I.J.C. Gets Praise

A Task Force looking at water quality issues on the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake watersheds has wrapped up a round of public meetings.

The group is to report back to the International Joint Commission by next July.

Todd Sellars of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation is impressed with its work so far.

"The public is concerned about the lake and the watershed and wants some concrete options to consider and comment on," says Sellars. "It sounds like the task force is planning to adjust its plans and get back with an interim options paper early in the new year."

The Task Force was set up based on suggestions from the Foundation and others.

Illegal Smokes Lawsuit

A class-action lawsuit has been launched in Federal Court against Ottawa for failing to collect taxes from illegal smoke shacks.

It's similar to another lawsuit on behalf of tobacco farmers that was filed last year in Ontario court against both the federal and provincial governments.

Court documents accuse Ottawa of ignoring ``flagrant violations''of the prohibition on the sale of contraband tobacco.

The $500-million suit also claims the government allowed the open trade of these products on First Nation reserves through illegal outlets established off reserve.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

Elections in Minnesota

Minnesotans go to the polls today as part of mid-term elections in the U.S.

Polls open at 7 a.m. for voting in various civic, school board and state races, including the selection of a new governor.

Democrat Mark Dayton is seen as the front runner ahead of Republican candidate Tom Emmer.

In Washington, polls suggest President Barack Obama's Democrats will lose control of the House of Representatives, and maybe the Senate.

The elections will also be a test of the popularity of the Tea Party, an ultra-conservative movement that favours less government and low taxes.

Remains Identified

A body found on Highway 17 near Ignace this summer by blueberry pickers has been identified.

The remains of 55-year-old Steven Raycroft were identified recently through the use of medical records.

Raycroft is described as a transient person who frequently travelled across Canada.

Police are ruling out foul play.

Ignace Clinic Rent Increasing

Health Minister Deb Matthews says she will find out why the agency responsible for public buildings is doubling the rent at Ignace's small health clinic.

Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton calls the rent-hike of $100-thousand a year at the Mary Berglund Health Centre "absurd'' and would only force the clinic to cut front-line staff.

Ontario Realty Corporation officials said they were looking into the issue.

Smart Boards Make Impact

Smart Boards are making a huge impact in the classrooms across change the Rainy River district.

Both the public and Catholic boards have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars equipping their schools with the interactive technology.

J.W. Walker School teacher Angela Petsnick says both students and teachers are benefiting.

"We can go on the Internet and we can show videos," says Petsnick. "We can show different links from the website. Things are better organized. I can have my lesson. I can have all my worksheets. I can have the links to the websites. I can have interactive games and activities to help my student learn."

Petsnick has also been involved in training other teachers who to maximize their use of the boards.