Winter Hits the District Again

Winter is giving the Rainy River district and Koochiching County another kick at the can.

The hardest hit area is between Atikokan and Mine Centre where a heavy snowfall warning remains in effect.

Highway 11 between Atikokan and the Trans Canada Highway is closed because of poor conditions.

Most other roads in the Rainy River area are listed as being snow covered with slushy sections.

Winter storm advisories have also been issued in Koochiching County where hazardous driving conditions are listed for most roads.

School Buses Cancelled

Weather is the reason for the cancellation of several school buses in the Rainy River district.

All buses in Atikokan are not running today.

Elementary and high school school buses from Seine River and Red Gut have also been parked.

Power Outage

Power has now been restored to a small number of residents living just west of Fort Frances.

Approximately 43 customers living around the Frog Creek area lost their electricity for a brief time this morning.

It was blamed on a blown fuse.

Petitions Coming to Legislature

Opposition to the closure of this area's tourist information centres reaches Queen's Park today.

Several petitions, initiated by Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell, will be presented to the legislature.

Campbell is also planning to meet with Tourism Minister Michael Chan.

Campbell says keeping the centres open is also part of the NDP's request to the Liberals for supporting a budget vote.

Question of the Week

In response to question on our website last week, 75 per cent support keeping the tourist information centres open.

This week we ask if you favour plans to develop a market square on the site of the current Rainy Lake Hotel.

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

Youth Plea to Their Parents

Some First Nations children in a remote northwestern Ontario reserve have written a heartbreaking letter to their drug-addicted parents.

The Grade Six students from Cat Lake write that they want their parents to stop doing drugs because it hurts their families.

Community leaders figure that between 70 and 80 per cent of the adults are hooked on narcotic pain killers OxyContin or Percocets.

Diabetes Expo This Week

An opportunity this week to learn more about the prevention and management of diabetes.

Richard Boon of the Canadian Diabetes Association says they're holding an expo at the Adventure Inn in Fort Frances Wednesday.

It goes from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The event will also promote the latest in programs, services and equipment as well other health care agencies.

Festival Continues

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts continues today with a week long of piano competitions.

Today's performances will be at the Townshend Theatre before moving to Knox United Church tonight.

Friday, Oryn Albanese, Kaayla Fox and Bobby Halvorsen were multi-winners in the english drama division.

Here's a list of all winners from Friday


CLASS A709-A Choral Speaking, Grades 9 and 10

1. Alexandra Andrushuk, Christian Andy, Christopher Jensen, Danni Mainville, Ceder Ogier, Joseph Onichuk, Wyatt Whitecrowe and Cristian Windego - Orpheus by Margaret Atwood

2(tie). Amber Buhler, Taylor Hazel, Aaron McDowall, Lena Morelli, Tyler Mosbeck, Darren Lundgren and Kassidy Ogden - Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
2(tie). Kaitlyn Cottam, Sarah Milling, Cole Hyatt, Trent Roe, Paul Smart, Jessica Phung and Danielle Jackson - Waiter!...There’s an Alligator in My coffee by Joe Rosenblatt

CLASS A1002 Skit, Grade 11 and 12
1. Bobby Halvorsen and Aimee McEvoy
2. Natasha Petawanaqueb and Aimee McEvoy

CLASS A504-A Serious Reading, Grades 11 and 12
Excerpt from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
1. Carramaena Onichuk

CLASS A504-C Serious Reading, Grades 11 and 12
Excerpt from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
1. Kaayla Fox

CLASS A504-D Humorous Reading, Grades 11 and 12
This May Hurt a Little by Eric Nicol
1. Oryn Albanese
2. Aric Chapman

CLASS A110-A Serious Poetry, Grades 11 and 12

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
1. Tanika Andy
2. Tori Sikora

CLASS A204 Original Poetry, Grades 11 and 12
1. Louis Linklater
2. Tristian Spilchuk - Deadbeat by Tristian Spilchuk

CLASS A1302 Serious Monologue, Grades 11 and 12
1(tie). Oryn Albanese - Billy Bishop Goes to War by John Gray and Eric Peterson
1(tie). Kaayla Fox - One Thousand Cranes by Colin Thomas
2(tie). Aimee McEvoy - Drag Queen on Trial by Sky Gilbert
2(tie). Tori Sikora - Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw

CLASS A1306 Humorous Monologue, Grades 11 and 12
1. Bobby Halvorsen - Office Hours by Norm Foster
2(tie). Tristian Spilchuk - Urban Voodoo by Jim Millan and Peter Hinton
2(tie). Carramaena Onichuk - Melville Boys by Norm Foster

Suspect in Robbery Sought

OPP  have issued a public alert in their search for a man wanted in connection with this past week's armed robbery at the Canada Safeway Gas Bar in Fort Frances.

Police are looking for 24-year-old Joshua Enns.

He's identified as being native, 5-11 and 198 pounds.

Police do consider him to be a risk to the public.

Tuesday night's robbery involved a man armed with a hand gun taking an undisclosed amount of cash.