Resolute to Halt Paper Machines for Year

Resolute Forest Products is curtailing its papermaking operations in Fort Frances for the rest of the year beginning next week.

The company is citing poor market conditions as the reason behind the five week shutdown of its paper machines.

About one hundred employees will be impacted.

Operations at the Kraft mill are not effected.

It's the third work stoppage at the mill this year.

Bass Tournament Finances Improve

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is back in the black.

The tournament organizers began the year nearly $17-thousand in the hole, but ended with a small profit.

Chair Gord Watson says having Sunset Country Ford as a major sponsor was key.

Watson also credits the work of the entire board for helping turn the financial records around.

Tournament Huge to Local Economy

There's new proof that the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship has a significant impact on the Rainy River district economy.

Rainy River Futures Development Corporation consultant Tannis Drysdale says a survey of out-of-town visitors to this year's event identified a total impact of over $460-thousand.

Drysdale says that figure equates to the creation of between six to seven full times jobs every year.

Government Criticized over First Nations Relations

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell wants the Liberal government to improve its relations with First Nations.

She says a recent decision by the K-I band to walk away from talks with government over mining rights shows its current policies aren't working.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynne says they remain committed to respective and ongoing dialogue with native communities.

Second Vote on HST Removal Bill

It's a crucial day in the legislature for an NDP bill aimed at removing the HST from home heating.

The bill is up for debate and second reading -- a key hurdle to get it into committee and into third and final reading.

The Liberals vow to block the measure, saying the province can't afford to lose the $350-million the HST generates.

Weather Records

It was a record setting day weather wise in Atikokan.

Yesterday's high of 10.7 C shattered the old mark of 6.8 C set back in 1984.

Fort Frances came close reaching 8.6 C - just short of 9 C set in 1984.

Federal Government Sued

More than two dozen aboriginal communities in northwestern Ontario have filed a lawsuit accusing the federal government of denying their children a right to equal education.

Grand Chief  Diane Kelly says aboriginals were promised equal education when they signed Treaty 3 over 130 years ago, but Ottawa hasn't lived up to its side of the deal.

Chief Chuck McPherson of Couchiching First Nation says the reserve would like to have its own school, but children there receive half the funding of public school students.

Rainy River Resources on TSX

Rainy River Resources is now trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

President  Raymond Threlkeld helped open trading on the market Wednesday morning in recognition of the company's move to the TSX.

It opened trading at just over $7.00 a share.