Youth Choir Planned

A new choir is being established in the Rainy River district.

The Rainy River District Youth Choir is targeting youth 8 to 14.

One of the organizers Heather Latter says a lack of youth choirs at the spring festival led to her to suggesting the idea to Christine Campagna who will director it.

Latter says they'll hold a registration Wednesday August 21 at the Zion Lutheran Church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with first rehearsals taking place in October.

Decorate For Kraft Celebration Tour

Fort Frances Curling Club is hoping to dress up the town for the Kraft Celebration Tour.

Homeowners are being asked to decorate their yards showing support for TSN and Kraft when they arrive August 25.

A similar contest is being set up for area businesses by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

Take a photograph and send us through info@931the border.ca and we'll showcase your home on our website and Facebook page.

ELA Talks Slowed

Some concerns are being raised again about the future of the Experimental Lakes Area.

Both the provincial and federal government have been talking to a Manitoba group about taking over the research area near Kenora.

A member of the group fighting for its continuance, Peter Kirby,  says financial demands lead a list of hold ups in the negotiations.

Kirby says the delays are having impact on efforts to conduct research and on private donors who want to offer their support.

Demands For Minimum Wage Increase

Advocates are pushing for a big jump in Ontario's minimum wage.

Several demonstrations were held across the province August 14 to support of the current rate of $10.25 going to $14.

Spokesperson Sonia Singh says it's a figure they believe will get people now struggling over the poverty line.

The group is planning demonstrations each month until the province agrees to the increase.

Most of the protests have been in southern Ontario, but Singh says the movement is growing and expects to see some occurring in northwestern Ontario in the future.

MNR Cuts Jobs

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union says the Ministry of Natural Resources is cutting 102 jobs, include some in northwestern Ontario.

Two of the positions are in Fort Frances.

Dryden and Thunder Bay will each lose 7, three in Kenora and two others in both Red Lake and Sioux Lookout.

The affected employees given notice August 13 inc
lude administrative support staff, digital mapping staff, regulatory compliance staff, foresters and biologists.

No Annexation Approval Yet

Koochiching County is still looking for some assurances before its ready to join in on an annexation proposal by the city of International Falls.

The City wants lands for a planned multi-modal facility within its jurisdiction.

County Commissioner Wade Pavleck is supportive, but says promises made a year ago need to be more formal.

The County wants to ensure a good buffer around the development and that any rock blasting is conducted according to its regulations.


Officials plan to meet again towards drafting an agreement.

Rainy Lake Medical Ends Talks With Essentia

Talks aimed at Rainy Lake Medical Center becoming a subsidiary of Essentia Health have ended without agreement.

Essentia was seeking greater control of the International Falls hospital.

Vice chair of Rainy Lake's board Susan Congrave says while they value the relationship they've had with Essentia, the board felt the community would be best served by maintaining local ownership and control.

Existing agreements between the two will continue until the end of June 2014.

LHIN Re-appoints Members

Two individuals have been reappointed to the Northwest Local Health Integration Network's board of directors.

Dennis Gushalak of Ear Falls and Diane Loubier of Ignace remain on the agency that oversees regional  health care planning and funding for the next three years.

Trip Giveway From Shoppers A Scam

There's another scam targeting folks across northwestern Ontario.

Some residents are receiving calls claiming they've won a trip from Shopper's Drug Mart, and ask for financial information to confirm the trip.

Officials
from Shoppers say they have no trip giveaway taking place and they never ask for financial information.

Fundraiser Coming

Riverside Foundation For Health Care has set the date for its annual fundraiser dinner.

The September 14 event will be held in Emo with a Cowboys and Lace theme.

This year's proceeds will go to purchasing a new mechanical lift at Riverside's Emo Health Centre and an IV Pump at Rainy River Health Centre.

Tickets are now available at all Riverside Facilities, Gillons' and McTaggarts.

More Area Commitments To Marketing Plan

Another funding commitment to the Heart of the Continent's proposed marketing initiative involving the National Geographic Society.

The Koochiching Development Authority has approved $2,500 toward the effort.

A funding request to the town of Fort Frances has gone to the committee level for further discussion.

Proponents says the National Geographic Society involvement will help promote the area between the Fort Frances-International Falls, Thunder Bay and Duluth areas to a wide audience.

Ontario Reviewing Exotic Animals Rules

Ontario is starting a review of rules regarding the possession and ownership of exotic pets in the province.

The Ministers of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Natural Resources are creating a working group with the intent of submitting a report to government this fall.

The re
view follows the death of two young boys in New Brunswick, strangled to death by a loose python.

Municipal Reps to Recruitment Committee Step Down

Fort Frances town council's two reps on a local physician recruitment committee have resigned.

Both Councillors Andrew Hallikas and Paul Ryan have been on the committee since 2010.

Speaking to CFOB-News, Hallikas would only say a difference in philosophy with another played a part in him stepping down.

No word yet if council will fill the vacancies.