Woman Charged in Onigaming F.N. Man's Death

A 24-year-old woman from Naicatchewenin First Nation is facing a charge of second degree murder.

The charge against Micheline Nicole Chiefson is in connection with last weeks death of 38-year-old Christopher Lee Jack of Onigaming First Nation.

His body was found in an apartment on the reserve near Nestor Falls last Wednesday.

Chiefson remains in custody after a court appearance yesterday in Kenora.

Preps For Mill Layoffs Continue

Three groups set up to help mitigate the impact of layoffs at Boise Cascade's International Falls mill will meet next week.

Mayor Bob Anderson says they'll be meeting with a Duluth-based consulting firm.

Anderson says they want individuals on the committees to be empowered to bring forth their ideas for economic development.

Civic leaders and the area's economic development officials won't be attending unless asked.

Councillor Pete Kalar says they will serve as resource people.

The groups were formed to look at business development and retention, worker assistance and strategic planning.

Curling Club Needs Help

The Fort Frances Curling Club is seeking volunteers to help promote tomorrow's vote in the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The Club plans to hand out flyers at Walmart and Canadian Tire today and tomorrow and along Scott Street tomorrow.

Volunteers are also needed to help man voting areas around town for those without computers.

Call the Club or Patrick Briere at 276-2293 if you can help.

Fort Frances Curling Club Hosts Americans

Fort Frances Curling Club photo

There is an important American component to the Fort Frances Curling Club.

It's also home to the International Falls Curling Club.

President Dave Johnson says about 35 Americans curl regularly.

Johnson says they have their own league, host a bonspiel every winter and have used the club to introduce the sport to area students.

Power Outage Planned

A couple of power outages are planned for the Rainy River district next week.

The Fort Frances Power Corporation says lights will be out in Fort Frances Sunday July 28 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., allowing Hydro One to perform equipment updates.

A brief outage is also scheduled by Hydro One for areas west of Fort Frances on the same day beginning at 8 a.m.

Toys Part of Kids Camp

Toys will be the focus of a camp coming up in Atikokan next month.

Kids Invent Toys is a four-day event running out of the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation office in conjunction with the Northern Ontario Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative.

Coordinator Andrew Koch says kids will get a chance to learn how toys are developed and marketed.

They will also get an opportunity to take apart toys and build their own.

It's aimed at kids aged 8 to 12 and you can call the Atikokan EDC for to register.

Unsafe Boating Practices Identified

OPP Marine unit is finding some boaters not following the rules.

A number of charges were laid follow checks of boats on Rainy Lake last weekend.

A 29-year-old Alberton township man was charged for not having a fire extinguisher on board.

A 66-year-old man from International Falls was charged after Police watched a boat pull a water tube with two teenagers on board without a spotter in the boat.

A 53 year old White Bear Lake, Minnesota man was charged for not having enough life jackets in his boat.

Two others, a 79 year old man from Oregon and a 56-year-old man from International Falls were charged after Police open liquor was found in their boats.

DNR Begins Spraying Operations

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has started spraying operations in the Littlefork area.

The DNR says its to control vegetation on newly established forests.

The aerial herbicide application on 31 acres, and ground application on another 6 acres of state land will continue until September 12.

Signs have been posted in the effected areas.

Missing Swimmer Found

The body of a swimmer who went missing in the Rainy River earlier this week has been found.

OPP say a dive team recovered the body of 27-year old Odane Orville White of Toronto just before 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Police says he was found in water about 35 feet south of the public docks in Emo.

White was with another man attempting to swim a length of the river Sunday when something went wrong.

The other man managed to swim back to shore safely.

Police Calls For Mediation

The union representing Treaty 3 Police officers is calling for mediation in an attempt to resolve issues with the police board.

The Pubic Service Alliance of Canada Sharon De Sousa says her members are willing to sit down and talk.

De Sousa also wants the Police Service Board hold off on its decision to close the doors on August 19 and negotiate a solution instead.

OPP Watch Young Bicycle Riders

OPP in the Rainy River district will handing out some positive tickets to young bicycle riders this summer.

Police have hired two summer students to watch for children obeying the province's bicycle laws.

Student Jessica Coran says they will be rewarded with coupons for ice cream and a chance to win an iPod Nano.

Several bicycle rodeos are also planned with the first happening this Friday in Rainy River.

Ainsworth Workers Acccept Deal

Unionized workers at Ainsworth in Barwick have accepted a new four year contract.

The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers union says the 130 members of Local 324-99 voted 77 per cent in favour of the deal that will give them a 10 per cent wage hike over the course of the agreement.

CEP National rep Stephen Boon says the deal offers long-term stability for the Barwick mill while providing stronger contract language and major monetary improvements for the workers.

Club Promotes Curling To Youth

FF Curling CLub photo

We are just a day away before you vote for the Fort Frances Curling Club in the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The club is always working to grow the sport among the youth.

Hailey Beaudry, who curls on the Fort Frances High School team, says the team has benefited.

After years of enlisting a Grade 8 student to curl lead, the high school teams has as many as nine girls interested to play this season.

Beaudry says the club also has great programs from younger kids which also help grow the sport.

City Beach Bus Funding Stopped

The city of International Falls is no longer funding bus service to its City Beach.

Council this week decided to end payments to Arrowhead Transit Service because of a lack of riders.

Councillor Pete Kalar says while weather may have been a contributing factor, just 38 people have used the free service in the past few weeks.

Kalar says they may consider alternative transportation methods for next summer.