New Bridge Rules Approved

New rules governing the operation of CN Rail's drawbridge connecting Fort Frances with Rainer will go in place at the end of April.

Federal approval has been given a U.S. Coast Guard regulation that forces CN to man the bridge 24 hours a day between May 1st and October 15.

The bridge will open for vessels the remainder of the year with 12-hours advance notice.

It's currently operated remotely, but public complaints led to the Coast Guard taking action.

CN opposed the rule, citing limited requests for the bridge to open.

Solar Panel Project Clarified

Fort Frances town councillors have a clearer understanding of a project to place solar panels on some municipal buildings.

Corey Watson of Solar Logix met with councillors this past week.

He says the ability to sell power-produced back at 80 cents per kilowatt hour is based on peak usage.

"During peak hours, (users) actually paying over a $1.80," says Watson. "It's actually $1.86 at prime hours of consumption. So this steady rate of 80.2 cents is actually occurring right when the prime hours of peak consumption are occurring."

Watson predicts the rate will drop to about 40 or 50 cents in the near future.

Liberals Accussed of Ignoring the North

The Opposition at Queen's Park is on the attack for what they say is a lack of commitment to northern Ontario in this past week's provincial budget.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the Liberals have done nothing in the way of job creation.

"Families in the north were expecting a budget that would address the loss of value-added jobs, the higher cost of living and the soaring electricity rates that people in the north are facing," says Horwath. "But instead of action, they got the same old tired rhetoric."

Horwath is also critical of cuts to the Ministries of Natural Resources and Aboriginal Affairs.

Boshcoff In

Ken Boshcoff has made it official.

The Liberal candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River has filed the necessary paperwork with the District Returning office in Thunder Bay to run in this May's federal election.

Boschoff simply says "The race is on."

Grade 10 Students Attend P.A.R.T.Y.

(LaVerendrye Hospital's emergency department was one of the stop in Grade 10 students visit to hospital)

A group of grade 10 students got a close-up look yesterday at what the impact of an tragic accident can have.

A visit to LaVerendrye hospital in Fort Frances was part of a prevention program called P.A.R.T.Y. - Prevent Alcohol Related Trauma in Youth.

Paramedic John Beaton, who started the program here, says it teaches young people to make smart choices.

"The term we use is a ripple effect," says Beaton. "The choice you make, how it effects everybody else, your family and friends, you don't realize those choices you make on a short notice how effects everybody so we're trying to get them to make smart risks."

Students also heard from emergency personnel and accident survivors.

Daffodil Sales Kick Off Today

The Canadian Cancer Society is asking area residents to help join in the fight against cancer by buying daffodils.

Fundraising Coordinator Margaret Saville says this year they're selling both daffodils and daffodil pins.

"Throughout Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Fort Frances there will be live daffodil sales," says Saville. "The pins are in Ignace, Rainy River and Ear Falls."

Saville says they've also started the planning for this summer's Relays for Life, including an event schedule for Fort Frances.

Tests Written Today

It's an important day for Grade 10 students across the Rainy River District.

Students at Atikokan, Fort Frances and Rainy River High Schools will write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Tests.

The passing the test is a prerequisite for graduating high school.