No Slowing Of Forest Fire Season Yet

Forest Fire in Quetico Park - MNR photo

The official end to the forest fire season is six weeks away, but the workload for Ministry of Natural Resources firefighters isn't diminishing.

Information Officer Debbie McLean says crews have had to deal with a rash of small blaze in recent days.

Most have been lightning caused, but a few have been the result of campfires left unattended.

One of the human caused fires was spotted in Quetico Provincial Park were four other lightning caused are burning.

Four other lightning caused blazes are also still active in the park.

Rumble Strips Requested

Minn. Dept. of Transportation photo

International Falls city council is looking for measures that reduce head-on collisions on area highways.

Councillor Paul Eklund says they're asking the Minnesota Department of Transportation to consider placing rumble strips down the centre line in parts of Highways 53, 11 and 71.

Eklund says there is legislation now in place that requires the strips to be installed in new road construction and in areas recommended by MinDOT

The request follows the death of two city residents who were killed in a head on collision two weeks ago south of the Falls.

Buy Ontario Promoted

Clover Valley Farmer Market photo

The Ontario government will put on a new push to convince people to buy more locally grown food.

Premier Dalton McGuinty says convincing people to buy local will be good for the economy and job creation.

The Liberals are introduce legislation called the Local Food Act that aims to make Ontario's farm products more available to consumers.

Underpass Open

The town of Fort Frances is ending planned closures of the Portage Avenue underpass.

It's because of quick work by the contractor to complete work related to a new sewage pumping station.

All the work needed was done by 7 p.m. last night.

Bouchard Visits

A well-known Canadian author is travelling across the Rainy River district to promote the importance of reading to both students and parents.

David Bouchard says it's a must for parents to get their children to read.

He encourages parents to turn off the television, read to their children and the books they like, and to visit the local library.

As well as visiting schools, Bouchard is hosting a number of community events with one scheduled for tonight at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances at 6:30 pm.

Driver For UR Lakers

Your test drive of a Ford vehicle next month will lend a hand to the Fort Frances Lakers junior hockey club.

Owner Nick Beyak of Sunset Country Ford says it's part of a national Ford of Canada program called Drive One 4 UR Community.

Every time someone test drives a vehicle on October 1st, Ford will donate $20 to the Lakers up to a maximum of $6,000.

It's the first time the program has been tried at the Fort Frances dealership.

New Hospital Still Possible

A new hospital may still be in the card for International Falls.

Health officials with Rainy Lake Medical Centre and Essentia Health were before city council Monday night to discuss their talks to improve care.

CEO and President of Essentia Dr. Daniel Nickevich says full integration of Rainy Lake under its wing could lead to a new hospital.

Previous plans for a new facility were put on hold because of financial issues resulting from a merge of the Falls Memorial Hospital and Duluth Clinic.

Changes Proposed To Prevent Gas Pump Thefts

A Liberal MPP is working on a private member bill aimed at curbing so called gas-and-dash thefts

Liberal Mike Colle says it would force drivers to pay upfront.

He says not enough is being done to protect gas station workers whose safety is at risk whenever gas theft occurs.

His proposal stems from the death of a Toronto gas attendant in an alleged theft on the weekend.

Smile Cookies Are Back

Tim Hortons Smile Cookies are back.

This year, revenues generated go towards OPP's Respect Technology program.

It teachers students how to be safe while on the computer or cell phones.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says Tim Hortons support is greatly appreciated.

Cookie sales last year raise $4,300 for the program.