No Decision in Rezoning Appeal

It could be several months before the Ontario Municipal Board rules on an appeal by Fort Frances residents opposing the rezoning of a parcel of land in their area.

The OMB reserved making decision last week after hearing arguments on the Nelson Street Park rezoning.

The town rezoned the land back in December to permit housing development.

Filings Made for U.S. Elections

Four people have filed their intentions to seek one of two seats coming up for election in Koochiching County this November.

Brian McBride, current chair, is seeking re-election in District 3.

Linda Dreher, Chris Pfeifer and Louis Slapnicker are challenging in District 5.

Filings can be made until June 16

Falls Prepared to Win

International Falls is bringing in the big guns to try to capture this year's Pulling for Peace Tug of War title from Fort Frances.

City Administrator Rod Otterness says Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will be among those on the rope for the American squad.

Minnesota Vikings alumni Matt Blair, Stu Voight, John Swain and Greg Coleman have also been enlisted by the Falls team.

The Canadian line-up, for now, is being kept a secret.

Career Fair Successful

A huge turnout for the first ever Career Fair in the Rainy River district yesterday.

Event coordinator Cathy Tysz says their expectations surpassed their hopes.

Over 1,300 people attending, mostly students, to view the over 70 exhibitors and learn more about the jobs and educational opportunities available in the Rainy River district.

Northern Community Development Services received $90-thousand from the federal government to stage the event.

Officials says they're considering staging similar Career Fairs in the future.

Union Concerned with MNR Cuts

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is sounding the alarm over the province's plans for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

President Smokey Thomas says the government has already cut back the MNR to a point that more cuts will jeopardize its ability to respond to emergency situations like forest fires.

Thomas says while the number of firefighters remains untouched, cuts continue in other departments.

New Bugs Invade Area

Bug experts say there's a new invader in northern Minnesota and parts of northwestern Ontario.

The variegated cutworm has unleashed light brown moths that are laying eggs across the region.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bug expert Jana Albers says the bugs are native to Minnesota, but has never seen the species in the northern region

The moths soon die, but the caterpillars that hatch from the eggs can last for weeks, munch on greenery and cut a plant off at the stem.

Beware of Bed Bugs

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

That's the focus a new public awareness campaign from the Northwestern Health Unit.

Health Promoter Valdine McEwen says the tiny bugs can cause big problems.

McEwen says some precautions people can take include performing a quick inspection of hotel rooms and hanging up all of your clothing.