No Debate in Atikokan

There will be no candidate's debate in Atikokan this federal election.

The Atikokan Chamber of Commerce was hoping to have the debate tonight, but couldn't confirm the attendance of Conservative Candidate Maureen Comuzzi-Stehman because of a visit to Thunder Bay by Prime Minister Harper.
Because of other conflicts, no other alternative date could be found.

All four of the candidates for Thunder Bay-Rainy River will be at debates tomorrow in Stratton and Wednesday in Fort Frances.

Tug of War Taking Shape

Some of the details of this summer's tug of war between Fort Frances and International Falls have been revealed.

Fort Frances Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says there are two separate events planned for July 2.

"One (will be) Fort Frances council versus the International Falls council with some celebrities attached the rope,," says Wiedenhoeft. "There will be twenty pulling against twenty. That will go first. We are going to have a tug-of-war between the Americans and Canadians with fifty (pullers) versus fifty."

A new trophy will also be handed out to the winners.

MNR In Training

The Ministry of Natural Resources has wrapped up a training program for some its employees.

MNR Manager Dave Cleavely says the forum was geared towards senior staff from across northwestern Ontario.

"we brought over one hundred crew leaders into Dryden and we're concentrating on leadership and safety," says Cleavely. "These are our front-line supervisors who take our firefighters into the bush every summer so we want to make sure they have the tools and know the techniques that make our people safe."

Cleavely says the course included a look at new safety guidelines that ensure the safety of workers.

Chambers Adds New Members

The International Falls Chamber of Commerce has some new board member.

Todd Coulombe, manager of International SuperValu of the Falls, and Vera Schumann of the Rainy Lake Medical Centre will join the 12-member board on May 1 for three year terms.

Bob Anderson is the board's new chair.

Summer Company Program Returns

The Northwest Business Centre is offering students a unique summer job opportunity.

Spokesperson Mike Greaves says it will again offer its 'Summer Company' program.

"It's an opportunity for students who are looking for a summer job, they can create their own job by starting their own business and being their own boss," says Greaves. "It's a great opportunity to get a different type of summer work experience."

Over the past 5 years, the program has helped develop 15 young entrepreneurs across the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Festival Results from Friday

Shawn Brady was the lone multi-winner in the French Drama Division of the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts on Friday.

Brady picked up two first-place wins as well as a second-place certificate.

The festival resumes April 28 with instrumental performances.

Here is a list of all winners from Friday.


FESTIVAL RESULTS - FRENCH DRAMA DIVISION, April 15, 2011

CLASS F104-A (II)
FIRST - Alyssa Chaisson
SECOND - Ian Jodoin

CLASS F104-B (III)
FIRST - Maddie Sanders
SECOND - Graham Kitt

CLASS F104-C (II)
FIRST - Savannah Chapman
SECOND -Brielle Byma

CLASS F406
FIRST - St. Francis School, Grades 5 and 6

CLASS F103-A (I)
FIRST - Mackenzie Borger

CLASS F103-A (II)
FIRST - Siobhan MacKintosh
SECOND - Katelin Gurniak

CLASS F103-B
FIRST - Maggie Gurski
SECOND - Naomi McManaman

CLASS F103-D
FIRST - Mackenzie Wright
SECOND - Aiden Tullio

CLASS F104-A
FIRST - Shawn Brady
SECOND - Shanleigh Fryer

CLASS F104-B(I)
FIRST - Tianna Veldhuisen
SECOND - Nick Piotrowski

CLASS F104-C
FIRST - Ashley Dupuis
SECOND - Julia Quast

CLASS F104-D
FIRST - Cameron Penney
SECOND - Shawn Brady

CLASS F110-A
FIRST - Badiuk and Jordan Bruyere

CLASS F110-B(I)
FIRST - Kyle Knapp and Mitchell Riodon

CLASS F110-B(II)
FIRST - Jordan Taggart and Cameron Turriff

CLASS F110-C(I)
FIRST - Claire Hyatt, Ana Stopa and Courtney Williams

CLASS F110-C(II)
FIRST - Alexandra Adrian and McKenna Begin

CLASS F202-A
FIRST - Shawn Brady