Rumble Strips Planned For Highway

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is agreeing to a city of International Falls request for rumble strips along sections of Highway 53

District Engineer Duane Hill told city councillors last night they've earmarked some federal dollars towards the safety measure aimed at reducing head-on car crashes

Hill says 69 kilometres of strips will be placed along the highway between International Falls and Cook.

The city asked the Department to consider installing the strips following the death of two residents in a head-on collision on Highway 53 a couple of months ago.

Support For Gravelle

Political leaders off all stripes hoping for a speedy recovery for Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle.

He announced yesterday he's been diagnosed with a form of aggressive lymphoma., but the prognosis for recovery is good.

Kenora-Rainy River Liberal Riding Association president Anthony Leek and NDP MPP Sarah Campbell among those offering their wishes to the Thunder Bay MPP.

Brown Supporting Murray

The mayor of Atikokan is throwing his support behind one of the candidates looking to replace Premier Dalton McGuinty as Liberal leader.

Dennis Brown says Glen Murray's plan for the north is best.

He says Murray's proposal to create a regional government in northern Ontario is something the area's leaders have wanted for some time.

Brown was also encouraged by Murray's interest in the region after receiving a personal email from the leadership hopeful.

PC'S Seeking Pension Changes

P.C. Leader Tim Hudak wants changes to what he's the calls "gold-plated pension plans'' for public sector workers.

Hudak says new nurses, teachers and civil servants should receive defined contribution pension plans instead of the more lucrative _ and costly _ defined benefit pensions.

Hudak also wants pooled pension plans for private sector workers who don't have a pension.

Detox Centre Needed

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The head of an Aboriginal health agency says it's getting better, but much still needs to be done to combat alcohol and drug addictions among First Nations.

Calvin Morriseau of the Fort Frances Tribal Health Area Services says services they've long wanted are still non-existent.

They include the need for a detox center and in patient treatment programs.

Morriseau says it's forcing many to leave the area to access the necessary services.

Water And Sewer Rate Increases Proposed

The city of International Falls is proposing an increase to its water and sewer rates.

It's planning to up water rates 5 per cent each year for the next three years to offset a deficit in its operating costs.

Sewer rates will rise to help cover the cost of a new wastewater treatment facility.

New Weather Records

This week's mild weather has brought some new temperatures to the Rainy River district.

Atikokan's high of 10 C eclipsed the old mark of 8.8 C set in 1979.

Fort Frances hit 11.2 C, a full two degrees more than the previous high, also in 1979.

Highs of 54 F Sunday and 52 F yesterday were also new records for International Falls.

Wilde Number 1

It's only been available for a few weeks, but Atikokan blue artist Sunday Wilde's new album has hit number one in the blues category of an international on-line music chart.

Wilde says it represents activity by radio stations around the world who have downloaded her music.

Wilde says a potential tour of Brazil next summer has also developed as a result of the increased popularity.

She's also preparing for concert appearances in Canada and in the southern United States to promote the album recorded last month at Seine River Lodge.

National Addictions Awareness Week Kicks Off

First Nations are raising awareness about the issues of drug and alcohol dependancy.

Several residents staged a walk through the streets of Fort Frances Monday as a kick off to National Addictions Awareness Week.

Calvin Morriseau of the Fort Frances Tribal Health Area Services says it's especially important with the Christmas season fast approaching.

First Nation communities across the district are holding a variety of events as are the Couchiching Treatment and Support Services, Unitd Native Friendship Centre and Tribal Health Services.

Gravelle Diagnosed With Cancer

Magic 99.9 photo

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle has been diagnosed with a form of aggressive lymphoma.

The MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North he was given the news from doctors last week and is confident he will beat it.

Gravelle says despite his cancer and future chemotherapy, he intends to maintain his duties as the city's MPP and as Minister.