Tornado Warning Issued

(File photo)
A system that brought heavy rain and lightning to the Rainy River district last night also resulted in a tornado warning from Environment Canada.

It came about 9 p.m. and covered areas including Fort Frances, Emo and Rainy River.

Meteorologist Ria Alsen says a report from an individual in Devlin prompted the warning.

"He thought it was a funnel cloud," says Alsen. "He couldn't actually see it touching the ground so we're not actually sure it was an actual tornado. With the funnel cloud report and given the strong thunderstorm cells we were seeing on radar, it was enough reason to issue the tornado warning for the regions near Devlin and Fort Frances. In fact the cell was headed right for Fort Frances at that time, so we put out the warning right way."

No sirens were sounded by emergency personnel in Fort Frances because no actual signs of a tornado could be identified.

Weather Record Set

At least one weather record was broken yesterday.

Atikokan's high of 33.4 C shattered the old mark of 31.8 C set back in 1988.

Fort Frances hit 31.2 C, just shy of the 1988 mark of 31.5 C.

Border Issues Discussed

There was a brief discussion over the weekend on how to improve access across the Canada U-S border.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says his brief talk with Minnesota Senator Al Franken in International Falls set the stage for broader discussions in the near future.
"We've made a plan to get together as soon as we can," says Rafferty. "Possibility later this month or in October when the U.S. Senate is back in Washington."

Rafferty says Franken was well understanding of the issues, including the turn-back of American tourists with often decades old drunk driving charges.

More Lake Enforcement

An enforcement of fishing and camping regulations on Lake of the Woods has resulted in twenty-six charges and another 39 warnings against anglers.

The blitz by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers came last weekend.

Patrols conducted included the southern part of the lake toward Morson, Nestor Falls and the mouth of the Rainy River.

Over one hundred resident and 260 non-resident anglers were checked.

Charges included having too many fish, fishing without a license and fishing with an extra line.

At least one charge was laid for camping without a permit.

Liberals Released Education Progress Report

Ontario's Liberals say gains that have been made in education since they took office could be lost if they lose the election.

Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky says the Progressive Conservatives have dismissed the idea of full-day kindergarten in the past as a frill.

She says the Tories are only promising to keep it now because it's the politically smart thing to do _ yet they haven't given any details about their plan.

The progress report on education is one of several updates the Liberals are planning before the election campaign officially begins at the end of the summer.