Dryden Coming to Fort Frances

Hall-of-fame netminder and Liberal MP Ken Dryden will visit Fort Frances next month.

It's part of his cross country tour talking about poverty.

Kenora Riding Candidate Roger Valley says people can expect to see Dryden in Fort Frances on September 3rd

"One of the reasons why I asked him to come to the riding is to make sure he sees what happens in communities where people who have become dislocated and how they have to survice in difficult circumstances," says Valley.

A reception for Dryden is being planned at Little Beaver Snow Park when he arrives.

Forest Fire Season Quiet

It's on track to be another quiet forest fire season in northwestern Ontario.

As of yesterday, there have been a total 173 forest fires in the region this season, burning an area of about 14-thousand hectares.

By comparison, there about 50 fewer fires to date last season, covering about 370 hectares.

The 10-year annual average for the number of fires and hectares is 639 fires and 104-thousand hectares annually.

Fair Attendance Down

While weather impacted events at this past weekend's fall fair in Emo, attendance was down only slightly.

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society's about 66-hundred people passed through the gates during fair weekend.

That about 650 fewer than last season.

Despite the rain, most events such as the parade, horse and cattle shows continued.

The second night of stock car racing was washed out.

Clean Energy Jobs Plan Gets Support

A Minnesota coalition including labor, faith and environmental interests is coming together to back what's called a "clean energy jobs plan" that supporters say will create thousands of jobs, reduce pollution and lower oil imports.

The groups are supporting a bill under consideration in Congress that backers believe will grow the "clean energy economy."

The coalition's Joshua Low says it's a "win-win" situation for Minnesota.

"We know that, by investing in clean energy jobs, we can revitalize manufacturing, get the middle class moving again, get our economy moving again," says Low. "At the same time, we can solve global warming, one of the most pressing environmental problems that we have in this country."

The groups calculate clean energy jobs have already put thousands of people to work with the plan expected to add many more.

An energy package has already passed the House.

The plan will be considered by the Senate when Congress returns next month.

"Ride for Memories" Nears

Get your motorcycles ready.

The annual Kenora-Rainy River Alzheimer Society's "Ride for Memories" is fast approaching.

Executive Director Margaret Schoenwille says its one of their best fundraisers.

The ride includes lunch in Dryden, dinner in Red Lake and a charity poker tournament.

You can register by calling the Alzheimer Society's office in Kenora.

WSIB Suffers Loss

Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is blaming the recession for its deteriorating financial results and a more than $3 billion loss last year.

The WSIB, which collects premiums from employers and provides benefits to injured workers, says it took in $2.4 billion less than it paid out in benefits and other expenses in 2008.

That's more than double the shortfall the WSIB reported in 2007.

However, the WSIB says the shortfall won't threaten its ability to provide benefits to workers.

Child Care Funding Supported

Delegates at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa have supported a call for federal funding to support child care in Ontario.

The federal government is ending its support for child care next March forcing some municipalities to either close child care spaces or fund the programs through increased property taxes.

AMO president Peter Hume says both senior levels of government need to find a solution that does not leave municipal property taxpayers, young families and children hanging in the lurch.

Some Municipal Burden Lifted

The government says Ontario municipalities can expect them to take on more of the services downloaded onto cities and towns in the 1990s.

Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson told the Association of Municipalities of Ontario that by 2018 the province will take back almost $4 billion worth of programs that now fall onto the residential property tax bill.

Some of the services the province will assume include the delivery of social services, affordable housing and child care.

KEDA Reviewed by Falls Council

Job retention and expansion and business recruitment continue to be the focus for the Koochiching Economic Development Authority.

Last night, International Falls city council received an update on KEDA's activities from director Paul Nevanan.

Nevanen says one major focuses continues to be the development of a 30-million dollar plasma gasification project which proposes to divert waste into energy.

"We've been working on it for some time," says Nevanan. "The good news is that we've had a lot of support at every level. The difficulty is that it's just taken a long time because it is the first of its kind in North America."

Nevanan anticipates a draft feasibility study to be completed within the next month or so.

The development of a foreign trade zone in International Falls is also progressing.

Nevanan says they'll looking at a site for zone that's about 50 acres in size.

Nevanan says they're also actively marketing the zone through a joint initiative with Duluth and Minneapolis.

"We're going to identify 100 high tariff businesses in Minnesota. We're going to do some surveys with them. We're updating the state website that links with DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development) that has finally come around and is supporting the concept."

Nevanan says they'll also be hosting three regional meetings to promote the zone to prospective businesses.

Cold weather testing also continues to be good business for the city of International Falls and Koochiching County.

Despite a recent slow down in the automotive industry, Nevanan says it was still a good year at the area's cold weather testing facility.

"We had a very successful year last year, one of our most successful to date. We continue to invest in the facilities. This is a tough time for the industry, so it's a reflection of how we've worked with our customers and they can get their work done in a cost-effective way."

It's estimated the facility helps generate more than $2.5 million U.S. into the local economy each year.

New Regional Judge Appointed

A new regional senior judge for the North West Region of Ontario.

Justice Marc Bode was appointed by the province to the position that took effect last Wednesday.

Bode has been a provincial judge since January 2008 and was formerly Legal Aid Ontario's area director for the Thunder Bay district.

Fake Money in Area

Police in International Falls are warning businesses on both sides of the border to watch out for phony American money.

Investigator Willi Kostiuk says four phony American 20's have turned up in the Falls since last Thursday.

Kostiuk says the bills' texture and lack of certain security identifiers give them away.

The bills also come with the serial number GI53550403A.

So far, none of the bills have been found in Fort Frances.

Death at District Jail

Investigators probing the weekend jail cell death of a 21-year-old Atikokan man say they don't suspect foul play.

Dylan Wreggitt was found ``unresponsive'' in his cell bed early Saturday at Rainy River District Jail in Fort Frances.

An attempt by jail staff to revive Wreggitt by performing C-P-R was not successful.

An autopsy was performed yesterday in Kenora but the cause of death has not been released.

Wreggitt was serving a sentence at the jail but police declined to release the details of the offence.

No West Nile

A cool, damp summer means there has been fewer mosquitoes in northwestern Ontario.

The Northwestern Health Unit has been trapping mosquitos for its West Nile Testing program.

Public Health Inspector Al Mathers says there has been no evidence of the disease in this region so far.

Mathers says while mosquito trapping is being carried out in Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances, they will not be collecting dead birds for testing this year.

Local Teachers at ETFO Meeting

Issues impacting teachers from northern Ontario will be discussed at the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario meeting in Toronto.

Members of the local executive including president Trevor Bowles, Cynthia Donald and Mike Jones are attending.

Bowles says among the issues they'll bring up is a need for increased funding and access to professional development for teachers.

The meetings wrap up Thursday

Teachers Meet in Toronto

Elementary school teachers from across the province are gathering in Toronto today for the annual meeting of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.

The province's plans to introduce full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds in elementary schools is a part of the talks.

President David Clegg feels the government's plan missed the mark.

"The model that's suggested would see a teacher there only spend half a day," says Clegg, "which is the current situation. So we might spend as a province a billion dollars on a full-day kindergarten program and there wouldn't be one more minute of student-teacher-student time than there is today. That would be a mistake, a missed opportunity and certainly not the best chance for student learning."

The federation plans to release a report on the proposal later today.

AMO Meeting Begins

Municipal representatives from across the province will be looking for continued support from the provincial government.

More than 1,600 mayors and reeves have gathered in Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's annual meeting.

AMO President Peter Hume say while civic leaders have welcomed recent infrastructure announcements, there are still worries about the funding provided for other municipal services.

"We need to make sure that the funding we get for other things like social services and policing that are important to places like Fort Frances and others says in place," says Hume, "and the economic circumstances don't see that being reversed and placing further burdens on municipalities."

Fort Frances will be represented at the meeting by four members of council including Mayor Roy Avis.

Storm Warning Cancelled

A severe thunderstorm watch issued by Environment Canada for Sioux Narrrow-Nestor Falls and Morson has now been lifted.

The threat of strong winds, torrential rain and frequent intense lightning lead to warnings being issue for much of this morning.

NWO Connection to 2010 Olympics

There's a strong northwestern Ontario connection to the upcoming Winter Olympics in British Columbia.

Lindsay Durno, operations manager of Whistler Olympic Park, managed Big Thunder Ski Park in Thunder Bay before its closure in 1995.

Durno says the two sites are very comparable.

"The jumps are very similar, steel structure," says Durno. "The cross country trails are a lot less than at Big Thunder. It's comparable, but at a much grander scale at W.O.P."

Durno was in Fort Frances recently to compete in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

Bass Fishing This Weekend

Bass fishing happens on two fronts this weekend.

Today, 110 angler teams will take to the water for the start of the Atikokan Bass Classic on Marmion Lake.

Laverne Haney and Mark Warren of Atikokan are the defending title holders.

While in Morson, over thirty teams will compete in the 5th annual Morson Bass Invitational with Terry Gill and Chad Hanson looking to defend their 2008 crown on Lake of the Woods.

Fishing in that tournament starts tomorrow.

Fall Fair Schedule

It's a busy day at the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society's Fall Fair in Emo.

The Borderland Racing Association kicks it off with a pancake breakfast begin at 7:00 a.m.

The logging competition in front of the grandstand begins at 9:30 a.m.

There will be plenty of farm animals to see with the miniature, draft and light horse shows and the beef and dairy cattle show getting underway this morning as well.

The midway opens at noon.

New Life Jacket Legislation Sought

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino says he'd like to see all boaters be required to wear life jackets or personal floatation devices at all times.

Twenty-three people died in 2008 while boating on waterways policed by the OPP and this year 20 people have perished.

Only two of this season's casualties were wearing life jackets.

Fantino says it's been a summer filled with needless tragedy and many of the deaths would have been prevented by life jacket use.

AbitibiBowater Reports More Losses

AbitibiBowater, which has been under bankruptcy protection since April, says its second-quarter losses have doubled to more than half-a-billion dollars U-S.

The loss compares with a $251 million shortfall a year ago.

A report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission this week indicates second-quarter revenues plunged nearly 39 per cent to just over one billion dollars.

While the losses affected all areas of the business, newsprint -- AbitibiBowater's specialty -- was particularly affected with revenues tumbling 44 per cent over the past year.

Truck Route Open

Key parts of the truck route through the town of Fort Frances are now open.

The completion of paving of Victoria Avenue and Nelson Street has allowed the town to reopen both streets to truck traffic.

Town officials say this should help alleviate some of the congestion experienced in the downtown and central areas of the community.

Fort Frances Delegation Heads to AMO

Connecting link funding and Pither's Point Park will be some of the topics to come up as members of Fort Frances town council head to Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting.

Along with the conference's regular business, Mayor Roy Avis says private meeting have been set up with Transportation Ministry's Parliamentary assistant Linda Jeffery, Labour Minister Peter Fonseca and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid.

Councillors Ken Perry, Andrew Hallikas and John Albanese are also attending the meeting which begins Monday.

Rezoning Application Denied

The township of Alberton has turned down a rezoning application that would have led to Weechi-it-te-win Family Services moving its Training and Learning Centre to property on Highway 11 at Ducharme Road.

In a unanimous decision, council Wednesday night refused the application put forward by Gayle Arpin, feeling the property should be left designed a business park.

Concerns with the centre would be to the highway, nearby rail lines and an aggregate pit were also cited.

Clint Calder, lawyer for Weechi-it-te-win says the agency is disappointed by the decision and will take some time before determining its next step.

"Right now everybody just kind of considering the options," says Calder, "whether to file an appeal, to file a new application, or move on and look for a new location."

Gayle Arpin, who submitted the rezoning application, can appeal the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board within the next twenty days.

Storm Warning Issue

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Sioux Narrows-Nestor Fall and Morson areas.

A severe thunderstorm is affecting communities along the northern and western parts of the Rainy River district this morning.

Large hail, strong damaging wind gusts, torrential rain and frequent intense lightning are being associated with this severe storm.

Emo Fair Begins Today

It will be a pioneer theme at this year's Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair in Emo.

Organizers are asking people to dress up in period costume and enter the parade.

President Emily Watson says a theme is something they haven't tried for a while.

"It's on again, off again," says Watson. "People, when they want to enter the parade, they ask what's our theme. The last couple of years we've trying to come up with a theme that's consistent throughout the fair."

Tied to the pioneer theme will be an old-time music dance Friday night where patrons will receive dance lessons to better enjoy the music.

The fair opens with the midway at 2:00 p.m. today.

Tonight it will crown a fair queen.

Legal Aid Dispute

Ontario's attorney general says he's willing to set up consultations with those involved in a legal aid boycott if it will help move discussions forward.

Lawyers, including those in northwestern Ontario, have been refusing legal aid cases in their demands for more money in the system.

Attorney General Chris Bentley says he's been in constant talks with players in the justice system and would be happy to set up discussions in any structure that will help the sides communicate.

But he warns it's difficult to commit to increased funding during hard economic times.

Student Aid Demands Increases

Calls are flooding into financial aid offices at universities across Ontario as concerned students scramble to pay for their fall tuition.

Ontario Student Assistance Program applications are up 5.7 per cent this year for colleges and 4.6 per cent for universities.

University registrars are pointing to a record high student unemployment rate as the main reason young people are seeking financial assistance.

Gren Party Candidate Wanted

The federal Green Party has started the search for a candidate to run in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding in the next election.

Russ Aegard represented the Greens in the last two elections, but is stepping aside to spend more time with his family.

Aegard received about 14-hundred votes in last fall's election.

Building Permits Down

Despite the influx of millions of dollars in government infrastructure money, building activity in Fort Frances was far greater in 2008 than its been this year.

Statistics Canada says 33 building permits during the first six months of this year have accounted for nearly $6.5 million in construction.

This includes the building of the new library.

During the same period last year, a total of 57 permits were issued worth $13.6 million dollars.

Last year's activity was aided by the building of the native youth detention facility.

However over the past two months, more than $16.5 million worth of work has been started in Fort Frances, including the work on the new Robert Moore School.

Federal Building Gets Upgrades

Some major improvements to a Fort Frances landmark.

The federal government is spending more than 246-thousand dollars on a variety of upgrades to its Scott Street building - home to several departments including Canada Post and Service Canada.

Conservative MP for Kenora Greg Rickford says the improvements are for both safety and security reasons.

"We believe this will be a substantial upgrade at 301 Scott Street," says Rickford, "and provide ultimately better service to residents of Fort Frances. It includes handrail upgrades and lock stone repairs to increase the safety for residents accessing the building. There will also be a security system upgrade to improve security."

Rickford says some of the work has already started, but expects most of it to occur next year.

Small Business Funds Provided

Several small businesses in Minnesota have received a financial shot in the arm.

More $4.3 million in grants and loans provided by the Pohlad Family Foundation were distributed to over 70 businesses, including at least one unnamed company in Koochiching County.

The money was made available to eligible businesses to help retain employment.

Economic Workshops Planned

Band council members and staff at a Rainy River area First Nation will be strengthening their knowledge about economic development.

Naicatchewenin First Nation is receiving provincial funding to cover the cost of two training workshops.

The objectives of the workshops are to analyse the community's current economic performance, identify specific economic objectives and complete a strategic economic development plan.

Low Demand for Enhanced Driver's Licences

Demand for the new enhanced driver's license has not been as strong as expected by the Ontario government.

The province has mailed out almost 8,700 of the land and water alternatives to the Canadian passport for travel to the U.S.

A spokesman for Transportation Minister Jim Bradley says the slightly lower demand is being attributed to the economic downturn and the ``current soft-enforcement approach'' by border officials.

The card costs Ontario drivers $40 on top of the regular $75 license fee.

Forest Fire Fighting Efforts in B.C. Continue

More than 600 Ministry of Natural Resources personnel are now helping crews wrestle with forest fires in British Columbia.

Fire information officer Debbie MacLean says 28 FireRangers and 15 staff trained in values protection equipment headed for the B.C. fire lines earlier this week.

Raging forest fires have forced droves of people out of their homes in British Columbia over the past few weeks.

Smoke from fires in western Canada is also making its way into some parts of northwestern Ontario.

The MNR says upper level atmospheric conditions has caused smoke to drift in from as far away as the Yukon.

The presence of that smoke has led to some calls to the forest fire reporting hotline.

Currently there are no active fires in the region.

Meantime, the fire hazard in northwestern Ontario is beginning to rise once again.

Recent warm weather has moved the hazard to high along the Rainy Rainy River district.

Tower to Be Painted

A former forest fire observation tower being placed on the Fort Frances waterfront will get a paint job after all.

The town had initially looked to pressure-washing the tower before reinstalling the local landmark, but Community Services Manager George Bell says the effort to remove the existing paint isn't working.

"We just couldn't get it off sufficient enough to make it look refurbished," says Bell. "What they will be doing though is testing the paint that's left on it to ensure it has appropriate enough adhesion to paint on it and it won't peel off."

Cost to paint the tower is pegged at $34,500.

Runway to Close

A "cross runway" at the Fort Frances airport will be shut down at the end of September.

Councillor Paul Ryan says the runway, built more than 20 years ago, has fallen into disrepair.

“The secondary runway is not eligible for Transport Canada funding, as it is not used by scheduled passenger flights and it is estimated to cost approximately $1 million," says Ryan, "I think it will be over that—to rehabilitate and repave.

The runway is mainly utilized by small aircraft when there is a substantial crosswind, but less than 5 per cent of all aircraft using the airport last year, used the runway.

Meeting Sought with IJC

The Rainy Lake Conservancy wants the group overseeing the waters along the Canada-U.S. border to review a proposed hydro-electric project on the Namakan River.

Ojibway Power and Energy Group, a partnership involving the Lac La Croix First Nation, is proposing the run-of-the-river project.

Conservancy member Paul Anderson says the IJC needs to review the impact the project may have on the Rainy Lake Watershed.

"They say they'll look at, but we're getting a little frustrated they haven't looked at it yet," says Anderson. "The hydro project has been in the planning stages for three years now."

Anderson says they're hoping for a private meeting with the IJC when they meet in International Falls later this month.

Scott Street Now Open

Traffic is once again flowing on Scott Street.

Barricades blocking the intersection at Scott and Portage Avenue were removed this morning.

The intersection was closed for the past week as crews installed new sewer and water lines along Portage.

Conservation Signage Going Up

The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking to better promote the Rainy Lake Islands Conservation Area.

The area includes more than 54-hundred hectares of crown land islands and was established more than five years ago.

MNR District Planner Rachel Hill says they're now looking at a project that will see signs placed in high traffic areas to better inform the public of the conservation area.

Condo Project Reviewed

The future of a condominium project in Fort Frances will get a further review today.

Members of the planning and development committee will consider extending a purchase agreement with developer Robert Zanette.

Zanette informed town council last week that despite a lack of sales in the Front Street project, he's willing to continue marketing through the winter with possible construction next spring.

The Thunder Bay-based developer still feels there is demand for the units.

Scott Street to Open

A week long closure of the intersection at Scott Street and Portage Avenue is expected to end later today.

Fort Frances Superintendent of Environmental and Facilities Doug Herr says installation of new water and sewer lines was completed on the weekend.

Herr says a crushed asphalt surface will be put down on the roadway, allowing traffic to move freely down Scott by the end of the day.

Underpass Closure Defended

The town of Fort Frances is defending the lengthy shutdown of the Portage Avenue underpass.

The closure was extended another three weeks following of the discovery of a silty clay underneath the road bed last week.

Superintendent of Environmental and Facilities Doug Herr says it required the contractor to do additional work on the site.

"So they had to excavate three feet of material and put a crushed rock material in there to get more stability so they can actually work off of it," says Herr.

Herr says the presence of the clay was not previously know until crews starting digging up the road last week.

Property Standards Questioned

A Fort Frances councillor feels some businesses are being unfairly targeted by the town's enforcement of its property standards by-law.

Ken Perry told council last night five west end property owners received letters he says suggest they install tall fences or trees around their properties.

Perry questioned the motives behind the letters.

"Why did we send five property owners letters when we have 40 plus properties in that area and one of them conforms to anything close to what the by-law says?," said Perry. "and we're asking five of these people to put up a fence."

Perry admitted there is a need for improvement in the area, but doubts any of the owners receiving letters will comply.

Mayor Roy Avis says a review of the by-law maybe in order, but the town needs to take steps to improve the community.

"I think that the direction that's gone to administration is that we want to see this community cleaned up," says Avis., "We want to see them fight blight. We want to see a better community for us to live in and make it acceptable to people who drive in the community. We have the best cemeteries in the area, but we have detractions in other areas."

But the town's Chief Building Officer says the town has no plans to force property owners in the west end to erect fences or trees around their property.

Rick Hallam says the letters issued to property owners simply asked them to make an effort to tidy up their properties.

Hallam says owners were informed of an option of erecting a fence or trees as a buffer, but there was no direct order issued for them to move in that direction.

He adds the town recently revised its property maintenance and occupancy standards by-law this past March.

Devlin Drug Bust

The seizure of a quantity of marijuana and cannabis marijuana has resulted in drug charges being laid against two residents of Devlin.

Constable Anne McCoy says the charges stem from an investigation involving members of the Fort Frances OPP Detachment, their Drug Enforcement Section and the Northwest Region Drug Unit.

Over fifty marihuana plants and 700 grams of cannabis marihuana were seized.

Police estimate the street value of over $68,000.

Ryan Lennstrom and Donna Shoemaker, both of Devlin, have been charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act including one count of production of marihuana and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Both are scheduled to appear in Fort Frances Court on October 5.

Wolf Concerns

A series of wolf attacks has prompted police to warn residents living along Lake Superior's north shore to guard their children and pets.

Three dogs have been preyed upon by timberwolves in the last month, and more since March.

The latest attack came Thursday near Marathon.

Ontario Provincial Police believe the same wolf is responsible for all of the attacks.

Fort Frances Councillors Meet

The latest update of work projects around Fort Frances will be provided at tonight's meeting of town councillors.

Also on the agenda are several service contracts involving the Fort Frances Children's Complex.

A permanent closure of a runway at the Fort Frances airport is also on the table during the public portion of the meeting which begins at about 5:30 p.m.

H1N1 Update

The spread of the H1N1 virus apparently hasn't completely died off just yet.

After reporting no new cases a week ago, the Ontario Ministry of Health is now confirming three new cases of H-1-N-1 in this region.

The province has not indicated which communities the virus was identified in, but brings to 73 the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 in northwestern Ontario this year.

Strike Advoided at Northern Ontario University

Students attending Laurentian University can breathe a sigh of relief.

A tentative contract agreement has been reached between the Sudbury university and its non-teaching staff.

The 250 workers, including administrative and maintenance staff, have been without a contract since June 30.

The agreement came as both parties were entering a legal strike or lock-out position.

Youth Employment Centre Closes

The economy was a factor, but officials with Service Canada's Youth Employment Centre in Fort Frances are happy with how their year went.

The centre officially closed for the season Friday.

Youth Services Officer Dayna Debenedet says over one-hundred students accessed their services.

"We're pleased," says Debenedet. "It was a little slower than usual partly because of the economic situation in town, but we're pretty happy with the number."

About 70 to 80 jobs from the local area were posted at the local centre, but hundreds more from around northwestern Ontario were also available to area students to consider.

Debenedet says this year's Odd Job Squad and Hire-a-Student weeks also proved very successful with many students finding employment.

Forestry Strategy Demanded

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is calling on the McGuinty Liberals for a strategy that helps secure the future of the province's forest industry.

His call comes in the wake of last week's announcement by AbitibiBowater to idle two paper machines at its Thunder Bay mill.

Hampton foresees the situation getting worse unless action is taken now.

"We could well see another paper mill close in northern Ontario in the next few months," says Hampton. "It would be very tragic and there's a real need for government action."

Hampton says that action must include the availability of affordable power to remain competitive with mills elsewhere in country and the United States.

A Change of Firefighters in B.C.

(Ontario FireRangers battling the heat and the blazes in British Columbia - MNR Photo)

A two week tour of duty in British Columbia has been completed by 122 fire rangers employed by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Melissa Austin of Dryden returned home Saturday and says fighting fires in British Columbia is much different than in northwestern Ontario.

"There we've been making a lot of hand-tool lines than making pumps and water to put out the fire," says Austin. "There's been a lot more helicopters helping to put out the fire.

The MNR sent another 122 fire rangers out back west to replace those who returned home.

Another 40 MNR personnel still will travel to B.C. today.

Conservancy Annual Meeting

A decade of protection and preservation of the Rainy Lake watershed was recognized on the weekend by members of the Rainy Lake Conservancy.

For the past ten years, the Conservancy has been involved in research, education and advocacy of the watershed.

At its annual meeting yesterday, president Anne Newhart said that will continue.

"Along with our regular program of public education, research and developing conservation partnerships, we hope to work more with private landowners who want to protect their land in the long-term through conservation easements or land procurement measures," said Newhart.

Strong public support was also cited as a reason for the Conservancy's longevity.

Membership has grown from an initial 11 members to over 200 today.

NAN Protest Goes to Queen's Park

Nishnawbe Aski Nation took its opposition to a bill seeking to map land in the Far North to the Ontario legislature to ask the government to scrap the plan.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy, along with several youth and other aboriginal leaders, says the bill infringes on First Nation treaty rights.

Beardy says the plan will give the government too much power to decide how to handle lands where First Nations live, and argues the consultation process is so rushed that it's not legitimate.

New Democrat Gilles Bisson says the government is ``mucking up''the process by leaving out the people most directly affected - just like with the Mining Act.

Bisson says even the industry agrees the process needs more time to clarify rules and avoid confrontations down the road.

The Ministry of Natural Resources insists there's still plenty of time to make changes to the bill - promises to protect at least 225,000 square kilometres in a network of conservation areas - noting the current round of consultations is just the beginning of a lengthy process.

10th Anniversary Celebrated

The Rainy Lake Conservancy will recognize its 10th anniversary this weekend.

The Conservancy will hold its annual meeting Sunday at La Place Rendez-Vous beginning at 2 p.m.

Dale Callaghan, one of the founding members, says the group has been effective in its work to preserve and protect the Rainy Lake watershed during its time.

"We're involved in water testing," says Callaghan, "something we've been involved with since we started. We've promoted science and research on Rainy Lake. We have a board member on the Rainy Lake Fisheries Charity Trust. We promote clean water and healthy shorelines."

Callaghan says the work they're doing now is all for the future of the area.

The meeting is open to the public.

The guest speaker will be Rachael Hill, district planner with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Canoe Race Returns

Quetico Provincial Park continues to celebrate its Centennial Anniversary with the return of the legendary Cross Quetico Canoe Race.

The 200-kilometre endurance challenge takes competitive paddlers over lakes, portages, rivers and creeks.

This year's race starts tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. and is expected to end Sunday night at 6 .p.m.

The starting and end point is the Main Beach of French Lake at the Dawson Trail Campground.

About twenty teams from Minnesota and Ontario are scheduled to compete.

Nurses Appeal to Supreme Court

Some Ontario nurses are asking the Supreme Court of Canada for permission to sue the province over the SARS crisis.

In May, the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the action.

But the Ontario Nurses' Association says that ruling leaves nurses at risk during outbreaks, like the current H1N1 flu pandemic.

H1N1 Spread Slows

The spread of the H1N1 virus seems to be waning in northwestern Ontario.

The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show no new cases of the virus in the region in the past week.

There are currently 70 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the northwest, but the symptoms are considered mild.

Housing Funds Announced

A number of First Nation communities in the Rainy River District will benefit from federal funding for new housing units.

A total of $14.4 million dollars will be shared by 84 native communities in Ontario.

Nicickousemenecaning, Big Grassy and Onigaming First Nations are among those to receive a portion of that money.

Underpass Closure Extended

The closure of the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances has been extended.

The roadway was to open at 4 p.m. today, but the town of Fort Frances says fears soft soils encountered during this week's excavation and the proximity of the water table could result in those soils turning to mud and making the area inaccessible if vehicles were allowed to pass through at this time.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the extended closure will allow the contractor to complete the installation of concrete along the west lane.

It's forecast that task will take about two weeks to complete and 7 days to let the concrete cure before traffic is permitted through the underpass.

A Few More Houses in Koochiching County

There's been a slight increase to the number of housing units in Koochiching County

The U-S Census Bureau says the more than 8,100 homes identified in the county last year is five per cent higher than that in 2000.

Scott Country, which includes the city of Shakopee, led all Minnesota counties with an almost 49 per cent increase since 2000.

Lipizzaner Stallions Coming

Fort Frances will be on the itinerary for the "world famous" Lippezanner Stallions.

They will perform August 28th at the 52 Canadians Arena as part of a 40th anniversary tour.

Master of Ceremonies Troy Tinker says the type of performance is a reason for its longevity.

"It's not the kind of show that has lots of explosions and special effects," says Tinker "The focus is on the horse and that partnership they forge with that human. It just a fun, entertaining and educational show for the whole family. There's a lot of great things in the show that gets kids youngster involved, history, classical music, along with horsemanship."

Tickets are now on sale at Northwoods Gallery and Gifts and online at tickets.com

More Bass Fishing This Week

Kenora is the next stop for bass anglers.

Today kicks off three days of fishing on Lake of the Woods during the Kenora Bass International.

The competition includes an event that pits the top five Canadian and American teams from last year against each other.

Canada's team includes four anglers from the Nestor Falls-Sioux Narrows area.

Scott Walsh of Ely is one of two Minnesota anglers represented on the U-S team.

Airport Usage Down

The number of take-offs and landings at the Fort Frances airport in May was down slightly from the same time last year.

Statistics Canada says there were 587 aircraft using the airport, compared with 609 in May of 2008.

Among the users this year included 122 private planes and 31 government aircraft.

Christmas in July, Anyone?

It was a record breaking month, weather-wise, in July for the Rainy River district.

Environment Canada's Sandy Radecki says the average temperature was well below normal.

"The average temperature for the month was 15.3 C," says Radecki. "This is about 3.5 C below what is typical for Fort Frances. Historically, the records we have go back to '77 and this is the coldest July ever."

Radecki says the highest temperature recorded during the month was on July 26th when the thermometer reached 26 C or 79 F.

The lowest was on the July 12 with the overnight low dipping down to 2 C or 35 F.

The area also say about 99 millimetres of rain, about 5 millimetres greater than normal, but Radecki says about 2/3rds of that fell over a two day period.

Profit for Boise

(International Falls Mill - Photo Courtesy Boise Inc.)

Boise Inc., owners of the International Falls mill, is reporting net income of $51 million in the second quarter of this year.

That compares with a net loss of $18 million during the same period in 2008.

President Alexander Toeldte says demands for their products held up well despite a sluggish economy.

"Our core businesses delivered solid earnings and cash flow during second quarter 2009 as
demand for our office papers, label and release papers, and agricultural-based packaging products held up well despite the sluggish economy," says Toeldte. "We reduced working capital and ended the quarter with a much strengthened liquidity position."

The company also benefited from the receipt of nearly $59 million in alternative fuel mixture credits.

Hampton Lashes Out at Premier

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is lashing out at the McGuinty Liberals’ over what he calls continued apathy to Northern Ontario’s forestry crisis in the wake of AbitibiBowater's announcements.

Hampton says the premier's weak leadership and inability to stand up for the industry has driven thousands of jobs out of the region and is putting thousands more at risk.

Hampton also renewed calls for an industrial hydro rate to protect mills and their employees.

Newsprint Machines Shutting Down

Another blow for the forest industry in northwestern Ontario.

AbitibiBowater says it is shutting down two newsprint machines at its Thunder Bay mill indefinitely, putting 360 employees out of work.

Spokesperson Jean-Phillipe Cote says poor market conditions are being blamed.

"We certainly understand and do regret the impact that this difficult decision will have on those workers, their families and the community," says Cote. "It's a difficult decision, but the context make it that we have no choice but to proceed that way."

Cote say one of the machines may eventually be re-started.

AbitibiBowater is also cutting its head office staff by 25 per cent as part of a plan to trim its overhead expenses by 100-million dollars U-S a year.

Most of the 175 laid off full-time and contractual employees in Canada and the United States will be announced by the end of this month.

The company has about 700 employees working in head office functions, including 400 in Montreal.

College and LU Receive Funds

The Provincial Government is give Lakehead University and Confederation College a financial shot in the arm.

The College is getting 1-million dollars to launch its new Trades and Technology program and increase space for another 260 students.

Lakehead is receiving 285-thousand to fund research that will look at the utilization of wood as a value-added project and another 150-thousand to study new harvest planning strategies.

Deadly Long Weekend in Ontario

It proved to be a deadly weekend on Ontario's highways and waterways.

The Ontario Provincial Police concluded their Civic Holiday long weekend safety initiative midnight Monday.

A total of 12 people died on the roads, trails and waterways patrolled by O-P-P over the long weekend, including ten as the result of motor vehicle collisions and two deaths related to boating incidents.

During the 2008 Civic Holiday long weekend, four people died.

None of this year's deaths were in the Rainy River district.

OPP Seek Public Help

OPP in Fort Frances are seeking the public's assistance in solving two acts of mischief that occurred in the town last month.

In the first incident, culprits caused more than $6,000 in damages after denting three vehicles parked at West End Motors sometime during the evening of July 4th or early morning July 5th.

A day later, police say two people smashed a store front window of the Bargain Store, causing $500 in damages.

Anyone with information regarding either incident is asked to call OPP or Crimestoppers.

Tragic End to Missing I. Falls Man

A man who was the subject of a search in International Falls has died after being struck by a vehicle.

Koochiching County Sheriff's Department says 74-year-old Charles Kay Johnson died at the Rainy Lake Medical Centre from injuries suffered in the accident that occurred on Highway 11-71, north of County Road 107 at around 2:30 this morning.

Johnson had been the subject of a police search after failing to appear in court on Monday.

Police, with the assistance of a St. Louis County Sheriff Department dog team, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and local divers, began searching the Rainy River and the surrounding woods yesterday after his vehicle was found at the Shorewood River access.

Smokey Bear Turns 65

Smokey Bear will be honoured today in International Falls.

The city is celebrating the 65th birthday of the most recognizable symbol of conservation and protection of America's Forests.

President of the International Falls Chamber of Commerce Betsy Jenson says its was a local campaign that brought Smokey to the community.

"They had buttons that said 'I'm giving towards Smokey Bear statue coming here'," says Jenson, "and I think the statue originally cost about $3,600 to put it up."

The statue is located at the city's park, named in honour of Smokey Bear and stands 26 feet tall, making it the tallest such monument in the United States.

Jenson says both the monument and the park, itself 55 years old, have become important landmarks to the city.

"It is certainly pretty much the heart of our city. Many of the fun activities done in International Falls are centred out of Smokey Bear Park from our Independence Day Celebrations right down to family reunions."

Festivities to celebrate his birthday begin at about 5 this afternoon at Smokey Bear Park with free dogs and seedlings given to the first 1,000 people who arrive.

There are also games for the kids and an opportunity to have your picture taken with Smokey Bear.

A concert in the bandshell at 7 p.m. will conclude the birthday party.

Exhibitors and Volunteers Wanted

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society is putting out a call for people interested in displaying exhibits at this year's Emo Fall Fair.

President Emily Watson says the fair book is now available.

"Anyone who wants to enter can go to our website www.emofair.com," says Watson. "We were fortunate to get funding for a summer student and she's at the ground. If people want to go there and pick up a fair book or entry forms, there can simply go to the fair office at the grounds."

Entries for all exhibits will only be received at the Exhibition Hall Wednesday August 12th between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Watson says they're also looking for some volunteer assistance.

"We're always looking for volunteers. This is a good way for students to get their (volunteer) hours for high school so we're able to do that every year."

Trillium Grant for Atikokan

More money for Atikokan's new youth centre.

An Ontario Trillium grant of $40 thousand dollars will be used for staff and equipment purchases.

The centre, located in Atikokan's downtown, was established to provide programs and services to youth aged 13 to 20.

College Enrollment Increases

Confederation College will see an overall enrollment increase for the upcoming school year.

President Pat Lang says so far, there's a 10 to 14 per cent increase of students with the numbers of nearly all programs on the rise.

Lang says the college is preparing for the increase in students by expanding the health and community services programs as well as adding new programs.

Forest Fire Equipment Sent to B.C.

Northwestern Ontario has sent additional resources to fire ravaged British Columbia.

Two CL-415 water bombers left Dryden and Kenora yesterday for Kamloops.

Support is also being provided in the form of fire suppression equipment such as pumps, hoses and portable water tanks.

Ontario currently has approximately 570-fire personnel working in B.C.

The MNR has started rotating staff, replacing crews who've now completed a two-week deployment.

Flares Encouraged on Boats

Provincial Police are reminding area boaters about the importance of having good working marine flares on board.

It comes in the wake of a weekend rescue of two American boaters who found themselves stranded on Rainy Lake for two days.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says it make sense to have flares when traveling the lake.

"We think there are such small bays on Rainy Lake," says McCoy, "and you're really not technically a mile from shore at any given area, but you may get blown into a back bay like this vessel did."

The boaters became stranded when their engine gave out and they drifted into an area not visible by passing boaters.

Search in International Falls

Few details are being released regarding a search being conducted by the Koochiching County Sheriff's Department.

A search was initiated yesterday for a body in Rainy River near International Falls.

The department would only say the search “is in regards to an investigation,” but would not provide any other details until later today.

Domtar Profits Up

There might be some good news on the horizon for the pulp and paper industry in Canada.

Montreal-based pulp and paper giant Domtar says its net profits doubled in the second quarter even as sales declined year-over-year.

The company saw net earnings of 48-million dollars U-S in the quarter.

Consolidated sales declined to 1.3 billion dollars from 1.6 billion the year before.

Domtar says the pulp and paper markets appear to be stabilizing.

Witnesses Sought

Provincial Police seeking witnesses to an early morning accident in Fort Frances.

Police say a tractor trailer unit and a small red car came into contact at the corners of Scott Street and Central Avenue at around 7:45 a.m.

No one was injured.

Coordinated Lake Rescue

A coordinated rescue effort on the weekend helped recover two American men who became stranded on Rainy Lake for nearly two days.

An employee of a Minnesota houseboat company overhead a "May-Day" call Saturday evening about a vessel stranded in Bleak Bay and contacted Canada Border Services which in turn called OPP.

Constable Anne McCoy says officers coordinated the search efforts with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary unit stationed out of Ash River, Minnesota.


McCoy says the men became stranded when their boat suffered engine trouble and strong winds drifted them to a part of the bay that was not visible by other boaters.

Neither man suffered injuries.

"Ice Box of the Nation" Even in July?

The "Icebox of the Nation" held true to its name in July.

Last month was the coldest July on record for International Falls.

The National Weather Service says the average temperature for the month was 58.8 F - more than 7 degrees below normal and more than a half a degree from the previous record set in 1992.

The city failed to record a single 80–degree reading the entire month, and overnight lows fell into the 30s four times.

The chilly weather continues into August with the thermometer dropping to 42 F on Sunday morning, breaking the previous daily record low of 44 F set in August 2nd 1977.

Northern Colleges Woo Students

Some colleges and universities in Northern Ontario are thinking of offering incentives for students to study there.

Post-secondary institutions in Southern Ontario are awash in students, but their northern counterparts have more spaces than they can fill.

The northern schools say they should take in some of the overflow of Ontario students.

NAN Concerns about Protectionist Bill

A bill that would map land in the Far North is getting a cool reception from some First Nations people.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation say they won't support the bill in part because they feel left out of the consultation process.

Natural Resources Minister Donna Canfield promised in June the bill would protect 225-thousand square kilometres in a network of conservation areas.

But NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy is asking for the bill to be withdrawn unless it's changed to allow more participation from their communities.

More EHealth Questions

Opposition leaders continue to demand Health Minister David Caplan's resignation as they suggest EHealth isn't the only provincial agency giving out swollen contracts to consultants.

Both the NDP and the Conservatives claim some of the nearly 16 million dollars in untendered contracts given out by the beleaguered agency went to people with ties to the Liberal government.

N-D-P Leader Andrea Horwath wants the auditor general to investigate links between the Liberals and well-paid consultants.

Protection for Seniors Called For

The federal New Democrats say the Harper government has to do a better job helping seniors.

NDP leader Jack Layton was in northwestern Ontario recently to talk with local seniors, and says there are many things the government can do to help them.

"We have been holding meeting with seniors across the country for the past several months," says Layton. "That's why we moved a motion in the House of Commons in June saying that the Canada Pension Plan and the support for seniors needed to be increased and done now; that there has been protection for pensioners where the company goes bankrupt where they should go at the front of the line and not back; and that the whole system of retirement security has to be upgrade for our seniors."

Layton is also pushing the federal government for an overhaul of the Employment Insurance system to make it easier for workers to collect benefits.

Road Closures Today

A reminder to motorists in Fort Frances today.

The Portage Avenue underpass will be shutdown beginning at 9:00 a.m.

It will reopen to traffic Friday at 4:00 p.m.

The intersection of Scott Street and Portage Avenue will be also blocked for a one week period beginning at around noon today.

Heavy trucks will now route through town using Mowat Avenue, Church Street, Veterans Drive to Sinclair Street and Victoria Avenue.

Travel along Scott between Mowat and Portage and Victoria and Portage is still permitted.

Bass Fishery Still Strong

(MNR personnel take measurements of a bass caught during this year's Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship)

The bass fishery in Rainy Lake continues to be strong.

That according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Ministry used the recent Fort Frances Canadian Bass tournament as an opportunity to study bass, and area biologist Darryl McLeod says they are looking good.

"It's a real healthy smallmouth bass fishery," says McLeod. "We've been tracking it since 1995. It got better in the 1990's and has been maintaining itself at a real high quality since."

McLeod says they've been obtaining some good information from the Championship.

One of the key pieces of information has been the various age classes of the fish.

"We can look at how strong each year class is in the bass population right back to 1995 and predict how the fishing might be. Since 2000, we've had about 5 or 6 really poor year classes in bass largely driven by climate.

McLeod says it just one factor that could impact the fishery in the future.

But he points 15 years of tournament fishing on the lake has not had a negative impact.

Non-Profit Infrastructure Bucks Available

The federal and provincial governments are giving non-profit organizations an opportunity to tap in some infrastructure funding.

Under a new program, both the feds and the province will cover 2-thirds of any project approved.

Non-profit organizations would have to cover the remain construction costs.

They have until August 18th to submit applications.

Job Growth Task Force Formed

Minnesota legislators are forming a bi-partisan task force to look at ways of creating job growth in the state.

The task force will be charged with developing a plan for the 2010 legislative session that will build on this past session’s job-growth initiatives.

The task force is expected to begin meeting in August, with chairs and membership to be announced next week.

Golf Classic a Go

American and Canadian golfers will join together to help raise money for the Rainy Lake Medical Centre Foundation.

About 120 golfers will participate in the seventh annual golf classic at the Falls Country Club today.

Foundation director Sage Johnson says money raised goes towards the construction of a new facility.

Over the last two years, about $45,000 has been raised.

Chapple Heritage Recognized

Chapple Heritage Days goes this weekend.

It's taking place at the farm of Steve and Joan Both.

Chair of Chapple's Heritage Committee Rilla Race says it's an opportunity to celebrate the area's heritage.

"We've been doing this since 2000," says Race. "It started actually in 1999 with our Chapple centennial. Since that time we've just had a weekend and its our ninth year.

Among the events include a bonfire on tonight, and a tractor parade, a wood loading demonstration and saddle horse events tomorrow.

While the event is free, Race says they use it to raise funds for the operation of the Chapple Museum in Barwick.
The event is also used

Old Flares Wanted

Ontario Provincial Police are giving area boaters an opportunity to discard old marine flares in a safe manner.

For a one week period beginning tomorrow, boaters can bring the flares to any OPP detachment.

Sergeant Shelly Garr says its important to regularly check the expiry date of those flares.

"It's an issue of safety," says Garr. "Sometimes we receive quite old marine flares. We don't want these things lying around on people garages or just in storage. We'd rather have them brought to a safe place and have them disposed of in a safe manner."

Flares collected will be transported to a facility in Quebec for disposal.

Airport Worries Eased

Officials at the airport in International Falls are trying to ease travellers concerns about Delta Airlines announced plans to end air service.

Delta announced earlier this month it would cease service as it seeks assistance under a federal subsidy program to continue air services at several small airports, including the Falls.

Chair of the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission Bob Anderson says the move is just the first step in the process, and will result in more consistent service at the airport over the long-term.

New Mill Manager

There will be a new manager at Boise's mill in International Falls.

Bert Brown takes over the position effect tomorrow.

Brown has been at the mill since March 2008, and its operations manager since last October.

Current manager, Terry Ward, who is also Vice-president of Minnesota Operations, is being relocated to the company's headquarters in Idaho as the new Vice-president of Supply chain.

Park Protest Planned

There are more protests planned at some provincial parks in southern Ontario this weekend.

Student workers plan to stop vehicles to inform park users vacation and holiday pay is being denied to 3,400 high school, college and university students working for the province this summer.

Students received such pay in the past, but the government said this year the Crown is exempt from that section of the Employment Standards Act.

That decision also impacts students working at parks in northwestern Ontario, but there are no plans yet for any protests.

Portage Avenue Underpass Closure Revised

A planned closure of the Portage Avenue underpass has been extended.

The town of Fort Frances says the underpass will be closed beginning next Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., reopening Friday August 7th at 4:00 p.m.

Initial closure plans called for that section of Portage to be shutdown beginning Wednesday to replace the sanitary sewage line.

The underpass will be open to one lane of traffic this weekend.

More Firefighting Help to B.C.

More forest fire fighting resources from Ontario are being dispatched to fire-ravaged British Columbia.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says over 230 firefighters and support staff will leave for the west coast from Sudbury and Dryden tomorrow. About half will come from northwestern Ontario.

It's the fourth deployment this month and brings to 570 the number of MNR personnel to head to B.C.