Forest Fire Hazard Eases

The forest fire reading in northwestern Ontario has dropped to low thanks to recent rainfall.

Two fires reported in the Rainy River district on the weekend are now out.

Debbie MacLean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says it's allowed them to deploy some of the region's crews to northeastern Ontario to assist with fire suppression there.

Go Local This Fall

The campaign to Go Local could be ready to launch within the three months.

It's aimed at encouraging residents in the Rainy River district to spent as much of their dollars within the district.

Tannis Drysdale, a consultant with the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says there's a lot of interest from both retails and consumers.

Drysdale says they'll continue to sign-up retailers and developing partnerships in preparation for the fall launch.

Roof Repairs Start Next Week

Work is expected to start next week on repairs to the roof of the Fort Frances Civic Centre.

Thunder Bay-based Racco Roofing has been awarded the $256-thousand contract.

The work will fix a long-standing leaking problem over the areas of the OPP detachment and Fort Frances Fire Hall.

The town is also retaining the services of a consulting firm to oversee the project.

Foreign Trade Zone Road

The city of International Falls has received State funding to build a key link to its Foreign Trade Zone.

City administrator Rod Otterness says the $650-thousand helps acquire and develop Boise-owned land located off County Road 155.

Construction will likely start this summer.

Total cost of the project is about $950-thousand with the city kicking in the remaining $300-thousand.

Missing Man Found Safe

A happy conclusion to a weekend search for a missing Fort Frances man.

OPP says the 79-year-old, who suffers from Alzheimers, left his house Saturday night to walk his dog, but never returned.

He was found the next morning in good health, in the area of McIrvine Road, just north of the landfill site road.

Lots Of Speeders Nabbed On Weekend

A busy weekend for OPP across northwestern Ontario during the Victoria Day long weekend.

Police charged 249 drivers for speeding, 21 for seat belt infractions and seven with distracted driving.

Just one impaired driving charge was laid.

Figures specific to the Rainy River district were not immediately available.

Bear Attack In NW Ontario

A 65-year-old Winnipeg man is recovering from his injuries after being attacked by a black bear in northwestern Ontario.

The attack happened on Saturday at a campsite on Dunbar Lake about 60 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout.

The man suffered bite and scratch marks before another man he was with shot and killed the animal.

Question of the Week

Do you think the tourist information centres should be turned over to municipalities to operate?

Let us know on our website poll at 93-1 the border.ca

In response to a question last week, 63 per cent support the Provincial government's decision to have gun retailers continue collecting information from purchasers.

Area Man Gets New Trial

The Ontario Court of Appeal is allowing a new trial for an area man convicted on drug-related charges four years ago.

Nicholas Bruyere was charged in June 2008 after police stopped a vehicle on the Trans Canada Highway near Thunder Bay, they said was headed for Fort Frances containing a quantity of cocaine.

Bruyere appealed the case claiming the judge erred by excluding evidence.

Experimental Lakes Closing

Not all hope is lost for the experimental lakes area between Kenora and Dryden.

The Federal Government announced last week it was closing the site as part of a cost-cutting measure.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford believes there still may be a future for the site with someone else taking the research site over.

A government spokesperson says they will try to transfer the Experimental Lakes over another group or provinces.


Meantime, the Manitoba government is worried about the pending closure of the Experimental Lakes.

Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh says his staff are lobbying Ottawa to have the decision reversed.

MacKintosh says the research program being killed made important findings on hydro development, the banning of phosphorus in detergent, acid rain and mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Minnesota Elections Filings Underway

Candidates planning to run in some of races open in this fall's elections in Minnesota can now file their intentions.

Elections for two seats will takes place for Koochiching County - District 3, now held by Chair Brian McBride and District 5, now held by Mike Hanson who plans not to seek reelection.

Those running to represent the area in the Minnesota and U.S. House and Senates can also file today.

Camp Gets Green Energy Funds

A Rainy River District lodge has received provincial funding for a green energy project.

Hyatt's Manion Lake Camp in Mine Centre will use the $5,000 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund towards the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system.

Campbell Wants Tourism Centres Left to Province

MPP Sarah Campbell photo  

There's little support from Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell to having shuttered tourist information centres handed over to area municipalities.

Campbell voiced her opposition to the idea during a gathering Saturday in front of the now closed Fort Frances centre.

Campbell sees it a form of downloading by the province.

Both the town and the local Chamber of Commerce are looking at taking over Fort Frances Centre.

Body of Atikokan Man Found

The remains of a missing Atikokan man have been located.

An OPP dive team recovered the body of 49-year-old Eric Natti last Thursday at Miller Lake.

Natti had been reported missing since last November.

OPP had conducted a search of the area then, but cold weather and ice conditions hampered their efforts.

Weekend Forest Fires

Rain likely to give forest firefighters across northwestern Ontario a hand dealing with several fires in the region.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reports seven active fires, including two small ones in the Rainy River district.

One north of Sleeman near Development Road has been identified as human caused, while the other, northeast of Fort Frances was a lightning strike.

One of the largest fires still burning is on Falcon Island on Lake of the Woods, 35 kilometres south of Kenora.

The lightning caused fire is almost 600 hectares in size.

Minnesota Wolf Hunting Season Details

Minnesota is releasing details about its plans for the state's first regulated wolf hunting and trapping season.

The season will start November 3 when the firearms deer season opens.

The Department of Natural Resources proposes to offer 6,000 licenses with a target harvest quota of 400 wolves.

Municipalities Get Health Unit Refund

Municipalities that contribute to the Northwestern Health Unit are receiving money back from the agency.

More than $165-thousand have been returned back to communities across the Kenora and Rainy River district.

Municipalities share is based on population which dropped by 4,000 in 2011 over 2010.