Town Officials Meet With Resolute

Officials with the town of Fort Frances have managed to talk with the president and CEO of Resolute Forest Products about the future of the mill in Fort Frances.

That meeting came Wednesday while Richard Garneau and senior members of the company's management team were in Thunder Bay.

Mayor Roy Avis calls the meeting very good, noting the company is researching potential products, but will take time to complete.

Avis says they'll continue to dialogue with Resolute and assist however it can.

Police Asked To Schools In International Falls

Students and staff at public schools in International Falls will have Police on hand for the last day of school heading into the Christmas Break.

Superintendent of Independent School District 361 Nordy Nelson says they asked police to attend the final couple of days in light of last week's school shooting in Connecticut.

Nelson says their schools are safe and the police helps ease fears and stem rumours.

Since yesterday, Police have been on site before and after school and during the lunch period. 

Nelson says schools have always had doors locked other than the front door, but the board will look at how to improve safety for students further in the new year.

Board Action To Keep Schools Safe

The Rainy River District School Board has a number of safety initiatives in place for its schools.

Education Director Heather Campbell says most of its schools are fitted with video cameras, some installed this past summer.

Campbell says staff across the district have also been involved in Threat/Risk Assessment training.

The board also works closely with OPP in developing plans.

More Education Protests Threatened

School support workers are joining teachers in threatening to stage a one-day protest if the governing Liberals force a collective agreement on them in the new year.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees represents custodians, educational assistants and others.

December 31st is the deadline for education workers to negotiate new collective agreements with school boards.

First Nations Protests

First Nations are Idle No More.

Couchiching First Nation will be the latest site of aboriginal protests over federal Bill C-45 and support of hunger striker Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat.

Treaty 3 Grand Chief Warren White says everyone needs to fight the passing of the bill.

Today's protest begins at noon at the Multi-use facility in Couchiching before marching toward Fort Frances downtown.

Rainycrest Still Restricting Visitors

Visitor restrictions at Rainycrest Long Term Care will now have an impact on Christmas at the home.

Those restrictions went into effect last week because of an outbreak of gastroenteritis.

As a result, a dinner planned for Christmas Day for residents has been cancelled.

Only family members are being allowed to visit, permitting they don't any flu or cold-like symptoms.

McDonald's Reopens Tomorrow

The public will get its first look at a remodelled McDonald's Restaurant in Fort Frances this weekend.

The Restaurant is scheduled reopen its doors tomorrow.

A grand opening is planned for January 5 with a special appearance expected from Ronald McDonald.

Small Businesses Receive

Some provincial funding for a couple of small businesses in the Rainy River district.

Rainy River Cereal, based out of Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, has received over $47-thousand from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to continue marketing and developing its product.

Finland Corners has received over $44-thousand for an expansion of its business along Highway 71 in Chapple Township.

International Falls Planning For Bass Tournament

International Falls is preparing for its annual bass fishing tournament.

The 9th annual event is scheduled for late August.

Committee member Marty Cody says their big accomplishment this past summer was finding a way, with the help of the Fire department, to clean live wells, meeting State laws regarding the control of invasive species.

Cody says the planning committee will start meeting in early January.

Changes To FFCBC In Works

Organizers with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship are making some changes to next summer's fishing tournament.

The entry fee has been dropped from $1,000 to $800.

Organizers are also considering a move back to the waterfront.

The event was relocated to the Memorial Sports Centre two years ago because of financial and manpower considerations.