Multi-Unit Building Opposed

Plans to construct a multi-unit residential complex in Fort Frances' north end is facing some opposition.

The Fort Frances Native Urban Wahkaihganun Corporation proposes a 10-unit complex on Eighth Street at York Avenue.

But resident Herman Pruys says building close to AbitibiBowater's lagoon should be cause of concern.

"We have had a few environmental issues including odour problems and foam blowing off the surfaces of the pond over the years," says Pruys. "An upset in the mill process can create a problem at any time."

Pruys says if it needs to be constructed, the complex should go on Webster Avenue where other multi-unit complexes exist.

Council Salaries Increasing

Fort Frances town councillors will earn their first pay increase in seven year this December.

Councillors voted last night to rescind a 2-year delay on increases approved earlier this year.

Andrew Hallikas was the only councillor to oppose the move.

"I think this council is under paid and there should be a raise," says Hallikas, "but since our rational was good originally, to me our rational is still good. I don't think anything has changed."

Council delayed the increases in April after the Premier asked municipalities to hold the line on wage increases due to the economy.

Falls Candidates Debate

Some of the candidates campaigning in the International Falls area in this November's elections had a chance to outline their platforms last night.

About 20 of the 35 candidates participated at a public forum at Rainy River Community College.

Taxes, relations between International Falls and Koochiching County, and economic development were among issues arising from the meeting.

Emo Candidates Forum Tonight

Candidates seeking election this month's municipal elections in Emo will share their visions for the community at a public forum tonight at the Emo Legion.

The moderated forum is sponsored by the Emo Chamber of Commerce and begins at 6:30 p.m.

Advanced Polls Open in Atikokan

The first of two advanced polls for this month's municipal elections in Atikokan takes place today.

The poll at the Atikokan Municipal office goes from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Another advanced poll will take place Saturday.

Fort Frances Man in Car Commercial

A Fort Frances man is hoping his appearance in a recent Mazda commercial will help advance his career.

Roy Tighe appears in the commercial that has been airing since August.

Speaking from Los Angeles, Tighe says he was supposed to be in a different car ad.

"The first commercial I booked was with Mercedes," says Tighe. "Four hours before we filmed it they replaced me. I just kept going to auditions and all of a sudden I got an audition for this one."

Tighe says he's using the money to fund a documentary about comedian Richard Lett he's hoping to debut at film festivals next year.

Multi-Unit Complex Proposed

Residents in Fort Frances will get an opportunity to comment on an native organization's plans to construct a 10-unit residential complex in Fort Frances' north end.

Fort Frances Native Urban Wahkaihganun Corporation is proposing the building on Eight Street at York Avenue and is seeking a zoning-by-law amendment to permit construction.

A public meeting on the amendment is to be held as part of Tuesday tonight's town council meeting.

Fire Chief Hiring

Rainy River town council will sit down Tuesday tonight to discuss the hiring of a fire chief that could over see two other area fire departments.

Rainy River, along with Dawson and Lake of the Woods townships have been examining the idea of a joint fire department to help them deal with provincial regulations and guidelines.

Municipalities agreed to advertise for the position back in June.

Man Arrested in Drug Store Break-ins

A 22-year-old man faces several charges following a pair of break-ins at the Emo Drug Store.

Michael Cochrane of Mitannjigaming First Nation was arrested last week after OPP responded to an alarm at the store to find the front door broken and several different types of prescription drugs had been taken.

Further investigation revealed Cochrane has also been involved in a break-in at same drug store back in August.

Symposium Spots Still Open

Only a few spots are open for an Ontario Provincial Police symposium for women interested in a career in policing.

It happens this Saturday at the Fort France Library and Technology Centre.

To register, call the Fort Frances detachment at 274-3322

Fill the Food Banks

Shaw Communications, Campbell Canada and Canada Safeway are working to "Fill the Food Banks" this fall.

It's part of an campaign that aims to collect a million pounds of food for food banks across Canada by November 15.

In Fort Frances, drop-off bins have been set up at Shaw's retail outlet, the Fort Frances Public Library, The Place, Family and Children Services Rainy River and Robert Moore School.

Lobby Scandal at Queen's Park

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is doubting the sincerity of the McGuinty Government over its attempts to crack down on the use of public money for lobbyists.

Hampton says the most recent information his party has received shows that former lobbyists are now part of the Liberal government.

"I think people would be shocked to learn that some of the health care budget is actually being spent on insider lobbyists who worked inside the Premier's office," says Hampton. "That money should be going to health care."

Hampton believes the message government has been sending out is - to get access to cabinet ministers, you need to hire a lobbyist.

Pay Raise Discussed

Fort Frances town councillors may reconsider a freeze on their pay, agreed to back in April.

Councillors are to discuss the issue during their meeting Tuesday tonight.

They initially approved an increase, the first in seven years, effective this December, but later delayed it for two years in response to Premier Dalton McGuinty's request that municipalities follow the province's lead in holding the line on salaries.

But Mayor Roy Avis notes the province hasn't even followed their own wage increase guidelines

Councillors had also hoped they've move would lead to town workers agreeing to a wage freeze during this year's contract negotiations.

Fort Frances Airport Discussed

Another community in the Rainy River district will debate the merits of contributing to the Fort Frances Municipal Airport.

Rainy River town councillors will discuss a motion Monday night that could see the town participating in a review of a governance and operations policy toward turning the airport into a regional one.

Fort Frances first floated the idea in September.

Atikokan, which operates its own airport, does not support the proposal.

New Forest Fires Reported

Recent warm weather, and human carelessness, lead to eight new forest fires popping up across northwestern Ontario last week.

Two were in the Rainy River district.

One small fire near Pipestone Lake was extinguished by Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews.

Another, on the west boundary of Quetico Provincial Park, was being allowed to burn out.

Five of the eight fires were human caused.

Promotions Group Expands

A entertainment promotions company with roots in Fort Frances is reorganizing.

Owner of Wildfire Music, Adam Armit, says a change in direction led to him to form a new company called Go Live Entertainment.

"We started as a d-j service in 2003," says Armit. "We've grown to have music promotions and a talent agency which turned out to be my favourite part of the company. We've decided in order to grow the company in the way it was headed we needed to re-brand and basically start a new company with a new corporate structure."

Armit says the new company will allow him to bring music acts to communities across the province as well as to Fort Frances.

Fort Frances Doc Retires

Community members and medical professionals gathered to bid Doctor Angus MacIntosh best wishes on his retirement Friday.

MacIntosh ends 39 years of medical practice in Fort Frances.

In his speech to the crowd, MacIntosh thanked all those he'd worked with and patients he helped.

"I've enjoyed the work," says MacIntosh. "I think obstetrics is the most emotional rewarding of the specialties and I've derived a great deal of pleasure and emotional reward from it."

It estimated Dr. Mac delivered more than ten-thousand babies during his career.