NOSM Talks Break Down

Talks have stalled in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine labour dispute.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union representatives left the table Friday afternoon after four days of talks last week.

A NOSM representative says progress was made but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

Atikokan Song Needs Video

An Atikokan musician is looking for pictures to put to a song she wrote about her hometown.

Jinx Stus first performed the song at Atikokan's one-hundredth anniversary more than a decade ago, but decided only recently to post it to You Tube in hopes of finding the right video for the song.

"I thought it I could generate some interest and get some video to put over top of it and show what our town is about, it would be a great marketing tool," says Stus. "That's what exactly what we did, upload it to You Tube, and now were kind of waiting around to see if anyone has any footage or pictures to help market Atikokan."

The song has received a number of views on You tube, but no video just yet.

Here is the "Atikokan Song" as written and performed by Jinx Stus

Rafferty Opposition to Registry Remains

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is standing firm on his position on the long-gun registry.

In a statement issued yesterday, Rafferty reiterated his decision to vote in favour of a Conservative private members bill that proposed to scrap the registry.

Rafferty says he's following the wishes of his constituents by doing so.

Partnerships Encouraged

A British Columbia First Nation leader is touting the importance of good relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities.

Chief Clarence Louie of Osoyoos was the key note speaker at the Northern Networks Trade Conference yesterday in Fort Frances.

He says the development of business relations is a win-win.

"I do see it happening more and more across the country," says Louie, "where First Nations people are developing businesses, partnering up with businesses and bringing their own economic development ideas to the table."

Louie's own band developed its own corporation that owns several businesses and employs hundreds of people.

Q-Gold Resumes Drilling

Q-Gold Resources has started a second phase of drilling at the Foley Gold Mine Complex near Mine Centre.

The company says its will focus attention on two veins, known as Jumbo and Bonanza to determine gold and silver grades.

A first phase of drilling was completed in August with the results anticipated later this month.

Committee Formed for Kenora Election

Three retired municipal officials from the Rainy River district have been appointed to an Elections Compliance Audit Committee for Kenora's municipal election.

Former Chapple township clerk, Doris Dyson, Bill Naturkack, former CEO of Fort Frances and former Atikokan Clerk Warren Paulson are part of a five-person committee which is set up to review a candidate's financial records if requested.

Worst Roads Campaign

The Canadian Automobile Association's Worst Roads Campaign is underway.

Spokesperson Kory Kennedy says anyone fed up with decaying infrastructure is urged to cast their vote online.

"This campaign resonates extremely well with individuals throughout the province," says Kennedy, "appreciating that it has grown in scope as well as magnitude since the launch in 2003. Since then, we've ensured 90 per cent of the roads nominated to the annual top twenty list have been repaired or are slated to be repaired."

The campaign concludes at the end of September.

Bearskin Sold

A fixture in northwestern Ontario airline industry is about to change hands.

Bearskin Airlines is being sold to Winnipeg-based Exchange Income for $32.5 million dollars.

President Harvey Friesen says the timing was right.

"Given the fact that our age is creeping up there, I've been with the business for forty years," says Friesen, "that this looked like a good way to carry on the company. The company's now 47 years old and hopefully we can carry on and become much older and create good stability for ourselves and our employees."

Friesen says the deal will not result in any layoffs or change in service.

Exchange also owns and operates CalmAir, Perimeter Air and Keewatin Air.

Public Board Happy with Results

The Rainy River District School Board is expressing satisfaction with the the recent results of provincial tests written by its grade three, six and nine students in April.

Education Director Heather Campbell says the board saw significant improvement in several areas.

"We've seen some tremendous growth in our junior assessment in reading, writing and math," says Campbell, "as well with our grade 9 assessments. We've seen increases there as well."

Campbell says there was a slight decrease in the test scores from grade 3 reading and writing while math scores remain stable over past years.

Strugeon Creek School was singled out as success story by the group that administers the standardized testing in Ontario's schools.

EQAO says the school has shown steady improvement in the number of students meeting provincial standards over the past several year.

The school results for Grade 6 reading, writing and math tests were all well above the provincial average.

Homesteaders' Fair

This weekend's trade show in Atikokan will have a bit of a old-time country fair feel.

It will includes the town's first-ever Homesteaders Fair.

Organizer Catherine Reilly says its an attempt to recognize some of the skills made popular when the area was first settled.

"We're inviting people to bring in their home baking or their smoke fish or their favourite painted lure, those kinds of things," says Reilly. "It's like an old time country fair."

Reilly says ribbons and prizes will be awarded to winners in a variety of categories.

Alzheimer Coffee Break

Several businesses and organizations across the Kenora-Rainy River district held coffee breaks Thursday in support of the Alzheimer Society.

The district's executive director Lynn Moffatt says it's a fun event that helps raise needed funds for the Society.

"Basically its a very fun event for organization to get out their to meet new people," says Moffatt. "It's a great networking opportunity and it's for a great cause. All of the money raised goes towards raising new services and supports.

Moffatt says they were hoping to raise at least five-thousand during the one-day event.

Airport Interest

There appears to be some interest around the Rainy River district to a Fort Frances request to have area municipalities share in the operating costs of its airport.

Municipal representatives from across the district discussed the idea at a meeting Tuesday night in Emo.

Fort Frances Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says there was a lot of good discussion, but the area's elected officials want more time and information before making a decision.

Wiedenhoeft says they're hoping to gather again in about a month's time.

Tour de Fort Delays Decision

The board of directors with Tour de Fort are delaying a decision on the future of the entertainment series until after this season's first show Saturday.

They have made a change at the top with Ken Avis taking over as president from Kerry Zucchiatti who will now assume the role as secretary.

The group wanted at least 125 new season-passport sales by yesterday to ensure they had the fund to operate next season.

Avis says they're still far short of that goal, but hopes the extension and Saturday's performance of Louise Pitre will result in the sales needed.

Court Ruling Upheld

Four area first nations have lost an attempt to have a court ruling over the operation of Pither's Point Park overturned.

The bands, along with the federal and provincial governments, launched an appeal after a court judge in April granted the town of Fort Frances the right to continue operating the park as a municipal park until the issue of ownership was resolved.

In a ruling released Tuesday, Justice Douglas Shaw dismissed the appeal saying there was no evidence the bands or governments would be inconvenienced by the interim injunction.

A town lease on the park expired last May.

Far North Act Defended

Premier Dalton McGuinty is defending his decision to move ahead with northern land development legislation over the objections of First Nations leaders.

He says there's been "extensive consultation'' over the Far North Act, which is slated for a third and final reading in the legislature tomorrow.

The bill would lock up to 42 per cent of Ontario's land mass from development, protecting 225,000 square kilometres of boreal forest.

But several aboriginal chiefs say the bill robs them of their treaty rights and doesn't give them a say in how their lands will be developed.

Nestor Falls Reaches Out for Support

Nestor Falls is hoping district-wide support will help it to become Canada's Ultimate Fishing Town.

Nestor Falls is second in the World Fishing Network's contest behind Port Alberni, British Columbia.

Maureen Hanson of Hanson's Hideaway Lodge says they're asking for more votes to help win the 25-thousand dollars up for grabs.

"If we're going to pass the leader, we have to have to sustain this volume of voting," says Hanson, "and possibly increase it as much as we can.

Voting through WFN's website ends September 28.

Northern Networks Trade Conference Begins

More than 125 delegates from across northwestern Ontario, Minnesota and Wisconsin are gathering today in Fort Frances for the start of the Northern Network's Trade Conference.

Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation the conference is now into its sixteenth year.

"It started as a trade conference," says Gillon. "It's now more of a community economic development conference. We bring the leaders together from across the region. It's the one thing we do with our Minnesota and Wisconsin partners on an annual bases to keep the lines of community open and keep looking for opportunities across that border."

The event begins with tours of the area this afternoon with Graham Rush, senior Trade commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis addressing delegate tonight.

Mayor Looks Ahead

The mayor of Fort Frances is welcoming another opportunity to lead the community for another four years.

Roy Avis, along with the other members of council were acclaimed for another term.

Avis says he's happy to be working with the same councillors once again.

"I think we've done a good job," says Avis. "I think council as a whole has done a tremendous job. We work very well together. We all have our own opinions and we come up with good governance for this community. As far as I'm concerned, we can look forward to a good four year."

Avis says by avoiding an election, council can concentrate on bringing forth a new budget for 2011.

Gun Registry Vote

Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton says enough votes will be coming from his party to potentially save the long-gun registry.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty, though, is not changing his position on the registry.

His office confirmed that he would not change his vote.

NOMA Opposing Far North Act

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is reaffirming its opposition to the Far North Act.

The bill proposes to protect nearly 50 per cent of the Far North's land mass from future development.

NOMA president Anne Krassilowsky says those limits are not based on science and could have a negative impact on the entire region.

Agency Upgrades

Two agencies in Atikokan are getting some financial help with upgrades to its facilities.

Atikokan and District Association for Development Services and Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Home are among four northwestern Ontario groups to share in $68-thousand from the province.

Anti-Tobacco Strategy Funding Received

The township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls is receiving funding from a provincial anti-tobacco strategy.

The community, along with its Healthy Living Coalition, will use the 500-dollars toward its Triple P race which involves biking, running and canoeing.

The inaugural event was held in July at Bass Lake Park.

Concert Series Underway

The Border Concert Series in International Falls is kicking off its season.

Five different shows are planned for the Backus Auditorium.

Paul Folin, who helps bring the performers to the area, says all five can been seen for one affordable price.

"Those prices are $45 US or $50 Cdn for adults," says Folin. "Ten dollars (US) and fifteen dollars (Cdn) for students. For a whole family its $95 (US) and $105 Canadian. It's an incredible bargain."

The Redhead Express, originally out of Alaska, kicks the series off September 28.

Duluth Man Drowns in Quetico

The body of a Duluth man has been pulled from an interior lake in Quetico Provincial Park.

OPP had been searching for 65-year-old Darrell Cellers at McAree Lake since last Thursday.

Investigation revealed that Cellers had been travelling through the park when his canoe overturned during windy conditions.

Budget Input Sought

Residents in Fort Frances will get their first opportunity to comment on what Fort Frances town council should be budgeting for in 2011 later this month.

CAO Mark McCaig says a public meeting on September 27 will give residents a chance to provide their input.

"The public meeting is a perfect opportunity for people who have concerns to bring them forward and let mayor and council know exactly how you feel about going forward," says McCaig. "It's a great opportunity to get on the ground floor and maybe effect the course of the budget deliberations."

The budget won't be finalized until sometime next spring.

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.