New Bridge Rules Approved

New rules governing the operation of CN Rail's drawbridge connecting Fort Frances with Rainer will go in place at the end of April.

Federal approval has been given a U.S. Coast Guard regulation that forces CN to man the bridge 24 hours a day between May 1st and October 15.

The bridge will open for vessels the remainder of the year with 12-hours advance notice.

It's currently operated remotely, but public complaints led to the Coast Guard taking action.

CN opposed the rule, citing limited requests for the bridge to open.

Solar Panel Project Clarified

Fort Frances town councillors have a clearer understanding of a project to place solar panels on some municipal buildings.

Corey Watson of Solar Logix met with councillors this past week.

He says the ability to sell power-produced back at 80 cents per kilowatt hour is based on peak usage.

"During peak hours, (users) actually paying over a $1.80," says Watson. "It's actually $1.86 at prime hours of consumption. So this steady rate of 80.2 cents is actually occurring right when the prime hours of peak consumption are occurring."

Watson predicts the rate will drop to about 40 or 50 cents in the near future.

Liberals Accussed of Ignoring the North

The Opposition at Queen's Park is on the attack for what they say is a lack of commitment to northern Ontario in this past week's provincial budget.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the Liberals have done nothing in the way of job creation.

"Families in the north were expecting a budget that would address the loss of value-added jobs, the higher cost of living and the soaring electricity rates that people in the north are facing," says Horwath. "But instead of action, they got the same old tired rhetoric."

Horwath is also critical of cuts to the Ministries of Natural Resources and Aboriginal Affairs.

Boshcoff In

Ken Boshcoff has made it official.

The Liberal candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River has filed the necessary paperwork with the District Returning office in Thunder Bay to run in this May's federal election.

Boschoff simply says "The race is on."

Grade 10 Students Attend P.A.R.T.Y.

(LaVerendrye Hospital's emergency department was one of the stop in Grade 10 students visit to hospital)

A group of grade 10 students got a close-up look yesterday at what the impact of an tragic accident can have.

A visit to LaVerendrye hospital in Fort Frances was part of a prevention program called P.A.R.T.Y. - Prevent Alcohol Related Trauma in Youth.

Paramedic John Beaton, who started the program here, says it teaches young people to make smart choices.

"The term we use is a ripple effect," says Beaton. "The choice you make, how it effects everybody else, your family and friends, you don't realize those choices you make on a short notice how effects everybody so we're trying to get them to make smart risks."

Students also heard from emergency personnel and accident survivors.

Daffodil Sales Kick Off Today

The Canadian Cancer Society is asking area residents to help join in the fight against cancer by buying daffodils.

Fundraising Coordinator Margaret Saville says this year they're selling both daffodils and daffodil pins.

"Throughout Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Fort Frances there will be live daffodil sales," says Saville. "The pins are in Ignace, Rainy River and Ear Falls."

Saville says they've also started the planning for this summer's Relays for Life, including an event schedule for Fort Frances.

Tests Written Today

It's an important day for Grade 10 students across the Rainy River District.

Students at Atikokan, Fort Frances and Rainy River High Schools will write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Tests.

The passing the test is a prerequisite for graduating high school.

Treatment Centre Supported

Area service providers are backing the need for an addictions treatment centre in the Rainy River district.

It's one of the conclusions to a survey conducted by the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope

Researcher Connie Terlesky hopes the findings lead to a centre being built.

"We have an investor that is willing to put in a significant amount of money towards building a centre in Atikokan," says Terlesky. "I know there are others on that same path. I say who ever gets there first, lets band together and get it done."

Agencies also suggested a need for more programs aimed at men-only.

MMAH Supports Fort Frances

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing appears to be supporting the town of Fort Frances in its dispute over the funding of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.

In a response to the town's concerns, the Ministry states in a letter that the benefit to area municipalities from the province taking on more of the costs to social services program amounts to over $918-thousand this year.

Fort Frances is to see a benefit of $420-thousand.

The DSSAB has reportedly stated the savings are only a fraction of those dollars.

Ontario Budget Details

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has unveiled the budget that will take the Liberals into the October provincial election.

Here are the highlights:

-- no new tax increases, decreases or tax credits for taxpayers or businesses.

-- program spending in 2010-11 was 2.6 billion dollars lower than forecast at 13.3 billion dollars; spending projected at 13.8 billion for fiscal 2011.

-- belt-tightening measures aimed at 1.5 billion dollars in savings over three years; includes major agencies cutting 200 million by 2013-14 and trimming 15-hundred civil service jobs starting next year.

-- deficit projected to fall to 16.3 billion dollars in 2011-12, down 400-million from previous year; balanced budget not forecast until 2017-2018.

-- creation of 60-thousand new university and college spaces by 2015-16.

-- 15 million dollars over three years to expand breast cancer screening programs to cover an additional 90-thousand women at high risk.

-- risk management program to help grain and oilseed farmers deal with volatile commodity markets made permanent; new programs for livestock and fruit and vegetable farmers.

-- 12.8 billion dollars in 2011-12 for infrastructure spending on roads, bridges, sewers and other projects.

-- economy forecast to grow by 2.4 per cent this year and 2.7 per cent next year.

Ontario Budget Reaction

The budget includes a $10-million dollar increase to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says it's good news for the region.

"That fund for northern Ontario only, that at $60 million in 2007, now as a result of today's announcement, it at $100-million annually," says Mauro.

Mauro feels announcements for health care and education will also benefit the Northwest.



Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the budget really brings nothing to northern Ontario.

Hampton feels the budget is more good news for people in southern Ontario. "The government was really talking to Bay Street," says Hampton. "Really talking to people in Toronto. That's where the corporate tax cuts are aimed."

Hampton is disappointed the budget provides no relief to high hydro rates, but includes cuts to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Rainy River College Threatened

The Minnesota House has passed a higher education budget bill that cuts funding for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities systems.

Democrats say the bill threatens the future of small colleges such as Rainy River Community College in Internatinoal Falls

UFO???

(Sandra Allan photo)

Some residents are talking about a strange object that appeared in the night sky over Fort Frances Monday night.

Sandra Allan, who took photographs, says it hovered in the south in an area over the AbitibiBowater mill for nearly half an hour before it disappeared.

"And it had lights. There was pink, yellow, white and green lights," says Allan. " In another picture it was rounded and the lights were evenly separated."

Some residents in Couchiching also reported seeing the object.

Reunion Planned

A grade 9 class from the former Westfort High School in Fort Frances is planning to reunited this summer.

Teresa Hazel, a former student, says the 1980-81 class was one of many that experience a unique school setting.

"Until about a year past our year, Westfort was exclusively for Grade 9," says Hazel. "That was kind of a unique position to be in because all of the kids from all of the different elementary schools came to grade 9 and had a year just on their own."

The committee is now in the process to contacting the 270 former students for the July reunion.

Fire Department Changes

The town of Fort Frances is downsizing its fire department. The number of full-time firefighters will drop from eight to six Fire Chief Frank Sheppard says the department is also moving to a platoon-style deployment model. "Rather than an overall response, it will be more of a reasoned response," says Sheppard. "For example, if there was a vehicle accident, there would be far fewer people responding to that initially." Sheppard says the change gives firefighters the ability to upgrade manpower and resources as needed.

Council Staying with Option 2 on Policing

It appears Fort Frances town councillors will stay with their decision to accept a policing contract with the OPP that will see the town pay for two fewer officers. Councillors reopened their discussions over the contract last night. Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft feels satisfied that the level of policing provided won't change. "It still must meet with adequacy and effectiveness of the OPP," says Wiedenhoeft. "I don't think we have to be concerned about when we make that reduction of 1.5 officers that we're still going to be well serviced in this area." It was noted the town would have to raise taxes almost four per cent to maintain the existing contract with 18 officers on patrol.

Call for Locals to Participate

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship would like to see more local anglers participate.

Speaking to town councillors last night, chair Gord Watson says the field for this July's event is two-third's full, but most of the 81 teams are from out of the district.

"We still don't have the local support we're looking for," says Watson. "The prize structure was structured to intrigue more local anglers. It hasn't done so yet. We hope it will in the near future."

Tournament officials met with several town committees last week to discuss a host of requests for this year. Watson says they're working hard to ensure the tournament continues.

Drug Busts

Three separate drug investigations in the Rainy River district have resulted in the seizure of thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs and charges against one man.

A 57-year-old resident of Rainy River faces trafficking charges after OPP seized nearly $4,500 worth of prescription pills and a large quantity of cash.

A search of two other homes in Rainy River and Emo led police to finding 34 marihuana plants and 860-grams of dried marihuana valued at $5,200.

No charges have yet been laid in those cases.

Green Party Candidate in Running

The Green Party has announced its Candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River.

Former research scientist Ed Shields says with science based jobs in our future, Parliament is in need of someone with his expertise.

"I just thought we that need scientists in Parliament," says Shields. "I looked and there's no PH.D. scientists in Parliament. We have all of these issues that deal with science that we need to be worked on yet none of the Parliamentarians have any experience in that."

Shields says northwestern Ontario has great potential for jobs in the bio technology industry.

Budget Day in Ontario

It's budget day in Ontario, but the McGuinty Liberals won't be filling today's budget with pre-election goodies designed to entice voters on October 6. But Finance Minister Dwight Duncan is planning to deliver a budget that doesn't contain any new hikes or cuts.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding Candidates in Place

The campaigning has started for the federal election candidates in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding. Voters got to the polls May 2nd. Incumbent MP John Rafferty says he's ready. "There's no secret to my strategy," says Rafferty. "It's the same strategy I always used. That's to knock on as many doors as possible, stand in front of as many post offices as possible, meet as many constituents as possible and see what happens at the other end." Rafferty sees the issue of government ethics to be top of mind on voters. The riding's Liberal Candidate is prepared to regain the seat he lost to Rafferty in the last federal election. Ken Boshcoff says it will be a matter of time before his campaign team in place and he's opening campaign offices throughout the riding. "You have to be prepared both psychologically and physically," says Boshcoff. "I am that. It's just a matter of responding with a volunteer group and that's coming together very nicely." The former area MP says representation will be the key issue in the riding. Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann carries the Conservative banner in Thunder Bay-Rainy River. t's her first campaign, but is eager to help the Tories win the riding by showcasing projects helped by programs initiated under Prime Minister Harper. " We're going to go after the Economic Action plan and reinforce the good work he's done for this region," says Comuzzi-Stehmann. "It's amazing that northwestern Ontario has gotten so much attention." Comuzzi-Stehmann says her team is already in place and has her campaign headquarters set up in Thunder Bay.

School Survey

The Fraser Institute's annual ranking of schools is again putting northwestern Ontario school near the bottom.

Spokesperson Michael Thomas says the rankings, based on the province's standardize test results, alert officials of the need for improvement.

"There may be issues at the heart of it that are not easily understandable by looking at the report card," says Thomas. "We want the whole community to come together to look at ways to improve student achievement."

North Star Community School in Atikokan tops all Rainy River district schools, but some schools honoured by the very group responsible for the tests are left out of the survey.

Bass Tournament Back on Agenda

Members of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship will be back at town council tonight.

Their appearance comes following a week of talks with various town committees over a number of requests for this year's tournament.

Council is also to hear presentations from the Downtown Business Improvement Association and Solar Logix, the company offering to help set up solar panels on some municipal buildings.

No Chronic Wasting Disease Found

Minnesota's search for additional evidence of chronic wasting disease continues to come up empty. So far, 665 adult deer have been tested in southeastern Minnesota. The Department of Natural Resources began the tests after a deer infected was found near Pine Island last fall. The DNR will end its tests this week.

Federal Election Looms

Political mountains may have to move if we're to avoid a spring election.

It appears the government will fall on a Liberal non-confidence motion, chiding the government for showing contempt for Parliament.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River John Rafferty says he's voting in favour of that motion.

"I don't believe this government has been very ethical," says Rafferty. "I certainly don't believe they've been accountable or transparent - two things they campaigned on in the last election and in the election before."

Rafferty doesn't see any last-minute ditch efforts to avoid the inevitable.

Survey Studied Next Week

A survey conducted by the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope is finding a high misuse of prescription drugs in our district.

Executive Director Donna Kroocmo says area service providers will come together next Tuesday to discuss the results.

"I think it will give us a lot of good information going forward as to the gaps in service that we have in our district to address some of these issues," says Kroocmo. Possibility that will give us good information to write proposals to fill in some of these gaps."

The survey was done to identify the key symptoms leading to abuse.

School Fees Explained

Provincial public schools will find out today what they can charge students in extra fees.

Some schools have charged students hundreds of dollars.

The new guidelines will also require boards to track their fundraising and corporate participation in schools.

NCDS Renovates

Some new facilities for Northern Community Development Services.

Executive Director Jennifer Greenhalgh says renovations to their Fort Frances location provides space for employers to meet with prospective employees.

"A lot of outside agencies do not have an office and quiet space to meet clients," says Greenhalgh. "They often become our clients after that so we realized there was a real need for a place for employers who want to conduct interviews and don't have an established office space."

The $160-thousand dollars worth of work was offset in part by provincial funding.

Cost to use NCDS facilities is free.

Murder Suspect Dies

A police investigation into a murder in northern Ontario is now turning into a coroner's inquest.

Dwane Turk of Thunder Bay died while being held in custody in North Bay.

Turk was charged with second-degree murder in the death last week of 32-year-old-Christopher Jean, near Elk Lake, North of Sudbury.

Jean was also from Thunder Bay.

Former Mayor Charged

The former mayor of Kenora will appear in court in May on impaired driving charges.

74-year-old Len Compton was arrested early yesterday morning after O-P-P pulled over a vehicle in downtown Kenora.

Policing Needs Explored at Meeting

A discussion with the OPP over policing costs and manpower requirements has revealed a decision by Fort Frances town council to accept a contract that pays for fewer officers.

The decision was made December 20, but never reported publicly until now.

Mayor Roy Avis says the decision was above board.

"It was presented to council at an open committee meeting," says Avis. "and council looked at it. It was in our package. There was nothing that was done behind the scene. It was just a process of negotiations that we go through with all contracts."

Councillors may revisit the contract for 16 constables after OPP yesterday outlined differences with the current one for eighteen.

Bass Tournament Policing Requirements

Policing of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship was also discussed at yesterday's meeting.

OPP Inspector John Kendrick says it's a balance in meeting both community and event needs.

"(The town's) contract provides for you to have two officers in town," says Kendrick. "Well if those two officers are continuously at the bass tournament then they're not answering the calls for service in town. If there at the bass tournament, in accordance with the liquor license, and they're called away, they're not providing the services that required by the liquor licence act."

Tournament organizers plan to address the issue with the Police Services Board in the near future.

Chair Appointment Questioned

The Opposition is questioning the McGuinty government's appointment of a panel to investigate the use of Agent Orange in Ontario.

NDP Critic Gillies Bisson says it's chair, Doctor Leonard Ritter, worked for a federal department that approved the chemical's use for over four decades.

"How independent can he be," says Bisson, "if he is in fact the very person who is responsible for the approval of Agent Orange in the first place?"

Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey says she has all the confidence in Ritter's abilities.

Hampton on Jury Rolls

Howard Hampton is putting the blame on the McGuinty government for the jury crisis in the northwest.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP says there is no reason a judge had to postpone a jury trial earlier this month because there were not enough aboriginals on the jury roll.

"This was brought to the government's attention back in 2008," says Hampton. "It's pretty difficult for the provincial government to say we've been working on this."

Hampton says the government has not taken the issue seriously.

Contract Terminated

(Belmont Resources photo)



Belmont Resources has ended a potential agreement with another junior mining exploration company for partial ownership of a mining project north of Atikokan.

The agreement would have seen Dorex earn up to 60 per cent interest in Belmont's Lumby-Buffo property.

Belmot says Dorex failed to meet certain requirements and deadlines set out in the contract.

Federal Budget Reaction

Get ready for a May election.

The Harper government is poised to fall within days, with all three opposition parties planning to vote against the federal budget.

NDP Leader Jack Layton says the Conservatives latest fiscal plan was a disappointment.

Defeat of the government will likely occur this week.

Locally, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is standing behind his leader in not supporting the budget.

Rafferty says he wasn't impressed.

"I'm not going to support this budget in its present form," says Rafferty. "It's our job to press the government to ensure we have a budget that's good for all Canadians, and in my case, the people of northern Ontario."

Kenora's MP is questioning the NDP's motives.

Greg Rickford believes the Conservative Government struck a perfect balance in the budget.

Budget Tidbits for Northern Ontario

There are some budget goodies that could benefit this area.

The federal government's proposing an incentive program for doctors and nurses practicing in rural and remotes areas.

It's willing to forgive up to $40-thousand in student loans for doctors and $20-thousand for nurses to work in under serviced areas.

Funding for FedNor remains the same, but Industry Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada face large cuts to their budgets.

The federal government also proposes to extend until May 2012 the existing waiver of gun registry license fees at a cost of $21- million.

Community Safety Zone Developed

A new Community Safety Zone in Fort Frances could be in place this year.

The zone will stretch along Kings Highway from Legion Park to McIrvine Road.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says along with ongoing education, it will improve pedestrian safety.

"That will encompass a very high pedestrian population," says McCoy. "It encompasses two elementary schools as well as the High School and the Confederation College areas. As well, the pedestrian walkway in the area of McDonalds and A & W."

The zone must still be approved by the province before appropriate signage is placed.

It's need was first identified over two years ago by a project involving students from J.W. Walker School.

Exploration Deal

Two mining companies doing work in the Atikokan area have finalized a joint venture agreement.

The deal between Osisko Mining and Sparton Resources allows Osisko to take over partial interest in 7,5000 hectares of mining claims held by Sparton.

Osisko will spent a million dollars exploring the property that straddles its Hammond Reeve gold project.

Leon Back in Canada

Thunder Bay's Adam Leon is back in Canada.

He's the former Confederation College student who caused an international scare two years ago for stealing a Cessna and flying into American airspace without permission.

RCMP have escorted him back after his time in a Missouri jail.

He's appearing in a Thunder Bay court room today on theft charges.

Uploading Answers Sought

Fort Frances councillors will consider a political route in search of answers regarding the provincial uploading of municipal costs to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.

The board approved a $15-million budget last week, but councillor Ken Perry says any savings the province suggests aren't been seen by the municipalities.

"We're going to pull some changes and rattle some cages," says Perry. "The answers we're getting from everyone concerned are not consistent. That's my problem. show me some consistency. If we're right, we're right and if we're wrong, we're wrong. We can put it to bed one way or another."

Council will look to writing the Premier and having a question posed in the legislature.

Museum Assistant On Hold

The town of Fort Frances is holding off on the hiring of a museum assistant at the Fort Frances Museum.

The position became vacant with the move of Sherry George to curator.

Councillors last night decided to hold off filling the vacancy this year, allowing George time to assess staffing needs in the future.

Library Board Budget Rejected

(Fort Frances Library photo)

The Fort Frances Library Board is being asked to go back to the table to reduce its budget requirements for the new library.

It's budget has come in at about $22-thousand more than last year.

Town Councillors say they aren't prepared to provide any more than the $453-thousand allocated in 2010.

Regional Cyclotron in Budget

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the region's two NDP MP's may be about to put a kibosh on $4 million for a cyclotron for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The Conservative MP says the money is included in the federal budget, but approval rests with the NDP.

"Are they prepared for to vote against probably one of the most significant medical advancements in medical research for Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario in a long time?," asks Rickford.

Rickford says the money would be in jeopardy if an election is called.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

A walk that encourages men to lend their voice to end gender violence will take place next month in International Falls.

The "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" is organized by the Friends Against Abuse.

Executive director LeeAnn Meer says this year's walk will be an international affair.

"We are partnering with Fort Frances to do this," says Meer. "We have the groups over there, Victims Services and some of the others group, we are working with and planning it. Hopefully they will be joining us with the walk over here. So we are really reaching across borders to discuss a topic that really needs to be discussed."

The event takes place April 28

Bending Lake to go Public

A company with plans for the former Steep Rock Iron Ore mine at Atikokan is looking to go public.

Tom Ungar, a vice-president with Bending Lake Iron Group, says a move to the Toronto Stock Exchange will help raise the over $900-million for the project.

"We're well underway to hopefully raising and locking up that funding that needed," says Ungar. "When you can also offer someone the liquidity that a public company provides, it helps you."

Ungar says the company could begin trading on the Stock Exchange later this year.

Atikokan Hydro Bill Dropping Slightly

Hydro users in Atikokan may see a decrease in their bills in May.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved new rates for Atikokan Hydro.

The decrease amounts to about 26 cents per month on the average bill.

The drop takes into account a 10 per cent cut in hydro costs imposed earlier this year by the province.

Solar Project Up for Discussion

Fort Frances town councillors are expected to hear today from the company interested in helping set up solar panels on some municipal buildings.

Officials with Solar Logix are scheduled to be at tonight's budget meeting.

The project was discussed by Councillors at their last meeting, but some expressed concern with the maintenance of the panels and the sustainability of a contract to sell the power back to the grid.