Fort Frances Teen Heading To Africa

A Fort Frances teen will be making a trip to Africa this summer.

Dexter Fichuk is one of 25 young people selected across Canada to participate in a two week journey to Kenya in August.

The group will be exploring food security programs.

The trip is sponsored by Saskatchewan's Potashcorp as part of a partnership with the Free the Children organization.

Fichuk made a trip last year to Ecuador to examine initiative put in place by Free the Children.

Fort Frances May Host Evacuees

Fort Frances is on stand-by as a potential evacuation centre for residents of Kashechewan First Nation.

Fire chief Frank Sheppard says the town was asked Monday to host as many as one hundred evacuees because of flooding in their remote community.

They were to arrive in Fort Frances Tuesday afternoon, but Sheppard says the situation in Kashechewan has since changed and there's no longer an immediate need for local help.

So far, nearly 600 people are being housed in Thunder Bay, Kapuskasing and Cornwall.

Sheppard says Fort Frances would be next in case more evacuations become necessary.

Search For New Administrator Begins

The city of International Falls has begun the search for a new administrator.

City council gave approval to the job description and advertisements at its meeting Monday.

Mayor Bob Anderson feels council should delay the hiring process until more information on the impact of Boise's downsizing announcement was known.

Councillor Paul Eklund says it will still be a few months before a new administrator is in place, but the new person should be hired they start the budget process which will be soon.

New Humane Society Location Needed

The fire chief for International Falls is advocating a need for a new home for the Borderland Humane Society sooner than later.

The Humane Society was among buildings impacted by a gas leak Monday near the construction of a new sewage treatment plant which forced the evacuation of some residents.

Jerry Jenson says it highlighted the dangers facing the Society.

Jenson says animals housed were removed by society members.

Some will remain with foster families, but others have since been return to the shelter.

Falls Getting Support

International Falls is getting some support in dealing with the impact of Boise's downsizing announcement last week.

Mayor Bob Anderson says he's spoken with their State and federal representations, all pledging whatever help they can provide.

Anderson says the University of Minnesota is also being contacted to do an impact analysis.