Service Expansion Considered

The town of Fort Frances is exploring the idea of having more services geared towards seniors being provided out of the Sister Kennedy Centre.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas, a member of the Centre's board, says it could serve as one-stop shopping centre for a variety of groups delivering programs to the town's most elderly citizens.

A public meeting Wednesday night is planned to gather input on who might use the centre and what programs could be offered.

Proclaimation Sought

Prime Minister Harper and President Obama are again being asked to proclaim July 2 as Peaceful Borders Day in Fort Frances and International Falls.

The two cities plan to forward a letter indicating it would help promote peace throughout the world by celebrating the peaceful border enjoyed by the two cities.

The day also coincides with the annual Tug of War.

Hudak Stays as PC Leader

Ontario's Conservatives have given the thumbs up to Tim Hudak's leadership.

Hudak received support more than 78 per cent of the Tory delegates who voted in the party's weekend convention in Niagara Falls.

January Weather

Environment Canada says January was one of the warmest its been in the Rainy River district in six years.

Geoff Coulson says the average temperature for the month was a about minus 10 degrees Celsius, six degrees higher than normal.

Snowfall amount was about 30 centimetres, near normal for January, but Coulson says total amounts this winter are still a third of what they should be.

Distracted Driver Crack Down

The OPP are cracking down on distracted drivers this week.

They say they're seeing far too many collisions -- some of them fatal -- due to driver inattention.

And it's not just people using cellphones or texting behind the wheel.

Eating, playing with the radio, looking for a CD -- even day-dreaming -- can be dangerous while driving.

Free Pass Giveaway

A visit to the Stroke Prevention Clinic in Fort Frances this month can earn you a visit to the Memorial Sports Centre.

The Clinic is giving out free passes as part of a campaign during Heart and Stroke Month.

Nurse Marilyn Erwin says exercise can be helpful to stroke victims.

The Clinic has also extended its hours to evenings and weekends by appointment.

A Gift From the Heart

There are a lot of smiles around the Fort Frances area today - thanks to the efforts of a local hygienist.

Dawn Gustafson of Lifetime Smiles was among those across Ontario offering free services on the weekend as part of an initiative known as "Gift From the Heart."

It's aimed at promoting good oral health and dental hygienists who work independently outside a traditional dental office.

New Water Rates Proposed

New water rates could be decided upon tonight night by Fort Frances town councillors.

An administration report is recommending a one per cent hike in both the residential and non-residential rates and a three per cent increase to the charge paid by Industrial and the commercial sectors.

The institutional sector, covering such things as government-run facilities, would be placed in a new rate class and charged nine per cent more.

The increases, in total, would raise more than $216-thousand dollars in additional revenue for the water system.