Casino Question Up For Public Input

The Casino question comes to Fort Frances council tonight for the public to have its say.

Council is considering the question on the ballot for this fall's municipal elections that asks if residents support the town pursuing the idea of a casino further with Ontario Lottery and Gaming.

A public meeting will take place at 7 PM at the Civic Centre.

Council will consider giving its approval to the question later this month.

New Marketing Brand Release

Fort Frances, Boundless - it's the new brand being proposed for marketing purposes for the town.

Officials with Calgary-based Twist Marketing will unveil the brand and its logo to town council at their meeting tonight.

It's been working on the concept since last fall.

New Lottery To Help Local Groups

The Voyageur Lion's Club is using a new 50-50 draw to help fund a variety of organizations.

During the months of April and May, proceeds will go to the Robert Moore School Breakfast program.

Club member Diana Larocque says they'll select a new cause every two months.

The draw costs a twoonie and draw envelopes can be found at six different locations throughout Fort Frances.

Draws are made at the first over every month.

Area food banks were the recipient of first draw.

No Concern With Measles Here

Northwestern Ontario seems immune when it comes to the measles outbreak in the country.

 

Northwestern Health Unit's Donna Stanley says the region has taken proper precautions.

 

Stanley says over 95 per cent of residents have been vaccinated against the disease.

 

While no cases have been reported here, Manitoba has seen 4 cases this year.

On-Line Filing Available Again

After a four day shutdown, the Canada Revenue Agency has reopened the services section of its website.

 

This means you can now file your tax returns online again as well as make payments and access all other e-services through the web.

 

The site was taken down amid security concerns with the "Heartbleed" bug.

Governor To Approve Minnesota Minimum Wage Hike

Fibonacci Blue photo

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is expected to sign off on a bill today that will bring that State's minimum wage to $9.50 an hour with subsequent increases indexed to inflation.

 

The bill passed at the State Capital last week although Republicans opposed it, worried businesses would increase prices or cut jobs to offset the hike.

Minimum Wage Campaign Continues

The campaign to bring Ontario's minimum wage to $14.00 an hour continues where a number of supporters are planning a province-wide day to action today.
.
The wage goes to $11.00 this summer, but social advocates says it still leaves many low-wage earners well below the poverty line.

Beaver Trapping Season Extended

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is extending the beaver trapping season in the State an extra two weeks.

 

It was scheduled to end April 30.

 

Officials says prolonged ice cover prompted trapping to go until May 15.

 

Trapper must make some modification to their traps to avoid catching otters.

Water Study Proposed

Algae blooms, invasive species and climate change.

Those are just some of the topics being considered for further study by the Rainy-Lake of the Woods International Watershed Board.

Spokesperson Kelly Saunders says a rough draft of their proposal is going to the International Joint Commission for its consideration.

Saunders says public meetings will be held this summer once their draft has been approved.

Festival Enters Final Week

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts is in its final week with competition in English drama getting underway at 9 AM at the Townshend Theatre.

Local playwright Tracy Gibson serves at adjudicator.