Festival Results From Friday April 19

Mackenzie Wright was a double winner during the French Drama competitions of the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

Those events taking place Friday.

Vocal competitions close out the festival beginning tomorrow.

Here are the results from Friday.

French Poetry (Solo), Grades 7 and 8
FIRST:  Aiden Tullio
SECOND:  Braeden Belluz

French Poetry (Duet), Grades 7 and 8
FIRST:  (Tie) Katelin Gurniak and Elizabeth Gosselin Klem, Maggie Gurski and Naomi McManaman
SECOND:  Avery Wilson-Hands and Hailey George

French Poetry (Solo), Grades 7 and 8
FIRST:  Mackenzie Wright

French Poetry (Duet), Grades 7 and 8
FIRST:  (Tie) Madison Botsford and Abigale Mcleod

French Poetry (Duet), Grades 7 and 8
FIRST:  Emma Noga and Abby Sanders
SECOND:  Wyatt Mcleod and Michael Drouin

French Reading, Grades 7 and 8
FIRST:  Mackenzie Wright

French Reading (Duet), Grades 9 and up
FIRST:  Eric Matthews and Douglas DeBernardeaux

French Reading, Grades 3 and 4
FIRST:  Matthew Watts

French Poetry, Grades 5 and 6
FIRST:  Cole Trimble

French Poetry, Grades 5 and 6
FIRST:  Madison Williams

French Poetry, Grades 5 and 6
FIRST:  Janissa Judson
SECOND:  (Tie) Skyler Friesen, Maria Harrison

French Poetry, Grades 7 and 8
FIRST:  Alexa Veldhuisen

Border Fee Examined

Crossing the border may cost you.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is requesting as part of its 2014 budget to study the feasibility of collecting a fee from pedestrians and passenger vehicles crossing between the United States and Canada by land.

Whether this fee would focus on those entering or exiting the United States, or both, and how much each crossing might cost has yet to be determined.

More Criticism Towards Ontario Tourism Ministry

More harsh criticism towards Ontario's Ministry of Tourism.

Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association is among groups still upset that area tourist information centres remain closed.

Executive Director Gerry Cariou says government doesn't see the challenges facing the region.

Cariou adds there is a strong web presence for the area, responding to Tourism Minister Michael Chan's comments last week on the need to use the Internet more to promote the region.

Cariou says the websites can only do so much and don't offer the same level of service that can be provided at travel centres.

Non-Confidence Motion Planned

Ontario's Progressive Conservatives plan to move a motion of non-confidence in the minority Liberal government over the cancelled gas plants in Oakville and Mississauga.

Reports suggest the Tories have already started the legal proceedings for the non-confidence motion, which they hope to introduce before the Liberals present the provincial budget.

Budget Before Council Tonight

Fort Frances council intends to finalize its 2013 budget tonight.

The public will get one final chance to comment during tonight meeting before council gives final approval.

The budget includes a levy increase of 1.8 per cent for residential ratepayers which translates in an average tax increase of less than one per cent.

The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at about 5:50 p.m.

Visitor Restrictions Imposed In Rainy River

Riverside Health Care Facilities has imposed visitor restrictions at one of its facilities.

Officials says its due to a number of cases of gastroenteritis at the long-term care unit of Rainy River Health Centre.

Visiting is restricted to family members with visits confined to a patients room.

Food Security Discussion

Some help today for those struggling to eat healthy.

The Northwestern Health Unit and the Fort France Public Library are holding an information session on the programs available that can keep the food budget down while still being able to put healthy food on the table.

Health Promoter Krista Nielson says its a huge problem for many in northwestern Ontario.

Tonight's meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Library.

Fundraiser Total Counted

A recent fundraiser for the Borderland Humane Society has netted some much needed cash.

Over $14,000 has been raised through its "Cause for Paws” event held earlier this month.

The money goes towards offsetting the costs of caring for animals the Society has at its International Falls shelter, as well as other public programs such as spaying and neutering initiatives.

Temperature Record Set In International Falls

A new record low temperature in International Falls on the weekend.

The thermometer dipped to 16 below C or 4 F Saturday.

The old record was 8 below C or 18 F, set in 1966

.