Old Gold Mine Explored

(Shotgun Exploration photo)

A former gold mine in the Rainy River district may be getting some new life.

Mineral Mountain Resources says its started preliminary exploration of the Straw Lake Beach Gold Mine, located about 50 kilometres north of Fort Frances.

The work comes as the Vancouver-based mining company received regulatory approval to earn 75-per cent of the property now owned by Shotgun Exploration, a private company from Atikokan.

The mine operated briefly during the 1930's before closing in 1941 due to a lack of adequate power and start of World War 2.

Bass Tournament Meeting Tonight

The fate of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship could be on the line tonight.

Tournament organizers are holding an information meeting at the Memorial Sports Centre to help fill vacancies on their board, including the position of chair.

Officials have said unless someone takes over that role, the tournament won't continue.

The meeting begins at the Sportplex Board room at 6:30 p.m.

AbitibiBowater Reorganization Plan in Court

AbitibiBowater's quest to restructure is winding down, with a U.S. Bankruptcy Court set to hear oral arguments on the newsprint giant's reorganization plan on November 5.

The hearing will take place about six weeks after opponents began to mount an effort in court to challenge the plan of reorganization.

Among the concerns is a six-million dollar bonus plan for company executives.

Chili Cook-Off Helps Food Banks

Area food banks were the big winners at the yesterday's Great Canadian Chili Cook-off put on by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

Residents who taste tested the various chili recipes brought several pounds of food while Link-Line donated $5,000 to local food banks.

Chamber president Cathy Emes says those contributions are important.

"There's members of our community that are less fortunate than those of us that have time to do these kind of community projects," says Emes, "and we want to show the people of Fort Frances that the Chamber and many of our corporate sponsors have them in our heart."

CIBC was voted by the public as having the best chili while the Fort Frances Public Library was the judge's choice.

Hampton Running Again

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is confirming his intentions to run again in the next provincial election.

That election is still a year away, but Hampton says he's already started his campaign.

Hampton has been the area's MPP since 1987.

Rainy River Cereal Introduced to Toronto area

Residents of southern Ontario will soon get a taste of Rainy River Cereal.

The unique wild rice cereal, being made by the company at Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, will be on display at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

President Drew Atwell says it's an important fair to be at.

"We're going to meet distributors," says Atwell. "We're going to meet potential partners. We're going to meet industry experts. We're going to get a lot of good feedback on our product which has been excellent so far."

Atwell says success at the fair will help determine how quickly they can get product out to a wider market.

The company is also in the process of entering into a partnership with Shoal Lake Wild Rice out of Kenora that would give it a long-term supply of wild rice.

Ambassador for Safety Awards

A municipal councillor and an area organization have been recognized for their contributions to improving safety in the Rainy River district.

Freeda Carmody, a councillor from LaVallee township, was honoured with an Ambassador for Safety award by Safe Communities Canada for her work to maintain to district-wide municipal support for Safe Communities Rainy River.

"If we don't continue participating and everyone do their part, we won't be able to continue with the safety in our district," says Carmody. "That's very, very important that we have the funding."

The Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention team has also been rewarded for its work by Safe Communities Canada.

Coordinator Hugh Dennis says it recognizes a recent photo-voice project.

"We're using the videos produced by the teenagers to show the younger students in elementary school," says Dennis, "so that the younger kids that the older youth have made decisions that are wise and avoided the trap of substance abuse."

Fort Frances Man Honoured

A Fort Frances man has been honoured by the provincial government.

Anthony Kadikoff received an Ontario Senior Achievement Award during a ceremony last week at Queen's Park for his work to improve the lives of the area's cancer patients.

"It's in recognition of the work I've done in the complete district since the start and promotion of Tamarack House funding," says Kadikoff, "which I was one of the leading fundraisers for. A home away from home for people with cancer when they go to Thunder Bay, they stay for free."

Kadikoff also serves as a board member with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre Foundation.