Ar Service Explored For Fort Frances

A Fort Frances man is exploring the idea of setting up his own air charter service.

Jordan Manty is currently gathering information in hopes of having his planes flying out of the Fort Frances airport as early as this fall.

The local pilot sees potential with Bearskin recently cutting service to Winnipeg and those working out of town and travelling great distances.

Part of his work right now is gathering public feedback and meeting with potential investors.

He's also set up a survey on Facebook.

MVA Death In Koochiching County

Authorities in Koochiching County are looking into the death of a teenager involved in a single vehicle accident Monday afternoon.

The body of 16-year-old Tanner Mollberg of Baudette was the found in the vehicle located on County Road 18, on the western edge of Koochiching County.

The County's Sheriff's Office believes the teen died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while the vehicle was in motion prior to it going off the road and striking a tree.

Carbon Monoxide Death Investigated

The community of Nipigon is in shock following the death of two of its residents of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A 60-year-old man and 45-year woman were found dead in their home Monday afternoon.

Their 8-year-old son is currently being treated in hospital.

The source of the deadly gas has not been determined. 

Minnesota Power Identifies Transmission Line Routes

Minnesota Power has its preferred and alternative routes selected for a new transmission line to connect with Manitoba.

The line is to bring power to the Iron Range and will go through parts of Koochiching County.

Supervisor of environmental siting and permitting, Jim Atkinson says it's now before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for review.

Atkinson says it could lead to environmental scoping hearings later this summer.

Atkinson adds that the route through Koochiching County was altered to address concerned expressed from residents over its original plans.

NOMA Delegates Arrive Today

Municipal reps from across northwestern Ontario will begin arriving in Fort Frances today for the annual meeting of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference.

President and Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says the theme is around partnerships.

But Canfield says that theme could be overshadowed by the discussion over winter road maintenance and property assessment which have greatly impacted municipalities over the past year.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and four members of her cabinet are also expected.

Heart Of The Continent Seeks Tourism Areas To Promote

The group promoting an international marketing initiative involving National Geographic is looking for areas to spotlight.

Selected sites and attractions around northwestern Ontario and northeastern Minnesota will be part of a web map in the Heart of the Continent's Geotourism project.

Committee member Eric Johnson says the public is being invited to nominee their favourites by going to traveltheheart.org by June 15.

Johnson says they hope to have the map in place later this fall.

Easter Scavenger Hunt A Success

Organizers of the first ever Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt in Fort Frances hail Saturday's event a success.

The Fort Frances Kiwanis and the Downtown Business Improvement Association combined efforts to attract about 350 kids.

Kiwanis member Scott Turvey was pleased with the turnout, despite the cold weather.

He credits the support of area businesses for making the event a success.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Council Passes Budget

Residents in Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls shouldn't have to dig much deeper to pay their property tax bill this year.

The township council has approved a budget with a one per cent increase in the tax rate.

Mayor Bill Thompson says with decreases in education taxes, most homeowners will actually see an overall decrease.

Thompson says the budget also includes more money into reserves for future projects.

Alcohol Link To Cancer

A new study suggests a link between alcohol and cancer.

 

Cancer Care Ontario says as many as 3-thousand new cancer cases each year in the province can be attributed to alcohol consumption.

 

Vice-president of Prevention and Cancer Control Dr. Linda Prabeneck says their finding demonstrates that a number of cancers diagnosed could be prevented by reducing the amount of alcohol won drinks.

 

Some world authorities recommend limiting your drinking to no more than two per day for men and one for women.

Burn Restrictions To Be Imposed

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is extending burn restrictions to eleven northern counties, including Koochiching County, beginning April 28.

It means the State won't be issuing permits for burning brush or yard waste.

Similar restrictions are already in place for many central Minnesota counties.

The DNR says as the snow disappears, the exposed dead grass and brush can light easily and spread fires quickly.

Child Benefit Promise

It seems the Liberals are making another budget promise.

This one ties future increases to the Ontario Child Benefit to inflation starting July 2015, if this year's provincial budget gets approved at Queen's Park.

The annual maximum payment per child under the age of 18, which is available to families making $20,000 or less a year, will rise to $1,310 this July.

IceBox Theatre Plans Tour

A radio theatre group out of International Falls is preparing to embark on a tour this year.

Members of Icebox Radio will be perform at a number of public libraries throughout northeastern Minnesota in early June.

They're doing the play "On the Air," which illustrates the history of radio drama and inviting young audience members to try their hand at radio theatre.

NOMA President Lukewarm To Latest Downloading Suggestion

The president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association doesn't think many municipalities will jump at the chance of taking over winter road maintenance of the province's highways.

It's an idea being floated by Transportation Minister Glenn Murray.

Dave Canfield says municipalities know all too well the impact of provincial downloading.

Canfield says money given by the province often diminishes, forcing local taxpayers to pick up the tab to maintain the service.

Property Assessment Concerns To Get Discussion

Winter road maintenance, not the only hot topic at this week's Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference in Fort Frances.

Thunder Bay mayor Keith Hobbs wants to know why the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has been giving big companies taxes break, and sticking residential taxpayer with the bill.

Hobbs says MPAC's practices continue to be a big concern to communities in northern Ontario and are beginning to be felt in some southern Ontario communities.

Area mayors and reeve will get a presentation from MPAC Thursday.