Plenty Of Speeders On Road Caught

Hundreds of motorists across northwestern Ontario might be feeling a little light in the pocketbook this week.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says more than 680 motorists were nabbed for speeding over the weekend as part of police's ongoing effort to keep area highways safe.

More than one hundred of those charges were laid by officers in the Rainy River district.

Bike Riders In Place

Riverside Foundation for Health Care has the riders it needs to help launch its fundraising campaign for a new digital mammography unit.

Director Nicke Baird says the 36 riders will share segments of the 90 kilometre bicycle ride from Rainy River to Fort Frances next Tuesday.

The ride isn't intended to raise money, but Baird says they're hoping residents will come out to cheer on the riders as they pass by their communities.

The ride includes a breakfast in Rainy River, lunch at Emo and a BBQ at LaVerendrye Hospital.

Trustees Support Naming Of School Gym

Rainy River District School Board trustees have given their blessing to the naming of the gymnasium at the new Robert Moore School in Fort Frances in honour of former teacher Jim Oster.

An official dedication ceremony will be held at a later date.

Oster, who died earlier this year, was instrumental in developing the physical education program at the old school.

Liberals Accuse NDP Of Being Out Of Touch With The North

The governing Liberals says its the NDP who are out of touch when it comes to the Northern Policy Institute.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the province should set up an all-northern Ontario committee at Queen's Park to solicit northern input.

Northern Development Minister Rick Bartolucci says the Institute is what northerners want.

Campbell says it's also wrong to take $5-million out for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to set up the Institute.

I. Falls Seeks To Annex County Land

The city of International Falls is making a pitch to annex the land for its multi-modal facility.

City officials outlined details of the project to Koochiching County's board Tuesday.

City counsel Steve Shermoen says a more formal request will come once they've finalize a land purchase deal with Boise.

Shermoen says some of the outstanding issues focus around environment.

The County has not problems with the request, but says it will seek assurances that any work on the site follows its regulations.

Warm Summer In International Falls

It was a warmer summer than usual in International Falls.

The National Weather Service says the average temperature of 64.6 F from June through August was 1.5 F above the norm.

Still, the 11 inches of rain this summer was about on par from past years.

Federal Environmental Assessment Considered

Public comment is being sought on whether Rainy River Resources will require a federal environmental assessment of its proposed gold mine north of Barwick.

The Canadian Environment Assessment Agency will accept comments up to September 24th.

The announcement comes just days after the company released a preliminary economic assessment of the project, proposing an open pit mine by 2016 and underground operations in 2018.

More Calls For Help At Pumps

More calls for government action to control rising prices at the pump.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the impact of the high gas prices hit the North really hard, due to the constant need for travel.

In July 2010, prices across Ontario jumped eight cents per litre due to the merging of the GST and HST.

New Record High On Labour Day

A Labour day temperature record in Fort Frances.

Monday's high of 29.9 C surpassed the old mark of 29 C set 8 years ago.

New highs were also reached in Thunder Bay and Dryden.