Council Salaries Increasing

Fort Frances town councillors will earn their first pay increase in seven year this December.

Councillors voted last night to rescind a 2-year delay on increases approved earlier this year.

Andrew Hallikas was the only councillor to oppose the move.

"I think this council is under paid and there should be a raise," says Hallikas, "but since our rational was good originally, to me our rational is still good. I don't think anything has changed."

Council delayed the increases in April after the Premier asked municipalities to hold the line on wage increases due to the economy.

Falls Candidates Debate

Some of the candidates campaigning in the International Falls area in this November's elections had a chance to outline their platforms last night.

About 20 of the 35 candidates participated at a public forum at Rainy River Community College.

Taxes, relations between International Falls and Koochiching County, and economic development were among issues arising from the meeting.

Emo Candidates Forum Tonight

Candidates seeking election this month's municipal elections in Emo will share their visions for the community at a public forum tonight at the Emo Legion.

The moderated forum is sponsored by the Emo Chamber of Commerce and begins at 6:30 p.m.

Advanced Polls Open in Atikokan

The first of two advanced polls for this month's municipal elections in Atikokan takes place today.

The poll at the Atikokan Municipal office goes from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Another advanced poll will take place Saturday.

Fort Frances Man in Car Commercial

A Fort Frances man is hoping his appearance in a recent Mazda commercial will help advance his career.

Roy Tighe appears in the commercial that has been airing since August.

Speaking from Los Angeles, Tighe says he was supposed to be in a different car ad.

"The first commercial I booked was with Mercedes," says Tighe. "Four hours before we filmed it they replaced me. I just kept going to auditions and all of a sudden I got an audition for this one."

Tighe says he's using the money to fund a documentary about comedian Richard Lett he's hoping to debut at film festivals next year.

Multi-Unit Complex Proposed

Residents in Fort Frances will get an opportunity to comment on an native organization's plans to construct a 10-unit residential complex in Fort Frances' north end.

Fort Frances Native Urban Wahkaihganun Corporation is proposing the building on Eight Street at York Avenue and is seeking a zoning-by-law amendment to permit construction.

A public meeting on the amendment is to be held as part of Tuesday tonight's town council meeting.

Fire Chief Hiring

Rainy River town council will sit down Tuesday tonight to discuss the hiring of a fire chief that could over see two other area fire departments.

Rainy River, along with Dawson and Lake of the Woods townships have been examining the idea of a joint fire department to help them deal with provincial regulations and guidelines.

Municipalities agreed to advertise for the position back in June.

Man Arrested in Drug Store Break-ins

A 22-year-old man faces several charges following a pair of break-ins at the Emo Drug Store.

Michael Cochrane of Mitannjigaming First Nation was arrested last week after OPP responded to an alarm at the store to find the front door broken and several different types of prescription drugs had been taken.

Further investigation revealed Cochrane has also been involved in a break-in at same drug store back in August.

Symposium Spots Still Open

Only a few spots are open for an Ontario Provincial Police symposium for women interested in a career in policing.

It happens this Saturday at the Fort France Library and Technology Centre.

To register, call the Fort Frances detachment at 274-3322

Fill the Food Banks

Shaw Communications, Campbell Canada and Canada Safeway are working to "Fill the Food Banks" this fall.

It's part of an campaign that aims to collect a million pounds of food for food banks across Canada by November 15.

In Fort Frances, drop-off bins have been set up at Shaw's retail outlet, the Fort Frances Public Library, The Place, Family and Children Services Rainy River and Robert Moore School.

Lobby Scandal at Queen's Park

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is doubting the sincerity of the McGuinty Government over its attempts to crack down on the use of public money for lobbyists.

Hampton says the most recent information his party has received shows that former lobbyists are now part of the Liberal government.

"I think people would be shocked to learn that some of the health care budget is actually being spent on insider lobbyists who worked inside the Premier's office," says Hampton. "That money should be going to health care."

Hampton believes the message government has been sending out is - to get access to cabinet ministers, you need to hire a lobbyist.

Pay Raise Discussed

Fort Frances town councillors may reconsider a freeze on their pay, agreed to back in April.

Councillors are to discuss the issue during their meeting Tuesday tonight.

They initially approved an increase, the first in seven years, effective this December, but later delayed it for two years in response to Premier Dalton McGuinty's request that municipalities follow the province's lead in holding the line on salaries.

But Mayor Roy Avis notes the province hasn't even followed their own wage increase guidelines

Councillors had also hoped they've move would lead to town workers agreeing to a wage freeze during this year's contract negotiations.

Fort Frances Airport Discussed

Another community in the Rainy River district will debate the merits of contributing to the Fort Frances Municipal Airport.

Rainy River town councillors will discuss a motion Monday night that could see the town participating in a review of a governance and operations policy toward turning the airport into a regional one.

Fort Frances first floated the idea in September.

Atikokan, which operates its own airport, does not support the proposal.

New Forest Fires Reported

Recent warm weather, and human carelessness, lead to eight new forest fires popping up across northwestern Ontario last week.

Two were in the Rainy River district.

One small fire near Pipestone Lake was extinguished by Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews.

Another, on the west boundary of Quetico Provincial Park, was being allowed to burn out.

Five of the eight fires were human caused.

Promotions Group Expands

A entertainment promotions company with roots in Fort Frances is reorganizing.

Owner of Wildfire Music, Adam Armit, says a change in direction led to him to form a new company called Go Live Entertainment.

"We started as a d-j service in 2003," says Armit. "We've grown to have music promotions and a talent agency which turned out to be my favourite part of the company. We've decided in order to grow the company in the way it was headed we needed to re-brand and basically start a new company with a new corporate structure."

Armit says the new company will allow him to bring music acts to communities across the province as well as to Fort Frances.

Fort Frances Doc Retires

Community members and medical professionals gathered to bid Doctor Angus MacIntosh best wishes on his retirement Friday.

MacIntosh ends 39 years of medical practice in Fort Frances.

In his speech to the crowd, MacIntosh thanked all those he'd worked with and patients he helped.

"I've enjoyed the work," says MacIntosh. "I think obstetrics is the most emotional rewarding of the specialties and I've derived a great deal of pleasure and emotional reward from it."

It estimated Dr. Mac delivered more than ten-thousand babies during his career.

Rainy River Resources Seek Key Permits

Rainy River Resources is hoping for some key permits that advances its exploration program north of Barwick.

Kyle Stanfield, Director of Environment and Sustainability, says the company is in a position to submit its applications very soon.

"We anticipate to submit what is called a closure plan to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry by the end of the year," says Stanfield, "and we'll have our permits in place by early 2011. Then we'll be kick starting to go underground to really have a closure look at those rocks and understand the resource better and prove it up."

Stanfield doesn't anticipate any difficulty in securing those permits.

The company has also opened a new office in Emo that will allow resident to get more information about its exploration activities and submit resumes for jobs when they come open.

User Fees Examined

Fort Frances town councillors gave some thoughts on what user fees may look like in 2011.

No final figures were discussed at a meeting yesterday, but Mayor Roy Avis says he doesn't want to see any increase to be significant.

"I think with the HST coming in this year which has been a shell shock for alot of people on the fees that they're pay," says Avis, "the overall cost to live in this community and with the uncertainties with what's happening, I think we should look at a cost of living adjustment."

Other councillors want to see any increase have more emphasis on non-resident fees.

Councillors will take a more detailed look at the fees in the coming weeks.

New Instruments for Fort Music Department

Fort Frances High School is getting some new instruments for its music department.

The school was the recipient of a $10-thousand Band-Aid grant from MusiCounts, a music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Music Director Lisa Loney says the grant was a welcomed surprise.

"I have to say we were very surprised," says Loney, "just because it's a very difficult grant to get and there's a lot of steps you have to go through to get it. We did all the right things and I guess if you do all the right things, good things can come your way.

Loney says hope to take delivery of the seven new instruments in time for use at a concert in December.

Fugutive Arrested

A fugitive with Hell's Angels connections is now in custody in Thunder Bay.

46-year-old Paul Douglas Gallagher was wanted on a Canada wide warrant for parole violation.

RCMP say Gallagher had been in the city for several days before arrested Wednesday without incident.

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.