Moffat Funds Handed Out

(Captain Angel Sandoval accepts Moffat Family Fund contribution from Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis)

Nine local groups have benefited in funding from the Moffat Family Fund.

More than $43,000 was distributed by Mayor Roy Avis at town council last night.

Among the recipients was the Salvation Army who received $12,650. The Rainy River district Social Services Administration Board will get $9,000 while the Fort Frances Public Library will benefit from a $6,000.

The money is to be used towards services and programs that help children and families.

Also receiving money were the Family and Children's Services for the Rainy River District ($3,000), Fort Frances Museum ($2,600), Fort Frances Highlanders Pipes and Drums ($1,000), 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadet Squadron ($2,000), St. John's Anglican Church ($3,000), Kitchen Creek Golf Club ($4,000).

Council Opts Not to Pass 'Buy Ontario' Policy

A request for a 'Buy Ontario/Buy Canada' policy failed to get an endorsement at the table from Fort Frances town council last night

While supportive of the policy, councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says legally the town can't pass such a resolution.

"Because we are a municipality we are obligated under legislation to follow an open, fair and transparent procurement policy," says Weidenhoeft. "It almost precludes us from supporting this resolution."

The Ontario Federation of Labour had touted the policy as means to ensuring local jobs were created with infrastructure projects.

Additional Portage Avenue Closures Today

There are also closures today on other parts of Portage Avenue.

Sections between Church and Nelson Streets and Scott and First Streets will be blocked off as the second phase of the road work around Abitibibowater's biomass boiler takes place.

Access between Scott and Church will be limited to local traffic, but on-street parking will be permitted on that section of the road.

Portage Avenue Underpass closed today

The Portage Avenue underpass gets shutdown today.

The closure from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. is the first of a week long closure as work at the underpass resumes.

Fort Frances' operations and facilities manager Doug Brown is confident the project will be completed this year.

"The big stuff is done," says Brown. "The retaining walls were all constructed last year. There's a little abutment wall on the east side that will require construction. It's very small scale compared to last year. It's slabs and earthwork. We're scheduled to be done by the end of October."

Brown says when additional closures are required, the public will be notified through announcements made by the local media.

Fences and Hedges Being Measured

The town of Fort Frances is seeking voluntary compliance of its by-law pertaining to the height and location of fences, hedges and shrubs.

A study by the town's by-law enforcement department found several properties not adhering to the by-law.

Chief building inspector Rick Hallam says they're now looking for owners to adhere to the by-law.

"We realize that some of these fences and hedges have been in place for quite some year," says Hallam. "Not withstanding that, we do have to look to the need to gain compliance in the by-law and ensure the safe passage of traffic and pedestrians alike.

Hallam says most of the problem areas are properties located on corner lots.

LCBO Workers Vote on Tentative Deal

Ontario Liquor Control Board Workers will vote on a new tentative agreement today and tomorrow.

The deal was reached late last month, averting a strike that had been set for June 24th.

The strike would have seen about six-thousand workers walk off the job.

Information meetings run by the Ontario Public Service Employees union have been underway so workers can learn the details of the new offer.

More Fires in Rainy River district

Lightning is to blame for a couple of new forest fires in the Rainy River district over the weekend.

Two of the fires, one east of Fort Frances near Voyageurs National Park and one of the northern boundary of Quetico Park near Flanders, are listed as still active, but are small in size.

Strong winds and sunny weather on the weekend helped pushed the fire hazard to high levels across the northwest.

Moffat Funds to be Distributed

Money from the Moffat Family Fund is expected to be handed out at tonight's meeting of Fort Frances council.

The town received more than $43,000 from the Winnipeg-based Moffat fund earlier this year to hand out to local projects aimed at helping youth and families.

It's the seventh consecutive year the town has received money from the fund set up by the former owners of the local cable system.

Buy Canada Discussed Tonight

A request by the Ontario Federation of Labour to adopt a Buy Canada policy comes back to Fort Frances town council at its meeting tonight.

The OFL asked the town back in May to accept the policy as a way of ensuring local jobs are created by the federal-provincial governments infrastructure programs.

Also tonight, councillors will receive updates on work taking place around the community.

This includes construction of the new library and technology centre, the planned relocation of the tugboat Hallet and former fire tower to the waterfront and local road projects.

The public portion of tonight's meeting gets under at about 6:25 p.m. following an in-camera discussion pertaining to Sunny Cove Camp and First Nations Property Acquisitions.

Portage Avenue Work Begins Today

Expect to see work crews at the Portage Avenue underpass today.

The installation of temporary traffic lights at either end of the underpass that will reduce traffic to one lane while work takes place.

However the first complete closure of the road will take place this week beginning tomorrow.

The underpass will be blocked from 9:00 a.m. to 7;)0 p.m. through to Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.


The closure is necessary in the removal of the concrete abutment located on the east side of the road.

Tornado Victim Found

Provincial police say the body of a third man killed in a freak storm in northwestern Ontario has been recovered.

Divers with the Ontario Provincial Police underwater search and recovery unit located the body of 66-year-old Dennis Kinkaid just after seven last night.

The bodies of his friends - 65-year-old Bernie Jackson and 78-year-old Stan Hollis - were pulled from the water Friday.

All three men are from Ponca City, Oklahoma.

The trio was picked up by a tornado that swept through a hunting and fishing resort Thursday on Lac Seul.

The men were at the Fisherman's Cove Resort in Ear Falls when their cabin was ripped from its foundation and tossed into the lake almost a kilometre away.

Five other guests at the lodge, being identified as being from the Minneapolis and Wisconsin areas, suffered minor injuries after the tornado ripped apart their cabin.

Rainy River Railroad Daze Begin

Railroad Daze gets underway today in Rainy River.

It begins at noon with the start of a weekend long silent auction.

There is also a slo-pitch tournament, parade, evening entertainment and the popular Great Beaver Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat race.

Events wrap up Sunday.

"Carbon Man" Now Canadian

"Carbon Man," has become Canadian.

The rights to Minnesota's symbol of climate change seen in television commercials statewide has been purchased by the Canadian Wood Council for use across Canada.

The commercial, created by Duluth-based Minnesota Forest Industries two years ago, shows how carbon dioxide is absorbed in trees and kept in the products made.

Executive Vice-President Wayne Brandt says they're flattered Canadians like the message and the way its presented.

Great Lakes Fish Report

A new report being released today says eating fish from the Great Lakes may be putting yourself at risk for alarmingly high levels of toxins.

The report from the advocacy group Environmental Defence focused on toxic chemicals in Great Lakes fish by examining advisories published by the Ontario Ministry of Environment.

Fish from Lake Superior had the lowest contamination level while Lake Ontario had the worst.

Local Education Program Promoted

A program helping local students improve their oral language skills is being highlighted at national conference in Calgary today.

Rainy River District School Board's Education Director Jack McMaster has joined with educators from Kenora and Dryden to promote the Oral Language project to delegates attending the Canadian Association of School Administrators

McMaster says the success of the program here is gaining interest elsewhere.

"It's really starting to peak some people's interest," says McMaster, "mostly in Ontario, but this is a national conference. What's happening with this oral language project is going to be fairly large in North America and probably worldwide because a lot of countries are teaching their children English in school."

McMaster says the program, developed in the northwest, has been successful in helping children early in their school years improve their oral language skills.

Rafferty Defend's Party's Position

John Rafferty is defending his party's decision to oppose the government's action plan aimed at stimulating Canada's economy.

The Harper government says 80 per cent of that plan has been now implemented.

The MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River says he welcomes the recent infrastructure money for the district, but doesn't think it will create the jobs the government believe it will.

"The local projects are welcome," says Rafferty, "but how many jobs are they creating and for how long? Will it make up for the thousand jobs lost because of the government's unwillingness to help the forestry sector?

Rafferty says while the feds indicate 80 per cent of its plan is complete, only a handful of the so-called shovel-ready infrastructure projects announced have actually started.

Test Runs at AbitibiBowater

Efforts to resume an idled paper machine at AbitibiBowater's mill in Fort Frances continue.

Spokesperson Jean-Phillipe Cote says the company's been running tests this week of machine number 6 to see if it can produce alternative types of paper.

Cote says while they are examining its capabilities, there are no firm plans at this time to convert the machine which has been down since March.

Suspected Tornado Leaves Two Dead

(Photo courtesy Kathy Campbell)












Environment Canada suspects a tornado may have touched down in the Ear Falls area that has left two American men dead, five people injured and another guest at an area tourist camp.



Several buildings at Fisherman's Cove, 15 kilometres were destroyed by a storm that passed through the area last night.

Meteorologist Geoff Coulson says indications of a tornado are only preliminary.

"We are treating it as a possible tornado at this point," says Coulson, "and we have sent one of our Environment Canada staff from the Thunder Bay to do a survey of the area, talk with eye witnesses and walk the path of damage to get a better sense of what hit the area."

Bill Laidlaw of Signal Weather Services says video and photographs he's seen coming from people living in the area point to a tornado. He says a cold front was rotating in front of low weather system was passing through the area at the time.

"On the cold front there was some very active thunderstorms," says Laidlaw, "and the closer they got to the low the more active they were. All thunderstroms have a lot of potential energy in them and if all of the ingredients come together, they can do some very nasty damage.

As of the noon hour Friday, police were still searching for one guest who was unaccounted for.

The OPP's emergency response team and marine unit, along with a Ministry of Natural Resources helicopter were involved.

Both of the dead and the missing man, were from Oklahoma.

Their names have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

To view video of the suspected tornado, go to the home page of www.b93.ca and click the What's New" button.

Hunters Charged

Two Ontario hunters have been fined a total of $7,500 for illegally hunting deer in the Fort Frances area.

The men from the North Bay area were charged following an investigation by M-N-R Conservation officers last fall into the illegal shooting of three deer.

One man was fined four-thousand dollars for various offences, including trespassing on private land. He was prohibited from hunting in Ontario for one year.

The other man was found guilty on several hunting offences, including discharging a firearm down a road. He's forced to pay $3,500 in fines and banned from hunting for two years.

Both men were also ordered to complete hunter education courses

Boil Water Back On

A boil water advisory, lifted yesterday in Kenora, is back on.

For the second time in a week, the city's water treatment plant was impacted by a brief power outage.

The latest outage occurred this morning.

The Northwestern Health Unit is now sampling water, but says the latest advisory could remain in effect until the weekend or Monday.

Rezoning Application Deferred

Alberton's township council deferred making a decision last night on a rezoning application that could lead to Weechi-it-ti-win Family Services setting up its Training and Learning Centre on property currently owned by the Arpin Family.

Council will revisit the application, brought forward by Gayle Arpin, at its August Meeting.

It's also planning to hold a special meeting at the end of this month to conduct a review of its official plan and zoning by-laws as it relates to the application.

Council also approved an interim control by-law prohibiting group homes being set up on lands designated rural residential for at least one year so it can further study issues related to such development.

The by-law does not impact on the Arpin application.

Rainy River Roads Going to the Web

Some of the streets in the Rainy River district may soon find their way to Google Streetview.

Google is currently taking panoramic photographs of areas streets for its Google Maps Internet search site.

Spokesperson Tamara Micner says they're trying to take photographs in as many communities as they can.

"We usually do in any country where we're collecting street view images is start with the larger centres which as the most relevant to our user," says Micner, "and then we go from there and try to cover as much area as we can."

Micner says Google has hired local contractors to take the photos.

No word when they will appear on the web.

Lab Accredited

An important designation for Rainy Lake Medical Center.

It's hospital campus laboratory in International Falls has received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists following a recent on-site inspection.

Laboratory Director Sam Segars credits staff for achieving the designation which is given to labs that exceeds federal government standards.

Boil Water Advisory Lifted

It's finally safe to drink the tap water in Kenora.

The Northwestern Health Unit lifted the boil water advisory issued for in that city Saturday following a power outage that effected the city's water treatment plant.

The advisory was lifted yesterday after the health unit determined there was no bacterial presence in the city's water supply.

Art Education Program Funded

The Community Arts and Heritage Education Project is getting a boost from the provincial government.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Funding has pledged $30,000 to expand the work of the northwestern Ontario arts group.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the funding will help expand the mandate of the program throughout the region.

"This really does bring arts heritage education into the schools," says Gravelle. "It allows children to be really creative in a positive way. It also helps having artists to come forward and be able to explain how art can reach everyone."

The project is currently promoted in several communities including Fort Frances and Atikokan.

MNR Lays Charges

The Ministry of Natural Resources has laid charges against a Rainy River district individual in connection with a recent forest fire in the area.

Details of the incident were not immediately revealed, but the MNR says the individual was charged under the Forest Fires Prevention Act.

Meantine, the Ministry continues to investigate a recent human-caused fire that burned about 0.1 hectare near Crow Rock, east of Fort Frances.

More Work on Portage Avenue Next Week

The second phase of the road work around AbitibiBowater's biomass boiler is also expected to begin next week.

The work on Portage Avenue between Nelson Avenue and First Street will result in some changes for motorists.

The following Traffic Control Changes will be implemented on July 14 until all the roadwork is completed which is scheduled to be done by the third week in September.

Portage Avenue from Nelson Street to Church Street will be closed to the general public. No parking will be allowed on either side of this section of Portage Avenue. At all times, an access route will be maintained to ensure fire trucks will have access to and from the Fire Hall. Also the OPP officers and staff will have access along this section of Portage Avenue to gain access to and from their Parking Lot.

Concrete Barriers will be installed along Church Street on the West and East side of Portage Avenue, where two dead-ends along Church Street will be created at the Portage Avenue Intersection. Motorists travelling along Church Street will not have access onto Portage Avenue from this intersection.

Temporary wooden barriers complete with No Exit signs, and Local Traffic Only signs will be installed at the intersections of Church Street and Mowat Avenue and Church Street and Victoria Avenue to inform the general public of the traffic changes prior to reaching the Portage Avenue/Church Street intersection.

All existing parking along Church Street between Portage and Victoria and Portage and Mowat Avenue will be maintained, thus no changes to parking along these sections of Church Street.

A temporary wooden barrier complete with a No Exit sign, and Local Traffic Only sign will be installed at the intersection of Scott Street and Portage Avenue on the south side Scott Street informing the general public that parking will be allowed on both sides of this section of the street and to gain access to the Public Parking Lot behind the Post Office from July 14th to August 11th. After August 11th no parking will be allowed on either side of this section of Portage Avenue and access to the Public Parking Lot behind the Post Office will be from the laneway entrance from Victoria Avenue. Also Portage Avenue from Church Street to Scott Street will be closed to the general public on August 11th.

Portage Avenue from Scott Street to First Street will be closed to the general public. No parking will be allowed on either side of this section Portage Avenue.

The back laneway between the 200 Block of Scott Street and 200 Block of First Street will be closed off to the general public at the Portage Avenue entrance. All transport trucks and vehicles will only gain access to this laneway from the Mowat Avenue entrance. In order to ensure orderly delivery of goods and products to the businesses and properties abutting this laneway, business owners should contact their delivery companies to ensure that transport trucks back into the laneway from Mowat Avenue and to try to utilize smaller transport trucks during the construction stage for ease of movement in the laneway. It might be wise to ensure large transport trailers are off-loaded at night and not during regular business hours to ensure that the laneway is not blocked.

On August 11th, the back laneway between the 200 Block of Scott Street and 200 Block of Church Street will be closed off to the general public at the Portage Avenue entrance. Thus all transport trucks and vehicles will only gain access to this laneway from the Church Street entrance.

In the near future, the exact date is still unknown; the Traffic Control lights at the Portage Avenue & Scott Street Intersection will be shut-off for one (1) day where flagmen will be directing traffic through this intersection. This is necessary to allow the contractor to tie-in the new sanitary pipe in the existing sanitary sewer manhole in the middle of this intersection.

In the future, once the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is over the Scott Street/ Portage Avenue Intersection will be closed for approximately seven (7) days to complete the pipe work in this intersection.

Transport trucks will be re-routed along Church Street, Veterans Avenue, Sinclair Street, Victoria Avenue and Front Street. A prior week of notice will be provided to when this work will occur. Also temporary wooden barriers complete with No Exit signs and Local Traffic Only signs will be installed at the intersections of Scott Street -Mowat Avenue and Scott Street - Victoria Avenue to inform the general public of the traffic changes prior to reaching the Portage Avenue/ Scott Street intersection.

Portage Avenue Underpass Work Begins Monday

Work on the Portage Avenue underpass is expected to begin next week.

Beginning Monday, temporary traffic lights will be set up at the intersections of 3rd Street and Portage and 5th and Portage which will reduce traffic through the area to one lane.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says there will times when the underpass will be completely shutdown.

Rainy River Waterfront Money

A comprehensive waterfront development plan is in the works for the town of Rainy River.


The town is receiving $18,000 dollars from the province to help carry out the plan.


Mayor Deb Ewald says the waterfront has become a focal point for the community in recent years.


"That's sort of the main drawing area," says Ewald. "We already have the kids pool and spray park and spray park and the kiosk and the docks for people to tie their boat up. We have our Walleye tournament and other events there."



The plan will help the town identify services and facilities required to market the community as a tourism destination.

June Cool and Dry

It was a cool and dry month of June for the Rainy River district.

Chris Hampel of Environment Canada says the monthly average temperature was well below normal.

"In fact it was 1.3 degrees below normal," says Hampel. "(The district) had an average temperature of 14.7 when it normally is about 16. It was the coldest since 2004, so it's not like cold Junes are an infrequent occurrence."

Hampel says the month was also drier than usual with about 40 millimetres less rain falling than normal.

Human Caused Fires a Concern

An increase in the number of human-caused fires in northwestern Ontario is causing the Ministry of Natural Resources some concern.

Two such fires, including one in the Fort Frances area, were fought by MNR firefighters earlier this week.

Fire Information Officer Debbie MacLean says they're also encountering people who are burning during the day.

"We're discovering people either don't know or ignoring the fact that there is no day burning of grass or brush," says MacLean. "The rule is that they're to start those fires no earlier than two hours before sunset and have them out no later than two hours after sunrise."

The fire in the Fort Frances area near Crow Rock is now out and is currently under investigation.

Action Plan Working

Kenora M-P Greg Rickford says he's satisfied with how the federal government's economic action plan is helping northwestern Ontario.

According to the feds, 80 per cent of that plan aimed at stimulating Canada's economy is complete.

The Conservative says the money earmarked for northwestern Ontario will help local communities grow.

"When we re-emerge from this global recession our communities are going to be in a position to experience residential, commercial and industrial growth in terms of their capacity," says Rickford, "but also be attractive for families who want to bring their children and engage in community activities."

Rickford says the only disappointment for him has been was the failure of the N-D-P to fully endorse the plan.

"The NDP did not participate in this process. They voted against this economic action plan which included key infrastructure projects for northwestern Ontario before they even read it. It's irresponsible."

Thefts Investigated

OPP are investigating a rash of thefts in the Sioux Narrows area.

In one case money was stolen from the cash register of a town business.

Police say they have also received numerous complaints of camps being broken into, but at this point, its unclear what may have been taken.

St. Catharine's Man Found Dead

A 23-year-old St. Catharines man is dead after being reported missing on Lake of the Woods last week.

OPP say they were contacted by Totem Lodge after one of its employees failed to show up for work.

A subsequent search by the OPP's Emergency Response Team led to the discovery of the man's body near the shore of the Lake.

Recreational Funding Revealed

The list of communities to benefit from a infrastructure program for recreational projects have been released.

It includes just two municipalities from the Rainy River district.

The township of Alberton is receiving at total of $48,000 in shared federal and provincial funding to upgrade its Millennium Rink and Park Site.

The township of Emo will get about $65,000 for improvements to the Emo-LaVallee Community Centre.

Nicickousemenecaning First Nation will use $106,000 towards the installation of a water park.

In all more than $50 million was awarded to 137 projects across northern Ontario.

Native Centre Up for Discussion

A request for a zoning amendment that could pave the way for Weechi-it-te-win Family Services to move its Training and Learning Centre to Alberton comes before that township's council tonight.

A public meeting last month led to many residents in the area speaking out against the centre being located on property on Highway 11 at Ducharme Road currently owned by the Arpin Family.

Council will receive additional information tonight, but it's not clear if a decision on the rezoning application will be made.

Airport Activity Stable

Activity at the Fort Frances airport appears to be remaining stable.

Statistics Canada says there were 451 take-offs and landings during the month of April.
That's about the same as April of last year.

A majority were made by Bearskin Airlines, but 43 private aircraft and 32 helicopters also used the airport.

Forest Fire Under Investigation

A forest fire east of Fort Frances is being investigated by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The fire located about 20 kilometres east of the town broke out yesterday.

It's listed as being under control, having burned less than a hectare.

A ministry official says the fire was human caused.

Pither's Point on Display

There's a new exhibit focusing at the Fort Frances Museum focusing around Pither's Point Park.

Museum Curators Pam Hawley says the exhibit shows the importance of the park to the Fort Frances area and how its changed over the past one hundred years.

"It's really changed," says Hawley. "We had a dance pavilion there. We had a golf course there. There was a variety of activities that would occurred at the point with bands coming into play and dances and concerts. Lots of swimming used to happen there."

Hawley is hoping the exhibit will spur residents' memories about the park.

The exhibit will remain up until the end of August.

Transit Complaints

The Ontario Human Rights Commission has filed complaints against three transit authorities in the province include Thunder Bay Transit.

The commission says systems in Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Sudbury have failed to call out bus stops to their passengers, as ordered by the Human Rights Tribunal two years ago.

The commission argues calling out those stops is needed to give proper service to visually impaired passengers.

It's asking the Human Rights Tribunal to order the three transit systems to begin calling out bus stops within 30 days.

MNR Still to Be Involved in Forestry

Bureaucrats with the Ministries of Natural Resources and Northern Development and Mines have started the work on moving the forestry portfolio away from the MNR.

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the changeover last month.

Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield says there are a number of issues that still have to be worked out.

"There's obviously some things that have to be changed legislatively," says Cansfield. "That's all through the process, but we'll work very closely with Minister (Michael) Gravelle as these issues come to light."

Cansfield suggests her ministry will still have some responsibility for forest matters that pertain to such things as the Species-at-Risk Act, invasive species and water quality.

Incentive Programs Available to Businesses

A financial assistance program to improve store fronts is being promoted to businesses in the Fort Frances area.

Regional Economic Development Officer for the Rainy River Future Development Corporation Geoff Gillon says businesses can access loans of up to ten thousand dollars.

"We're trying to make it easier for businesses trying to upgrade," says Gillon. "It's not a standard loan process. We're trying to simplify it."

Gillon says the money can be used for such things as new walkways and doorways, windows and displays or signage.

The town is also looking to improve local residential properties through four separate financial incentive programs.

Gillon says one offers tax breaks to improve homes in need of significant repair.

"If you have a block, for example, and there's fifteen houses and one of them has been dramatically reduced in value. It hasn't been kept up or vacant. This allows someone to buy that building, upgrade that building, make it habitable and bring it up to the standard of other buildings around."

Other programs help in the development of multi-residential and hotel properties and the costs of tearing down old homes.

New Fires in Northwestern Ontario

Two new forest fires were reported in the West Fire Region yesterday, both human caused.

One was located in the Rainy River district about 20 kilometres east of Fort Frances.

It's listed as being under control and less than a hectare in size.

The fire hazard remains high in the Fort Frances and Thunder Bay Districts.

Driver Charged

The driver of a transport that overturned on McIrvine Road yesterday morning has been charged by the OPP.

Police says the transport was exiting from Sungro at the time of the accident.

It forced the temporary closure of McIrvine between 5th and 6th Streets for several hours while emergency crews cleaned up the accident.

The driver was not injured.

Boil Water Advisory in Kenora

Bottled water has become a necessity in Kenora.

A power outage impacting the city's water treatment facility forced the Northwestern Health Unit to impose a boil water advisory.

Residents there are being told to boil their tap water being before using.

No word yet when the advisory will be lifted.

School Site Plan Completed

School board trustees with the Rainy River District School Board have agreed to a number of resolutions regarding new Robert Moore School.

The items finalize a site management plan needed before a building permit can be issued by the town.

The plan must still be signed off by the town.

The board is also awaiting Ministry approval on an official plan change before it can begin construction.

That change is to permit a school to be built on the land behind the existing facility which could be approved by the middle of the month.

Library Work Underway

It's now underway.
Work on the new library and technology centre in Fort Frances began Monday with crews setting up security fencing around the site at the corners of Reid Avenue and Scott Street.

Chief Librarian Margaret Sedgwick says there's a sense of relief among staff to final see the project get going.

"We are breathing a sigh of relief," says Sedgwick. "The staff are ecstatic. Now, we're thinking about packing up and moving even though its a few months away.

Aurora Construction was granted the contract to build the nearly 5-million dollars facility last month.

Sedgwick says they hope to track the progress of the new building by posting photographs on the library's website.

She adds the new address, 601 Reid Avenue, will be quite appropriate for the new facility.

Odd Job Week

It's Odd Job Week across Canada

The week promotes Service Canada's Youth Employment Centre and encourages local businesses and residents to consider hiring a youth even for just a few hours.

Local Youth Services Officer Dayna Debendet says no job can be too small.

"They can be some like housework, yard work, landscaping or babysitting," says Debenedet. "You file your job with us and we'll send it out to students and see who's interested."

Debenedet says they be promoting the importance of odd jobs for students through booths at Canadian Tire today and Walmart on Wednesday with leaflets being distributed around the community.

There will also be a BBQ Friday with NCDS.

H1N1 Flu Numbers Rise

Northwestern Ontario continues to be one of the busiest in terms of active cases of the H1N1 flu virus.

The Ministry of Health says there were 15 new confirmed cases of the virus this past week in the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area, which includes cases in the area's remote first nation communities.

There are currently 49 active cases of H1N1 in this region. There are just five in the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

International Falls Groups Receive Funding

Two groups in International Falls have benefited from funding from the Otto Bremer Foundation.

Citizens for Backus A.B. received $50,000 for the installation of a new kitchen at its facility.

The group will receive another $30,000 if it can match that amount.

The Falls Hunger Coalition food shelf received $15,000 to continue its services .

New Transformer Station Proposed

Hydro One is eyeing the township of Chapple as the potential location of a new transformer station for the Rainy River district.

The transformer is to replace an aging one located near Fort Frances.

Spokesperson Danielle Gauvin says it would also be more central to the area Hydro One serves.

"It would improve the power supply and provide more capacity to the area," says Gauvin. "If the actual lines don't have to carry electricity quite as part, that's better in terms of power supply."

Hydro One has currently initiated a Class Environmental Assessment on the project and will hold a public information meetings later this year.

Incentive Programs Now Available

The town of Fort Frances and the Rainy River Future Development Corporation is promoting a series of financial incentive programs to bolstering the local economy.

Regional Economic Development Officer Geoff Gillon says a new diversification development program is among them.

"This is a program for new businesses in sectors like manufacturing, machining or environmental technologies," says Gillon. "It's not designed for retail or service businesses so they're not eligible. We want businesses that are non-competitive. We want new businesses that will come to town and bring new money and new jobs."

Eligible businesses can receive receive rebates on a portion of municipal charges associated with building or demolition and partial tax relief on the new value.

Another program is aimed at redeveloping commercial lands in Fort Frances that currently don't meet environmental standards.

Gillon says the Brownsfield Development program will provide tax relief to help clean those areas up.

"This tax relief under this program could be a long a five year and up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the cost of remediation," says Gillon. "It's in partnership with the province and its for old sites such as old gas stations or industrial properties."

Gillon says there are a number of vacant properties in the town where that financial assistance program could apply.

Portage Avenue Underpass Work Soon

Work on the Portage Avenue underpass is expected to resume very shortly.

Fort Frances' Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says CN has approved soil anchor tests, allowing the contractor, Emo's JTJ Contracting, to continue its work.

Brown says its now getting in touch with its subcontractors and a work schedule to be known soon.

Brown estimates about two months of work yet to do.

New School Construction Meeting

It could be another two weeks before construction begins on the new Robert Moore School.

Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board are meeting this morning to discuss a number of items related to the project's site management plan.

They're approval is needed to acquire a building permit.

Education Director Jack McMaster says the board has been working with the town, along with the Ministries of Education, Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Environment on that plan.

The board must also wait Ministry approval on a change to the town's official plan permitting the new school to be built on land behind the existing one.

That approval could come July 17, allowing construction to begin shortly afterwards.

Case of Fraud in Fort Frances Area

Fort Frances OPP have issued a warning after a local man was bilked more than $28 hundred in an apparent scam.

Police say the man responded to a letter that claimed he owned outstanding goods and services taxes and that if he sent the money through a money wiring service, he would receive a prize.

The letter also came with a 1-866 number.

Emergency Access Changed

Road work near LaVerendrye hospital has resulted in another change to the access of the hospital's emergency ramp.

Effective today, the ramp will only be accessible from Front Street.

Signage has been posted.

4th of July Events in International Falls

There will be plenty of celebrating in International Falls this weekend.

Tomorrow is America's 233rd birthday and there is a host of activities planned at Smokey Bear Park.
One of the highlights will be the annual 4th of July Parade which begins at 1 p.m. and travels from the football field on 12th Street and in the downtown area.

This year's Grand Marshalls include recently retired International Falls Chief of Police Chris Raboin and Police Captain Daryl Waller and former Koochiching County Sheriff Duane Nelson.

Shooting Victim Identified

The victim of last month's shooting in the Osaburgh Lake area has been identified.

But the name of the 30-year-old Peterborough man is being withheld at the request of his family.

Pickle Lake O-P-P were conducting an investigation when they encountered the man.

The Special Investigations Unit says a police firearm was discharged during a confrontation and the man was killed.

Hudak Attacks Tax Merger

The new leader of the Progressive Conservatives has a warning for renters across Ontario.

Tim Hudak says tenants are going to be paying about several hundred dollars more when the province merges sales taxes.

He's urging people to sign an online petition to stop the merger.

The government says it is offering sales and property tax credits to renters to lighten the load.

But Hudak dismisses those efforts as an attempt to "bribe" taxpayers with their own money.

Health Facilities Merger Official

The merger of the Falls Memorial Hospital and the Duluth Clinic-International Falls is now official.

Staff joined with members of the community yesterday to celebrate the integration of the two medical facilities now know as the Rainy Lake Medical Centre.

CEO Brian Long says the aim is to strengthen the area's health care services.

"We hope it means a more comprehensive and capable medical centre drawing upon both organizations coming together in a more collaborative and effective deliverer of health care to the community that we serve," says Long.

Long says one of the goals is the building of a new hospital.

Senator Visits International Falls

Tourism, economic development and health care will be focus of discussions between International Falls area officials and U-S Senator Amy Klobuchar this morning.

As part of those talks, the Minnesota representative at Capital Hill is promoting a bill that would help market the US tourism industry.

Klobuchar says northern Minnesota has been particularly hurt.

"Not only because of the economy," says Klobuchar, "but since 911 when all these strict rules took place for good reasons, but we've gotten so far behind on processing visas and improving travellers coming in for legitimate reason, that we've lost 20 per cent of the international travel market to other countries."

Klobuchar says US is the only country that doesn't have a focus or ad campaign for tourism.

Rowe Verdict Rendered

A former Anglican minister and Scout leader in northern Ontario has been found guilty of seven more sex charges.

But Ralph Rowe is still expected to be freed from prison.

Rowe, who was serving a three-year sentence for similar charges when his sixth prosecution began in April, is scheduled to be paroled today.

Yesterday, a Kenora judge imposed a one-year term to be served concurrently, leaving Rowe's initial parole date intact.

First convicted in 1988, Rowe has been prosecuted six times for a string of sexual assaults across the region.

Some Connecting Link Money Arrives

It's part of the money the town of Fort Frances is looking for.

The province announced yesterday almost $140 thousand dollars through its connecting link program for improvements to Central Avenue and a portion of Scott Street.

That project was completed last year, but Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says a problem with the asphalt requires the area to be repaved.

Meantime, the town is still awaiting word on three other projects submitted under the same program.

They include a study on the feasibility of a walkway on Kings Highway near Legion Park, upgrades to the traffic lights on Kings Highway and the road improvement to Scott between Reid Avenue and Colonization Road East.

Quest for the Best Talent Winners

A rendition of Janis Joplin's song "Cry Baby" helped earn Brittany Hayes top spot at this year's Quest for the Best Talent held Tuesday night at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Hayes was the judges top choice among twenty other singers and dancers, taking home the 500-dollar top prize.

Katelyn Shortreed who sang "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac was second. Donny Hollywood with his version of Bon Jovi's "Wanted, Dead or Alive" was third.

Sarah Callaway earned the new rookie award for first time competitors with her jazz dance performance.

Lottery Success

Nearly $14 thousand has been raised for Riverside Health Care Facilities.

Riverside Foundation for Health Care raised that money through its annual Canada Day Cash lottery held yesterday.

The money will go towards the purchase of equipment at Riverside's three hospitals and at Rainycrest.

The Grand Prize winner of ten thousand dollars was Donna Williamson of Fort Frances. Barb Turgeon of Fort Frances won $2,000. Marie Kreger of Rainy River won $1,000. The four $500 winners were Mervin Benjamin, Angela Dokuchie, Mark Addison of Fort Frances and Candy Greengrass-Teeple from Stratton.

Canada Day Celebrated

Hundreds of residents in the Rainy River district took part in Canada Day festivities yesterday.

Events in Fort Frances, Barwick and Rainy River drew people gathered to celebrate the country's 142nd birthday.

Fireworks displays were also held in Rainy River and Fort Frances.

The township of Emo held off its fireworks until this Saturday when it will be part of the stock car races at Emo Speedway.

Rowe Verdit Today

A Kenora judge is expected to render a verdict today on new charges laid against Ralph Rowe.

The former Anglican minister and Boy Scout master stood trial in April on 11 charges of sexual abuse involving seven individuals.

Two years ago, Rowe was convicted on 20 counts of sexual offences involving First Nations boys in northern Ontario between 1977 and 1987.

He served four and a half years of a six year sentence in 1994 for indecent and sexual assaults involving boys aged 6 to 16.

New Police Chief

International Falls new chief of police is looking forward to the challenges the lie ahead for his department.

Mike Musich was appointed to the position earlier this week, filling a vacancy left by the April retirement of Chris Raboin.

Musich doesn't anticipate much change to the level of policing the city has always enjoyed.

"Not right now," says Musich. "I'm sure that we'll look at a few different things as time goes on, but should pretty much remain the same.

Musich has 23 years experience in policing, 21 with the International Falls department.

Deer Problems Identified

Deer continue to be a problem in Fort Frances.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says their increase presence is related to the growing number of deer in the Rainy River district.

Area biologist Melissa Mosley says that's due to the weather.

"We have a number of really mild winters for the past years or so," says Mosley. "That's helped increase the deer population. The severe winters help drive down their numbers and we really haven't held a couple of back to back severe winters that would bring those numbers back down."

Mosley believes public feeding of deer is also contributing to the animals presence in area neighbourhoods which should be reduced through the town's by-law prohibiting such a practice.

Atikokan Mill Being Renovated

Work is underway to renovate the former Fibratech Plant in Atikokan.

Mayor Dennis Brown says Atikokan Renewable Fuels has finalized the purchase of the particle board plant.

"A group led by Ed Fukushima out of Thunder Bay have now gained ownership of the plant," says Brown, "Their plan is to make the necessary renovations to start producing wood pellets. They predict (operations to begin) in the first quarter of 2010.

The company is planning to invest an initial $15 million to convert the plant.

When the wood pellet operation is up and running, an anticipated 40 jobs will be created.

Quest for the Best Talent Tonight

Some of the region's best talent takes to the stage tonight at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Quest for the Best Talent Show goes indoors, after being part of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship's entertainment for many years.

It features seventeen singers and three dancers.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce opted to expand the act to include other talents after being a vocal competition since its inception in 1995.

Tickets are still available at the Fort Frances Chamber Office for $12.00 and 15.00 at the door if any remain.

Grey Wolf Off Endangered Lists

More than four-thousand grey wolves in the upper Great Lakes region are going back on the US endangered species list -- at least for now.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service says it made a mistake by ending federal protection for wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin without public comment.

Under a settlement with five environmental groups which were suing the US government, the agency said it would return Great Lakes wolves to the list while considering its next move.

The wolves had been classified as endangered from 1974 until their removal in early May.

New Atikokan Youth Centre

A new youth centre is coming to Atikokan.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing more than $51 thousand for the centre to be developed in the town's downtown area.

The centre, which will be geared toward youth 13 to 18, will include a canteen, games and furnishings.

Kenora-area Derailment

One person was injured following a train derailment near the Manitoba-Ontario border, about 20 kilometres east of Kenora.

A westbound CN freight train hit the rear-end of another CN train Sunday evening.

Three locomotives and six empty rail cars derailed.

More MNR Firefighters Return

Some of the Ministry of Natural Resources Firefighters who were helping fight fires in Alberta for the past two weeks are now home.

About 60 Ontario fire personnel returned to their home bases yesterday.

The remaining contingent of about 37 will return Friday.

New Ministry Support by Industry

A move by the province to move forestry from the Ministry of Natural Resources to Northern Development is gaining some positive reviews.

The executive director of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Jamie Lim says it should be a good move for her members.

"If only certain parts of forestry are moved over to MNDF and critical files are left at MNR, it will increase costs and increase burden for operating in Ontario," says Lim. "I'm certain Premier McGuinty isn't going to make an announcement that's going to create greater burden."

Lim says the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines has been a real booster for the mining sector and hopes it can do the same thing for the forest industry.

Abattoir Construction Underway

Work on the new abattoir in Emo is now underway.

Members of Rainy River District Regional Abattoir Incorporated were joined by area producers and elected officials at the site yesterday for a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of construction.

President Steve Loshaw says its been a long time coming.


"The abattoir project in whole has been ongoing for almost thirteen years," says Lowshaw. "The current board has worked on its going into our fourth year and we've had a number of hurdles we've had to overcome. Today was very positive cause it was the start of construction. It shows we will have an abattoir."

When the two-million dollars facility opens at the end of the year, it will handle a variety of animals including cattle, elk and other smaller animals.

Power Outages on Weekend

Some residents in the Rainy River district found themselves in the dark this past weekend.

Hydro One spokesperson Danielle Gauvin says strong winds Saturday night caused a number of outages

"In the Fort Frances, there was 2,000 (customer without power)," says Gauvin, "but it wasn't all at one. It was from about Saturday midnight to about noon yesterday. All of those outages were resolved yesterday."

Gauvin says separate outages were also reported in the Devlin and Nestor Falls areas.

Forest Fire Hazard Drops

The weekend's wet weather has been a help to the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.

No new fires were reported in the West Fire Region over the weekend.

Rainfall has reduced the forest fire hazard to low across the region.

There are still 26 fires burning, none in the Rainy River district.

New Police Chief to be Decided

International Falls city council will discuss the appointment of a new police chief tonight.

Both the mayor and the city's human resources committee are recommending Sergeant Mike Musich be promote to chief.

The city had turned administrative control of the department over to Koochiching County's Sheriff Brian Youso earlier this month until the city found a replacement for Chris Raboin who retired at the end of April.

Council is also expected to approve the handing over of responsibilities of the city's animal pound to the Borderland Humane Society.

Learning Centre Funding

The Atikokan Adult Learning Centre will be expanding its services.

The centre received $68 thousand from the province to create 60 new classroom spaces for residents looking to upgrade their skills.

The funding will allow for the purchase of additional desks and new computer workstations.

The centre is also planning a number of upgrades to its Rawn Road facility.

Abattoir Construction Begins

The official start of construction of the Abattoir in Emo will begin today.

An official sod-turning ceremony will occur later this morning with members of the Rainy River District Regional Abattoir and other dignitaries on hand.

Work on the two-million dollar project is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Library Construction Set

A date has been set for the start of construction of the new library and technology centre in Fort Frances.

Crews and equipment with Aurora Construction are expected to be on site a week from today.

The nearly $5 million project is expected to open next spring.

Tibbs Speak About Own Cancer Battle

Fort Frances councillor Sharon Tibbs says it was early detection that has helped with her battle with cancer.

Speaking publicly about her fight during the opening of Relay for Life on Friday, Tibbs said the prognosis for a full recover is very good.

"A further examination on the (June) 22nd involved the area being treated showed no sign of the cancer cells," said Tibbs. "I had responded to the treatment, and I quote the doctor, 'very well."

Tibbs says she will have the last of 25 radiation treatments tomorrow.

Relay for Life a Success

There were fewer teams than in past years, but the amount of money raised was just as significant at this year's Relay for Life.

About 15 teams of walkers strolled or ran the roads around Pither's Point Park for a 12 hour period late Friday night and early Saturday morning to collect over $40 thousand dollars in donations for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Committee member John Homer says it was a great effort.

"The number was quite good for the number of teams we had," says Homer. "I'm pretty excited, pretty proud of every one that raised every penny right down to the head shaving to the $5 luminaries to the single dollar donation."

The Canadian Cancer Society's regional fundraising coordinator Margaret Saville says some of that money will go towards finding a cure.

"We're no longer looking for the needle in the haystack, " says Saville. "We've found the needle. We're just looking how to thread the needle. With stem cell research, we can now locate the mutant genes that cause cancer. Treatments will now become a medication you take on a daily basis. People will live with cancer like they live with diabetes."

The more than $300 thousand raised by Relay for Life events across northwestern Ontario will also be used to fund a variety of programs used by cancer patients in the region.

Another Donation for Library

There has been another significant donation made to the new Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre.

RBC, through its RBC foundation, is contributing $25,000 toward the creation of a new teen centre at the library.

Local branch manager Heather Johnson says it was important to contribute to the project.

"RBC is very committed to the children," says Johnson. "We firmly believe that an investment in education and youth is one of the best investments that a company can make to ensure the prosperity of our communities. We're really excited to be able to offer this and make it a reality."

As part of the donation, the new centre will be named in RBC's honour.

Support for Provincial Plan

A new poll suggests many Canadians would like to take a page from Ontario's education handbook and combine daycare and kindergarten.

The survey found more than 70 per cent of respondents liked the plan for four- and five-year-olds.

The province recently received a report recommending ``full-day learning programs'' that would allow parents to leave children at school from 7:30 a-m until 6 p-m for a fee.

Service Demands Decrease

Family and Children's Services of the District of Rainy River says the demand for some of its services declined over the past year.

Most notably in the child welfare side where the agency says its saw fewer children and did fewer investigations.

Executive Director Vik Nowak says it doesn't mean the workload for staff has decreased.

"Our kids are dropping, but we're starting to take on the responsibility looking after kids from other jurisdictions," says Nowak. "Those cases are going up, so we have more children in care but they're not our kids. Still, it's a positive sign to see our child welfare numbers are dropping."

Nowak is not certain how long that will continue, given the current economic situation and its impact on families.

The agency also ended the year with a balanced budget, one of few in the province to end the year without a deficit.

In fact, it's the third straight year Family and Children's Services has accomplished that goal.

Nowak says its partly due to their ability to maintain the children in care within the district instead sending them to expensive group homes

"We had no children, except for a very brief time, in group homes during the course of the year. When you're looking at group homes, it costs $300 to $400 per day, sometime more. That can add up very quickly and put you in a deficit position."

Nowak says the agency is not without its funding pressures. Provincial funding for mental health and developmental services program hasn't been increased for more than a decade.

Nowak says it has led to a slow but steady erosion in the programs that is now beginning to affect staff.

Each month, an estimated one hundred children across the district access mental health programs while another 100 receive developmental services programs.

Another 30 children are currently on waiting lists.

New Fire in District

A lightning strike has been listed as the cause of the latest forest fire in the Rainy River district.

The fire, located about 65-kilometres north of Fort Frances, is only smouldering. The Ministry of Natural Resources says no problems are anticipated.

The fire hazard remains high in the western portions northwestern Ontario. Rain forecast for the weekend is expected to drop the hazard by Monday.

International Falls Man Charged

An International Falls man has been fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to possessing or using a number of Ontario resident licences and permits.

Joseph Angelo Butera plead guilty to one amended charge that combined all or portions of 12 charges against him - addressing the primary issue of his residency status.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the charges stem from a 2006 investigation in which conservation officers determined the former Fort Frances resident, who had moved to the Falls the year before, obtained licenses and permits using addresses of his Big Sawbill Lake camp and in Fort Frances.

Fort Frances High School Students Graduate

The class of 2009 was celebrated last night.

180 students from Fort Frances High School received Secondary School diplomas at commencement ceremonies held at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Comparing their high school years to his favourite hockey team, principal Gord McCabe offered his congratulations to the graduates.

"Tonight when you walk across that stage and receive the diploma you worked so hard to earn, I would equate to receiving you diploma to winning the Stanley Cup," said McCabe. "Like the Montreal Canadians, don't settle for just one Stanley Cup. You and your teammates, you need to create a dynasty."

Jamie Petrin and Cody Caul were this year's valedictorians.

More than one hundred awards and scholarships were also announced to the hundreds of parents, friends and family members who attended the festivities. The students later celebrated throughout the night at the traditional all-night Chem-Free Grad party held at the 52 Canadians Arena.

This was the tenth graduating class since the high school was reconstructed in the town's west end in 1999.

Mine Centre School Construction Planned for Next Year

Construction of a new school in Mine Centre could start early next year.

Yesterday, the province announced it would provide $4.8 million dollars to the Rainy River District School Board for that project.

Education Director Jack McMaster says its good news for the students and staff.

"I think it's tremendous news," says McMaster. "We've been hoping this day would come. Having Mine Centre come into our board has been quite a benefit for us. Hopefully being tied to our board has allowed Mine Centre to reap the benefits from the prohibit-to-repair designation."

McMaster says the exact cost of construction has yet to be determined, but anticipates it will be higher than the amount provided by the Ministry of Education.

"We anticipate it will come above that but we're not entirely sure. We have some preliminary drawings. We've met with the Ministry and we're downscaling them a bit."

Fort Frances Death Investigated

O-P-P are investigating the death of a 75-year-old Fort Frances man.

The body of Martin Selman was found in his home early Monday morning.

A post mortem exam was conducted in Kenora, but the cause of death has not been released.

Funding for Mine Centre School

The Rainy River District school board is getting money to build a new school in Mine Centre.

The province announced today that it will provide 4-point-8 million dollars towards the project.

The board had been planning for the school's replacement since being brought under its jurisdiction last fall.

Drinking Water Report

Ontario's chief drinking water inspector says the quality of the water coming out of the province's taps is improving.

John Stager says 99.8 per cent of the 520,000 water samples collected last year met rigorous provincial standards.

Stager delivered his annual report in Walkerton, Ont., where an E. coli outbreak in 2000 left seven people dead and thousands ill.

He also noted in his speech at the Walkerton Clean Water that99.4 per cent of non-municipal residential water systems also met provincial standards.

Stager credited the improvements to a team approach involving governments, private system operators and the medical community.

He said a drinking water safety net introduced after the Walkerton tragedy is `all about all of the partners working together.'

Forest Fire Activity Increases

The number of forest fires in northwestern Ontario is beginning to climb.

Four new fires were confirmed yesterday, none in the Rainy Rainy district. It brings to 30 the number of active fires in the northwest.

One of the largest is 100-kilometres northeast of Red Lake which has consumed about 14-hundred hectares of forest.

Forecast for the sunny weather and hot temperatures is expected to keep the fire hazard high to extreme.

New RRFDC Members

Two current directors and one new face have been elected to the Rainy River Future Development Corporation Board.

George Emes and Freeda Carmody were re-elected at the board's annual meeting earlier this week.

They were joined by newcomer Tara Redford for three year terms.

New Ministry Created

A new ministry responsible for both mining and forestry in province has been created.


The new Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry will falls to Michael Gravelle.


Gravelle says bringing two of northern Ontario's key industries under one Ministry make sense.


"Forestry and mining are two key economic drivers in the province and certainly northern Ontario," says Gravelle, "and for the Premier to ask me to take it on is a signal that this is a very high priority for this government."



Gravelle says expects the details regarding the funding and staffing for the new ministry to be determined over the next few weeks.



Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton isn't all that excited about the creation of the new ministry.



Hampton says moving the responsibility of forestry from the Ministry of Natural Resources does little to help the forest industry.


"I would have welcomed an announcement that the Ontario was prepared to put some debtor-in-possession financing into the restructuring of AbitibiBowater," says Hampton. "That would have made a difference."



Hampton calls yesterday's announcement as nothing more than cosmetic without a real plan for forest industry.

LCBO Strike Averted

The L-C-B-O and unionized employees have reached a tentative deal, avoiding a strike.

Workers were prepared to walk off the job yesterday, but the two sides stayed at the negotiating table, reaching a deal in the afternoon.

A source close to the talks says terms of the deal include benefits for casual workers and more opportunities for full-time jobs.

Ratification is expected in the coming days.

TLC Move Opposed

A proposal by Weechi-it-te-win Family Services to set up its Training and Learning Centre in the township of Alberton was met with plenty of opposition last night.

The council chambers overflowed with residents wanting to know why the agency was looking at property currently owned by the Arpin family for its culturally specific education facility.

Township Council is being asked to rezone the property to permit the centre.

But Rebecca Webb was among many who felt it was not a good fit for the rural community.

"It is is my opinion that the proposed location within the heaviest populated area of Alberton on a busy highway, in close proximity to our residents, children and businesses is not an choice for an unsecured facility prone to runaways," said Webb

Other residents cited safety concerns and felt the facility would be better placed at one of the First Nation communities Wee-Chi-Ti-Win serves.

The agency's lawyer Clint Calder says the end of a lease on property in Watten township has forced them to consider alternative locations.

He also disputed claims the centre was a group home or house young offenders.

"The youth in their are not in there because they broke the law," said Calder, "they're in their because they need help. The facility itself won't be any big fences or electric fences because there is no need for that. It is supervised 24-7, but there is no need for it not to be non-secure facility."

The issue is to be on the township council's agenda at its meeting in July, but it's not certain if the rezoning application will be voted at that time.
Township council