Armed Robbery in Fort Frances

Ontario Provincial Police are looking for a man in connection with an armed robbery in Fort Frances.

Police say Canada Safeway's Gas Bar was held up around 10:30 p.m. last night.

OPP say a man entered the store pointing a handgun and he demanded money from the teller.

An undisclosed amount of cash was taken.

The suspect was wearing a white hooded jacket, blue jeans and white running shoes.

Two Area Men Charged in Kenora Robbery

Two Fort Frances area men are facing charges after another man was robbed in Kenora on the weekend.

OPP says the victim was withdrawing cash from a bank machine when he was approached by two men who knocked him and removed his wallet.

A 28-year-old and a 30-year-old were arrested a short time later.

Airline Approved to Fly Out of International Falls

The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving approval to Great Lakes Aviation to take over air passenger service in International Falls.

The airline will receive more than $993-thousand in federal assistance to offer 18 flights a week to and from Minneapolis.

The service will take over routes being abandoned by Delta airlines, but there's no word when the changeover will occur.

Support Sought for Ontario One-Call

The town of Fort Frances is giving its support to provincial legislation that would create a one-call centre for people needing to locate underground infrastructure before digging.

Fort Frances voluntarily joined Ontario One-Call last year.

Luke Skaarup of Union Gas says the system improves safety.

The legislation, though, is being opposed by the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

Advisosry Committee Disbanded

The town of Fort Frances is folding two advisory committees because of a lack of interest.

Councillor Ken Perry says its disappointing.

Council does have the power to resurrect the Recreation Advisory and Children's Complex advisory committees at a later date if required.

New Hospital CEO on the Job

The new president and Chief Executive Officer for Riverside Health Care Facilities continues to get familiar with his new surroundings.

Allan Katz has been meeting with staff and other area health care providers since taking over the job last week.

Katz says he wants to make himself accessible to staff as much as possible.

Katz also feels Riverside, with its partners, is in a good position to meet the Northwest Local Health Integrated Network's goal of an integrated health care system.

Premier Lukewarm to NDP Budget Ideas

Premier Dalton McGuinty is pouring cold water on a list of demands made by Ontario's New Democrats in exchange for supporting the Liberal government's budget.

McGuinty says he's pleased the NDP are offering ideas to improve the budget instead of taking the same stand as the Progressive Conservatives who vow to vote against it.

However, the premier says he wishes the New Democrats had put forward some ideas that actually helped the cash-strapped government save money.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath wants a new $250 million job creation tax credit and the HST removed from home heating bills.

Day of Pink Today

You're going to see a lot of pink today.

Several schools, businesses and organizations in the Rainy River district are taking part in today's International Day of Pink.

It's aimed at taking a positive stand against bullying and discriminatory behaviour.

Festival Results for Tuesday

Mika Kooistra was the big winner on opening day of the Rainy River Festival of the Performing Arts.

Kooistra earned two first place finishes for performances on violin and another as part of a string ensemble.

Fort Frances High and Robert Moore School bands each won two categories.

The festival continues today with french drama at the Townshend Theatre.

Here's a list of all winners from Day 1 of the festival


CLASS S1201 String Solo, Popular Music, Intermediate
1. Raymond Polz (guitar) - While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison

CLASS B711 Instrumental Solo, Popular Music, Junior Percussion
1. Shawn Brady

CLASS B300 Bands and Orchestras, Beginner Band
1. St. Thomas Elementary Band, Director John Faith
Cumberland Dances by Robert E. Foster Jr.
Peace Like a River arranged by Robert W. Smith

CLASS B307 Bands and Orchestras, Jazz Band
1. Fort Frances High School Jazz Band, Director Lisa Loney
Hey Taxi! by Victor Lopez
Jive at Five arranged by Count Basie

CLASS B303 Bands and Orchestras, Senior Band
1. Fort Frances High School Senior Band, Director Lisa Loney
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pan American Spanish March

CLASS B100 Elementary School Rhythm Band, Kindergarten
1. Robert Moore School, JK/SK, Director Karen Peltomaki
Humpty Dumpty! arranged by Cora B. Ahrens
Where Has my Little Dog Gone? arranged by Cora B. Ahrens

CLASS S600 Guitar Solo, Level 1
1. Ryley Booth - Minuet in G (part 1) from H. Leonard

CLASS B201 Elementary School Recorder Solo, Grades 5 and 6
1. Bryan Ribey - Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

CLASS B209 Elementary School Recorder Ensembles, Grades 3 to 6
1. Robert Moore School

CLASS S1200 String Solo, Popular Music, Junior
1. Mika Kooistra (Violin) - MooLee Hua arranged by Joanne Martin
2. Hannah Veldhuisen (Violin) - Swing Low Sweet Chariot arranged by Joanne Martin

CLASS S1300 String Solo, Short Recital Piece, Junior
1. Mika Kooistra (Violin) - Carnival by François Couperin
2. Katelyn Bruyere (Violin) - Melody by Johan Halvorsen

CLASS S701 Violin Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 2
1. Katelyn Bruyere - A Pirate bold by George Coutts

CLASS S2700 String Ensembles, Junior

1. Hannah Veldhuisen (Violin), Tianna Veldhuisen (Violin) and Mike Kooistra (Violin) - Berceuse arranged by Joanne Martin

Surpluses Achieved

Surpluses have been achieved by the town of Fort Frances in both its water and sewer departments.

Over $327-thousand from the water system and $163-thousand in the sanitary sewer system will be put in their respective reserve funds to pay for future upgrades.

The surpluses are the result of higher than expected revenues and a drop in expenditures.

Business Moves

There's a shift of some businesses in Fort Frances.

The UPS Store has moved its Mowatt Street operations to Scott Street.

Fort Duty Free will take over the former UPS location May 1st.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce may also be moving its offices.

President Mark Caron confirms the current Duty Free location has been eyed as a possible site, but no decisions have yet been made.

MPP Seeks Changes to Northern Ontario Health Travel Grant

Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle is calling on the Ministry of Health to review Northern Ontario Travel Grant applications on a case by case basis.

It stems from a rejected claim from a Thunder Bay woman who received cancer surgery in Calgary, Alberta.

Gravelle has also asked the Ministry to reconsider the women's claim.