New Aircraft for Wasaya

Wasaya Airlines is expanding.

The Thunder Bay-based First Nations owned company has added a Bombardier Dash 8 to it's fleet.

The new aircraft will be used to fly Goldcorp workers to it's Musselwhite mine site.

Operation Christmas Child Underway

Residents across the Rainy River district are being asked once again to collect items for children in under-developed countries.

Local coordinator Della McQuaker says Operation Christmas Child is now underway.

"Operation Christmas Child is where we have the opportunity to fill up shoe boxes or any other type of box or pack sacks," says McQuaker, "with gifts, toys, hygiene products, school items that we can give to children aboard that are being serviced through Samaritan's Purse."

Boxes can now be picked up at Bethel Bapist Church, Northland Basics and The Bargain Store in Fort Frances, Tompkins Hardware and Calvary Baptist Church in Emo and Trinity Lutheran in Bergland.

The box must be returned during the week of November 14.

Fall Fire Safety Event

(Safe Communities Rainy River photo)

Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service will close out Fire Prevention Week with its annual Fall Fire Safety Event at Canadian Tire.

Fire Safety Specialist Wayne Riches says tomorrow's event goes from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

"We've got lots of giveaways for the kids," says Riches. "We've got some draws for some really good prizes. We've got a lot of our staff there, both volunteer and full-time, with a few different fire trucks. We'll be able to answer any questions that the kids or adults may have so a little something for everyone."

Riches says it will also a good time to check your smoke alarms to ensure they're working properly.

Comfort Care Room Opens

(Ribbon Cutting of new Comfort Care Room)

Riverside Healthcare Facilities has opened a new comfort care room at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Executive Vice-president Lori Maki says the room, located on the hospital's second floor, is intended to provide comfort to patients suffering with an illness and nearing their end of life.

"A part of the problem in the past has been our rooms aren't been that large," says Maki, "so we can't accommodate families overnight, 24 hours around the clock. The highlight of this particular room is that we have t.v., VCR, fire place, a lot of other amenities. It's decorated in a comfortable home-like environment."

The room was furnished through a variety of donations.

160 Over 50 Challenge

The Ontario Breast Screening Program wants to see 160 women over the age of 50 on Monday October 18.

It's the second year for the 12 hour drop in breast screening day in northwestern Ontario.

Manager of Cancer Screening Lori Della Vedova says there are some perks to getting your breasts checked.

"We know that some women are not aware of our program," says Della Vedova. "It's an awareness opportunity for us to let women know that if they're over the age of 50 with no breast problems or breast cancer they can get screened every two years simply making an appointment themselves. You don't have to go through a family physician."

New clients who participate in the challenge will receive a free "Thingamaboob" and be entered into a draw for a 50 dollar gift card.

Teen Smoking Bill Opposed

The Ontario government plans to stub out a Conservative private member's bill that would make it illegal for teens to buy or possess tobacco products.

Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best says the Liberals don't want to make criminals out of teens who smoke.

Conservative MPP Gerry Martiniuk says it should be illegal for people under 19 to possess or consume tobacco products, not just illegal to sell cigarettes to teens.

Money Workshops Planned

Programs to help individuals with money matters will soon be available to residents in the Rainy River district.

Fort Frances-based NCDS will help carry out programs for the Social and Enterprise Development Innovation, a national non-profit organization.

Manager of its Transitions Centre Cathy Emes says a number of sessions will take place.

"There's a session on budgeting," says Emes. There's a session on credit. There's a session on credit ratings and credit reports and things like that."

The first workshop happens at the Centre next week.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

Provincial police are urging drivers to keep their eyes on the road and to put down that cellphone.

OPP have laid more than 5,100 distracted driving charges since February.

It's been illegal to drive while talking or texting using a handheld device since then and violators face a 155-dollar ticket.

Baudette Fire Remembered

(Minnesota Historical Society photo)

A massive forest fire that destroyed the city of Baudette one hundred years ago, leaving more than forty dead and thousands homeless will be remembered during events starting today.

Marlys Hirst, executive director of the Lake of the Woods Historical Society Museum, says they will start festivities with a sounding of the fire alarms tonight.

"At 6 o'clock the sirens will sound in Baudette," says Hirst. "Then there will be a fire truck procession down Main Street. That is a combination of old and new fire trucks from surrounding towns as well as Baudette. They include the Forestry department and fire departments."

The parade will include 100-year-old Helga Smith, the only known survivor of the fire, as the Grand Marshall.

Seniors Not Leaving Home: Health Minister

Ontario's Health Minister is disputing claims seniors from the Fort Frances area are being told if they want to access long-term care beds they have to leave the community.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton revealed Monday one resident received a letter from the Northwest Community Care Access Centre that a bed was available for her 550 kilometres away in Terrace Bay.

But Deb Matthews says no one is being forced from their community.

"The CCAC was simply informing all people on their waiting list that there was a new option available," says Matthews. "It is completely wrong to suggest that there was any forcing going on."

Matthews says the letter was to notify seniors of the new long-term care bed facility in Terrace Bay.

Healthy Smiles Back

The Northwestern Health Unit is rolling out a program this fall to improve the oral health of kids in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

Medical Officer of Health Doctor Jim Arthurs says the Healthy Smiles program is a no-cost dental program for young children in low-income households.

"It's a low-cost or no-cost dental program with the eligibility for young children who have no access to dental care by insurance," says Arthurs, "and whose family has under $20-thousand in adjusted net family income."

The Health Unit is receiving provincial funding to carry out the program and operate a mobile dental clinic in communities where no dentists exist.

STOP Smoking Program Coming to Fort

The STOP On-the-Road smoking program will be returning to Fort Frances later this month.

Northwestern Health Unit's Enforcement Manager Jennifer McKibbon says the program is being offered to 175 smokers.

"Smokers attend the workshop, listen to a bit of information on the research that's being done," says McKibbon, "have a little bit of individual counseling. Choose with the counselor which type of nicotine replacement therapy would be right for them and get $175 worth of free N.R.T."

McKibbon says for most smokers, the cost of nicotine replacement products is a barrier in their quit attempts.

Falls Students Take Rachel's Challenge

International Falls students have pledged to take Rachel's Challenge.

It's based on the writings of Rachel Scott, the first student killed during the 1999 Columbine High School shootings.

Spokesperson Sarah Branion says Rachel's challenge for people to perform acts of kindness and compassion is having an effect.

"We've definitely seen Columbine as a tragedy move into a triumph," says Branion. "We've seen suicides averted. We've actually have documented school shootings stopped because we've been to a community and inspired a different kind of culture with the students."

Branion was in the Falls to promote the program to students and the community.

Port Alberni Wins

Port Alberni has been officially declared Canada's Ultimate Fishing Town.

The World Fishing Network says the British Columbia community defeated Nestor Falls in its on-line contest that went down to the wire.

Nestor Falls does pick up a $5-thousand donation for its efforts.

Province Seeks Assurances on Dam Sale

The provincial government wants AbitibiBowater to continue honouring water and power agreements with local communities if it proceeds with a sale of its hydro-electric dams in Iroquois Falls and Fort Frances.

Concerns about the dams were raised in August when it was revealed the company was again looking at selling off its hydro assets.

Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey says no formal request to sell the dams has been received, but shares the concerns about how the sale will impact local mills and communities.

Pink Out!

The Rainy River District Breast Health Network wants to the district to Pink Out.

Chair Teresa Hazel says they're asking everyone to wear pink on October 22.

"We want the whole district to get involved with breast cancer awareness and the promotion of breast health," says Hazel. "We just thought it would be a great way to ask people to wear pink or decorate their offices or doors pink and just think pink."

Hazel says they're also asking people who wear pink to donation one dollar to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care for a new Digital Mammography Unit.

Seniors Get Letters for Beds Elsewhere

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is questioning why seniors in Fort Frances are being told they have to leave the community if they want to access long-term care beds.

Hampton says in one case, a resident at Rainycrest Long Term Care, was offered a bed in Terrace Bay, a 550 kilometres, 7 hours drive from the Fort.

"Terrace Bay is 550 kilometres, or seven hours, away from Fort Frances where her family and friends reside," says Hampton. "Is this the McGuinty Liberals’ idea of quality long-term care for Ontario seniors? Send them 550 kilometres—seven hours—away from their family and friends?"

Health Minister Deb Matthews says she would look into why the woman received such a letter.

More Paramedics Added

The city of International Falls is adding more paramedics to its ambulance department.

City councillors last night accepted a recommendation from their Advanced Life Support Committee to hire three paramedics in 2011.

Committee Chair Terry Ehrman says an increase in runs and changing demographics warrant their need.

"The population of the baby boomers is getting older," says Ehrman. "There's going to be more elderly people requesting the service. There's going to be an increase in the service as well with that."

The task force estimates cost of having now four paramedics on staff at about $825-thousand with net revenues to the city coming in at about a quarter-of-a-million.

Fight on Blight Continues

The city of International Falls fight on blight campaign continues.

The push to have old derelict building torn down has resulted in fourteen homes, five mobile homes, eleven garages and six sheds demolished this year.

Building Inspector Kelly Meyers says they're hoping to have at least three other burned-out buildings and some garages brought down in the near future.

Walking the Path

A group of police officers and community members are gathering this week in Couchiching First Nation to learn about a new educational program for youth.

Walking the Path focuses on teaching native and non-native students about the history, beliefs and traditions of Aboriginal People.

Carol Clarke of the OPP's Aboriginal Policing Bureau says they seeing success in area's that now have the program.

"Once it comes into an area, people just snowball, they want it everywhere because it's so fun," says Clarke. "The kids love it. The community loves it. The schools love it. It's self-empowering for these kids to learn about their culture."

Clarke says they're working to spread the program across the province.

Children's Fair Today

Children's agencies and services from the Rainy River district will be showcased at a event today at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances

Miranda Sigurdson of the Northwestern Health Unit says a number of groups are taking part.

"We're going to have different health representatives like an audiologist from the Ear Clinic," says Sigurdson. "There will be the Dental Centre and representation from the Health Unit and the different programs there. The Karate Club and Kids and Company will also be on hand."

The event goes from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. and is put on by the Coming Together for Kids Coalition.

Coroner's Inquest Makes Recommendations

A coroner's jury is recommending increased staff training and searches of inmates after examining the death of an Atikokan man at the Fort Frances district jail.

An inquest into the August 2009 death of 21-year old Dylan Wreggitt determined he died accidentally of opiate toxicity.

The jury made a total of eight recommendation after hearing two-days of testimony last week in Fort Frances.

They included the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services making resources available to staff for enhancing training regarding drug screening and that the Fort Frances jail consider using OPP K-9 units to conduct random weekly searches of the cells.

Multiple Ballots Received

Some voters in the Rainy River district may have received multiple Vote by Mail kits for this month's school board elections.

The kits were sent out last week.

The Rainy River District School Board says electors with property in both a municipality and an unorganized area may have received kits from both their municipality and the school board.

Superintendent of Business Laura Mills says the mailings could not be avoided due to the way voter notification lists were produced.

Voters are to use just one ballot, and to return it to their municipality.

Stop Being Nice: Panel

How do we get northwestern Ontario issues on the radar at Queen's Park?

That was the topic at a panel discussion at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference in Thunder Bay.

Panelist and Toronto Star Writer Christine Blizzard says northerners have to stop being nice.

"I was very surprised to hear (municipal leaders) had given two standing ovations to Premier Dalton McGuinty," says Blizzard, "in light of the far north act that was passed against serious opposition from northwestern Ontario that the crowd could have been a lot more critical."

Others says northerners need to focus attention on a couple of key issues at one time.

More Gold Found in Atikokan

An mining company says its found new gold zones near Atikokan.

The discovery by Sparton Resources was made during its summer exploration program of property that straddles Osisko Mining Corporation's Hammond Reef project.

Sparton is planning more exploration this fall that will include a drilling of the identified areas.

Live@edu

The Rainy River District School Board is partnering with Microsoft to make its Live@edu initiative available to secondary students across the district.

Information Technology Services manager Stephen Danielson says it allows students to access their school emails and projects from any computer.

"From home, the public library, wherever they have an interest connection," says Danielson. "The nice part is that they can transfer their files from school to an on-line storage and access that same file from home."

Danielson says they are already looking to expand the initiative to students in grade seven and eight.

Students Clean Shoreline

The shores of Rainy River are a little cleaner today, thanks in part of the students from J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances.

Teacher Angela Petsnick says about forty students picked up garbage as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-Up.

"Last year we picked up a lot of cigarette butts along the river front," says Petsnick, "A lot food wrappers and plastic bottles. Sometimes we find some weird things like a seagull or a skunk. We pick up everything."

This is the sixth year the school has participated in the Canada-wide clean-up.

Far North Act Defended

Ontario's Premier is defending the Far North Act.

Numerous groups including businesses and First Nations organizations have condemned it.

Speaking in Thunder Bay, Dalton McGuinty believes there will be a way to work around any concerns.

"We're going to work hard with our First Nation communities," says McGuinty, "to make sure we establish a genuine partnership where each party has confidence in the other and that we can almost anticipate each others thinking.

McGuinty also appointed a new coordinator to oversee the Ring of Fire chromite deposit initiative.

ReThink Economic Development: Consultant

Northwestern Ontario communities need to rethink the way they carry out economic development.

Brock Dickinson, an economic development consultant, spoke at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Thunder Bay.

Dickinson says northern communities need to revamp their economic development skills.

"The tools, the offices and the systems that we put in place were put in place thirty or forty years ago," says Dickinson, "and focused on things that are not on the leading edge of the new economy. Step one is to rethink what we're doing and why we're doing it."

Dickinson says the North can also thrive on entrepreneurs that do business world wide using technology such as green energy.

Rafferty Introduces Seconds FASD Bill

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty has introduced his second Private Members' Bill on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Rafferty is calling on the Federal Government to develop a national strategy on the issue.

The bill is not expected to come up for debate before the next federal election.

Fire Season Nears an End

There is officially one month left in the forest fire season.

Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Debbie MacLean says it's been another slow season in northwestern Ontario.

"We have had 351 fires in the West Fire region," says MacLean, "and just over 9,000 hectares burned. We've had certainly more fire activity this year than we have had in the couple of previous year. We still have had a fairly quiet forest fire season."

The northwest has averaged about 626 fires over the past five years.

Falls School Board Bracing for Possible Cuts

The Superintendent of Independent School District 361 is bracing for the possibility of cuts in state funding.

Education has so far been spared by the Minnesota government, but Jeffrey Peura says the International Falls School board is being cautious with its spending.

"We don't know probably until next May what our funding formula will be leading into next school year," says Peura, "so we're going to be very cautious with revenue projections.

Peura says the board did see an increase in the number of elementary students attending classes this fall which helps with the amount of money they do get from the Minnesota government.

College Support

More assurances that Rainy River Community College won't be closing anytime soon

The College is among the smallest in Minnesota, but Interim Provost Ken Simberg told a group of International Falls business leaders the college plays a big role in the area.

"Rainy River needs to be here to serve the individuals who have college desire," says Simberg, "want to stay locally and go to school. Plus, I believe we service a very important part of being a community. We serve the workforce needs. We serve the training needs."

Simberg says they're working to build enrollment by adding new programs and promoting itself more to Ontario students.

Singer Promotes Native Teachings

A northwestern Ontario musician is using her music help promote native teachings and healthy lifestyles to young people.

Shy-Anne Horvorka is in Fort Frances as part of a aboriginal music tour.

"I think a lot of youth thing that in the music business you have to sing about drugs, alcohol and partying to be successful," says Horvorka. "We want to show them you can be successful without singing about that. You can have a positive swing to your message."

Tonight, she's holding a search for youth to participate in a mentorship program through music and art with auditions taking place at the Townsend Theater.

Inquest Continues

A coroner's inquest into the death of an Atikokan man at the Fort Frances district jail continues today.

The inquest is reviewing the circumstances behind the death of 21-year-old Dylan Wreggitt, who was found unresponsive at the jail in August 2009 and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Yesterday, a five-person jury began hearing testimony and reviewing evidence that began with viewing a number of photographs of Wreggit's jail cell taken by an O-P-P investigator.

Wisconsin Man Arrested at Border

A man, wanted in Wisconsin in connection with a sexual assault of a child, is in police custody after being arrested at the International Falls port of entry.

63-year-old Gary Luedeman was arrested last Wednesday while U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant from Oconto County, north of Green Bay.

Luedeman was later turned over to Koochiching County Sheriff's Office pending extradition back to Wisconsin.

McGuinty Visits Northwestern Ontario Leaders

Premier Dalton McGuinty is in Thunder Bay today.

He will deliver the keynote address at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association's meeting and will be joined by area MPPs Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro.

The premier will then met area residents applying for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit.

New Democrats Call for Review

Opposition New Democrats are calling on Premier McGuinty to review an Ontario Energy Board decision that raised the guaranteed rate of return for electricity distributors and transmitters.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says those rates went up despite recommendations no change was needed.

"Independent Canadian experts and consumer and business groups said that no change was needed," says Hampton, "but American consultants, paid for by the big utilities, said that Ontario consumers should pay an extra $240 million a year for their electricity and gas. And what a surprise: Under the Liberal government, the big utilities won."

Energy Minister Brad Duguid says the NDP's figures are inaccurate.

Last Day for Voting

Today is the last day to help Nestor Falls become Canada's Ultimate Fishing town.

On-line voting in the World Fishing Network's contest end at 4 p.m. CST.

Nestor Falls is in a tight race with Port Alberni, B.C.

Colleges Visit High Schools

Thirteen post-secondary institutions are visiting Rainy River district high schools this week.

Confederation College among them.

Spokesperson Shari MacKenzie says they'll be wooing students to consider the northwestern Ontario college.

"We get the majority of the students for our Thunder Bay campus from our catchment area," says MacKenzie. "Our area campuses also populate quite a few of our regional students. The colleges that are coming from outside Thunder Bay may have programs that aren't available at our community college."

Their visit is part of a regional recruitment tour that visits Fort Frances High School this morning and Atikokan high school this afternoon.

It was in Rainy River yesterday.

Lions Fundraiser On this Morning

Members of the Voyageur Lions Club are at Tim Hortons in Fort Frances this morning for their annual Drive-thru Breakfast fundraiser.

District Governor Val Martindale says a ten-dollar donation gets you a grab bag of items along with a coffee and a muffin.

"Everybody gets and orange, a breakfast bar, a juice box, a water bottle and some gum," says Martindale. "They get lots of coupons and the chances you might get a gift certificate in there as well."

Martindale says patrons also have the chance to win a number of big prizes with their donation.

Breast Screening Program Reaches 20

The Northwest Regional Cancer Centre is celebrating a milestone.

It's operated the Breast Screening Program in Northwestern Ontario for the past twenty years.

Cancer Care Director Alison McMullen says over 32 thousand women have been given mammograms, but more needs to be done.

The program is offered at five satellite sites across the region, including at Riverside Health Care Facilities in Fort Frances.

Hampton Solicit Support for Nestor Falls

Howard Hampton is throwing his support behind Nestor Falls as it competes to become Canada's Ultimate Fishing town.

In a statement to the legislature Wednesday, the MPP for Kenora-Rainy River called on Ontarians and politicians of all stripes to back the northwestern Ontario community in the World Fishing Network's Contest

Nestor Falls trails Port Alberni, British Columbia with online voting ending Thursday afternoon.

Atikokan Saying No to Airport Help

One Rainy River district community is saying "no" to Fort Frances' request for financial support for its airport.

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown says the request doesn't make much sense for his community which has its own airport.

"I think it's a no brainer," says Brown. "We couldn't be expected to pay for the one in Fort Frances when we have our own. We've been limping along with our own airport."

Brown adds the town also recently spent almost over million dollars upgrading the airport runway and taken steps to reduce operating costs.

Auxiliary Funds New X-Ray Equipment

The Emo and District Hospital Auxiliary is helping to fund new x-ray equipment at the Emo Health Centre.

The new equipment, in place since April, allows Diagnostic Imaging personnel to send x-rays electronically for viewing by the radiologist.

Auxiliary Chair Heather Oltsher says they're about a quarter of the way towards their goal.

"We have $40,000 to raise," says Oltsher. "We have given about $13,000, not all from us. About $7,500 of that has been given from the Auxiliary.

Oltsher says their next major fundraising event happens October 15 when they host a Falls tea at the Emo Legion.

Retirement Gathering Planned

A retirement and appreciation dinner is being planned for a long-time Fort Frances physician.

Nelson Medicine Professional Corporation and Riverside Health Care Facilities will host the public event for Doctor Angus MacIntosh October 8.

MacIntosh is ending a 39-year career in Fort Frances where he's been a critical part of Riversides' Obstetrics' department for many years, delivering an estimated ten-thousand babies during his career.

HST Defended

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is defending his government's decision to implement the HST.

The NDP have launched a campaign calling on the Provincial Government to remove the tax from hydro bills.

Mauro says the NDP aren't being completely truthful.

"I don't think anyone is surprised by that," says Mauro. "NDP Leader Andrea Horwath's numbers that she used last week were extremely soundly criticized and actually people were laughing at them at how inaccurate they were."

Yesterday, the Liberals announced further tax exemptions for Seniors and their energy costs.

Native Child Welfare Services Reviewed

Ontario's Children and Youth Services Minister is committing to working with native child welfare agencies in improving services.

Laurel Broten spoke recently at a provincial conference in Fort Frances.

Broten says with the hiring of John Beaucage as a advisor, they'll be talking further about making the system better.

"John and I, along with chiefs and other experts, will be working together to bring leaders and experts and technicians to a summit which we will hold in the spring," says Broten.

Broten says it's an opportunity to work together to ensure that children and their families are well cared for.

Rafferty Supports Long-Form Census Return

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is adding his voice to a long-list of politicians and organizations who want to see Canada's long-form census kept in place.

Rafferty says its a vital tool for good policy-making.

"The decision to amend it was shortsighted and was carried out without consultation," says Rafferty. "The government should immediately reverse the changes to the long-form census."

MP's debated an opposition motion yesterday calling for the long-form census to be reinstated.

Mining Studies Planned

The town of Atikokan is looking to see how prepared it is for an renewed mining boom.

Talk of new gold and iron ore mines have prompted the town to conduct three separate studies.

Mayor Dennis Brown says one will look at how well the town can meet industry needs.

"As we go through this and prepare for the mines to come in, we want to be sure we have the services that the mines are looking for," says Brown. "Consultants will interview the mining companies to get an idea on what they need."

Other studies will examine how open Atikokan is to attracting new business and where new industrial lots could be developed.

Arena Modifications Requested

A Fort Frances councillor is looking for some modifications to the Ice for Kids Arena.

Sharon Tibbs wants the town to install metal hand rails along stairs of the arena's seating area.

Tibbs says she got the idea after seeing the rails in use at an arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

"I paid particular attention to the crowd movement and watched the ability of seniors and people with various disabilities to negotiate the stairs," says Tibbs. "I noted how they were able to securely and independently reach their seats with the hand rail."

Tibbs says with a push to make government-run facilities more accessible, the town maybe able to access provincial dollars for the project.

Sewage By-Pass Made

For the third time this year, the town of Fort Frances was forced to dump partially-treated sewer directly into the Rainy River.

The by-pass of the sewage treatment plant happened during last week's rain storm.

Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown says chlorine was added to the 965 cubic meters of waste before it entered the river.

The Ministry of Environment was notified of the occurrence.

The town also by-passed the plant during two heavy rain storms in July.