Green Energy Change Shot Down

A proposal to restore the ability of municipalities to oppose green energy projects has been killed at Queen's Park.

The Liberals and NDP voted against the Conservative private member's bill to give municipalities more say over new wind and solar projects.

Assessment Appeal Begins

The first meeting of what could be a lengthy process has been held in Abitibi-Bowater's appeal of the assessed value of its Fort Frances mill property.

The province's Assessment Review Board held a teleconference this week and set dates for future meeting for next spring.

The company, now known as Resolute Forest Products, feels the value of its properties for last three years was assess too high.

The town has said it stands to lose as much as 800-thousand dollars in taxes if the company wins its case.

Economic Opportunities Explored

The township of Emo is looking to the future.

Last night, the community held a public meeting to gather input on future economic development opportunities.

Mayor Vince Sheppard says the township wants to expand.

Sheppard says council will review comments received to determine the next steps.

Atikokan Gets Provincial Dollars

The provincial government is helping the town of Atikokan identify potential investment opportunities.

Funding will help the town develop a new community Geographic Information System that can be used for site selectors and potential investors.

A study of accommodation and housing needs is also being done.

Mining Focus for Chamber

One of the companies poised to open a gold mine in the Atikokan area will outline its project to members of the Fort Frances business community today.

Officials with Osisko Mining are the guest speakers at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting.

Chamber Manager Anthony Mason says the Chamber wants to keep people informed about what going on in mining.

The meeting at the La Place Rendez-Vous begins at 4 p.m.

Mineral Mountain Expands

Mineral Mountain Resources is adding to its land base in the Rainy River district.

The BC-based mining company is acquiring ten mining claims located around its Straw Lake gold project from a resident of Emo.

The company believes the area to be similar to one nearby being explored by Manitou Gold.

Benefit for Heart Transplant Patient Planned

A benefit dinner is being planned for a Fort Frances woman recovering from a heart transplant.

25-year-old Samantha Pearson has been in an Ottawa hospital room since the October 22 operation.

Her cousin, Chad Canfield says family and friends are looking to raise some funds for her and her family.

The dinner will be held at Fort Frances High School December 8 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Advance tickets can be picked up at the Great Bear, NCDC, Northwoods Gallery and Gifts, Emo Drug and Cooper Chiropractic

Uploading Concerns

The town of Fort Frances isn't all that happy with the province's efforts to take back the responsibility of social services costs from municipalities.

Councillor Sharon Tibbs says with funding for social housing frozen at 2002 levels, the shortfall is still being picked up on the municipal side.

Councillor Ken Perry says the Rainy River District Administration Board recently passed a motion addressing that issue and will be seeking municipal support.

Attawapiskat Called Deplorable

Canada's top aboriginal leader says the spotlight on the deplorable living conditions on the  Attawapiskat First Nation is "a moment of reckoning.''

Shawn Atleo, grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations, says it's long past time to take care of the needs of Attawapiskat and other reserves in the same position.

Many residents of Attawapiskat live in tented shacks with no insulation, no bathrooms, and no running water.

Atikokan Animals Get Rescued

Homeward Bound photo

An Atikokan group is helping to rescue stray animals from being destroyed and finding them new homes in the community.

Homeward Bound Animal Rescue was established only two months ago.

President Stephanie Martin says they're getting lot of support.

Martin says animals rescue are housed in Foster homes until more permanent ones are found.

Stuff-A-Cruiser Numbers

Final numbers from Saturday's Stuff-a-cruiser event in Atikokan are now in.

Residents donated enough food to help stuff a total of seven cruisers during the four hour food drive.

The items will be shared by Atikokan Native Friendship Centre/Ashandiwin Food Bank, Atikokan Christmas Cheer and the Faith Lutheran Church Food Bank.

Another Stuff-a-cruiser event will take place December 10th in Fort Frances and Emo.

Bait Smugglers Fined

Two United States residents have been fined a total of one-thousand dollars for attempting to smuggle live bait into Ontario.

The men, one from Iowa and another from Hibbing, Minnesota, tried on separate occasions this past summer to bring leeches through Canada Customs entry point on Sand Point Lake.

In both cases, the bait was seized by Customs officers and turned over to Ministry of Natural Resource conservation officers.

Lawyers Concerned with Changes

A group of northwestern Ontario lawyers have teamed up fight changes to the criminal code.

The Kenora Lawyers Sentencing Group is worried that amendments to the criminal code will result in more aboriginals being incarcerated.

It is also worried the changes will reduce opportunities for alternative sentencing, like restorative justice.

Airport Fence Works

A new fence around the Fort Frances airport appears to be doing its job.

The fence was installed to keep deer from running into the path of aircraft on the runway.

The town's Operation and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says they did have bear slip in under a gate, but no deer have been spotted by airport staff.

The fence has been in place since the middle of October

Civic Centre Work Proposed

The town of Fort Frances is looking at repairing a section of roof at the Civic Centre.

CAO Mark McCaig says ongoing problems requires the need to do the work as soon as possible.

Administration will examine costs and practicality of doing the work during the winter before committing the town to the project.

"Like" Us

The use of Social media is going to play heavily in future promotion of Fort Frances.

Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says the expanded use of the internet in every day life forces them look to Facebook, Twitter and You Tube more.

RRFDC is holding a workshop this week for area businesses interested in Social media.

New Town Website

The town of Fort Frances has revamped its website.

The town's I.T. Consultant Darryl Allan says the redesigned site takes advantages of new features not previously available and recognizes provincial requirements for accessibility.

The site gives the public greater access to council agendas and minutes, town policies and general information.

Sarah Campbell Racking Up Air Miles

You can forgive Sarah Campbell for feeling a bit jet lagged these days.

The rookie M.P-P is getting used to the rigours of travelling to and from the largest riding in the province.

Campbell says she's been spending a lot more time in Toronto than anticipated.

Attawapiskat Gets Some Attention

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the situation in Attawapiskat is "absolutely disgusting.''

She wants to know why the Red Cross, an international aid agency, is the northern Ontario First Nations community's only source of support.

People are now flooding into Attawapiskat, a month after it issued a cry for emergency help with its substandard housing and lack of clean, running water.

Falls Parade Winners

Candy Land by the Gizzard Girls earned top honours at the 'Twas the Lights Before Christmas Parade in International Falls Friday.

They earned $300.00 for their effort.

A 3-part religious theme by Wood Interiors earned the second prize award while the Coffee Landing Cafe's Giant Red Cup placed third.

Fort Parade Winners

Organizers of the Fort Frances Parade of Lights have announced their award winners.

Fort Frances High School's Saving Faces was selected best among local organizations and churches.

The Girls Guides, Brownies and Sparks entry was the best non-profit float.

Badiuk Equipment was best among the business entries.

Dancemakers School of Dance won for best recreational group

Bill and Marie Whiting were declared best decorated individuals.

St. Mary's Youth Group was the winner of the award that best exemplified the parade theme.

Video of the parade was posted by an unknown individual on You Tube


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Bridge Upgrades Explored

Minnesota and Ontario are looking at possible improvements to the bridge linking Rainy River with Baudette.

Talks are in the very infancy stages.

J.T. Anderson of the Minnesota Department of Transportation says there's still a lot of issues to discuss before any work can take place.

Anderson says the State would like to work begin by 2017 or 2018.

Search Suspended

An air and ground search of an Atikokan man has been suspended by Ontario Provincial Police.

It began last Wednesday for 49-year-old Eric Natti in an area north of Atikokan known as Miller Lake Landing.

OPP says they're now dispatching an underwater search and recovery team to the area, but aren't provided any further details.

Parade Route Designation Requested

Fort Frances town councillors are being asked to adopt an official parade route for future events.

The Fort Frances Police Services Board is recommending they start in the east end of town around the Memorial Sports Centre or Resolute Forest Product's wood lot, travelling down either Scott or Front Streets, going no further than Mowatt Avenue.

The board says this would limit interference with traffic at major intersections and the need for officers to control those area.

The OPP gave notice this year it would be charging parade organizers if their services were required.

Lakers Seek Canteen Rights

Fort Frances Lakers Hockey Association wants to take over partial operation of concession services at the Memorial Sports Center.

It expressing interested in manning the canteen located in the Ice for Kids Arena.

Carol's Canteen currently holds a contract with the town that's set to expire next year.

Faith Day

It's a day of faith development for staff with the Northwest Catholic District School Board today.

Catholicity Coordinator Amy LaFroy says staff from the Rainy River district will gather in Fort Frances to hear from Doctor Mark McGowan.

Monsignor Pat Stilla will serve the keynote speaker of a separate event for staff from the Dryden and Sioux Lookout areas.

Resolute to Halt Paper Machines for Year

Resolute Forest Products is curtailing its papermaking operations in Fort Frances for the rest of the year beginning next week.

The company is citing poor market conditions as the reason behind the five week shutdown of its paper machines.

About one hundred employees will be impacted.

Operations at the Kraft mill are not effected.

It's the third work stoppage at the mill this year.

Bass Tournament Finances Improve

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is back in the black.

The tournament organizers began the year nearly $17-thousand in the hole, but ended with a small profit.

Chair Gord Watson says having Sunset Country Ford as a major sponsor was key.

Watson also credits the work of the entire board for helping turn the financial records around.

Tournament Huge to Local Economy

There's new proof that the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship has a significant impact on the Rainy River district economy.

Rainy River Futures Development Corporation consultant Tannis Drysdale says a survey of out-of-town visitors to this year's event identified a total impact of over $460-thousand.

Drysdale says that figure equates to the creation of between six to seven full times jobs every year.

Government Criticized over First Nations Relations

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell wants the Liberal government to improve its relations with First Nations.

She says a recent decision by the K-I band to walk away from talks with government over mining rights shows its current policies aren't working.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynne says they remain committed to respective and ongoing dialogue with native communities.

Second Vote on HST Removal Bill

It's a crucial day in the legislature for an NDP bill aimed at removing the HST from home heating.

The bill is up for debate and second reading -- a key hurdle to get it into committee and into third and final reading.

The Liberals vow to block the measure, saying the province can't afford to lose the $350-million the HST generates.

Weather Records

It was a record setting day weather wise in Atikokan.

Yesterday's high of 10.7 C shattered the old mark of 6.8 C set back in 1984.

Fort Frances came close reaching 8.6 C - just short of 9 C set in 1984.

Federal Government Sued

More than two dozen aboriginal communities in northwestern Ontario have filed a lawsuit accusing the federal government of denying their children a right to equal education.

Grand Chief  Diane Kelly says aboriginals were promised equal education when they signed Treaty 3 over 130 years ago, but Ottawa hasn't lived up to its side of the deal.

Chief Chuck McPherson of Couchiching First Nation says the reserve would like to have its own school, but children there receive half the funding of public school students.

Rainy River Resources on TSX

Rainy River Resources is now trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

President  Raymond Threlkeld helped open trading on the market Wednesday morning in recognition of the company's move to the TSX.

It opened trading at just over $7.00 a share.

Court Action Launched

Grand Council Treaty Three is preparing to take the federal government to court.

It's claiming that its treaty rights to education have been breached.

The claim is being filed in Ontario on behalf of the 28 member communities that belong to Treaty Three.

More details are being revealed this morning in Winnipeg.

Salarie Disclosure

The Harper Government is bringing in legislation that would force hundreds of First Nations across Canada to make public the salaries of their chiefs and band councillors.

If the information isn't made public by the end of November each year, the government will have the legal right to release it.

Trying to Stay Connected

Community leaders from Fort Frances will explore today just how connected they are to one another.

Elaine Fischer a health promoter at the Northwestern Health Unit says its a follow up to work started last year.

Fischer says the outcome could lead to a plan that improves on delivery and access.

Safe Communities Looks Ahead

Helping to improve traffic safety around area schools will be one of the issues Safe Communities Rainy River will tackle in the coming year.

The group held is annual meeting yesterday.

Chair Peggy Loyie says reducing injuries caused by falls is still a main priority.

Loyie returns as chair the nine-member board for a second straight year.

Stuff-a-Cruiser Back

OPP are back with its Stuff a Cruiser campaign.

It's aimed at helping collect non-perishable food items for food banks across the Rainy River district.

Constable Anne McCoy says this year it will include Atikokan with events this Saturday.

The campaign will be held in Fort Frances and Emo  December 10th

Farmers Head to Regina

The Rainy River district will be well represented in Regina this week.

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation is taking a group of fifteen farmers to Agribition, an  agricultural exhibition and trade show.

Business Investment officer Angela Halverson says it will both promotional and fact-finding visit.

It's been five years since a group from the district has attended the annual event.

Throne Speech Panned

The Opposition are vowing to vote against the minority Liberal government's throne speech

Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says he's disappointed and his party won't support the speech.

But N-D-P Leader Andrea Horwath says Ontarians are tired of partisan games and plans to take the Liberals up on their promise to work with the opposition parties.

Falls Parade Goes Friday

The 'Twas the Lights before Christmas parade in International Falls takes place Friday night.

Chamber manager Faye Whitbeck says the parade will travel more through the downtown area this year going down 4th and 3rd Streets

An new outdoor festival will follow the parade in front of the Elks Hall.

Campbell Looks Forward to QP Opening

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is hoping for a productive first session at Queen's Park.

The Throne speech comes today before the start of Question Period tomorrow.

Campbell says it's going to take compromise and cooperation from all three parties to deal with issues such as job creation and making life more affordable.

Campbell is scheduled to make her first statement at Queen's Park Thursday.

Throne Speech Today

The Liberals say they'll address only their own agenda in today's throne speech.

It's expected to outline the Liberal minority government's plans for a home renovation tax credit for seniors and a 30 per cent cut in college and university tuition.

The tone of the speech will be one of fiscal restraint in light on the province's $16-billion deficit.

Speaker Selected

Liberal Dave Levac is the new Speaker of the Ontario legislature.

He was elected yesterday, beating out fellow Liberals Donna Cansfield, Kevin Flynn and David Zimmer.

Board Pays for Poor Record Keeping

The Northwest Catholic District School Board has been fined $18-thousand for violations under the provincial Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Ministry of Environment charged the board with failing to keep flushing records for lead and failing to provide them to the Ministry in a timely manner following an inspection of Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton in February 2010.

A board official says water quality was not impacted at the school and they've since resolved its records keeping.

Christmas Parade in Fort Frances Taking Shape

The Fort Frances Parade of Lights is set to go this Saturday.

Brenda Kellar of Causeway Insurance says its shaping up to be a good one.

The parade will start go down Scott Street, from Frenette Avenue to Mowatt, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Atikokan Christmas Parade

The Kiwanis Club hosts the annual parade in Atikokan on Saturday.

Vice-president Marlene Davidson says financial support from Ontario Power Generation is helping with a gathering afterwards at Errington Hall with Santa.

Davidson is expecting a good turnout of parade participants .

Border Stats

A total of 26 American were turned back at the Fort Frances border last month.

Statistics released by the Canada Border Services Agency reveal they were among 48 U.S. visitors found to have some form of admissibility issue.

The CBSA says four individuals had criminal records for such things as assault and break and enter.

More than 53-thousand people entered Canada through the Fort border in October.

Council Supports Great Lakes Airlines

A significant step toward securing air passenger service in International Falls has been taken.

Falls city council  approved a package of materials to be sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation as it considers options to replace service now provided by Delta.

Airport Commission chair Bob Anderson says Wyoming-based Great Lake Airlines could be taking over sometime next year.

Anderson says a decision could come within the next ten days.

A Costly ATV

A Canadian resident had his ATV seized at the border last month for trying to under-value the cost of the machine purchased in the U.S.

Canada Border Services Agency says the man declared the new machine at $35-hundred under cost in hopes to saving money on import taxes.

The ATV was seized and returned once a $2,200 penalty was paid.

Had the full value been properly declared, the taxes would have been $171.00.

Government Cuts Staff

The provincial government's work force has shrunk.

The union representing public service workers says the province has handed layoff notices to another 231 workers.

The ministries of transportation and health and long term care will feel the brunt of the latest layoffs.

It's not know if any of the layoffs impact staff in northwestern Ontario.

Premier Ready

Premier Dalton McGuinty insists he's serious about slaying Ontario's huge deficit while spending  more than half a billion dollars a year on new policies.

The premier expressed confidence yesterday that his Liberals will be able to implement two key campaign promises, despite being one seat short of a majority.

One promises a grant to reduce tuition for most post-secondary students, and a home renovation credit for seniors.

You Grew Up in Fort Frances...

That Facebook site that spurred the idea of a community-wide reunion in Fort Frances is attracting a lot of attention from residents both past and present.

Al Beeber, a former newspaper reporter here, created the "You grew up in Fort Frances" site back in August.

It's grown to over 14-hundred people.

Beeber calls the site similar to an on-line coffee shop.

Benefit Supper Planned

A benefit supper will be held next week to help an area man with medical expenses.

Dean Bruyere says the family of Don Roach will hold the fundraiser Thursday at the Couchiching Multi-use facility.

Roach has been battling cancer for the past couple of years.

Ten dollar tickets are available by contact Bruyere, Dennis Roach at 275-9524, Tammy Collier 274-8540 and Sanda Roach  274-0412.

Cold Winter Predicted

The weather minds of the world are saying that we're in for a so called La Niña winter.

Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says that means you'll have to bundle up.

A La Nina winter for northwestern Ontario tends to mean a colder and drier winter.

Laidlaw says less snow cover means frost will penetrate deeper into the ground this season.

More Drilling Near Atikokan

More drilling will begin this month at a gold-rich area north of Atikokan.

Osisko Mining will drill 3,300 metres on properties currently owned by Sparton Resources.

The work is to follow-up on earlier discoveries by Sparton.

The claims are located next to Osisko's Hammond Reef gold site.