Fort Frances Likes New Police Costing Model

Fort Frances town council isn't warming up to a resolution that opposes a new model for how municipalities will pay for OPP policing in the future.

The township of Sequin feels the new model, to be based on a $250-dollar charge per household, plus a charge for each call, will result in higher policing costs.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis supports the new model, saying it will make the costing more fair.

Fort Frances now pays one of the highest costs per household costs in the province for policing.

New Price On Building Permits

A stamp of approval has been given on the new cost of building permits in Fort Frances.

Beginning in the new year, home builders will be charged a rate of 80 cents a square foot for their permits.

Administration revised its original plan of 90 cents following concerns expressed two weeks ago by Councillor Ken Perry.

Fees for sheds, decks and garages will also be based on their square footage.

Sisters Recognized As Citizens Of The Year

Florence Hill (2nd from right)

Jane McLeod (2nd from left)

They're being called superb volunteers.

94-year-old Jane McLeod and 88-year-old Florence Hill were  formally recognized as Fort Frances citizens of the year by town council last night.

The sisters are appreciative of being recognized.

The life long residents of Fort Frances continue to be active with the Legion, LaVerendrye Hospital and Rainycrest Auxiliaries and their churches.

Doer To Make A Return Visit

Fort Frances and International Falls are getting a visit next year from Canada's Ambassador to the United States.

Falls Mayor Bob Anderson says Gary Doer's visit is tentatively scheduled for June 26.

His itinerary is still being developed.

Doer was last in the area in 2010.

Bed Shortage At Thunder Bay Hospital

Thunder Bay's Hospital continues to operate in a gridlock situation.

Three elective surgeries had to be cancelled last week because there was no beds for patients waiting admission.

Spokesperson Rhonda Crocker-Ellacott says they're trying to find other beds in the community and within the hospital for patients.

Crocker-Ellacott says they're not sure why they've had an influx in patients, but does not attribute it to the cold and flu season.

Former Air Ambulance Head Doing ER Duties

The former president and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario's air ambulance service has found a new line of work.

Dr. Chris Mazza spent some in Thunder Bay this past weekend working as an emergency room doctor.

Chief of Staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center, Dr. Gordon Porter says it went well and hopes Mazza will help fill future ER shifts.

Common Ground Initiative Gets Interest In North

Northerners appear to be responding to Premier Wynne's call for ideas.

Liberals from the region gathered in Thunder Bay on the weekend to discuss the Common Ground initiative.

Regional Vice-president Anthony Leek says he's happy with the response.

Some of the ideas include strengthening tele-health services and creating a Far North Advisory council.

The Liberals are giving the public an extra week to submit ideas and vote on suggestions already made.

Enforcement Blitz Nets 11

The Ministry of Natural Resources is touting the success of a weekend enforcement blitz on deer hunting safety.

The Ministry says conservation officers laid eleven charges including, hunting without a licence, trespassing on private land and obstructing a conservation officer.

Knox Fails To Reach Semi-Final Round

Knox United Church has fallen short of its effort to reach the semi-final round of the Avivia Community Fund contest.

The Fort Frances church finished just 250 votes back of the top ten which will move on.

It entered the contest in hopes of winning funding for its building renewal project.

They will kick off fundraising locally with a dinner and silent auction to take place December 7.

Tickets are available at Brockie Jewellers and Fort Frances General Supply

Crash Victims Officially Released

OPP have now officially released the names of the victims in this month's Bearskin Airline crash in Red Lake.

Police confirm 25 year old Aniruddh Sawant, 34 year old Peter Traczuk, both of Winnipeg and 53-year-old Anna Johannesson, 53 year old Peter Struk, and 64 year old Sharron Taylor, all of Red Lake, died when the plane crashed short of the runway November 10.

Two others survived.

The Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate.

Economic Response Teams Moving Along

The mayor of International Falls is happy with the progress being made by the economic response teams set up to help offset the recent job loss at the Boise paper mill.

Bob Anderson says some of the individuals on the teams have come together to form a communication group to keep area residents informed.

Anderson says the group is also awaiting on a federal grant that will help put in place some of the other initiatives identified.