Changes For Treaty 3 Police Service

There are some changes within Treaty 3 Police Service.

It includes some changes to conditions of employment and the laying off of seven junior officers.

Chief of Police Operations Terry Armstrong says it comes down to a funding issues.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, who represents the officers, is looking at filing unfair labor practices
complaints against the force.

Former School Likely To Remain A Planned Subdivision

Any changes to Fort Frances town plans for a housing subdivision on the former Huffman School property appear unlikely.

A report to council tonight recommends it not endorse a proposal for a local seniors group to have the former school an extension of the Sister Kennedy Centre.

The proposal was given to all four of council's executive committees, c
oming back with the same recommendation that the town wasn't able to commit financially to the idea.

Minor Hockey Wants Ice Longer

Fort Frances Minor Hockey wants ice at the Ice for Kids arena left in longer.

The Association sees having ice until the end of June being beneficial to local users and to those playing outside of town and needing ice time during the off-season to keep themselves in game shape.

A report to council tonight doesn't think its feasible for this year because of the lateness of the request, but suggests the group bring f
orward a plan for next year.

Foul Play Ruled Out In Kenora Death

Provincial Police have ruled out anything suspicious in the death of a man at a Kenora hotel last week.

36-year-old Michael Sylborne from Toronto was found lying on the ground outside the hotel and later died in hospital.

Police aren't saying exactly how he died.

Minnesota Man Charged With Impaired

A Minnesota man is the latest to be nabbed for impaired driving by the Ontario Provincial Police.

The 50-year-old from Warroard was charged while police were conducting a RIDE check at the intersection of Highway 621 and Benas Road in Lake of the Woods Township Friday night.

Don't Feed The Deer

The Ministry of Natural Resources is advising people to not to feed the deer.

Spokesperson Kathyrn Lyzun says although feeding them is a well intentioned gesture it has negative impacts on the animals.

In Fort Frances, there is a by-law against feeding deer within town limits.

Festival Begins

Competition in the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts gets underway today with performances in Piano.

They get underway at 9:30 a.m. at the Townshend Theatre before shifting to Knox United Church tonight at 6 p.m.

Nancy Nowosad, a board member with the Winnipeg Music Festival, is serving as adjudicator.

New Logo

The group that overseas busing for area schools has a new logo.

Thanks to a couple of students at Donald Young School in Emo.

Designs by Emma Dykstra and Pasquel Shortreed were combined to give the Rainy River District Transportation Service Consortium its new logo.

The students were recognized for their efforts at a ceremony at the school last week.

Mayors Want Meeting With Premier

Mayors from across northern Ontario are joining forces in seeking a meeting with Premier Kathleen Wynne.

They want to discuss their concerns regarding mill assessments done by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttal says communities involved are suffering.

Nuttall says despite issuing several requests, there has been no response from the Premier's office.

High School Teachers To Vote On Tentative Deal

Union leaders representing the province's public high school teachers have endorsed contract changes reached with the provincial government.

Teachers with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation says now vote on the deal over the next two weeks with results expected April 18.

The agreement makes changes to conditions imposed on the teachers under Bill 115, but both sides say the overall cost of the contract remains the same.

Students Wear T-Shirts To Aid Environment

High school students in Fort Frances are wearing new t-shirts in gym class that help the environment.

The shirts, purchased through the organization Me-To-We, are made in part with recycled water bottles.

Dexter Fichuk, the student trustee with the Rainy River District School Board, says the group is also planting trees for every shirt purchased.

Fichuk is hoping students at other school will wear the shirts in the future.

Native Language Taught Through Television-Style Program

Area students and others are the stars of a video being produced to help teach native language among young student.

The Koko Jones Show is being produced in a television-program style with a puppet host interacting with others.

Brent Tookenay of the Rainy River District School Board says having students involves make them more engage.

Tookenay says they hope to roll out the first episodes in the near future.

Safeway/Special Olympics Fundraiser

A campaign to help sent Special Olympic athletes in northwestern Ontario to upcoming events is underway at Canada Safeway stores.

Customers are being invited to make a two-dollar donation in return for five Air Miles.

Gaby Hanzuk, who will head to the provincial games as a coach in track and field, says the money raised is used to offset athlete travel.

Richard Ottertail of Lac La Croix First Nation and Danny Smith of Fort Frances are among athletes who will participate in bowling later this month and in softball at the provincial level this summer.

Award Winners Announced

Falls Chamber photo

International Falls Chamber of Commerce has named its award winners.

Stride Fitness and Health was selected small business of the year.

Decker's Family Care of Ranier is the large business of the year winner.

Punky Stadum of International Falls is the citizen of the year.

Recipients will be formally recognized at an event May 2.

Renters Being Told To Stop

Koochiching County is taking action to stop property owners from renting out their cabins or homes as vacation rentals.

It's sending out a letter that points out such activity violates a zoning ordinance and could be subject to fines up of to $200 per day.

It was prompted by complaints first brought
up almost a year ago and again in January.