Taylor Shouldice

CLASS S200
First - Jilayne Derksen
Second - Katelyn Bruyere

CLASS S704
First - Taylor Shouldice

CLASS S1301
First - Taylor Shouldice

CLASS S2700
First - String Ensemble: Fawn Perrault, Jared Hunter, Taylor Voltaros, Kayla Allen and Summer Leonard

CLASS B306
First - Borderland Community Orchestra

Town Back in Court over Pither's Point Park

The town of Fort Frances is heading back to court in an attempt to continue its use of Pither's Point Park.

A hearing on the matter will be held in Superior Court on Thursday in Thunder Bay.

Mayor Roy Avis is reserving comment until after the hearing, but in a release issued this morning, the town says it will bring forward a motion that attempts to clarify the use of the park until legal questions surrounding its use and ownership are resolved.

It adds ongoing negotiations with the federal and provincial governments and area First Nations laying claim to the land, have not led to any resolve.

The town says its also been informed an agreement reached last year with the bands the town to continue maintenance and use of the park is not being extended into this year.

Missing Teenager Sought

OPP are seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing Fort Frances teenager.

Police says 16-year-old Caitlin Henderson was last seen last night when she left her home to go on a bike rider.

It's believe her route includes the along the waterfront.

She described as being 5'4", 130 lbs. with brown eyes and having straight black should length hair.

She was last seen wearing a yellow zip-up hoody sweatshirt, faced blue jeans, a white tank top with a grey sleeveless shirt and was riding a newer 21 speed Sportek Aggressor mountain bike, grey in colour.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Caitlin Henderson is asked to contact police.

Man Tasered in I. Falls

Police in International Falls were forced to use a Taser on a man to help put an end to a domestic dispute on the weekend.

Police say a 37-year-old man was holding a .308 caliber gun and using a victim as a shield when officers arrived at an Eighth Street home on Sunday.

The man now faces a charge of felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

Commercial Bait Dealers Charged

Two Baudette men have had their commercial minnow licenses revoked for three years.

69-year-old John Hult and 55-year-old Kim Barsness were also fined $1,500 each after being convicted last week in Beltrami County District Court of illegally selling minnows.

An investigation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found the two had used invasive species infested equipment from Lake of the Wood to take minnows from another lake.

I. Falls Woman Honoured

An International Falls woman has been recognized for her volunteer efforts with the Rainy Lake Medical Centre.

Marguerite Davison was named Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year at a recent appreciation dinner.

Davison was honoured for her work in the hospital's health information management department.

BIA Changes Proposed

Some Fort Frances business owners are proposing a revamping of the Downtown Business Improvement Association.

George Emes, one of the proponents, says the plan includes setting up new committees overseeing B.I.A. activities without paid staff.

"Over 67-per cent of our budget is going to our operating expenses," says Emes, "and we think that's far too high. We just can't afford it."

Emes says the plan is not intended to scrap the B.I.A. in its entirety but to get more people involved.

The B.I.A. is to discuss the issue at a meeting Thursday.

Seniors Move Questioned

The opposition is questioning why some seniors in Kenora are being told they have to go to Fort Frances for long-term care.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says part of the blame is the government's inability to adequately fund beds at the home in Kenora.

"Many people have written to the minister, and I've written to the minister, asking that the 12 long-term-care beds that are shut down due to lack of funding receive the operating funding they need," says Hampton.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says none of the seniors needing long-term care are leaving the Kenora, but the beds closed don't meet provincial standards.

Census Numbers

Seventy-two per cent of residents in International Falls filed this years 2010 Census forms.

City officials say more participation is needed.

Councillor Cynthia Jaksa says it could mean the difference in representation both at the state capital and Washington.

"We are going to concede power to the southern part of the State and the State House if we don't get out their and participate," says Jaksa.

Members of the U.S. Census Bureau will be going door-to-door in the near future in attempt to count those who did not file the form by last Friday's deadline.

Cable Changes

Shaw cable and Internet subscribers in Fort Frances may experience some service outages over the next two weeks.

The cable company says its performing a system-wide upgrade to make way for more channels and new services.

The work began yesterday and is to take about two weeks to complete.

More Fires

This is wildfire prevention week in Ontario and officials say it's a serious issue because of an unusually mild winter.

There have been a number of new fires across the West Fire Region in recent days and fire officials says that trend is likely to continue.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Natural Resources reported one new human-caused fire in the Rainy River district, bringing to thirteen the number of fires in the first three weeks of the forest fire season.

Northwestern Ontario remains under a high to extreme forest fire hazard.

Festival Results Day 6

The first day of vocal performances at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts netting a number of multiple winners.

Jade Green led with the way with three first-place finishes.

Ali Jackson, Maggie LeMesurier, Taylor Shouldice, Isaac Firth, Kennedy Latimer, Rebecca Sokoliuk, and Anne Jean were all double winners.

Vocal performances continues today at Knox United Church.

Instrumental and band also get underway tonight at the Townsend Theatre with both the Borderland Community Orchestra and Fort Frances High School Bands in competition in separate classes.


FESTIVAL RESULTS, VOCAL DIVISION, Monday, April 19, 2010

CLASS V100
First - Joelle Bruyere

CLASS V101
First - Star Jewell Martin
Second - Carmen Hebert

CLASS V102
First - (TIE) Ali Jackson, Maggie LeMesurier

CLASS V103
First - McKenna Begin
Second - Anne Jean

CLASS V145
First - Isaac Firth
Second - Faith Pollard

CLASS V146
First - Alyssa Vandrunen
Second - Natasha Peters

CLASS V106
First - Taylor Shouldice

CLASS V168
First - Jade Green
Second - Emma Dykstra

CLASS V176
First - (TIE) Jade Green, Ali Jackson, Maggie LeMesurier

CLASS V127
First - Anne Jean

CLASS V160
First - Jade Green

CLASS V161
First - Andrew Loney
Second - Kenzie Godin

CLASS V162
First - Taylor Shouldice
Second - (TIE) Alyssa Vandrunen, Maggie Gauthier

CLASS V163
First - Jessica Whalen
Second - (TIE) Malinda Porter, Caitlin Sande, Phoebe Firth

CLASS V130
First - Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V132
First - Nelson Bragg
Second - (TIE) Jessica Whalen, Emily Turcott

CLASS V133
First - Rebecca Sokoliuk

CLASS V153
First - Isaac Firth

CLASS V118
First - Kennedy Latimer

CLASS V121
First - Rebecca Sokoliuk
Second - Katelyn Shortreed

CLASS V169
First - Anne Jean
Second - Kenzie Godin

CLASS V170
First - Larissa Desrosiers
Second - Maggie Gauthier

More Hydro Projects Planned

Xeneca Power Corporation is hoping to move ahead with eleven hydro projects in northwestern Ontario over the next couple of year.

The company was given approval for 19 projects earlier this month, but spokesperson Mark Holmes says they still have a few hurdles to cross others can proceed.

"It appears to have paid off quite well," says Holmes, "in terms of the number of projects we have going forward. As we go through these economic connection tests and the revamp of the Ontario power grid occurs over the next few years, I'm sure several more of those projects will come on stream."

The company is planning two projects in the Rainy River district.

Belluz Files Papers

A long-time public school board trustee has filed his nomination papers for re-election this fall.

Current Board Chair and Fort Frances trustee Dan Belluz has been with the board for the past twenty-five years and says its where he wants to be again.

"I just have a genuine interest in the success of our students in our district," says Belluz, "and I want to be a part of trying to provide them with the best education we can so they can be successful where ever they go."

Belluz says he hopes to be a part of a number of initiatives the board now has on the go, including the opening of the new Robert Moore School.

AbitibiBowater Plan

AbitibiBowater is seeking a three-month extension to file a reorganization plan to exist bankruptcy protection.

In court documents filed in the United States last week, the company says its operational restructuring is "substantially complete," but needs a little more time to develop a plan that has the backing of creditors both in the U-S and Canada.

A hearing is scheduled for May 26 in Delaware.

Hospital Services to be Discussed

Members of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions are meeting in Thunder Bay this week to discuss the impact of the Liberal government's plans to privatize hospital clinical services.

The move was first announced in last month's Throne speech.

President Michael Hurley says northern, rural and small community hospitals will be seriously threatened by the proposal.

About 200 representatives from 65 hospitals are expected to attend the meeting.

Victims of Crime Awareness Week

It is national victims of crime awareness week.

Peggy Loyie of the Rainy River District Victim Services Program says they'll be promoting the week by making people more aware of it and other services available to local residents.

"Like the Northwest Community Legal Clinic," says Loyie, "the Victim Witness Assistance Program. We have Community Policing in our area both within OPP and Treaty 3. We trying to promote and raise some awareness of other programs as well,"

An open house of its Scott Street office and a volunteer appreciation dinner will also be held.

J.W. Walker Prepares for Film Festival

J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances is preparing to host another environmental film festival.

Kassidy LeDrew, a grade 6 student, says there will be four films shown next week.

"The Primary one is called 'Varmits'," says LeDrew, "which is an animated video for young children. The junior one is 'Waste Equals Food' which is all about creating products that will eventually become food for the earth. The immediate students will be watching a film called 'Flow' which is about teh fight for fresh water all over the world."

Students will also be showing some of their own produced films, but unlike last year's festival there will be no public showings.

Festival Continues

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts continues today - this time with vocal performances.

They take place at Knox United Church with Sheila Ardies of Winnipeg adjudicating.

Friday, piano competitions wrapped up with Krista Emond, Lucas Koomans, Jared Bethune and Jilayne Derksen picking up separate wins.

Meteor Viewed in Fort Frances area

A rare meteor shower that streaked across the skies of central United States Wednesday night may have also witnessed by some residents in the Fort Frances area.

Brett Briere tells B-93 what he saw that night appeared to be very close to home.

"It looked like only a couple of feet in the area cause it was so far away at first," says Briere, "A green light, light a burning green fire. Then it started flying down and I started running up to my house because it looking like it was coming straight at me."

Briere says it appeared something had landed in the Ranier area, but authorities with the Koochiching County Sheriff's Office say they had no reports of anything unusual in the area.

The National Weather Service reports a meteor disintegrated as it reached the southwest area of Wisconsin, but caused no damage.

A video taken by a police officer in Iowa can be viewed through this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1vaRHF30xQ

New Mill Manager Named

AbitibiBowater has named a new manager for its Fort Frances mill.

Derrick Lindgren moves from the same position at AbitibiBowater's Iroquois Falls mill to assume the duties next week in Fort Frances.

He replaces John Harrison who joins the company's Operational Excellence Group, overseeing the its kraft operations.

Child Goes for a Stroll

A young toddler is back home safe after being found wandering on a Fort Frances street early yesterday morning.

OPP were called by a resident who awoke at about 4 a.m. and noticed a child, about two-and-a-half years old, standing alone on a road, dressed and wearing shoes.

After a canvass of the neighbourhood, police received a call about a missing child.

It was later determined the child had walked out of the family home while the parents were sleeping.

Play Study

Teachers at three public schools are looking at how play can improve young students ability to learn.

The Rainy River District School Board's Speech Pathologist Ann Anderson says it's a year-long research project involving some junior and senior kindergarten and grade one students, but teachers are already seeing results.

"There's greater opportunities to observe students strengths as independent learners and problem solvers," says Anderson. "They certainly are more engaged in the learning tasks and there's more peer interaction and learning from each other which they found very powerful and they always didn't see before."

Junior kindergarten students at Atikokan's North Star Community School, SK students at J-W Walker and a grade one class at Robert Moore are involved.

Planning is already underway to involve other primary classes next year.

College Deal

No money is exchanging hands in a new agreement between Confederation College and TBay Tel.

The utility is promising consulting services to the College.

College President Pat Lang says in exhange, TBay Tel utilizes tech students from the institution.

"They have a need for a skilled workforce both from a technology perspective and a business perspective," says Lang. "So this enables for us to meet there needs for human resources as they move forward."

TBay Tel CEO Don Campbell says it doesn't give the utility a leg up for any contracts

Reid Appointed

A former MPP for the Rainy River district has been appointed to the board of directors of yet another mining company.

Patrick Reid will serve as a director to American Lithium Minerals.

He is also sits on the board of three other mining firms.

Reid is a former president of the Ontario Mining Association and was Rainy River MPP between 1967 and 1984.

Festival Results Day 4

The fourth day of piano competitions at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts results in a pair of wins for two area participants.

Alexis Sharpe and Jordan Bruyere were the only multiple winners from yesterday, each recording top marks in two classes.

The final day of piano competitions are today at the Townsend Theatre and Knox United Church.

The festival continues next week with performances in vocal, drama and instrumental.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, PIANO DIVISION, Thursday, April 15, 2010

CLASS P050
First – (TIE) Myra Donaldson and Shakira Wapoose
Second – Yvonne McPherson
CLASS P102
First – (TIE) Alyssa Chiasson and Judy Wu
Second – Katelyn Bruyere
CLASS P107
First – Paris Belle-Faith Gauthier
CLASS P202
First – Arthur VanAel
Second – Justis Paul-Emile Gauthier
CLASS P303
First – Jordan Bruyere 1
Second – Kayla Stang
CLASS P306
First – Jordan Bruyere 2
CLASS P406
First – Jazmine Coral-Hope Gauthier
CLASS P1007
First – Christina Empey
CLASS P907
First – Ursula Chojko-Bolec
Second – Rachel Lipinski
CLASS P807
First – Alexis Sharp
Second – Shane Beck
CLASS P803
First – Alexis Sharp 2
Second – Caitlin Sande
CLASS P804
First – Caitlin Sande
CLASS P1301-A
First – Mika Kooistra
Second – (TIE) Sophie Carpenter and Katelyn Bruyere
CLASS P1301-B
First – Jenna Mack
Second – Katrina Petkau
CLASS P1302
First – James Blattner
Second – Nicholas Veldhuisen
CLASS P1303
First – Maxwell Williams
Second – Tianna Veldhuisen
CLASS P1701
First – MacKenzie Wright and Alyssa Chiasson
Second – Katelyn Bruyere and Jordan Bruyere
CLASS P1702
First – Alina Eldridge and Brianna Eldridge
Second – Katelyn Bruyere and Jordan Bruyere
CLASS P025
First – Lemuel Carradice
Second – Mika Kooistra
CLASS P021-A
First – Alexa Veldhuisen
Second – Brianna Eldridge
CLASS P021-B
First – (TIE) Lemuel Carradice and Jenna Mack
Second – (TIE) Connor Pocock, Katrina Petkau and Ryan Bodnar

New Party Proposed

There could be a new political party on the ballot in the next provincial election.

A petition is being distributed to help get the Northern Ontario Heritage Party off the ground.
Organizer Edward Deibel says it will lead to better policies reflecting northern needs.

"The main message that we want to send," says Diebel, "is this - a percentage, starting at 10 per cent, of our natural resources should be processed and manufactured to a finished end product in northern Ontario."

Deibel says part of the platform also includes placing levies on natural resources that leave the region to be used to help the regions education and health care programs.

NOACC Meets Today

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce will kick of their annual meeting in Sioux Lookout today.

Chief Operating Officer Harold Wilson says this year the featured speaker is federal Treasury Board President Stockwell Day.

"To be able to talk to him about the issues we have, how the federal government sees northern Ontario, its development, its opportunities, it's a great opportunity for the business community to hear first hand how the federal government can work with us," says Wilson.

The meeting runs until Saturday.

Another Hydro Increase Expected

The regulated price of electricity is expected to rise today in the first instalment of what will be a series of jumps in the price of power.

Homes without a fixed-priced deal now pay 5.8 cents a kilowatt hour for the first 600 hours they use in summer or one-thousand in winter.

Some estimate today's result in an extra five dollars a month on a typical household bill.

Spring Seatbelt Blitz

Police across Ontario have kicked off a spring seatbelt blitz.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says in addition to drivers and adults who fail to buckle up, police will be closely watching for children who are not safely secured inside a vehicle.

"That includes infant carriers, front-facing car seats," says McCoy. "and also to make sure that all children under the age of eight who do no fit a seatbelt properly are utilizing a booster seat. That's one of the most important things that we want to make sure that everyone who is wearing their seatbelt is fitted properly."

Child safety seat clinics have shown that 80 per cent of car seats are installed or used incorrectly.

Seatbelt tickets issued by a police officer have a set fine amount of $240, and upon conviction, drivers are assessed two demerit points against their licence.

Canada Day Lottery Back

Riverside Foundation for Health Care is back with its Canada Day Lottery.

Director Teresa Hazel says the prizes being offered remain unchanged.

"we're going with the exactly same as last year," says Hazel. "The grand prize is $10,000. There is a second prize of $2,000, $1,000. There are four $500 cash prizes and of course the early-bird draw is Campbell Cabin again has donated a fly-in fishing for two."

Tickets are available at all Riverside's Health Care Facilities, or by calling the Foundation office at 274-4803.

Festival Day 3 Results

Another successful day for young pianists at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

Lorianne Dueck, Moriah Carradice, Tianna Veldhuisen and Maxwell Williams each earned top marks in three performances.

Taylor Shouldice and Jared Bethune each earned high marks in two classes.

Piano competitions continue today at the Townsend Theatre and tonight at Knox United Church.

Here is a list of all winners from the third day of piano competitions.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, PIANO DIVISION, Wednesday, April 14, 2010

CLASS P601
First – Lorianne Dueck
Second – Raymond Polz
CLASS P501
First – Jared Bethune
CLASS P401
First – Moriah Carradice
Second – (TIE) Jazmine Coral-Hope Gauthier and Beth Layne Ward
CLASS P602
First – Lorianne Dueck
Second – (TIE) Kacie Veldhuisen and Lucas Koomans
CLASS P502
First – Jared Bethune
CLASS P402
First – Moriah Carradice
CLASS P1523
First – Kacia Veldhuisen
Second – Tiana Veldhuisen
CLASS P403
First – (TIE) Jilayne Derksen and Moriah Carradice
Second – Jazmine Coral-Hope Gauthier
CLASS P603
First – Lorianne Dueck
Second – (TIE) Kaitlyn Chiasson and Lucas Koomans
CLASS P307
First – Tianna Veldhuisen
CLASS P301
First – Tianna Veldhuisen
Second – Jordan Bruyere
CLASS P302
First – Tianna Veldhuisen
Second – (TIE) Kayla Stang and Jordan Bruyere
CLASS P1522
First – Emma Dykstra
Second – (TIE) Katelyn Bruyere and Alexa Veldhuisen
CLASS P031
First – Gareth Dunn
Second – (TIE) Taylor Shouldice, Nicholas Veldhuisen and Emma Dykstra
CLASS P041
First – Tessa Payne
Second – Wanetta Petkau
CLASS P034
First – Taylor Shouldice
Second – James Blattner
CLASS P044
First – Wanetta Petkau
CLASS P054
First – Maxwell Williams
CLASS P033
First – Caitlin Rittau
CLASS P035
First – Maxwell Williams
CLASS P042
First – Emma Keeler
CLASS P052
First – Maxwell Williams
CLASS P032
First – Taylor Shouldice
Second – Nicholas Veldhuisen

Ban Remains in Place

A ban on open fires within Rainy River district municipalities will remain in place for a little while longer.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says with minimal rain in the forecast and conditions to be windy and dry for the next few days, it's asked area municipalities to maintain their declared burning bans for now.

The ban has been in place since March 29 after area fire departments were called upon to deal with a rash of grass fires.

Phone Scam Warning

Bell Canada is warning residents of a possible scam effecting its customers.

It comes after an Ignace resident received a call from someone claiming to be with the company advising they would be sent a new cell phone if they provided their name, date of birth and Social Insurance Number.

The victim never received a new phone.

OPP remind residents never to give out personal information over the phone.

Hydro Rates Dropping in Atikokan

Atikokan Hydro customers will be paying less for power starting May 1.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved new electricity distribution rates that will see the delivery fees on customer's bills drop by 7-point-9 per cent.

Customers using 800 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month will pay $116.00.

Festival Results Day 2

The second day piano competitions at the Rainy River District Festival of the Arts resulted in just one multiple winner.

Ursula Chojko-Bolec picked up two first place finishes for her performances of Over the Rainbow and Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minor.

Competitions resume this afternoon at the Townsend Theatre and tonight at Knox United Church.

Here is a list of all winners from day 2 of the festival.

FESTIVAL RESULTS, PIANO DIVISION, Tuesday, April 13, 2010

CLASS P606
First – Kaitlyn Chiasson

Second – Sarah Bagacki
CLASS P706
First – Anika Alexander
Second – Audrey Chojko-Bolec
CLASS P806
First – Caitlin Sande
CLASS P906
First – (TIE) Cameo Harrison and Chelsea Carlson
CLASS P1004
First – Alicia Adair
Second – Christina Empey
CLASS P904
First – Ursula Chojko-Bolec
Second – Rachel Lipinski
CLASS P903
First – Ursula Chojko-Bolec
Second – Meagan Empey
CLASS P022
First – (TIE) Alina Eldridge and Alexa Veldhuisen
Second – Jenna Mack
CLASS P101
First – Caitlin Rittau
Second – Judy Wu
CLASS P103
First – Katelyn Bruyere
Second - (TIE) Alyssa Chiasson and Paris Bell-Faith Gauthier
CLASS P201
First – Justis Paul-Emile Gauthier
Second – Cara Josephine Sane
CLASS P203
First – Cara Josephine Sane
Second – Justis Paul-Emile Gauthier

CLASS P207
First – Alice Ash Johnston
Second – Cara Josephine Sane

Quest Returns to Bass Championship

(Left: B-93's Randy Thoms and Christa Pare hosting 2009 Quest for the Best)


Quest for the Best will again be a part of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

The popular singing contest moved last year to the end of June, but was met with a less than expected audience.

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce manager Anthony Mason says they're again hoping to capitalize on the Bass tournament's popularity.

"Everybody knows about the Bass tournament," says Mason. "They already have the people coming. As long as we put on a good event, then people will show up."

Mason says planning for Quest will happen following this year's Home and Leisure Show.

Search for Local Business Opportunities

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation is looking for local opportunities in Minnesota's Iron Range area.

Client Manager Manager Geoff Gillon says they're working with the Northern Networks Trade Conference on how to benefit from the expansion of the mining industry in that area.

"SR Steel is going to spend about $4 billion," says Gillon, "but the total expenditure in the Iron Range between now and 2014 is somewhere around $6.5 billion. That's basically at our door step as far as the business community is concerned and we need to know more about how to access opportunities down there."

Gillon says they're also looking at opportunities in the Greater Toronto area.

Burning Ban Decision Today

A lifting of the ban on open-air burning within Rainy River district municipalities could come as early as today.

Area municipal fire departments jointly imposed the ban at the end of March in response to an outbreak of several grass fires within their communities.

The MNR is to access the fire hazard today to determine if the ban is still needed.

New Role for Native Leader

The province has appointed former Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage to help it address the needs of aboriginal children and youth.

Beaucage will give the province advice on aboriginal child welfare issues for one year.

He'll also help with discussions between the government and First Nations leaders.

Community Garden Planned

The town of Rainy River is starting a community garden.

Andrew Hartnell says they're working with the Northwestern Health Unit in getting the garden started.

"We've just started this last year," says Hartnell. "We built our shed and got the garden going and it will be in full swing this summer."

Hartnell says prospective gardeners can contact the Health Unit in Rainy River to participate.

It will be set up on land near Riverview School.

A similar project is planned in Fort Frances in the town's north end.

New Chaplain

There will be new Chaplain at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

Reverend Wayne McIntosh replaces the Fort Frances home's long-time Chaplain John Chornoby.

McIntosh is Pastor at St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Frances.

Film in Festival

A Fort Frances independent film producer is taking his latest production on the film festival circuit.

Andrew George's "A Good Indian" looks at the issue of racism, and he's now entered it in an on-line festival.

"It's on Babelgum," says George. "Babelgum Film Festival was started a few years ago by Spike Lee. It's been pretty popular so I uploaded it there and it's been doing well. It's been in the top ten of views for the past week. Go check it out and rate it. The rating is really the big thing."

George says he's hoping to take the 8-minute film to more traditional festivals in the future.

To watch this video go to: http://www.babelgum.com/5000616/good-indian.html

Highway Expansion Plans Announced

The province has announced its planned for a partial twinning the Trans Canada highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says work will start this year on the first phase of twinning the highway.

Once all phases are complete, a continuous 33-kilometre four-lane divided highway heading east out of Thunder Bay, costing one-billion dollars, will be in place.

Motorboat Fines

Four American residents have been fined a total of $1,000 for using a motorboat in Quetico Provincial Park.

The men were charged last May after MNR Conservation officers came across them leaving the park with their boat and motor in tow.

Motorboats are not permitted in Quetico, except in the Lac La Croix and Beaverhouse area.

Atikokan Museum Grant

Some provincial support for the Atikokan Centennial Museum.

The museum will use just over 17-thousand dollars towards its operations.

The money is through a government program that provides annual funding to museums to support Ontario’s heritage.

FITS Committee Seeks Help

(Left: Scott Turvey addressing town council for help with this year's Canada Day events)

A volunteer committee tasked with organizing Fun in the Sun and Canada Day Celebrations in Fort Frances is seeking some help from the town.

It's asking for ten thousand dollars for the fireworks display.

Committee member Scott Turvey says they can no longer do it by themselves.

"We struggle with a lack a lack of resources, lack of funding, lack of untapped fundraising ideas, lack of members, and a lack of new, fresh ideas and people to make that happen," says Turvey. "We have seriously contemplated folding for at least the last five years, if not more, and 2010 is no exception."

Turvey says much of its revenue in the past has come from fundraising and government grants, but that grant it has receive isn't known until the last minute.

Pay Hike Reviewed

A planned pay hike for members of Fort Frances council is going to get another look.

Mayor Roy Avis asked for the review in light of recent comments made by Premier Dalton McGuinty.

"The recommendation from the government is that our union employees have to take a hard look at maybe a two-year wage freeze at the end of their existing contracts," says Avis. "With that I'd like to see council recommend that it goes to the administration and finance committee for a review."

The increase in councillor salaries is schedule to take effect following this fall's municipal elections.

Bigger Legislature?

There could be another 18 members added to the Ontario legislature to match planned additions to the House of Commons.

Premier Dalton McGuinty says if the federal government moves ahead with 30 new Members of Parliament, he'll have to consider a similar move in Ontario.

NDP's Andrea Horwath says some of those new seats should be set up in northern Ontario.

More Fire Activity

A forest fire near Atikokan was among eight new fires that sprung up across the Ministry of Natural Resources West Fire region over the weekend.

The fire is classed as under control after burning about seven hectares.

The hazard in the Rainy River district is listed as moderate.

Volunteer Fair Planned

Organizations looking to attract new members are being invited to participate in a volunteer fair planned by the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau.

Karen Mitchell says the April 26 event at the Fort Frances High School is aimed at showcasing local groups to area high school students.

"Anybody that needs volunteers for anything can set up a booth, their pamphlets and a sign-up sheet," says Mitchell. "There's a lot of students calling (the Bureau) for volunteer works for their hours at school and they're not getting any because they can't find anywhere to volunteer. You need 40 hours to graduate so this will help them too."

Organizations or groups interested are being asked to call the Volunteer Bureau before April 23.

Money Received

After learning last month they'd won a million dollars, ten employees with North Air Taxi in Fort Frances have now received their money.

The win was from an Encore draw from last year.

Company owner Paul Bock says the workers are using the money in a variety of ways.

"One lady gave it to her three children and kept $25-thousand for herself," says Bock. "Somebody else gave it to their grand kids for school. One fellow is buying a new truck and doing some home renovations. Another used it to pay off their all their debts and says its the first time they've been out of debt in 37 years."

Despite having a little extra spending money, all of the employees are still working.

Festival Results Day 1

The opening day of the Rainy River District Festival of the Arts brought three multiple winners in piano.

Abigail Lucke earned three first place finishes.

Anika Alexander also earned three firsts, one in a duet with Sara Bagacki.

Alexis Sharpe was a double winner.

Piano performances continue today the Townsend Theatre and tonight at Knox United

Church.FESTIVAL RESULTS, PIANO DIVISION, Monday, April 12, 2010

CLASS P1001

First – Christina Empey

CLASS P901

First – Meagan Empey
Second – Ursula Chojko-Bolec

CLASS P801
First – Alexis Sharp

CLASS P802
First – Alexis Sharp
Second – Caitlin Sande

CLASS P902
First – Ursula Chojko-Bolec
Second – Meagan Empey

CLASS P1703
First – Sara Bagacki and Anika Alexander
Second – Caitlin Hogan and Katilyn Chiasson

CLASS P1704
First – Chelsea Carlson and Rachel Lipinski
Second – (TIE) Cameo Harrison and Shane Beck tied with Meagan Empey and Christina Empey

CLASS P701
First – Anika Alexander
Second – Courtney Bethune

CLASS P702
First – Anika Alexander
Second – Katelyn Shortreed

CLASS P707
First – Audrey Chojko-Bolex
Second – Anika Alexander

CLASS P1404
First – Krista Emond

CLASS P1403
First – Raymond Polz

CLASS P001
First – Tori Anne Toriseva
Second – (TIE) Cassidy Martin and Jenaya DeBenetti

CLASS P011
First – Abigail Lucke
Second – (TIE) Naomi Carradice and Andrew Loney

CLASS P012
First – Naomi Carradice
Second – Abigail Lucke

CLASS P015
First – Abigail Lucke
Second – Naomi Carradice

CLASS P013
First – (TIE) Gemma Friesen and Sara Gamache

CLASS P023
First – Lemuel Carradice
Second – (TIE) Jenna Mack and Mika Kooistra

CLASS P014
First – Abigail Lucke
Second – Madison Krikke

CLASS P024
First – Macy Anderson
Second – (TIE) Jacob Gustafson, Conner Pocock and Jillian Armstrong