Land For Homes Available

The town of Fort Frances is freeing up some land for new housing development.

Town planner Faye Flatt says an area known as the Nelson Street Park and vacant land on Minnie Avenue at Front street will be rezoned to permit new homes.

Council also plans to turn unopened parts of Holmes and Elm Avenues, south of Riverview Drive, into housing lots.

User Fees to be Discussed

Fort Frances town councillors will begin discussing next month the fees paid to access of variety town services and programs.

CAO Mark McCaig says Ontario's Consumer Price Index will serve as a guide in setting any new rates.

The rate for sewer and water services will be determined at a later date.

Funding Denied

Fort Frances town council has turned down requests for funding from two separate organizations, including for the annual Christmas dinner.

While it recognizing the worthiness of the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau organized event, council opted not to take any action on its request.

It also denied funding to the Uniquely Me program aimed at building the self-esteem among young girls.

Question of the Day - November 15

Respondents to a question on B93.ca appear to be split on whether there should be a time limit on Halloween in Fort Frances.

55 per cent support a limit.

Fort Frances town council is looking at the idea first proposed by local resident Jackie Lampi-Hughes.

Careful Driving

Motorists may want to consider easing up on the gas pedal and taking some extra time to get to work this morning.

About four centimetres of snow fell across the borderland last night.

With the cold and wind this morning, some roads have become extremely slippery.
The Ministry of Transportation reports most highways in the Rainy River district, including Highway 11, to be partially snow-covered or snow packed.

Drunk Drivers Stopped

Ontario Provincial Police will kick off their Festive Ride campaign at the end this month.

But some motorists in the Rainy River district have found out the hard way that the OPP's search for drunk drivers happens at anytime of the year.

Since August, OPP have charged nine drivers with impaired driving.

The latest happening on the weekend in which a 51-year-old man from Windsor was found impaired behind the wheel of his vehicle on Hele Road in Chapple Township.

Property Assessment Notices Issued

Property owners across the Rainy River district will begin receiving notices about their property assessment this week.

Municipal and school taxes are based on the figures identified by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Account manager Darryl Bender says they'll tackle complaints if required.

Louis Riel Day

Today is Louis Riel Day.

It commemorates Riel, a key figure in the Red River Rebellion in the late 1880's.

President of the Sunset Country Metis Association Clint Calder says they'll celebrate with a feast and entertainment at their Fort Frances hall tonight.

Few tickets are still available at Fort Frances General Supply or the United Native Friendship Centre.

Town Gets Access

An important step towards a long-waited upgrade of a pumping station on Portage Avenue in Fort Frances.

The town has received the okay to access CN Rail and private property to complete the job.

It now hopes to do the work next year.

College Programs Promoted

Confederation College is out promoting its programs offered out of its Rainy River campus in Fort Frances.

Campus manager Anne Renaud says the four programs will begin classes in January and run right through the summer with the second semester starting in September with others.

Registration is now being accepted for business accounting, business human resources, protection, security and investigation and child and youth worker programs.