Doer to Visit the Borderland

Canada's Ambassador to the United States will be making a visit to the borderland next week.

Gary Doer will be in International Falls August 20 to talk to area representatives about cross border trade between the two countries.

Doer became Ambassador to the U.S. last October after serving as Manitoba's premier for ten years.

His visit is being hosted by AbitibiBowater and Boise Paper.

Tug of War Proposal to Get Review

(Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty and Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis were among those leading the charge in the 2009 tug of war against International Falls)


Fort Frances town council will seek the advice of its economic development advisory committee on an expanded tug-of-war celebrations with the city of International Falls.

Falls city administrator Rod Otterness is suggesting the two sister communities work toward making the annual tug-of-war an international festival inviting celebrities and major media.

The Fort's C.A.O. Mark McCaig says it deserves a look.

"When you think about it, two communities across a river pulling a rope is a pretty unique event," says McCaig. "I don't think its ever been marketed to the extent it could. The potential is limitless."

Councillor Ken Perry says it may a good way of propping up Fun in the Sun in Fort Frances

New Sign Rules Given Blessing

Fort Frances town council has given its approval to new rules effecting portable signs in the community.

It includes a 180-day limit on the use of the signs by users.

Mark Belluz, of Belluz Concrete and Rental, had requested a 10-month timeframe back in June, suggesting the six-month limit was too short.

Minnesota Primary Election Today

Minnesotans vote in primary elections today in a lead up to the November 2 general election.

One of the candidates coming out of the election will be Minnesota's next governor.

Today's elections will also narrow the field of candidates seeking the position of commissioner in Koochiching County's District 4.

Tara Long, Robert Ecklund and Bob Anderson are vying for the seat now held by Chuck Lepper who's not seeing re-election.

New Chamber President in Falls

The International Falls Chamber of Commerce has appointed a new president.

Faye Whitbeck will take over the role August 18.

She joins the Chamber following a 20-year career with the Falls newspaper, the Journal.

Greyhound Service in Jeopardy

Travel plans of thousands of Greyhound Canada passengers could stall in 48 hours.

The bus line says it will lock out almost 500 drivers as well as maintenance and terminal workers first thing Thursday morning if there's no tentative contract by then.

That would affect almost all Greyhound service in Ontario and Quebec.

Art Giving Voice to Missing or Murdered Women

A workshop that aims to give a voice to hundreds of missing or murdered aboriginal woman through art is underway at the Sunset Country Metis Hall in Fort Frances.

Serene Spence of Beedaubin Resources of Thunder Bay says participants are be involved in a variety of art projects including the painting of a large mural.

"All of the art work will be brought back to the community," says Spence, "and a community symposium that will be held in October. It will on display for all of the policy makers, justices, police and others to view and create dialogue about the subject.

The event began yesterday and runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day until Thursday.

OPP Camp Underwaty

Thirty youngsters from across northwestern Ontario have gathered with Provincial Police at a camp near Kenora this week.

Constable Anne McCoy is with them and says part of a new expanded junior constable camp.

"We're going to do team building exercises," says McCoy, "self-esteem exercises and taking them on the M.S. Kenora for an afternoon. We're treating them to experiences they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy."

McCoy says seven of the young campers are from the Rainy River district and were involved in OPP Dare Programs run at area schools.