Treaty 3 Police Battle High Crime Rates

Treaty 3 Police say financial pressure is hurting in their battle with high crime rates.

The Treaty 3 Police service area currently has the worst crime severity index in the province.

Deputy Police Chief Terry Armstrong says they are doing everything they can to lower the index.

Armstrong says the force has also seen

a 41 percent increase in calls for service.

Distracted Driving Crackdown

Provincial police are gearing up for another distracted driving campaign.

All this week, police are asking motorists to make a commitment to leave their handheld devices alone while behind the wheel.

They also want passengers to take matters into their own hands and tell drivers to put down their phones.

Another Storm

Another late season winter storm is tracking across our region today.

Watch for snow, changing to ice pellets and freezing rain before changing to rain later this morning.

Motorists should exerc
ise caution due to potentially slippery, slushy and snow-covered roads.

Attendance To Council Meetings Encouraged

There could be a large audience when Fort Frances council resumes its budget discussions tonight.

Posters around town encourage people to attend the meeting in light of council's decision last week to required bag tags on all garbage bags at the curb for pick up.

No one takes claim for the posters that ask if you would prefer to spend your money on food rather than bag tags.

Campbell Supports Minerals Extracted Staying In Province

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell wants minerals extracted in Ontario to stay in the province.

Campbell says it's important that the jobs remain here.

A bill that would have entrenched that into the Mining Act when down to defeat at Queen's Park last week.

Summer Company Program Accepting Applications

Applications are now being accepted for a summer program that teaches students how to run their own business.

Summer Company is a provincial program promoted through the Northwest Business Centre.

Manager Diane Schwartz-Williams says over 400 companies will be developed across Ontario with four spots open to eligible students aged 15 to 29 in the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Applications close May 17.

Successful candidates will be given $1,500 for start up costs.

Vote For Emily Today

The public can help a Fort Frances teen win a component of the Miss Teen Northern Ontario pageant.

18-year old Emily Hyatt is competing in next month's event in Sudbury.

Starting today, voting begins on the people choice award.

The winner will get an automatic berth in the final 15. 

Hyatt is one of 40 girls taking part.

Visit the pageant's website to cast your vote.

Laced Marijuana Found

Ontario Provincial Police are raising some red flags about some marijuana seized in Fort Frances.

Police says the marihuana was laced with amphetamines, commonly known as speed.

Police began investigating after informed that people who had purchased the marijuana were becoming sick causing them to seek medical attention.

OPP don't say if they have made an arrests.

Question Of The Week

There was considerable debate last week by Fort Frances council on how additional revenue could be raised through garbage collection.

In our 931theborder.ca poll, we ask you what method you'd prefer.

In response to last week's question, 56 per cent of respondents did not favour keeping ice in the Ice for Kids Arena until the end of June.