Regional College Campuses Important

The in-coming president of Confederation College sees it's regional campuses playing an important role in the College's success.

Jim Madder replaces the retiring Patricia Lang in July.

He says wants to build on the regional relationships the College now enjoys.

"I'm looking forward to working more with the local communities to establish exactly what is needed and to figure the best way to deliver it," says Madder, "not just from Confederation College but to also facilitating other institutions in those communities as well."

Madder says he saw first hand the success of distance education while with Sir Sandford Fleming College in the delivery of an aquaculture program to the Rainy River region several years ago.

Border to get Busy

Officials in both Canada and the U.S. are warning of longer than usual lines at the Fort Frances-International Falls border this May long weekend.

They expect the amount of traffic crossing the border to start increasing as early as today.

They say wait times to cross could reach up to 45 minutes long during peak times.

Enforcement Numbers Released

Canada Border Services Agency has released the results of an enforcement blitz conducted during the Easter long weekend at the Fort Frances border.

98 per cent of the 900 vehicles and 18-hundred travellers checked were found complying with border regulations.

Officers did have to seize some undeclared and prohibited goods while refusing entry to four individuals.

Riverside Phone Troubles

Some telephone difficulties for Riverside Health Care Facilities.

Officials say its phone message system is not working properly.

This impacts hospitals in Fort Frances, Rainy River and Emo, Rainycrest Long Term Care Facility and the clinics in Rainy River and Emo.

Officials says if your calling a direct line, after four rings hang up and try again later.

If you are trying to reach the Rainy River or Emo clinics, the LaVerendrye switchboard will direct you to the clinic's main phone line.

More Fires in District

Fire crews from the Rainy River district were called out to two new forest fires yesterday.

One located about 45 kilometres north of Fort Frances required aggressive ground and air attack.

The fire is about four hectares in size and listed as not under control.

The other blaze was spotted five kilometres north of Pinewood, burning in a ditch but was quickly extinguished.

Wasaya Enters Helicopter Business

Five communities with Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corporation are part of a new ownership group involving Wayasa Air and Kelner Helicopters.

Wasaya chair Hez Sakakeep says it's a move which will give Kelner a whole new market to build on.

Sakakeep says in turn Wasaya gets to take advantage of the demand for helicopter services in the Ring of Fire mining development.

Big Bike in Fort Frances

The Heart and Stroke Foundation brings its Big Bike to Fort Frances today.

Area coordinator Cindy Engstrom says the 29-seat bicycle will be at Shopper's for groups, organizations or individuals to participate.

"It's a great fun team building event," says Engstrom. "It's a great opportunity for businesses and employees to increase moral and show their support and visibility in the community."

The Foundation uses the bike to raise awareness and money for heart disease and stroke research.