Search Resumes

An OPP dive team is expected on Lake of the Woods today in search of a missing boater.

The man was with another fishing on the lake near Morson and reported overdue Monday.

OPP found their capsized boat Tuesday.

The body of the other man was located on the shore.

Their names nor their hometowns have been released.

Fire Cause Determined

(Supplied photo)

Fire Investigators says an electrical fire was to blame for Monday's blaze that destroyed a downtown business in International Falls.

Falls Fire Chief Jerry Jenson says the fire started underneath a stairwell on the first floor of the building housing the store No Place Like Home before spreading to the upper floors.

Jenson says the concern now is the integrity of the burned out building.

He says a decision will be made shortly on possible demolition.

Sewage Upgrades

Atikokan is getting help to improve its sewage treatment system.

The province is providing the town with $700-thousand towards the upgrade of its plant and sewage pumping stations.

Total cost of the project is slightly more than a million dollars.

Solar Panel Contract Accepted

A Thunder bay firm has been selected to install solar panels on four municipal buildings in Fort Frances.

Solar Logix's bid of $363-thousand was $50-thousand higher than the lowest received, but selected partly because of its understanding of the project and the ability to have it completed by September.

The company was involved in a pre-study that identified panels for the Memorial Sports Centre and the town's Water Treatment Plant, Public Works Garage and daycare centre.

More Help to Ontario

(MNR Supplied photo)

Ontario is sending more help to battle forest fires in Alberta.

Eight-two Ministry of Natural Resources firefighters and support staff are to leave today, joining the 89 who have been in the western province for over a week.

Half of the personnel will come from northwestern Ontario where only two fires are active.

Sobriety Walk

A Sobriety Walk was held in Fort Frances yesterday to draw attention to the issue of alcohol and drug abuse.

Albert Calder, an addictions program worker in Couchiching First Nations, says that abuse leads to other concerns.

"With that comes violence, break-ins and elder abuse," says Calder. "People have to be aware of what these drugs are doing to our people."

About thirty people took part in the walk.

Mine Centre Open House

Students and staff, past and present, will get a chance to say good-bye to Mine Centre school this afternoon.

Principal Leslie Barr-Kellar says the school is hosting an event as it prepares to move to new facilities.

"We're getting ready actually for our opening of the new building in the fall," says Barr-Kellar, "and it's just an opportunity for any community member who's had any affiliation with the school over the past forty years to come and mix and mingle and say farewell to the old building as it will be coming down during the summer."

The event goes from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Customer Service Awards

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation has recognized ten businesses for outstanding customer service.

Board Chair George Emes says this year's winners were based on customer votes.

"I think it probably makes it more meaningful if we have the actual public coming forward and having the opportunity to vote," says Emes. "We did have some hitches with some people who didn't have access to Internet and we did have a few complaints. It's something we'll rectify in the future so that everybody gets the opportunity to vote."

Emes says the awards help draw awareness to how well area businesses are doing.