More Concerns With Changes To Bear Response

There's pressure mounting to have the Ministry of Natural Resources continue trapping and relocating nuisance bears.

It wants to hand those responsibilities onto police, and in some cases, municipalities.

In the legislature, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says there's already been a number of close calls involving the public and bears since the announcement and accuses the government of making changes without having an alternative plan in place.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says Ministry staff will still work with local authorities in emergency situations.

No Surprises To Increase In Seniors

Some municipal leaders are not surprised to see the district's senior population on the rise.

16 per cent of residents are now 65 or older with about half of them living in Fort Frances.

Fort Frances councillor Andrew Hallikas says the change in demographics is a main reason why the town wants to see the Sister Kennedy Centre become a hub of senior programming.

Atikokan had the district's biggest increase, but Mayor Dennis Brown expects that to change when several economic development initiatives begin attracting younger families.

Canada Day Group Halts

There's been a set back in the planning of Canada Day events in Fort Frances.

Sandra Allan, who formed the group "It's Eh Celebration" in response to the faltering of the Fun in the Committee, has announced she's won't be continuing with its events.

The group was looking at staging a number of activities for July 1st, but is still proceeding with a dance scheduled for June 29.

Meantime, other groups still involved in Canada Day activities plan to meet today.

Exhibition Hall Gets Attention

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society is looking to upgrade the exhibition hall at the Emo Fairground.

It's been around for over one hundred years.

Board member Robin Payeur says they've embarked on fundraising campaign with the first event planned for this weekend.

The band Country Blend will perform at the Emo Legion Sunday night..

Rainy River Resources Seeks Public Comment

Another chance today to provide input and learn more about Rainy River Resources gold project north of Barwick.

The company's is out with a draft terms of reference.

Kyle Stanfield, a company vice-president, says it will be the bases of an upcoming Environmental Assessment.

Today's open house at the Barwick Recreation Centre goes from 3 to 8 tonight.

Travellers Caught at Border

A number of travellers are a little light in the pocket book for trying to undervalue the cost of their U.S. purchases at the Fort Frances border.

Canadian Customs officers seized goods in nine cases and issued warnings to another 15 travellers last month.

In one case, a U.S. resident entering Canada declared $572 in goods he planned to leave in Canada.

When officers did an inspection, they found another $740 in undeclared items, costing the man $606 in penalties to get them back.

He would have paid $49 if he had legally declared the extra goods.

Forest Fire Hazard Low

MNR photo

All is quiet on the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is still dealing with the only active fire - that at the southern end of Lake of the Woods at Falcon Island which has been declared under control.

The forest fire hazard remains is low right now, but the Ministry says the forecast for a clearing trend could move it up to moderate within days.

Use Bear-Wise Hotline First

The town of Fort Frances is encouraging the public to contact the government 's Bear-Wise hotline first to report nuisance bears.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it will help determine what course of action residents can take when encountering bruins in their yard.

The number is 1-866-514-2327.

The town is looking currently looking at striking a deal with the Ministry of Natural Resources allowing by-law enforcement staff to handle bear complaints.

Bass Championships Get Money

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is getting some financial help from the town, but not the amount it hoped for.

The organizing committee wanted $5-thousand to offset the loss an annual FEDNOR grant.

Mayor Roy Avis says the best they can give is $2-thousand.

The town is also denying the committee's request for a more long-term funding arrangement for the event.

Councillor Ken Perry says with the town facing financial pressures from reductions in their own federal and provincial money, it's becoming increasingly difficult to help out local groups.

Flooding Concerns Remain in Thunder Bay

The state of emergency continues in Thunder Bay as city officials and resident continue to deal with flooding.

A crippled sewage treatment plant in the city's south side one of the major issues.

City officials say until the flooding at the plant is settled, they're asking residents to conserve water.

Emergency Planned

As Thunder Bay deals with a real emergency, Fort Frances is planning to handle a mock one this fall.

Fire Chief Frank Sheppard says it will be centered around a major winter storm, impacting several key areas of the town.

Sheppard says it will give the town and local agencies an opportunity to test their own emergency response plans.

The last time the town was involved in a mock disaster of this magnitude was about a decade ago.

Hates Crimes Discussed

An Edmonton police officer says education is key to dealing with Hate Crimes in our area.

Stephen Camp was in Fort Frances as part of a conference.

Camp says many groups aren't fully aware of what Hate Crimes are and the legislation around it.

Camp says the most prevalent form of Hate Crime is mischief and occurs across the country.

Border Numbers up

There was a slight increase in traffic coming across the Fort Frances border last month.

Canada Border Services Agency reports over 55-thousand people entered into Canada at Fort Frances in April.

That's a 1.6 per cent increase over the numbers from April of last year.

Senior Population Increases

The number of seniors living in Fort Frances is growing.

Census data show over 15-hundred people, who lived in the community in 2011, were 65-or-older.

That's a fifth of the town's total population, and up almost half a percentage point from the number of seniors five years ago.

At the other end of the scale, Fort Frances is seeing a decrease in the number of children.


Those under the age of 14 make up over 16 per cent of the population, an eleven per drop from 2006.

Those in the working-age population in Fort Frances - people aged 15-64 - represent 64.5 per cent of the town's residents.

That's up from the 2006 census when 63 per cent of the population was made up of working-age residents.

The median age of Fort Frances was 44 years, two years old than in 2006.

Across the district, 17 per cent of the total population is being identified as 65 or older.

The town of Rainy River saw the number of seniors in its community drop 12 per cent  since 2006 while the senior population has increased 3 and a half per cent in Atikokan.

25 per cent of the district's population has been identified as being under the age of 14.

Atikokan saw a 23 per cent drop in this age group, the highest decline in the district.

Rainy River's population is the oldest community with the median coming in at almost 51 years. 

Chapple is the young at just over 38 years.

Seniors Concerned with Mill Assessment Appeal

Seniors in Fort Frances are expressing concern over the impact Resolute Forest Products' appeal of its tax assessment may have.

Wendell Stevens says residents can ill afford the company paying less on its Fort Frances mill and would like to see the town consider a legal route..

Town CAO Mark McCaig says there is a process that must be followed, but the town is waiting to see how the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation moves on the case before determining its next course of action.

Seniors Look For Support

Seniors want Fort Frances town council's support in their fight against recent changes to old age security and the need for pension reform.

Allan Bedard of Seniors-Retirees Against Pension and Elder Abuse says they're seeking letters of support and an approval of a resolution on the pension issue.

Council reserved making a decision until a later date.

Snow Removal and Pot Holes

An area group wants the town of Fort Frances to do a better job of removing snow and filling pot holes.

The Northern Action Group sees them barriers to accessibility.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says they are meeting the requirements for snow removal and enhancing service would mean additional costs.

Brown says they're also following the policy to fixing pot holes.

Town to Pursue Agreement

Fort Frances town council has agreed to pursue an agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding nuisance bears.

By-law enforcement officers are now trained, but can't legally trap or immobilize bears without an agreement.

Meantime, the public is being advised to call the province's Bear-Wise hotline to report nuisance bears.

That number is 1-866-514-2327

Help For Thunder Bay Flooding

Magic 99.9 photo

The city of Thunder Bay is bringing in outside help to clean up a flooded sewage treatment plant.

Its getting pumps from Toronto, Sudbury and Winnipeg to help move water.

The city has also set up an emergency shelter for residents flooded out of their homes.

Highway 11-17 from Highway 102 to the city is still closed.

Summer Jobs Market Looking Good

The summer job market in the Rainy River district appears to be looking good for students.

Northern Community Development Services, or NCDS, in Fort Frances, has had its youth employment centre open since April.

Tyson Grinsell says the number of jobs available is increasing daily.

Visits by students are also increasing.

State of Emergency in Thunder Bay

Heavy flooding has forced the city of Thunder bay to declare a state of emergency.

Spokesperson Darryl Matson says one of the facility hit has been an sewage treatment plant located in the Intercity area.

All city residents are being told not to flush toilets, run baths or wash closes.

States of Emergency have also been declared in rural areas of Oliver-Paipoonge and Conmee where several roads have been washed out.

Highway 11-17 from the corner of Highway 102 though Kakabeka Falls to the city is also closed

Quest Back

FF Chamber photo

Quest for the Best is coming back to the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

The annual singing competition will be held July 26th at the Memorial Sports Centre.

It will follow the same format as last year with singers divided into two divisions and the two winners facing off in a sing-off for the $15-hundred first place prize money.

Bear Concerns

A recent change in how the Ministry of Natural Resources handles bear calls a concern to the town of Fort Frances.

The Ministry is still manning its Bear-Wise hotline, but won't sent out personnel.

Speaking to the Police Services Board Friday, Mayor Roy Avis says it's going to a financial hit if town staff have to deal with the complaints.

By-law staff are trained to deal with bears right now, but the town has no agreement yet with the Ministry to take on those responsibilities.

Question of the Week

Do you think the Ministry of Natural Resources should still be involved in dealing with nuisance bears?

Let us know on our website, 931the border.ca.

Last week, 52 per cent of respondents said they do not favour now closed tourist centres being handed over to area municipalities to operate.

Thunder Bay Area Hit By Flooding

Magic 99.9 photo

Rain a problem in Thunder Bay and some outyling areas where states of emergency have been declared.

They've been hit with up to 60-millimetres of rain with up to another 10 centimetres in the forecast Monday.

In Thunder Bay, several basements and a south side mall are facing flooding.

If you are heading to Thunder Bay, Highway 11-17 through Kakabeka Falls to the city is closed because of several washouts.

The alternative route on Highway 102 is open.

Wet Weather Helping Forest Fire Fight

MNR photo

Wet weather has brought some relief to northern Ontario communities battling massive forest fires, allowing some residents to return home.

Hundreds of residents in the Timmins area are still barred from their homes, cottages and campsites.

Officials say conditions have improved but the crisis is far from over, and access to at-risk areas will be limited for some time.

Meantime, more help from northwestern Ontario has been sent to Timmins to assist with with the fire fire fight.


Sixteen FireRangers and 15 support staff, along with two waterbombers were sent to the area on the weekend.

Over 200 FireRangers, 90 Overhead staff and over 30 Aircraft from this region are now in northeastern Ontario.

Locally, there only active fire is on Lake of the Woods at Falcon Island, listed as being held.

Hates Crimes Conference

A conference focusing on hate crimes goes today in Fort Frances.

It's part Celebrating Diversity's "Respect - It Lives Here" Campaign.

The project's coordinator Ian Simpson says Hate Crimes is a topic of great concern.

Stephen Camp, a police detective, who founded a hate crimes unit in Edmonton, is the guest presenter.

No Decision in Rezoning Appeal

It could be several months before the Ontario Municipal Board rules on an appeal by Fort Frances residents opposing the rezoning of a parcel of land in their area.

The OMB reserved making decision last week after hearing arguments on the Nelson Street Park rezoning.

The town rezoned the land back in December to permit housing development.

Filings Made for U.S. Elections

Four people have filed their intentions to seek one of two seats coming up for election in Koochiching County this November.

Brian McBride, current chair, is seeking re-election in District 3.

Linda Dreher, Chris Pfeifer and Louis Slapnicker are challenging in District 5.

Filings can be made until June 16

Falls Prepared to Win

International Falls is bringing in the big guns to try to capture this year's Pulling for Peace Tug of War title from Fort Frances.

City Administrator Rod Otterness says Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will be among those on the rope for the American squad.

Minnesota Vikings alumni Matt Blair, Stu Voight, John Swain and Greg Coleman have also been enlisted by the Falls team.

The Canadian line-up, for now, is being kept a secret.

Career Fair Successful

A huge turnout for the first ever Career Fair in the Rainy River district yesterday.

Event coordinator Cathy Tysz says their expectations surpassed their hopes.

Over 1,300 people attending, mostly students, to view the over 70 exhibitors and learn more about the jobs and educational opportunities available in the Rainy River district.

Northern Community Development Services received $90-thousand from the federal government to stage the event.

Officials says they're considering staging similar Career Fairs in the future.

Union Concerned with MNR Cuts

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is sounding the alarm over the province's plans for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

President Smokey Thomas says the government has already cut back the MNR to a point that more cuts will jeopardize its ability to respond to emergency situations like forest fires.

Thomas says while the number of firefighters remains untouched, cuts continue in other departments.

New Bugs Invade Area

Bug experts say there's a new invader in northern Minnesota and parts of northwestern Ontario.

The variegated cutworm has unleashed light brown moths that are laying eggs across the region.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bug expert Jana Albers says the bugs are native to Minnesota, but has never seen the species in the northern region

The moths soon die, but the caterpillars that hatch from the eggs can last for weeks, munch on greenery and cut a plant off at the stem.

Beware of Bed Bugs

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

That's the focus a new public awareness campaign from the Northwestern Health Unit.

Health Promoter Valdine McEwen says the tiny bugs can cause big problems.

McEwen says some precautions people can take include performing a quick inspection of hotel rooms and hanging up all of your clothing.

Former Teacher Honours Requested

A move  is under way to name the gymnasium at Robert Moore School in Fort Frances after a long-time teacher who passed away in March.

Terry Ogden, who chairs a committee recommending the idea, says Jim Oster is deserving of the honour.

Oster spent 30 years teaching and was instrumental in promoting physical education at the school.

The Rainy River District School Board is now gathering input before making a final decision.

OMB Hearing Begins Today

Residents opposed to the rezoning of a Fort Frances green space for housing development get their say today.

The Ontario Municipal Board will begin hearing an appeal launched by residents living near the "Nelson Street Park."

Town council voted in December to rezone the parcel of land between Minnie and Williams Avenues.

The OMB has set two days aside to hear evidence from both the town and residents.

New Lieutenants For Salvation Army In Fort Frances

The new Lieutenants who'll oversee the Salvation Army in Fort Frances are looking forward to their positions.

Dennis and Mary Maybury of Winnipeg take over June 28 from Captains Angel and Marlene Sandoval who are departing for Italy.

Dennis Maybury says it's their first ever posting.

Both are currently Cadets and will be instilled as Lieutenants soon.

It's Resolute

AbitibiBowater is no more.

Resolute Forest Products is now the official name of the company.

The name, suggested by an employee at the Fort Frances mill, was approved at the company's annual meeting yesterday.

Career Fair Today

A lot of job and educational opportunities will be on display in Fort Frances today.

Cathy Tysz of NCDS says more than 70 exhibitors are part of the region's first ever Career Fair.

Doors to the event at the Memorial Sports Centre open at 10 this morning.

Vaudeville On Display

The history of Vaudeville is on display at the Fort France Museum.

It comes from the Peterborough Museum and is travelling across the province.

Curator Sherry George says some of the best performers of the era took part in live performances in theatres across the country.

"Voices of the Town: Vaudeville in Canada" will remain until the end of June.

Canada Day Parade Saved

There will be a Canada Day parade in Fort Frances.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has announced it's taking over planning of the event of the July 1st event.

The event was in jeopardy of not taking place after the Fun in the Sun Committee announced in March it didn't have the people needed to continue on.

Manager Anthony Mason says there's some consideration to moving it to a late afternoon start to avoid conflicts with the Dragon Boat Festival also taking place July 1st.

Registration for the parade can be made by calling the Chamber office, 274-5773.

Boating Accident

Boating season only a few days old and already one crash to report.

Three men and one woman were injured when the boat they were in crashed on the shore of Lake of the Woods at Copper Island.

One person had to be taken to hospital in Winnipeg

OPP have laid a charge against the boat's operator, but are still trying to determined why the accident happened.

Missing Boaters Found

A Minnesota couple had to be rescued Monday after experience motor troubles with their boat on Lac Des Milles Lac near Upsala..

OPP were called out to search for the elderly couple after they failed to return to their campsite at Pine Point Resort from a boating excursion.

Members of the North West Region Emergency Response Team with the assistance of a Ministry of Natural Resources Helicopter found the couple safe on the lake later that evening.

Forest Fire Hazard Eases

The forest fire reading in northwestern Ontario has dropped to low thanks to recent rainfall.

Two fires reported in the Rainy River district on the weekend are now out.

Debbie MacLean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says it's allowed them to deploy some of the region's crews to northeastern Ontario to assist with fire suppression there.

Go Local This Fall

The campaign to Go Local could be ready to launch within the three months.

It's aimed at encouraging residents in the Rainy River district to spent as much of their dollars within the district.

Tannis Drysdale, a consultant with the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says there's a lot of interest from both retails and consumers.

Drysdale says they'll continue to sign-up retailers and developing partnerships in preparation for the fall launch.

Roof Repairs Start Next Week

Work is expected to start next week on repairs to the roof of the Fort Frances Civic Centre.

Thunder Bay-based Racco Roofing has been awarded the $256-thousand contract.

The work will fix a long-standing leaking problem over the areas of the OPP detachment and Fort Frances Fire Hall.

The town is also retaining the services of a consulting firm to oversee the project.

Foreign Trade Zone Road

The city of International Falls has received State funding to build a key link to its Foreign Trade Zone.

City administrator Rod Otterness says the $650-thousand helps acquire and develop Boise-owned land located off County Road 155.

Construction will likely start this summer.

Total cost of the project is about $950-thousand with the city kicking in the remaining $300-thousand.

Missing Man Found Safe

A happy conclusion to a weekend search for a missing Fort Frances man.

OPP says the 79-year-old, who suffers from Alzheimers, left his house Saturday night to walk his dog, but never returned.

He was found the next morning in good health, in the area of McIrvine Road, just north of the landfill site road.

Lots Of Speeders Nabbed On Weekend

A busy weekend for OPP across northwestern Ontario during the Victoria Day long weekend.

Police charged 249 drivers for speeding, 21 for seat belt infractions and seven with distracted driving.

Just one impaired driving charge was laid.

Figures specific to the Rainy River district were not immediately available.

Bear Attack In NW Ontario

A 65-year-old Winnipeg man is recovering from his injuries after being attacked by a black bear in northwestern Ontario.

The attack happened on Saturday at a campsite on Dunbar Lake about 60 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout.

The man suffered bite and scratch marks before another man he was with shot and killed the animal.

Question of the Week

Do you think the tourist information centres should be turned over to municipalities to operate?

Let us know on our website poll at 93-1 the border.ca

In response to a question last week, 63 per cent support the Provincial government's decision to have gun retailers continue collecting information from purchasers.