Town Seeking Savings With Telcomm Changes

Town of Fort Frances is hoping for some savings from within t telecommunication services.

A deal with Telcom Enterprises will, among other things, help the town consolidate its twenty-eight phone accounts and switch to Telizon for its long distance services.

Community Services Manager Jason Kabel (KAY-bull) says at 1.6 cents a minute for long distance, it's a good deal.

The changes expect to save the town more than $65-thousand a year.

Border Towns Hope For Visit By Ambassador

Fort Frances and International Falls will be sending out an invite to the Canadian Ambassador to the United States.

Both councils have agreed to provide one-thousand dollars in funding to cover the cost of bringing Gary Doer to the area.

Doer last visited in 2009.

Hudak Not Interested In Leadership Review Right Now

Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is flatly dismissing calls from within the party for a review of his leadership.

Some Tories want the review during the party's policy conference in London next month.

Hudak says he got over 78 per cent support during a leadership review done after the 2011 election, and won't agree to change the party's constitution to allow for another vote in September.

New FEDNOR Minister Hiring Staff

The federal government's new Minister responsible for FedNor is putting some northwestern Ontario flavour into the regional economic development funding program.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he's hired Thunder Bay's Mark Wright to lead FedNor duties.

Wright was also an aid to  former FedNor Minister Joe Comuzzi.

Hammond Back As President

Members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario have re-elected Sam Hammond as its  president.

Hammond has served as president of ETFO since 2009.

More Rewards For Go Local Shoppers

Residents who've been supporting local businesses in the Fort Frances area can expect to see some rewards in the mail.

Organizers of the Go Local reward program say a second round of gift cards have been issued to card users who've earned 300 points or more.

The program launched earlier this year now has 35 merchants and nearly 22-hundred consumers taking part.

Not Weed After All

Turns out there was no weed for sale after all.

Bemidji police say no charges will be issued after someone posted a Facebook ad for marijuana.

Police located the account holder who claims his friends hacked his account and posted the ad without him knowing.

Atikokan Bass Classic Events Today

Activities around the Atikokan Bass Classic continue this morning.

A senior men's golf tournament begins at 9 a.m. at the Little Falls Country club.

Atikokan Native Friendship Centre hosts a kids scavenger hunt at 10 a.m.

The teddy bear picnic takes place at the Atikokan Library beginning at noon.

Question of the Week

Should the spring bear hunt be returned?

Let us know on our website, 931theborder. ca.

In response to last week's question, computer users were nearly split on whether boating licenses should be suspending on those who break the rules on the water.

Just 52 per cent support the idea.

Friends Of Animals Fundraiser

The Fort Frances Friends of Animals will hold a fundraiser next week.

A BBQ and community sale is planned for August 24 at the Metis Hall from 9 a.m.  to 5 p.m.

It's currently looking for donations to be sold at the event.

Drop them off at the Metis Hall in the afternoon of August 22 or 23 or at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

Money raised helps the Friends tend to animals in their car and plan for the construction of a new holding facility.

Renewed Calls For Spring Bear Hunt

There are renewed calls for the spring bear hunt in northern Ontario.

The Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen's Alliance says the region has seen a huge economic loss since the hunt was scrapped more than a decade ago.

Executive Director John Kaplanis says a recent bear attack is also further proof of the hunt's need.

A Thunder Bay man escaped serious injuries after being attacked by a bear at a provincial park earlier this month.

Cool Summer In Borderland

No surprise, but the month of July in the Borderland turned out to be cooler and wetter than normal.

In fact, it was the wettest month since 2002.

Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says several severe storms stateside has some influence.

Average temperature for the month was just 18 C, 64 F - more than a full degree below the norm.

Weather Records In International Falls

For the fourth time in a week, temperatures in International Falls have hit a record low.

The temperature Saturday morning fell to 38 F, 3.3. C, tying a record set last year.

Earlier this week, the city hit a record low Thursday and tied records on Wednesday and last Sunday.

Kingston Man Dies In Canoeing Mishap

A Kingston, Ontario man has died in a accident at Lake Superior, east of Thunder Bay.

OPP say 73-year-old Erhard Fenzl was with another man canoeing along the shore of Pukaskwa National Park when their canoe capsized Saturday afternoon.

A national park vessel retrieved the man and but he was pronounced dead at the scene after repeated revival attempts.

New Fire In Fort Frances District

The Ministry of Natural Resources has recorded just the twelve forest fire of the year in its Fort Frances district.

The fire in the area of Elsie Lake, north of Atikokan near White Otter Lake, was reported late Saturday night.

It's now out, but a cause has not been identified.

Most Shares Transferred To New Gold

Nearly all of the shares in Rainy River Resources are in the hands of New Gold.

New Gold had given Rainy River shareholders until the end of the day last Thursday to accept its take-over proposal.

New Gold says 97 per cent have been transferred.

Keith Sends His Regrets

He's appreciative of the support, but Duncan Keith says a visit to Fort Frances this summer isn't in the cards.

Many local fans had been pushing for Keith return with the Stanley Cup won by his Chicago Blackhawks in June.

In an interview with CFOB-News, Keith says with a short summer, caused by an extended NHL playoff schedule, and other commitments, there's wasn't the time to get anything planned.

He doesn't rule out a visit in the future if the Hawks win the cup again.

Keith will also miss the upcoming Kraft Celebration Tour to Canada's Olympic team training camp, but has taped messages to air on the day.