Fort Frances Woman Worried About Japan

A mix of emotions for a Fort Frances woman with ties to Japan.

Aya Sletmoen says the community she's originally from was hit hard by last Friday's earthquake and tsunami.

"I was so shocked. It didn't look like my country anymore," says Sletmoen. "Sometimes I was able to see my hometown on television and I'm just sad right now."

Sletmoen says, fortunately, her mother and sister managed to stay safe.

She's been in constant communication with them since.

First Nations Cancer Screening Program

First Nations adults in the northwest are the target for a new cancer screening program.

The Regional Cancer Centre in Thunder bay has received $100-thousand from Cancer Care Ontario for the program.

Vice President Linda Rabeneck says its an important one.

"The screening rates in First Nations and among aboriginals is too low," says Rabeneck. "Their burden of cancer is too high. Their survival rates are not as good."

The Centre is hoping to get 70 per cent of the region's First Nations people tested.

Population Drops

Fewer people are calling International Falls and Koochiching County home than they did ten years ago.

Census Data released yesterday shows the County experienced a 7 per drop in its population while the Falls is down about 4 per cent over the past decade.

The Falls population is down 300 to 6,424.

13,311 people are scattered through the County - a drop of one thousand from the year 2000.

Americans Refused into Canada

Canada Border Services Agency denied a dozen Americans from passing through its Fort Frances port of entry last month.

The agency says all had various criminal records ranging from drug convictions, assaults and burglary.

In one case, a woman tried to enter claiming to be married to a Canadian incarcerated in Arizona who was being deported back to Canada.

The woman was unable to prove the marriage.

Former Customs Officers Pleads Guilty

A former U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent who worked in International Falls has admitted making up a story about his family being threatened so he could be transferred to the southern border.

Thirty-year-old Andrew Rodriguez of East Grand Forks pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of making a false statement.

A sentencing date has not been set.

Pay Fees On-Line

The Rainy River District School Board is making it easier for parents to pay for their child's school fees.

An on-line pay system is in place for its three Fort Frances schools.

Board accountant Meaghan Cox says all parents need is a debit card.

"We can set up those fees online," says Cox, "and parents can go and create an account and log in to a secure on-line site in order to pay those fees. It's parallel to Internet banking or paying fees on-line and the funds flow directly to the school."

Cox says they hope to offer the system district wide in the future.