Weather Records Set

Another unusual warm February day resulted in more weather records in the Borderland.

Atikokan was the hot spot in Ontario yesterday with a high of 15.1 C.

That shattered the 1981 record of 9.6 C.

International Falls' high of 48 F tied a 1981 record.

There was no record in Fort Frances, but the thermometer did reach 8.5 C.

The warm weather, however, won't last.

Temperatures well below Zero arrive tomorrow.

No Bids for Fort Frances Landmark

An attempt to sell the former Rainy Lake Hotel in Fort Frances has attracted no buyers.

The attempted tax sale by the town received fleeting interest from thirty-two parties, but none submitted bids by yesterday's 3 p.m.deadline.

Tax Administrator Tara Redford says the fate of the 82-year-old landmark now lies with town council who has the option of attempting another tax sale or taking ownership itself to determine a next step.

The hotel has been closed since 2005.

Firefighters Union Responds to Award

The Fort Frances Professional Fire Fighters Association is responding to an Arbitration Award that gives its members a new four year deal.

The agreement, retroactive to 2009, includes wage increases totalling 16 per cent plus recognition pay based on years of service.

In a brief one-paragraph statement, the Association says the award is "a direct reflection of the industry norm," and similar to that received by other departments of similar size.

CAO Mark McCaig said Monday the cost of the deal is forcing the town to conduct a review of its Fire Department for potential savings.

Uploading Clarification Sought

There continues to be questions about the savings the town of Fort Frances should be realizing from the provincial uploading of the costs for social services programs.

Councillor Ken Perry says the town should be getting back $897-thousand but is being told otherwise.

"I'm being stonewalled and being told that we're only getting $440-thousand," says Perry. "The $440-thousand is extra this year, more than we got last year. The problem is when the Province starting uploading this funding to the DSSAB (Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board) we didn't get a benefit out of it."

Perry is seeking a clarification from the Province.

Bayfield in Top 50

A mining company doing work in the Rainy River district has been named to this year's TSX Venture 50.

Bayfield Ventures is listed third among ten mining companies in the annual ranking of the strongest performing companies listed on the TSX Venture exchange.

Bayfield has a gold project north of Barwick.

Boil Water Advisory Continues

The town of Rainy River remains under a boil water advisory.

The advisory was imposed last week after a major waterline break forced the town to shut off its water treatment plant for several hours.

A town official says the advisory could be lifted by the end of week depending on the outcome of tests conducted.

Stewardship Council Increases Awareness

(David May (r) speaking recently at Rainy River District Municipal Association meeting)

The Ministry of Natural Resources is working to increase the awareness of the Rainy River Stewardship Council.

The group has been around for the past two years.

Coordinator David May says its goal it work with the public in identifying local environmental concerns and finding solutions.

"We're looking to engage folks to find ways to decrease their impact on the nature world," says May. "It's really about private land stewardship - things that people can do on their own property and in their own lives to reduce their impact on our natural world."

The council's projects have included tree planting and building pine marten nest boxes.

Firefighters Get New Deal

Unionized members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service have a new contract, but the town of Fort Frances isn't happy.

CAO Mark McCaig says the four-year deal, being imposed by an arbitrator is going to be costly to the town.

"There's some retroactive pay involved and then the costs over four years and there's some new costs the town has to address as listed in the reward," says McCaig. "Being such as significant cost implication as it is, we're taking a look at fire services as a whole in the town of Fort Frances."

The deal, retroactive to 2009, includes a 16 per cent wage increase over the length of the agreement, recognition pay and a full benefit plan for retiring firefighters.

Policing Numbers Called into Question

Questions are being raised about the number of OPP officers patrolling the streets of Fort Frances.

A new contract is being considered with the O-P-P offering an option of reducing the number of officers to 19.

Councillor Ken Perry says that's still above the national average.

"The average police officer in Canada per capita is 2 per thousand (residents)," says Perry, "and in Ontario it's 2 per thousand. I'm asking we investigate and ask our police force why we have to be at 2.34 if we go to 19. Right now we're at 2.58 officers per thousand."

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says because the contract is based on calls for service, the number of officers required may be warranted.

Water Rate Hike in Fort Frances

Water and sewer rates are going up next month in Fort Frances.

Councillor Sharon Tibbs says the 2 per cent increase on the residential bills only amounts to a few dollars per year.

"Its $15.71 a year on the base of the residential," says Tibbs. "That equates to a 2 per cent increase."

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the increase to all sectors will bring an additional $155-thousand to help replace aging infrastructure.

FedNor Bill Proceeds in Ottawa

The goal of making FedNor a permanent regional economic development agency for northern Ontario is a step closer.

Liberal MP Anthony Rota's private member's bill has passed second reading in the House of Commons.

"By becoming an agency then it has to report to Parliament," Says Rota. "Any changes that are made to that mandate have to made by all of Parliament and not by just one individual like FedNor is now."

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says establishing FedNor as a permanent regional economic development agency does nothing but add an unnecessary level of bureaucracy to the system.

Dayton Budget Comes Today

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton brings down his proposed budget today.

District 3 Senator Tom Saxhaugh expects it to contain cuts and tax increases.

"You have to come up with a total package," says Saxhaugh. "You don't just come up with a cut bill, then a another cut bill and another cut bill. We know right now the majority in the Legislature isn't enthused about coming up with additional revenue but it's got to be part of the package."

Last week, Dayton used his Veto power to kill a budget approved by the Republican-led House.

Dam Sold

AbitibiBowater is selling off 75-per cent of its interest in its hydro assets in Ontario.

This includes the hydro dam in Fort Frances.

The deal with an unnamed Canadian institutional investor and a private Canadian renewable energy company is worth $300-million.

Part of the proceeds will be used to pay down the company's debt.

AbitibiBowater says power produced from the hydro dam in Fort Frances will continue to supply its mill under the terms a long-term power purchase agreement.

Contract Dispute Hearing This Week

Two labour unions head to a hearing this week in Thunder Bay in their dispute with AbitibiBowater over the interpretation of an agreement signed four years ago by mill workers in Fort Frances.

Brian Short of the International Association of Machinists Union says the company is trying to impose a new pension plan which he says, contravenes the deal signed in 2007.

"A new pension plan is excluded from being carried over unless the unions want to open up the issue for bargaining," says Short. "It is the position of the I.A.M and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers that we do not want to open the issue of pensions."

Short says all sides agreed to a moratorium on pensions until 2014.

Fort Frances Paper Mill Takes Shutdown

AbitibiBowater is temporarily halting paper production at its Fort Frances mill next week.

A two week shutdown, beginning February 21, is due to market conditions.

Company officials says the Kraft mill will continue to operate during this time.

Paper machines at the mill are expected to be back in production March 7.

Energy Task Force Formed

A group of northwestern Ontario political leaders is now part of a new Energy Task Force.

It consists of the Municipal Association, Chambers of Commerce, the city of Thunder Bay and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

NOMA president Ron Nelson says they'll fight for an energy plan for the northwest.

"We are hear together because energy issues, relevant to northwest region, lead all of us to realize that the municipalities, the business communities and the area First Nations will be best heard if we speak with a common voice."

Nelson says the northwest needs it's own plan for electricity generation, transmission and pricing.

Q-Gold Finds Partner

Q-Gold Resources is selling off some of its interest in a mining project near Mine Centre.

A letter agreement sees Vancouver-based First Star Resources earning 43 per cent interest in Q-Gold's McKenzie Grey properties.

Q-Gold released drilling results recently identifying strong gold, silver and zinc mineralization in the area.

Quit Smoking Help

Butting out may get a little easier in Ontario.

The province reportedly eyes covering the costs of smoking cessation prescription drugs.

An advisory committee has given a positive review to the anti-smoking drug Champix and is now studying Zyban.

Anti-cancer groups feel covering smoking cessation drugs is a positive move.

New Weather Temperatures

Yesterday's warm temperatures resulted in a new weather record for the city of International Falls.

The city hit 46 F, breaking the old record of 44 F set back in 1983.

Fort Frances recorded a high of 7.5 C, tying a 1983 record.

Firefighter Support Sought

More federal support is being sought for volunteer fire departments.

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty wants the Harper government to work with the province and municipal governments to ensure they are properly funded.

Rafferty says the fact that fire departments respond to a high number of incidents on major highways corridors such as 17 and 11 show the need for federal support.

Military Help to Watch Border

Some American senators want the military to help curb the flow of illicit drugs entering the U-S from Canada.

Among other things they want to use military radar to ground low-flying aircraft carrying drugs.

New York Senator Charles Schumer says figures show drug smuggling from Canada into the U-S has risen dramatically during the past five years.

New Program to Deal with Abuse Among Native Women

A new program has been rolled out across northwestern Ontario that helps deal with the issue of abuse among aboriginal women.

Executive Director of the United Native Friendship Centre in Fort Frances Sheila McMahon says Kanawayhitowin brings more awareness of the signs of abuse.

"That's why it's so important," says McMahon, "because we do know within our communities there are a lot of signs. To get those signs out there and to teach the public of the signs of the abuse and what we can do is important."

Representatives from Centres in Fort Frances, Dryden and Atikokan gathered yesterday to discuss how best to promote the program in their communities.

Health Panel Visits Northwestern Ontario

The one and only stop in northwestern Ontario for the Rural and Northern Health Care Panel took place in Dryden yesterday.

Liz Sandals, the Health Minister's Parliamentary Assistant, says non-urgent medical transportation was one of the key issues discussed.

"The problem of you need health care. It's not an emergency so you can't get an ambulance. How do you get to where the doctor is?," says Sandals. "How do you get to where the dietitian is?"

The panel will make its recommendations to the Legislature later this year.

Don't Feed the Deer

The Ministry of Natural Resources is asking area residents to avoid feeding deer this winter.

Melissa Mosley, a biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources, says the type of winter being experienced can actually help keep deer numbers in check.

"Supplemental feeding that people do can encourage larger population growth than what the habitat can carry," says Mosley. "The cold winters try to keep the population numbers in check and that's what really controls our deer numbers up here."

Mosley says the heavy snow also limits deer movement which could lead to fewer animals been seen in Fort Frances' residential areas later on.

Fort Frances Chamber Awards

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards last night. Here is a list of all winners.

Safety Award-Business or Individual - Sponsored by Ainsworth Engineered Canada - Gingrich Wood Craft Inc.

Accessibility Award - Sponsored by Town of Fort Frances - Safeway Canada

Tony Beyak Memorial Award - Volunteer of the Year - Joan Allison

Employee of the Year Award - Sponsored by Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce - Rochell Mosbeck-CIBC

Business Woman of The Year Award - Sponsored by Rainy River District Business Women's Network - Angela Korzinski

Customer Service Award (individual) - Sponsored by Good Impressions Printing - Shelly Matias -RBC

Customer Service Award (business) - Sponsored by TD Canada Trust - Fort Frances General Supply

Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Sponsored by Rainy River Future Development Corporation - Jim Badiuk -Badiuk Equipment

Small Business Trainer of the Year Award - Sponsored by NCDS Career Works - BDO Canada LLP

Business of the Year Award (1-15 Employees) - Sponsored by B93 FM - Lidkea's Optometry

Business of the Year Award (16+ Employees) - Sponsored by Bell Alliant - Shaw Communications

Boil Water Advisory in Place

Residents in the town of Rainy River are being told to boil their tap water before using it.

The advisory comes after a major water line break yesterday forced the town to shutdown its water treatment plant, leaving the entire community of one thousand without water for much of the day.

Water services were restored late yesterday afternoon.

The advisory is expected to continue through the weekend.

WFN Contest Back On

The search is on again to find Canada's Ultimate Fishing town.

The World Fishing Network contest will begin accepting nominations March 1st.

Spokesperson Shauna Gosevitz says the success of the event last year convinced them to run it again.

"We ended by crowning Port Alberni, B.C. the Ultimate Fishing Town for Canada," says Gosevitz. "Through the success of the promotion and realizing how many people really enjoyed it and how many towns were able to benefit, we decided to bring it back."

Nestor Falls won five thousand dollars for its second place finish last year.

Shaw Supports Dryden Tournament

Shaw Communication has signed a deal that will make it the major sponsor of the Dryden Walleye Masters for the next three years.

The Cable provider is reportedly contributing up to $15-thousand in cash while agreeing to televise the June tournament live across the Shaw Television network.

Shaw's contribution is allowing organizers to increase the first-place prize to $15-thousand.

No Chronic Wasting Disease Found

The Ministry of Natural Resources says there remains no evidence of chronic wasting disease in northwestern Ontario.

Wildlife Research Technician Tore Buchanan says a strong response to the MNR's request for deer heads from hunters' kills last fall helped in their analysis.

"We did the Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances areas," says Buchanan, "and we went around and asked hunter's for samples from their deer and we got great cooperation from those hunters."

Of the 362 deer heads collected, none showed signs of the disease.

Plane Skids Off Runway

No injuries are reported after a Wasaya Airways plane slid of the runway at the Kasabonika Airport yesterday afternoon.

All 13 passengers and two crews were taken to the community's nursing station as a precaution.

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

A Gift from the Heart

A Fort Frances dental hygienist will be giving a Gift from the Heart this weekend.

Dawn Gustafson of Lifetime Smiles will be among those across the province offering services at no cost.

"The Gift from the Heart is an event to offer free dental hygiene services to the public who have financial difficulty obtaining it on their own," says Gustafson. "It's also to create awareness that there are a lot of residents of Ontario who can not afford preventive dental care on their own."

Eligible residents must book an appointment before Saturday's event.

Strongman Competition Coming to Fort Frances

(www.lukeskaarup.com photo)


Fort Frances will be the site of a Strongman competition this spring.

Organizer Luke Skaarup says the first-ever event is expected to attract some of the strongest men in the province, along with a few from Manitoba and the U-S.

"I think the guys we're drawing here are mostly the Ontario athletes," says Skaarup, "so it could be guys from southern or northern Ontario. This is there opportunity to qualify for the 2011 Ontario Strongest Man competition."

The event will coincide with this year's Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's Home and Leisure Show.

Skaarup says participants will take part in five events involving some very heavy weights, along with a truck pull.

Eco Tourism Lodge Proposed

A First Nation community in the Rainy River district is exploring the potential of developing an eco-tourism lodge.

Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, formerly Stanjikoming, located northeast of Fort Frances, is studying the market potential for a new lodge.

A $35,000 grant from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund will help it evaluate potential locations and partners.

Legislative Action Day

International Falls will be represented in St. Paul at today's Legislative Action Day.

Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says the future of Local Government Aid will be the focus of her talks with the State's lawmakers.

"We have a real fight at the Capital," says Jacksa, "and we'll be engaging Legislators to keep LGA whole."

Jacksa says she'll also be lobbying for the reinstatement of a truck testing facility in the Falls and delivering an invite to Governor Dayton to attend this summer's waterfront festivities.

State of the State Address

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton makes his first State of the State address today.

District 3 Senator Tom Saxhaugh is anticipating a solid plan that can help the State overcome its budget crunch.

"The Governor so far has kind of shown his ability to give us vision," says Saxhaugh, "and if he'll do that (today) followed up by a budget to make it possible I'll be happy."

Dayton presents his proposed budget next Tuesday.

Cheap Beer Election Platform

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says he'd consider reducing beer prices if he wins the next provincial election.

But Premier Dalton McGuinty calls the beer price debate a bright, shiny object to take attention away from the Tories' lack of a campaign platform.

McGuinty says voters won't be fooled and are more concerned with real issues like health care, education and the economy.

Boise Fine for Air Quality Infraction

Boise was forced to pay a fine of more than $2,400 in December for an air quality infraction at its mill in International Falls.

Details of the case were outlined in the recently released Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's quarterly report.

Spokesperson Stephen Mikkelson says the infraction, which occurred last June, was identified in tests conducted by the mill.

He says the problem has since been corrected.

Local Projects Promoted in England

A mining project in the Rainy River district will be get some international attention next week.

Rainy River Resources will be among companies scheduled to make a presentation about their projects at a conference in London, England.

The conference allows companies to meet with potential overseas investors.

Rainy River Resources is proposing a gold mine north of Barwick.

Soldi Ventures Exploration Plans

Soldi Ventures has revealed further details of its exploration plans in the Rainy River district.

The Vancouver-based company plans to drill up to 25-hundred meters in the first phase of a drilling program on its properties located in the Cameron Lake and Rainy River areas.

Its main focus will be around a potential gold deposit near Cameron Lake.

New Board of Health

The Northwestern Health Unit has sworn in a new Board of Directors.

Fort Frances councillor John Albanese, who's appointed to the board by the province, returns as its chair.

Also on the board from the Rainy River district are LaVallee township councillor Jim Belluz, Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown, Fort Frances councillor Paul Ryan and Russ Fortier of Emo who is one of three public appointees.

I. Falls Wants LGA Left Untouched

International Falls City council is calling on the State to maintain an aid program that helps Minnesota cities keeps taxes down.

Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says a resolution supported by council last night asks the Legislature to keep funding levels the same for the next two years.

"We've received an unfair proportion of the cut in the past," says Jacksa, "and we're going to deliver the message that further cuts to LGA is unfair and damaging to rural Minnesota."

The city is to receive about $4-million dollars this year.

Mural Project in International Falls

Another mural is set to go up in International Falls.

The city is receiving a $6-thousand dollar grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council for the project.

It will be painted along side the Bob Walls Memorial Union Hall on Third Street.

The mural, to be painted this summer, will depict the city's various trade unions.

Town Eyes Solar Projects

The town of Fort Frances is eyeing the possibility to installing solar panels on some of its buildings.

It's part of a larger study that's exploring the town's energy consumption.

Sustainability coordinator Travis Rob says a feasibility study on installing the solar generating systems is now complete.

"We're now just looking at which buildings would give us the best return," says Rob, "and trying to decide how many buildings we want to invest in, which buildings we want to invest in."

Rob says he's also looking at other projects that can help the town reduce its energy costs.

Energy Pamphlet Panned

The Opposition accuse Ontario's Liberal government of wasting $1 million to mail out pamphlets explaining why electricity rates are rising so high.

The government is sending out a six-page pamphlet to every Ontario home as part of its pre-election campaign to defuse vote ranger over soaring hydro bills.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak calls it a $1 million propaganda exercise that won't fool voters for provide peace of mind.

Energy Minister Brad Duguid says the government brochures explain to voters that hydro rates are rising to pay for badly needed repairs and upgrades to Ontario's electricity system.

Sedgwick named Librarian of the Year

(Supplied photo)

Fort Frances' head librarian is back home after receiving an award as the Ontario Library Boards' Association's librarian of the year.

Margaret Sedgwick says she's honoured to have received the W.J. Robertson Medallion.

"It's probably the highest honour a librarian in the province can get so it means great deal to me," says Segdwick. "As you know, I've had quite an exciting past few years and certainly with the building of the new library and technology has been the highlight of my career and this kind of puts the icing on the cake."

Sedgwick has been the head librarian in Fort Frances since 1977.

Hometown Heroes Celebrated

(Angus Jourdain from Lac La Croix First Nation will be in Couchinching First Nation this month)


Three professional aboriginal performers will share the stage with a couple of local youth at an event at Couchiching First Nation later this month.

Mandi Olson of the United Native Friendship Centre says the Hometown Heroes concert will help showcase local talent.

"We just wanted to tie some of our younger youth and their performance with older adults just to show them that we support them," says Olson, "and that if they want to do a career in the industry it's possible."



Among those performing include comedian Ryan McMahon and musicians Angus Jourdain and Wab Kinew.

Local Man Found

The body of a man who broke through the ice while in a trail groomer at a lake north of Fort Frances last Wednesday has been found.

74-year-old Edwin (Ted) Davis of Fort Frances was recovered by an OPP dive team early Saturday afternoon from the depths of the Lower Manitou.

Davis was working for Manitou Gold, a mining company doing exploration work in the area, and in the process of building a winter road when the accident happened.

The Coroner has ordered a Post Mortem examination to be conducted in Kenora today.

The Ministry of Labour is also investigating.

Strategic Plan Moving Forward

Municipalities across the Rainy River District are being asked to back the development a district-wide strategic plan.

Rainy River councillor Gord Armstrong says the first step is to form a working committee.

"They'll be a letter going out to all of the councils asking them to appoint a person," says Armstrong. "We have people from all across the district serving as volunteers on this committee. We're hoping to go step-by-step over the summer and get a vision statement, a mission statement and goals and objectives in place."

Armstrong is hoping to have a document for review by the end of the year.

Kindergarten Registration This Week

Schools with the Northwest Catholic District School Board will hold registration for their kindergarten programs this week.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says it includes the new all-day early-learning programs at St. Michael's School in Fort Frances.

"First phase of the pilot was at St. Patrick's in Atikokan and it's been a highly successful program," says Kelly, "with great opportunities for the children because the teachers are getting support from the early-childhood educator as well. So we're very proud to bring it to St. Michael's."

Registration for programs are at area schools during normal school hours.

McGuinty Election Talk

Premier Dalton McGuinty says there's still room in his election platform for new ideas, even though the Liberals haven't ticked off everything on their lengthy to-do list.

He wouldn't say what suggestions were floated behind closed doors during the Liberal policy conference, which is expected to get the ball rolling for the October 6 election campaign.

McGuinty says many of the ideas that emerged at the Ottawa meeting focused on the economy, health care and education.

He's already challenged the Opposition Conservatives to reveal their plans for the province, warning that they'll slash services just like former premier Mike Harris.

He says the Tories will take billions of dollars out of health care and education to meet their promise to cut taxes.

Conservative critic Lisa MacLeod says McGuinty is so busy fighting an election from 15 years ago that he's lost touch with what voters want now - tax relief.