BIA Pleased with Rainy Lake Talks

The chair of the Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association is happy with the direction being taken on the former Rainy Lake Hotel.

A group of representatives have agreed to continue meeting to finding possible ideas for the shuttered landmark.

BIA Chair Connie Cuthbertson says last week's meeting was very encouraging.

The group will meet again at the end of November to discuss possible funding opportunities

Garage Destroyed by Fire

Fire destroyed a garage on Third Street East in Fort Frances Friday

It occured shortly after the noon hour.

A small shed and a nearby house also suffered damaged.

The cause has not been identified.

Halloween Tonight

Ontario Provincial Police want to ensure everyone has a safe Halloween.

Constable Anne McCoy says young trick or treaters should keep to well lit areas and parents should know where they're children will be if going by themselves.

McCoy says youngsters should also avoid running across streets or lawns.

Youngsters Glowing Tonight

Youngsters across the Rainy River district will be glowing again this Halloween.

Grace Silander of Safe Communities Rainy River says nearly four thousand glow sticks were distributed to schools and day cares for children to use tonight.

The sticks help keep them visible tonight.

A limited number of the sticks are still available at Tess' Kitchen on Scott Street in Fort Frances.

Halloween for Hunger

Members of Saving Faces will be on the streets tonight asking for non-perishable food items.

Natalie Hyatt says it's the second year that the Fort Frances High School group has participated in the Halloween for Hunger.

Members will be in costume, but will carry name tags to identify themselves.

Walleye Anglers Examined

A Ministry of Natural Resources study gives anglers some credit in keeping walleye stocks healthy in northwestern Ontario.

Researchers looked at the habits of anglers in 157 walleye lakes.

One of the studies authors, Len Hunt, says it did prove lakes close to anglers do face fishing pressures

The study also disproved a theory that anglers target the best lakes until fish populations go in decline.

Campbell Now Riding's MPP

Sarah Campbell is itching to get to work.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP was handed the NDP critic portfolio of Natural Resources and Aboriginal Affairs before being sworn into office Thursday.

Campbell says MPP's could be in the legislature next month.

MP Looks to Protest Severance Pay

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty has brought back a private members bill aimed at protecting workers' severance when companies enter bankruptcy protection.

It's a similar bill that died on the order table in the last parliament.

First reading of the bill took place in the House Thursday.

Gas Leak

The smell of natural gas brought members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service to the downtown core Thursday night.

Fire officials say a relief value let go at Union Gas's new sub-station on Mowatt Avenue at around 6 p.m.

The problem was blamed on debris on the line and corrected within three hours.

Hunters Fined

A costly hunting trip for two Ontario men.

The two men, from Chelmsford and Manitouwadge, were fined a total of  $10,000 after being convicted on two separate incidents of hunting on private property.

They had been first charged last November and then again in April while hunting in the Rainy River district.

Alone with the fines, one man was banned for hunting for four years - the other for two.

L.U. Moves Up

Lakehead University has moved up one spot in the Maclean magazine rankings of Canadian universities.

President Dr. Brian Stevenson says they have room for improvement.

Lakehead ranks second among the five undergraduate universities in Ontario.

Haunt Opens Again

What has become a Halloween tradition returns Monday to Fort Frances.

Tess and Robert Coish will transform the backyard of their Scott Street business into a Halloween haunt for young ghouls and goblins.

The Coishes are also accepting donations of treats from people willing to assist.

Gold Search Widens

The search for gold in the Rainy River district continues to heat up.

Winnipeg-based Kings Bay Gold says it has staked more land around its Menary township project after assay results showed strong indications of gold mineralization.

Further mapping, sampling and drilling are now planned for the area, 20 kilometres south of Nestor Falls

The company is also exploring a tailing's pond used by a former mining company back in the 1990's

Fires Still Burn

Forest Fires still burning inside Quetico Provincial Park will be allowed to burn themselves out.

Some of the eight fires have been active since July.

Jennifer Young of the Ministry of Natural Resources says a management plan in place allows fire in certain areas to help regenerate the park's forests.

All of the fires were lightning caused and have covered a total area of about 270 hectares

Canoe Holder Wins Contest

A holder made of miniature paddles and a canoe is among ideas given consideration by the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation for further development.

Darrell Chambers proposed the idea as part of the Corporation's contest to further promote the town's moniker as Canoeing Capital of Canada.

Chambers says he's already working toward having fifty holders ready for sale soon.

Take a Coffee Break

It's not too late to sign up for a Coffee Break.

Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Lynn Moffatt says they still have a number of kits to hand out to potential hosts.

The fundraiser runs until February.

Chili Winners

The public has spoken.

Holmlund's Financial Services was the judges' selection in of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's Chili Cook-off.

CIBC was the people's choice.

A total of thirteen teams took part in Wednesday's event.

Senior's Survey Near Completion

An Atikokan seniors group has nearly 100 per cent participation in a survey they hope will result in construction of an assisted living facility in that community.

Alex Broski of the Atikokan Senior Forum says they've been asking seniors to help identify local needs

Broski says the information may help find a builder interest in the project.

Rafferty Wants Input

Most New Democrats don't like it, but Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty isn't going to pass immediate judgement on the Conservative's plan to abolish the long-gun registry.

Rafferty is going to let his constituents do the talking and is seeking their input.

Rafferty says the latest legislation is similar to previous attempts to scrap the registry but includes a clause to destroy all existing registry records.

Question of the Day - October 26

Meantime, 92 per cent of respondents to a B93.ca question want the Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP to support the governments bill.

8 per cent feel Rafferty should help keep the registry in place.

Today's question, Fort Frances town council is being asked to help fund a program that improves the self-esteem of young girls.

Is this a program council should fund?

Vote at B93.ca

American Denied Entry

An American on a bicycle riding to Winnipeg was among 42 people prevented from entering Canada at the Fort Frances point of entry last month.

The Canada Border Services Agency says the man was denied entry after it was revealed he had criminal convictions in at least ten different States.

In another case, a man from Texas who wanted to move to Fort Frances was denied entry when he declared his main source of income was from playing on-line poker.

The man unable to prove he had funds to support himself or that he had employment or a home in the United States.

A total of 96-thousand people passed through the border in September.

Nipigon Informs Residents of Nuke Storage Plan

None are in the Rainy River district, but the number of northwestern Ontario towns willing to at least consider the idea of storing waste from nuclear reactors in their vicinity has reached half a dozen.

Nipigon is the latest to allow an information kiosk to be set up to inform locals about the proposal.

Mayor Richard Harvey says council has not made any decision about the project.

PC Members Seeks Speaker Position

Ontario's Liberals may end up with a virtual majority after all despite falling one seat short in the October 6th election.

This, after Progressive Conservative MPP Frank Klees announced he will run for Speaker of the legislature.

Both the Tories and the New Democrats had vowed not to put any candidates forward to force the Liberals to up a candidate and further weaken their numbers.

Operation Christmas Child Info Session

A chance to learn more about Operation Christmas Child today.

Organizer Della McQuaker says an event at the Bethel Baptist Church in Fort Frances will help explain how  people can help children in developing countries at Christmas.

The kick-off event goes from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Chili Cook-Off Today

Some of the best local chilli recipies will be put to the test today.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's annual Chili Cook-off goes at the Legion.

Manager Anthony Mason says 15 teams are taking part.

You can taste them all and vote for your favourites from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Campbell Gets Q.P. Responsibilities

A full plate of responsibilities for Sarah Campbell.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP will be Natural Resources and Aboriginal Affairs critic for the provincial New Democrats.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath made the appointments during a caucus meeting this morning in Toronto.

Bill to End Long-Gun Registry Introduced

A federal bill to scrap the registration of long guns will be introduced in Parliament today.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says its difficult for him to make comment on right away.

While supportive of scrapping the registry, Rafferty says he'll again seek local input before making his final decision on this bill.

Self-Esteem Program Seeks Funding

The town of Fort Frances is being asked to contribute funding to a program that helps improve the self-esteem of young girls.

Facilitator Heather Jarvis says it will help expand the Uniquely Me Program now run out of J.W. Walker School.

Sixteen girls are now involved in the six-week program.

Mayor to Meet with Federal Transport Minister

Fort Frances will be represented at a meeting this week with federal transport Minister Denis Lebel.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says it's important the Minister understand the issues faced by small municipal airports.

Lebel is inviting area Mayors to a meeting while he's visiting Red Lake Thursday.

Mayor Roy Avis is expected to attend.

Jobs Summit in St. Paul

There will some International Falls involvement to the Governor's final job summit in the Twin Cities.

City Mayor Shawn Mason will be a part of the panel that meets today.

The forum will examine ideas of creating more jobs gathered at several regional summits, including one held in International Falls earlier this month.

Shadow Cabinet Announced Today

Kenora-Rainy River MPP elect Sarah Campbell will know today what critic portfolio she'll be handling for the New Democrats.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath will unveil her shadow cabinet this morning at Queen's Park.

College Numbers Strong

Confederation College continues to ride a first year enrolment wave.

Vice President of Student and Corporate Services Bob Backstrom says this year's levels have remained even with last year, but that is still very high.

The college's Rainy River campus has 74 first-year students, a nearly 50 per cent increase over last fall's numbers.

Youngsters Win Contest

Two Atikokan youngsters are getting a chance to pursue their idea that promotes Atikokan as the Canoeing Capital of Canada.

10-year-old Charlotte Arnold and her brother 12-year-old Jacob, were among winners of an Atikokan Economic Development Corporation contest.

Charlotte says they're idea was simply to have the town's logo on hats and toques.

They also plan to donate their proceeds to the new Arena project.

Women Sought for Trades

Skills Canada wants to see more young women in the Rainy River district to consider careers in the trades and technology.

Spokesperson Jessica Murphy says they're be hosting an event Thursday in Fort Frances that gives female students a chance to meet woman already working in those areas.

Murphy says only 3 per cent all jobs in the trades are now are held by woman.

Minister Requests Meeting

Municipal leaders across the region are being invited to meet with federal transport minister Denis Lebel this week.

Lebel will be in Red Lake Thursday for an official opening of the town's new airport terminal.

He's also giving area mayors and councillors a chance to sit down and discuss issues of concern.

Fort Frances council is to discuss at its meeting tonight if it will send anybody.

Question of the Day - October 24

In our poll question from Friday, 57 per cent of respondents don't think the McGuinty government should have a separate minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs.

Today's question at B93.ca, the town of Sioux Lookout is no longer banning plastic bags in its community. Do you think a ban on plastic bags should be considered in the Rainy River district?

New Senior's Home for International Falls

The Good Samaritan Society is set to start construction of a new senior's facility in International Falls next April.

The new 54 bed centre will be ten less than its current one.

Administrator Adam Coe says there will also be a new 24-unit assisted living facility.

The Society hopes to raise one-million dollars locally towards the 18-million dollar project.

Aboriginal Affairs Appointment Not Welcomed

The Chief of Couchichinhg First Nation isn't pleased that the Premier has Kathleen Wynne overseeing both the Aboriginal Affairs and Municipal Affairs Portfolios.

Chuch McPherson believes she'll be conflicted with land claims issues such as the one his band is dealing with over Pither's Point Park with the town of Fort Frances.

Gravelle Ready for New Role

The new Minister of Natural Resources is ready to get down to business.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle says has no trouble with his new responsibility.

Gravelle expects a smooth transition given that many issues will carry over from his former post as Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.

Fire Under Control

The US Forest Service is preparing to leave it to winter to kill the last remnants of a forest fire that
blackened nearly 145 square miles in and near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Officials say the fire is 91 per cent contained and will be attacked by air, if necessary, until the snow douses it for good.

Hockey Coaches Meet

Minor hockey coaches from across the Rainy River district are gathering in Fort Frances this weekend.

Ron McKinnon of Hockey Northwestern Ontario says it's to help them become certified.

The weekend conference will include both on and off ice sessions,.

Pink Broncos

Members of the Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team will be sporting Pink went they hit the ice for a season opening tournament this weekend at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Alexis-Faith Perreault says it to help raise awareness of total breast health.

Players will be sporting pink ribbons and pink hockey tape and encourage spectators to wear pink.

Hampton Get New Job

It didn't take long for Howard Hampton to land a new job.

The long-time MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, who decided not to seek reelection this month, has taken a job with a Toronto law firm.

He'll be working with the firm's corporate social responsibility and aboriginal affairs groups.

Prior to entering politics, Hampton was a lawyer with the Canadian Labour Congress, and for the provincial government in Saskatchewan.

Ontario Cabinet Named Today

The McGuinty government will unveil his new cabinet today.

Sources say it will be smaller, with 22 ministers instead of the previous 28, but there will be a lot of familiar faces.

In the new cabinet, former Energy Minister Brad Duguid will head up a combined Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, while Liberal Ted McMeekin will return to cabinet as minister of
agriculture.

And Dwight Duncan, who will still be the finance minister, will also become deputy premier.

New Northern Development Minister

There will be a new Northern Development and Mines Minister in Premier McGuinty's cabinet.

Michael Gravelle, who's held the post since 2007, is being moved to handle Natural Resources.

Rick Bartolucci takes over the Northern Development portfolio.

Kathleen Wynne takes over as minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs from Brad Duguid who moves to Economic Development and Innovation.

Asbestos Ban Petition Presented

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is adding his voice in the call to ban asbestos.

He presented a petition in the House of Commons yesterday.

The petition also calls for an end to government subsidies of asbestos both in Canada and abroad.

Rainy Lake Hotel Future to be Discussed

The fate of the shuttered Rainy Lake Hotel is expected to be top of conversation at an upcoming meeting of Fort Frances town councillors and local business leaders.

The meeting is expected to included members of the Downtown Business Improvement Association, Chamber of Commerce, the town's economic development advisory committee and the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.

The town has investigated possible demolision of the hotel, but isn't  taking any immediate action.

Attempts to sell-off it off for tax sale early this year drew no takers.

Question of the Day - October 20

What do you think should happen to the former Rainy Lake Hotel - remodel the existing site or have it demolished.

Vote on B93.ca.

In our poll question from yesterday, 100 per cent of respondents support having some of the new seats being created in Parliament to be in northern Ontario.

New Mining Security Firm in Place

There's a new mining security company up and running in Northwestern Ontario.

Spokesperson Scott McIntosh says Synterra Security Solutions will help provide First Nations residents with employment.

Naicathewenin First Nation, along with Wunnumum Lake and Kingfisher Lake are the First Nations partners.

Used Equipment Wanted

There's another drive taking place for the collection of used hockey equipment in Fort Frances

RBC is teaming up with the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association to collect gear for kids in need.

Used items can be dropped off at the bank's branch on Scott Street until October 28.

Used figure skates will also be accepted.

A similar drive last month involved Taggs Sources for Sports, the OPP and Kidsport.

More Gold Found

The potential of yet another huge gold deposit has been identified in the Rainy River district.

Mineral Mountain Resources find comes as its conducts exploration work around the former Straw Lake mine north of Fort Frances.

Vice-president Brad Baker says they believe it to be similar to Osisko's Mining's Hammond Reef project near Atikokan.

But Baker says more exploration is needed before any consideration of a mine is made.

Official Plan Up for Public Viewing

A document that will govern land-use planning in Fort Frances for the next twenty-years comes before the public next month.

Town planner Faye Flatt says they've working for nearly two years updating its official plan which has now gone from 17 to 84 pages thick.

The plan can be viewed at the Civic Centre and Public Library with a public meeting planned for November 1st.

Critic Appointments Delayed

It appears Kenora-Rainy River's Sarah Campbell will have to wait a little longer to find out which critic portfolio she'll be responsible for in the upcoming session of Queen's Park.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath was expected to make those appointments yesterday.

Campbell says they'll now come next week.

Fire Let to Burn Out

National Park Service Photo

A forest fire burning in a remote area of Voyageurs National Park is being allowed to burn itself out.

The lightning-caused fire is burning in mixed pine and hardwood forest, two miles south of Namakan Lake.

Recent rain and colder weather have stopped the fire's spread at about 300 acres.

The fire won't be declared out until several inches of snow falls on the area.

School Raise Money for Cancer Research

(Several teachers from J.W. Walker School, along with the school’s Principal, had their heads shaved in support of their students’ efforts to raise funds for cancer research - Rainy River District School Board photo)

The final numbers are in from Rainy River District School Board students and staff fundraising efforts last month for cancer research.

Over $19-thousand was collected during the week of the National Terry Fox School Run Day.

Local Teen Plans Trip to India

A Fort Frances teenager has set her sights on making a mission trip to India next summer.

Trelawny Erwin says it follows a similar trip she made through a Minnesota-based group last year to Trinidad.

She's now involved in a variety of fundraising activities to help cover the cost of the trip.

Fire Escrow Fund

International Falls City Council has agreed to establish a fire escrow account.

It allows the city to receive a portion of insurance settlements from claims made against property damaged by fire or explosions.

The city will use the funds as security to ensure damaged properties are either repaired or demolished to its satisfaction.

Walleye Regulations Up for Review

A possible change to walleye regulations for the Namakan Reservoir will come up for discussion later this month.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will hold the second of two meetings at the Kabetogama Community Centre October 27th.

An experimental regulation that requires the release of all walleye between 17 and 28 inches, and a limit of four over the slot size, has been in place for the past four years in the area the includes Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point and Crane Lakes.

City Adds Voice for New Customs Building

International Falls wants construction of a new customs facility top of the agenda in Washington.

A preferred site has been selected.

City administrator Rod Otterness says a letter is being sent to their elected representatives to ensure the project gets the attention and funding needed.

An environmental assessment is now underway, but there's been no timetable for actual construction.

Time of Use Rates Going Up

They've only been in place in Fort Frances for less than two weeks, but time-of-use electricity rates are going up.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved increases effective November 1st.

The lowest rate, charged from 7 pm to 7 am,  goes up a third of a cent to 6.8 cents a kilowatt hour.

Hydro used at high peak hours, 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 7 pm, will be charged at a rate of 10.8 cents a kilowatt hour.

Liberals Upset with Green Energy Study

Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid is taking issue with a study that suggests green energy may be costing Ontarians more than the province estimates.

Duguid says the University of Guelph study contains technical errors and incorrect assumptions, adding one of its authors is known for opposing renewable power.

The study predicts solar and wind power will increase hydro costs by 65 per cent by 2015 and 141 per cent by 2030.

Question of the Day - October 18

B93.ca asks today whether the province should continue to pursue wind and solar project in light of the University of Guelph study.

Vote at b93.ca.

Yesterday, we asked if you think the so-called Occupy Wall Street demonstrations will have any kind of impact.

73 per cents of respondents said no.

Critic Portfolios Expected Today

Kenora-Rainy River MPP-elect Sarah Campbell will find out today where she fits into the provincial NDP caucus.

Leader Andrea Horwath is expected to announce her shadow cabinet.

Campbell is keeping close to her chest what critic portfolio she's like to assume.

Campbell is planning to assume all staff and offices, both in the riding and in Toronto, used by outgoing MPP Howard Hampton.

College Numbers Up

More Ontario students are choosing to go to college.

The province's colleges recorded their highest ever first-year enrolment this fall.

Colleges Ontario says first-year enrolment is up more than 20 per cent from five years ago.

Enrolment Down in Minnesota

For the second straight fall, more than 200-thousand students registered at Minnesota's State Colleges and Universities.

That's about 1.5 per cent less than last fall's enrolment of over 203-thousand.

Rainy River Community College's enrolment of 356 is 0.8 per cent off last year's numbers.

38 Special in International Falls

Southern rockers 38 Special is the next band being pursued to perform at International Falls Irvin N. Anderson Amphitheatre.

The band would perform as part of next summer's International Pulling for Peace Tug of War festivities.

Loverboy played to a capacity crowd this past July to open the open-air facility.

Christmas Parade Route Stays Downtown

Organizers of the Fort Frances Parade of Lights will keep the annual Christmas parade on Scott Street.

Brenda Kellar of Causeway Insurance says thoughts of having the November 26th event moved to along the waterfront were abandoned because of a lack of support.

It's not certain if organizers will be required to pay for the OPP to be involved.

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship Committee was forced to pay for policing when it ran its Parade of Boats down Scott in July.