Multi-Modal Facility Project Kicked Off

Work on a new multi-modal facility in International Falls will begin later fall.

The city kicked off the project yesterday with a groundbreaking ceremony, with Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton in attendance.


Dayton says it's still an important project for the city and surrounding area.


Mayor Tim McBride says it's an red-letter day because of the partners involved who helped make it possible.

The State provided the city with $650-thousand to acquire the 77 acres from Boise for the project.

Marijuana Grow-Op Discovered

Two Atikokan men have been arrested following the discovery of a marijuana grow-op in the Rainy River distirct.

Provincial police found the two Saturday tending to marijuanan plants in the Turtle River Road area, west of Atikokan.

Further investigation led police seizing 176 plants, a quanity of other drugs, weapons and ammunition.

The two men, both 54 years of age, will make a court appearance September 17.

Forest Fire Hazard Up In Park

MNR file photo

Quetico Provincial Park will be one area that Ministry of Natural Resources forest firefighters will be watching closely this weekend.

The MNR says recent weather has resulted in the forest fire hazard reaching extreme levels in some areas of the park.

One fire, near Basswood lake, continues to be observed.

The hazard elsewhere in the region is listed as moderate to high.

Border Numbers Down

Some indication this summer's tourist season might not have been as busy as expected.

The Canada Border Services Agency says it processed about 108-thousand travellers at the Fort Frances border in July, about the same as the numbers in June.

But that's down almost four per cent over the same period last year.

Campbell Hosts Pancake Breakfast

A tradition started by former MPP Howard Hampton is being carried on by his successor.

Sarah Campbell will be in Fort Frances tomorrow to host her first ever Pancake breakfast at the Sister Kennedy Centre.

Hampton hosted his last Labour Day breakfast last year.

Preliminary Economic Assessment On Rainy River Gold Project

Rainy River Resources is projecting higher grades and lower costs for its gold mine project north of Barwick.

The company has released a revised preliminary economic assessment for its project.

It's projecting annual production of 308-thousand ounces of gold and 478-thousand ounces of silver in the first ten years of a combined open and underground mine.

It's targeting to begin open pit mining in 2016 and an underground operation two years later.

Hydro Concerns Presented To Minister

Fort Frances town council has taken its concerns about the province's review of the electricity distribution system directly to Energy Minister.

A delegation met with Chris Bentley last week.

Mayor Roy Avis says local power users could be impacted if the Fort Frances Power Corporation is forced to merge with another.

Avis says they were also encouraged about a meeting with Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle regarding changes to the bear-wise program.

DSSAB To Develop Strategic Plan

The agency responsible for delivery of social services programs in the Rainy River district is embarking on a strategic planning session.

CAO Dan McCormick says it's the first time the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board has undertaken such an exercise.

The DSSAB has hired an outside consultant to assist with the work beginning next week.

McGuinty Would Like An End to Bankable Sick Days

Premier Dalton McGuinty is urging Ontario municipalities to consider ending bankable sick days for police and firefighters to control costs.

He says municipalities need to ask themselves whether they should continue to allow police and firefighter to bank unused sick days.

The Ontario Association of Police Service Boards says it agrees with McGuinty, but want the governing Liberals to take responsibility for the costs of the Ontario Provincial Police.

Health Unit Issues Report Card

The Northwestern Health Unit is out with a report on how well it's meeting provincial standards.

It's the second year for the report card.

Alex Berry, Continuous Quality Improvement Coordinator, says it provides a snapshot of how well it's doing in meeting Ministry of Health standards.

The report focuses on fourteen key area including food safety, tobacco use prevention and injury prevention.

The report card can be found on the Health Unit's website.

New Temperature Record Set

Fort Frances was the hot spot in northwestern Ontario yesterday.

The high of 32.5 C, or 90.5 F, shattered the 1991 mark by a full degree.

Yesterday was also the warmest day this month.

Forest Fire Hazard Increasing

State authorities say the wildfire threat is growing in Minnesota.

The fire danger is rated high to extreme in most parts of northern Minnesota.

The Department of Natural Resources is expanding its available support resources as a precaution and restricting burning permits in some areas.

In northwestern Ontario, the forest fire hazard is forecast to be in the high and even extreme range across the central and southern regions.

I. Falls Reaching Out To Celebrities

The annual Pulling for Peace Tug of War is still nine months away, but the city of International Falls is actively recruiting for its celebrity team.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Carl Eller and Mike Ehredt, who's currently running across the U.S. in honour of soldiers killed in Afghanistan are expected to be on the city's team next June.


This year event was cancelled due to weather.

College Faculty Deal Reached

It appears there will be no disruption to the school year at Confederation College.

A tentative two-year deal has been struck between the Colleges and the union representing nearly 10-thousand faculty, including those at Confederation College.

It includes a two-year wage freeze with improved job security for partial-load faculty.

Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union were set to take a strike vote September 10.

Classes for thousands of college students begin Tuesday.

Most Students Meeting School Test Standards

The provincial government is glowing over the latest results of standardized tests written by students last spring.

The number meeting standards in the Grade 3 and 6 tests for reading and writing and Grade 9 math was up five to 10 per cent in most areas.

However that success was not matched in mathematics in the elementary grades and in the Grade 9 applied course.

The Liberals say, overall, it's still proof that its education plan is working.

The results for individual boards and school will be released later in September.

Drug Charges

Two Fort Frances area men face charges after a quantity of illegal drugs were seized from a vehicle stopped near Kenora earlier this week.

OPP says half a pound of marihuana, 55 hydromorphine capsules and small amounts of Oxycondone and Fentanyl were discovered.

They value the drugs seized at about $10-thousand.

A 25-year-old from Devlin and a 23-year-old from Fort Frances were arrested.

Reasons For Riding Change Confusing

A possible redraw of federal ridings in northwestern Ontario has the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River scratching his head.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario proposes Lake of the Woods township be a part of the Kenora riding.

John Rafferty sees no reason for it to moved out of his riding.

Rafferty intends to voice his opposition at upcoming meetings this fall.

Tourist Info Delivery Efforts Successful.

An effort to make tourism information available in Fort Frances despite the closure of the province's tourist centre has been met with success.

Students spent the summer handed out pamphlets at the border with info also available at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce and Sorting Gap Marina.

Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says it worked out well.

It has yet to be decided if they'll continue the efforts next year.

Closure Of Portage Avenue Underpass Planned

There's going to be another temporary closure of the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances.

The town says it will be shut down to traffic for approximately three days beginning September 10.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says its so work crews can safely tear down the old pump house which is being replaced, seal the concrete retaining walls and do some landscaping.

Renovations to Old Library Coming

There will be no change to the exterior of the former Fort Frances Library as part of renovations to make it the new home of the Fort Frances Family Health Team.

That work is expected later this fall.

Executive Director Maryliss Bruyere says only the top floor will be used for now with an expansion to the bottom level .

Bruyere is hoping the extra space will lead to new health programs patients now access out of town.

Zebra Mussels In Northern Minnesota

Zebra mussels are slowing making their way closer to our area.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the invasive species were found at an old mine pit in Gilbert, near Eveleth.

It's the first time they've been found in a mine pit lake, and the furthest north they been seen in the State.

New Lightning Caused Fire in Rainy River District

MNR file photo

There are now two forest fires burning in the Rainy River district.

A new lightning-caused, but small, fire, is burning in an area southeast of Morson.

The other still smolders near Basswood Lake within Quetico Provincial Park.

Alzheimer's Society Event Reaches Goal

CKDR photo

The Alzheimer's Society for Kenora-Rainy River has met its objectives in last weekend's Ride for Memories.

Executive Director Lynn Moffitt says participants helped raised $40,026.

The Society was hoping to raise $40-thousand.

the money will go to support programs and services for people with Alzheimer's and dementia and their families.

Over 165 bikers from across northwestern Ontario took part in a ride throughout the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Teachers Protest

EFTO photo

Ontario teachers gather at the Ontario legislature and in Thunder Bay today to protest controversial legislation that would their freeze wages and cut benefits.

The bill was introduced at Queen's Park yesterday.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation has postponing its strike votes, but president Ken Coran says teachers are questioning whether to do volunteer duties.

School Starts Today In Rainy River District

For students in the Rainy River district, it's back to school today.

Education Director for the Rainy River District board Heather Campbell says their schools are ready to open their doors to this year's class.

Campbell say they've expanding the use of iPads in their schools, hiring new staff to assist in their use.

The board is also participating in a pilot program on a new anti-bullying campaign.

Catholic Schools Set Theme For School Year

The Northwest Catholic District School Board is excited about the new school year.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says their year will focus around the theme "Growing Together in Faith."

The board is also expanding the use of ipads, first tried at St. Francis School in Fort Frances, to its schools in Atikokan and and Dryden.

Motorists Drive Carefully Around Schools And Buses

The start of school also means motorists having to be a little more alert on the road.

OPP Sergeant Shelly Garr says police want to ensure a safe start to the new school year.

Garr says motorist can face heavy fines for failing to stop for a school bus and any traffic offence occurring within the community safety zone in Fort Frances.

Free Concert Tonight

A number of area performers are coming together tonight with a strong anti-bullying message.

It was organized by Dexter Fischuk of the group Fort Frances Mobilizers, who's being followed today by a television crew from MUCH Music and CTV.

Fishcuk says the group Free The Children recommended he be a part of an upcoming television special and that he organize a concert to help highlight his work.

The concert at the Townshend Theatre is free to attend and begins at 7 p.m.

Industrial Area To Get A Look Over

Google Maps

Fort Frances is looking at conducting a review of its industrial area.

Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Futures Development Corporation says the study will include how it can meet the needs of the region's growing mining industry.

The town's hoping to access provincial funding for the study.

Hearings On Proposed Federal Riding Changes Announced

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario will hold public hearings this fall on the proposed new electoral map.

Fifteen new ridings, all in southern Ontario, are proposed.

The commission is recommending northern Ontario's 10 ridings remain.

The commission will start hearings in Kenora October 9 and Thunder Bay October 10  

Town Thanked For Helping Evacuees

The town of Fort Frances has received some recognition for its work in housing evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation last month.

The community was a temporary home to about 80 residents, flown out of their community because of smoke from forest fires burning nearby.

In a letter to the town, Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilluer applauds the town and its staff for being consummate professionals, flexible to changing priorities and quick to respond.

It's the first time Fort Frances has had to play a host role in forest fire evacuations.

New Chamber Manager Announced

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has selected a new manager.

Annely Armstrong of Fort Frances will take on the job September 4.

She replaces Anthony Mason whose resigning to further his education.

MPP's Back To Work

MPP's are back at Queen's Park today with the intend of discussing a bill proposing to impose new contracts on public school teachers.

The Progressive Conservatives have signalled they're willing to ensure the bill passes, but will seek amendments.

New Democrat Gilles Bisson say there's no need for the legislation, and suggests the Liberals continue negotiations with teachers.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell has said she will not support the legislation.

Wait Lists For Social Housing Grows

The wait list for social housing in Ontario continues to grow.

The Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association says the number seeking housing was up 2.9 per cent in 2011, but was down slightly in the Rainy River district.

Executive Director Shared Karur says the economy is part of the reason in terms of people being able to afford housing.

He says incomes are also failing to keep pace with the rise of inflation and the cost of housing.

The Association says 29 people were on wait lists in the Rainy River district, compared with 37 in 2010.

Three Fires In Rainy River District On Weekend

Ministry of Natural Resources forest firefighters in the Rainy River district found themselves busy with three new fires on the weekend.

Small lightning caused fires near Marmion Lake, north of Atikokan and near Ottertail Lake, north of Devlin are both out.

Another within Quetico Provincial Park near Basswood Lake, close to the Ontario-Minnesota border, is being monitored.

MNR Crews Return From B.C.

MNR file photo

Forest Firefighters who were working in British Columbia are expected back in Ontario today.

They had been in B.C. since August 19 to help with fires in that province.

Fort Frances Takes To Social Media

Social media is now playing a key part in promoting Fort Frances.

Sites on twitter, Pinterest and a photo blog are now showcasing the community.

Economic development consultant Tannis Drysdale says the web is becoming a major source of information for people thinking of moving here.

The twitter site is twitter@ fort_frances.

The town's photo blog can be found at http://fortfrancesontariocanada.blogspot.ca

The town is also on Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/fortfrances/.

Musician Allows Public To Help Finance Album

An Atikokan musician is giving area residents a chance to invest in her music.

Blue artist Sunday Wilde will use Seine River Lodge as a backdrop to record her fourth album in October.

She's set up a website allowing people to contribute financially as little as two dollars.

Contributors of larger donations can receive digital copies of the album to house concerts and even being named executive producer on the album.

Minnesota Author Visits

A Minnesota children's author makes a visit to the Fort Frances Public Library today.

Phyliss Root has authored more than 30 children's books.

Root says it's a passion she'd developed early on in her writing career.

She'll be reading some of her works at the 2 p.m.

Pension Fund Short On Dollars

New information on their pensions isn't sitting well with retired mill workers in Fort Frances.

They've been told by Resolute Forest Products their fund is short by $1.9 billion.

Allan Bedard, who helped formed a local group to get pension protection, says it's only creating more anger amongst the retirees.

Bedard says equally frustrating is the inability of retirees to have a say in those pensions.

Bedard says the loss of money in the fund is further reason behind their fight for government action.

Union Ready For Court Challenge

Unions say they'll go to court if proposed legislation imposing new contracts on teachers becomes law.

The presidents of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and CUPE Ontario say the bill strips away collective bargaining rights.

The unions are planning a rally at the Ontario legislature Tuesday.

The legislation is expected to come before MPPs at the Queen's Park Monday.

College Strike Possible

OPSEU 2006 strike

School and union officials are warning Ontario's 24 colleges could be closed by labour strife as early as the middle of next month.

The colleges warn the Ontario Public Service Employees Union could trigger a strike by 10 thousand college faculty as early as September 15 if a strike vote goes ahead on September 10.

OPSEU says the colleges will be in a position to lock out faculty on the same date.

A proposed wage freeze and academic freedom among unresolved issues.

Research Funds For Atikokan Renewable Fuels

Atikokan Renewable Fuels and Lakehead University will conduct research together on wood pellets.

The company's getting over $70-thousand dollars through the Thunder Bay-based Centre for Research in the Bio Economy, or CRIBE, for the project.

President Ed Fukushima says research is needed to create a competitive product

CRIBE is also giving half a million dollars to Confederation College to develop a learning and research centre for bio-energy.

More Fires

MNR photo

Two more forest fires in the Rainy River district.

One is near Kishkutena Lake, the other at Harris Lake, both north of Fort Frances.

Both were lightning caused.

Ride For Memories Tomorrow

File photo

This Saturday marks the 10th annual Alzheimer Society Ride for Memories.

As many as 120 bikers from across the region are expected to take part.


Executive Director of the Kenora-Rainy River District Lynn Moffatt says they're hoping to raise $40-thousand for programs and services for people with Alzheimer's and dementia and their families.

Local riders will leave from the Harbourage tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. with the ride ending in Sioux Lookout.

Yoga Festival

A unique festival gets underway today at Crane Lake.

The community south of International Falls is hosting the first ever Common Grounds Yoga and Music Festival.

Co-founder Christine Rosa says there will be a wide array of activities and entertainment over the three days.

There's also events for the kids.

Click the link to see a full schedule of events.

Police Seeking List Of Unsolved Murders

Privacy concerns are preventing the RCMP from gaining full access to a list of murdered and missing women compiled by the Native Women's Association of Canada.

It lists about 600 unsolved cases, some of which include women from northwestern Ontario.

RCMP were given about 100 names, but the Association says confidentiality guarantees given to family members who provided much of the information prevent it from giving up remainder.

Mammography Campaign Launched September 11

File photo

Riverside Foundation for Health Care is officially launching its fundraising campaign for a new digital mammography unit next month.

It will do so with a bicycle ride September 11th from Rainy River to Fort Frances.

Campaign spokesperson Tanya Cumming says they're looking for riders.

Cumming says the ride isn't to collect funds, but they won't turn aside donations if given.

The Foundation is hoping to raise $650,000 for the unit to be located at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Those interesting in taking part in the ride are asked to contact the Foundation office 274-4803.

Boating Accident

Three women have been injured in a boating accident on Lac La Croix.

OPP says five people were on a jet boat when it struck an island on Lac La Croix near Twin Falls just before midnight Sunday.

The injuries to a 37-year-old from Quebec, a 22-year-old from Dawson, Ontario and a 23-year-old from Kenora were not serious, but two had to be airlifted to hospital.