Leon's to Set up in Fort Frances

National furniture chain Leon's is coming to Fort Frances.

Few details are being released at this time, but the company is confirming it's recently signed a new franchise agreement in Fort Frances with the store to open later this fall.

Calls to Leon's head office in Toronto were not immediately returned.

Racing for Riverside

A local racer will be trying to put Riverside Health Care Facilities Palliative Care room into the winner's circle this weekend.

Jamie Davis is collecting pledges, and plans donate a share of his earnings from this weekend's race's at Emo Speedway to the unit.

Davis says it's something he's considered for some time.

"I though we should race money for cancer or some good cause," says Davis. "I was in at the hospital visiting with my girlfriend's aunt, a nurse there, and took us up to the palliative care room and it just kind of snowballed from there.

Davis has pledge forms around the district for those wanting to support his efforts.

He'll also unveil a new car with Riverside's logo that he'll race the rest of this season at race tracks here at home and in the United States.

Union Seeks Moratorium on School Testing

The elementary school teachers union wants the Education Ministry to stop standardized testing for two years to allow for public consultation.

The tests are given to students in Grades Three and Six and focus on testing literacy and math skills.

The union says the tests rob students of other subjects, such as history, social studies and the arts.

But Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky is rejecting the demand saying the tests are useful. And she points out the testing is done twice in elementary schools.

Education advocates are also questioning the value of the standardized testing.

Rescue on Rainy Lake

A total of ten people had to be rescued after strong winds capsized three boats on Rainy Lake Sunday.

It happened shortly after the trio left their Voyageur's National Park campsite near Brule Narrows.

Park Rangers, Department of Natural Resources officials and Rainy Lake Houseboats were
involved in the rescue of the boaters, aged 9 to 70.

All were wearing life jackets, but one person had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Falls Budget Work Underway

The work toward a budget for the city of International Falls is underway.

The city must bring forward a levy rate by September 15.

Finance Committee chair Councillor Cynthia Jaksa says they met with the city's department heads last week.

Jaksa says the city is expecting $4-million in local government aid for 2011, but still wants to ensure costs remain flat.

Skate Park Security Examined

The city of International Falls is looking to put a halt to vandalism at its skate park.

City administrator Rod Otterness says there have been some minor incidents, such as tipped over garbage cans, he believes is being caused by a select few.

He says the city is looking at rearranging the summer schedule so it has a stronger staff presence at the Kerry Park site.

New lighting is also being installed with that work expected to be complete next week.

More Candidate Filings

Two more nominations have come in for this October's municipal election in the Rainy River district.

Gayle Green is running for councillor in Atikokan.

She ran unsuccessfully in the 2006 election.

Peter Spuzak has filed for re-election as councillor in the township of Alberton.

Contestants Needed

(Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair photo)


Contestants are still being sought for the mini-Queen and King contest at this year's Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair in Emo.

Youngsters four to seven and attending school this fall are eligible.

The contest will be held during the selection of the Fair Queen Thursday night.

Call Mary Croswell at 487-1105 to register.

Fifth Street Road Closure

Fifth Street West in Fort Frances will be restricted to local traffic over the next couple of days.

Town officials says they're continuing work to prepare for an upcoming surface treatment.

The road will be closed between Portage Avenue to Wright Avenue from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both today and tomorrow.

Fire Fighters Returning Home

(Ministry of Natural Resources Photo)


Some of Ontario fire fighting resources in British Columbia are coming home.

A total of 168 Ministry of Natural Resources fire rangers and support personnel are scheduled back today following a two-week deployment in the west coast.

Sunday, the province sent 206 personnel, including some from northwestern Ontario, to replace those returning.

Ultimate Fishing Town Voting Begins

The second round of the World Fishing Network's Ultimate Fishing Town competition starts today.

Nestor Falls finished the nomination period with 142 submissions, second only to Seeley's Bay, Ontario.

Fort Frances had 17 with Atikokan coming in with two.

Voting on the nominated communities starts at noon today and will wrap up September 28.

Arrest at Grand Portage Border

A Washington man wanted in connection with an alleged robbery in his home state has been arrested trying to enter northwestern Ontario.

27-year-old Daniel Pierre was trying to enter the region last Monday through the Grand Portage Port of Entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested after a check of his identification revealed he was the subject of a National Crime Information Centre warrant.

It's the fortieth arrest at Grand Portage port of entry this year.

Ontario Sends More Aid to B.C.

Ministry of Natural Resources forest firefighters working in British Columbia will get some relief.

Over two-hundred fireRangers and support staff left from Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Dryden Sunday for Williams Lake and Prince George.

They will replacing some of the MNR crews who have been working in B.C. for the past two weeks.

Ontario now has almost five-hundred forest fire fighting personnel in west coast.