Fire Cause Unknown

Courtesy Teri Major

The investigation continues into the cause of a fire that destroyed a Rainy River landmark.

Firefighters from Rainy River and Baudette spent several hours yesterday battling the blaze at the Canadian Northern Hotel.

It was spotted early yesterday morning passers-by.

The hotel opened in 1903 and had operated up yesterday's fire.

Help Needed To Fix Infiltration Inflow Problem

Fort Frances will likely look to senior levels of government for help accomplish the recommendations a study examining why the town's treating more water than it produces.

The report recommends $32-million in upgrades as a start.

Councillor Paul Ryan says it won't happen without assistance.

 The study identified groundwater and surface runoff as a source of the extra water.

Fort Frances Helping Flood Victims In Thunder Bay

The town of Fort Frances is joining others in contributing money to help victims of flooding in Thunder Bay.

Inititally it wasn't going to make a donation, but Councillor Andrew Hallikas says the city deserves their support.

The donation of one-thousand dollars is to be tripled by the province.

Ice Back At End Of Month

Ice is expected to back at the Ice for Kids Arena in Fort Frances at the end of the month.

Usage of the rink was halted this summer because of a problem with the ice plant's chiller unit.

Community Services Manager Jason Kabel says equipment needed for repairs is expected to arrive next week and with ice ready for use September 30.

Fort Frances Lakers have their home opener September 28 which will now likely be played out of the 52 Canadians Rink.

Portage Avenue Closure Next Week

It will now be next week when the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances will be closed to vehicular traffic.

The road will close next Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. the next night so work crews can safely remove the old sewage pumping station and do other work to the concrete walls and embankment.

Another one day closure is planned for September 21 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The underpass will be open to pedestrian traffic and emergency vehicles.

Campaign Ride Begins This Morning

Thirty-six riders will help generate awareness of Riverside Foundation for Health Care's fundraising campaign for a new digitial memography unit today.

The first riders leave this morning at 8:30 a.m. from Rainy River.

It will end about 5:30 p.m. at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Teacher Legislation Vote Today

Legislation that reins in wages and cuts benefits for Ontario teachers will come to a final vote today at Queen's Park.

If passed, the legislation will be retroactive to September 1st, clawing back any pay hikes or benefits once it becomes law.

College Faculty Approve Deal

Faculty at Ontario's 24 colleges have ratified a new collective agreement.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union says the new two-year agreement, which includes no wage gains, was approved by almost 89 per cent of its members.

The agreement includes improvements to job security for vulnerable partial-load workers and makes progress in clarifying the role of co-ordinators.

Budget Preps

Fort Frances is getting set to begin work on the 2013 budget.

A tentative schedule sees the public being allowed to provide input on September 24.

Council committees and administration will then give discussion over the next three months before premiliary operating and capital documents come back to council for its review in January.

The final budget could be complete by the middle of May.

Firefighters Ride Underway

Reagan Breeze (l) and Graham Warburton

Two northwestern Ontario firefighters have begun their 500-kilometre journey in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Graham Warburton of Atikokan and Reagan Breeze of Dryden left Kenora Monday.

They hope to finish in Thunder Bay Wednesday.