Hospital Employee Charged

An Atikokan hospital employee is facing charges in connection with the theft of prescription medication from the hospital's pharmacy.

39-year-old Cynthia Carolyn King will appear in Atikokan Court December 12 on charges of theft and breach of trust.

The charges stem from an OPP investigation that began in April 2012 when hospital administration notified police of missing medication from the pharmacy.

Missing Youth Sought

OPP are seeking the public's help in locating a missing 15 year old girl.

Adrianna Copenance was last seen leaving LaVerendrye hospital in Fort Frances Monday evening.

She is described as being 5'2", 110 pounds with shoulder length dyed auburn hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing eye glasses with thick black frames, dark blue jeans, white DC shoes with neon yellow laces, a grey coat and dark grey hoodie.

Crash Victims Identified

A funeral home in Red Lake has identified the victims of Sunday's plane crash in that community.

The Herold Funeral Home says separate memorial services for 64-year-old Sharon Taylor, 53-year-old Peter Struk and 53-year-old Anna Johannesson will be held this weekend.

Two pilots, who are believed to be residents of Winnipeg, also died in the crash.

More Smoking Bans Proposed

There could be fewer places to smoke in the near future.

Ontario's Health Minister Deb Mathews says she intends to introduce legislation that will prohibit smoking on playgrounds, sports fields, and restaurant and bar patios.

Smoking is already banned inside eating establishments.

The proposed legislation will also ban the sale of flavoured tobacco products and increase fines for those caught selling tobacco to youth.

Mill Celebrations Planned

There are plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of opening of the Fort Frances mill.

The Fort Frances Museum is in the process of putting together a committee to help celebrate next year.

Curator Sherry George says it's a part of the community that deserves to be recognized.

George says part of the celebration will include a display at the museum.

She's also hoping to include other groups, such as schools.

Former Mining Ex Moves On

A former Rainy River Resources executive has found new employment.

Michael Mutchler has been hired on by Largo Resources as its Chief Operating Officer.

Mutchler held the same post with Rainy River Resources which has since been acquired by New Gold.

Falls Parade Seeking Participants

Falls Chamber photo

Preparations are underway for the 'Twas the Lights Before Christmas Parade in International Falls.

It takes place the evening of November 29.

Falls Chamber president Faye Whitbeck says they're now accepting entries.

Call the Falls Chamber to register.

Canadian participants are welcome.

Drug Charges Laid

A busy couple of months for the OPP and the Fort Frances Community Drug Action team.

They arrested and charged four men, a woman and a youth and seized quantities of prescription medications and marijuana in five separate drug investigations in September and October.

In one case a 67-year-old Fort Frances man was arrested after police stopped a vehicle traveling from Thunder Bay to find 95 oxycodone pills and more than 760-dollars in cash.

In Atikokan on Halloween eve, a 20-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were charged after OPP searched a home on Poplar Avenue to find 2-and-a-half pounds of marihuana and 54-hundred dollars in cash.

Ontario Opens Trade Office

Ontario is looking to increase trade in western Canada.

It's set up a new trade office in Calgary aimed giving the province's businesses an in to a lucrative gas and oil industry.

Economic Development Minister Eric Hoskins says Alberta is poised to buy billions of dollars in Ontario-made goods in the coming years, and the province is committed to seizing on that opportunity.

Alberta is currently Ontario's second-largest domestic trading partner with Goods and services trade between the two provinces topping out at 44 billion five years ago.

Community Foundation Moves Forward

Fort Frances council is endorsing in principle the idea of a community foundation.

The Foundation would help raise money for various projects and organizations.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale sees its being a benefit to the community.

The town's economic development advisory committee will now be asked to determine community's interest.

User Fees Going Up

The cost to access most services in Fort Frances next year is going up.

Town councillors approved Monday night a one per hike in most user fees.

Mayor Roy Avis says he would have like to see the increase a little higher

The increase does not apply to water and sewer rates.

Fee Change To Building Permits

It may cost more to build in Fort Frances next year.

The town is considering changing the way it charges for building permits by charging a fee bases on a cost per square footage instead of on the value of the project.

Chief Building Inspector Travis Rob says it treats everyone equal.

But councillor Ken Perry, a local contractor, says the fees for home builders could increase substantially and wants the numbers to be reconsidered.