Drug Busts

Three people will be in court this month following two recent separate drug investigations in Fort Frances.

A woman was charged January 20 after attempting to sell three containers of Methadone to a plain clothes police officer.

And a man and woman face possession charges after OPP stopped a vehicle on January 27 and discovered quanities of marijuana, cocaine and Tyenol 3 inside.

Scales, cash and aluminum containers with false bottoms designed to conceal items were also seized by police.

Impaired Driver Caught

The OPP's Festive Ride program may be long over, but that hasn't stopped police from cracking down on drunk drivers in the Rainy River district.

Three area motorists were charged with impaired driving related offences last weekend.

Among them a 55-year-old Baudette, Minnesota man who was arrested at the Rainy River border when Canadian custom officers noticed he had been drinking.

Elder Abuse Presentations Planned

Seniors in Fort Frances will soon learn more about elder abuse - from their peers.

Members of the group Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, or SALT, are preparing to make a series to presentations at local seniors homes.

Chair Robert Schulz says several members have been trained to talk about the issues around financial, physical and emotional abuse.

County Contracts Out Child Mental Health Services

The union representing workers at Koochiching County are not happy with the board of commissioners.

The board agreed to contract out some child mental health services to Northland Counseling Centre of International Falls.

Three county jobs will be lost.

Joe Pershern of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says there's no need for the change.

But Director of Community Services Terry Murray says the move will result in improved access to services for children.

Budget Surplus Get Aside

The town of Fort Frances will sock a budget surplus from 2010 away to help cope with a pending outcome of AbitibiBowater's appeal of its assessment.

The $318-thousand dollars would normally be placed in a fund for capital purchases.

The town will also consider putting a projected 2011 surplus into a new contigency fund.

Any decision on the appeal is still several months away, but the town has stated the impact could be a tax rebate of over $2-million back the company, now known as Resolute Forest Products, and a further annual tax loss of $800-thousand.

Santorum Takes Minnesota Primary

Minnesota Republicans shook up the GOP presidential nomination race by handing former
Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum a caucus win.

Santorum also scored victories in Missouri and Colorado.

Soup's On

Dieticians in the Rainy River district want you to get your soup on.

Megan Bale of the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre says they're seeking out soup cooks to put their recipes to the test in an event planned for next month to coincide with Nutrition Month.

Bale says all soups must contain ingredients from at least three of the four main food groups.

No Action Taken on Demolition Report

Fort Frances town councillors are taking no action - at least for now - on the former Rainy Lake Hotel.

Councillors decided last night to hold off on a report outlining the potential cost of tearing down the downtown landmark until a local task force makes its recommendations

CAO Mark McCaig says that group is expected to complete its work in the near future.

Demolition is pegged at 995-thousand dollars.

No Bank Loan for Capital Projects Needed

There will be no need for long-term financing to help pay for capital projects in Fort Frances this year.

Town councillors shaved another $230-thousand dollars off the capital budget during their talks Monday.

The rest of the $4.5 million in projects will be paid out of reserves or grants.

The town will use up about $800-thousand from reserves, but a proposed tax increase would return $750-thousand back into those funds.

Airport Concept to be Pursued Again

Area municipalities will be asked on final time if they want to be a part of Fort Frances' regional airport concept.

Most have already rejected the plan because their costs of 10 dollars per capita would not be fixed.

Councillor Paul Ryan says attaching a lower figure for a period of time might be the answer.

Only Emo, Chapple and area First Nations expressed interest in the previous plan.

Question of the Week

Do you think the town of Fort Frances should continue pursuing a regional airport concept with area municipalities?

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

In last week's question, 81 per cent of respondents do not believe Premier Dalton McGuinty when he says he won't have to raise taxes to balance the budget by 2017.

Water Rate Structure Considered

The mayor of Fort Frances is proposing an alternative structure that spreads fairer a planned water rate increase.

Roy Avis says his idea includes creating a new rate for the institutional sector covering mostly government run facilities.

Avis' proposal is to get further study this week at the committee level.

Jiggly Jaguar Missing

A search is underway at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances for "Jiggly Jaguar."

He's one of several hand puppets used by kindergarten students to learn about the alphabet.

Teacher Andrea Domanski says when Jiggly Jaguar went missing, her students sprung into action by creating and posting wanted posters around the school..

Students also got the OPP involved to file a missing puppet report.
 

Riding Association Website Online

A new website for the Kenora-Rainy River Provincial Liberal Riding Association is now on-line.

The site allows users to read party news, purchase a membership or make a donation.

President Anthony Leek says it will also help the association grow itself.