Fire Aid to Alberta

The Ministry of Natural Resources is sending help to fight forest fires in Alberta.

Spokesperson Debbie MacLean says personnel and equipment will leave Ontario today.

"There will be four twenty-person fire crews and four strike team leaders working with those fire crews as well as one agency representative," says MacLean.

MacLean says crews will be assigned their specific roles when the arrive in Alberta.

More Forest Fires in NWO

Six new forest fires broke out yesterday in northwestern Ontario including one in the Rainy River district.

Crews responded to a lightning caused fire located about ten kilometres northwest of Atikokan.

The fire is now listed as under control at about one hectare in size.

Custom Changes to Benefit Fort Frances

Canada Border Services says more aircraft could be landing in Fort Frances after airports in Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake opted not to continue customs services.

Spokesperson Chris Kealey says Fort Frances is now one of two area airports that will provide year-round services.

"We expect that some of those flights that had otherwise gone to those three locations who may now choose Fort Frances as their stop to report to the CBSA, that could increase the numbers certainly in Fort Frances," says Kealey

Kealey says the closeness of the airport to its Fort Frances office makes it easy to service.

Acts of Mischief Investigated

Provincial police are investigating two separate acts of mischief that occurred in the Devlin area.

Police says someone gained entry to an ice rink building behind Crossroads Schools and dispensed caulking material over the walls and floor.

The incident happened sometime between the close of school last Thursday and its opening the next morning.

The previous weekend, doors to buildings at the LaVallee Township ball diamonds on Highway 11 were kicked in.

Impaired Drivers Nabbed

A number of motorists will be paying a visit to a Fort Frances court room after being arrested over the weekend on impaired driving charges

In one case Friday night, a motorist attempted to evade authorities by driving back to his home only to be arrested as he tried to enter his residence.

The next night, police were called to Pither's Point Park where a vehicle had gone into the ditch.

The uninjured driver was found still behind the wheel.

He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and impaired driving.

Officers Recognized

The Chief of Treaty Three Police is among three northwestern Ontario officers being recognized for their contributions to policing.

Chief Conrad DeLaronde, along with OPP Detective Inspector Dennis Olinyk have been appointed members of the Order of Merit of the Police Services by Ontario's Governor General David Johnston.

Thunder Bay police chief Bob Herman has been appointed as an Officer.

Community Television Plans Dropped

The International Falls Cable Commission is dropping plans to establish a community television station.

City councillor Cynthia Jaksa says a lack of support from Koochiching County and the city of Rainer for a fee on cable bills to fund the station played into their decision.

Jaksa says the Commission will now look at how to improve access to city council meetings through initiatives such as webcasting.

AbitibiBowater Improving

AbitibiBowater's operating performance continues to improve.

The newsprint giant reports first quarter earnings of $30-million U.S., reversing a $500-million loss in the same quarter one year ago.

It's the company's strongest operating performance in four years.

Shrine Circus Returns

The Shrine Circus comes back to Fort Frances today.

Harvey Hudson of the Border Shrine Club says tickets are $11.00 in advance and $12.00 at the door, but there's a break this year for those with young children.

"This year children under 4 are free," says Hudson. "That's always been a bit of a question in the past so we thought we'd define that a little better."

There will be two shows at the Memorial Sports Centre, 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.