Enforcement Blitz - Ear Falls

A two-day enforcement blitz in the Ear Falls area has resulted in the Ministry of Natural Resources laying eleven charges and issuing eleven warning for fishing-related infractions.

MNR Conservation officers checked almost 400 hundred people at 22 tourist camps and four lakes during the inspections.

School Board Budget Approved

Trustees with the Rainy River District School Board have approved the budget for the next school year.

Board chair Mike Lewis says he's happy with the balanced budget coming in at just over $48-million.

"We're really pleased with the budget," says Lewis. "We we're able to keep things that we want that will improve things in the classroom, improve things for the teachers. We didn't have to cut those kind of programs that this board has worked hard for years to put in place but we were able to do it only by bringing money out of reserves."

The budget also reflects a projected enrolment decrease of 3.5 per cent and changes in Ministry of Education funding that's almost $1.8 million higher.

Funds for Demolition Provided

The Ministry of Education is providing the Rainy River District School Board with funding to help demolish the former Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

Up to a million dollars will be given.

Demolition is expected this August.

Power Out

The power is out in some homes to the west of Fort Frances this morning.

Hydro One says more than 500 residents living in parts of Alberton and LaVallee township, including the Devlin area are in the dark.

Crews are now working in the area and hope to have power restored by 10:30 a.m.

Library Celebrates

Celebrations for the staff at the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre yesterday.

The Library reached its first anniversary.

Librarian Margaret Sedgwich says there's been a lot growth over the past year.

"I think I'm surprised circulation is up," says Sedgwick. "With e-books and e-readers there's is the concern that maybe people aren't reading but that shows that people are reading. We're up 12.5 per cent in the number of books, DVDs and other media."

Computer use at the Library is up 46 per cent while the library has attracted six hundred people who where not members previously.

New State Rules Concern Area Tournament

New State rules to prevent the spread of invasive species is causing concern to organizers of the International Falls Bass Championship.

Chair Gary Potter says it could impact on fish mortality at the tournament.

"What they want you do do is come off a lake or river, drain everything and then proceed," says Potter. "They want us to do that same. What we're asking for is a little common sense. Let us get down to the park and drain our live-wells there. It's one mile away."

Potter says the tournament would be not be able to afford equipment to re-fill live-wells that ensures fish stay alive when they reach the weigh scales.

Building Concerns

The city of International Falls is pushing to have the owners covers the cost of demolishing a downtown building destroyed by fire last month.

City officials says the building, which housed an antique store, has become a hazard, and are exploring how to bring it down as quickly and safely as possible.

But Mayor Shawn Mason says the cost of demolition shouldn't be borne on the backs of local taxpayers.

Rachel's Challenge Coming to Rainy River District

(Banner Signed by International Falls students last year promising to uphold Rachel's Challenge)


An anti-bullying program named after one of the victims of the Columbine School shooting is coming to the Rainy River District.

Steve Latimer, the United Native Friendship Centre's Youth Justice Coordinator sees Rachel's Challenge an important program to introduce.

"With the calibre of students and the amazing things that some of them do in this area, we have a great many more positive peers out there," says Latimer, "but that just wasn't coming through. I was looking for a program that would reinforce positive peers and Rachel's Challenge is 100 per cent that"

Latimer says the program will be presented to area high schools and the public this fall.

Missing Girl Found

A 16-year-old girl from Young Star House, north of Emo, who was the subject of a police search for the past week.

OPP says Belinda Paishk was located at a Fort Frances home yesterday.

Seniors Poverty Debated

Opposition MP's are calling for an increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors.

During debate yesterday, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty plead the case of an Atikokan resident who was having difficulty paying for electricity as a reason for the increase.

"I asked if he had tried some strategies to reduce the use of electricity," says Rafferty. "He told me that he uses one light bulb and every second day he unplugs the refrigerator. That is what seniors go through in this country. That is what seniors go through in my riding."

Rafferty blames the HST as a turning point for many seniors forced into poverty.

Senior Games Come to Fort Frances

Seniors from across the Kenora-Rainy River district are gathering in Fort Frances today for the start of the District Senior Games.

Organizer Nick Wihnan says they'll participate in a variety of games.

"There's table shuffleboard, euchre, cribbage, floor shuffleboard, golf, carpet bowling, bridge, bowling, horseshoes and of course a nice banquet," says Wihnan.

Opening ceremonies will be held this morning at the Sister Kennedy Centre.

Long Border Line

No charges, but there was plenty of police presence this weekend to watch over a long line of traffic entering the United States at International Falls.

At one point Saturday, the line stretched along King's Highway to the westerly limits of Fort Frances.

OPP says they did receive a complaint about the long-line, but no other issues were reported.

US Customs and Border Protection was processing two vehicles at one time in some of its lanes, but officials says the wait was still up to 90 minutes long.

Operation Corridor Results

Fewer charges were laid in the OPP's latest 24-hour blitz targeting commercial drivers and their vehicles.

During Operation Corridor, officers laid 320 charges - a third of which were for equipment violations.

Fifty vehicles were also pulled off the road due to equipment issues or hours of service violations.

Drilling Begins at Former Gold Mine

Mineral Mountain Resources has started the first phase of a drilling program at a historic gold mine north of Fort Frances.

The B.C. company is exploring the Straw Lake Beach Mine.

The mine operated during World War two, but shutdown in 1941 because of a lack of power for ventilation and milling operations.

Osisko Mining Project Outlined

Osisko Mining has kicked off what it says will be a lengthy public consultation process on its Hammond Reef Gold project north of Atikokan.

The company held an open house Saturday in Atikokan to outline its plans to area residents.

Project Manager Anne Charland says they're in the pre-feasibility stage right now.

"Right now what were doing is that we have an extensive drill program that aims at defining the resource we have so we can go to (the)feasibility (stage)," says Charland.

Charland says on average the company is drilling about 22-thousand metres each month with as many as 17 drills on site.

New Forest Fires Reported

(Ministry of Natural Resources photo)

Ministry of Natural Resources forest fire fighters in the Rainy River district responded to four fires on the weekend.

Two of the fires, one near Cuttle Lake, northeast of Fort Frances and one at Marmion Lake, north of Atikokan, were small lightning fires.

Another fire at Marmion and one near Bat Fly Lake, north of Fort Frances, were human caused.

The MNR is still monitoring two fires in Quetico Provincial Park.

Relays For Life Set to Go

Relays for Life are set for this Friday in both Fort Frances and Rainy River.

Committee spokesperson for the Fort Frances event John Homer says all is set to go at the Fort Frances High School.

"We've got a really good core committee," says Homer. "Couple of us have been on the committee for a while. A couple that have been on for a couple years. Some brand new people. We all kind of pull together and it's going to be really fun. We've got some really exciting new thing."

Friday, the Fort Frances event was boosted with separate fundraisers at M and M Meats and Boston Pizza.

Hospital Tour Planned

It's going to be a busy summer for the CEO of the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre.

Andree Robichaud says she'll be making the rounds of the region's hospitals.

"For me when I listen to their issues, I have to see, I want to visit and I really want have the time to sit with each and every one of them and see how we can help each other," says Robichaud.

Robichaud says she'll start her tour in August.

Missing Angler Found

The body of a Wisconsin man has been pulled from a lake in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Emergency personnel recovered by the body of 23-year-old Ty Sitter from 90 feet of water in Swan Lake, north of Grand Marie.

Sitter disappeared June 9 when he left his family campsite to go fishing.

Meantime, the body of an 80-year-old Minnesota man has been recovered by a provincial police dive team in Nipigon.

Ronald Lee Hilsen was reported missing last Thursday after failing to return from a fishing trip on Lake Superior.

Divers found his body not far from where he had been fishing.

Atikokan College Grads

It was graduation day for Confederation College students in Atikokan Friday.

It's the first time a Convocation ceremony has been held in the community.

College President Pat Lang says it's a result of strong partnerships.

"Any time we move into a community to offer programing it's always successful," says Lang. "We have our community partners involved. In this case it was the Atikokan High School, Atikokan General Hospital and Contact North."

A total of 13 students were recognized at ceremonies held at the Atikokan High School.

Strategic Planning

It was a long day of discussions for Fort Frances town councillors Thursday.

The town's elected officials were joined by members of the administrative team in coming up with a new strategic plan.

Mayor Roy Avis says it was an important exercise.

"What we're trying to do is evolve a plan that will make it a better community to live in," says Avis. "It will be better for the future economic viability of our community. It will also deal with the hardships that we're going to be be faced with in the near future."

Councillors also discussed suggestions from local residents on such things as bus service, eliminating heavy trucks down Scott Street and water metres.

Time-of-Use Billing in Place

Time-of-use billing is starting to take effect in Fort Frances.

Some Fort Frances Power Corporation customers are now being charged rates based on when they use power.

CEO Jorge Ruppenstein says customers will see the difference when their bills are issued in July.

"On the new bill, it will actually total how much electricity was consumed during these three time periods," says Ruppenstein, "on-peak, off-peak and mid-peak."

All Power Corp customers will be on the new billing system July 1st.

Literacy Test Numbers Reviewed

The Rainy River District School Board is taking a close look at the latest results from standardized literacy tests written by its students.

Eighty-per cent of students who wrote the March tests met or exceeded provincials standards.

Superintendent of Education Casey Slack says they're now looking at where improvements can be made.

"Senior administration and the school level leaders can articulate next steps working with out program support team to ensure that come September we've got some enriched practices in place to enhance performance on the test," says Slack.

The results were slightly lower than last year.

MNR Crews Returning

The Ministry of Natural Resources has started the process of bringing back its forest fire fighters and other support staff from Alberta.

The first one hundred will return home soon with the rest of the 273 personnel coming back to Ontario over the next few days.

An increase in the fire hazard in northwestern Ontario has prompted the MNR not replace the crews who have been in Alberta since the middle of May.

Earthroots Apologizes

The environmental group Earthroots is offering an apology to Weyerhaeuser.

Earlier this week, the group claimed the company's mill in Kenora used formaldehyde in the production of its engineered lumber, a fact strongly denied by Weyerhauser.

Yesterday, Earthroots issued an apology and says it will do a review of its report to check its accuracy.

Fort Frances Posties Walk the Line

Twenty-one unionized workers at the Fort Frances post office are among those on the streets because of a lock-out by Canada Post.

Local union president Sandra Lange says for the most part, the local public is understanding of what's taking place.

"It seems that most people are because they sure seem to support us, " says Lange. "I guess they're paying attention. Anyone who came into the post office we had nothing but support. Same on the picket line. We're getting a lot of honking and waves."

Lange says the lock-out will actually force Canada Post back to the bargaining table.

The federal government has served notice it will implement back-to-work legislation if the two sides don't settle their differences through negotiations.

Strategic Plan Discussions Today

Fort Frances council sits down today at Sunny Cove Camp to come up with a new strategic plan.

CAO Mark McCaig says it will serve as a blueprint for council over the next four years.

"So we put timelines and benchmarks that we monitor on an ongoing basis," says McCaig, "and we try to wrap everything up during the term of council or at least begin the initiative during the term of council."

McCaig says ideas from the public and a variety of town committees will be part of today's discussions.

Border Funds Spending Questioned

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty isn't giving up the fight for Northwestern Ontario's border communities taking up the issue in the House of Commons.

"For our communities, tourism is a key part of the economy, "says Rafferty. "Yet, the government diverted $50 million from the border infrastructure fund to beautify communities in the minister's riding, using the fund as a private wish list, while ignoring border regions like northwestern Ontario."

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird disputes the funds were misspend.

Board Test Results Released

Eighty-per cent of students from the Rainy River district who wrote the standardized literacy test this spring met or exceeded the provincial standard.

Results for individuals boards were released yesterday.

Atikokan had the highest rate of success among the district's three high schools at 83 per cent.

Rainy River High School had 81 per cent while 79 per cent of Fort Frances High students successfully completed the test in March.

Tuitions Increase

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is moving ahead with a budget that would raise tuition an average of nearly 4 percent at its 25 two-year colleges, including Rainy River College in International Falls.

Chancellor James McCormick says requests to hold the line at 3 per cent were not possible because the system is expected to lose nearly 11 per cent in state funding.

Fire in Minnesota Watched

Authorities in Minnesota are keeping an eye on a forest fire smoldering in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The fire, near Gaskin Lake, 20 kilometres northwest of Grand Marias, is about six acres in size.

The strategy is to let the fire burn to the south and west of the lake while limiting its spread on the north side.

It was reported by campers in the area, but it's not clear how it started.

Canada Post Workers Locked Out

(Canadaa Post workers on line in Thunder Bay last week - CJUK photo)

Rotating strikes at Canada Post have given way to a lockout of workers in urban areas.

The Crown corporation made the decision after almost two weeks of rotating walkouts.

Canada Post says the walkouts were becoming too expensive.

The post office and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are said to remain "far apart" on several key issues, with no progress being made at the bargaining table.

OPP Reviewing Community Services Initiatives

The new policing contract with the town of Fort Frances has forced the OPP to re-think its community services strategies.
Police, in the past, have been involved or helped start programs.

Detachment Commander Inspector John Kendrick says that will change with changing staff levels.

"What's that basically had us do is review our current programs that we have in place to make sure that we're getting basically the most bang for the buck for the community," says Kendrick, "and ensuring that our Community Services is hitting the mark."

Kendrick says the primary focus will be partnerships that have an element of policing or public safety.

Policy Institute Taking Shape

The Northern Policy Institute is taking shape.

The think tank is to help create economic development initiatives for the region.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says it's mandate has been identified.

"Based on what northerners have told us," says Gravelle, "is to develop and promote proactive evidence-based purpose-driven policy options that deepen the understanding about the unique challenges and opportunities in northern Ontario and support the sustainability development and long-term economic prosperity of northern Ontario."

Gravelle discussed the institute during a conference in Thunder Bay yesterday.

Internet Safety Being Discussed

Cyber-bullying and Internet safety will be the focus of a public meeting in Atikokan tonight.

The event at St. Patrick's School is the outcome of a recent school survey.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says it's just as important parents know what they're children are doing on-line.

"Some of the parents are now familiar at all with social networking sites such like Facebook and YouTube," says McCoy. "What we're doing is we're encouraging them to get educated about them. Take a class or have their kids teach them. Sit down with them at the computer and get them to show them the websites they're visiting."

McCoy says similar sessions could be coming to other communities in the future.

Solar Projects Not Concerning

The Fort Frances Power Corporation is welcoming the increase in the number of solar projects to the area.

The latest is at Fort Frances High School.

The Corporation's CEO Jorge Ruppenstein says each project gets thoroughly tested.

"Before any of theses projects get off the ground we actually do what's called a connection impact assessment," says Ruppenstein. "where we do a computer simulation of the effect that an installation like this would have on our plant with respect to safety and electrical performance."

The high school project is the first to involve the Corporation directly.

New Website for Area Women

There's another way for Northwestern Ontario women to connect.

Executive Director of PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise Rosalind Lockyer says they've created a new website.

"We as women in the north want to have something special where women can go every day and interact with each other or help each other," says Lockyer. "Not only to build a business or advance their careers, but also to help their communities.

The website was funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Missing Girl

Provincial Police are seeking the public assistance in locating a missing girl from Young Star House north of Emo.

16-year-old Belinda Paishk was last seen Monday morning when she caught a school bus to go to high in Fort Frances.

The 5'2" First Nation girl was last seen wearing a black shirt with a skull on it, jeans and a lip ring.

Visitor Restrictions Imposed

Visitor restrictions have been imposed at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

Officials says its because of an increase in the number of confirmed cases of gastroenteritis.

Only family members of residents of the home will be permitted with visits limited to the residents room.

All group programming and a BBQ for staff and volunteers planned for yesterday was also cancelled.

Think North Forum

A conference on northern Ontario's economy happened Tuesday in Thunder Bay.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the Think North Summit is the next stage in implementing the northern growth plan.

"This is a true planning session," says Gravelle. "One where we expect to have significant input from many experts, but also from northerners themselves, on where we go next."

Municipal and business leaders from the Rainy River district were also in attendance.

Mining Forum

Thunder Bay hosted a mining forum Tuesday.

Co-Chair Michael Fox says it brought together first nations, mining companies and the provincial government.

"Having these forums and making people more aware how to get involved and move forward on a community economic development agenda for the aboriginal communities as well as Thunder Bay, looking for new opportunities will help create that awareness," says Fox.

A spokesperson with the Province also provided an update on changes to mining act regulations.

Operation Corridor

Transport drivers will have to be extra attentive on the road as Operation Corridor is being rolled out today.

OPP Sergeant Shelley Garr says police will join a number of agencies in the 24-hour blitz.

"The Ontario Provincial Police, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Environment will be cracking down on aggressive commercial truck drivers and unsafe commercials vehicles that are travelling on our highways," says Garr.

Garr says they will also be watching for seatbelt infractions and distracted drivers.

Canadian Tug of War Team Named

A list of Canadians celebrities pulling for Fort Frances in the July 2 Pulling for Peace tug of war with International Falls has been released.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis will captain the team that includes former CFLers Jack Cameron and Bill Low and former NHLers Dave and Mike Allison.

They'll go up against an Amercan squad that includes six former members of the Minnesota Vikings.

Here's a list of the celebrities for both teams.

CANADA

• Roy “Ace” Avis, Fort Frances mayor

• Paul “Foot Pedal Down” Ryan, Fort Frances councillor

• John “Italian Stallion” Albanese, councillor

• Ken “Polka Dot” Perry, councillor

• Andrew “Flying Finn” Hallikas, councillor

• Rick “Weed Man” Wiedenhoeft, councillor

• Mark “Cheeze” McCaig, Chief Administrative Officer, town of Fort Frances

• Glenn “Leftie” Treftlin, city clerk, town of Fort Frances

• Doug “Mork” Brown, Public Works manager, town of Fort Frances

• “Fabulous” Faye Flatt, town planner, town of Fort Frances

• Frank “The Good” Sheppard, town fire chief, town of Fort Frances

• Dave “The Enforcer” Montgomery, Fort Frances High School football coach

• Jack “The Hammer” Cameron, Canadian Football League

• Bill “The Undertaker” Low, Canadian Football League

• Mike “Red Dog” Allison, National Hockey League

• Dave “Big Red” Allison, National Hockey League player, coach

• John “Relentless” Rafferty, MP, Thunder Bay-Rainy River

• Howard “Hitman” Hampton, MPP, Kenora-Rainy River

• Ian “Simmer” Simpson, Fort Frances High School vice principal

• Al “The Muscle” McManaman, Fort Frances High School principal


UNITED STATES

• Captain Matt “The Motivator” Blair, Vikings alumnus

• Shawn “The Muscle” Mason, Falls mayor

• “Pumped Up” Paul Eklund, Falls City Council

• Gail “Running Wild” Rognerud, city council

• Cynthia “Jumping Jaksa Flash,” city council

• Brian “The Brawn” Youso, Koochiching County sheriff

• “Giant” Jake Youso, Holy Cross College hockey player

• “Mighty” Matt Youso, United States Hockey League player

• “Flamin’” Frank Youso, Vikings alumnus

• “Benchwarmer” Bob Lurtsema, Vikings alumnus

• Greg “Coffin Corner” Coleman, Vikings alumnus

• “Stunning” Stu Voigt, Vikings alumnus

• “Thundering” John Swain, Vikings alumnus

• “Dangerous” Dione Wessels, American Strongman Corp., president, female athlete

• Mary “Mad Dog” Casanova, Ranier author

• “Slim” Jim Oberstar, former 8th District congressman

• U.S. Sen. Amy “Armstrong” Klobuchar

• U.S. Sen. Al “Funnyman” Franken

• State Rep. Tom “The Annihilator” Anzelc

• State Sen. “Toughman” Tom Saxhaug

Missing Man Found

OPP have located the body of a missing American man on Lake of the Woods.

The body of 69-year-old Richard Hermann of Illinois was found by an OPP marine unit Sunday on the lake's shore near Morson.

Hermann and another man, 73-year-old James Wealther, went missing May 23 during a fishing outing on the lake.

Wealther's body was found the next day.

Search in Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Minnesota authorities are searching the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for a missing Wisconsin Man.

23-year-old Ty Sitter was reported missing early Friday after failing to return to his camp from a canoe outing at Swan Lake.

His canoe was found upright and unoccupied, with about 4 inches of water in it.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

A 24-year-old man will appear in court next month following an OPP investigation into a stolen vehicle in Atikokan.

Police found the vehicle early Sunday morning, not far from where it was taken.

The unidentified man was charged with being impaired and having cocaine in his possession.

Task Force Holds Meetins

A task force looking at the management of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake basins begins a series of public meetings Monday in Atikokan.

The International Joint Commission-sponsored group is seeking comment on its draft final report which contains recommendations on how best to manage the areas waters.

Monday's meeting is at the Atikokan Economic Development Commission's office on Main Street beginning at 7 p.m.

NDP to Select Election Candidates

Ontario's New Democrats plan to nominate 30 candidates over the next two weeks, nearly doubling their slate by the end of the month.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the candidates expect to be in place by the time the party releases its election platform June 24.

Howard Hampton in Kenora-Rainy River and Mary Kozorys in Thunder Bay-Atikokan have already been choosen in their ridings.

Big Fish - But Not a Record

Minnesota wildlife officials say a silver-phase northern pike caught last week by a Wisconsin angler may have been huge, but it won't breach the state record.

Mark Plumley of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin caught the 18 pound, 14 1/2 ounces fish at Snowbank Lake near Ely Wednesday.

The Department of Natural Resourcse used to keep records for silver pike, but no longer recognizes it among record fish because that color phase isn't a distinct species.

New Fires Reported

Six new forest fires were reported in northwestern Ontario Sunday - two in the Rainy River district.

One is still burning at Nym Lake, across from a Quetico Provincial Park access point.

It's about 0.3 hectares in size

The other fire was located near Obikoba Lake, about 20 kilometres north of Fort Frances.

The fire reached about 0.1 hectares before being extinguished by MNR crews.

Proposed Dump Sites Get Further Inspection

The Ministry of Natural Resources will be back before the public this fall with a preferred plan to replace a landfill site in Mine Centre.

Spokesperson Cheryl Gartley says four potential sites have been identified that will get a further look by consultants.

"They'll be looking at things like the topography, doing some hydrology studies, digging some soil test pits and things like that," says Gartley, "to help them make decisions and narrow down the choices."

Gartley says a transfer station that would take waste to the Fort Frances landfill is also being considered.

Ranger Camp Turns All-Male

An Ontario ranger camp at Quetico Provincial Park will have a new look to it this year.

The Mink Lake camp will be an all-male one for the first time in its 36-year history.

Program officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources Cathy Starr says demand was the main reason.

"Historically we've had a lot more male applicants than female applicants," says Starr. "So we took a look at the demographics and Mink Lake is changing."
Female camps will continue to operate out of parks in Ignace, Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout.

University LED study

Lakehead University's research reputation is getting another shot in the arm with the opening of a new lab which will develop LED lights.

A private company is partnering with LU on the project.

Atikokan Group Receives Funds

Community Living Atikokan was among the recipients of provincial funding announced Friday.

More than $431-thousand was doled out to northwestern Ontario groups through the province's Healthy Communities Fund.

Community Living will use its share to develop new physical activity initiatives that includes training facilitators in the Healthy Eating Adds Up program for people with disabilities.

Wild Childz Holds Car Show

Some of the best looking automobiles in the Borderland were on display at Fort Frances High School Friday.

The show was put on by the school's Wild Childz Car Club

Member Oryn Albanese says it's a relatively new club.

"What we're trying to do is get students to know about cars," says Albanese, "different types of engines in cars, what it takes to build an engine, how to manufacture them, making parts, fixing parts, all that sorts of things."

The students also designed and constructed the trophies handed out to the winners.