More Candidate Filings

Two more nominations have come in for this October's municipal election in the Rainy River district.

Gayle Green is running for councillor in Atikokan.

She ran unsuccessfully in the 2006 election.

Peter Spuzak has filed for re-election as councillor in the township of Alberton.

Contestants Needed

(Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair photo)


Contestants are still being sought for the mini-Queen and King contest at this year's Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair in Emo.

Youngsters four to seven and attending school this fall are eligible.

The contest will be held during the selection of the Fair Queen Thursday night.

Call Mary Croswell at 487-1105 to register.

Fifth Street Road Closure

Fifth Street West in Fort Frances will be restricted to local traffic over the next couple of days.

Town officials says they're continuing work to prepare for an upcoming surface treatment.

The road will be closed between Portage Avenue to Wright Avenue from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both today and tomorrow.

Fire Fighters Returning Home

(Ministry of Natural Resources Photo)


Some of Ontario fire fighting resources in British Columbia are coming home.

A total of 168 Ministry of Natural Resources fire rangers and support personnel are scheduled back today following a two-week deployment in the west coast.

Sunday, the province sent 206 personnel, including some from northwestern Ontario, to replace those returning.

Ultimate Fishing Town Voting Begins

The second round of the World Fishing Network's Ultimate Fishing Town competition starts today.

Nestor Falls finished the nomination period with 142 submissions, second only to Seeley's Bay, Ontario.

Fort Frances had 17 with Atikokan coming in with two.

Voting on the nominated communities starts at noon today and will wrap up September 28.

Arrest at Grand Portage Border

A Washington man wanted in connection with an alleged robbery in his home state has been arrested trying to enter northwestern Ontario.

27-year-old Daniel Pierre was trying to enter the region last Monday through the Grand Portage Port of Entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested after a check of his identification revealed he was the subject of a National Crime Information Centre warrant.

It's the fortieth arrest at Grand Portage port of entry this year.

Ontario Sends More Aid to B.C.

Ministry of Natural Resources forest firefighters working in British Columbia will get some relief.

Over two-hundred fireRangers and support staff left from Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Dryden Sunday for Williams Lake and Prince George.

They will replacing some of the MNR crews who have been working in B.C. for the past two weeks.

Ontario now has almost five-hundred forest fire fighting personnel in west coast.

Ainsworth Talks Tomorrw

Ainsworth and the union representing its workers at the mill in Barwick will hold contract talks tomorrow.

The 130 members of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union were set to walk off the job yesterday, but postponed the action late Friday pending the outcome of the discussions.

The union says outstanding issues centre around non-monetary items such as contract language and contracting out.

Natural Resources Minister Disputes NOMA's Claims

Ontario's Natural Resources Minister believe NOMA has jumped the gun when it comes to the "open for business act".

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is worried Bill 68 will result in duplication and challenges from special interest groups.

But Linda Jeffery insists its about getting rid of duplication.

"Through the Crown Forest Sustainability Act where trying to make sure businesses only do their work once," says Jeffrey, "and that they provide the documentation we need. We know the forestry sector are actually good stewards of the land. They know how to protect animals and they've been working very closely with us."

Jeffrey was in Thunder Bay last week.

Nestor Falls Leading Ultimate Fishing Town Contest

Nestor Falls is banking on strong support during the nomination period to carry through to the next rounds of the World Fishing Television's Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada contest.

The northwestern Ontario community tops all communities with 115 submissions as of this morning.

Nominator Maureen Hanson of Hanson's Hideaway Lodge says it's proof they deserve the title.

"It is one of our main industry, the tourism industry in our town," says Hanson. "We realize how important fishing is to our economy and we're just very very happy that people have gotten behind it."

Fort Frances and Atikokan also received nominations with voting beginning tomorrow.

Conservative Candidate Selected

It's now official.

Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann is the Conservative candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River.

The announcement was made Friday by Patrick Doherty, President of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Conservative Electoral District Association.

Comuzzi-Stehmann will most likely face Ken Boshcoff for the Liberals as well as sitting NDP MP John Rafferty in the next federal election.

Child Ident Program Offered

Masonic Lodges in the Rainy River district are giving area parents an opportunity to help their children safe.

Project coordinator Ken McDonald says they'll be carrying out a child identification program at the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair this week in Emo.

"Basically they do digitalized photographs, digitalized fingerprints," says MacDonald. "We have hygienists who do a wafer bite of their mouth and a swab. Everything is burnt on to a CD-rom. It is given to the parents and if a child goes missing, they can take it to the police and within thirty seconds it's all over the country, all of the information that's on that child.

There is no cost to participate.

First Riders Program Planned

The start of school is just two weeks away, but area school boards are giving students going to classes for the first time, a chance to ride a school bus.

Darlene Madill of the Rainy River District School Board says a first rider's program will be held this week in Thursday in Fort Frances and next week in Atikokan.

"The first rider program is for kindergarten children," says Madill. "They'll have the opportunity to ride a school bus for the first time and learn about school bus safety rules with their parents at an information session."

Parents interested in having their children take part are asked to first call the board office.

Man Sought by Police

Police are on the alert in northwestern Ontario for a man wanted for attempted murder in Brampton.

Police says 22- year-old Troy Moulton is believed to be in the area.

Police says if he's spotted, not to capture him, but call police right away.

He is believed to be driving a 2000 Grey Impala.

Mayoral Candiate in Emo

An Emo resident, who once worked on former MP Bob Nault's campaign, is looking at taking a step into municipal politics.

Vince Sheppard is seeking the mayoral seat in the township of Emo.

Sheppard says he intends to work hard in getting his message out.

"I think we're going to make up some pamphlets and hand them around and talk with the people in town," says Sheppard. "I know I have a lot of support behind me right now and that's another one of the reasons why I'm running."

Sheppard is also campaigning for more openness in council.

One Month Left in Civic Election Filings

The deadline for candidates looking to run in this year's civic elections in Ontario will end in exactly four weeks from today.

Right now the list for those seeking election in the Rainy River district is quite short.

Only incumbent Sharon Tibbs in Fort Frances, April Chojko-Bolec and Hugh O'Hare in Lake of the Woods Township, and incumbent Mary Makarenko in Atikokan have filed nomination papers for councillor positions.

Vince Sheppard in Emo and Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown have filed for the mayoral spots in their communities.

Mike Lewis in Atikokan, Dan Belluz and David Kircher in Fort Frances, Glenda Belluz for Alberton and LaVallee township areas and Margaret Heyens for the area covering Emo, Chapple and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls are seeking seats on the Rainy River District School Board.

Work on Fifth Street Again

For the third straight day, there will be a traffic interruption on Fifth Street in Fort Frances.

Work crews will be in the 100 block of Fifth Street East beginning at 7:30 a.m., reducing traffic to one lane for much of the day.

Torys to Kill Far North Act

(NOACC President Harold Wilson with P.C. Leader Tim Hudak in Thunder Bay - Magic 99.9 FM Photo)


Ontario's Progressive Conservative leader is promising to scrap the Far North Act.

Hudak, who visited Thunder Bay yesterday, says the pending legislation does nothing for job creation.

"If Dalton McGuinty's Far North Act been passed years ago we never would have known about the Ring of Fire," says Hudak. "We would never have seen the Victor Mine in Attiwapiskat. Dalton McGuinty basically wants to turn the entire Far North into a park and kiss all of those opportunities good-bye."

Hudak says the bill has been rammed through the Legisature without consultation.

Crown Forest Sustainability Act Concerns

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is speaking out against a section of Bill 68 - a bill that proposes changes to the Crown Forest Sustainability Act.

President Anne Krassilowsky says it's one that could hurt the forest industry.

"Although both acts are there, the Forest Management Plans and the Forest Sustainability Act, the Endangered Species Act will have more have power, will override the Forest Management plans," says Krassilowsky.

Krassilowsky says the Bill will only add duplication and expose the industry to on-going and expensive legal challenges from special interests groups.

Atikokan Bass Classic

(Atikokan Bass Classic Photo)


Teams are on the waters for the first day of fishing at Atikokan Bass Classic.

Chair Jim Johnson is expecting some big fish to be weighed in this year.

"If the pre-fishing that's been going on in the flood waters is any indication, I believe we're going to outdo last year's record limits," says Johnson.

The over one-hundred team field will be back for weigh-ins at 3 p.m.

Thunder Bay's Glenn Leroux and Trevor Zimack are the defending champions.

Man Arrested in April Fatal Stabbing Incident

Treaty Three Police Service have made an arrest in connection with stabbing death of a man on the Onigaming First Nation back in April.

22-year-old Thomas Ryan Indian of Onigaming will appear in a Kenora court tomorrow on a charge of second degree murder in the death of 45-year-old William Kelly.

Kelly's body was found in a home at the reserve near Nestor Falls April 8.

Police say he died as a result of a single stab wound.

More Reaction to Border Enforcement

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty wants to know if the enforcement of border crossings in northwestern Ontario is stiffer than elsewhere in Canada.

Rafferty says recent media reports of an Illinois man denied entry at the Fort Frances border because of a criminal report dating back to his high school days, highlight the need for such a review.

"We do have a pending freedom of access to information request," says Rafferty. "What that request is asking for is comparing border crossings right across Canada and seeing how many tourists are coming, how many are turned back, and if the information is available, why they're turned back."

Rafferty says he understands the difficult role customs officers must perform, but is concerned with the number of complaints being received.

Meantime, the Canada Border Service Agency says its officers in Fort Frances and Rainy River do nothing different.

In an e-mail to CFOB-News, spokesperson Louise Rochon says all persons seeking entry to Canada, regardless of the point of entry, are subject to the same rules and regulations.

She adds the admissibility of travelers seeking entry is considered on a case-by-case basis, but each person must show to customs officer they meet the requirements for entry.

Fifth Street Closed Again

The town of Fort Frances is scheduling another closure of Fifth Street West today.

It's scheduled for 7:30 a.m. and impacts the section between Portage Avenue to York Avenue as crews continue their preparations for this month's surface treatment.

The road will reopen by 4 p.m.

Deal Reached with Greyhound Workers

It's business as usual today for Greyhound Canada.

An eleventh hour tentative deal was struck with about 500 of its unionized workers yesterday.

They were set to walk off the job just after midnight if a deal wasn't reached.

The new agreement still needs to be ratified.

Heart and Stroke Funding Issued

Atikokan and Thunder Bay will share just over eight-thousand dollars from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Spokesperson Wendy Savoy says the money will go towards advocating against childhood obesity.

"If the trends continue this generation of children will not out-live their parents," says Savoy. "The statistics are worse in northwestern Ontario. For the province its 28 per cent and northwestern Ontario it can be as high as 32 per cent and some of our remote communities it's even higher than that."

The Northwestern Ontario Women's Centre received $5,000 while the Atikokan Youth Initiatives Group will received over $3,000.

American Speaks Out over Border Incident

An Illinois man is speaking out after being denied entry into Canada at the Fort Frances border crossing last month.

55-year-old Paul Pepper was part of a bus tour headed for a fishing lodge near Dryden and was questioned about a criminal report dating back to 1972.

Pepper claims charges laid were eventually dismissed, but was denied entry and forced to walk back to International Falls.

"I could believe the way the whole thing happened," says Pepper. "What gets me is that I've been to Canada for years before this. I never seen this coming."

Pepper has written to a variety of government agencies and the Canada Border Service Agency, but so far there's been no response.

Arthritis Society Seeking Help

(Arthritis Society's Linda Urry (left) and Charlene Snow were in Fort Frances this week looking for more help for the agency)


The Arthritis Society is looking at growing its fundraising efforts in the Fort Frances area.

Manger of Community Engagement Charlene Snow says their annual door-to-door campaign in the Fort has been one of the best in northwestern Ontario, but hopes to find a group that will spearhead another fundraising project that can be just as successful.

"We're trying to find something new and exciting to do," says Snow, "something that will benefit the community and something that will bring out people for a really good cause."

Snow says they are also looking for more help to carry out its door-to-door campaign.

Minnesotans Select Candidates

The list of candidates for Minnesota's general election in November has been established.

Former Senator Mark Dayton was the Democratic choose for the race for governor.

He'll go up against state Rep. Tom Emmer, who is the Republican Party-endorsed candidate and Tom Horner, who won last night's primary for the Independence Party.

In Koochiching County, Bob Anderson and Robert Ecklund finished one-two in the primary for the position of County Commissioner in District 4 and will have their names on the ballot in the November 2 election.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar defeated Bill Hamm as he tries for an eighteenth term eighteenth term representing his northeastern Minnesota district that includes Koochiching County.

Emo Break In

Police are looking into a break in at a drug store in Emo yesterday.

An undisclosed number of items were taken.

An alarm triggered officers with the OPP and Treaty Three Police Service to arrive on scene.

The Northwest Region Emergency Response Team and an O-P-P K-9 unit were also brought in to assist.

North End Road Closed Today

There will be another road closure in Fort Frances' north end today.

Fifth Street West will be closed from Portage Avenue to Cornwall Avenue to through traffic beginning at 7:30 a.m., reopening at 4 p.m.

It's to allow town crews to replace a storm sewer line in preparation for a surface treatment of the roadway later this month.

Doer to Visit the Borderland

Canada's Ambassador to the United States will be making a visit to the borderland next week.

Gary Doer will be in International Falls August 20 to talk to area representatives about cross border trade between the two countries.

Doer became Ambassador to the U.S. last October after serving as Manitoba's premier for ten years.

His visit is being hosted by AbitibiBowater and Boise Paper.

Tug of War Proposal to Get Review

(Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty and Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis were among those leading the charge in the 2009 tug of war against International Falls)


Fort Frances town council will seek the advice of its economic development advisory committee on an expanded tug-of-war celebrations with the city of International Falls.

Falls city administrator Rod Otterness is suggesting the two sister communities work toward making the annual tug-of-war an international festival inviting celebrities and major media.

The Fort's C.A.O. Mark McCaig says it deserves a look.

"When you think about it, two communities across a river pulling a rope is a pretty unique event," says McCaig. "I don't think its ever been marketed to the extent it could. The potential is limitless."

Councillor Ken Perry says it may a good way of propping up Fun in the Sun in Fort Frances

New Sign Rules Given Blessing

Fort Frances town council has given its approval to new rules effecting portable signs in the community.

It includes a 180-day limit on the use of the signs by users.

Mark Belluz, of Belluz Concrete and Rental, had requested a 10-month timeframe back in June, suggesting the six-month limit was too short.

Minnesota Primary Election Today

Minnesotans vote in primary elections today in a lead up to the November 2 general election.

One of the candidates coming out of the election will be Minnesota's next governor.

Today's elections will also narrow the field of candidates seeking the position of commissioner in Koochiching County's District 4.

Tara Long, Robert Ecklund and Bob Anderson are vying for the seat now held by Chuck Lepper who's not seeing re-election.

New Chamber President in Falls

The International Falls Chamber of Commerce has appointed a new president.

Faye Whitbeck will take over the role August 18.

She joins the Chamber following a 20-year career with the Falls newspaper, the Journal.

Greyhound Service in Jeopardy

Travel plans of thousands of Greyhound Canada passengers could stall in 48 hours.

The bus line says it will lock out almost 500 drivers as well as maintenance and terminal workers first thing Thursday morning if there's no tentative contract by then.

That would affect almost all Greyhound service in Ontario and Quebec.

Art Giving Voice to Missing or Murdered Women

A workshop that aims to give a voice to hundreds of missing or murdered aboriginal woman through art is underway at the Sunset Country Metis Hall in Fort Frances.

Serene Spence of Beedaubin Resources of Thunder Bay says participants are be involved in a variety of art projects including the painting of a large mural.

"All of the art work will be brought back to the community," says Spence, "and a community symposium that will be held in October. It will on display for all of the policy makers, justices, police and others to view and create dialogue about the subject.

The event began yesterday and runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day until Thursday.

OPP Camp Underwaty

Thirty youngsters from across northwestern Ontario have gathered with Provincial Police at a camp near Kenora this week.

Constable Anne McCoy is with them and says part of a new expanded junior constable camp.

"We're going to do team building exercises," says McCoy, "self-esteem exercises and taking them on the M.S. Kenora for an afternoon. We're treating them to experiences they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy."

McCoy says seven of the young campers are from the Rainy River district and were involved in OPP Dare Programs run at area schools.

Rafferty Seeking Support to Proposed Pension Bill

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is looking for support in his efforts to improve federal pension protection.

His private members bill goes to the Industry Committee for discussion in November, but Rafferty is hoping it gets discussed much earlier.

"One of the things I've been doing this summer as I travel to various parts of the country is to talk to people," says Rafferty, "to try to get them to write or phone committee members or their MPs and to say 'November is not acceptable. We need to move it to the top of agenda when we go back in September'."

He's also hoping MP's who showed their support in sending the bill to committee will continue to do so when it comes back to the House for a final vote.

Work Place Safety Review Near Completion

A report on improving work place safety is set to be released in December.

Chair of a government appointed review panel Tony Dean says they received input from across the province.

Dean says among the suggestions is better training for new employees.

"It appears as not much to be as much emphasis and consistant emphasis on entry level training," says Dean. "We are sending too many new entrtrants to the labour market of all ages into work places too often not well prepared."

Dean issues his report to the Labour Minister this fall.

Wood Supply Competition Still Under Review

The Ontario Government could announce the winners of the wood supply competition by the fall.

Natural Resource Minister Michael Gravelle says 115 applications came forward for the 11 million cubic metres of wood up for grabs.

"I'm pushing our Ministry people very hard on this," says Gravelle. "They have got a big job to do. I'm very grateful for they hard work they've done but I've ask them to move as quickly as possible. There are a number of organizations who are waiting to see if they're successful in moving foward with the competition."

Those with successful proposals will be able to use logs, branches and other wood in Crown forests for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.

Crews Returning

(Ministry of Natural Resources Photo)

Some of the Ministry of Natural Resources personnel working in western Canada are expected home today.

About 20 MNR fireRangers expect to end their work in Manitoba where they've been since the end of July.

Meantime, the MNR is looking at sending additional crews and equipment to British Columbia where 271 fire personnel are now working.

Another 41 are in Saskatchewan.

Incumbants File

All three incumbents holding down the International Falls city council positions that come up for grabs this November have filed for reelection.

Paul Eklund in East Ward, Gail Rognerud in Central and Cynthia Jaksa in West Ward filed this past week.

Bernie Woods filed for the position of Mayor of Rainer.

The filing period ends August 17 with the general election held November 2nd.

Those filing for the area's local government positions area not be part of primary elections being held in Minnesota tomorrow.

Steep Rock Proposal Given Go-Ahead

The provincial government is giving the go-ahead to plans that could lead to a rehabilitation of the former Steep Rock Mine site in Atikokan.

Bending Lake Iron Ore Group proposes an iron ore processing facility while Brett Resources wants to dump tailings there from a planned gold mine.

Henry Wetalainen of Bending Lake Iron Ore says approval allows their plans to now enter the environmental assessment process.

"Under this we're going to be a year under the Environmental (E.A.)," says Wetalainen. "I would properly look at construction sometime next fall."

Wetaliainen says development of his facility and mine at Bending Lake will cost about $900-million and will create about 700 construction jobs and 300 when up and running.

Charleson Recreation Area Upgrades

(Supplied Photo)


A grand opening of a recreational area near the former Steep Rock Mine in Atikokan took place Saturday.

Just under a million dollars has gone into the Charleson Recreation Area over the years which chair Brian Jackson says will be a benefit to the community.

"The development and expansion of some of the facilities allows us put on events, bigger and better," says Jackson. "New events that can increase the number of people coming to the existing events or attract new people to come to the new events."

Jackson says the site include a number of new buildings and bike and horse riding trails.

Funding was provided by the province and the municipality.

Plant Funding

A home-building company in Kenora is been seen as a potential model for northwestern Ontario's fledgling value-added forest industry.

Wincrief Forestry Products is receiving $1.2 million in the form of a provincial loan and grant to help the plant grow and start a utility pole division.

The company, which started up less than two years ago, builds modular homes for the region's First Nations.

Strike Looms at Medical School

Clerical, administrative and technical staff at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine have voted 97 per cent in favour of a walkout if contract negotiations fail.

The members of OPSEU Local 677 would be in a legal strike position as of August 16.

Outstanding issues include overtime, workload, job classification and sick leave.

Hudak Critical of LHINS

Ontario's Opposition says the Liberal government is wasting money on bureaucrats instead of addressing a growing shortage of long-term care beds.

The Progressive Conservatives say the government's failure to make progress on its aging at home strategy has allowed the wait list for long-term care beds to swell to 24,000 people.

Leader Tim Hudak says the Local Health Integration Networks set up by the Liberals mismanaged the 250-million dollar program that is supposed to help more seniors live at home.

Hudak is promising to scrap the networks and put the money into front-line health services if the Tories win next year's election.

Emo Fair Nears

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Fall Fair in Emo is just around the corner.

President Emily Watson says exhibitors wanting to display their wares can now pick up the new fair book.

"Those are available at North American Lumber," says Watson, "all the way through to Lowe's Furniture, Lowe's Lumber in Sleeman and the local municipal offices. We also have our own website http://www.emofair.com/.

Watson says they also have volunteer and paid position open.

You can call Watson at 486-3688 or Lois Caul at 486-3341 for more information.

Advance ride tickets for the fair which goes August 19-21 are also on sale.

More Forest Fire Help Sent West

(MNR Photo)

Ontario is sending more support to help western Canada deal with its forest fire situation.

Debbie MacLean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says one-hundred firefighters will depart for British Columbia later this afternoon.

Most are from northwestern Ontario and join those already in the west.

"Right now we have 75 west fire region personal in BC, 21 in Manitoba and 21 in Saskatchewan," says MacLean. "We're sending an additional 63 out of the 107 leaving today."

MNR crews have been in BC and Saskatchewan since Sunday.

Those in Manitoba are into their second week.

Seniors Committee Formed

Ontario Provincial Police are teaming up with the Northwestern Health Unit and the Older Adults Mental Health Program on a new program aimed at seniors.

The Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, or SALT, is intended to give seniors a say into how the agencies can better help them.

Constable Anne McCoy says the first meeting was held yesterday.

"We're just in the beginning stages," says McCoy. "You can come out and be on the committee or come out and just be a part of it on a month by month basis. We're not looking for a huge commitment. We're just looking for some input and some involvement from older adults in our community."

McCoy says part of the committee's role is helping police promote policing programs focusing on seniors.

New Forestry Numbers Released

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is calling the latest statistics on Canada forest industry dismal.

Natural Resources Canada figure show the forestry industry significance to the Canadian economy is not at great today as it was four years ago.

Rafferty says the Harper government has played a role in that decline.

"Lots of people say what does government have to do with it, but government has to be a piece," says Rafferty. "and he has failed to stop the decline. He's made no significant investment certainly relative to the size of the sector."

Rafferty feels the numbers will continue to drop without federal support.

Ministers Asked to Step Down

There's a call for three Ontario cabinet ministers to resign because of a police fraud investigation into their ministries.

Provincial police raided the Ministries of Transportation, Economic Development and Trade, and Community and Social Services on July 15 as part of a corruption probe.

No charges have been laid, but NDP justice critic Peter Kormos says the ministers should resign at least until the investigation and any prosecutions are completed.