School Board Budget Approved

Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board have approved the budget for the next school year.

Board chair Mike Lewis says he's happy with the balanced budget coming in at just over $48-million.

"We're really pleased with the budget," says Lewis. "We we're able to keep things that we want that will improve things in the classroom, improve things for the teachers. We didn't have to cut those kind of programs that this board has worked hard for years to put in place but we were able to do it only by bringing money out of reserves."

The budget also reflects a projected enrolment decrease of 3.5 per cent and changes in Ministry of Education funding that's almost $1.8 million higher.

Funds for Demolition Provided

The Ministry of Education is providing the Rainy River District School Board with funding to help demolish the former Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

Up to a million dollars will be given.

Demolition is expected this August.

Power Out

The power is out in some homes to the west of Fort Frances this morning.

Hydro One says more than 500 residents living in parts of Alberton and LaVallee township, including the Devlin area are in the dark.

Crews are now working in the area and hope to have power restored by 10:30 a.m.

Library Celebrates

Celebrations for the staff at the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre yesterday.

The Library reached its first anniversary.

Librarian Margaret Sedgwich says there's been a lot growth over the past year.

"I think I'm surprised circulation is up," says Sedgwick. "With e-books and e-readers there's is the concern that maybe people aren't reading but that shows that people are reading. We're up 12.5 per cent in the number of books, DVDs and other media."

Computer use at the Library is up 46 per cent while the library has attracted six hundred people who where not members previously.