Snow Removal and Pot Holes

An area group wants the town of Fort Frances to do a better job of removing snow and filling pot holes.

The Northern Action Group sees them barriers to accessibility.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says they are meeting the requirements for snow removal and enhancing service would mean additional costs.

Brown says they're also following the policy to fixing pot holes.

Town to Pursue Agreement

Fort Frances town council has agreed to pursue an agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding nuisance bears.

By-law enforcement officers are now trained, but can't legally trap or immobilize bears without an agreement.

Meantime, the public is being advised to call the province's Bear-Wise hotline to report nuisance bears.

That number is 1-866-514-2327

Help For Thunder Bay Flooding

Magic 99.9 photo

The city of Thunder Bay is bringing in outside help to clean up a flooded sewage treatment plant.

Its getting pumps from Toronto, Sudbury and Winnipeg to help move water.

The city has also set up an emergency shelter for residents flooded out of their homes.

Highway 11-17 from Highway 102 to the city is still closed.

Summer Jobs Market Looking Good

The summer job market in the Rainy River district appears to be looking good for students.

Northern Community Development Services, or NCDS, in Fort Frances, has had its youth employment centre open since April.

Tyson Grinsell says the number of jobs available is increasing daily.

Visits by students are also increasing.

State of Emergency in Thunder Bay

Heavy flooding has forced the city of Thunder bay to declare a state of emergency.

Spokesperson Darryl Matson says one of the facility hit has been an sewage treatment plant located in the Intercity area.

All city residents are being told not to flush toilets, run baths or wash closes.

States of Emergency have also been declared in rural areas of Oliver-Paipoonge and Conmee where several roads have been washed out.

Highway 11-17 from the corner of Highway 102 though Kakabeka Falls to the city is also closed

Quest Back

FF Chamber photo

Quest for the Best is coming back to the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

The annual singing competition will be held July 26th at the Memorial Sports Centre.

It will follow the same format as last year with singers divided into two divisions and the two winners facing off in a sing-off for the $15-hundred first place prize money.

Bear Concerns

A recent change in how the Ministry of Natural Resources handles bear calls a concern to the town of Fort Frances.

The Ministry is still manning its Bear-Wise hotline, but won't sent out personnel.

Speaking to the Police Services Board Friday, Mayor Roy Avis says it's going to a financial hit if town staff have to deal with the complaints.

By-law staff are trained to deal with bears right now, but the town has no agreement yet with the Ministry to take on those responsibilities.

Question of the Week

Do you think the Ministry of Natural Resources should still be involved in dealing with nuisance bears?

Let us know on our website, 931the border.ca.

Last week, 52 per cent of respondents said they do not favour now closed tourist centres being handed over to area municipalities to operate.

Thunder Bay Area Hit By Flooding

Magic 99.9 photo

Rain a problem in Thunder Bay and some outyling areas where states of emergency have been declared.

They've been hit with up to 60-millimetres of rain with up to another 10 centimetres in the forecast Monday.

In Thunder Bay, several basements and a south side mall are facing flooding.

If you are heading to Thunder Bay, Highway 11-17 through Kakabeka Falls to the city is closed because of several washouts.

The alternative route on Highway 102 is open.

Wet Weather Helping Forest Fire Fight

MNR photo

Wet weather has brought some relief to northern Ontario communities battling massive forest fires, allowing some residents to return home.

Hundreds of residents in the Timmins area are still barred from their homes, cottages and campsites.

Officials say conditions have improved but the crisis is far from over, and access to at-risk areas will be limited for some time.

Meantime, more help from northwestern Ontario has been sent to Timmins to assist with with the fire fire fight.


Sixteen FireRangers and 15 support staff, along with two waterbombers were sent to the area on the weekend.

Over 200 FireRangers, 90 Overhead staff and over 30 Aircraft from this region are now in northeastern Ontario.

Locally, there only active fire is on Lake of the Woods at Falcon Island, listed as being held.

Hates Crimes Conference

A conference focusing on hate crimes goes today in Fort Frances.

It's part Celebrating Diversity's "Respect - It Lives Here" Campaign.

The project's coordinator Ian Simpson says Hate Crimes is a topic of great concern.

Stephen Camp, a police detective, who founded a hate crimes unit in Edmonton, is the guest presenter.