Thin Ice Warnings

Authorities are warning to stay off the ice.

The warning comes following separate incidents on both sides of the border in which vehicles went through the ice.

Two people escaped unharmed after a pick-up truck hauling a trailer load of flooring crashed through the ice on Rainy Lake in the area of Five Mile Dock Sunday.

The vehicle, trailer and debris have since been recovered.


Two ATV's broke through the ice in separate incidents on the weekend in Voyageurs National Park.

Friday, two people escaped the icy waters when their four-wheeler when through the ice near Wolf Island.

Then Saturday, five people, including three children, managed to the escape before the ATV they were riding went through ice between Lake Kabetogama and Namakan Lake.

Weather Records Still Falling

More weather records were set across the region for the ninth time in ten days.

Fort Frances high of 26 C shattered the old mark of 10 C set in 2000.

Atikokan's temperature of 23.6 C surpassed the 2003 record of 9.9 C.

International Falls high of 78 F broke a 1918 record of 66 F for March 19

Warm Weather to Continue

Warmer than normal temperatures in the Borderland could continue for the rest of the month.

Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says it's the result of an intense low pressure system that's stuck over the U.S. plains States and bringing warm southern air into the region.

Coulson says given our past history, they're not ready to rule winter completely dead just yet.

Question of the Week

Do you think the warmer than normal temperatures are a benefit or a hindrance to the our area?

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

Burning Restrictions Set for Minnesota

The Department of Natural Resources is imposing burning restrictions over much of Minnesota next Monday.

The initial restrictions will cover much of central and northern Minnesota.

Additional counties will be added, depending on conditions.

There have been 148 fires so far this year, 27 in northeastern Minnesota

Three small blazes were reported just south of Baudette yesterday.

New Sewer Plant in International Falls

The North Koochiching Sanitary Sewer Board is moving ahead with the construction of a $14-million dollar sewer treatment plant in International Falls.

Executive Director Tim McBride says the new facility will address a number of deficiencies existing with the current 60 year old plant.

Construction will likely begin this summer with part of the funding coming from the State in the form of grants and a low interest loan.

Part of the proposal also includes significant increases in user rate.

Local Hospitals Not Impacted

Riverside Health Care Facilities and Atikokan General Hospital will be among those not impacted by a change in how the province funds hospitals.

Beginning April 1st, ninety-one other health care centres will be reimbursed based on the care they provide, rather than providing only lump sum payments.

Ban on Burning Expanded

The list of communities imposing bans on open-air burning is growing in the Rainy River district.

The townships of Chapple and Alberton, now join Emo, LaVallee, Dawson and Fort Frances in prohibiting burning of grass or brush until at least April 1.

While most don't issue permits until then, dry conditions caused by the recent warm temperatures is forcing municipalities to take action.