Regional Airport Gets Conditional Approval

Municipal leaders across the Rainy River district have given their support to the concept of turning the Fort Frances municipal airport into a regional one.

Fort Frances councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the passing of a resolution at this past weekend's Rainy River District Municipal Association meeting allows them to take the idea a step further.

"That's probably where we'll go from here where we're giong to create a committee that will look at how we can fund this regional airport," says Wiedenhoeft.

Wiedenhoeft says they also plan to talk with senior levels of government to determine how First Nations and residents living in the unincorporated areas would contribute.

Good Relations with First Nations Required

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is encouraging Rainy River district municipalities to have good working relations with First Nation communities.

Speaking at the Rainy River District Municipal Association meeting, Hampton says it ensure the entire district can benefit from a blossoming mining industry.

"It is really important for our collective future and for our collective economic future," says Hampton. "In many cases, those working relationships already exist and have existed for some time."

Hampton says mining companies are looking to the Rainy River area because it's easy to access and infrastructure and the workforce needed are already in place.

Health Unit Holds Line on Municipal Levies

The rate charged to municipalities to help fund the Northwestern Health Unit will remain the same as last year.

CAO Mark Perrault says combined with declines in population, area cities and towns will actually pay less this year than they did in 2010.

"This time everybody's numbers dropped across the region," says Perreault. "Some dramatically. I think there's nobody less than a 3 per cent decrease."

Perrault says staff reductions through attrition have allowed the Health Unit to work with less money from municipalities.

Atikokan Announcement Today

A news conference today in Atikokan is garnering the attention of Atikokan Renewable Fuels.

There's speculation that Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro will make an announcement about the company's wood allocation rights.

Thunder Bay's Ed Fukishima says he'll comment on the company's fate after the announcement.

Parliament Resumes

MP's get back to work today with election speculation running rampant in Ottawa.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says it's up to the Prime Minister to determine if that election happens sooner than later.

"What we're telling Stephen Harper is, this is the first day of work on Monday,"says Rafferty. "Either tackle the problems Canadians are facing or gear up for a spring election."

Rafferty is hoping that his pension bill becomes law before any election call.

New Duties for Kenora MP

Kenora MP Greg Rickford will have new duties when parliament resumes sitting today.

He has been appointed the parliamentary secretary for Indian and Northern Affairs.

Flu Deaths in Minnesota

Two more flu deaths have been reported in Minnesota this season.

The Minnesota Department of Health reports one person died in the last week of December and another in the second week of January.

Health officials continue to encourage Minnesotans to get their flu shots.

Chamber Awards Nominees Announced

A total of 68 businesses, individuals and organizations have been nominated for next month's Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce awards.

Winners will be presented February 10



Accessibility Award
Fort Frances Public Library
Canada Safeway
Community Living Fort Frances





Business of the Year - 1 to 15 employees
Ron's Auto Body
Lidkea's Optometry
Greenside General Store
Northern Lights Credit Union
Citi Financial
A Little off the Top
Nor-West Animal Clinic
Webb's Power Shack
Causeway Insurance
Camp Narrows
Rainy River True Value
John Gavel Custom Manufacturing
Fort Duty Free



Business of the Year - 15 employees or more
MacDonald Motors
La Place Rendez Vous
Iron Range Bus Lines
Tompkins Hardware
Iron Range Bus Lines
Shaw Communications



Businesswoman of the Year
Roberta Parker - Mr. Sub
Sherry Kaun - Share Bears
Angela Korzinski - Rusty Myers
Erin Wood - Simplicity Body Care
Tonia Dolph - Northland Kitchen and Design Consulting
Dawn Gustafson - Life Time Smiles



Customer Service - Business
Manitou Forest Products
North Auto
Lowes Furniture
Fort Frances General Supply
Nor-West Animal Clinic
CIBC
Badiuk Equipment
Stan's Carpet
Starbucks
Darryl's Custom Landscapes

Customer Service - Individual
Debra Elias - Revco Carpet
Matt Sweigard - Sight and Sound
Krista Kellar - Citi Financial
Russ Ling - Taggs Source for Sports
Shelly Matias - RBC
Neila Booth - Northwoods Gallery and Gifts
Chris Dittaro


Employee of the Year
Don Larson - Ed Kaun and Sons
Gord Watson - Ed Kaun and Sons
Rochelle Mosbeck - CIBC
Penny Flatt - Northwoods Gallery and Gift

Entrepreneur of the Year
Dale and Elizabeth Fortes - Boston Pizza
Cecile Lavigne - Squeek E Klean
Randy Hogan - Hogan Hockey
Todd Moxam
Badiuk Equipment
Lindsay Hamilton - Little Beaver Snow Cultural Centre
Monique Dufresne - The Lawg Caybun Restaurant

Safety Award
Union Gas
Rainy River District School Board
Gingrich Wood Craft Inc.

Small Business Trainer of the Year
Mark Caron - M.L. Caron Electric
Valley Adult Learning Association
Strachan Trucking
BDO Dunwoody

Volunteer of the Year
Joelle Blanc
Doug Cain
Allan Bedard
Bill Krukoski
Joan Anderson

Two Charged

Two Fort Frances residents face charges after Provincial Police discovered more than five pounds of marijuana in a vehicle they pulled over earlier this week.

The vehicle was stopped on Highway 11 near Emo on Tuesday.

A 44-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman will appear in a Fort Frances court room in March on trafficking charges.

Another Snow Day

Winter storm warning have been issued on both sides of the border as an strong Alberta clipper moves toward the Rainy River district and Koochiching Country.

Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says the system is expected to bring upwards of 15 centimetres of snow in most areas today.

The storm is expected to last until midnight.

More Anti-Smoking Efforts Needed

Ontario's chief medical officer of health says the province needs to put more money in programs that will help smokers butt out.

Stepping up anti-smoking efforts are among the recommendations Dr. Arlene King is making in her first annual report.

She says government funding for tobacco control has dropped in recent years, even though smoking is costing Ontario about $8-billion a year in health care and lost productivity.

Soldi to Start Drilling

Mining exploration company Soldi Ventures is set to begin a winter drilling program on its properties in the Nestor Falls and Black Hawk areas.

The company says a recent airborne survey helped identify the areas it will begin drilling.

Oberstar Future Clarified

Former Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar says another run for the 8th district isn't in his future.

The veteran Democratic congressman was defeated in November's election and speculation about a another run surfaced recently.

But, Oberstar says that things have changed and that he's moving in another direction.

Oberstar is to be recognized by the city of International Falls with the renaming of its waterfront development project this summer.

Special Ed Students Benefit Through Technology

(Rainy River District School Board photo)


The introduction of technology in the classroom by the Rainy River District School Board is proving to be a huge benefit to special education students.

Special Education Coordinator Kevin Knutsen says equipment such as smart boards and assistive technology is provide for more independence.

"The technology certainly allows them to feel more successful and to demonstrate their learning in ways they weren't able to prior to the technology," says Knutsen.

Knutsen says some of the new programs include software that reads text on a computer to the student.

I. Falls Not So Cold After All

International Falls may be the Ice Box of the Nation, but it's not the coldest city in the United States.

That distinction has been given to Barrow, Alaska by the U-S Weather Channel's Global Forecast Centre.

International Falls is placed third.

Only cities over 5-thousand were considered in the rankings.

Fort Frances Business Hit by Fire

Fire officials describe damage to a Fort Frances business caused by an overnight fire as extensive.

Firefighters with the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue service were called to Kitchen and Bath Plus on 5th Street West around midnight last night.

Cause of the fire is still unknown at this time.

Electricty Concerns Expressed

Electricity concerns are high on the list of many community leaders in the northwest.

Vice-president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, Dave Canfield, told a provincial finance committee yesterday a northern energy plan is needed.

"There's a lot of mining activity and opportunities in northwestern Ontario," says Canfield, "but with the closure of the coal plants, there's going to be a short fall in energy as we move forward in some of these projects. There's going to be some upgrades, not only in the production, but in the grid as well."

Canfield says the current grids are inadequate and shouldn't be acceptable.

Liberals Called Out by Tory Critic

The Progressive Conservative's Northern Development critic Randy Hillier tried to call out the area Liberal MPPs at the pre-budget consultation session yesterday in Thunder Bay.

Hiller sent out a media release asking why none of the Thunder Bay-area MPP's were at the meeting.

Moments after making the release public, Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro showed up.

He was late because he was attending a Health Sciences Centre news conference.

The two MPP's were seen later have a friendly chat with each other.

Former L.U. Pres. Seeks Tory Nomination

(Lakehead University photo)


A former Lakehead University president is looking at making at run at provincial politics.

Fred Gilbert says he'll seek the Conservative nomination in the Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding in this fall's election.

Gilbert retired as L.U. president last year.

Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed

(File photo)


A federal laboratory has now confirmed that a white-tailed deer killed near the southeastern Minnesota town of Pine Island has tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

It's the first such confirmed case in the State.

Airport Superintendent Retires

A superintendent who spent his entire career as an employee at the Fort Frances Airport worked his last day yesterday.

Bill Caul started over 36 years ago as an airport attendant.

Caul says he's seen a lot of changes take place.

"The new terminal was one of the big projects," says Caul. "Back in '84, '85, the expansion of the runways when the cross-runway was built. We've go a fair amount of development over the years with new hangers."

Caul now enjoys vacation time that will take him to the end of March when his official retirement starts.

Glen Wood takes over as airport superintendent.

Airport Proposal to be Pitched this Weekend

The town of Fort Frances is making another appeal to have other communities in the Rainy River district help fund its municipal airport.

Town officials plan to bring forward a resolution to this weekend's Rainy River District Municipal Association meeting in Stratton seeking support for their idea of a regional airport.

The resolution says the airport provides a vital link to residents in the western portion of the district and should be supported financially by all, including First Nations and residents in the unorganized communities.

Atikokan would be excluded by a cost-sharing agreement because it operates own airport.

Atikokan Extends OPP Contract

The township of Atikokan will continue to have the Ontario Provincial Police patrol its streets.

Town council has agreed to renew a five-year policing contract with the OPP with costs to come in at just under $1.5 million this year.

That's about $100-thousand more than what the town expected to pay in 2010.

Mayor Dennis Brown says OPP did submit a second proposal worth about half that, but would not have given the township twenty-four hour policing.

OPP took over policing from Atikokan's municipal force in 2006.

Pre-Budget Hearing In Thunder Bay

The provincial finance committee will likely get an earful when it makes a pit stop in Thunder Bay today.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield, who's making a presentation on behalf of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, is disappointed by the lack of notice given to municipalities to attend the pre-budget consultation.

"We just got in under the deadline," says Canfield. "They didn't do a real good job of advertising this."

Because presenters only have five minutes to speak, Fort Frances council did not see any value in attending and is not making a presentation.

Brain Injury Programs Funded

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is rolling out a number of new programs for residents living with brain injuries.

$715-thousand is being used to offer a variety of programs across the region.

A family therapist will work with families in the region, while program facilitators will be posted in Dryden, Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

December Border Stats

It was a busy December for Canada Border Services Agency officers at the Fort Frances border.

More than 42,000 travellers were processed with officers having to make a total of eighteen seizures of undeclared or prohibited goods.

In one case, a Canadian resident had their car impounded after failing to declare over a thousand dollars worth of vehicle repairs.

The vehicle was returned after the owner paid out more than $00 in penalties.

In another incident, a Canadian was forced to pay out almost $1,500 after trying to avoid paying the fees on more than a thousand dollars worth of items purchased in the U.S.

The agency says the individual was asked to report inside, but left the property first to drop off the undeclared goods at a nearby parking lot.

Both the goods and the person's vehicle were seized, and later returned when the penalties were paid.

Thunder Bay Office Impacted by ORC Merger

The Ontario Realty Corporation is no more.

It's been merged with Infrastructure Ontario.

Northern Development Minister, Michael Gravelle says he doesn't know exactly how the merger will affect the Corporation's Thunder Bay office.

"This is not about reducing the actual responsibilities of the Ontario Realty Corporation," says Gravelle. "This is about reducing administration costs and putting it under one Ministry."

Gravelle says the province is still looking to do the same with other agencies.

Town Encouraged to Put more in Reserves

The town of Fort Frances is being advised to raise more tax revenue to help cover the cost of replacing aging infrastructure.

An asset management plan outlined to councillors last night says the town hasn't been putting enough money into reserves in the past.

Jim Bruzezze of BMA Management Consulting says a 5 per cent hike in tax revenues for the next five years would help.

"By doing that, you would have an additional $2.5 million," says Bruzezzes. "So that $2.5 million would be available to increase the reserves or decrease the amount of debt incurred over the next five years."

Bruzezze says about $33.5 million in town assets needed to be replaced now.

He also suggests similar hikes to water and sewer rates to help cover capital in those areas.

Lakers Denied Sign By-law Exemption

Fort Frances Lakers hockey club request to be exempt from a new town by-law governing the use of mobile signs has been denied.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it wouldn't be right to start making changes to a by-law that only took effect this month.

"We don't want to start shooting holes in our sign by-law after taking two to three years to rearch and develop," says Wiedenhoeft. "It's the wrong way to go."

The Lakers have used two signs to promote their games and activities year round, but the new by-law now limits their use to 180 days per year.

Attendance to Training Session Debated

Attendance to an upcoming councillor training session in Emo drew some strong discussion at Fort Frances council last night.

Mayor Roy Avis felt because council was acclaimed, attendance wasn't as important and suggested travel costs not be paid to those who want to attend.

Councillor John Albanese, who plans to attend, felt attacked by the suggestion.

"I wasn't going there because I wasn't going to be paid," says Albanese. "I was going to go there to support Emo. If anybody wants to donate towards the ten dollars it's going to cost me to attend the conference, I'll take it out of my pocket."

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft added the Mayor's suggestion went against a new travel policy adopted by council last year.

LGA Reduction Limited

Legislative Republicans pushing a one billion dollar package of spending cuts have softened the long-term effect on Minnesota cities and counties.

The House Ways and Means Committee changed the bill to make reductions in local government aid temporary instead of permanent.

The bill would decrease projected aid by more than 400 million over the next two years.

Ontario Realty Corporation Disappearing

The Ontario Realty Corporation appears to be the first agency to disappear under the McGuinty government's deficit-fighting program.

Published reports says it is to merge with Infrastructure Ontario.

The agency manages a huge real estate portfolio on behalf of the province.

Ice Roads Partially Open

Ice roads to remote First Nations across northwestern Ontario are beginning to open up to light vehicle traffic.

However, the routes over frozen lakes and swamps are still not strong enough to support heavy supply transports and fuel trucks.

There are almost three-thousand kilometres of ice roads in Ontario.

Boundaries Redraw Facing Court Challenges

A court fight over how Minnesota's new political boundaries for Congress and the Legislature get drawn has a new front.

Several Republicans have filed a case in state court to go along with one Democrats put in motion this month in federal court.

Both argue the existing maps are outdated and therefore invalid.

New Ad Campaign Today

A new ad campaign by the Ontario Energy Board urges consumers to do their homework before signing up with an energy retailer.

The campaign, to start today, reminds consumers of a new set of rules meant to ensure they're treated fairly by electricity and natural gas retailers selling contracts door-to-door.

The rules took effect January 1 and apply to contracts signed or renewed after that date.

Church Seeks By-law Exemption

A Fort Frances church is seeking a partial exemption from the town's calender parking by-law.

In a letter to the town, Pastor Jeff Plett of the Evangelical Fellowship Church asks for the exemption on Sunday mornings and on religious holidays.

The request comes after a number of church goers were issued tickets for parking on the wrong side of Webster Avenue earlier this month.

Plett says parishioners complied with the law the next week, but some were forced to walk long distances to get to church.

Trustees Meet Education Minister

Trustees with the Northwest Catholic District School Board got a recent opportunity to hear from province's education Minister.

Board Chair Anne-Marie Fitzegerald says Leona Dombrowsky spoke recently at a conference in Toronto.

"Minister Dombrowsky shared with us that the focus of the McGuinty government's focus will be on student achievement," says Fitzgerald. "And they're very excited about the response to the full-day every-day junior and senior kindergarten program."

Fitzgerald says based on the Minister's comments, the board is moving in the right direction with respect to student achievement.

MNR Looking into Illegally Shot Moose

The Ministry of Natural Resources is seeking the public's help in solving a number of cases where moose were illegally killed in northern Ontario.

Conservation Officer Ken Ukrainetz says in each case, the moose carcasses were left to rot in the bush.

"People, even know they're supposed to be sure of what they shoot, will make a mistake," says Ukrainetz. "It's definitely taken into consideration if someone does come forward and does admit to shooting the wrong animal."

The MNR is investigating no fewer than twenty cases from this past hunting season, including two near Vermilion Bay and one near Ear Falls.

Mining Firm Appoints Atikokan Man

An Atikokan man has joined on to help a British Columbia mining firm with its work in northwestern Ontario.

Bud Dickson becomes the Senior Consultant for Sustainable Development with Gold Canyon Resources.

The company is doing work in the Red Lake area.

Native People Asked to Complete Census

The Union of Ontario Indians wants area First Nations to participate in the 2011 long form census.

Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee says it's vital that aboriginal residents take part.

"It ensures that adequate funding for priorities like education, health care, economic development both on and off reserve are taken into account with accurate numbers," says Madahbee. "If our First Nations data and information is not included, very little funding comes to the communities."

Madahbee says they've struck a deal with Statistics Canada to hire aboriginals to collect the data from area reserves.

Temperature Records Shattered

More than fifty-year old weather records were shattered by Friday's cold weather.

Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says the thermometer at its weather station at the Fort Frances airport dipped to minus 42.7 C.

The previous record low on January 21 was minus 40 C back in 1954.

A reading in International Falls Friday morning of 46 below F also broke the previous record for the city set back in 1954 of 41 below F.

OPP Staffing Changes

(Insp. John Kendrick speaking recently at Fort Frances town council)


There's been some temporary staffing changes within the Ontario Provincial Police and their Fort Frances detachment.

Detachment commander, Inspector John Kendrick has moved on to take on a position at the Northwest Regional Headquarters in Thunder Bay as the Regional Director of Operational Support.

Staff Sgt Steve Shouldice will serve as the acting detachment commander until Kendricks' return in April.

Meantime, the detachment will also be getting a new K-9 unit.


Shouldice says a new officer from southern Ontario is currently receiving training and will move to Fort Frances, replacing Constable Dan Bailey who was recently transferred down south.

Fort Frances Talking Casino

Fort Frances town councillors are expected to raise the issue of casinos when they head to the Ontario Good Roads Association and Rural Ontario Municipal Association meetings in Toronto next month.

Their talk started at Monday's budget meeting with Mayor Roy Avis expressing concern with the province's plan to introduce on-line gaming in 2012.

"It's taking more money out of the north and putting another nail in our coffin," says Avis. "I think if they are going to do that, a better approach would be to give border communities a casino."

Councillor Ken Perry says a local casino may help stem the flow of Canadians travelling to Minnesota casinos.

Atikokan Budget Talks Next Month

Atikokan township council will begin discussion on its 2011 budget next month.

Chair of the finance committee, Marj Lambkin says February 9 has been set as a date for the start of those talks.

Meantime, rates impacting sewer and water services will be discussed Monday with approval expected early next month.

Chamber Award Nomination Deadline

The deadline for entries to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce business awards is fast approaching.

Nominations for a variety of awards can be made before January 26.

Manager Anthony Mason says the awards aren't solely for Fort Frances businesses.

"Not at all, not even chamber members," says Mason. "It's for any business in the Rainy River district so any one can be nominated."

Nomination forms for the February 10 event can be found on the Chambers website or at its Fort Frances office on Scott Street

HST Impact Soften

Ontario's Liberal government says more people will see a net benefit from the harmonized sales tax in three years because of new tax credits and energy rebates.

Documents obtained from the Ministry of Finance suggest the HST would not cost Ontario households about $385-million more by 2013 as originally projected.

Revised figures state the single sales tax will result in $490-million in savings for consumers in the third year.

Special Olympics Open in Thunder Bay

Events at Ontario's 2011 Special Olympics Winter Games start today in Thunder Bay.

The official kickoff took place last night with a spectacular opening ceremony.

More than 300 athletes were welcomed with performances, tributes and a roaring applause from the crowd.

Two athletes from Fort Frances and three from Atikokan are taking part.

Hockeyville Rainy River?

(Town of Rainy River photo)

The town of Rainy River wants to become this year's Kraft Hockeyville.

It's entered the contest looking for Canadian communities with strong hockey spirit.

Recreation Director Meaghan Shanks says they're now asking people to submit stories to help it reach the next level.

"There's nothing to lose in putting your name forward," says Shanks, "so I went ahead and put a story in there with some pictures. We've started a Facebook page and we're hoping to have people go there and write some stories."

Submissions are being accepted until January 31st.

FedNor Money Announced

The Federal Government is adding just over $1.1. million to FedNor.

Industry Minister Tony Clement says the investment will help continue to grow business and create jobs in the northwest.

"Big banks in the big cities are sometimes good at loaning money in the big cities," says Clement, "but sometimes less successful at making loans available to small businesses in rural and northern Canada."

Clement says there will also be some small changes to FedNor coming that will see it focus more on economic growth.

Housing Program Sought

The cities of International Falls and Littlefork are combining efforts to seek funds that will help low to moderate income families get their homes repaired.

Scott Zahorik of Kootasca Community Action says the $445-thousand from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to help about 18 families.


"They're called differed loans," says Zahorik. "They're zero per cent interest loans, 10 year loans. They're forgiven 10 per cent per year as long as the occupant remains in the house and the house doesn't change hands."


The two cities teamed up in 2008 on a similar program, acquiring $334-thousand for repairs to 17 homes.

Medical Mistakes Not Dropping

A new report out today says Minnesota's hospitals showed no improvement in reducing the number of serious medical mistakes last year.

The Department of Health's annual report says there were 305 reported mistakes from October 2009 to October 2010.

It includes one at Rainy River Medical Centre in International Falls where a foreign object was left in a patient.

Falls Council Hires Lobbyist

The city of International Falls is hiring a lobby firm to work on its behalf in Washington.

It's a first for the city.

Mayor Shawn Mason says they're not disappointed with the representation they have in the Capital, but a lobbyist gives them an even stronger voice.

The city's will pay $24-thousand a year for the service.

City Beach House Plans Unveiled

A proposed design for a new beach house at International Falls' city beach has been unveiled.

Cost of construction is estimated at about $272-thousand.

The city's Street Commissioner Steve Johnson says they believe it will suit the needs of beach users.

"There were a couple of designs out there," says Johnson, "and the committee unanimously choice this design. It's a good looking building and fits well in the surroundings."

The city's now begun the process of finding government grants to fund the project.

Solar Project In Place

(Solar Wall photo)


The Rainy River District School Board has one of two solar projects up and running.

The panels are on the roof of J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances with a second project planned for later this year at Fort Frances High School.

Manager of Plant Operations Raymond Roy says power generated will be sold back to the provincial grid.

"Between the two projects, the revenue that will be generated is about $113-thousand annually," says Roy.

Roy says the projects also have an educational component allowing students to learn about the benefits of green energy.

Fugitive Nabbed at Baudette Border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Baudette nabbed a woman who was wanted by authorities in Minnesota's Polk County.

Officials says the 44-year-old from Baudette was taken into custody at the border last week after learning she had an outstanding warrant pertaining to theft and marijuana possession charges.

The woman was turned over to Baudette's Police Department for pending extradition to Polk County.