Home Price Report Questioned

A report on rising Ontario home prices has drawn concern from a Liberal MP.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation says home prices in Ontario are up 17 per cent over the past four years, 26 per cent in the Kenora-Rainy River districts.

The corporation says the numbers suggest a strong real estate market.

MP John McCallum says the increase is high given the current economic environment.

Atikokan Showcased

Atikokan is showcasing its promising future to a Thunder Bay audience today.

The town's inviting developers, miners and investors to an open house at the Whitewater Golf Course to learn more about its activities.

The town's preparing for an economic boom in the energy, forestry and mining industries with as many as four projects, creating as many as 900 new jobs, about to proceed.

Parade of Boats Tonight

FFCBC photo

Just one more sleep before the fishing begins at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, but tonight anglers  showcase their boats and gear in the annual Parade of Boats.

This year, it starts at the Memorial Sports Centre, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and travelling west down Scott Street to Mowat Avenue.

Anglers will then head to Boston Pizza where you get your opportunity to rub shoulders and obtain a few fishing tips.

Home Sales Up

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation says the average home price in the Kenora and Rainy River districts has increased 26 per cent over the past four years. 

MPAC's chief assessor Larry Hummel says different forces affect the real estate market in northern Ontario, including the recent increase in activity in the mining sector.

Overall, Ontario's home prices are up 17 per cent.

Portage Avenue Underpass To Close

The Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances will be temporarily closed to traffic next week.

The closures happen next Tuesday and Wednesday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., both days.

It's to allow crews working on the pumping station to install new electrical services.

A temporary pedestrian walkway will be set up on the east side of the road during the closure.

Mining Symposium Planned

Mining and skilled trades are the wave of the future in northwestern Ontario, so the federal government is giving a hand to help aboriginal youth gain access to those sectors.

Federal government's setting aside $46-thousand to support an Aboriginal Trades and Employment Symposium in Dryden.

The September event will include reps from various mining companies.

Man Dead In Shooting Incident

A 61-year-old man is dead following a shooting incident at Whitefish Bay First Nation near Sioux Narrows.

Police says Charles Minshall was the owner of a store in the community.

Treaty Three Police Service found his body after responding to reports of gunfire being heard in the area of the store Sunday morning.

No one has yet been arrested.

No Injuries In Boating Incident

No one was injured in a boating accident on Rainy Lake on the weekend.

Koochiching County Sheriff's Office says two boats received minimal damage after brushing each other sides Saturday night.


Police says both operators thought the other was going to turn away to avoid a collision, but neither did.

Man Arrested On Sexual Assault Charges

A 25-year-old man man faces a long list of charges after a 50-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in the Red Lake area.

OPP says the two knew each other.

The victim was transported to hospital and released.

The accused remains in custody.

No names have been released.

MNR Getting More Fire Aid

The Ministry of Natural Resources is receiving more outside help to deal with a rash of forest fires in northwestern Ontario.

Twenty firerangers from Saskatchewan and 20 from New Brunswick will join Ontario's crews on the fire lines.

Waterbombers from Quebec and Newfoundland have also been called in.

Twenty firerangers from Minnesota arrived last week.

Five new fires were reported yesterday, bringing to 70 the number active.

Four are in the Rainy River district.

Sun Starts Deck Fire

The sun is being blamed for starting a fire in Littlefork.

Fire personnel were called to extinguish a blaze Sunday night on a deck of a home.

Officials say it was started by the sun hitting a mirror to create a heat source.

Town Seeks Federal Dollars

The town of Fort Frances will submit federal funding requests for four components a recent energy retrofit study.

Upgrades to the Memorial Sports Centre and a group of facilities that include the Daycare Centre, Museum, East End Hall, Sister Kennedy Centre and Sorting Gap Marina top the list.

Councillor Paul Ryan says its in line intent of new Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.

Upgrades to the Civic Centre and sewer and water plants will also be part of the application.

New Aestheticians

A special graduation ceremony for six students of a new program at Confederation College's Rainy River campus.

They're the first to complete an introductory aesthetics course.

Instructor Sara Enns says students can use the program to further their education or start their own business.

The College is looking at offering the 13-week program again this fall.

New Diapers Wanted

A collection of new diapers is underway in International Falls.

The United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is teaming up with a number of businesses and groups to collect diapers for needy families in Koochiching County.

Spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson says it's a first  for the community.

Depots have been set up at Border State Bank, Bremer Bank, City Drug, Kmart, Koochiching County Health Department, KSDM/KGHS Radio, Stewart's Super One, SUPERVALU, TruStar and Wells Fargo.

UnitedHealthcare and Boise will also be conducting internal drives with their employees.

The diapers will be distributed by the Salvation Army and Falls Hunger Coalition when the drive is over August 13.

Atikokan Plant To Stop Burning Coal In October

Ontario Power Generation's plant in Atikokan will stop using coal this fall.

The plant won't be generating power using biomass until 2014.

Plant Manager Chris Fralick says they'll be shutting the plant down in October to allow for the conversion work to proceed.

Cost of the work is estimated at about $200-million.

Fralick says the existing workforce of 85 will continue to be on site during the work.

Dragon Boat Club Formed

There's a move to keep the Dragon Boats floating all summer long along the Rainy River.

A club is being formed to help coordinate use of the boat obtained by Northern Community Development Services of Fort Frances.

Executive Director Jenny Greenhaulgh says it stems from the recent Dragon Boat festival in Fort Frances.

Greenhaulgh says they'll be making it available to both individuals and groups.


She says they're still in the process of finalizing scheduling of the boat.

Town To Seek Retrofit Funds

The town of Fort Frances is looking at the federal government's new community infrastructure fund to help with an energy retrofit project.

An administrative report to council tonight recommends it submit an application for the previously approved project with Honeywell listed at over $3.4 million.

The feds are making about $4-million dollars in its fund available to northern Ontario communities.

Other projects, including the reconstruction of Colonization Road East, were considered, but the energy saving initiative was was identified as top priority.

New Fires In Rainy River District

There are two new forest fires in the Rainy River district.

Both are lightning caused and listed as being under control.

One is located south of Mine Centre.

The other is near Lower Squirrel Lake, northeast of Atikokan.

A third fire still burns within Quetico Provincial Park.

Because it's posing no problem, the 0.4 hectare fire is being allowed to burn itself out because of its benefits to renewing the area's ecosystem.

Plane Crash Near Brainerd

A pilot has been killed and a passenger injured following a plane crash into a lake near Brainerd, Minnesota.

The Federal Aviation Administration says it happened just before 10 yesterday morning at Upper Whitefish Lake.

The FAA says the plane was amateur-built four years ago.

Class Action Lawsuit Launched

A class action lawsuit has been launched against Elections Ontario regarding the loss of personal information of up to 2.4 million voters.

This after Ontario's chief electoral officer announced last week that two memory sticks containing copies of personal information collected from voters in 20 to 25 ridings went missing in April.

New Instructor At Rainy River Community College

Rainy River Community College has hired a new part-time American Indian Studies instructor.

Stephen Briggs of International Falls will begin his tenure August 20.

He has been with the Minnesota Indian Education Association Board of Directors, but has worked at the College in past summers as an assistant teacher for its Ojibwe Immersion Camps and with its American Indian Studies Department.

Kids Pro Tournament

11-year-old Aarron Meyers is the big winner of the Canada Safeway Kids Pro fishing tournament to open the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

Meyers reeled in almost 11.5 pounds of fish with partners James Kaemingh and Dan Veldhuisen.


All 19 youngsters involved caught fish.


Here's the complete standings


Kid-Angler -  Pro Angler - Total Weight
Aaron Meyers - James Kaemingh - 11.35
Blake Morken - Vince Godbout - 10.30
Braedon Belluz - Shane Wepruck - 10.14
Aiden Wielinga - Troy Norman - 9.96
Caleb Woods - Luke Levesque - 9.49
A.J. Kellar - Luke Levesque - 9.28
Shaye McCormick - Cole Godbout - 9.10
Hunter Bourassa - Dave Lindsay - 9.16
Jacob Albright - Larry Butner - 7.87
Chase Badiuk - Phil Banger - 7.63
Jarvis Esselink - Mike Adams - 7:48
Maverick Wickham - Dave Lindsay - 7.22

Trace Gosselin - Dan Fraser - 6.73
Sullivan Shortreed - Ray Watson - 4.82
Garrett Hyatt - Jon Evans - 4.61
Jesse Esselink - Anthony Veert - 4.00

Gaige Dyke - Sean Good - 3.40
Gabby Peters - Bryan Gustafson - 2.80
Rachel Anderson - Bryan Gustafson - 2.80

OPG Gets Power Deal

Ontario Power Generation has a power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority for its soon to be converted coal-fired plant in Atikokan.

It was the last step needed before the plant can be switched to using biomass.

Mayor Dennis Brown says it's a huge relief for his community that has been waiting several months for the announcement.

Work on the conversion will start this fall.

Northern Fires Key Focus

MNR photo

Focus for Ministry of Natural Resources forest firefighters continues to be in the remote north.

Eleven fires of the 70 active are now over 100 hectares.

One of the largest is within Woodland Caribou Provincial Park that has scorched almost one thousand hectares.

Another concern is a cluster of fires burning near the remote communities of Deer Lake and Keewaywin where smoke may be a concern for residents.


Meantime, a new forest fire has been reported in the Rainy River district.

The small fire, located at Dash Lake, north of Emo, is listed as being human caused, but under control.

It's the 35th fire in the district this fire season.

Walk For Good Life Approaches

An annual pilgrimage by native youth through the Kenora and Rainy River districts remembers a well respected elder this year.

The 500-kilometre Walk for Good Life is aimed at inspiring youth.

Larissa Desrosiers of the group Good Life for Young People says this year's walks honours Elder Joseph Morrison.

The walk starts July 29th at Eagle Lake First Nation, ending there a week later.

BIZKIDS Coming to Fort Frances

CKDR photo

A camp aimed at creating young entrepreneurs comes to Fort Frances for the first time next week.

The Northwest Business Centre's BizKids Camp is geared to those between the ages of 9 and 12.

The Centre's Stephanie Armstrong says they'll be a number of activities and tours with participants selling products created at a market next Friday.

There's still some space available and those interested can contact the Centre's Dryden office.

Drilling Scaled Back

Rainy River Resources is scaling back some of its drilling work in the district.

Eight of twelve diamond drill rigs working at its gold project north of Barwick have already been demobilized.

Another will be halted in September.

Meantime, more gold findings are being reported in the latest results of the drill program done to determine the exact size of deposit.

Railroad Daze

Supplied photo

Railroad Daze kicks off in Rainy River today.

Rec Director Kam Kuzyk says there's plenty of events to help celebrate the communities railroad heritage.

Among event is the Great Beaver Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat Races - vessels made up of only cardboard and duct tape.


The race is now in its 10th season.


Registration is Sunday at 12:30 p.m. down at Hannam Park with the race at 3 p.m.


Here's a complete list of all events.



Friday July 20, 2012


10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - The Library's Best Book Sale Ever! ~ Rainy River Public Library
11:00  a.m. - 11:45  a.m.  -  Kids' TD Summer Reading Club ~ Rainy River Public Library
5:30 p.m.  -  Beer Gardens & Canteen Open ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
5:30  p.m.  - So You Think You Can Dance Rainy River ~ Upstairs of Rec. Centre
5:30   p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Locum House Supper ~ Senior’s Centre ~ 201 Atwood Ave - Pulled Pork sandwiches, Salads, Dessert – Freewill Offering
6:00  p.m. -  Opening games of the Mixed Slo-pitch Tournament Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
8:00  p.m. -  Family Movie Night – Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Upstairs of Rec. Centre – Free Admission

Saturday July 21, 2012

9:00  a.m. - Mixed Slo-pitch Tournament starts ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
10:00  a.m. -  6:00 P.M. The Library's Best Book Sale Ever! ~ Rainy River Public Library
10:00   a.m. - Canteen open’s ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
10:00   a.m. -  4:00 P.M. 1st Annual Craft Show ~ Seniors Centre ~ 201 Atwood Ave.
10:00   a.m. - 5:00 P.M. Fun Fly (radio controlled planes) on Burns Rd. (In between Hwy 600 and Government Rd.)
10:00   a.m. - Bike Rodeo ~ School Parking Lot
11:00   a.m. - Beer Gardens Open ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
11:00  a.m. - Railroad Daze Parade ~ Route: Hannam Park up through Main St. (Please call the Rec. Centre to register a float)
11:00  a.m. -  1:30  p.m. -  Farmer’s Market ~ Atwood Ave.
1:00  p.m. -  2:30  p.m. -  Fastball Grudge Match between R.R. Royals and Pinewood Bears
Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
1:00  p.m. -  3:00  p.m. -  “Ooey Gooey Fun” Kids Games ~ Best Start Hub Parking Lot
4:30  p.m. -  7:00  p.m. -  Steak Fry $12 a plate ~ Legion
8:00  p.m. -  Home Run Derby ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
9:00  p.m. -  2:00 a.m. - Age of majority Dance – DJ Amy Anderson Rec. Centre - $5 Admission



Sunday July 22, 2012


9:00  a.m. - Mixed Slo-pitch Tournament starts ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
10:00   a.m. - Canteen opens ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
10:00   a.m. -  2:00 p.m. - 1st Annual Craft Show ~ Seniors Centre ~ 201 Atwood Ave.
10:30  a.m. - Rainy River Community Worship Service (inter-denominational)  Hannam Park ~    Rain Location - Evangelical Covenant Church
11:00   a.m. - Beer Gardens open ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
12:30  p.m. -  The Great Beaver Cardboard Boat Registration and supply pick up: $10.00 per team at Hannam Park
2:00  p.m. -  Championship Slo-pitch ball game ~ Rec. Centre Ball Diamonds
3:30  p.m. -  The Cardboard & Duct Tape Boat Races Begin! Hannam Park Waterfront

Research Project Turning In To Book

A report released last year on race-relations in the Rainy River district is being turned into book form.

Author Jeff Denis says he's secured a contract with an academic publisher.

He's back in the area to discuss his findings and gather more data.

Denis' research was conducted over an 18-month period that included interviews and surveys

Kelly Loses National Chief Bid

Former Treaty Three Grand Chief Diane Kelly has failed in her bid to become National Chief of the  Assembly of First Nations.

Kelly dropped out of the race after finishing third with 39 votes in the second round of balloting.

Shawn Atleo, who was returned for a second term, says First Nations are increasingly demanding to be treated as equal partners in governance and in control over natural resources.

He says his mandate will reflect the will of the regional chiefs who advise him.

Help From Minnesota Arrives

Map of Active Fires

Ontario is now receiving assistance from Minnesota is dealing with a rash of forest fires in northwestern Ontario.

Twenty firefighters from the State are being deployed near the remote communities of Deer Lake and Keewaywin to aid in suppression efforts of several fires there.

The lack of fire activity in the Rainy River district is also allowing the MNR to relocate some personnel from this district to the remote north.

Five new fires were reported yesterday, bringing to 70 the number of those active.

Former ORNGE CEO Says Government Was Informed

The man at the centre of the Ornge scandal says the government never told him he was veering off course in running the province's air ambulance service.

Chris Mazza told a legislative committee yesterday the Ministry of Health was fully informed about what he was doing at the taxpayer-funded organization.

Health Minister Deb Matthews disputes Mazza's testimony, saying even the auditor general had trouble finding out what was going

Candidate Proposes Federal Mining Institute

A Democratic congressional candidate in northern Minnesota is proposing developing a new federal institute on mining and the environment.

Rick Nolan says the institute would be located in the Iron Range area and could help the industry overcome production and environmental issues to create more jobs.

Rival candidate Jeff Anderson calls the plans wasteful federal spending.

Worldwide Support For Experimental Lakes Area

The international community isn't giving up its fight to keep the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora open.

More than 29-hundred people from 58 countries have signed an on-line petition calling on the federal government to reverse its decision to end funding to the research site.

Some signatories says the federal government has a mandate to conduct whole-ecosystem freshwater research.

Voter Information Missing

No one in northwestern Ontario appears to be impacted, but Elections Ontario says up to 2.4 million voters elsewhere in the province may have had their personal information compromised.

Chief Electoral Officer Greg Essensa says the privacy breach happened when two memory sticks went missing.

The data includes names and birth dates, but no SIN numbers or drivers' licence information.

Forest Fire Being Watched

The Ministry of Natural Resources continues to monitor a lone forest fire burning in the Rainy River district.

It's located within the southeastern part of Quetico Provincial Park near Dack Lake.

The lightning-caused fire is only 0.4 hectares in size and causing little concern.

Eight new fires were reported yesterday elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.

Respite Program Continues

A respite support program introduced to the Rainy River district two years is being continued.

Carol Ness of Thunder Bay-based Wesway says a pilot project that helps families who care full-time for seniors recently received additional funding through the North West Local Health Integration Network.

Ness says there's been so much demand that they have a waiting list.

Revamp Of Driver's Licenses Sought

The war on tobacco is taking a new twist.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is advocating a redesign of the provincial driver's license.

Spokesperson Klaus Larsen says making it easier to show when a person under 19 will reach age of majority would help in discourage the sale of tobacco to underage teens.

MADD Looks To Reform

MADD Canada is looking to restart it's organization in northwestern Ontario.

A chapter in Thunder Bay closed down because of a lack of volunteers and its main head resigning because of poor health.

Former CEO Testifies

Ousted Ornge CEO Chris Mazza is slated to appear before a legislative committee today that's looking into the troubled air ambulance service.

Many of the witnesses so far have pointed the finger at Mazza for the controversy that's created a major embarrassment for the governing Liberals.

Assembly Vote Today

The Assembly of First Nations will decide today whether to re-elect national chief Shawn Atleo or choose a new leader.

Former Grand Chief of Treaty 3 Diane Kelly is among the candidates are vying for the three-year position, which will be settled by the votes of chiefs assembled in Toronto for the organization's annual meeting.

NAN Names Candidates

Seven people are on the list for the top post with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief.

They include current Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose and former Sioux Lookout Mayor and Juno Award winner Lawrence Martin.

The election takes place next month.

The position opened up with Stan Beardy being elected Chiefs of Ontario Regional Chief last month.

"American Girl" Movie Plays In Falls

An area author who played a role in the latest "American Girl" movie will be hosting special viewing in International Falls tomorrow.

"McKenna Shoots for the Stars" is based on a character featured in two books written Ranier's Mary Casanova.

The movie was shot in Winnipeg and stars Jade Pettyjohn as McKenna with appearances by Canadian-born Nia Vardalos and former U.S. Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby.

Tomorrow's event at the Backus Community Centre starts at 6 p.m.

Falls Mayor Steps Down

The Mayor of International Falls is stepping down.

It's so Shawn Mason can accept a position with the city as its new director of economic and community development.

Mason feels its a good move.

She's expected to start her new job next week.

She's been the mayor for the past 7 1/2 years and was not planning to seek another term this fall.

Councillor Tim McBride takes over as Mayor until this November's elections.

Assisted Living Facility Survey Results Released

CFOB file photo

A survey has found an overwhelming number of residents would stay longer in the Rainy River district if they had access to an assisted living facility.

It was conducted by the Assisted Living Action Group.

Chair Erma Armit says they'll use the findings towards trying to get a facility constructed.

Armit says many people expressed concern in the survey about the need for appropriate housing for the district's seniors.

Privacy Breach Reported

More information is expected today about a major breach of voter privacy in Ontario.

Sources say personal information on voters in more than two dozen ridings went missing from the office of the province's chief electoral officer.

Political party leaders have been notified and the provincial police are investigating.

New Police Contract

Members of the International Falls Police Department have a new contract.

It includes a wage increase of 5 per cent over the next three years and is retroactive to January of this year.

New Rental Inspections In Falls

Some landlords in International Falls are not happy with city plans to begin inspections of rental properties.

The city says it's being done to ensure the health and safety of tenants.

Lawyer Dan Griffith presented a petition to council last night says the new law isn't necessary.

The inspections will begin in 2014 with property owners charged 20-dollars for each unit they own.


Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says a task force will be set up with landlords to help them transition into the new rules.

Locum House Fundraising At Halfway Mark

The fundraising campaign to build a new home for locum physicians who travel to Rainy River is at the halfway mark.

Committee member Jack Elliott says they hope to add to the $155-thousand raised so far with a couple of fundraising events taking place, including a Pennies From Heaven initiative.

There is also a fundraising supper planned during this weekend's Railroad Daze.

Chiefs Gather Today

The chiefs of Canada's First Nations, including several from northwestern Ontario, are gathering in Toronto today for a national strategy session which will see them elect a national chief later in the week.

Former Grand Chief of Treaty Three Diane Kelly among the candidates.

The Assembly of First Nations' annual general meeting will also see the chiefs hammer out a policy agenda for the coming months.