Tourist Centre Closing

The province's Tourist Information Centre in Fort Frances is closing for good.

It's one of seven facilities suffering from low visits in recent years that will be permanently closed April 30 as part of a cost-saving measure.

Centers in Kenora and Rainy River, which don't usually open until May, are also impacted.

Municipal officials had attempted to get the province to install better signage to draw more travellers to Fort Frances centre.

Two full-time employees there will be effected.

The Centre usually hired four students during the summer months.

Border Traffic Up

There's a  huge increase in border traffic coming into Canada at Fort Frances last month.

The Canada Border Services Agency says it processed over 51-thousand people in February, a 10.8 per cent increase from the same month in 2011.

28-thousand vehicles cross the border during the month -  an 11 per cent increase from a year ago.

Missing Boy Alert

Authorities in northeastern Minnesota have issued a crime alert for a missing 7-year-old boy.

St. Louis County sheriff's office believe Wyatt Nordrum is in the custody of his father, James Leon Nordrum jr.

Police says Nordum failed to return the youngster to his mother as ordered by the court.

The boy's mother  is originally from Fort Frances.

New CEO Hired

Riverside Health Care Facilities has found its new president and Chief Executive Officer.

Allan Katz will take over April 1.

Current CEO Wayne Woods retires at the end of this month.

Katz is currently a director with the South East Community Care Assess Centre in Kingston, Ontario.

New Health Care Plan for Northwestern Ontario

Changes in the health care system to northwestern Ontario.

Laura Kokocinski of the North West Local Health Integration says a new 10 year plan aims to make better use of existing resources and improve access to care.

Five new Integrated District Networks will be created, including one for the Rainy River district.

Politicians Seeking Public Input on Budget

Premier Dalton McGuinty is hoping voters will support his government's budget blueprint to eliminate the deficit.

The Liberals have placed newspaper ads in several major centres urging Ontario residents to support Tuesday's budget.

The New Democrats have launched a toll-free hotline and website to get feedback.

The Progressive Conservatives say they'll oppose the budget even if that means going back to the polls.

Federal Budget Today

The federal budget comes out today.

It's expected to include major cuts in government spending and streamlining of the civil service.

Get You Soup On Successful

About 130 people turned out for the first ever "Get Your Soup On" Challenge.

Nine teams put their best soup recipes to the taste test in the event promoted by area dietitians.

Trisha Wood of the Valley Diabetes Education Centre says it was aimed at showing how simple eating can be.

A total of 575-dollars was also raised for local food banks.

CIBC was voted by the public as having the best tasting soup while the judges selected one made by Energy Fitness staff

Ontario Budget

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has tabled what he says is the most sweeping budget the province has seen.

He says it makes the right choices -- including a two-year public sector wage freeze and a freeze on corporate tax cuts -- to get a massive deficit under control.

It includes almost $18-million in cuts and cost containment, along with $4.4-billion in revenue increases
over three years, without tax increases.

Opposition Reaction to Budget

The Opposition is vowing to vote against the Liberal government's budget, which could lead to a second Ontario election in five months.

 Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says the budget did not do enough to reduce the size and cost of government or help create private sector jobs.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says she'll consult voters before deciding whether or not to support the Liberal budget.

Northern Ontario Programs Remauin

Several key programs to northern Ontario are protected in the province's budget.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund remains, but its funding has been frozen at $100-million.

The Northern Industrial Energy Rate program, one benefiting the mining and forestry sector, will also run for at least another year.

Forest Fire Fighting Resource Concerns

Kenora-Rainy River MPP's is looking for assurances the Ministry of Natural Resources forest fire fighting efforts won't be impacted by budget cuts.

Sarah Campbell says it's already shaping up to be a busy year and the province may not be able to rely on outside resources as its done in the past.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says the Ministry will have the resources its needs to fight this blazes fires.

New County Sheriff Appointed

Koochiching County Commissioners have appointed their Undersheriff as their new Sheriff.

Brian Jesperson will take over from the retiring Brian Youso June 1st and hold the post until it comes open for election in 2014.

The County made the appointment after being told it could not hold an early election to fill out the rest of the current mandate.

Highway 11 Road Work

The drive down Highway 11 in Minnesota to Voyageurs National Park could take a little longer than usual this summer.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is replacing two bridges.

Spokesperson Walter Leu says the work will be done by the same contractor but can't be done until after the July 4 holiday.

Work will be done by October.

Both construction sites will be reduced to one lane controlled by traffic signals.

Haze Plan Vote Delayed

Regulators have postponed voting on a plan for reducing haze over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Voyageurs National Park.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens Board was set to vote yesterday on whether to send the plan to federal regulators.

Concerns about the plan from others forced the board to delay the vote until next month.

New Car Wash Planned

File Photo

Plans for a car wash in the west end of Fort Frances will be the subject of a public meeting next month.

Proponent Bruce Whalen is seeking a zoning amendment to property on McIrvine Road for the business.

Plans includes six coin-operated bays for smaller vehicles and a separate one for larger vehicles such as  transports.

A hearing will be held as part of the April 9th council meeting.

Burn Restrictions Expand to Koochiching County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources plans to extend burning restrictions to Koochiching County next week.

Those restrictions began Monday in 35 other Minnesota counties,

The DNR is not allowing burning without a special permit from local forestry offices.

Electoral Boundary Commission Work Starts

The process towards a redrawing of the federal political maps in Ontario has started.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission of Ontario is looking at how to add 15 new seats to the House of Commons.

There are some concerns it will also mean some change in boundaries to northwestern Ontario's ridings where the population is on the decline.

The Commission is giving the public until the end of April to comment.

Survey Coming

Seniors will soon be asked for their opinions on what they need in Fort Frances.

The idea for a survey arose from a meeting yesterday of area organizations.

Erma Armit of the Assisted Living Action Group says it's important in achieving their goal of getting an assisted living facility built.

The survey will likely be done in the near future.

Fort Frances Next Mining District

Fort Frances is being promoted as the next mining district in Canada.

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation has been attending mining conferences to deliver that message.

Client Services Manager Geoff Gillion says the town can benefit from an increase in the region's mining activity.

Gillon says they've already worked with a company interested in setting up operations in the Fort.

Freezing Warning in Effect

There's a freezing rain warning for the east end of the Rainy River district this morning.

A system is bringing a band of freezing rain and ice pellets towards the area between Mine Centre and Shebandowan.

Travellers should be prepared for poor travelling conditions as roads become icy.

Ministry Suggests Water Meters

The Ministry of Environment is recommending the town of Fort Frances install water meters in all homes and businesses.

It's comes out of a recent inspection of the town's water system that found it met all regulations and had no problems.

Along with water metres, the Ministry also suggests the need for a back-up generator at the water treatment plant.

Budget Meeting Attracts Little Interest

There was little interest from the public to a meeting last night on the town of Fort Frances 2012 budget.

A 20 minute presentation was given with only one other person in the audience other than the media.

Council is expected to give formal approval next month to the budget that includes a 2.49 per cent tax levy increase.

Reunion Meeting

A group planning a reunion of Fort Frances residents, past and president, in 2013, is in need of some manpower.

Dave Ashworth says they're holding a meeting tonight in hopes of attracting the interest of local residents.

The meeting at the La Place Rendezvous begins at 6:30 p.m.

There is also a video link to this meeting by clicking www.anytimemeeting.com/ReunionFort1.

Staff Training

Some staff with the Northwest Catholic District School Board will be getting some training around students with mental health needs.

The board is using a $20-thousand provincial grant to send its special education teachers, principals, vice-principals and others to a training program offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Fire Danger Reduced

A weekend of rain and cooler temperatures has reduced the forest fire danger in northeastern Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has the danger at moderate with three new fires reported yesterday.

Meantime, the DNR has put in place burning restrictions in several counties.

Burning is permitted in Koochiching County with a permit.

Park Haze

State regulators are preparing to add some enforcement teeth to rules meant to cut the haze that sometimes clouds the views in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park.

The haze comes mostly from the state's older coal-fired power plants and the taconite plants on the Iron Range.

But Environmental groups, along with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, say the proposed changes don't go far enough.

Doctor Shortage Crisis Eased

The threat of a lengthy closure of the Rainy River Health Centre's Emergency department has been eased.

Riverside Health Care Facilities says it's obtained locum coverage for the hospital until the end of August.

The town's lone doctor ends his practice in the middle of next month.

Efforts to attract a new doctor to the community continue.

Suspicious Fire at Fort Frances Store

Ontario Provincial Police have taken over the investigation into a Fort Frances downtown area fire.

Reports of smoke early Saturday morning brought members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service to Leon's where a fire was identified at the back of the store.

Minimal damage was caused to a rear service door area while the rest of the building and its contents suffered moderate smoke damage.

Ice Fishing Tragedy

Four people are dead following an ice-fishing excursion north of Kenora.

OPP have been at Selkirk Lake since last Thursday when the body of 55-year-old Robert Kantimere was found on the ice.

The the bodies of a man and woman were found Saturday and while another body  discovered yesterday.

All four people were from Kenora

$100,000 List Getting Bigger

The Town of Fort Frances now has four employees earning over 100-thousand dollars annually.

The list of the top public sector wage earners was released Friday.

The Rainy River District School Board has 22 employees on the list, two more than last year.

Riverside Health Care Facilities added four new names to this year's list, up from the eight it had 2011.

Question of the Week

Is it important to you that the salaries of public sector workers be disclosed each year?

Let us know on our website 931TheBorder.ca.

In response to last week's question, 60 per cent of respondents feels the recent warm temperatures experienced in the Rainy River district are a benefit to the our area.

Community Garden Plans

The warm weather this month is helping kick off the planning of another community garden in Fort Frances.

The garden on Lillie Avenue attracted great interest last year.

Krista Neilson of the Northwestern Health Unit says registration for this year takes place April 4 at the Metis Hall.

Neilson says they have plans to expand the size of the garden to permit more participation and have set up a Facebook page to keep gardeners more informed.

Young People Promote Rail Safety

Young people are taking to the airwaves today to promote rail safety.

Students have written and produced a number of radio PSA's as part of an initiative between CN Rail, OPP and Safe Communities Rainy River.

Caitlin Visser, a student of Robert Moore School, says it's important their peers hear their message.

The PSA begin airing on 93.1 The Border  today.

Internet Safety Program

Provincial Police are working to keep the information super highway safe.

They've rolled out a new crime prevention program called Cyber Awareness Protection and Enforcement.

Constable Anne McCoy says it's aimed at sharing information with others in on safe internet use.

A number of area groups have gathered for a two-day workshop in Fort Frances to learn more about the initiative

Tim Hortons Brings Smile to Internet Safety Program

A campaign to promote Internet safety in the classroom has received a financial boost from Tim Hortons in Fort Frances.

43-hundred dollars will go to a "Respect Technology" program, being now promoted by the OPP in schools across the Rainy River district.

The money was raised through a recent sale of Tim Hortons Smile Cookies.

Golf Courses Open

It may be a little wet today, but area golf courses are opening because of the warm weather we've had this month.

Tom O'Connell of the Falls Golf and Country Club says it's the earliest opening for the International Falls course.

Kitchen Creek Golf Course in Alberton was to be ready for play this morning.

Manager Glen Kellar says it comes with a decrease in the membership prices.

Heron Landing will open tomorrow, weather permitting.

Records Falls Again

Weather records continue to fall in the Rainy River district.

Atikokan and Fort Frances ended the day with recorded highs of 20 C, surpassing marks set back in 1987.

The Fort temperature might be higher, but recording equipment at the Fort Frances airport went down during the afternoon when higher temperatures are recorded.

Meantime, International Falls hit 72 F to break a 12 year old record.

Wolf Attack in Kenora

There's been a wolf attack on a pet in the Kenora area.

A dog was allegedly grabbed by the neck by a wolf at a trailer park where several citings has been reported over the past couple of weeks.

The wolf bolted before doing serious harm when a resident slammed a door to scare the animal.

The dog suffered only a couple of bite marks.

Sunshine List Out Today

The so-called sunshine list of Ontario public employees who earned more than $100,000 in 2011 is to be released today.

There were over 71-thousand public sector workers on the 2010 list, up 11 per cent from 2009.

Crop Walk Planned

A walk to raise awareness and money to combat hunger goes in International Falls in May.

The Crop Walk for Hunger has been going on since 1994.

Coordinator Pat Nordy says participants can now register and collect pledges.

You can call Nordy at 218-283-4113 or the First Lutheran Church to register.

A portion of proceeds stays in the Falls to the Salvation Army's Food Shelve.

First Fire of Season Record

Northwestern Ontario has recorded its first fire of 2012.

It was a small grass fire near Ingolf, a small community near the Ontario-Manitoba border.

Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson Debbie MacLean says with a recent rapid drying of the region, they'll bring on their fire rangers a week earlier than normal.

Health Minister Asked to Resign

The opposition parties are demanding Health Minister Deb Matthews resign after a scathing auditor's report into Ontario's air ambulance service.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the report shows the government did a poor job of overseeing executives at Ornge who were using taxpayers money in some questionable deals.

The Progressive Conservatives accuse the Liberals of hiding the findings on Ornge until after last fall's election.

Highway Open

Highway 11 east of Atikokan is now open.

A section between Quetico Park and Kashabowie was closed Wednesday night while emergency personnel dealt with a burning vehicle.

No other details of the incident are immediately available.

New Group Takes Over Canada Day Planning

A new group of volunteers has stepped forward to take on some of the planning for Canada Day celebrations in Fort Frances.

The volunteer group intends to host the parade, children's activities and entertainment at Pither's Point Park.

They came together after the "Fun in the Sun" committee announced earlier this month that it couldn't find the volunteers they needed to continue on.

At least two other well-established organizations have also expressed interest in hosting Canada Day events, but have yet to finalize their plans.

Community Consultation on City Services

International Falls residents will get a chance next month to provide input on how their city delivery's services.

City councillor Cynthia Jacksa says it's part of an event sponsored by the municipal lobby group the League of Minnesota Cities.

The League will hold four community consultations April 11 and 12.

Jacksa says the city is one of a select few chosen for the consultations.

Ashton Gets Support

NDP leadership hopeful Niki Ashton is getting the support of our area MPP.

Kenora-Rainy River's Sarah Campbell says Ashton's understanding of northern and rural issues make her the best person to lead the federal party.

The NDP elect their new party leader Saturday.

More Records Fall

Temperature records continue to fall in the Rainy River.

Fort Frances set its 9th straight record Wednesday when its high reached 20.2 C.

That passes the old mark of 11.7 C set back in 1987.

Atikokan's high of 15.9 C broke a 1987 record of 12.5 C -  the sixth straight weather record for that community.

More Moose Collared

Wildlife officials have captured and collared six more moose in Voyageurs National Park.

It's part of attempts to study the effects of climate change on the animals.

A total of 18 moose are now wearing GPS collars in the park.

Slots Sought for NWO

A long-time proponent of slot machines is lobbying to help try to bring the gaming machines to northwestern Ontario.

Doug Stemkowski, a hotel operator in Kenora, says slots would boost a struggling tourism economy.

The provincial government has indicated its willing to expand the number of slot machines in Ontario.