Used Hockey Equipment Wanted

An equipment drive has been launched to help kids get the gear they need to play hockey this winter.

OPP and Source for Sports stores across northern Ontario had initially launched the campaign to help remote First Nations children.

Constable Anne McCoy says it's now led to one that will also help those in the Rainy River district.

Tagg's Source for Sports will be accept used hockey equipment until September 16th, turning them over to Kidsport to distribute.

Plane Crash

Transportation Safety Board officials are to investigate the crash of a float plane near Sioux Lookout that claimed the life an a Minnesota pilot.

A board spokesman says initial reports suggest the amphibious Cessna 206 was trying to land Monday on the chutes of Abram Lake when the aircraft flipped over into the water.

The pilot, identified as being from Sunfish Lake, west of St. Paul, was transported to Sioux Lookout hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Classrooms Not Ready

It will at least next week before new early learning classrooms at St. Michael's School in Fort Frances are ready for use.

Education Director for the Northwest Catholic District School Board Mary-Catherine Kelly says some work is still needed, but it didn't stop the new four-and-five-year-olds from starting the school year.

"What we were able to do was facilitate a staggered entry for our students," says Kelly. "The children are coming to school and meeting with their teachers. In the second week of school, those classrooms will be ready."

Kelly says the board will also participate this year in several programs to improve student success.

College Striking Likely

The union representing support staff at Ontario's community colleges sees little chance of avoiding a strike.

OPSEU will be in a legal strike position tomorrow morning.

The bargaining chair for the colleges says his side remains hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be reached.

Organize for School

A professional organizer from International Falls will be providing tips today on how parents and their children can get adjusted to a new school year.

Nicki Bergstrom is hosting two one-hour workshops at Falls Elementary.

Bergstrom says they'll help parents cope with the stress that often comes in getting children ready for school.

"Some of the things that we'll be talking about is actually preparing an adequate routine for your child, "says Bergstrom. "Also organizing around the house. Keeping information where it needs to be kept."

There's a ten dollar charge to the workshops at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Alzheimer Ride Successful

(Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts photo)


This past weekend's Alzheimer Society Ride for Memories was a little short of its financial goal, but the event is still being hailed a huge success.

The more than $31-thousand raised was about $4-thousand less than expected.
But Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts, Lynn Moffatt says the turnout was huge.

"This year we had more riders than any year before," says Moffatt. "We had 160 riders. We had riders from as far as Thunder Bay coming out to this event."

Money raised goes towards support and services to families and people suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia related diseases.

Atikokan Trade Show Restyled

(Booth at past Atikokan Trade Show - Atikokan Chamber of Commerce photo)


Atikokan's Chamber of Commerce is taking a different approach to promoting its community.

Office Manager Jolene Wood says they're forgoing the traditional fall trade show for an event that encompasses the entire downtown area.

"What we want to do is showcase some of the businesses downtown," says Wood, "and give them an opportunity to have sidewalk sales or promotions of their own. Just to let people remember that we have shops downtown and to get them to come down and get shopping."

The September 10th event will include some booths at the Legion for out-of-town businesses wanting to participate.

Fire Within Voyageurs National Park

Park officials are monitoring a lightning caused fire within Voyageurs National Park.

The fire, approximately half-an-acre in size, is burning near Tooth Lake, about 2 miles south of Namakan Lake.

It was first detected Sunday.

Because of the area's remoteness and the fact there's few values at risk, the park says it won't be doing any immediate suppression efforts.

Toll Booth Threats

Dryden's Mayor is fuming are learning local taxpayers could be on the hook for the cost of paving a section of the Trans-Canada Highway through the city.

The Ministry of Transportation is planning on paving both ends of the highway up to the city limits.

Craig Nuttall is threatening to set up a toll booth if his city is forced to pay to pave the rest of the road.

Aggressive Bears in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging people to be careful after recent reports of aggressive behavior by black bears in the Ely area.

The DNR says some reports involve collared bears that are part of research being conducted by biologist Lynn Rogers.

Rogers though disputes that the collared bears are aggressive.

Search Continues

An OPP dive team is expected to join in the search today for a missing Florida man on Lake of the Woods.

Police say 68-year-old Bill Amason, a summer resident of Morson, was reported missing Saturday after his boat was found floating in the area of Obabikon Bay and his clothes located on a rock.

Police believe his boat may have drifted away while he was on shore and he went swimming after it.

Back to School

It's back to school for students across the Rainy River district.

Education Director for the Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell says staff have been busy over the summer preparing for the first day of classes.

The Board begins the year with new offices in Fort Frances and the early learning program being offered at Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

New Classrooms at St. Michael's

There are some new classrooms at St. Michael's School.

Two new classrooms were added to the Fort Frances school to accommodate the younger students attending the early learning program for four-and-five-year-olds.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board also created a new classroom at the school for a native language program.

New Mine Centre School Not Open Yet

(Students and staff gathered in June to mark the closing of the old school that will re-open temporarily today - Rainy River District School Board photo)

Unexpected construction delays to their new school will force students attending Mine Centre School to begin the year in the old facility.

The school had been slated for closure, but staff were asked back in June to prepare it for the start of classes in case the new school wasn't ready.

Board officials say the use of the old school should only be temporary.

Safety Zone in place Thursday

The signs are up, but a new Community Safety Zone in Fort Frances won't officially take effect until Thursday.

Drivers caught speeding in the area along King's Highway near area schools can see a doubling of fines.

The safety zone was put in place to help protect the safety of pedestrians walking in the area.

It will be in effect September to the end of June weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Condo Sales Continue

Officials aren't giving up on efforts to get a proposed condominium project in Fort Frances off the ground.

ReMax real estate agent Kathy Judson admits it's taking longer than expected to pre-sell the units, but there's still strong interest.

Judson says at least five more pre-sales are needed before the project can go to tender.

Ignace Sawmill to Reopen

After sitting idle for five years, the AbitibiBowater sawmill in Ignace is set to re-open.

The company says it plans to spend $32-million in capital investments to reopen and upgrade the facility by 2014.

Yves Laflamme, a company vice-president, says the mill will also contribute to improving the cost of fibre for its pulp and paper mills in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

Liberals Promising Doctor House Calls

Ontario's Liberals are kicking off the last week before the provincial election campaign begins in earnest by courting seniors.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the Liberals are promising to bring back doctor house calls for seniors if elected October 6th.

The Liberals say their promise will apply to anyone who has trouble getting to their doctor's office.

Both the NDP and Progressive Conservatives call the $60-million program an election gimmick.

Hudak to Hit the Road

The Progressive Conservatives are expected to launch what they're calling their "campaign for change'' later today.

Leader Tim Hudak will be joined by his caucus and candidates in Toronto to announce he's hitting the road as he tries to convince Ontarians he should be the next premier.

The election campaign officially begins next Wednesday.

Pace Car Program Promoted

Drivers in the Rainy River district are wanted to set the pace this fall.

Safe Communities Rainy River District is asking motorists be part of its Pace Car Program.

Administrative Coordinator Grace Silander says it simply asks them to sign an oath to drive slow in school zones.

It's an effort that initially started in December.

College Bargaining Talks

Talks continue to try to head off a September 1st strike by support workers at Ontario's community colleges, including Confederation College.

Three days of bargaining will begin today.

Tourism Report Reviewed

A consultant's report on the new northern Ontario tourism plan is out.

Members of various tourism organizations are taking time to review the document and will be meeting for two days starting today in Sudbury.

Forest Fires Activity Continues

Eleven new forest fires in northwestern Ontario were reported yesterday, but the Ministry of Natural Resources says it's making good process on the fifty-plus still burning.

Fire Information Officer Debbie MacLean says it's allowed them to release some of the out-of-province fire crews from active duty.

Maclean says this has been the most destructive fire season in 50 years, with more than 622-thousand hectares of forest burned.

Four of the fires still active are at the southern part of Quetico Provincial Park but are posing no real threat.

NDP Back to Work

After a week of grieving the loss of their leader and saying goodbye at Saturday's state funeral in Toronto, New Democrats are turning to the job at hand.

NDP director Brad Lavigne says party members will honour Jack Layton's legacy by rolling up their sleeves and getting down to work first thing this morning.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty and his partner Pam Cain were among those attending Saturday's funeral.

Toronto Liberal Announcement

A major provincial announcement for the Liberal party was made today.
PRESTO is now available at all GO stations and on all GO buses in the southern Ontario region.
"The McGuinty government is making it more convenient for commuters to choose transit. With PRESTO, riders can travel across multiple transit systems in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with just one card." says Kathleen Wynne, the Minister of Transportation for the McGuinty government.

US Earthquake

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centred in the state of
Virgina, shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north
as Rhode Island and New York City.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was 3.7 miles (6
kilometres) deep. Shaking was felt as far north as Sudbury, and east into New Brunswick yesterday.

Layton's Body Arrives On Parliament Hill

Jack Layton's body arrived on parliament hill to lay in state this morning.

A grieving Olivia Chow accompanied her husband's coffin as it was
greeted by a piper playing a lament.
New Democrat MPs and staff shared tearful hugs as the coffin
arrived at the Peace Tower, where the flag fluttered at half-staff.

Several hundred people watched quietly as the casket was wheeled
into the the Parliament Buildings, where Layton is to lie in state for two days.
The first hours of the ceremony were reserved for family,
colleagues and dignitaries.

Major OPP Drug Bust

A routine traffic stop by Fort Frances OPP resulted in more than just a ticket. The 26 year old male driver from Manitoba was driving while suspended. Officers searched the vehicle and came away with 24 pounds of pot with a street value of over 60 thousand dollars.

The 26 year old driver was remanded into custody and faces charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, driving while suspended and two counts of failing to comply with a court order. He will appear in court tomorrow for a bail hearing. His 27 year old female passenger was also taken into custody and charged with possesssion for the purpose of trafficking. She has been released and will be back in court Sept 26th.

Fort Frances Town Council Meeting

At Fort Frances town council yesterday, a local artist was given permission to work to put up a mural in the arena.
The mural, called Timmy's World, was painted by children with Lindsay Hamilton's help.
Town councilor Hallikas is quoted as calling the work a: "fantastic, fasmagorical world!"

Jack Layton State Funeral

The deceased leader of the federal NDP will be given a state funeral.
Jack Layton will be honoured with a sendoff usually reserved for
prime ministers, governors general and cabinet ministers.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Harper says the P-M exercised his
discretion and offered Layton's wife, Olivia Chow, a state funeral, which she accepted.

Potential Provincial College Strike Brewing

Ontario's college support staff union warned Saturday that the beginning of the Ontario college school year is at risk.
More than 8,000 workers who are part of the Ontario Public Services Union have been in new contract talks since June, and the union warns that "there has been no meaningful dialogue from negotiators representing management."
Their last contract is set to expire the day before the start of the school year on August 31st, and OPSEU says that management is "avoiding serious negotiations until the deadline is reached. Both sides are set to return to the negotiating table for a week of talks starting tomorrow.

Conservative Candidate Picked for Fall Election

All the major parties now have their candidates in place for the October
6th provincial election.
The Conservatives are the latest party to select their candidate.
Kenora City Councillor Rod McKay beat out Louis Roussin for the Tory
nomination.
McKay says his biggest job now is getting his name out in the Kenora-Rainy
River Riding.

Jack Layton Dead at 61

The NDP federal leader has died this morning.
Just months after leading his party to unprecedented success in
the federal election campaign, Jack Layton died while fighting cancer.
He died early this morning, surrounded by friends and family.
He was 61.

Beaches Now Posted

The Northwestern Health Unit has now posted all the beaches in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts with warning signs.

They warn of higher levels of bacteria after heavy rainfalls or high winds.

Enforcement manager Jennifer McKibbon says they are only a precaution.

McKibbon says reds signs will be posted when a beach has been closed.

Another Lightning Strike in Park

There are now four forest fires burning within Quetico Provincial Park.

The latest was spotted yesterday southeast of Bass Lake in the southern part of the park.

The lightning-caused fire has so far scorched about a hectare.

Three others located near the same vicinity have been burning since the end of July.

Plane Crash

A pilot is lucky to be walking away with only minor injuries after a plane crash in Marathon.

OPP say the plane was attempting to take off when it ran out of runway and clipped a poll yesterday afternoon, ending up in a ditch along side Highway 17.

The crash forced the closure of the highway for a couple of hours.

Schools Recognized as Residential

Two First Nation schools in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are now on a formal list of residential schools.

It allows former students of the Stirland Lake and Cristal Lake Residential High Schools to be eligible for government compensation.

The schools, located 170 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout, opened in the 1970's, later merging and operating until 1991.

First Riders Program

The start of school is still over a week away, but some first time students from the Rainy River district got their first ride on a school bus yesterday.

More than 50 students took part in the First Riders program held in Fort Frances and Stratton.

Transportation coordinator for the Rainy River Transportation Services Donna Lee says it helps young students get adjusted for that first ride to school.

A similar session will be held at St. Patrick's School in Atikokan next Thursday.

I Inhaled Too!

Bill Clinton did it.

So did Barack Obama and Dalton McGuinty.

Now, Tim Hudak admits that he too has smoked pot.

Hudak, who was asked the question while touting a campaign promise to create a registry for homes that have been used as grow-ops or meth labs, added he hasn't lit up "in some time."

The 43-year-old says he doesn't support the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana because ``drug use is wrong'' and grow-ops create health hazards.

Body Found

OPP have recovered the body of a missing 28-year-old Winnipeg man from Shoal Lake.

Lucas Janz was last seen going for a swim Sunday, but failed to return to the camp where he was staying.

Janz's body was found near Galt Island.

Another Forest Fire in RR District

Another lighting caused forest fire in the Rainy River district.

Yesterday's blaze was spotted at the north end of Rainy Lake and burned less than 0.1 hectares.

It's just the 27th forest fire in this district this year.

Tornado Damage Reviewed

(MNR photo)


Damage caused by Tuesday's tornado in the Dryden and Sioux Lookout areas appears to be minimal.

An inspection by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Canada personnel identified spots where the tornado touched down, but found no real impact.

In a scale used to rate tornadoes, Environment Canada says this was a zero - the lowest rating possible.

Here is some video supplied by the Ministry of Natural Resources of its surveillance

Education on Election Radar

Ontario's education system is getting a lot of attention from all three parties in the upcoming provincial election.

Premier Dalton McGuinty warned elementary teachers gathered in Toronto that if the Progressive Conservatives win, the system will return to the cutbacks of the Mike Harris era.

Tory Leader Tim Hudak wasn't invited to speak at yesterday's meeting, but the Conservatives were quick to deny McGuinty's claims, saying they will put two billion dollars into the education system.

Gravelle Talks to OFL Head

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle feels talks went well with the Ontario Federation of Labour.

Gravelle made a phone call to president Sid Ryan after injured workers occupied his Thunder Bay office.

Gravelle says he's committing his support to moving forward on their concerns over workers compensation.

Labour groups are looking for improvement that help injured workers.

Fair Opens Today

(Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society photo)

It's fair time in Emo

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society's annual event begins today with the midway opening at 2 p.m.

The crowning of the fair queen, as well as the Mini King and Queen, takes place at the Emo-LaVallee Arena at 6 p.m.

Gate admission is 3 dollar per person with advance ride tickets available around the district.

Boy Killed in ATV Accident

A 10-year-old boy from the Rainy River district is dead following an accident involving an ATV.

OPP say the boy was operating the off-road vehicle on private property in Dawson Township early Tuesday night when he lost control and struck a barbed wire fence.

He was transported to hospital in Rainy River where he was pronounced dead.

No name has been released.

Customs Officers Sentenced

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer who worked in International Falls has been sentenced to seven years in prison

A Koochiching County judge Monday sentenced 46-year-old Patrick Hamburg on a charge of second-degree sexual assault involving a young girl.

Hamburg was arrested last November and later admitted to accusations of assaulting the girl multiple times over several years.

Tornadoes Spotted

(Supplied photo)

There are no reports of damage after funnel clouds were reported in several northwestern Ontario communities yesterday.

Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says they came as severe weather passed through. "There was strong indications of funnel activity as far west as Kenora and Grassy Narrows," says Laidlaw. "There was reports of at least two tornado touchdowns - one to the north of the Dryden airport. The other in the vicinity of Sioux Lookout."

Environment Canada issued tornado warnings for that area late yesterday afternoon.

Matt Queau shot this short video of a funnel cloud passing north of Dryden.

Water Levels Holding Steady

Water levels in the Rainy Lake basin are holding their own, despite this summer's hot and dry weather conditions.

Rick Cousins, an engineering advisor to the International Rainy Lake Board of Control, says even with heavy rainfalls in early July, water levels have stayed within acceptable levels.

"Outflows were increased somewhat due to that," says Cousins, "but the levels on both Namakan and Rainy Lakes were maintained pretty closes to the middle of the International Joint Commission rule curve bands."

Cousins doesn't expect much change heading into the fall.

West Nile Virus Identified

Signs of the West Nile Virus have been identified in the Fort Frances area.

The Northwestern Health Unit says a number of mosquitoes were identified in a trap tested positive for the disease.

West Nile can be spread to humans through the bite of mosquito, but there are no reports of any people having contracted the disease.

Moose Management Plan

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a draft management plan that seeks to bolster research into what is killing Minnesota's moose faster than they can reproduce.

The DNR estimates about 4,900 moose in northeastern Minnesota, down 11 percent from last year's numbers.

The proposal includes measures to restrict deer populations and tighter restrictions on hunting.

The draft is open for public comment until the end of September.

Conservative Vote Saturday

The Conservatives in Kenora-Rainy River will vote this Saturday for their candidate for the upcoming provincial election.

Balloting will be done in Fort Frances, Dryden and Kenora.

In Fort Frances, that vote will be conducted at the La Place Rendez-Vous with registration going from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Two Kenora city councillors, Rod McKay and Louis Roussin, are seeking the nomination.

Court Ruling Today

The Ontario Superior Court is expected to render its decision today in a case over logging and treaty rights.

The case was brought over a decade ago by trappers from Grassy Narrows First Nations against the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The band has asserted the province does not have the authority to infringe on its territory by allowing logging operations on traditional lands.

Jail Abuse Probe

The provincial ombudsman will probe allegations of excessive use of force by guards against inmates in the province's jails.

Andre Marin says he received more than 100 complaints last year from inmates who say they were assaulted by correctional officers.

Marin says what's even more disturbing are the allegations that the violence has been covered up or ignored.

Historic Designation Given

A Minnesota landmarks near International Falls has earned a coveted designation.

Grand Mound, located west of the city, has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Grand Mound is at the center of an interconnected landscape of burial mounds, seasonal villages and sturgeon fishing sites going back to 200 B.C.

A Good Man's Life

A former Rainy River district man who fought in World War Two is the subject of a book.

A Good Man's Life chronicles the life of Jack MacDonald who left the family farm near Fort Frances to join Canada's war effort.

His son, Wayne Kehl, says the stories of war vets are important to tell.

"My kids, who are now in their 30's, know nothing of this," says Kehl. "I think most of the children of boomers have no real idea of what went on in the war. If you think about it, most boomers don't know much about it either."

MacDonald now lives in British Columbia.

Heritage Party Candidate to Enter Race

(Northern Ontario Heritage Party Leader Ed Deibel)

It appears the fledgling Northern Ontario Heritage Party plans to run a candidate in the Kenora-Rainy river riding.

Published reports say an announcement will come this week.

The party, formed by now leader Ed Deibel of North Bay, has planned to field candidates in all eleven northern ridings.

City Recognizes Local Flyers

The city of International Falls is planning to recognize a local family well-known to the flying community in Minnesota.

The airport terminal will be renamed after Francis Einarson with the field to be called Einarson field.

Francis Einarson, along with his brother Jim, purchased the airport after World War II, later lobbying State and federal governments for improvements.

NDP Select Candidate

NDP in Kenora-Rainy River have selected MPP Howard Hampton's constituency assistant in Dryden as their candidate for the October 6 provincial election.

Sarah Campbell of Oxdrift beat out Kenora lawyer Robert Sinding following a series of nomination meetings that concluded Monday night in Fort Frances.

Campbell says the campaign for her is now underway.

"I've been meeting with people and advocating on their behalf and doing some of that work already," says Campbell. "I can tell you Howard has set the pace and I just have to keep going and work just as hard as I possibly can."

No results were given, but a total of 137 people cast ballots in meeting held in Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances.

Howarth Happy with NDP Team

NDP leader Andrea Horwath is expressing confidence in her party's fortunes in the upcoming provincial election.

Horwath says they have strong candidates and supporters across the province that are anxious to get to work.

"We have a great slate of candidates, but our volunteers are coming out in droves," says Horwath. "Already in many of the ridings they're knocking on doors. Our candidates are knocking on doors. We're getting ready for once the writ drops our campaigns are off and running right off the mark."

Horwath was in Fort Frances for Monday's nomination meeting of the riding's NDP candidate.

Hampton Says Thanks

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is giving thanks to the people who supported him in past elections.

Hampton, who decided earlier this month not to seek reelection, says the hard work of so many volunteers helped keep him at Queen's Park for nearly a quarter of a century.

"There are many people who worked on every campaign. They've contributed financially. They put up signs. They knocked on doors," says Hampton. "I can't thank them enough. These aren't people who were paid for this. They gave of their free time. They volunteered."

Hampton will participate in one more election by helping campaign for the riding's new NDP candidate Sarah Campbell.

Conservative to Pick Candidate Soon

The Conservatives should have their candidate in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding in place by this weekend.

Plans are being finalized for a travelling ballot box to visit, Fort Frances, Dryden and Kenora.

So far the times and locations of where the ballot box will be have not been finalized.

Two Kenora city councillors, Rod McKay and Louis Roussin, are duking it out for the nomination.

Search for Time Capsule

The demolition of the former Robert Moore School in Fort Frances is expected to continue for at least another week.

Crews began knocking down the old school Friday.

They're also searching for a time capsule believed to have been placed in the school at the time of construction.

So far no such capsule has been found.

Town Report Being Reviewed

The company interested in acquiring the former Atikokan Forest Products mill is mulling over a report identified possible wood supplies to open the shuttered mill.

The report was commissioned by the town of Atikokan.

Mayor Dennis Brown says it's identifies wood coming from a number of private woodlot owners.

The mill is currently slated to be sold off for scrap.

CEP Adds AbitibiBowater Sawmill Workers

Maintenance and production workers at AbitibiBowater's sawmill in Thunder Bay have agreed to join the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union.

The union conducted a six-month organizing drive that led up to Friday's vote.

NDP Final Vote

NDP bring their travelling ballot box to Fort Frances in their selection of a provincial candidate for Kenora-Rainy River.

Tonight's meeting at the Adventure Inn is the last of four nominations meetings for Sarah Campbell of Oxdrift and Robert Sinding of Kenora.

It begins at 6 p.m.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is expected to be in attendance.

Renewable Energy Program Debated

The McGuinty government's renewable energy program is shaping up to be an election issue this fall.

Progressive Conservative Energy Critic John Yakabuski says they'll scrap the program if elected.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says she'd look to making changes to the program before allowing any new contracts to proceed.

More Forest Fires

(MNR photo)


The forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario doesn't seem to be letting up.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says there were 28 new starts on the weekend, bring the number of active fires back to over 110.

None of the new fires are in the Rainy River district, but the Ministry is watching to see if a storm the passed through Friday will result in any lightning fires.

Task Force Report Gets Public Review

The International Joint Commission kicks off a series of meetings tonight in Fort Frances to discuss the future management of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake basins.

Nick Heisler, a senior advisor, says they want the public to provide input on recommendations made by a task force.

"These include a summit to be convened by the International Joint Commission to encourage the development of a water shed vision to look at common goals and objectives," says Heisler. "The second recommendation is to combine the two existing IJC boards, the Water Control Board and Pollution Control Board, into a single international water shed board."

The meeting takes place at the La Place Rendez-Vous beginning at 7 p.m.

Pawlenty Drops Out

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is dropping out of the race for the G-O-P presidential nomination.

His decision came after a disappointing 3rd place finish in the Iowa straw poll Saturday.