Ainsworth Sold

There's to be new owners of the mill in Barwick.

Ainsworth is agreeing to sell all of its operations, including the Barwick mill, to U.S. forestry giant Louisiana Pacific in a deal worth 1.1 billion dollars.

Louisiana-Pacific chief executive Curt Stevens says the acquisition provides more financial stability to weather market conditions.

Stevens says it will also gives L-P greater access to the Asian market where Ainsworth is well established.

The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

School Within A College Back

The program that's helping more students graduate high school is back at Confederation College's Rainy River district campus.

Campus manager Anne Renaud says about 35 students have enrolled in the "school within a college" program run with the Rainy River District School Board.

It allows students, who failed to graduate in past years, to earn the necessary credits that can also be applied to a future College program.

The program helped sixteen students acquire their high school diplomas last year.

Law School Now Open

The new Northern Ontario Law School is officially open.

A grand opening was held yesterday at the campus in Thunder Bay.

The innaugral class has students from Thunder Bay, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.

Regional Connection To Teachers Union

A Lakehead University grad, and one-time Thunder Bay teacher, is the new president of Ontario Federation of Teachers.

Julie Pauletig, now teaching in Woodbridge, takes over the post held by Thunder Bay's Terry Hamilton.

Fire Hazard Remaining Low

MNR file photo

Despite warm temperatures during the daytime, the forest fire hazard across northwestern Ontario is sitting at low to moderate levels.

Sixteen fires are still active.

All but one are being monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Two blazes continues  in Quetico Provincial Park, but are posing no threats to people or property.

OPP Lay Several Charges During Long Weekend

Provincial Police in northwestern Ontario are out with their numbers from the Labour Day long weekend.

Ten charges were laid for distracted driving, four for impaired driving.

There were 257 speeding tickets issued and another 24 for seatbelt violations.

Grocery Help In Internatinoal Falls

A new program is in place for people in International Falls who find it difficult getting to the grocery store.

Koochiching Aging Options has set up a program allowing eligible residents to get volunteers to do their shopping.

Executive Director Doug Skrief says it addresses a need.

Participants must pre-register with the agency.

Hunter Deadline

Tonight's the deadline for hunters in Minnesota to apply for antler-less deer permits, special hunts or a wolf hunting or trapping licenses.

Lottery applications for deer and wolf can be made in person at any Department of Natural Resources  licensing agent, through its website or by phone.

Good Neighbour Day Coming

Good Neighbour Day is returning to Fort Frances.

Fort Floral's Brad Hogan says it's an annual flower give away by FTD and its affiliated stores.

Hogan is bringing in 3000 flowers for next Wednesday's giveaway.

Recipients will get a dozen roses they must give away.

 It's aimed at helping people meet new friends and reestablish old acquaintances through flowers

Education Fair

A chance for high school students to learn more about the post-secondary educational opportunities in Minnesota.

Rainy River Community College will be hosting an Education Fair September 16.

Nearly 50 institutions and other organizations will be on hand.

News Faces With NOSM

There are new faces associated with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Doctor Owen Prowse, a Thunder Bay surgeon, has been appointed assistant dean of admissions.

Doctor David MacLean, who's been with the school since 2004, is its new assistant dean of research.

Doctor Janice Willett, a Sault Ste. Marie physician, becomes the associate Dean of Faculty Affairs November 1.

Premier To Be Recognized

A group dedicated to seeing more woman in office intends to recognize Kathleen Wynne for becoming Ontario's first female Premier.

Equal Voice will present its 2013 EVE Award to the Premier during an event in Toronto September 23.

The Award recognizes outstanding women who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of women in public life.

Wynne made history when she became Ontario's 25th Premier and the first woman to hold the office in February.

Gravelle Back For Liberals

Long-time Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle will again carry the Liberal banner in the next provincial election.

Gravelle was acclaimed at his nomination meeting Tuesday night.

He's held the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding for the Liberals since 1995.

Crossroads Report Submitted

The Rainy River District School Board now has all three accommodation reviews in its hands.

An advisory committee for Crossroads School in Devlin presenting its findings to trustees last night.

Chair Christa Kellar says there is plenty of support to keep the school open.

The board also has a similar recommendation for Sturgeon Creek School as it ponders a possible rebuild of Donald Young in Emo.

New Student Trustee In Place

The Rainy River District School Board has a new student trustee.

Leah Fraser was officially sworn in at Tuesday night's board meeting.

She's a grade 12 student in Atikokan.

Early Learning Showing Results

File photo

It pays to have your child enrolled in a full-day kindergarten program.

The provincial government has released highlights from a study of its initiative.

It found students in full-day kindergarten are better prepared to enter Grade 1.

Northern Economy Discussed

Finance Minister Charles Sousa and Premier Kathleen Wynne have a better understanding of the northern Ontario concerns when it comes to the economy.

They held a roundtable event in Thunder Bay Tuesday and the Premier says there are some common themes that came forward.

The session include municipal, business and educational representatives from the region.

Government Talk Of Military Action Worries Some Elected Officials

Events in Washington and Syria have some elected officials across the border on edge.

Debate is before Congress whether to allow U.S. military strikes in response the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons on its citizens.

Koochiching County Commissioner Wade Pavleck worries about the cost of another conflict.

The County is writing to its representatives to think very hard before casting a final vote.

Boat Explosion

OPP are investigation a boat explosion on Lake of the Woods.

The blast occurred early Sunday night in the area of Bare Point near Kenora.

Four people were taken to hospital in Winnipeg for treatment.

Two of the people on board managed to swim to shore, while two others were rescued by another boater in the area.

Unifor Representatives Ready To Work For New Union

Unifor is off and running.

The new union is a merger of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union and the Canadian Auto Workers Union.

The region's National rep Stephen Boon says there won't be much organizational changes locally, but the union will be taking a more aggressive approach to issues such as anti-union stances.

Unifor represents about 7,000 workers in northwestern Ontario.

New Paintings At Fort Museum

There's a new exhibit at the Fort Frances Museum.

The works of internationally renowned artist Margot Cormier Splane are now display.

Curator Sherry George says some of the acrylics display an environmental theme.

The artist herself will be at the Museum for the close of the exhibit September 26.