New Fires In Northwestern Ontario

Five new forest fires have sparked in northwestern Ontario.

None are burning in the Rainy River district.

Some rain is in the forecast, but the Ministry of Natural Resources says the fire hazard remains moderate to high.

New Catholic Priest For Fort Frances

The new priest for St. Mary's Church in Fort Frances is looking forward to coming home.

Father Victor Degagne will take over in August.

Father Victor says he's excited about coming back to where he grew up.

He's been the associate pastor at St. Dominic Church in Thunder Bay for the past three years.

Rainy River H.S. Graduation

The first of three high school graduations in the Rainy River district goes today.

Twenty-seven graduates of Rainy River High School will receive diplomas during a ceremony at the High School at 7:30 p.m.

Jessica Haw and Emily Whetzel will deliver the valedictorian address.

New Gold Begins Take-Over Proceedings

New Gold has started formal proceedings in its take-over bid of Rainy River Resources and its signature gold project north of Barwick.

The Vancouver-based mining company is offering $3.83 cents a share for Rainy River with the deal valued at about $310-million in total.

Rainy River shareholders can also opt to take a half a share in New Gold for each share they now own.

Rainy River's board of directors has already supported the offer which closes July 24.

No Area Roads Make List

No roads in northwestern Ontario have been identified as some of the worst in Ontario.

CAA has released its annual list of the Top 10 Worst Roads.

All are located in southern Ontario.

The list is compiled based on nominations from the public.

Atikokan Hunter Fined

An Atikokan man has been ordered to pay $1,700 for hunting a deer illegally.

Michael Fogg was also banned from hunting in Ontario for a year after pleading to several charges in court recently.

He was charged in December after Ministry of Natural Resource conservation officers determined he had shot a deer without a license and using a .22 calibre rifle

College Graduation Held In Fort Frances

A day of celebration for Confederation College and students at its Rainy River district campus in Fort Frances.

Two separate ceremonies were held Monday for graduating students, including one for 16 who earned high school diplomas through the School within a college program

President Jim Madder says the dual credit program proved very successful.

Another 51 students enrolled in college programs received diplomas or certificates during a second ceremony at the Townshend Theatre.

International Falls Bicycles

International Falls is being viewed as a bike-able.

City officials participated last week in a workshop and a bike ride aimed at improving the ability to bicycle around the city.

Event organizer Nancy Lee says the group identified the community does well in promoting cycling and police do a good job enforcing the rules.
community.

Lee says the group did identify a need for some improvements along designated routes.

Garden Could Become Permanent

The community garden in Fort Frances could become a permanent fixture.

Organizers are asking the town to rezone the property off Lillie Avenue that would make the garden  permanent.

The group had been given temporary approval to use the area for the past three years.

A public meeting on the rezoning will take place July 8th.

Docs Want Liquor Sales Profits Directed To Helping Those With Alcoholism

The province's doctors wants liquor sale profits pumped back into alcohol harm reduction programs.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario announced record sales yesterday, with $1.7 billion dollars going into the province's coffers before taxes.

Ontario Medical Association president Doctor Scott Wooder says there should be programs targeted to both adults and youth.