Special Ed. Teachers Reduced

The Rainy River District School Board is starting the school year with fewer special education teachers.

Board chair Dan Belluz says there are nine fewer teachers on staff because of cuts in provincial funding.

Belluz says while the board had been made aware of the government 's reduction plans a while ago, the number of students needing special ed has not decreased.

New Student Trustee

An Atikokan High School student is the newest trustee to the Rainy River District School Board.

Tamara Degagne will serve on the board for a year as a voice for the district's students.

Degagne attended last night's meeting through video-conferencing.

Mine Centre School Work Started

Construction has started on a new school in Mine Centre.

Manager of Operations and Maintenance for the Rainy River District School Board Raymond Roy says footings for the nearly $6-million project were poured recently.

The school is to open by the fall of 2011.

Portage Paving

A paving of Portage Avenue in Fort Frances today will mean a closure of the underpass.

Intersections at Third and Fifth will be blocked to traffic from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Travel to the North End will only be through McIrvine Road during this time.

Sixth and Portage will be closed for about two hours this morning beginning at 7 a.m.

Optomism Renewed in Atikokan

The mayor of Atikokan feels like fresh air has blown through his community.

Dennis Brown says government approval for Ontario Power Generation to move head with the switch of its coal-fired plant to biofuel is giving the community renewed hope.

"This certainly has been a big relief in our community," says Brown. "It's something we've been waiting for close to a year. We now have an opportunity to create more certainty in the community for investment and local residents,"

The conversion is expected start in 2012 and create over 200-jobs.

Warm August

There were few records, but Environment Canada says August was a little warmer than usual in the Fort Frances

Meteorologist Geoff Coulson says the average temperature for the month reached 18.6 degrees, putting it a full degree about the norm.

"Of note this was the warmest August since 2003," says Coulson. "So temperature was the biggest story for the month of August in the Fort Frances area."

A total of 87 millimetres of precipitation was also recorded, about 10 millimetres below the average.

Medicine Walk Planned

A medicine walk through the Rocky Inlet Ski Area is planned for next week.

Kerry Zub of the United Native Friendship Centre says participants can learn about the cultural and healing properties of the area's floral and fauna.

"What we have is a few elders come in from around the local area," says Zub, "and we walk in through the bush and they teach us about the healing properties about the medicines found in the area."

Zub says because a lunch is provided for the September 15 walk, registration by calling the Friendship Centre at 274-3207, Albert Calder, Couchiching NNADAP worker at 274-0441 or Josphine Potson at the Health Access Centre at 274-3131 is needed by Friday.

Enrollment Up Again at Confederation College

Enrolment at Confederation College's Rainy River campus in Fort Frances is expected to break the hundred mark for a third straight year.

Classes resume for another year today.

Campus manager Anne Renaud says a variety of individuals are heading to college.

"We get students who are directly out of high school that want to take one year and move onto something else at a college or university in a bigger centre," says Renaud. "We have lots of mature returning students who have been out of school for a while and we have student enrolled through the province's Second-Career program."

Renaud says this year's numbers could come close to the 137 that attended classes last year.

Full-Day Kindergarten Concerns

Full-day kindergarten is up and running across Ontario, but critics says the government still hasn't figured out the A-B-Cs of running the program.

Only 10 to 15 per cent of schools will offer after-hours child care that was a key component of the original plan.

Conservative critic Elizabeth Witmer says some school boards are siphoning money from other areas in the scramble to fund full-day kindergarten.

The program is currently being offered in Atikokan at North Star Community School and St. Patrick School.

Bill 168 Workshops

The Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope is giving employers and their workers an opportunity to learn more about new legislation that protects workers from workplace violence and harassment.

Bill 168 went into effect July 15.

The Shelter's executive director Donna Kroocmo says it outlines specific duties employers must follow.

"First of all they have to take a risk assessment of their place of employment," says Kroocmo. "Once the risk has been assessed and all employees are queried about that, then they have to create a plan and policy to address any risks that the employees have identified."

The agency will hold separate workshops on September 16 for employers and the public.

Employers must register by Friday.

Rafferty Staying Firm Against Long-Gun Registry

The MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River is standing firm on his commitment to scrap the long gun registry.

Some New Democrats, who supposed a Conservative private members bill to scrap the registry in second reading, are planning to change their votes when it comes back to the house later this month.

John Rafferty says he won't be standing with them.

"My opinion has not changed," says Rafferty. "I, of course, welcome all kinds of discussion on the issue. I think listening is important and discussing it to the fullest extend. But I've heard loud and clear from the people of my riding and I have not changed the way I intend to vote.

The NDP Caucus is meeting in Regina this week to discuss possible changes to the legislation.

Vermilion Bay Business Burns Down

(CKDR photo)


Fire has destroyed a business in Vermilion Bay.

Firefighters with the Machin, Dryden, Wabigoon and Oxdrift Fire Departments responded to the blaze at Village Corner just before 6 a.m. yesterday.

The convenience store and gas station were destroyed.

No one was injured in the fire, but the cause is still under investigation

PC's Take Aim at Area Liberal

The Progressive Conservatives are taking aim at Thunder Bay Aikokan MPP Bill Mauro.

The PC party claims some of the 143 prisoners wrongfully released could be hiding in Mauro's northwestern Ontario riding.

Critic Garfield Dunlop says there's really no way of knowing where those prisoners are living.

"People in these communities, no matter where they are, should have been notified that someone had been mistakenly released from one of our provincial facilities," says Dunlop. "They (McGuinty Liberals) don't even release the names of the people who have been released into our communities and therefore causing a problem with community safety and an awareness of the public in general."

Dunlop says now up to the McGuinty government to take action in preventing more prisoners being mistakenly released.

Activity Credit Proposed

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is a proposing a children's activity tax credit.

The proposed tax credit would provide families with up to 50-dollars per child under 16 years of age.

The tax credit would be different from the federal children's fitness tax credit, because it would be refundable, and would include non-fitness activities such as instruction in visual arts, music and language instruction.

Rafferty Responds

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is brushing aside comments made about him by Industry Minister Tony Clement as simply politicing.

During a visit to Fort Frances Tuesday, Clement told a group of area leaders the local MP's decisions in Ottawa are not consistent with the values and principals of the riding.

Rafferty says it's just a desperate attempt to take a riding they know then can't win.

"There numbers are not going anywhere in the polls," says Rafferty. "The prospect of an election in the spring continues to loom and quite frankly they're running a little scared."

Rafferty adds he's been pretty true to the wishes of his constituents.

Full Candidate Slate in Atikokan

There's been a rush of candidates stepping forward in Atikokan.

Former mayor Bob Davidson has filed his nomination papers and will challenge incumbent Dennis Brown for the mayor's chair

Seven have filed for the six council seats up for grabs.

Incumbents Marlene Davidson, Bud Dickson, Sherwin Durand, Marj Lambkin and Bob Gosselin join fellow incumbent Mary Makarenko and Gayle Green on the October 25 ballot.

And Teresa Larson has filed for the new trustee position for Atikokan opening on the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Hazel Says Goodbye

(Teresa Hazel (l.) with Dr. Cynthia Saliba)

The outgoing director of Riverside Foundation for Health Care says she's leaves with no regrets.

Teresa Hazel takes on her new position as CEO of Good Life for Young People Foundation next week.

She says she's looking forward to the new challenges after eleven years with Riverside.

"I'm exciting about where I'm going," says Hazel. "I'm excited to be taking on a new challenge. I look back at those eleven years with a lot of pride and gratitude for what this community has accomplished working together."

Hazel will remain with the Riverside Foundation in a part-time capacity for the next few weeks to assist in the transition of a yet to be selected new director.

New Parliamentary Assistants Named

There's are a number of new Parliamentary Assistants to Ministers on the McGuinty Cabinet.

The premier has given eleven MPP's new responsibilities.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro keeps his duties as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Government Services.

Donors Needed

Canadian Blood Services is looking forward to another strong turnout of donors at its Fort Frances clinics next week.

Spokesperson Harvey Heather says they're hoping for over 300 donors to clinics at the Fort Frances High School as the demand for blood continues to grow.

"We need about 1,200 donations of blood each week," says Heather, "to look after patients in about 90 hospitals in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario including the hospitals in the Rainy River district."

Heather says they're also hoping to see at least forty new donors to clinics that happen next Wednesday night and Thursday.

Some walk-in spots are available, but Heather says it's best to book an appointment in advance by calling 1-888-2-DONATE - that's 1-888-236-6283.

Three Vie for Catholic Trustee Seat

Another candidate has entered the race the two trustee seats open in the Fort Frances area on the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Paul Cousineau filed his nomination papers Thursday.

He's been on the board for the past two years.

He joins current board chair Anne Marie Fitzgerald and trustee Harold Huntley on the October 25 ballot.

New AbitibiBoard Board

AbitibiBowater has established a new board of directors to oversee the company as it prepares to exit creditor protection.

The nine members will serve with company president and CEO David Paterson and chair Richard Evans.

They include just two holdovers from current board and former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins.

The new board takes over following approval of the company's restructuring plan by creditors and courts in the U-S and Canada which is expected this fall.

Grandparents Scam Reached Rainy River District

The so-called grandparents scam is apparently reaching some residents in the Rainy River district.

Provincial police says they've received a number of complaints about a man calling, claiming to be a grandchild jailed in Montreal and asking to wire bail money.

In once case, the man sought five-thousand dollars.

Police say residents should not be pressured into giving information or money to anyone.

New Doctor Welcomed

(Dr. Cynthia Sabila (c.) with Dr. Robert Algie and Dr. Elaine Spencer)


Fort Frances' new doctor is now in.

Doctor Cynthia Saliba began seeing her first patients Wednesday.

The recent graduate of the University of Ottawa's medical school says the selection of Fort Frances to start her practice was an easy one.

"The community looked beautiful," says Saliba. "The people were very encouraging and enthusiast."

Saliba and her husband were officially welcomed to the community at a gathering Wednesday night.

NOMS Students in Fort Frances

(Brienne Lowey-Bodkin (l.) and Jacqueline Edwards)

Two students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine are in Fort Frances to compete their third year clerkship.

Brienne Lowey-Bodkin and Jacqueline Edwards will be working along side the town's current physicians until next April.

Lowey-Bodkin says a familiarity with the area led her to the Fort.

"My grandparents live in Fort Frances and my dad was born in Fort Frances," says Lowey-Bodkin, "so I always came to Fort Frances as a kid. When I choose where I wanted to go, family is always important to me and I knew that it would make my transition really smooth if I could stay with family members."

Edwards says the ability to learn in wide array of medical areas was something that attracted her.

"Fort Frances has quite of few specialists that come in," says Edwards, "and a lot of the docs do different things themselves. They'll do obstetrics. They'll do general surgery. They'll do anaesthesia. So I'm hoping to get a good picture of all those different areas as well as family medicine."

Both students are from Thunder Bay.

Ryan Files

The last of the incumbents in Fort Frances have filed for re-election.

Paul Ryan filed his nomination papers for this October's election yesterday.

Ryan was first elected to council in 2006.

Expanded Cellphone Services Moving Ahead

(CJUK photo)


TBayTel and Rogers says they're making progress on their joint project that will see a 3G network cover the region.

Rogers customers have started their transition into TBayTel coverage.

TBayTel president Don Campbell says work on turning over the 3G network is on target and should be operational in Thunder Bay and other bigger centres in the region by the end of the year.

Campbell says the partnership will also give customers a greater selection of hand held devices and services.

MNR Crews Returning

(Ministry of Natural Resources photo)

Some of Ontario resources are coming back from British Columbia.

Officials says the fire situation in B-C has eased.

Eighty one Ministry of Natural Resources FireRangers headed back to their hometowns yesterday.

The remaining personnel are scheduled back tomorrow.

Former Marijuana Party Candidate Arrested

A former Marijuana Party candidate is to appear in Thunder Bay court today after police raided a growing operation.

Douglas MacKay is charged with a number of drug counts.

MacKay ran for a federal seat as the Marijuana Party's candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River in 2006.

Northern Development Minister End Meetings

(CJUK photo)


Canada's Northern Development Ministers are leaving Thunder Bay with a better sense of how they can help the north.

They wrapped up two days of talks Wednesday.

Ontario's Minister Michael Gravelle says they're going to tackle the north's infrastructure deficit.

Gravelle says many communities have a hard time coming up with their share of funding for infrastructure projects.

Each provincial minister had the opportunity to speak with Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan earlier in the day.

Gravelle used his time with the Minister to discuss the Northern Growth Plan.

Roller Derby Game Set

(Borderland Roller Derby League photo)

Members of the new Borderland Roller Derby team are preparing to play their first ever game.

It happens September 11 at the 52 Canadians Arena.

Crystal Caul says the local girls will be ready for their opponents from Winnipeg.

"We've been practicing very hard in the last month," says Caul, "because we wanted to get a game in before the ice goes in the arena. When the ice goes in we're going to be homeless. We don't have a place to play or practice so the girls worked really hard so they would be ready for this game."

Tickets be can obtained at Northwoods or any team members.

Terry Fox Anniversary

September 1 marked the day Terry Fox was forced to put an end to his cross Canada Marathon for Hope.

It was 30 years ago when Fox stopped in Thunder Bay.

His parents say today is bittersweet, and they'll be using the anniversary to pay tribute to him.

No official ceremonies are planned.

The Terry Fox Run will be held September 19.

Bears Prefer Donuts

(CKDR photo)


Chalk it up to some donuts, Jello powder, syrup, dog food and vanilla.

That's what was needed to catch a hungry bear that found a "Welcome to Dryden" sign a good place to campout yesterday.

The bear was there for most of the day and even stole an earlier meal while alluding a Ministry of Natural Resource trap.

The bruin later returned for the more tastier spread long enough for the trap to close.

Clement Campaigns for Local Candidate

Industry Minister Tony Clement was in Fort Frances to help campaign for Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann.

She's the Conservative hopeful in this riding for the next federal election.

Speaking to area leaders, Clement believes the area would do better with a Tory MP on their side in Ottawa.

"If this riding saw some of the shenanigans in Ottawa that the local MP is involved in in a regular basis," says Clement, "not being consistent with the values and principles of yourselves, or your neighbours or your communities, it would be an easy thing to make a switch."

While acknowledging John Rafferty's support to end the long-gun registry, Clement says the local MP voted against many of the initiatives that have improved local economies.

Clement Makes Funding Announcement

Industry Minister Tony Clement doled out almost a million dollars in FEDNOR dollars to agencies across northwestern Ontario during a visit to Fort Frances Tuesday.

But none of it was for groups in this area.

Clement admits it was important for him to visit the area.

"Usually the suggestion come back, you know visit Thunder Bay, visit Sudbury, visit Sault Ste. Marie, visit North Bay, says Clement. "I said, look, we also need to get to some other communities as well. I want to be in Red Lake. I want to be in Fort Frances. Let's make sure we're giving these communities as well."

Clement did note how FEDNOR money had been used to build the new Fort Frances Library where the announcements were made.

Missing Persons Found

Ontario Provincial Police says the three individuals they have been searching for have been found.

More details are to be released later today, but OPP says 63-year-old Larry Gamache of Rainy River was located outside the district.

He had been reported missing after failing to return back to his home in Rainy River from a trip he'd was supposed to make to a camp near Nestor Falls Monday.

Provincial police also report both youth reported missing from the Weechitiwin Youth Treatment facility in Watten township early this morning have been located.

Road Closures

A traffic note for motorists in the north end of Fort Frances today.

Sixth Street at Portage Avenue will be closed from 7 a.m. until noon.

Second Street at Portage is being closed from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Officials say the closures are needed to ready Portage for paving next week.

More Candidates File

There are more names on area ballots for this October's civic elections.

Doug Mitchell, a councillor in the township of Alberton, is seeking re-election in that community.

Daniel Young is seek a position on Emo township council.

He also ran unsuccessfully in the 2006 municipal election.

Harold Huntley is running as a candidate for trustee for the Fort Frances area with the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

John Callan has filed for election to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board representing unorganized areas in Rainy River Central.

Hazel Leaves Foundation

Riverside Foundation for Health Care is losing its director.

Teresa Hazel is leaving the Foundation to become Chief Executive Officer of the native group Good Life for Young People Foundation beginning Tuesday.

Hazel has been with Riverside for the past eleven years.

Industrial Accident at Mill

One person is dead following an industrial accident at the Boise mill in International Falls.

International Falls Police and Ambulance personnel were called to the mill at about 11 a.m. yesterday where a man was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead.

Some reports suggest the man was outside contractor doing work in the lime recovery kiln.

His identify has not been released.

Town Seeks Financial Help for Airport

The town of Fort Frances is asking for some help from other municipalities within the Rainy River district to cover the operating costs of its airport.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says escalating costs over the past three years has forced them to make seek outside support.

"If this keeps going and these costs continue to rise, Fort Frances will not be able to fund this thing all by itself," says Weidenhoeft. "We need help funding this airport and we're looking to the district municipalities to help us out."

Wiedenhoeft feels the request is fair as the airport serves the needs of the entire district.

The town will make its pitch at an upcoming meeting of area mayors and reeves in Emo.

Recycling Upgrades Approved

Improvements to the town of Fort Frances' recycling depot are about to begin.

The town has approved a contract with Ed Kaun and Sons that includes setting up large bins for residents to drop off their materials for recycling.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says a $75-thousand grant from Waste Diversion Ontario will help cover cost of the work.

"The reason why we got the grant was to provide access and enhance the service to drop off blue boxes," says Brown. "If you go on vacation, you'd have a place to drop off your blue box materials into these bins."

Brown says the depot will not replace current curbside pick up.

More Election Candidates

Two Fort Frances councillors are among the latest to seek re-election this October.

Andrew Hallikas is hoping to continue the work started by the current council.

"Council worked very well together," says Hallikas. "I think in our term we accomplished a lot and I'm hoping everyone from council runs again. I like working with this group of people."

Ken Perry, who joined council mid-way through this term in a by-election, believes he brings a strong voice for residents to the council table.

"I like to do my research," says Perry. "I like to know what I'm talking about when I'm talking and make a decision that sometimes everyone doesn't agree with, but if anybody asks me why I did what I did or make the decision that I did, I've always a good reason for doing it."

Paul Ryan remains the only Fort Frances councillor yet to file nomination papers.

Elsewhere, Ross Donaldson has refiled for councillor in the township of LaVallee.

He joins incumbent Freeda Carmody and newcomer Harold Kellar on the October 10 ballot so far in that community.

Watershed Meeting Tonight

The management of Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake watersheds will be the focus of meetings this week that begin tonight in International Falls.

Melanie Hanson, the Canadian co-chair to an international task force, says they'll be looking at issues effecting the waters and the efforts now being done to protect them.

"We'll be examining the current governance structures," says Hanson, "such as different boards, different committees and multi-agency arrangements. Any example where the two countries are working together to address water resource issues."

Tonight's meeting is at the AmericINN beginning at 7 p.m.

Portage Avenue Underpass Closing

The Portage Avenue underpass will be closed today.

Crews will be working to remove recycling asphalt from the intersection of Fifth Street and Portage beginning at 9 a.m.

The underpass will reopen by 3 p.m.

The intersection of Sixth Street and Portage will also be closed from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Meantime, paving of Portage is now set to begin next Wednesday.

School Opens

Classes resume today across the Rainy River district.

Heather Campbell, education director of the Rainy River District School Board, says for them, it means the opening of a new school and the hope for an increase in enrollment.

"I hoping to see that we still stay strong with our enrollment," says Campbell. "We offer so many great programs. We are really excited about our new facilities at Robert Moore and a new one to come in the Mine Centre area."

Director of Education for the Northwest Catholic District School Board Mary Catherine Kelly says there some new programs at their schools.

"Our early learning kindergarten program, we will be piloting that this year at St. Patrick's School in Atikokan," says Kelly. "We will also be running the full-day program in JK and SK at St. Joseph's School in Dryden."

Full day junior kindergarten is also being offered by public board at North Star Community School in Atikokan.

Layton Offers Long-Gun Registry Compromise

NDP leader Jack Layton is floating a last-minute compromise to save the long-gun registry.

Layton wants to introduce legislation that would address some of the complaints about the registry and potentially stave off a final vote on a private member's bill that would kill the program altogether.

The bill passed second reading last fall in a narrow vote that saw eight Liberals and 12 New Democrats, including Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty, siding with the Tories.

Driver ReTests Deadline Approaches

Wednesday is the deadline the Ontario government set for licence extensions because of the DriveTest strike last year.

People who needed to take driving tests to requalify for their licences were stuck when examiners walked off the job.

The examiners went back to work in early January but motorists were given until September 1st to book a test.

Medical School Talks Planned

There's a possible break in the dispute between the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and support workers in Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

The two sides have agreed to two days of talks with a Ministry of Labour mediator beginning Wednesday.

Clerical, technical and administrative staff walked out on August 16 after contract talks broke down.

Foundation Issues Bursaries

(Dorothy Gamie (l.) and Mical Collition receive their bursaries - photo from Riverside Foundation for Health Care)

Two students, currently working in the local health care system, are recipients of bursaries from the Riverside Foundation for Health Care.

Mical Collition was awarded the James and Ena McAughren Bursary for the Continuing Education of Nurses.

Currently a RPN at La Verendrye Heath Centre, Collition is enrolled in Lakehead University's Bachelor of Science nursing program at Confederation College in Fort Frances.

Dorothy Gamie was awarded a five hundred dollar Riverside Health Care Bursary.

Gamie is a cook at Emo Health Centre and is enrolled in in the Food Service and Nutrition Management Program through the Canadian Healthcare Association.

Rickford's New Duties

Greg Rickford is getting some new parliamentary duties.

The Conservative MP for Kenora is taking over as the parliamentary secretary for Official Languages.

It's his first official post within the Harper cabinet.

Canadians Take I. Falls Bass Championship

A northwestern Ontario team has become the first two-time winner of the International Falls Bass Championship.

Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, along with his fishing partner Scott Dingwall of Dingwell, won this year's title by weighing in just over 30-pounds of bass over the weekend.

"It feels pretty good," says Gustafson. "It's so hard to win any of these big tournaments. We enjoy it and we're going to enjoy it until next year."

Gustafson and Dingwall won the inaugural tournament in 2005 by beating Travis Peterson and Scott Mattson of Bemidji who also finished second this year.

Here's exclusive video of their weigh-in on the final day of the championship.

Morson Bass International Winners

(Morson Bass International Photo)


Terry Gill of Morson and Chad Hansen of Fort Frances were reported as the winners of the Morson Bass International.

No weights were provided.