Downtown Business To Close

A long-time business in downtown Fort Frances is closing.

Mario's Jewellers will continue to operate through Christmas before shutting the doors for good sometime early in the new year.

Owner Marilyn Venerus feels its time to retire.

Mario's Scott Street location has been the site of a jeweller store operating by different owners for more than one hundred years.

Town Still Pressing For Condo Project

The Town of Fort Frances isn't giving up on the yet to be developed condominium project.

Council has given approval to getting a meeting with developer Robert Zanette.

The project was first proposed two years ago, at which time Zanette stated he wanted to sell most of the units before starting construction on Front Street location.

Premier Still Hopeful Of Teachers Deal

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Premier McGuinty is still hoping for a deal with public teachers before the end of the year, despite ongoing job actions across the province.

McGuinty says his government managed to get an agreement with Ontario's doctors after a "bumpy and very rocky road."

If teachers don't reach deals with their school boards by the end of this month, the province will impose a contract that will freeze the wages of most instructors and cut their benefits.

Meantime, one-strike strikes by public elementary teachers move to Thunder Bay schools today.

Over five-hundred teachers plan to rally at five schools and at the offices of MPPs Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle in their protests over Bill 115.

Jaguar Now Testing In International Falls

The makers of Jaguar and Land Rover have started cold-weather testing of its vehicles in International Falls.

Company officials joined with City and Koochiching County officials yesterday to officially open an expansion of the Falls Cold Weather Testing Facility.

Global manager of testing John Florida calls its one of the best around.

A willingness by the City and County to expand the facility helped attract the automarker to the area.

Jaguar-Land Rover will use the facility for the next five years with a possibility of that deal being extended.

DNR Considers Moose For Endangerd Species List

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to add moose to the state's endangered species list.

The moose population is declining in Minnesota, so the DNR wants to list the animal as a "species of  concern."

The status wouldn't limit hunting.

That would happen only if moose moved to threatened or endangered status.

Native Leader Stages Hunger Strike

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A northern Ontario aboriginal chief has launched a hunger strike out of frustration with the federal government.

Chief Theresa Spence of the remote Attawapiskat First Nation says she doesn't fear the ultimate outcome, should she not get what she wants -- a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and aboriginal leaders.

Spence says she wants the Prime Minister to show more respect towards First Nations concerns.

Customs Officers Angry Over Name Tags

A dispute over name tags has sparked a slowdown at two Canadian border crossings in Ontario.

The Canada Border Services Agency says some officers at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and Sarnia's Blue Water Bridge are refusing to work as they question the health and safety implications of wearing a name tag on their uniform.

The agency says the new policy is in line with similar ones in place on the U.S. side of the border and in the Canadian Forces.

CD Sales Strong

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The sale of a locally produced and recorded Christmas concert in support of the Salvation Army is progressing.

Two thousand dollars has been raised to date through the CD and DVD sales of the Christmas Melodies concert featuring local performers recording at Cornell Farms in August.

Organizers are hoping to reach the $5-thousand mark by Christmas.

TD Bank is now coming on board to assist with a sales blitz to help organizers reach their financial target.

Premier To Teachers: Let Court Decide Issue

Premier Dalton McGuinty is asking teachers taking job action to let the matter be resolved in court instead of disrupting schools.

He says involving students in the conflict over Bill 115, now being challenged in court, is the wrong thing to do.

First Nations Concerned With Federal Omnibus Budget Bill

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Aboriginals across Northwestern Ontario are speaking out against the recent federal government's omnibus budget bill.

Protesters say First Nations lands and treaty rights are being infringed by Bill C-45.

Rallies were held Monday outside Kenora MP Greg Rickford's offices in Kenora and Dryden.

Onigaming Chief Norman Copenance says its time chiefs come together to stand up for their self governance.

Blue Artist Nominated For U.K. Award

More accolades for Atikokan blue artist Sunday Wilde.

A radio station out of the U.K. has Wilde among its nominees for best female blue act in its year end awards.

Area residents can vote by email your choice to studio@severnfm.com with the subject: blues awards.