Rainy River Resources Seek Key Permits

Rainy River Resources is hoping for some key permits that advances its exploration program north of Barwick.

Kyle Stanfield, Director of Environment and Sustainability, says the company is in a position to submit its applications very soon.

"We anticipate to submit what is called a closure plan to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry by the end of the year," says Stanfield, "and we'll have our permits in place by early 2011. Then we'll be kick starting to go underground to really have a closure look at those rocks and understand the resource better and prove it up."

Stanfield doesn't anticipate any difficulty in securing those permits.

The company has also opened a new office in Emo that will allow resident to get more information about its exploration activities and submit resumes for jobs when they come open.

User Fees Examined

Fort Frances town councillors gave some thoughts on what user fees may look like in 2011.

No final figures were discussed at a meeting yesterday, but Mayor Roy Avis says he doesn't want to see any increase to be significant.

"I think with the HST coming in this year which has been a shell shock for alot of people on the fees that they're pay," says Avis, "the overall cost to live in this community and with the uncertainties with what's happening, I think we should look at a cost of living adjustment."

Other councillors want to see any increase have more emphasis on non-resident fees.

Councillors will take a more detailed look at the fees in the coming weeks.

New Instruments for Fort Music Department

Fort Frances High School is getting some new instruments for its music department.

The school was the recipient of a $10-thousand Band-Aid grant from MusiCounts, a music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Music Director Lisa Loney says the grant was a welcomed surprise.

"I have to say we were very surprised," says Loney, "just because it's a very difficult grant to get and there's a lot of steps you have to go through to get it. We did all the right things and I guess if you do all the right things, good things can come your way.

Loney says hope to take delivery of the seven new instruments in time for use at a concert in December.

Fugutive Arrested

A fugitive with Hell's Angels connections is now in custody in Thunder Bay.

46-year-old Paul Douglas Gallagher was wanted on a Canada wide warrant for parole violation.

RCMP say Gallagher had been in the city for several days before arrested Wednesday without incident.

New Aircraft for Wasaya

Wasaya Airlines is expanding.

The Thunder Bay-based First Nations owned company has added a Bombardier Dash 8 to it's fleet.

The new aircraft will be used to fly Goldcorp workers to it's Musselwhite mine site.

Operation Christmas Child Underway

Residents across the Rainy River district are being asked once again to collect items for children in under-developed countries.

Local coordinator Della McQuaker says Operation Christmas Child is now underway.

"Operation Christmas Child is where we have the opportunity to fill up shoe boxes or any other type of box or pack sacks," says McQuaker, "with gifts, toys, hygiene products, school items that we can give to children aboard that are being serviced through Samaritan's Purse."

Boxes can now be picked up at Bethel Bapist Church, Northland Basics and The Bargain Store in Fort Frances, Tompkins Hardware and Calvary Baptist Church in Emo and Trinity Lutheran in Bergland.

The box must be returned during the week of November 14.

Fall Fire Safety Event

(Safe Communities Rainy River photo)

Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service will close out Fire Prevention Week with its annual Fall Fire Safety Event at Canadian Tire.

Fire Safety Specialist Wayne Riches says tomorrow's event goes from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

"We've got lots of giveaways for the kids," says Riches. "We've got some draws for some really good prizes. We've got a lot of our staff there, both volunteer and full-time, with a few different fire trucks. We'll be able to answer any questions that the kids or adults may have so a little something for everyone."

Riches says it will also a good time to check your smoke alarms to ensure they're working properly.