New Administrator For Rainycrest

There will be a new administrator for Rainycrest Long-Term Care Home in Fort Frances.

Darryl Galusha will take over from Edith Bodnar July 15th.

He also becomes director responsible for Senior’s Services with Riverside Health Care Facilities.

Bodnar is retiring, but delayed her departure so Riverside could complete its hiring process.

Galusha is original from Fort Frances and is current an assistance administrator with the District of Kenora Home for the Aged.

Hydro Outages

A pair of power outages in the Rainy river district have been resolved.

One impacted about 446 Hydro One customers in the Mine Centre area.

Another 141 people in the Nestor Falls area were impacted in the second.

Power went out to both area earlier this morning.

MNR Watching Lightning Strikes

The Ministry of Natural Resources is watching closely storms passing through the Rainy River district.

The MNR says its lightning locator system recorded a high level of lightning strike activity with heavy concentrations around Atikokan.

The strikes are being monitored to see if they lead to any new forest fires.

There hasn't been a forest fire in the Rainy River district since early June.

Regional Partnership Recommendation For Agri-Food Sector

A new report recommendations a need for great regional partnerships in northern Ontario's agri-food sector.

The report by two Lakehead University researchers was done as part of a much larger review of farmers’ markets, co-ops and other sustainable food programs province wide.

Co-author of the northern Ontario report Mirella Stroink says greater collaboration would strengthen those groups who now struggle with issues around funding, marketing and administrative support.

The researchers also see a need for some policies that help improve access and marketing of foods found in the forest such blueberries and maple syrup.

Parade Welcoming More Entries

There's still time to get a float ready for this year's Canada Day parade in Fort Frances.

It's being organized by the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.

Student intern Nicole Mueller says they have about twenty entrants so far and will welcome more participants right up to Parade Day.


This year's theme "There's something in the Water" ties in with this year's Dragon Boat Festival.

Mall Days Today

A traffic note today in Fort Frances.

Sections of Scott Street will be shut down to accommodate the Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association's Mall Days.

It happens along the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Scott.

County Unemployment Rate Drops

The unemployment rate in Koochiching County has dropped.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says May's rate fell to 9 per cent, more than a full percent from April.

It's also at its lowest level since last December as area employers made about 150 new hires.

Diapers Wanted

Koochiching County's Health Department is looking for diapers
.
The department provided diapers to people with young children in need, and needs help to restock its supplies.

Donations can be made at the Health Department's office located in the Forestland Annex.