Region Looking For Benefits From Mining

The region's leaders continue to look at how the Rainy River district can maximize the benefits from the flourishing mining industry.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation's Geoff Gillon says part of the job will be to educate the business community on to make that happen.

Gillon says they've also promoting Fort Frances as a mining district, noting the proximity of the town to projects both here and in northern Minnesota.

Good Results From Day One Of Kiss And Ride

So far, so good in the response to the Kiss and Ride initiative in Fort Frances.

Efforts to improve traffic flows and student safety at Robert Moore, J.W. Walker and St. Francis Schools went into effect yesterday.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says overall, it went well and will look at tweaking the initiative in the days ahead.

McCoy says they will also continue to educate motorists about the new parking restrictions around the schools for a little longer before taking a harder line and issuing tickets.

New Education Director On The Job

It's not just the start of a new school year for students.

It's also one for Rick Boisvert,  the new Director of Education with the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Boisvert says he plans on building on the school's existing values.

He doesn't officially start until next week, but has been spending the last couple of weeks getting to know staff and schools.

Minnesota Test Scores Released

Ahead of a new school year in Minnesota, the State says its students saw a slight setback in standardized test scores in math this year, made small gains on the science test and struggled with a new reading test.

The Department of Education attributes the declines to a more rigorous testing.

Library Going To Fall Hours Next Week

The Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre is reverting back to fall hours next week.

Effective Tuesday, the Centre will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays.

The Centre will also be open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Power Going Out Next Week

There will be a lengthy power outage next week that will impact the town of Fort Frances.

Electricity will be lost from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday September 8.

The interruption is so Hydro One can perform equipment upgrades.

Sucessful Ride For Memories

Another successful Ride For Memories!

Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River's Rosanna Tomashowski says about 200 people took part in Saturday's event helping to raise over $46-thousand dollars.


Tomashowski says you can still make a donation to the Society help reach its 50-thousand-dollar goal by calling its office in Kenora.

Kiss And Ride In Place

It's the start of a new school year across the Rainy River district and the introduction of the Kiss and Ride initiative in Fort Frances.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says designated lanes at Robert Moore and J.W. Walker Schools are now in place for parents, bring their children to school, to use.

Volunteers are at the schools to help children exit the vehicles safely without the need of their parents getting out of the car.

There are also new parking restrictions around the schools, but authorities say no tickets will be issued immediately so people can get adjusted to the new pick and drop off procedures.


Kiss and Ride is also in place at St. Francis School.

Principal Kim Anderson says also have volunteers on hand to assist parents.

Parents are also being asked to use 2nd Street West to get to the School and going down First to Holmes Avenue when leaving.

Education Director Looks Ahead To New School Year

The director of education for the Rainy River District School Board is excited about the new school year inside the classroom.

Heather Campbell says it includes the introduction of early learning programs in three more of its schools.

Campbell says while it will be few days before final numbers are in, there are reports enrollment at some schools will be up this year.

New SCAP Campus Open

The new Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program school is now open.

About 100 students are attending classes at the Emo school.

Some rooms are still off limits as crews continue to finish off construction.

DSSAB Concludes Public Consultations

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board has heard plenty on how to deal with the housing needs and homelessness in the district over next ten years.

The Board held sessions in Rainy River, Atikokan and Fort Frances to gather input.

Chief Executive Officer Dan McCormick is happy with what he heard.

A final report is expected before the board in late October.

Town Helps Out Curling Club

The town of Fort Frances is picking up the tab for $600 worth of water given out during Sunday's Kraft Celebration Tour.

The Fort Frances Curling Club purchased the water after existing supplies ran out.

Mayor Roy Avis says it was needed given the heat of the day and the fact that a number of people had already been treated for heat-related illness.

Chief Administrative Officer Mark McCaig, who was on site at the time, says the water was much appreciated.

Avis also applauds the efforts of the club and volunteers for making the event a huge success. 

Don't Feed The Geese

Public is being asked to refrain from feeding the geese along the LaVerendrye Parkway in Fort Frances.

Fort Frances town officials say the birds have been congregating in larger numbers that usual.

It's also meant more work for town crews who are having to take time to clean the walkway of the mess left behind by the birds.

Prisoner Still Missing

Still no signs of a prisoner who escaped police custody in Kenora.

53-year-old Harvey Smith from White Dog First Nation bolted while being transferred from the Kenora Court House last Tuesday.

OPP and Treaty 3 Police don't consider him dangerous.

Economic Benefits Of Kraft Celebration Tour

Local officials are looking at the economic benefits of the Kraft Celebration Tour to Fort Frances.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation's Geoff Gillon says TSN's broadcast was huge in terms of their ability to promote the town.

He says it afforded the town thousands of dollars in advertising.

Gillon also applauds the entire community for rallying around the event.

New Drivers' Fees Sunday

The cost to drive Ontario is going up.

A host of new fees take effect Sunday, including driver's licenses increasing to $80.

Registration of vehicles in northern Ontario will go from $41 to $45, $49 next September and $54 in September 2015.

The province says the increases are necessary to offset the rising cost of maintaining provincial roads, bridges and highways.

Insurances Rates Drop For Some

There is good news for some Ontario drivers.

The Co-operators says it plans to reduces its auto insurance rates October.

Actual dollar savings will vary between drivers.

The province announced last week it will mandate a 15 per cent drop in rates over the next two years

Cops Given Stun Guns

Ontario's frontline cops will be allowed to carry stun guns.

Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur says the decision comes after lengthy consultations with police and coroners across the province.

Ontario's police chiefs have been advocating for the expanded use of Tasers for years but only supervising and specialized officers have been allowed to carry them.

Wolf Attack In Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking into a rare apparent wolf attack on a teenager.

It happened Saturday morning at a campground at Lake Winnibigoshish in north-central Minnesota.

A 16-year-old boy is recovering.

The DNR says a serious injury or fatal attack on a human has never been documented in Minnesota before.

Question Of The Week

Was the Kraft Celebration Tour as you expected?

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

In last week's poll, 65 per cent of respondent support an increase in Ontario's minimum wage.