Report Recommends New School for Emo

A committee looking at the future of Donald Young School in Emo is recommending it be replaced with a new one in the community.

But it's recommending any construction not happen for at least three years.

It comes out of a nearly five month study that saw Emo residents rally support behind the school.

The committee also suggests the Rainy River District School Board proceed with reviews of other nearby schools to determine if those students will become part of the new school.

The report comes to the board tomorrow.

Fight to Keep Centre Open

Tourism and business leaders in the Rainy River district are hoping the province will reconsider its decision to close the tourist information centre in Fort Frances.

As CFOB-News first told you last week, it's to shut down April 30

Mark Caron, president of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce says they'll fight to keep it open.

Caron says local officials have long complained of the need for better signage to attract people to the centre.

Plenty of Drug Busts in Rainy River District

A busy February for the OPP's Community Drug Action Team in the Rainy River district.

A total of 10 people were arrested on drug related charges during the month.

Qualities of marijuana, oxycontin and oxycocet seized in the investigations at Canada Customs, Fort Frances High School and a restaurant parking lot.

Health Unit Not Interested in Clinics for Prescription Pill Addicts

Health officials are still trying to come up with a plan to deal with the withdrawal of oxycontin from the market.

The province's health officials have been holding several meetings.

Dr. James Arthurs of the Northwestern Health Unit says setting up clinics to help people deal with prescription pill addictions is not in the cards.

Arthurs says there are similar supports already in place.

More Fire Bans Lifted

Another Rainy River district community has lifted its ban on burning.

Alberton Township announced Friday it would permit open air burning as wet and cooler weather eased the threat of wildfires.

Fort Frances lifted its ban on Friday as well.

Question of the Week

The Canadian penny will no longer be produced this fall.

Will you miss it?

Let us know on our website, 931TheBorder.ca.

In response to last week's question, 68 per cent feel the disclosure of public sector workers salaries is important to them.

St. Francis Students Help Sierra Leone

The African Country of Sierra Leone is getting the attention of students at St. Francis School in Fort Frances.

Grade 8 students Nick Piowtroski says they'll be raising money to help support a health care initiative in that country.

Last year, the school participated in a similar campaign that helped the people of Haiti.

Burning Ban Lifted in Fort Frances

The ban on burning in Fort Frances is being lifted.

Fire officials says Thursday night's snow helped eliminate the risk of wildfires.

A burning ban had been put in place two weeks ago because of warm temperatures.

Woods Ends Tenure With Riverside

It's the final work day for Wayne Woods

The Chief Executive Officer of Riverside Health Care Facility ends a 13-year tenure with the local health agency.

Woods says seeing several upgrades to facilities along the way are some of the greatest accomplishments.

He admits ongoing challenges in health care were among reasons for stepping down as this time.



 

Funding Impact Unknown

The Rainy River District School Board says it will crunch the numbers before determining the full impact of its funding allocation from the province.

The board is poised to received about $150-thousand less for the next school year.

Education Director Heather Campbell says some further information is needed before they can really says whether the cut will trickle down into the classroom.

The board is to complete its budget by June.

Federal Budget Panned by MP

NDP MP John Rafferty doesn't have much good to say about the federal budget.

He says he's disappointed for the people of northern Ontario

He says cuts to FEDNOR and the public sector will have negative effects to the region.

Rafferty is also disappointed that the government has increased the amount of goods you can bring back duty free from the United States saying it will promote cross border shopping.

Ontario Buying Dispute Mining Claims

The Ontario government has settled a dispute over mineral exploration near a northwestern First Nation by buying the land.

Toronto-based God's Lake Resources agreed to surrender its mining lease and claims near Big Trout Lake First Nation.

The lands are now subject to the Ontario government's recent withdrawal from staking and mineral exploration in the area.

Michael Power Steps Down

A major player in the northwestern Ontario's technology and health care community is moving on.

Michael Power has accepted a position with global cancer technology company Elekta.

He's resigned from his management positions with the Regional Research Institute and the Health Sciences Centre.

Limited Moose Hunt Planned

A limited bull- moose hunt will be offered to hunters in Minnesota this fall.

It's making a total of 87 licenses available through a lottery with applications accepted starting Monday.

Biologists with the Department of Natural Resources are only predicting about fifty bulls to be killed.

Last year, 92 hunters harvested 53 bull moose.

MNR Review

The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking to transform itself.

The provincial government included a 3 year plan in the budget that would look at cutting staff and offices.

Minister Michael Gravelle says with the MNR running a deficit, cuts were bounds to happen.

Gravelle says no decision have yet been made on which offices will close.

NCDS Youth Employment Centre Open

Young people in the Rainy River district can still get help finding work, even if the federal government isn't opening its youth employment centre.

NCDS has its youth centre open.

Executive Director Jenny Greenhaulgh says they've already had some visits.

Greenhaulgh says they're opening late at night for the benefit of employers wanting to post jobs.

7-year-old Still Missing

There still no word on the whereabouts of a 7-year-old boy at the centre of a child abduction case in Duluth.

Police issued a statewide crime alter after James Nordrum Jr. failed to hand over his Wyatt after a court judge award custody to the boy's mother who is now living in Fort Frances.

New Banners

There's a new look to the Fort Frances downtown area.

The Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association has new banners up.

Artist Lindsay Hamilton says they'll last much longer than the old ones because they are made of steel.

The banner depict 18 different animal and nature scenes.

Officer to Run Half-Marathon

OPP are Cruisin' for a Cure.

Sixty officers and their families from the northwest region will be taking part in the Winnipeg Police's Cops for Cancer run in May.

Constable Anne McCoy says she's running to help bring more public awareness.

McCoy will also be running on behalf of a 10-year-old boy who has a rare and aggressive form of cancer.