Benefit Planned For Fort Frances Man

A Fort Frances man is recovering from an operation in Winnipeg to deal with a heart problem.

31 year-old Nathan Degagne had a device surgically implanted to maintain blood flow.

He had been on medication since a virus 16 years ago developed into the health problem.

The operation took place on the weekend and Degagne tells CFOB-News that he now feels the best he's ever felt in years.

He and his family must now stay close to hospital in Winnipeg and is on the list for a heart transplant.

In Fort Frances, family and friends are working on holding a benefit to help offset Degagne's expenses.

The event is planned for May 4 at the Couchiching First Nation multipurpose facility.

NOMA Begins

Municipal leaders from across the northwest are in Thunder Bay for the annual meeting of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

President Ron Nelson says a visit today from the president of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation is being eyed with great interest.

Nelson says a reassessments of properties have caused headaches for many municipal councils.

Anglers Charged In MNR Enforcement Blitz

Several anglers are paying the price for violating Ontario's fishing regulations.

Seventy charges and 150 warnings were issued by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers during an enforcement blitz on Rainy River during the first part of April.

Many of the charges related to fishing without a licence, possessing walleye over a prohibited length and importing live bait from Minnesota into Ontario.

Shrine Circus Returns

It's time for the Shrine Circus once again.

Borderland Shrine Club hosts two shows May 8 at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Event co-chair Harvey Hudson says the Circus raises money for Shriner's children's hospitals.

Advance tickets are available at Canada Safeway at $12.00 each while kids under 4 go for free.

Beat the Band

A challenge of a different kind in this fundraiser.

A 5K Run and walk and a kid's 1K will be held May 4 to raise money for the Fort Frances High School's track team and band.

Track team coach Natasha Shack says the goal is to beat the band that will play at the Sorting Gap Marina while the event takes place.


Registration forms are available at Energy Fitness, the high school or online at northlandrunner.com.

Province To Keep Experimental Lakes Open

The Ontario government says it has found common ground with the federal government and other partners to keep the Experimental Lakes near Kenora open.

The province says it will provide operating support and work toward an agreement so the "important science'' conducted can continue.

The remote region of 58 pristine lakes has been used since the late 1960s for groundbreaking freshwater studies.

It became the subject of controversy when Ottawa announced last year that it was closing the area to save $2 million annually.

Subdivision Public Meeting Attracts Few

Only five people took advantage of meeting Tuesday night to go over the planned subdivision at the former Huffman School property in Fort Frances.

A lottery for the lots goes tonight at 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

Council has indicated it wants at least five lots secured for sale before proceeding with the project.

Town officials says if there are still lots available after the lottery, they will still accept purchasers on a first come first serve basis by the time council meets to review the project at its May 13th meeting.

Festival Results From Wednesday April 24

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts has come to an end.

Taylor Shouldice capped yesterday's final performances in vocal with six first place finishes.

The festival's highlight show will take place May 5th at the Townshend Theatre.

Here are the winners from yesterday.


Classroom Choruses, Kindergarten (English)
FIRST:  Robert Moore School Early Learning Class (Director, Karen Peltomaki)

Massed Junior Choir - Grades 4 to 6 (English)
FIRST:   St. Francis Junior Choir, Grades 4 to 6 (Director, Ken Brown)

Solo Test Pieces, Grade 9
FIRST:  Taylor Shouldice

Secular Solo, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  Sarah Gall

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 9
FIRST:  Taylor Shouldice
SECOND:  Kennedy Latimer

Traditional Folk Song, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  Kenzie Godin
SECOND:  Danielle Pearce

Traditional Folk Song, 17 and 18 years
FIRST:  Natasha Peters

Traditional Folk Song, Examination Courses, Grade 9
FIRST:  Kennedy Latimer

Sacred Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 9
FIRST:  Taylor Shouldice

Musical Theatre, Solo, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  Kenzie Godin
SECOND:  Taylor Shouldice

Quick Study, Solo, Grade 9
FIRST:  Taylor Shouldice

Contemporary Solo, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  Taylor Shouldice
SECOND:  Sarah Gall

Contemporary Solo, 17 and 18 years
FIRST:  Kennedy Latimer
SECOND:  Ericka Tymkin

Contemporary Solo, 19 years and over
FIRST:  Kenneth Brown

Vocal Duet, 16 to 18 years
FIRST:  Kennedy Latimer and Taylor Shouldice

Professional Ensemble, Open
FIRST:  Renée Martin-Brown and Kenneth Brown

The following are two of Tuesday's classes previously not available.

Musical Theatre, Solo, 13 and 14 years
FIRST:  Emma Dykstra
SECOND:  McKenna Begin

Vocal Duet, 13 to 15 years
FIRST:  Jillian Armstrong and Emma Dykstra
SECOND:  Loney and Martina Morrisseau

Some Caught Driving While Using Cellphones

Some motorists are failing to head the warnings.

Ontario Provincial Police have wrapped up a distracted driving campaign.

Sergeant Shelley Garr says police nabbed 15 motorists in northwestern Ontario found using their cell phones while driving.

The campaign ran last week.

Garr says the numbers could have been higher had it not been for snow storms that kept many motorists off the roads.