High Fur Prices Helping Industry

Canada's fur industry is experiencing something it hasn't seen in a long time.

Furs are being sold off, in some cases, at record-breaking prices.

President of the Rainy River Fur Trappers Council Brian Love says that can only bode well for their future.

Love says increased interest in Canadian furs from the Pacific Rim countries is partly responsible for the high prices.

More Time Needed To Meet Standards

U.S. Representative Rick Nolan says Minnesota taconite producers need more time to meet certain air quality standards.

Nolan says he's telling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the companies need up to five years to try out new technologies aimed at reducing pollution.

The federal regulations are aimed at reducing haze over northern Minnesota's wild areas including Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Minimum Wage Freeze Protested

A mock 10-dollar bill _ frozen in a block of ice _ has been presented to the provincial government.

It was handed over to a representative of Ontario's Labour Ministry during a protest at Queen's Park over the government's minimum wage freeze.

Several advocacy groups want a three year freeze lifted and the minimum wage brought to $14.00 an hour.

Riverfest Tickets Go On Sale Next Week

Tickets for Riverfest in International Falls will go on sale next week.

This July's concert, at the Irvin N. Anderson Amphitheatre, will now feature four bands - Arch Allies, Beatles tribute band "Hard Day's Night," Rush tribute band "Spin Drift" and Lynyrd Skynrd tribute band "Freebird."

The concert is being co-organized this year by Falls Rotary Club and Backus Community Center.

Tickets are just $20.00 in advance and $ 25.00 at the gate.

Tickets will be available beginning March 26 at the following locations:

International Falls:                 Fort Frances:

Backus Community Center
Chocolate Moose
City Drug
International Falls Chamber of Commerce
It's A Girl Thing
KGHS-KSDM Radio
Loon's Nest                        
Rainy Lake One Stop
Ronnings
The Outdoorsman's Headquarters

Fort Frances

Betty's
Boston Pizza
93.1 The Border
Northwods Gallery and Gifts
Sight and Sound

To purchase tickets by credit card, call Backus at (218) 285-7225.

Buy tickets online at www.backusab.org

Province Called On To Keep ELA Open

Calls to the province to help keep the Experimental Lakes Research site near Kenora open.

It's set to close at the end of this month with the Harper government's withdrawal of funding.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell feels the province should be taking a greater role in the fight to keep the site open.

A NDP motion in the House of Commons Wednesday to keep the facility open was defeated.

Chamber Now Accepts Nominees

Nominees are now being accepts for the Atikokan Chamber of Commerce's business awards.

They'll be handed out May 16.

Nomination forms for award in Business Excellence, Entrepreneur of the Year, Health & Safety, Customer Service and the Ambassador's Award are available at the Chamber's office on Main Street.