Kids Care Club Recognized

The work of a new club at Crossroads School in Devlin has been recognized by the Rainy River District School Board.

Formed last September, the Crossroads Kids Care Club has been involved in projects such as collecting food for local food banks and raising money for Haitian earthquake relief.

Principal Gord McCabe says its the students who make the club a success.

"What they have done is what really gives us faith in our young people," says McCabe. "When the teachers said they wanted to start a club, it's nothing without the students. The student response has been exemplary."

Interest by students forced the school to form both a junior and senior club.

Straw-Vote Early Leaders

Two Democrats and a Republican are establishing themselves as the candidates to beat for party backing in the Minnesota governor's race.

Tuesday's caucuses were stage one for the party endorsement process.

Marty Seifert attracted more than 50 percent of the vote in a GOP straw poll.

The nonbinding poll results for Democrats favoured Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and state House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher.

Party supporters in Koochiching County threw their most of the support behind House Representative from the Mesabi Range Tom Rukavina.

Anti-HST Crusade Continues

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he's still committed to killing the harmonizing of the Ontario's provincial sales tax with the federal goods and sales tax.

Rafferty has been crisscrossing the province on an anti-HST crusade and is still hoping to stop a federal payment of 4-point-3 billion dollars to Ontario.

"It is not a done deal," insists Rafferty. "It still requires another vote in the House of Commons and approval by Senate. I'm not sure how Harper is going to bring this final vote forward. It may be hidden in the budget on the fourth of March. If it is my chances are not good."

Rafferty says people's he's talked to are worried about the additional costs they'll be forced to pay when HST comes into effect in July.

Meantime, municipal leaders from the Rainy River District are adding their voice to a growing list of those concerned with the new HST.

A resolution asking the province to reconsider implementing the harmonized sales tax was passed by delegates attending the weekend meeting of the Rainy River District Municipal Association.

The association will now seek further support when municipal leaders from across the northwest gather for the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association meeting in May.

Fort Budget Talks Continue

Fort Frances town councillors will resume their budget discussions today.

Focus will be on the operations and facilities capital budget and proposed new water and sewer rates.

The meeting at the Civic Centre begins at 4 p.m.

Rainycrest Restrictions

Further visitor restrictions are being imposed at Rainycrest Long Term Care in Fort Frances.

The restrictions have been in place since January 12 due to increases cases of gastroenteritis.

Officials says they're now limiting visitations to just one family member and no children under the age of 18 and to only the residents room.

The public is also being asked to stay away if they experience symptoms such as coughing, fever, nausea or diarrhea.

Officer to Receive Bravery Award

An officer with the Fort Frances detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police will finally receive his medal of bravery tomorrow.

Constable Dan Bailey will receive the medal at a ceremony in Ottawa from Governor-General Michael Jean.

Bailey was cited for the medal back in December 2008 for his August 2006 actions while off duty in which he rescued two woman from an overturned, burning vehicle in Elgin, Ontario.

Mine Centre Construction Costs

The Rainy River District School Board says it will proceed with caution on plans to replace its school in Mine Centre.

Construction estimates have come in at about $1.7 million more than the $4.8 million being provided by the Ministry of Education.

Education Director Jack McMaster says the board is in talks with Ministry staff on the costs, but is committed to replacing the school.