Seniors Groups Want Rezoning Delayed

Seniors groups planning for an assisted living facility in Fort Frances are asking town council to delay a decision to rezone the former Huffman School property.

They want to study first what properties are available for their project.

Bob Armit of the Assisted Living Action Group says the recent idling announcement effecting Resolute Forest Products should be reason enough to hold off on planned housing lots.

Councillor Rick Weidenhoeft doesn't support delaying a decision.

He says the need for new lots is urgently needed to bolster the town's tax base.

Price Of Bag Tags Go Up

An increase in the cost of bag tags in Fort Frances.

The 25 cent increase from the current $2.00 charge goes into effect January 1.

Councillors Ken Perry says it amounts to a 12.5 per cent increase on something residents use while services many residents don't access are going up one per cent.

The increase in bag tags is among a host of user fees that will increase next year, mostly by one per cent.

The cost of bag tags has not increase since 2010.

Town Draft Budget Delayed

A draft budget for Fort Frances council to review will come later than expected.

CAO Mark McCaig says the idling announcement at Resolute Forest Products has to be taken into account in next years budget.

A draft budget is usually presented in early January.

It will now come to council at the end of February

Catholic Board Expands iPad Use

File photo

The Northwest Catholic District School Board is bringing iPads to more of its students.

The Board is expanding a pilot project started with grade 8 students at St. Francis School in Fort Frances.

It's purchasing 30 iPads for grade 7 and 8 students at Atikokan's St. Patrick's School and another 60 for intermediate students at Dryden's St. Joseph's School.

Dryden Man Charged In On-Line Incident

A 19-year-old Dryden man is facing charges after allegedly trying to lure a minor online.

Dryden Police say the investigation involves incidents from 2010 and 2011 involving a 14 year old.

Man Arrested In Fort Frances Incident

An act of vandalism in downtown Fort Frances on the weekend has earned a local man a trip to court.

The 19-year-old was arrested early Saturday morning shortly after OPP responded to an alarm and found a front window of a business smashed.

He's now facing a charge of possession and assaulting a police officer.

Nine Police Cruisers Stuffed in Atikokan

Courtesy Debra Bruyere

OPP's Stuff-a-Cruiser event in the Rainy River District is off to a great start.

Atikokan residents helped police stuff nine cruisers with food and gift items Saturday in the first leg of the district wide event.

That's two more than last year.

The goods are being dispersed between the Atikokan Native Friendship Centre, Atikokan Christmas Cheer and the Faith Lutheran Church's food bank.

Stuff a cruiser events in Fort Frances and Emo go December 8.

Summer Christmas Concert CDs Now Available.

CD launch at Fort Frances Library

A summer concert of local performers is now out on CD and DVD.

It's from a special Christmas concert held in August at Cornell Farms.

Kim Cornell says all of the proceeds will go to the Salvation Army in Fort Frances.

They hoping to sell 500 copies which would raise up to $10-thousand.

  The two-disk package is available at Clover Valley Farmers Market, Loweys, Tompkins Hardware and Canada Safeway.

Flu Is Here

A warning from the Northwestern Health Unit.

It says, through lab results, it's confirmed the presence of the flu in the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Manager of Infectious Disease, Donna Stanley says even though their clinics have wrapped up, you can still get the vaccine at doctors clinics, pharmacies and by calling the Health Unit.

Stanley says in the past couple of weeks, they've notice an increase in absenteeism, especially at area schools, linking directly to the flu.

Careful When Approaching Snow Plows

A timely safety campaign from the Ontario Provincial Police.

OPP are reminding motorists to slow down approaching a snow plow with its blue lights active.

Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says while it is not illegal to pass a snow plow, attempts to pass could result in tragic ccircumstances.

McCoy says driving too fast and passing snow plows are among major causes of winter collisions.