Canada Day Get Cash

The town of Fort Frances is providing the group responsible for Canada Day festivities with some cash.

Fort France councillors agreed last night to provide the July 1st organizing committee with an annual grant of five-thousand dollars towards the fireworks display.

An additional five-thousand will be provided for operating expenses.

The committee had indicated it would be willing pay the town back once it was able to source out additional dollars through grants or sponsorships.

New Fire Equipment

The Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service will be getting some new equipment to help deal with incidents involving hazardous materials.

Fire Chief Frank Sheppard says the equipment will ensure they can safely deal with such incidents both here in town and across the border with the International Falls department.

"They currently operate an operations level hazardous material program," says Sheppard. "That was put into our establishing regulating by-law in May and these are sort of gaps that needed to be filled as far as equipment and maintenance of equipment."

A federal grant will help cover half of the over $99-thousand cost.

Bulk Fuel Depot Planned

A bulk fuel depot is being proposed for the west end of Fort Frances.

It's to go next to the Farmer's Market on McIrvine Road.

Dave Kaemingh helped Thunder Bay Truck Centre with the proposal.

"I think there was some concerns about tank size," says Kaemingh. "It's not going to be like the Emo bulk plant with 30 foot tall tanks. They'll be tanks similar to what are at the Sorting Gap (Marina) and airport except maybe a little bit bigger."

A public meeting last night drew no opposition.

No Cut in Fees

The Borderland Roller Derby League won't be getting a break on the fees it pays to use the Memorial Sports Centre.

The league said it was paying $240 per week or $60 per hour for use of the Fort Frances facility.

A town administration report says they'll actually paying $50 an hour which is the same rate charged to a former summer ball hockey program.

Silver Advisory Established

Ontario is planning to introduce a new system to help track down Alzheimer's patients who wander off.

It will involve issuing a so-called "Silver Advisory'' to notify the public when a person is reported missing.

It's similar to the current Amber Alert system used when a child disappears and will be the first of its kind in Canada.

Accident Victim Identified

A Morley township man has been identified as the victim of a collision involving a vehicle and a train Friday night.

92-year-old Donald Robert Bolen was killed in the accident that occurred at a CN Rail crossing on Highway 617 in Stratton.

Both OPP and CN Rail Police have determined the red lights at the crossing were flashing and operating property at the time.

A post mortem examination is taking place in Kenora.

Freighter Names After Minnesota Congressman

A Great Lakes freighter has been renamed the Honorable James L. Oberstar, the former Minnesota congressman who spent decades as a leading player in U.S. transportation policy.

His wife formally rechristened the ore carrier during a ceremony yesterday in Duluth harbor.

The 76-year-old Oberstar says he's humbled by the honor.

Thefts Investigated

OPP are investigation two thefts that occurred in the Rainy River district over the past couple of months.

One happened May 13 at the Hydro One compound at Holmes Avenue in Fort Frances.

Police says two individuals cut a hole in the fence and stole five Husqvarna chainsaws from a service truck.

The other theft occurred at a cottage at Pipestone Lake back on March 28.

The owners say a water pump, solar panel and battery were taken.

National Attention for Area Musician

An Atikokan blues artist is getting some national attention.

Sunday Wilde was home briefly following a month long tour of the Toronto area.

She tells B-93 News that her music could be part of a television show involving actress Glenn Close.

"It hasn't happened yet," says Wilde, "but the guy who signed me up with the songs and said "I think they're going to like their music, and placed music in that show lots.' If that happens that mean my music will be broadcast all over the world on television."

Wilde was also featured on a syndicated radio program hosted by Dan Akroyd.

She's now back on tour, this time through northwestern Ontario with stops in Rossport, Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay and Atikokan over the next month.