Man Killed in Traffic Accident

A 31-year-old man is dead following an accident in International Falls.

International Falls City Police say the man was driving a van along Keenan Drive yesterday morning when his vehicle collided into the back of a dump truck.

The man, who has yet to be identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The dump truck operator was not injured.

No Charges Laid In Salvation Army Fire

No charges are being laid in connection with a fire Monday night in front of the Salvation Army in Fort Frances.

Members of the Fort Frances Fire Department were called to extinguish the blaze that charred a pile of books, clothing and paper.

OPP did question a suspect who was taken into police custody on an unrelated incident.

It was determined the fire was started by a lit cigarette.

Fire Destroyed Mobile Trailer In Emo

Fire has destroyed a mobile home in the township of Emo.

The fire occurred on Carpenter Road, northeast of the village at about 6:30 a.m. yesterday.

None one was inside.

Officials with the Emo township fire department believe the fire started in a bedroom area, but the exact cause is still being determined.

Area Officer Recognized

An OPP officer who works regularly with the media and several community organizations in the Rainy River District has been recognized for her work

Constable Anne McCoy has been presented with a Queen Elizabeth the second Diamond Jubilee medal.

McCoy was one of three OPP officers in the northwest to receive medals during a ceremony in Thunder Bay yesterday.

Citation For Bravery Awarded

OPP have also awarded the Commissioner's Citation for Bravery to a man who helped rescue a woman from the Fort Frances area who was mauled by a bear last fall.

Daniel Morrison and the woman were working with a Ministry of Natural Resources group conducting an animal count survey in a remote area near Armstrong at the time of the incident.

Morrison used a hunting knife to fight off the bear until police and Conservation officers arrived to kill the bear and get the woman medical attention.

More Wage Freezes Coming

The provincial Liberal government will unveil its plan today that forces wage freezes among public sector workers.

Premier Dalton McGuinty suggested two weeks ago that his government may introduce a single bill to impose an across-the-board wage freeze.

The Ontario Federation of Labour is holding an emergency meeting with other union leaders to talk about how they can mobilize province-wide to challenge the cuts.

Property Assessments To Rise

Municipal budgets are just starting to be worked on, but area homeowners could have to pay more in property taxes next year.

A report by Ontario's Municipal Property Assessment Corporation which determines the value of homes used to set taxes projects assessments to rise 4.5 per cent for the next four years starting in 2013.

MPAC says residential property values have risen by 20 to 30 per cent in northern Ontario since its last update in 2008.

New Canada Day Advisory Committee Formed

The planning of Canada Day festivities in Fort Frances will now fall to an advisory committee with the town.

Volunteer groups involved in the past, including Fun in the Sun, will be represented.

Community Services Manager Jason Kabel sees the new committee providing ongoing support.

Kabel says it will also help the group access resources and write grants.

Huffman School To Be Demolished

The former F.H. Huffman school will be coming down.

Fort Frances town council agreed at their meeting Monday night to demolish the vacant school it purchased two years ago.

CAO Mark McCaig says it will pave the way for new housing lots.

McCaig says an outside firm will be hired, but there might be an opportunity to use town resources to help lower costs.