Avis Comments on Vandalism

(Lion's Park fountain as been a frequent target of vandals this summer)


Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis is expressing disappointment over a rash of vandalism that has struck town parks this summer.

Avis says vandals are only targeting the hard work of people who helped create the parks and force the town to exhaust resources on the clean-up.

"What happens in those cases people who should be doing other things in town like maintaining cemeteries, parks and the waterfront, they're tied up doing that kind of repair," says Avis. "So what happens is the other assets suffer because we don't have the manpower to do that work."

Avis is hoping someone will come forward with information that will lead to arrests and charges.

Airport Fence Contract

Work crews are expected to begin next week on erecting a new fence around the Fort Frances airport.

It's intended to keep deer from wandering on the runway.

The town has awarded the more than $380,000 contract to Thunder Bay-based Wilco Contractors.

A grant from the federal government is covering the full cost of the work.

Trail Development in Rainy River

(Town of Rainy River photo)

The town of Rainy River has received $65,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation towards building a network of multi-use trails through the community.

Recreation Manager Meaghan Shanks says they're hoping to start some of the development this year.

"We're making these available for residents, but also to try and attract visitors and travels to stop and stretch their legs and walk on our trails that we have, " says Shanks.

The eventual goal is to extend the trails beyond town limits.

Area Youth Travel to World Youth Day

Three youth from the Rainy River District will be among the hundreds of thousands of young catholics taking part in this year's World Youth Day festivities.

Joshua Zimmerman, Thomas Lepine and Ryan Brady have been preparing themselves for months for the pilgrimage to Spain.

The six-day event begins August 16.

Mineral Mountain Joins U.S. Exchange

The mining company that's exploring the former Straw Lake Gold Mine near Fort Frances has expanded its ability to acquire funds.

Mineral Mountains began trading on the OTCQX International Monday.

It's allows non-U.S. companies access to U.S. investors without additional regulatory costs required of listing on a traditional U.S. exchange.

MNR Watching Weather

(MNR photo)

Ministry of Natural Resources fire managers are nervous as a low pressure system treks across northwestern Ontario.

They are hoping for rain but may get more lightning as the storm passes.

Meantime, new lightning fires from the weekend in the Rainy River district are now out.

Three lightning fires started at the end of July in Quetico Provincial Park are still smoldering.

Horwath Visits

The province's NDP leader is planning to make some election promises in Thunder Bay today.

Andrea Horwath will announce her plan to protect jobs in the forestry and mining sectors in northwestern Ontario.

She's expected in Fort Frances next Monday.