St. Michael's Expansions to Proceed

The Northwest District Catholic School Board has received the go ahead from the province to expand St. Michael's School to allow for the full-day kindergarten this fall.

Education Director Mary Catherine Kelly says the Ministry of Education has confirmed the over $622-thousand for the project at the Fort Frances school.

"The board will renovate two existing classrooms so that it adds two additional square footage," says Kelly. "Then we have two classrooms that will be expanded even further to create kindergarten full-day classrooms across from the current kindergarten classrooms."

Work is expected to begin this spring.

Rainy Lake Hotel Up for Tax Sale

The former Rainy Lake Hotel has been put up for tax sale.

Bids on the building are being accepted by the town of Fort Frances until February 15th.

The town is seeking a minimum bid of just over $163-thousand.

The hotel has been closed in 2005.

Weddings Continue at Sunny Cove

The town of Fort Frances is again going to allow a limited number of weddings at Sunny Cove Camp this year.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas says they're permitting just four during the non-traditional wedding months as part of an ongoing evaluation of the service at the town owned camp.

"We had allowed up to four weddings last year, I think only two actually happened," says Hallikas. "We're still in early days and seeing how it goes because it is a good resource for the entire community."

The town put a limit on the number of weddings last year after complaints it was going in direct competition with the private sector.

Acting No More

(Dr. James Arthurs (r) speaking to area mayors in 2009)


The Northwestern Health Unit's chief medical officer of health no longer has the term 'acting' in front of his title.


Ontario's Health Minister has finally signed off on Dr. James Arthurs' credentials, two years after the Health Unit hired him.



"It doesn't change my authority or what I do," says Dr. Arthurs. "So we're just going to push on with all of our programs. Make sure that were doing what we're expected to do and what we do do and do its well."

Arthurs admits some took the term 'acting' to mean he was only filling in until a more permanent M.O.H. was found.

Holocaust Survivor Returns

(Dr. Eva Olsson speaking Tuesday at Fort Frances High School)

A return visit to the Fort Frances yesterday by holocaust survivor Dr. Eva Olsson.

Olsson is visiting schools across the district to talk about her experiences and how we can combat hate and bullying.

The 86-year-old says it starts with parents teaching their children about proper attitudes now.

"Because we want to see them when we see them as adults," says Olsson. "They're going to replace us. They're going to be leaders, some of the them, and I want to be sure I won't be disappointed what I send out there."

She's at Atikokan High School today and returns to St. Michael's School in Fort Frances tomorrow.