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.