Cold Weather Back

After a brief mild spell, winter is back in the Rainy River district with a drastic drop in temperature.

This has left some area highways extremely slippery and forced at least two bus cancellations in the Atikokan area.

Lynn Miles AKQ run and the RCS bus driven by Kurt Miller has been cancelled.

Seine River's Handicap bus is also not running.

Bad weather also forced the temporary closure of the Trans Canada Highway near Kenora early this morning.

The road has since reopened.

Forestry Aid Program Questioned

NDP's Natural Resources critic wants the McGuinty Liberals to come clean on which forestry companies are benefiting from a $500-million grant and loan guarantee program.

The program was established in 2006 to help the struggling forestry sector.

But Howard Hampton says government documents show more than half of the fund remains unused.

Horwath Visits Fort Frances

A visit to Fort Frances today by the provincial NDP leader.

Andrea Horwath is meeting with community leaders this morning.

She's also planning to visit a local store to highlight the impact of the HST on small businesses.

Pension Bill Vote in Spring

An altered version of John Rafferty's pension bill is facing its final hurdle.

The Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP will see his bill head back to the House of Commons for a final vote sometime this Spring.

A different version of the private member's bill was already voted down once before.

Local Organizations Honoured

Several agencies across the Rainy River district will be recognized today for their involvement in a provincial-wide campaign to combat domestic violence in the workplace.

Donna Kroocmo of the Rainy River District Shelter of Home says the groups participated in workshops to help with deal with new provincial legislation.

"The onus is now on an employer to take steps to keep that worker save," says Kroocmo. "Even if the partner is making harassing phones calls to work, they've got to take some action to stop it. The Neighbours, Friends and Family campaign teaches employers that will help them do that."

Today's ceremony in Fort Frances is one of just eight taking place across Ontario.

Art Centre Future Discussed

(Atikokan Arts Centre photo)

Officials with the Atikokan Art Centre are sitting down today with an unnamed community organization to discuss a possible takeover of the facility.

Chair Jada Siegfried says they'll be bringing forward a proposal that would see the building and land donated to the group.

Siegfried says it's not certain if a final decision will be made today.

The Centre's is facing the threat of running out of money at the end of this month.

District Population on Decline

A new report shows the population in the Rainy River district still in decline.
Statistics Canada says the district's population last year at just over 21-thousand - a 12 per cent drop from 2009 and the loss of nearly one- thousand people from five years ago.

Most of the decline is being attributed to people moving to other centres in Ontario.

The report also shows the average age in northwestern Ontario at about 41 years with almost 15 per cent of the population over the age of 65.

Local Food Act Required

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton wants to see more Ontario food used by government departments and agencies.

Hampton says the province is encouraging voluntary purchasing, but feels a procurement policy would better suit farmers.

"Why don't we start paying attention to what local producers can produce right now," says Hampton. "and put in place the purchasing strategies and the marketing strategies to make this happen in a way that benefits consumers and benefits our farmers."

Hampton says the province should follow the examples set by Nova Scotia and Illinois that require their agencies to purchase at least 20 per cent of foods from local sellers.

Native Housing Funding

Just over $14 million is being handed out to Ontario's First Nations for social housing projects.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcement at a Northern Ontario Housing Conference in Thunder Bay.

Rickford says the money will help improve the housing situation on many First Nations.

"This is going to go a long way to create not just social housing," says Rickford, "but opportunities for the Bands to stabilize housing challenges in their communities."

Couchiching First Nations is among area First Nations to benefit, receiving $402-thousand.

Readerboard Repairs Sought

Municipalities and First Nations promoted on an electric readerboard at the Fort France border are being asked to help pay for some recent repairs.

The Rainy River Futures Development Corporation say it had to replace a faulty circuit board that caused the board malfunction for a short period of time.

It's now asking Kenora, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, Dryden and Fort Frances, along with two First Nations organizations, to share in the 42-hundred dollars cost.

U.S. Visitor Fee Suggested

President Barack Obama is floating the idea of charging a fee for every Canadian entering the U.S. by air or sea.

The proposal is outlined in the 2012 federal draft budget he submitted to Congress on Monday.

The $5.50 fee would not apply to visitors arriving in private vehicles.

Visitors from Canada, Mexico and a number of Caribbean countries are currently exempt from ``passenger inspection fees.''

Obama's budget blueprint proposes lifting those exemptions and using the revenue from the charges to support air passenger inspections which have recently grown more intensive.

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.