Northern Ontario Committee Proposed

A northern Ontario MPP is hoping to create a new legislative committee that would be made up soley of Northern MPP's.

John Vanthof says it would have the power to examine legislation that directly impacts the north.

The motion will be debated and voted upon on March 1st.

Just a Few Flurries

A flurries, but strong winds is all that we can now expected from a Colorado low that dumping plenty of snow in central Minnesota.

Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says that storm system is staying well south of us.

The National Weather Service out of Duluth is still posting winter warning watches for much of northern Minnesota.

DNR Gets Access to Landings

Koochiching County is giving permission to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to use its landings as inspection sites to check boats for invasive species.

The DNR has said the inspections are intended to educate boaters about invasive species and what measures they can do to prevent their spread.

New Funding Formula Supported

County Commissioners are giving their support in a call for a new funding model to a State grant that helps the area's most vulnerable children and adults.

The County's Terry Murray says they stand to benefit by a forumla being put forward by a directors' association.

Murray says the County would receive an extra $32-thousand because it would have a heavy emphasis on reporting which is higher in Koochiching County than elsewhere in Minnesota.

The State's funding formula takes $106-thousand away from the County.

Canada Day Meeting

The group responsible for organizing Canada Day activities in Fort Frances will give it one more go tonight at trying to get things going.

Organizers with Fun in the Sun says they're in a desperate search for more volunteers.

An open meeting will take place at the Memorial Sports Centre's 52 Canadians meeting room at 6:30 p.m.

Dragon Den Contestant Coming to Fort

A woman who gained success on the television program the Dragon's Den will share her story to a Fort Frances audience next month.

The Northwest Business Center's Diane Schwartz-Williams says Barb Stegemann will be the keynote speaker at the March 8 event.

Stegemann will also be featured on tonight's edition of the Dragon's Den.

No Spring Clinic

There will be no spring blood donor clinic in Fort Frances this year.

The Canadian Blood Services is instead moving the clinic to the summer.

Spokesperson Harvey Heather admits the move could impact on participation, but will be looking for new donors to fill the void left by regulars who won't be able to make it.

Heather says the change is part of efforts to ensure adequate supplies of blood are obtained at all times of the year.

Application Made

The town of Fort Frances will be asking the Trillium Foundation for some money to fix up Sunny Cove Camp.

Council last night gave approval to submitting an application for just over $76-thousand.

The money would be used towards a planned reconstruction of the camp's Russell Hall.

Crossing Concerns Raised at Fort Council

Transport Canada is looking at new guidelines regarding safety at rail crossings.

Fort Frances Councillor Ken Perry says it's the length of trains passing those crossings that becoming a bigger concern for this area.

He says with rail companies already looking at trains stretching as much as two to three miles in lengths, wait times at the McIrvine Road crossing could become that much longer.

The town will consider making a submission to Transport Canada expressing its concerns.

More Snow??

More snow is on the way.

The question is how much.

A system developing over Colorado is expected to reach the Rainy River district and Koochiching County area late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Environment Canada says we can expect up to 5 centimetres with heavier amounts around Thunder Bay and central Minnesota.

But the National Weather Service out of Duluth has snow fall accumulations for this region of up to 12 centimetres.

Question of the Week - February 28

Do you think nutritional guidelines on restaurant menus would force you to make healthier selections?

Let us know on our website 931 The Border.ca.

In last week's question, 76 per cent of respondents disapproved of the government's plans to privatize Service Ontario.

Snow Clean-Up Day

More digging out for residents in the Borderland today.

Yesterday's snow storm brought as much as 12 centimetres or 5 inches of snow in some parts of the Rainy River district and Koochichiching County.

Snow plows and sanders are out, but motorists may still want to take it a little snow.

All highways on both sides of the border are being described as being either partially snow packed or snow back.

Hammond Reef Project Plans

Osisko Mining is looking at spending another $59-million dollars this year on its Hammond reef gold project near Atikokan.

President Sean Roosen says they have a lot of confidence in the project.

Most of the money is being earmarked for reserve development and exploration, and feasibility studies.

NOMA Gathers Minister for Meeting

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has plenty to talk about when it meets with several members of McGuinty's cabinet in Toronto today.

President Ron Nelson says they've got a full one hour session with the ministers responsible for municipal affairs, natural resources, northern development and energy.

NOMA also has a separate meeting with Health Minister Deb Matthews.

Fort Frances Councillors in Toronto

It will be a short bench around the Fort Frances council table tonight.

Mayor Roy Avis,  along with councillors John Albanese and Rick Wiedenhoeft and CAO Mark McCaig are in Toronto for the Ontario Good Roads Conference.

They have no meetings with any provincial cabinet ministers, but Avis says it was still important to attend with the recently released Drummond Report expected to dominate the sessions.

Snowmobiler Dead in NE Minnesota

A snowmobiler has died after crashing into a tree on a trail in south of International Falls.

The St. Louis County sheriff's office says the 45-year-old man struck the tree Saturday evening near Orr.

The man died at the scene.

His name has not been released.

Distracted Drivers A Plenty in Rainy River District

It appears a good portion of the charges OPP in northwestern Ontario laid during a recent distracted driving enforcement campaign were in the Rainy River district.

Police says eight motorists were nabbed in the district for such things as using a cell phone or texting while driving.

There were 21 charges in all of northwestern Ontario.

Scam Alert

Residents in the Rainy River district are being asked to keep an eye out for a woman who may come knocking on your door looking for cash.

OPP says the woman is claiming to raise money for a local resident and their medical expenses.

Police say the woman doesn't have the consent to do such fundraising.

Rainy River Doc Issue

Concerns the town of Rainy River could be without a full-time doctor this spring will be delivered directly to government next week.

Mayor Deb Ewald wanted to meet with Health Minister Deb Matthews in Toronto, but instead has received an audience with her Parliamentary Assistant.

Doctor David Singleton, the town's lone doctor, is planned to end his practice in April.

Minister Invited to Rainy River, Again

Ontario's Health Minister is being accused of forcing the town of Rainy River into a medical crisis.


In the legislature, Kenora-Rainy River  MPP Sarah Campbell reissued an invite to Deb Matthews to visit and speak with local officials about what can be done.


"The situation for family doctors in communities like Rainy River is untenable," says Campbell, "and it means that we are unable to recruit permanent family doctors. The minister knows all of this, yet she keeps hoping that the problems will somehow magically disappear. Well, they won’t. The system as it now stands is broken."


Matthews says her Ministry is working hard to help the community and has ensured emergency room coverage at Rainy River Health Centre until April 5.

No Meetings for Fort Council

A contingent of Fort Frances council has no meetings with Liberal cabinet members when they travel to a provincial municipal meeting next week.

Council had requested meetings with about half a dozen Ministers at the Ontario Good Roads conference in Toronto.

The Ministry of Environment did agree to meet Sunday, a day before delegates where to arrive.

Interim Report on Residential Schools Today

A commission set up to help First Nations heal from abuses they suffered in residential schools is about to release an interim report.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has taken 25-thousand statements from survivors, visited 500 communities and heard from about 100 former school employees.

Minnesota Moose Continue to Decline

The head of a study that shows Minnesota's moose population continues to drop says the state probably won't have moose much longer.

Mark Lenarz of the Department of Natural Resources says northeastern Minnesota has lost about half its moose population since 2006.

Reasons for the decline are not that well understood, but diseases, parasites and a warmer climate are thought to be factors.

Social Justice Issues Explored

Social justice issues are on the minds of some students in the Rainy River district.

Intermediate students from St. Francis School in Fort Frances and Stratton's Our Lady of the Way gathered yesterday for a student leadership initiatiative.

Joseph Wenzel, a youth representative with Development and Peace, says students can make a difference

The social and economic impacts of such things as ethanol and bottle water were among issues discussed.

Chamber Awards Presented

Some of the area best businesses and individuals have been recognized by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.


The chamber held its annual awards night last night.


Here's a list of all winners

Safety Award - Town of Fort Frances

Accessibility Award - Riverside Health Care

Tony Beyak Memorial - Volunteer of the Year-  Gabriela Hanzuk

Employee of the Year - Jeff Savage, BDO Canada

Business Woman of the Year - Erin Wood, Simplicity

Customer Service - Individual - Laurie Webb-Brown, Tim Hortons

Customer Service - Business - Fort Frances Dental Centre

Entrepeneur of the Year - Nick Beyak, Sunset Country Ford

Small Business Trainer - M.L. Caron Electric

Home Based Business - SKS Unlimited - Steve Sinclair

Business of the Year (1-15 employees) - Betty's of Fort Frances

Business of the Year (16-plus employees) - Gillons Insurance

James Paul Award- Tannis Drysdale

Driving Eyes Preoccupied

Some folks still aren't understanding the importance of keeping their eye on the road.

Provincial Police in northwestern Ontario have laid 21 charges during their recent "Distracted Driver" campaign.

Tickets were issued for driving and using a cell phone, watching an entertainment device and careless driving.

Local Educator to Head Regional Board

A Rainy River district educator has been named to head a regional board of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

Amy LaFroy, Catholicity Coordinator for the Northwest Catholic District School Board will serve as its president.

Development and Peace is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada.

Report Finds High Child Poverty Rate in Koochiching

A new study suggests 19 per cent of children in Koochiching County are living in poverty.

Information released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation indicates that figure has remained virtually unchanged over the past five years.

Kara Arzemendia with Children's Defense Fund Minnesota says the numbers aren't surprising.

The report calls for transforming disadvantaged communities and makes several recommendations that can be tailored to each area.

Doctor Moves Up Departure Date

The town of Rainy River is losing its only full-time doctor sooner than expected.

In an open letter to the community, Dr. David Singleton says he'll be ending his practice in the middle of April instead of June of next year.

Middleton cites a need for more control over his work and its conditions as reasons for his departure.

He also blames deficiences in the funding model that's prohibiting new doctors from relocating to Rainy River or locums wanting to fill in at the emergency department of the Rainy River Health Centre.

Seniors Tax Credit Panned

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is doubtful most seniors will benefit from a proposed home renovation tax credit from the province.

She says seniors in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding would be far better off with cheaper electricity rather than another rebate program.

Campbell suggests few seniors living on fixed incomes in her riding will be able to afford any renovations to qualify for a tax credit.

New CAO Good for the Rainy River DSSAB

The chair of the Rainy River District Social Services Administration supports the decision to promote Dan McCormick as their new chief administrative office.

LaVallee township Reeve Ross Donaldson says a lengthy search was done to find a replacement for former CAO Donna Dittaro, but in the end McCormick was right for the job.

Donaldson says the board will likely leave it up to McCormick to determine how his former position as manager of Health Services will be covered.

Student Leadership Initiative Today

Some Catholic students in the Rainy River district are foregoing food today.

Amy LaFroy of the Northwest Catholic District School Board says it's part of an annual student leadership initiative through Development and Peace that helps raise awareness of global issues such as small farms.

The intermediate students at St. Francis School in Fort Frances and Our Lady of the Way in Stratton are also participating in workshops.

State Reps No Longer Representing Koochiching

A Minnesota State Senator is reluctantly accepting a redrawing of district boundaries that leaves him not representing Koochiching County if re-elected in November.

But Tom Saxhaugh says the County will still have good representation in the new district that includes much of northeastern Minnesota.

The redrawing of the boundaries force both Saxhaugh and House rep Tom Anzelc having to seek re-election in new districts that include incumbent Repulicans.

Contract Issued

A Thunder Bay area firm has been given the contract to improve a section of the Highway 11 west of Atikokan.

L.H. North of Murillo will replace a culvert at Caribus Lake in June.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane during construction.

Cost of the contract is listed at $1.4 million.

Help for Drug Abusers Needed

The provincial government is being asked to do something about the rate of prescription drug abuse in northwestern Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP. Sarah Campbell says even though oxycontin will no longer be manufactured, the problem won't disappear overnight.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says help for those addicted to prescription narcotics is part of the province's addictions and mental health strategy released several months ago.

Canada Day Committee Seeks Volunteers

The group responsible for Canada Day celebrations in Fort Frances is again facing a manpower shortage.

It's been on ongoing issue for the Fun in the Sun committee.

The group has met four times since last fall, but a spokesperson says a lack of volunteers is impacting their ability to plan events for July 1st.

Another meeting will be held a week from today.

City Renews Contract with Lobbyist

The city of International Falls has renewed a one-year contract with a lobby firm to act on its behalf in Washington.

City councillor Tim McMcBride says the firm has been very beneficial to the city helping with issues effecting Voyageurs National Park and the Falls International Airport.

The $24-thousand fee is the same amount paid when the city first hired the firm last year.

Council Meeting Going to the Net

Residents of International Falls will soon be able to watch their city councillors in action over the Internet.

The city is planning to have council meetings video taped and posted to the web for future viewing.

Councillors agreed at their meeting last night to expend 31-hundred dollars for the necessary equipment.

Falls Mayor Gets Appointment

The mayor of International Falls has been appointed to a Minnesota transportation advisory committee.

Shawn Mason says the group will be tasked with making recommendations to government on where funds set aside for road improvements should be spent.

New District Maps

There a new look to the legislative district maps affecting Koochiching County.

The new House and Senate districts for the County include in an area that takes in much of northeastern Minnesota towards Lake Superior.

Current maps have the districts extending southward to include a portion of Itasca County.

Help to Find Missing Aboriginal Children

A new effort is being launched to alert First Nations communities across Canada about what they can do to find missing aboriginal children.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is now using its website as a central place for parents and communities to assist.

It works in conjunction with police searches for children who have disappeared.

NDP Membership Grows

A historic number of New Democrats will be eligible to vote for the new party leader next month.

The party says membership has swelled by more than 50 per cent to over 128-thousand.

Over 28 per cent of its members are from Ontario.

Jiggly Found

A happy conclusion to the case of Jiggly Jaquar.

The hand puppet that helps kindergarten students at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances learn the alphabet has been found with the help of the OPP.

Teacher Andrea Domanski credits the efforts of students for getting Jiggly back to the school.

Apparently Jiggly was at the vet where she had three little "j's."

Students were given a demonstration by OPP canine handler Chris Halverson and his partner Diesel who played a part in finding Jiggly.

New CAO Selected

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board has its new chief administrative officer.

Dan McCormick, who's been serving in an interim capacity since the last summer, has been appointed to the post full time.

McCormick is also manager of the Board's Land Ambulance services.

Privatization Concerns

Ontario's government workers' union is sounding the alarm over the Liberal's plans to privatize Service Ontario.

Melissa Pearson, a local rep with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, says northern Ontario centres could be hit hardest.

Pearson says area residents rely heavily on SeviceOntario offices which she says have been moneymakers for the provicne.

Queen's Park Resumes

MPP's return to Queen's Park Tuesday

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says health care and job creation are among issues her constituents want raised.

Campbell also expects the Drummond Report to dominate debate over the next few weeks.

More Donors Wanted

The Canadian Blood Services is putting out a call for new donors from northwestern Ontario.

Spokeperson Harvey Heather says they're looking for at least one-hundred thousand new donors across the country each year for the next five years.

Heather says the Fort Frances area has been one of their bright spots with about 20 per cent of donors at the last clinic being new faces.

Torch Run Set

Step by Step photo

A torch run to raise the awareness of organ and tissue donation will come to the Rainy River district next month.

Chief Executive Officer of Step-by-Step George Marcello says they want to see at least one million people become members of a provincial registry.

The run is set for March 7.

ECEs Join CUPE

Early childhood educators with the Rainy River District School Board are now members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

All four agreed to join the union following a vote last week week.

The employees work with classroom teachers as part of the early learning program in schools in Fort Frances and Atikokan.

Teen Faces Attempted Murder Charge

A Fort Frances teenager is facing several charges including attempted murder following an incident Thursday night at the Lakeview Trailer Park.

OPP were initially called to the area around 6 p.m. about a missing boy.

Family members later informed police he had been located, but was in possession of a gun.

It was later determined that a family member was shot at, but was not injured.

The 14-year-old was eventually located inside a home at the park and taken into custody without incident.