Hunters Fined

Three southern Ontario residents will pay $2,750 in fines for their part in the illegal shooting of a moose last October.

The three had stopped on Highway 11, west of Kashabowie, to shoot a moose that was standing in the ditch on the opposite side of the road.

They later tried to lie to Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation officers about where it was shot.

Physical evidence from the animal helped the MNR determine the true location.

Busing Concerns Out of Their Jurisdiction

The Rainy River District School Board says busing concerns expressed by a Fort Frances man in an interview with CFOB aren't within its jurisdiction.

Andrew Labbe was commenting on the board's proposed policy changes, the board says will offer more flexibility to the busing needs of parents and children in the future.

But the board says because Labbe's students attend a catholic school, its policy does not apply, even though catholic and public school students may ride the same bus.

Friendship Centres Seeking Provincial Support

Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres is looking for more support from government.

Sheila McMahon, Federation president and executive director of the United Native Friendship Centre in Fort Frances, says growth among the Urban native population is putting a strain on Centres across Ontario.

"We're finding there's gaps in services and we have large long waiting lists in our communities," says McMahon. "A lot of the friendships centres were built back in the seventies and some of those buildings are condemned or in bad shape."

McMahon addressed the Federation's concerns with government officials this past week.

Independent Panel Needed

The opposition is giving little faith to a Government's established panel that will examine the use of Agent Orange in Ontario during the 1950's, '60's and '70's.

NDP Critic Gilles Bisson told the Legislature yesterday an independent third-party investigation would ensure the truth of the chemical use is told.

"The process you are currently establishing to investigate the use of Agent Orange has the very people who used the Agent Orange and are still using some form of defoliant in charge of the investigation," says Bisson. "Why will you not now agree that we need to have an independent third party investigate this matter?"

Natural Resources Minister Linda Jefferey feels the concerns are premature because members of the committee have not been selected.

OPG Gets Modest Increase Hike

Ontario Power Generation has been given approval to increase its electricity rates by about one per cent.

The government-owned utility, which supplies about 70 per cent of Ontario's electricity, had applied to increase the payments it gets from hydroelectric and nuclear stations by 6.2 per cent.

New Curator Named

The town of Fort Frances has named a new museum curator.

Sherry George takes on the position vacated by Pam Cain at the beginning of this year.

George says one of her goals is help foster new groups that gets more people to take interest in the museum.

"Wee have a genealogy course this Saturday and we're hoping to get a group going with that," says George. "I also like to look into creating a historical society."

George says she's also hoping to instill her love for history into some of the museum's programming.

Falls Enters Ultimate Fishing Town Contest

International Falls is in the running for the World Fishing Network's Ultimate Fishing town contest.

The Falls has entered into the American version of the contest which is running simultaneously with one in Canada.

It's the first time that WFN has run the contest in the U.S.

Nestor Falls and Fort Frances are nominated on the Canadian side.

Nominations on both sides of the border close April 8 with public voting starting April 12.