New Attorney for I. Falls

(New City Attorney Steven Shermoen with International Falls Mayor Shawn Mason)


The city of International Falls has a new attorney.

Local lawyer Steven Shermoen takes over from Joe Boyle who will retire at the end of this month.

First Nations Leader Coming to Fort Frances

A British Columbia First Nations leader, who's been identified as one of the "Top Fifty Canadian to Watch" by MacLeans Magazine is coming to Fort Frances.

Chief Clarence Louie of Osoyoos will be a keynote speaker at the Northern Networks Trade Conference hosted by the town in September.

Since 1985, Louie's leadership has helped his band become a multi-faceted corporation that owns nine businesses employing hundreds of people.

Bass Tournament Nearing

Organizers of this year's Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship are making a final push for more anglers, sponsors, volunteers and spectators.

The event will be held for the first time indoors at the Memorial Sports Centre in less than two weeks.

Chair Tom Fry says the need for volunteers is just a critical.

"There still some things happening at the Sorting Gap Marina," says Fry. "That's where the boats will be coming out and going in. All that stuff that took place before is still going to be happening but now we have to get them over to the arena and inside. It's split venue that's going to require a few more volunteers."

Fry says there's also room for more angler teams.

Those interested can register by visiting the Championship office at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce building or by calling 274-0316.

Rain Hurting Crop Research

The weather has not been a friend to the Emo Agricultural Research Station this year.

More than 90 mm or 3.5 inches of rain has been record in early parts of July already.

Research technician Kim Jo Bliss says rainfalls this summer are having a huge impact on their
ability to conduct research.

"Our crops are showing signs of stress, turning yellow and falling down, or lodging, because of the heavy rains," says Bliss. "We're late getting our forages, our hay and pasture crops off the ground and we're still trying to plant stuff."

Bliss says the area has tile drainage, but its been unable to cope with the amount water received.

She says the full impact of the excess water won't be known until they begin collecting data later in the year.

West June

The month of June turned out to be a wet month in the Borderland.

Climatologist Sandy Radecki says the 156 millimetres of rain that fell far exceeded normal levels.

"Typically you only get about 113 mm," says Radecki. "It came in the early part of the month. The latter part of the month was fairly dry. The first part of the month is seemed as if it was rainy every other day."

In fact, the weather station at the Fort Frances airport recorded rain on 21 of 30 days last month.

The average temperature for the month was 15 C, a degree lower than normal.

Caul Bridge Work Clarified

One lane of traffic will be kept open when work crews are on site at Caul Bridge on McIrvine Road in Fort Frances this summer.

Officials with the town and White Contracting confirmed the work schedule yesterday.

Northbound traffic will be required to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.

Crews will not be on site on weekends allowing for both lanes to open.

The rehabilitation of the bridge is expected to complete by August 20.

Ball Fields Renamed

(One of two fields at Kerry Park to be renamed)


The city of International Falls is renaming two of its ball fields after two prominent figures in the city's sports community.

The fields at Kerry Park will be renamed in honour of Roger Jerome and Roger Bolstad.

Both men died earlier this year.

Jerome was active in many sports organizations, including the men's slow-pitch league.

Bolstad was prominent figure with the city's fastball teams.

A dedication ceremony is to be held at a later date.

Weststar Aquires Land

Another mining company is about to move into the Rainy River district.

Vancouver based Weststar Resources is paying out $175-thousand and 3-million in shares to acquire claims located north of Rainy River Resources' gold project in Richardson township.

The company has started the process towards further exploration.

Beardy Chats with Queen

The Grand Chief of the Nishbawbe Aski Nation is feeling good after his meeting with the Queen.

Stan Beardy met with her majesty prior to her departure from Toronto yesterday.

He says it was important she met with him because it means she respects First Nation's treaty rights.