Cost Reduction Priority One

AbitibiBowater is looking at making more cost reductions to a company that has already seen deep cuts.

The company enjoyed a net profit of $61-million in the last quarter of this year.

But in a conference call to investors yesterday, CEO Richard Garneau says reducing costs remains at the top of the list.

Garneau says the company is still looking at $120-million on capital improvements at some of its mills.

Production Increases at Barwick

Ainsworth says production at its OSB mill in Barwick was at its best in the last three months of this year since acquiring it in 2004.

The mill saw a 10 per cent increase in production relative to the second quarter of 2010

CEO Rick Huff says the mill benefited from an extensive list maintenance and improvements done near the end of last year.

Energy Audit Planned

A number of municipal buildings in Fort Frances will get a thorough look over to see how the town can reduce its energy costs.

Honeywell will soon be starting energy audits on buildings considered high energy users or older facilities.

Travis Rob, the town's Sustainability Coordinator, says its findings will help identify improvements.

"Part of the project is to develop a five year plan," says Travis, "how to move forward on it, what should we tackle first, what's going to give us the best return first so we start generating as much cost savings as possible right off the start."

Rob says council could have a final report to consider by the time it begins next year's budget deliberations.

Comprehensive Study on Mine Started

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is giving the public an opportunity to comment on Osisko Mining's proposed Hammond Reef Gold Mine north of Atikokan.

It's to include two open pit mines, a mineral processing facility and a tailings management facility.

The agency has begun a so-called comprehensive study to examine the potential environmental issues and other concerns.

It will begin accepting comments beginning Monday for a one month period.

It's also providing $50,000 for individuals and groups to participate.

Post-Secondary Education Protest

Post-secondary student groups plan to scribble their priority issues for the October election outside Queen's Park today.

The University of Toronto Students' Union and the Canadian Federation of Students want parties to tackle what they call an underfunding crisis in provincial colleges and universities.

Docs Back Bicycling

The Ontario Medical Association wants to see the provincial government give bicycle safety a higher priority.

An O.M.A. report says with 26-thousand cycling-related emergency room visits in 2009, it's time to focus more on bike safety.

The doctors' group would like to see bicycle-safety lessons added to the curriculum in primary schools, and new drivers tested on how to share the road with cyclists.

Vehicle Disposal Program Wanted

A group representing auto recyclers wants Ontario's political parties to endorse a program that would regulate the disposal of old vehicles.

The Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association says two out of three so-called "end of life" vehicles in the province aren't managed to any environmental standard.

The association says an industry-led removal program wouldn't need consumer fees because recyclers make enough money from each vehicle to recover the disposal costs.

Catalina Adds Property

Catalina Metals is expanding its land base in northwestern Ontario.

The mining company says it's signed an agreement with Rubicon Minerals to obtain over 930 hectares near Cameron Lake.

Catalina intends to begin an exploration program of the area this year.

Horwath to Scrap Forest Tenure Policy

(CJUK photo)


The NDP are promising to scrap the current wood allocation process in the north if they form the next government at Queen's Park.

It's part of their northern Ontario election platform.

Leader Andrea Horwath says Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle has it all wrong.

"I think northerners are tired of hearing from a Minister who talks about what can't be done and how we can't fix the problems facing northern Ontario," says Horwath. "I disagree. I believe this and should be done and must be done amongst other policies."

Horwath also says the NDP would force mining companies to process the minerals they mine in Ontario.

Second Councillor Seeks Conservative Nomination

Conservatives in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding now have some choice in their selection of a candidate for the upcoming provincial election.

Kenora councillor Louis Roussin has announced his intention to seek the nomination.

He joins Rod McKay, also a Kenora councillor, in the race.

No word yet when a nomination meeting will be held.

Rainy Lake Fisheries Surveyed

(David Denyes and Alex Crichton conduct a survey on the North Arm of Rainy Lake to monitor angling effort on the lake and to gauge the number and weight of fish harvested during the open-water fishing season - MNR photo)


The Ministry of Natural Resources is in the midst of a creel survey on Rainy Lake.

A survey crew is working in the north arm of the lake until the end of September.

Area Biologist Darryl McLeod says it will give the MNR good information on the lake's fishery.

"It helps us evaluate the fishing regulations on the lake," says McLeod. "For example, the walleye slot-size that's on Rainy Lake. It also helps us evaluate our management objectives so we can look at what our target harvest levels are."

McLeod says the findings will also help in a possible re-write of the Ontario-Minnesota Boundary Waters Fisheries Atlas in 2014.

Park Officials Kill Bear

Officials believe they've killed a bear that attacked a Pukaskwa National Park visitor last week.

The bear matches the physical and behavioural description provided by the victim.

Tests are being conducted to determine if the DNA of the killed bear matches evidence collected from the scene.

Pukaskwa is located about 300 kilometres east of Thunder Bay.

No Fires Yesterday

(MNR photo)

Low temperatures and much needed precipitation is helping forest firefighters get the upper hand on the more than 110 fires still active in northwestern Ontario.

And first time since June 10, there were no new fires reported yesterday.

Mineral Mountain Adds Property

Mineral Mountain Resources has acquired more property around it's now-held former Straw Lake Gold Mine.

The company says it has purchased 64 hectares containing six mining patents from a Fort Frances resident for $600-thousand and 350-thousand shares.

The area is located in Richardson township, 60 kilometres north of Fort Frances.

Retired Teacher Goes to Sports Hall

A retired teacher from Rainy River who spent the better part of four decades coaching will be headed to Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

Don Gale says the selection came as a complete surprise.

"It really shook me up that I would be inducted," says Gale. "I never thought that it would happen. I played a lot of sports and I coached a few. I was just kind of overwhelmed, but very honoured."

Gale began coaching hockey when he moved to Rainy River in 1969 before switching to curling and golf.

Drunk Drivers Nabbed

Three men will be making appearances later this month in an Atikokan court room on separate impaired driving related offences.

O-P-P first charged a 35-year-old man from B-C with failing to provide a suitable breath sample during a traffic stop early Saturday morning.

Later that day, police charged a 19-year-old Atikokan man suspected of operating a dirt bike while impaired.

Then that night, a 51-year-old Atikokan man was charged with impaired after police acted on a public complaint.

Copper Theft

Hydro One is expressing concern with a rise in theft of copper from its stations and facilities across the province.

The Utility says it's been a frequent target, but a dangerously one for thieves.

A recent incident in Toronto led to a young man being badly burned while allegedly attempted to steal copper from a transformer station.

Avis Comments on Vandalism

(Lion's Park fountain as been a frequent target of vandals this summer)


Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis is expressing disappointment over a rash of vandalism that has struck town parks this summer.

Avis says vandals are only targeting the hard work of people who helped create the parks and force the town to exhaust resources on the clean-up.

"What happens in those cases people who should be doing other things in town like maintaining cemeteries, parks and the waterfront, they're tied up doing that kind of repair," says Avis. "So what happens is the other assets suffer because we don't have the manpower to do that work."

Avis is hoping someone will come forward with information that will lead to arrests and charges.

Airport Fence Contract

Work crews are expected to begin next week on erecting a new fence around the Fort Frances airport.

It's intended to keep deer from wandering on the runway.

The town has awarded the more than $380,000 contract to Thunder Bay-based Wilco Contractors.

A grant from the federal government is covering the full cost of the work.

Trail Development in Rainy River

(Town of Rainy River photo)

The town of Rainy River has received $65,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation towards building a network of multi-use trails through the community.

Recreation Manager Meaghan Shanks says they're hoping to start some of the development this year.

"We're making these available for residents, but also to try and attract visitors and travels to stop and stretch their legs and walk on our trails that we have, " says Shanks.

The eventual goal is to extend the trails beyond town limits.

Area Youth Travel to World Youth Day

Three youth from the Rainy River District will be among the hundreds of thousands of young catholics taking part in this year's World Youth Day festivities.

Joshua Zimmerman, Thomas Lepine and Ryan Brady have been preparing themselves for months for the pilgrimage to Spain.

The six-day event begins August 16.

Mineral Mountain Joins U.S. Exchange

The mining company that's exploring the former Straw Lake Gold Mine near Fort Frances has expanded its ability to acquire funds.

Mineral Mountains began trading on the OTCQX International Monday.

It's allows non-U.S. companies access to U.S. investors without additional regulatory costs required of listing on a traditional U.S. exchange.

MNR Watching Weather

(MNR photo)

Ministry of Natural Resources fire managers are nervous as a low pressure system treks across northwestern Ontario.

They are hoping for rain but may get more lightning as the storm passes.

Meantime, new lightning fires from the weekend in the Rainy River district are now out.

Three lightning fires started at the end of July in Quetico Provincial Park are still smoldering.

Horwath Visits

The province's NDP leader is planning to make some election promises in Thunder Bay today.

Andrea Horwath will announce her plan to protect jobs in the forestry and mining sectors in northwestern Ontario.

She's expected in Fort Frances next Monday.

Lightning Fires Strike Rainy River District

(MNR photo)

Some rain is expected in northwestern Ontario today, which could help reduce the number of new fires as well as dampen existing ones.

Lightning strikes ignited about two dozen more fires over the weekend, including five in the Rainy River district.

There was also a human caused blaze at east end of Rainy Lake.

119 fires are still active across the northwest - four in the Rainy River district.

Natural Area Plan Developed

A new Conservation plan for Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake is close to being finalized.

It's being developed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Regional vice-president Chris Maher says the plan is important to the area.

"Certainly Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake is an impressive bio-diverse area and there's huge opportunity," says Maher. "We've been looking forward to it to about ten years now. We think we're at the position where we can afford to move ahead and we have the scientific basis to do so."

Maher says the plan would help protect the area and several plant and animal species from the endangered lists.

Canoeing Capital Challenge

Atikokan is challenging its residents to help build on its moniker as the Canoeing Capital of Canada.

Paula Sanders of the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation says they've created a contest that aims to develop idea or products around the theme.

"There is money set aside if people need some financial help to actually develop one prototype so that we can see what it looks like," says Sanders. "We will also be giving money to those top three ideas to produce as many as them as they can with the money that's allotted so we can sell them to residents and visitors."
The contest will close August 31.

Elections Ontario Readys

The Ontario provincial election is just under two months away.

Elections Ontario, the agency tasked with managing the election, is getting prepared.

Deputy chief electoral officer Loren Wells says for the first time, voters will get the chance to vote by mail.

"It's a special ballot you can apply for in person, by mail, using fax or e-mail," says Wells. "Then you mail it back to either your local returning office or if you applied to the Chief Electoral Officer, then back to our office back here in Toronto."

Wells says Elections Ontario will have its returning offices up and running by September 7.

Minnesota Washing Away Zebra Mussels

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has launched a new weapon against the spread of the invasive zebra mussels.

DNR workers used high-pressure washers to decontaminate boats at three lakes over the weekend.

It intends to move its decontamination units around the state to some of the 50 Minnesota water bodies known to be infested with zebra mussels.

Conservative Nominee Steps Forward

Conservatives in Kenora-Rainy River now have someone interested in running for the party in this October's provincial election.

He's Rod McKay, a Kenora City councillor and manager of the Kenora Forest Products mill.

"I've been thinking about this for a while," says McKay. "I a couple of personal issues I had to sort out with my health. Now that I've got that figured out, I'm putting my name on the ticket and hope to be nominated by the nomination committee in the near future."

So far the party has not indicated when it might hold its nomination meeting.

McGuinty Responds to P.M. Comments

Premier Dalton McGuinty is shrugging off Prime Minister Stephen Harper's call for his defeat in the October 6 provincial election.

McGuinty says he's worked well with Harper in the past, even though they don't always see eye-to-eye.

Harper called for the ouster of the McGuinty Liberals during an unannounced visit Tuesday to the home of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

Outreach Group Created

The Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope is setting up a new support group for women in Fort Frances.

Cindy Richard, an Outreach Worker, says it's an extension of services provided by the Atikokan-based home.

"If women need to discuss issues that are happening within the home, a lot of women don't want to access the shelter but need ongoing support," says Richard.

Richard says the first meeting will be an informal one August 11 at the Northwest Community Legal Clinic Office on Scott Street.

Derby Girls Up for Rachel's Challenge

Members of the Borderland Roller Derby League are taking up Rachel's Challenge.

They're raising money to help bring the positive peer pressure and anti-bullying program to the Rainy River district.

The team's marketing head Melissa Carpenter says a recent presentation convinced them to help.

"The main reason is that it spoke to us because we're moms," says Carpenter. "We don't want to see our kids go through maybe what we personally went through in school or in high school. We want it to be here for our kids and we'll do our part."

The team is now soliciting funds from businesses and will provide a share of its ticket sales for an upcoming bout with Thunder Bay towards the cause.

Forest Fires Activity Continues

(MNR photo)

Despite some recent rain, officials say there's little relief in sight in the battle to douse more than 100 forest fires in northwestern Ontario.

Although smoke still blankets much of the area due to the fires, all of the more than 35 hundred evacuees have been returned to their homes.

Firefighters, equipment and aircraft from several provinces, and now Minnesota and Michigan and Parks Canada, have been brought in to battle the fires.

Oeegy Gooey Lady Comes to Fort Frances

Early childhood educators and teachers from across the Rainy River district will gather tomorrow in Fort Frances for a workshop focusing on play-based-learning.

It's being led by Lisa Murphy, affectionately known as the Ooey Gooey Lady.

She says it's a concept that has proven results.

"A lot of the tenants that we're talking about are not new," says Murphy. "It's not Lisa Murphy's personal preference. It's actually what our industry history has shown as what is the best most developmentally appropriate way of interacting with this age group."

The workshop comes as the province's introduces play-based learning through its early learning program for four-and-five-year-olds.

Liberals Select Candidate

Liberals in Kenora-Rainy River have selected their candidates for this October's provincial election.

Emo township councillor Anthony Leek was unopposed in his bid for the candidacy at a nomination meeting last night in Fort Frances.

Leek says he's want to bring a strong voice to the riding.

"I'm dedicated to providing you an outlet to share your concerns, suggestions and questions to the province," says Leek. "I want to be the voice of positive commitment for you while I'm at Queen's Park and share the rest of Ontario the passion I have for the people of this riding."

Leek hopes to have his campaign team in place over the next few weeks.

Conservative Candidate Expected Soon

The Conservatives may be close to announcing their candidate for the Kenora-Rainy River Riding.

Party officials say they had several people interested in running but were hesitate to do so with Howard Hampton sitting as MPP.

Now that the incumbent has announced he won't seek re-election, officials say they could have a candidate in place within a few days.

U.S. to Assist with Fire Fight

(MNR photo)

The Ministry of Natural Resources is now getting help from the United States in the forest fire fight in northwestern Ontario.

About fifty forest firefighters from Minnesota will join the more than two-thousand now in the area's forests.

There are about 120 fires burning in the region- including three in Quetico Provincial Park.

Cellphone Tower Blocked

(File photo)

A Minnesota court has blocked AT&T's plan to build a 450-foot cellphone tower near the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The judge supported Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness claims the tower would likely hurt the "scenic and aesthetic resources'' of the area, but gave the ok for one less than half its size.

AT&T contended one tall tower would do the best job of extending cellphone service east of Ely, allowing paddlers to call for help in emergencies.

The company is now considering its options.

Walk for Good Life at Half-way Point

A group of walkers have passed the half-way point in their journey around the Kenora-Rainy River district.

The seventeen young people are taking part in the "Walk for Good Life" that started Monday at Eagle Lake First Nation.

Passing through Couchiching First Nation yesterday, 16-year-old Justin Morrison of Couchiching says its been a great experience.

"Just walking alone on the highway, just all by yourself, you have so much time to think and find yourself," says Morrison. "That's why it's my favourite time of year."

The group will end their walk at Eagle Lake First Nation Sunday.

Samsung Deal Rewritten

The province has renegotiated its seven-billion dollars green energy deal with Korean giant Samsung.

The Liberal government says the new deal will save taxpayers money and get new manufacturing plants built faster.

The government is giving Samsung a one-year extension to get its wind and solar projects online because of problems securing agreements with First Nations.

Get Your Vaccine Shots

Ontario's chief medical officer says recent cases of mumps and measles should serve as reminders for everyone to get their vaccine shots.

Two people from Quebec were sick with infectious measles recently while at Canada's Wonderland and a southern Ontario resort.

Doctor Arlene King says two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are enough to protect someone from both infectious viruses.

Two Enter NDP Nomination Race

There are now two people in the running to replace the outgoing Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton as the riding's NDP's candidate for this October's provincial election.

Sarah Campbell, Hampton's constituency assistant in Dryden and Kenora lawyer Robert Siding have declared this intention to seek the nomination.

NDP will select their candidate through a series of meetings beginning August 12, ending in Fort Frances August 15.

Liberal Select Candidate Tonight

The Liberals in Kenora-Rainy River will select their candidate for the October provincial election tonight at a meeting in Fort Frances.

Emo councillor Anthony Leek is the only declared candidate so far.

Greens Selected Riding Candidate

The Green Party has selected its candidate for Kenora-Rainy River.

Jo Jo Holliday of Kenora was also its candidate in the 2007 provincial election and was the Greens candidate in the 2008 federal election.

Tax Loss to Fort Frances

More tax loss for the town of Fort Frances

Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says a reassessment of the International bridge will mean a loss of about $25,000 to the town.

"For 2010 the assessment was $1,447.000," says Witherspoon. "This year it has dropped to just over $1-million. What it means the revenue for the town of Fort Frances is that we'll only receive $14,888."

Witherspoon says the reassessment was done by the U.S. Revenue Department and can not be appealed.

Town Turned to Retired Employee for Help

The town of Fort Frances is turning to a recently retired employee to handle its I-T services.

CAO Mark McCaig says the signing of a contract with former Manager of Information and Technology Darryl Allan will save the town money in the long-run.

"We take a look, case-by-case basis, with every job that we have," says McCaig. "When there's retirements we examine any opportunity to achieve some organizational synergies and to downsize through attribute. That opportunity presented itself with Darryl."

Allan retired from the town Friday.

Charges Laid over Weekend

OPP across northwestern Ontario laid almost 500 charges over the long weekend.

Nearly 70 per cent of them were against motorists who were caught driving too fast.

Fourteen other people were cited for seatbelt infractions and 51 charged for liquor offences.

Rent Hikes Promised

The Liberals say they'll change the way Ontario's rent increase rate is set if they're re-elected this fall.

Landlords will be able to increase tenants' rents by 3.1 per cent in 2012 -- up from the 2011 rate of 0.7 per cent.

The rate is currently tied to the Consumer Price Index, which is calculated annually by Statistics Canada.

Mudfling This Weekend

(Atikokan Mudslingers photo)

There'll be plenty of mud slinging in Atikokan this weekend.
The Atikokan Mudslingers host their annual 4-by-4 Mudfling at the Charleson Recreation Area.

President Cathy Barnard says this year there will be a featured vehicle on site.

"This year we have a feature presentation by Wade Snyder of Edgerton, Alberta," says Barnard. "He's coming in with his blower car has 2,500 horsepower and holds the record in western Canada of 2.7 seconds for 200 feet."

Races go Saturday and Sunday.

Truck Accident Near Atikokan

(OPP photo)


A man was taken to Thunder Bay hospital Sunday following a single vehicle accident involving a transport.

It happened on Highway 11, twenty kilometres west of Atikokan.

The vehicle suffered extensive damage

Police are still investigating.

Move Over for Emergency Vehicles

OPP are conducting a blitz on drivers who fail to obey Ontario's move over legislation.

Drivers are required to move over or slow down and proceed with caution when passing an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the highway with its lights flashing.

A campaign to make motorists aware of their obligations was conducted on the weekend.