Together We Can Ride Kicks Off Campaign

A 90-kilometre bicycle ride has resulted in more than just awareness for Riverside Foundation For Health Care's Together We Can campaign.

It also brought in over $130-thousand in donations from area groups for a new digital mammography unit.

Co-chair Jan Beazley says it's a great kick off to the campaign aimed at raising $650-thousand.


LaVerendrye Hospital Auxiliary is giving $60-thousand.

The Emo Hospital Auxiliary is giving $15-thousand.

Fort Frances Lions Club is making a $15-thousand donation.

The Emo Lions Club, one of the first to get behind the campaign, is donating $3-thousand.

The Breast Health Network is contributing $10-thousand.

The townships of Chapple and LaVallee are providing $6-thousand each.

The Rainy River United Church ladies are giving a thousand dollars.

Several other donations were collected by residents along the route from Rainy River to Fort Frances.


A total of 36 riders were involved.

Fort Frances To Have Presence At Recruitment Fairs

It will be quick off the mark for the new physician recruiter in Fort Frances.

Todd Hamilton has been hired to help attract new doctors to the area.

Riverside Health Care Facilities Allan Katz says a big push comes September 20th when they attend a recruitment event at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Thunder Bay.

Katz says their recruitment efforts will also take them to medical schools in southern Ontario starting later in the month.

Air Carrier Selected For Falls

The U.S. Department of Transportation is allowing SkyWest Airlines to provide subsidized air passenger service to International Falls.

The Utah-based air carrier would take over service now provided by Delta Airlines.

Under it's proposal, Skywest will provide 12 round trips a week to and from Minneapolis with a stop in Brainard.

No word when the new service would start.

Teachers Unions Fighting Bill

Teachers' unions are vowing to fight the Liberal government after a bill that imposes contract terms on thousands of Ontario teachers passed in the legislature.

The Tories supported the minority Liberals on the bill that also reins in teachers' pay, cuts their benefits and stops them from striking.

The elementary teachers' union is urging members to stay away from meetings on Monday, while the secondary teachers' union wants members to fore go any voluntary activities on today.

County Ups Tax Levy

Koochiching County will collect 1.5 per cent more in county taxes next year to help offset a projected budget deficit.

Administrator Teresa Jaksa says the half-million dollar shortfall is mainly due to a reduction in government funding and new regulations effecting its jailhouse.

Along with the levy increase, Jaksa says they hope to eliminate the deficit through spending cuts and tapping into reserves.

Terry Fox Run This Sunday

The annual Terry Fox run goes this Sunday in Fort Frances.

Participants can walk, run, stroll or ride down the waterfront.

Jane Trivers, one of the organizers, says along with recognizing Terry, they'll also honour local cancer victims and survivors.

Registration at the Sorting Gap Marina begins at 1 pm with the walk taking place at 2.

New Recruiter Hired

A new recruiter has been hired to help attract new doctors to Fort Frances.

Todd Hamilton takes over duties from the outgoing Jackie Lampi-Highes.

Hamilton has been a past member of the local Physician Recruitment Committee, as well with the Fort Frances Community Clinic and Riverside Foundation for Health Care.

Man Arrested in Knife Incident

A man is in police custody after a woman was threatened at knife point Sunday afternoon.

OPP says the incident occurred in the area of Legion Park in Fort Frances.

Police say the woman was walking with two young children when they were confronted by a man on a bicycle who was verbally abusive and uttered threats.

He then pulled a knife and held it against the woman's neck.

She managed to escape unharmed.

The 36-year -old was arrested a short time later.

He will appear in court next month on charges of assault with a weapon and uttering threats.