Golf Courses Open

It may be a little wet today, but area golf courses are opening because of the warm weather we've had this month.

Tom O'Connell of the Falls Golf and Country Club says it's the earliest opening for the International Falls course.

Kitchen Creek Golf Course in Alberton was to be ready for play this morning.

Manager Glen Kellar says it comes with a decrease in the membership prices.

Heron Landing will open tomorrow, weather permitting.

Records Falls Again

Weather records continue to fall in the Rainy River district.

Atikokan and Fort Frances ended the day with recorded highs of 20 C, surpassing marks set back in 1987.

The Fort temperature might be higher, but recording equipment at the Fort Frances airport went down during the afternoon when higher temperatures are recorded.

Meantime, International Falls hit 72 F to break a 12 year old record.

Wolf Attack in Kenora

There's been a wolf attack on a pet in the Kenora area.

A dog was allegedly grabbed by the neck by a wolf at a trailer park where several citings has been reported over the past couple of weeks.

The wolf bolted before doing serious harm when a resident slammed a door to scare the animal.

The dog suffered only a couple of bite marks.

Sunshine List Out Today

The so-called sunshine list of Ontario public employees who earned more than $100,000 in 2011 is to be released today.

There were over 71-thousand public sector workers on the 2010 list, up 11 per cent from 2009.

Crop Walk Planned

A walk to raise awareness and money to combat hunger goes in International Falls in May.

The Crop Walk for Hunger has been going on since 1994.

Coordinator Pat Nordy says participants can now register and collect pledges.

You can call Nordy at 218-283-4113 or the First Lutheran Church to register.

A portion of proceeds stays in the Falls to the Salvation Army's Food Shelve.

First Fire of Season Record

Northwestern Ontario has recorded its first fire of 2012.

It was a small grass fire near Ingolf, a small community near the Ontario-Manitoba border.

Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson Debbie MacLean says with a recent rapid drying of the region, they'll bring on their fire rangers a week earlier than normal.

Health Minister Asked to Resign

The opposition parties are demanding Health Minister Deb Matthews resign after a scathing auditor's report into Ontario's air ambulance service.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the report shows the government did a poor job of overseeing executives at Ornge who were using taxpayers money in some questionable deals.

The Progressive Conservatives accuse the Liberals of hiding the findings on Ornge until after last fall's election.

Highway Open

Highway 11 east of Atikokan is now open.

A section between Quetico Park and Kashabowie was closed Wednesday night while emergency personnel dealt with a burning vehicle.

No other details of the incident are immediately available.

New Group Takes Over Canada Day Planning

A new group of volunteers has stepped forward to take on some of the planning for Canada Day celebrations in Fort Frances.

The volunteer group intends to host the parade, children's activities and entertainment at Pither's Point Park.

They came together after the "Fun in the Sun" committee announced earlier this month that it couldn't find the volunteers they needed to continue on.

At least two other well-established organizations have also expressed interest in hosting Canada Day events, but have yet to finalize their plans.

Community Consultation on City Services

International Falls residents will get a chance next month to provide input on how their city delivery's services.

City councillor Cynthia Jacksa says it's part of an event sponsored by the municipal lobby group the League of Minnesota Cities.

The League will hold four community consultations April 11 and 12.

Jacksa says the city is one of a select few chosen for the consultations.

Ashton Gets Support

NDP leadership hopeful Niki Ashton is getting the support of our area MPP.

Kenora-Rainy River's Sarah Campbell says Ashton's understanding of northern and rural issues make her the best person to lead the federal party.

The NDP elect their new party leader Saturday.

More Records Fall

Temperature records continue to fall in the Rainy River.

Fort Frances set its 9th straight record Wednesday when its high reached 20.2 C.

That passes the old mark of 11.7 C set back in 1987.

Atikokan's high of 15.9 C broke a 1987 record of 12.5 C -  the sixth straight weather record for that community.

More Moose Collared

Wildlife officials have captured and collared six more moose in Voyageurs National Park.

It's part of attempts to study the effects of climate change on the animals.

A total of 18 moose are now wearing GPS collars in the park.

Slots Sought for NWO

A long-time proponent of slot machines is lobbying to help try to bring the gaming machines to northwestern Ontario.

Doug Stemkowski, a hotel operator in Kenora, says slots would boost a struggling tourism economy.

The provincial government has indicated its willing to expand the number of slot machines in Ontario.

Accident Brings Impaired Driving Charges

A 52-year-old man will visit an Atikokan court room next month to face impaired driving charges after a single vehicle accident in that community.

It happen in the 300 block of Mackenzie Avenue East Sunday evening.

The driver was not injured, but OPP say breath samples taken found his blood alcohol level to be well above the legal limit.

Cost to Use Natural Gas Coming Down

Look for lower gas bills soon.

Paul Crawford of the Ontario Energy Board says Union Gas has been approved for a rate decrease that takes effect April 1st.

For Rainy River district users, the change translates into savings of $90.21 over a twelve month period.

Crawford says the decrease is due to a lower than expected prices Union Gas will pay for natural gas over the next twelve months.

Weather Record Set Early in the morning.

Most people were sleeping when these weather records were set yesterday.

New highs were set in Fort Frances, Atikokan, surpassing records set back in 1987.

Atikokan hit 17 C while Fort Frances, the country's hot spot on the weekend came in at 16.5 F

International Falls reached 61 F, tying the temperature recorded on March 20, 1987.

In all three cases, the highs were recorded around 2 a.m.

Canadians Flock to American Airports

Grand Forks Int'l Airport photo

A new study suggests Canadians looking for travel bargains are more often finding them by flying out of airports south of the border.

4.8-million one-way trips were made by Canadians to American airports.

87-thousand people from Manitoba and northwestern Ontario caught flights in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Calls for Mandatory Phys-ed

Cancer Care Ontario and Public Health Ontario want physical education mandatory until Grade 12.

Education Minister Laurel Broten won't commit to the request right now.

Cancer Care Ontario says mandatory phys-ed, along with higher tobacco taxes and more smoking restrictions, will help reduce deaths related to chronic but largely preventable illnesses.

Report into Air Ambulance Scandal

The first report on Ornge, the province's troubled air ambulance service, is to be tabled in the legislature today.

But sources say a lack of co-operation from former Ornge officials may leave Auditor general Jim McCarter  unable to fully address the controversy.

Fairmont Begins Drilling

Fairmont Resources has started drilling property near Atikokan it identified earlier this month to be similar to Oskio Mining's Hammond Reef gold project.

The work within the Marmion South Property will continue through the rest of the month.

The assay results will be released in late April.

Deserter Found at Border

An alleged U.S. military deserter is back in custody after being arrested at the U.S.-Canada border south of Thunder Bay.

21-year-old Caleb May of Biloxi, Mississippi, was arrested by U.S. Customs officers as he tried to return to the U.S. March 10.

He was later turned over to Homeland Security for extradition back to the custody of the U.S. Air Force.

Police Boards Want Hold on Policing Costs

The province's police services boards are looking to Queen's Park to halt the rise in policing costs.

The cost of policing is rising by five to seven per cent a year and that's straining municipal budgets.

The Ontario Association of Police Services Boards says the province should consider centralizing police bargaining.

It also suggests finding ways to eliminate the use of police officers for non-core tasks.

Dead Fish Investigation

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources suspects low oxygen levels caused thousands of fish to die in the Pelican River, near Orr,  over the past several days.

Fisheries supervisor Kevin Peterson says the dead fish include northern pike, smallmouth bass, and crappies.

He says low water levels last fall probably worsened reduced oxygen levels.

More Thin Ice Incidents

Thinning ice conditions resulting from the recent warm temperatures are blamed for a number of vehicles plunging into northwestern Ontario waters.

The most recent incident occurred near Kenora Monday.

Three American residents were able to get out safely before their SUV hauling two brand new snowmachines broke through on an ice-road on Lake of the Woods.

On the weekend, a truck and two ATVs fell the ice around the Fort Frances and International Falls areas.


Meantime, winter roads to many remote First Nations have become victims of the warm March temperatures.

The roads are quickly deterioating and Nishnawbe-Aski Police have had to respond to several incidents.

Most communities have closed their sections of the road network.

Premier to Accept Referendums on Casinos

Premier Dalton McGuinty is going to leave it up to municipalities to hold a referendum if they want a new casino or gaming facility.

His comments come in the wake of a major plan by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to expand gambling in the province.

McGuinty says it's not up to the province to let local residents decide.

Fort Frances council suggested last year the province set up casino's in border communities instead of introducing gambling on-line.

Thin Ice Warnings

Authorities are warning to stay off the ice.

The warning comes following separate incidents on both sides of the border in which vehicles went through the ice.

Two people escaped unharmed after a pick-up truck hauling a trailer load of flooring crashed through the ice on Rainy Lake in the area of Five Mile Dock Sunday.

The vehicle, trailer and debris have since been recovered.


Two ATV's broke through the ice in separate incidents on the weekend in Voyageurs National Park.

Friday, two people escaped the icy waters when their four-wheeler when through the ice near Wolf Island.

Then Saturday, five people, including three children, managed to the escape before the ATV they were riding went through ice between Lake Kabetogama and Namakan Lake.

Weather Records Still Falling

More weather records were set across the region for the ninth time in ten days.

Fort Frances high of 26 C shattered the old mark of 10 C set in 2000.

Atikokan's temperature of 23.6 C surpassed the 2003 record of 9.9 C.

International Falls high of 78 F broke a 1918 record of 66 F for March 19

Warm Weather to Continue

Warmer than normal temperatures in the Borderland could continue for the rest of the month.

Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says it's the result of an intense low pressure system that's stuck over the U.S. plains States and bringing warm southern air into the region.

Coulson says given our past history, they're not ready to rule winter completely dead just yet.

Question of the Week

Do you think the warmer than normal temperatures are a benefit or a hindrance to the our area?

Let us know on our website 931 the border.ca.

Burning Restrictions Set for Minnesota

The Department of Natural Resources is imposing burning restrictions over much of Minnesota next Monday.

The initial restrictions will cover much of central and northern Minnesota.

Additional counties will be added, depending on conditions.

There have been 148 fires so far this year, 27 in northeastern Minnesota

Three small blazes were reported just south of Baudette yesterday.

New Sewer Plant in International Falls

The North Koochiching Sanitary Sewer Board is moving ahead with the construction of a $14-million dollar sewer treatment plant in International Falls.

Executive Director Tim McBride says the new facility will address a number of deficiencies existing with the current 60 year old plant.

Construction will likely begin this summer with part of the funding coming from the State in the form of grants and a low interest loan.

Part of the proposal also includes significant increases in user rate.

Local Hospitals Not Impacted

Riverside Health Care Facilities and Atikokan General Hospital will be among those not impacted by a change in how the province funds hospitals.

Beginning April 1st, ninety-one other health care centres will be reimbursed based on the care they provide, rather than providing only lump sum payments.

Ban on Burning Expanded

The list of communities imposing bans on open-air burning is growing in the Rainy River district.

The townships of Chapple and Alberton, now join Emo, LaVallee, Dawson and Fort Frances in prohibiting burning of grass or brush until at least April 1.

While most don't issue permits until then, dry conditions caused by the recent warm temperatures is forcing municipalities to take action.

Border Plans Held Up

There appears to be a set back in plans to build a new customs facility in International Falls.

During a recent trip to Washington, area officials were told the project likely won't proceed any time soon because of its high costs.

Koochiching County's Commissioner Brian McBride says its disappointing news.

The federal government had hoped to begin construction on the $100-million facility by 2014.

Grandparents Scam on Rise

OPP are growing concern with a rise in the number of people becoming victims of the so-called grandparents scam.

It's where someone will call claiming to be a relative in trouble and seeking money.

Detective Constable Dave Felstead with the OPP's anti-rackets branch says the con artists have become very sophisticated but police have the tools to track them down and bring them to justice.

More than 460 people in Ontario fell victim to the scam last year, being bilked for over $2.5 million.

More Burning Cancelled

Another community in the Rainy River district is banning open air burning until at least April 1st.

Emo has joined the townships of LaVallee and Dawson in prohibiting burning because of recent warm temperatures.

Fort Frances has suspended burning permits until further notice.

More Weather Records

It was a weekend of more record-breaking temperatures.

International Falls reached 79 F yesterday, breaking the 1918 record of 66 F.

Fort Frances hit 26.4 C, more than doubling the old mark of 13 C set in 2010.

Atikokan hit 24.7 C, breaking the old mark of 13.1 C also set in 2010.

Saturday, Fort Frances was the hot spot in Canada with its high of 24.8 C, blazing past the 2009 record of 13.4.

Atikokan was just a shy cooler at 24.6 C, compared to last year's high of 12.2 C.

International Falls hit 77 F, a full 22 degrees above the previous record set in 1968.

Question of the Week

It appears our listeners are almost split as to the reasons why so many organizations in Fort Frances struggle for volunteers.

55 per cent of respondents to our on-line poll blame it on a lack of time.

45 per cent feel it's due to a lack of interest.

Trapper Embark on Public Awareness Campaign

Area trappers are making themselves more public.

The Rainy River District Trappers Council has been around for many years, but few people know they still exist.

President Brian Love says they're working to change that.

The Council will hold a workshop for the public this Saturday at Donald Young School in Emo.

Health Care Troubles

An unflattering picture of health care planning in the northwest is being painted by a Hamilton newspaper report.

It says the Northwest Local Health Integration Network is having trouble coordinating health care for chronic ailments like heart disease and diabetes.

CEO Laura Kokocinski says it actually shows the value of the organization.

Kokocinski insists, however, residents here are getting their money's worth in health care services.

Kraft Mill Down

A lack of qualified personnel has put a halt to production at Resolute Forest Products kraft mill in Fort Frances.

In an email to CFOB News, company spokesperson Pierre Choquette says the mill doesn't have enough 2nd class stationary engineers needed to run the plant.

Such personnel are often trained in several areas as mechanical, chemical and electrical.

Choquette says they're evaluating operations to determine their best course of action.

Production on the paper side is not effected.

Fire Restrictions in Minnesota

Spring fire restrictions are also in effect in Minnesota

The Department of Natural Resources says it's already seeing wildfire activity in some parts of the States.

Eight fires have occured in the northeast region.

The DNR is advising owners to minimize the risk by cleaning their property of debris and disposing it safely.

Burning Permits Cancelled

Burning permits are being temporarily suspended in the town of Fort Frances.

Fire Chief Frank Sheppard says the recent rise in temperatures has forced them to take action.

Burning is also prohibited in the Emo as well as in the townships of LaVallee and Dawson until at least April 1st.

Other municipalities outside of Fort Frances don't issue permits until then.

Health Care Access Improving

The provincial Liberal riding association in Kenora-Rainy River is out defending the McGuinty government's record on heath care.

President Anthony Leek admits there's more work to do, but much has been done to improve access to care in the region.

It includes the creation of Family Health teams which Leek says have brought eight new doctors to Fort Frances.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell the creation of those teams is a part of the problem to the doctor issue in the region.

Custom Officers Doing What They Have to

The Port director at the U.S. Border in International Falls makes no apologies for how her staff performs.

Chris Lessard told an International Falls Chamber of Commerce gathering U.S customs officers have been often described as rude, sarcastic and intimidating.

Lessard says the public needs to know, officers do have a job to do.

Still, Lessard says complaints from the public are taken seriously and officers can face discipline or improved training if they're legitimate.

Man Picked Up For Impaired

A 53-year-old man will make a court appearance next month on an impaired driving charge.

OPP arrested the man Wednesday night in Fort Frances after a vehicle failed to stop for a pedestrian using the light activated crosswalk on King's Highway.

Police says breath samples taken from the driver were found to be twice the legal limit.

Oxy Panel Set Up

The provincial government is setting up an expert panel to deal with the issue of prescription drug abuse.

Medical Officer of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit Dr. James Arthurs says Thunder Bay's Dr. David Williams will help lead the new panel.

Health officials met Thursday by video-conference to talk about issues surrounding the end of oxycontin production in Ontario.

Weather Record - Thursday

Add another daily weather record to the books for Fort Frances.

Thursday's high of 13.5 C tied the mark set in 2009.

Expo Returns

An International Sportsman's Expo is returning to International Falls.

The event, held for the first time last year, will take place in April to showcase the area's outdoor opportunities.

President Tom Holt says 26 different vendors and several guest speakers will be on hand.

The event will also collect food items for the Salvation Army's Food Shelve and donations to a campaign to bring kidney dialysis to the Falls.

The event at the Evangelical Covenant Church takes place April 14.