Former Family Services Worker Facing Charges

The former director of family services with the Rainy River First Nation is reportedly facing multiple charges in connection with alleged abuses of two teenage girls and a woman.

Metrolinx News reports 60-year-old James Leonard Cardy is free on bail after turning himself into Winnipeg Police last week.

The alleged offences took place in Winnipeg between January and November of last year.

An band official says Cardy was dismissed from his position earlier this year.

College Support Workers Get New Contract

The province's 24 community colleges should be back to normal within days after striking staff reached a tentative deal.

The eight-thousand support workers, including those with Confederation College, who were on picket lines since just before school resumed are expected back on the job tomorrow.

No details will be released until after a ratification vote.

Internet Safety to be Promoted

Ontario Provincial Police will likely roll out its Internet Safety programs to Rainy River district schools next month.

Constable Anne McCoy says they've come up with a curriculum that touches every age group, their parents and teachers.

McCoy says Tim Hortons, a past supporter of the DARE program, will continue on with this program through the sale of its Smile Cookies this week.

Passport to Farm Safety

A program that emphasizes safety on the farm is being tested in the Rainy River district.

Administrative coordinator for Safe Community's Rainy River Grace Silander says 26 area farms are involved in Passport to Farm Safety.

Pilots are also being done in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and southern Ontario before expanded elsewhere by mid-October.

Parliament Resumes

Members of Parliament will return to their seats today in the House of Commons.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty plans to reintroduce a private members bill to protect workers severance.

Rafferty says he'll also be watching for the Conservatives to bring their plan to kill the long-gun registry very early in the session.

Canada Responses to Tax Dispute

The Harper government is pressing the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to back off on its effort to find offshore tax cheats in Canada.

The IRS is going after people who are citizens of both Canada and the U-S, and didn't file a U.S. tax return.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says many of those dual citizens are not high rollers with offshore bank accounts -- and Canada is not a tax haven.

The U.S. also proposes to compel Canadian banks to notify the I.R.S. of accounts held by clients with dual citizenship.

Weather Impacts Forest Fire

The weather is expected to be a factor again in that huge forest fire burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area near Ely.

Rain yesterday helped prevent further spread of the 147-square mile fire which is 11 per cent contained.

Clear skies and strong winds forecast today could blow smoke back over Lake Superior.

Dayton Visits International Falls

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton brings his economic development summit to International Falls today.

The summit aims to gather ideas on job creation.

It takes place 2 p.m. at Rainy River Community College.

Hockey Equipment Drive Continues

A drive to collect used hockey equipment for area youth in the Rainy River district is being extended.

The Taggs Sources for Sports store in Fort Frances will collect items until September 23rd.

The equipment will later be given to Kidsport for distribution.