New Treadmills for Sports Centre

The town of Fort Frances is planning to lease two new treadmills for the Memorial Sports Centre.

Council gave approval to the acquisition at their meeting last night, but Mayor Roy Avis felt buying them would have been a better option because of the high interest rate they'll pay on the lease.

"Rather than paying 12 per cent interest because if we're only get 3 per cent interest on our money it doesn't make sense to do that," says Avis.

Community Services Manager George Bell says leasing the units ensured a higher trade-in value when they replace the treadmills again in three years time.

Voters Kits Out September 27

Voters kits for voters in Fort Frances will be mailed out September 27.

Town clerk Glenn Treflin says with no election required for town council, the kits will only contain one ballot.

"For English public school board supporters there will be the ballot for the candidates for public school board only," says Treflin. "For the Separate school supporters, the ballot that's included in the kit will be for the trustees for the Separate school only."

Treflin says if kits aren't received within a week after mailing, voters should contact the town.

Portage Paving Resumes

Paving on Portage Avenue in Fort Frances is expected to resume today.

Operations and Facility Manager Doug Brown say no road closures are expected with flaggers on site to keep at least one lane open at intersections.

The work is expected to begin at 7 a.m.

Far North Opposition

First Nations leaders are warning of a showdown with the Ontario government over the Far North Act, which is slated for a third and final reading Thursday in the legislature.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation says the bill robs aboriginals of their treaty rights and doesn't give them a say in how their lands will be developed.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy says he supports community-based land planning, but doesn't like the fact the act gives the government veto power over development in the north.

Beardy says that fails to recognize First Nations' jurisdiction on their lands, and warns there "will be conflict'' that will turnoff potential investors if the bill is passed.

Donor Clinics Falls Short of Goal

The Canadian Blood Services says it fell a bit short on its goal during last week's blood donor clinics in Fort Frances.

A total 263 units of blood were collected from 315 donors - that's about 25 units shy of the Blood Services goal.

Another series of clinics will be held in April.

Pickle Lake Plane Crash

A scary moment for passengers aboard a private aircraft that was forced to make a landing in the bush, east of Pickle Lake Saturday afternoon after developing engine troubles.

Police says the aircraft, belonging to Red Lake-based Northern Water Works Sales and Consulting, had just left Pickle Lake for Kashechewan, when the pilot notified air traffic control of the problem.

He attempted to return to Pickle Lake before downing the plane about 27 kilometres east of the community.

All four people on board were quickly found by searchers and taken by to Pickle Lake by helicopter for treatment and later released.

Man's Death Investigated

The Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Branch has been called in to investigate the sudden death of a man at Cat Lake First Nation, north of Pickle Lake.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service officers were confronted by the man last Thursday at the remote communities nursing station.

Shortly after being taken into custody, the man, identified as 34-year-old Romeo Gerald Wesley, went into medical distress and later died.

A post mortem examination was to be is held today in Toronto.

Municipal Election Candidates

No elections will be held for municipal councils in two Rainy River District communities this October.

The current sitting council in Fort Frances were returned after no further nominations were received at Friday's deadline.

Clerk Glenn Treftlin says this is the first time since he's been clerk that there's been no contest for council.

Alberton's township council will also proceed without an election after reeve Mike Hammond and councillor Mike Ford filed their nominations just before Friday's close to round out the council table.

Legislation does not permit acclamation until 4 p-m today.

The township of Morley will hold a second round of nominations on Wednesday for the office of reeve.

No one filed for the position at the close of nominations Friday.

The seat is currently held by Gary Gamsby.

Incumbents George Heyens, Maury Neilson and Bill Romyn, along with Moe Henry, will be acclaimed as councillors.

There are several races elsewhere in the Rainy River District.

In LaVallee township, Ross Donaldson and Ken McKinnon seek the reeve's chair vacated by Emily Watson who did not seek reelection.

Harold Kellar, Freeda Carmody, Jim Belluz, Donald (Darcy) Robson, Brian Trimble, Dale Stamarski, Dennis Allen and Lucille MacDonald are running for council.

Ed Carlson faces a challenge for the mayor's seat in Emo from Vincent Sheppard.

Ken Fisher, Gary Judson, Anthony Leek, Geoff Pearce, Harriet Sheloff, Robert Simmons, Vernon Thompson and Daniel Young are running for councillor.

In Atikokan, mayor Dennis Brown is up against former township Reeve Bob Davidson.

Marlene Davidson, Bud Dickson, Gerry Duhamel, Sherwin Durand, Bob Gosselin, Gayle Green, Darrin Hanlon, Marj Lambkin and Mary Makarenko are running for councillor.

In Lake of the Woods township, long-time incumbent mayor Valerie Pizey is being challenged by Gerald Fisk.

On the ballot for councillor are Glenn Anderson, April Chojko-Bolek, Colleen Fadden, Nancy Gate, Bill Lundgren, JoAnn Moen, Rocford Moen, Hugh O'Hare, Adrienne Olson and Tony Sepers.

Eltjo Wiersema returns as Mayor of Dawson Township.

Linda Armstrong, Aime Desaulniers, Bennett Drenna, Brenda Jodoin and Archie Wiersema battle for the four councillor seats.

Deb Ewald was unopposed in her bid for another term as Mayor of Rainy River.

Ashley Stamler, Gord Armstrong, Larry Armstrong, Ed Tymkin, Susan Carpenter, Brent Anderson, Weston Blight and Gerry Marchuk are running for councillor.

The only election in the township of Chapple will be for the councillor seat in Ward four where incumbent Rick Neilson and Murray Gerula will seek voter support.

Reeve Peter Van Heyst, along with councillors Rilla Race and James Gibson, were acclaimed.

They'll be joined by newcomer Ken Wilson who ran unopposed in Ward 1.

School Board Candidates

There are also elections for some seats on both the public and catholic school boards.

On the Rainy River District School Board, incumbents Dan Belluz and Terry Higgins are joined by David Kircher on the ballot for the two seats available in Fort Frances.

Dianne McCormack and Michelle Abraham are seeking the seat representing the far west of the district.

Margaret Heyens returns as trustee for the Emo and Chapple areas.

Glenda Belluz was unopposed in her return representing the Alberton and LaVallee townships area.

Mike Lewis will serve the Atikokan area.

On the Northwest Catholic District School Board, incumbents Anne-Marie Fitzergerald, Harold Huntley and Paul Cousineau will the two trustee seats available in Fort Frances.

Incumbent Mark Chojko-Bolek and Roseanne Zimmerman are seeking the seat representing the west part of the Rainy River District.

Teresa Larson will sit as trustee for Atikokan.

Check the Voters List

Fort Frances town officials are encouraging residents to check the voters lists for this October's municipal election.

Clerk Glenn Treftlin says because they're conducting mail-in ballot, they need to ensure lists are correct by the close of business Monday.

Voter lists can also be viewed online or at the Civic Centre, the Library and Memorial Sports Centre.

New Visitor Hours

Riverside Health Care Facilities is implementing new a visitor policy at its hospitals and at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

Visitor hours at the hospitals in Emo, Rainy River and Fort Frances will now go from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hours at Rainycrest Long Term Care are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Officials say the change respects the needs of the patient and the role family and friends play in the healing process.

Queen's Park Resumes

The long-summer break for provincial politicians end's today.

MPP's are back to work at Queen's Park.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton expects the Liberals will use the session to try to sell themselves in advance of next year's provincial election.

"The government has certainly started their election campaign," says Hampton. "They will try to use this session as an election campaign, but I think the bigger issues, things like people's hydro bills, the continuing difficulties in the health care system and the Far North Act, will overshadow any attempt by the government to run an election campaign."

The only piece of new government legislation planned this fall will be aimed at pension reform.

Resort Receives Funds

The provincial government is helping a Rainy River area hunting and fishing lodge expand.

Harris Hill Resort is receiving more than $147-thousand from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to help winterize cabins and expand a septic system, allowing it to operate year-round.

The expansion is expected to lead to another two positions created at the resort, located 30 kilometres north of Rainy River on Lake of the Woods.

First Nation Protest

A dispute over the band's operation of the community's school is at the heart of a dispute in Whitefish Bay First Nation, east of Sioux Narrows.

Some band members began a protest at the school Thursday.

They're upset with band council take over of the education authority which lead to the subsequent firing the board and its education director.

The school principal and several teachers also recently quit.

Quetico Search

A search is underway in the interior of Quetico Provincial Park for a man who fell out of a canoe Thursday afternoon.

OPP responded to McAree Lake after an emergency GPS locator beacon was deployed in the park.

OPP, along with the Ministry of Natural Resources personnel are conducting marine patrols of the lake.

An OPP dive team is expected to arrive on scene Friday afternoon.

Tour de Fort Future in Doubt

The group responsible for bringing entertainment to Fort Frances says if it doesn't sell more season-passports by next Tuesday, it will end operations at the end of the 2010-11 season.

President of Tour de Fort, Kerry Zucchiatti says they need to sell at least another 125 passports to ensure they have the funds needed to book performers for another season.

"Despite a huge effort to promote the series, it seems that interest has seriously waned," says Zucchiatti, "and without those support dollars, we simply cannot enter into contracts in good faith."

As part of its campaign, the group is contacting former passport holders and making passports available at Shopper Drug Mart and the Fort Frances Public Library.

Victims of Crime Programs Get Funding

A Fort Frances agency is getting help to help aboriginal people who are victims of crime.

Weechi-ti-te-win Family Services is receiving $192-thousand from the province's aboriginal victims support grant program for a variety of programs.

Lori Flinders, Director of Ninaadawewinan says all of the programs as based on community needs.

"It's very important that it's provided an opportunity for us to have intervention and prevention rooted in our traditional and cultural practices for our ten first nations," says Flinders.

David Zimmer, Ontario's Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General, made the funding announcement during a visit to the area Thursday.

Municipal Candidate Filings Close Today

Today's the deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers for this October's civic elections in Ontario.

Across the Rainy River district, there will be some races shaping up.

In the Lake of the Woods Township, longtime Mayor Valerie Pizey is facing a challenge from Gerald Fisk.

Glenn Anderson, April Chojko-Bolec, Colleen Fadden, Nancy Gate, JoAnn Moen, Rockford Moen, Hugh O'Hare and Tony Speers are seeking the four councillor seats.

Ross Donaldson, an earlier candidate for councillor in the township of LaVallee is now running as Reeve.

Harold Kellar, Freeda Carmody, Jim Belluz, Donald (Darcy) Robson, Brian Trimble, Dale Stamarski and Dennis Allen are on the ballot so far for the councillor seats.

The only race in the township of Chapple so far is for councillor's seat in Ward four where incumbent Rick Neilson and Murray Gerula are running.

Other on the ballot include Peter Van Heyst, seeking another term as reeve.

Ken Wilson is running for councillor in Ward 1, Rilla Race in Ward 2 and James Gibson in Ward 3.

In Dawson Township, Eltjo Wiersema is running for mayor.

Linda Armstrong, Aime Desaulniers, Bennett Drenna and Brenda Jodoin are running for the four councillor seats.

In Fort Frances, all of the incumbents, including Mayor Roy Avis, are seeking reelection and are not yet facing any opposition.

Some communities do not yet have enough candidates to fill positions.

In Rainy River, just three candidates, Ashley Stamler, Gordon Armstrong and Larry Armstrong have filled for the four councillor seats.

Deb Ewald is seeking re-election as Mayor.

In the township of Morley just two candidates, George Heyens and Maury Neilson, are running for re-election on council while no one has yet stepped forward for the Reeve's chair.

Three councillors, incumbents Peter Spuzak, Doug Mitchell and Barb Cournoyer, have filed for re-election in the township of Alberton with no one yet filing for Reeve.

The deadline to file is 2 p.m. today.

Atikokan Plant Celebrates 25th

Ontario Power Generation is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of its coal-fired generating station in Atikokan tomorrow.

Station manager Ed Enge says they're inviting the public to visit the plant.

"Our anniversary date is actually November 27," says Enge, "but because the weather is better in September, we're having an open house at the station. There will be historical displays and display on biomass to provide information on plans for the station going forward."

Tours will be allowed but visitors should wear closed toed shoes with a low heel.

The event runs from noon to 4 p.m.

Park Wins Online Contest

(Minnesota DNR photo)


A Minnesota state park has been named America's favorite in a nationwide campaign sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Bear Head Lake State Park, near Ely won the online contest and received a gift of 100-thousand dollar.

Park manager Jen Westlund says they'll use the money to construction a new trail centre.

Boshcoff Takes Another Run at Municipal Politics

After saying he didn't want the mayor's job again, Ken Boshcoff is now eyeing a different seat at the Thunder Bay council table.

He's planning to run as a councillor at large in this October's elections.

Boshcoff doesn't call it a change of heart, just a change of priorities involving his private business.

Boshcoff is also the federal Liberal candidate for the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.

Man Hit by Train

OPP are investigating a fatality on the CP train tracks in Kenora.

Police say a man was killed after being struck by a train at around 7 p.m. Wednesday night in an area known as Tunnel Island.

The name of the deceased has not been released.

Wesway Expands

A program for Seniors that's been available to Thunder Bay is now being offered to the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Carol Neff of Wesway says they've been able to expand and provide services outside the city.

"The service that we provide is family directed respite funding," says Neff. "This is targeted specifically for seniors because this comes under the aging at home strategy. What we are able to do is provide family care givers with a break from the ongoing responsibility of caring for their senior family member at home."

Neff says to be eligible for the funding, the senior must have a chronic health condition and is dependant on at-home care from a family member.

Police Chief Pleas to MP's

Thunder Bay's Police Chief is pleading with northwestern Ontario's New Democrat M-P's to not vote in favour of scrapping the long gun registry.

Bob Herman is asking John Rafferty and Bruce Hyer to consider the safety of his officers and the citizens of the city when voting on the issue.

Herman calls the registry an effective tool to battle crime.

Search for Kayakers

A search is underway for eight university students and a teacher who are overdue from a kayaking trip in Lake Superior.

The nine, and 16 another kayakers from Lakehead University, left on August 26 for a trip around the northern end of the lake.

An official at the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre at CFB Trenton says one group returned yesterday.

Another group is accounted for, but the university hasn't heard from the third group since Sunday.

Blood Donor Clinics Resume

Canadian Blood Services resumes its blood donor clinics today in Fort Frances.

They happen at the Fort Frances High School from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight.

Blood collected is used by hospitals across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

Road Closure

Another closure of the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances is anticipating this morning.

Town officials says the underpass is expected to close from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews resume paving operations.

Two Face First Degree Murder Charges

Two people are due in a Thunder Bay court today to face murder charges.

Joanne Vivier and Michelle Morris are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Verna Patricia Sturgeon.

Officials say the 30-year-old victim was in Thunder Bay last week to testify as a witness in a criminal trial.

Sturgeon of Big Trout Lake First Nation was found dead at a hotel Friday morning.

New Tourism Regions Coming

The provincial government is expected to roll out funding for the new regional tourism zones in the near future.

Tourism Minister Michael Chan says it will be any day now when the zones are made official.

"This fall, September to December, that's are planned timing to finalize all thirteen R.T.O.'s (regional tourism organizations)," says Chan. "The great north belongs to number 13 and subdivided into A, B, C. Base funding is a half a million on top of some for sort of assessment funding."

Chan says he spoke with tourism officials across northwestern Ontario and they seem to be on board with the new larger zones.

New Lottery Panned

Ontario's opposition parties are slamming the province's latest lottery game.

The Tories and New Democrats say the new Lotto Poker is a way to squeeze money out of people who can't afford it.

Instead of numbers, Lotto Poker deals symbols of five cards and offers instant prizes and a nightly draw with a grand prize of 100-thousand dollars.

Fibre Optic Link Completed

The Rainy River District School Board has completed the first phase of a board wide project to connect its schools with fibre optic cable.

Manager of Information Services Stephen Danielson says the first phase of the Wide Area Network infrastructure saw the installation of a cable between the new Robert Moore School and the board office.

"Fibre optic connections allow for very high speeds of data that the radios we currently use are just not capable of," says Danielson. "They also can't be interfered with. It's the next evolution in technology that we need to take."

Danielson says other schools, including local catholic schools, will be connected in the near future.

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.