Fort Frances is Hockeyville

Fort Frances is making a run to become Kraft's next Hockeyville.

Local resident Jonathon Glueheisen submitted the town's name in the annual contest to find Canada's most passionate hockey town and hopes resident will rally around it.

The winning town gets $100,000 in arena upgrades and the opportunity to host an NHL exhibition game.

The first step in winning will happen next month with participating communities seeking on-line votes to advance further.

Child Porn Investigation Details Today

Ontario Provincial Police will announce details today of a province-wide child pornography investigation.

Police says numerous charges have been laid in connection with the case.

There's no immediate word if any of those charges are in northwestern Ontario.

Path of the Voyageur Work Continues

The first phase of Atikokan's Path of the Voyageur tourism initiative is complete.

The project aims to use the area's fur trading history as a way of attracting more visitors.

Atikokan councillor Marlene Davidson says they now have a better idea of what's along the route from Thunder Bay to Kenora.

Davidson says they're now hoping to hire a tourism marketer to promote the initiative in the near future.

New 3-year Plan Seeks Approval

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation is seeking FEDNOR approval of a new 3-year business plan for the district.

Client Services Manager Geoff Gillon says benefiting from the increased mining activity will be one of the key objectives.

The RRFDC also wants to further its Go Local campaign that rewards people who keep more of their spending dollars in the district.

Snow Sculptures Needed

The Rainy River Arts Collective is still looking for individuals, groups or organizations to take part in crafting a snow sculpture later this month.

No one has yet applied to take part in the Winter Sculpture Garden.

As many as eight sites are proposed.

Those interested must apply to the Fort Frances Museum by Saturday.

Catholic Board Survey

The Northwest District Catholic District School Board is looking to hear from the public.

Education Director Mary Catherine Kelly says they've launched a survey to assist in the development of next budget and strategic plan.

The survey can be found on the board's website or at any Catholic school.

It's Ground Hog Day

Canada's furry forecasters are calling for an early spring.

Ontario's Wiarton Willie and Nova Scotia's prognosticating rodent Shubenacadie Sam failed to see their shadows on this morning.

However, the predictions by the Canadian groundhogs are at odds with Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil, who is calling for six more weeks of winter.

Atikokan Tax Sale

The town of Atikokan is putting a number of properties up for tax sale.

The public will have until the end of February to submit tenders for any or the sixteen locations.

Most are residential properties, but one is a former Chinese restaurant in the downtown area.

Mining Companies Off to London

Two companies proposing gold mines in the Rainy River district will be promoting their projects to an international audience later this month.

Rainy River Resources and Osisko Mining will be among eighteen Canadian companies making presentations at a mining conference in London, England.

The conference attracts potential investors from around the world.