Environmental Groups Concerned With Area Haze

Several environment groups are taking Minnesota to court over the State's plan to reduce haze in places like the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area and Voyageurs National Park.

They says the State's approach of a pollution trading program on industries that pollute air in those areas won't adequately reduce pollution.

The haze is believed to come mainly from the State's coal-fired power plants.

July Warmest Since 1989.

The month of July in the Fort Frances area has come in as the warmest it's been in more than two decades.

Environment Canada say the average temperature was about 21 C - almost 2 degrees above the norm.

Geoff Coulson says the warm trend experienced for much of the summer will likely continue through August and into September.

Despite warmer weather, the amount of rainfall received in the area was just above normal levels for the month.

Manager Bonuses Under Review

Premier Dalton McGuinty says he wants to take a closer look at the bonuses awarded to senior public servants.

The premier says when so many managers are getting bonuses, it becomes pay, not performance pay.

His comments come after reports nearly 98 per cent of eligible managers in the civic services got bonuses last year.

New NAN Grand Chief Elected

For the first time in 12 years, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation has a new grand chief.

Harvey Yesno won the post by a single vote in the third round of voting over Terry Waboose for
the position left vacant by Stan Beardy, who became head of the Ontario Regional Chiefs.

Yesno is a former NAN deputy grand chief who was working for the Nishnawbe-Aski Development Fund.

Pink Bus Visits

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation brings its "Pink Tour" to the Rainy River district this week.

The Foundation's vice-president Karen Malone says its big pink bus is visit Emo and Fort Frances today to help educate the public on breast cancer screening and breast health.

It's the first time the Foundation has brought its Pink Tour to this area.

The Bus will be parked outside the CIBC in Emo this morning and Fort Frances this afternoon.

Tomorrow it will be in front of Shopper Drug Mart in Fort Frances before traveling to Atikokan

Atikokan Fishing Tournament Celebrates

Atikokan Bass Classic photo

Billed as the Funnest Bass Tournament around, the Atikokan Bass Classic is celebrating its 25 year.

It's gone from a one day event with 50 angler teams, to a week long festival featuring several activities and over one hundred angler teams vying for a share of the nearly $50,000 in prize money.

President Jim Johnson attributes it's success to ongoing volunteer, community and angler support.

The tournament holds its parade of boats tonight at 6 p.m. with the fishing at Marmion Lake beginning tomorrow.

Fair Starts Today

It's fair time.

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair gets underway this afternoon with the opening of the midway.

President Harold Kellar says this year's theme is "A Family Tradition Going to the Fair."

The fair will also crown its Queen and its Mini King and Queen tonight.

Blood Clinic Falls Short Of Goal

It wasn't what they were hoping for, but the Canadian Blood Services is still pleased with the turnout to its first summer blood donor clinic in Fort Frances.

A total of 257 units of blood were collected Monday and Tuesday at the Fort Frances High School.

That's about 40 units shy of the Blood Services goal.

Still, officials says the blood collected will benefit many patients requiring blood or blood products this time of the year.

The next clinic will be in August 2013.