Pension Fund Short On Dollars

New information on their pensions isn't sitting well with retired mill workers in Fort Frances.

They've been told by Resolute Forest Products their fund is short by $1.9 billion.

Allan Bedard, who helped formed a local group to get pension protection, says it's only creating more anger amongst the retirees.

Bedard says equally frustrating is the inability of retirees to have a say in those pensions.

Bedard says the loss of money in the fund is further reason behind their fight for government action.

Union Ready For Court Challenge

Unions say they'll go to court if proposed legislation imposing new contracts on teachers becomes law.

The presidents of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and CUPE Ontario say the bill strips away collective bargaining rights.

The unions are planning a rally at the Ontario legislature Tuesday.

The legislation is expected to come before MPPs at the Queen's Park Monday.

College Strike Possible

OPSEU 2006 strike

School and union officials are warning Ontario's 24 colleges could be closed by labour strife as early as the middle of next month.

The colleges warn the Ontario Public Service Employees Union could trigger a strike by 10 thousand college faculty as early as September 15 if a strike vote goes ahead on September 10.

OPSEU says the colleges will be in a position to lock out faculty on the same date.

A proposed wage freeze and academic freedom among unresolved issues.

Research Funds For Atikokan Renewable Fuels

Atikokan Renewable Fuels and Lakehead University will conduct research together on wood pellets.

The company's getting over $70-thousand dollars through the Thunder Bay-based Centre for Research in the Bio Economy, or CRIBE, for the project.

President Ed Fukushima says research is needed to create a competitive product

CRIBE is also giving half a million dollars to Confederation College to develop a learning and research centre for bio-energy.

More Fires

MNR photo

Two more forest fires in the Rainy River district.

One is near Kishkutena Lake, the other at Harris Lake, both north of Fort Frances.

Both were lightning caused.

Ride For Memories Tomorrow

File photo

This Saturday marks the 10th annual Alzheimer Society Ride for Memories.

As many as 120 bikers from across the region are expected to take part.


Executive Director of the Kenora-Rainy River District Lynn Moffatt says they're hoping to raise $40-thousand for programs and services for people with Alzheimer's and dementia and their families.

Local riders will leave from the Harbourage tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. with the ride ending in Sioux Lookout.

Yoga Festival

A unique festival gets underway today at Crane Lake.

The community south of International Falls is hosting the first ever Common Grounds Yoga and Music Festival.

Co-founder Christine Rosa says there will be a wide array of activities and entertainment over the three days.

There's also events for the kids.

Click the link to see a full schedule of events.

Police Seeking List Of Unsolved Murders

Privacy concerns are preventing the RCMP from gaining full access to a list of murdered and missing women compiled by the Native Women's Association of Canada.

It lists about 600 unsolved cases, some of which include women from northwestern Ontario.

RCMP were given about 100 names, but the Association says confidentiality guarantees given to family members who provided much of the information prevent it from giving up remainder.

Mammography Campaign Launched September 11

File photo

Riverside Foundation for Health Care is officially launching its fundraising campaign for a new digital mammography unit next month.

It will do so with a bicycle ride September 11th from Rainy River to Fort Frances.

Campaign spokesperson Tanya Cumming says they're looking for riders.

Cumming says the ride isn't to collect funds, but they won't turn aside donations if given.

The Foundation is hoping to raise $650,000 for the unit to be located at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Those interesting in taking part in the ride are asked to contact the Foundation office 274-4803.

Boating Accident

Three women have been injured in a boating accident on Lac La Croix.

OPP says five people were on a jet boat when it struck an island on Lac La Croix near Twin Falls just before midnight Sunday.

The injuries to a 37-year-old from Quebec, a 22-year-old from Dawson, Ontario and a 23-year-old from Kenora were not serious, but two had to be airlifted to hospital.

West Nile Cases Climbing

West Nile virus cases are starting to climb in Canada.

Ontario is reporting that as of earlier this week, 49 confirmed and probable human cases of the disease have been spotted.

There are no cases in northwestern Ontario

In the U-S, Minnesota is reporting 20 cases, none in Koochiching County.

Marathon Run Underway

A U.S. Army veteran is on the road in a marathon run from International Falls to Galveston, Texas.

51-year-old Mike Ehredt was given a military gun salute Thursday morning to start the run that will remember U.S. soldiers killed while on duty in Afghanistan.

Ehredt is placing a Flag with the name of a solder killed ever mile on his trek.

He made a similar run in 2010 to recognized soldiers killed while fighting in Iraq.

Diaper Drive Successful

A United Way campaign in International Falls has amassed a mountain of diapers.

More than 36-hundred diapers and 15-hundred baby wipes were collected in the drive over the past month.

They'll now be distributed to families in need by the Salvation Army and Falls Hunger Coalition.

Area Woman Received Diamond Jubilee Medal

A Rainy River area woman has been recognized for her leadership in the area's agricultural community.

Kim-Jo Bliss of Emo has been presented with a Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Bliss was cited for his involvement in several initiatives such as the local 4-H Steer Club, crop research and mentoring area youth.