Help Line Available To Aboriginal Women

The Ontario Native Women's Association is helping remote first nation communities feel more connected to large urban centres.

Coordinator Robin Haliuk says they've opened a new help line called Talk 4 Healing.

It's will be a 24-hour, 7-day a week service to assist aboriginal women in access services through referrals, telephone counselling or just having a friendly voice at the other end of the line.

Haliuk says often first nation women can feel isolated and the help line can offer assistance.

Flu Shots Offered This Week

The Northwestern Health Unit will begin offering flu shots to area residents later this week.

Health Unit's Donna Stanley encourages everyone to attend one of their clinics.

Clinics in Atikokan, Rainy River and Fort Frances begin Thursday.

Times and dates of all clinics can be found by click this link to the Northwestern Health Unit's website.

Walks Earns Dollars for Alzheimers Society

More than 28-hundred dollars was raised in the annual Alzheimer's Walk for Memories held Saturday in Fort Frances.

A total of 21 people took part.

Local Anti-Bullying Efforts Hit National Stage

Local efforts to combat bullying are reaching a national stage.

A video segment, featuring Fort Frances High School student Dexter Fichuk shot back in September, was played before 20-thousand young people attending We Day festivities in Vancouver last Thursday.

Australian pop singer Cody Simpson introduced the feature.

The feature will be played at upcoming We Day events elsewhere in Canada and show on MuchMusic and CTV next month.

Baudette Incident Identified In Boy Scout Documents

Details of an alleged incident in Baudette involving a scout leader from International Falls is among thousands of pages of documents released by the Boy Scouts of America.

They show that for decades, scoutmasters and others accused of molesting children were shielded from prosecution -- by authorities who said they wanted to protect the image of Scouting.

The documents were ordered released by the Oregon Supreme Court.

The incident in Baudette occurred in 1978.

Kraft Mill Shutdown?

Resolute Forest Products isn't commenting on whether there will be a pending shut down of the kraft mill in Fort Frances.

A number of callers to CFOB-News claim the mill will be closed for an undetermined length of time later this month.

Boise in International Falls confirms a contract for pulp it's had with the Fort Frances mill has been stopped and is now receiving material from one of its mills in Washington State.

In a statement to CFOB-News, a Resolute spokesperson says they won't respond to speculation about the Fort mill.

More Causeway Work Announced

Details of the next section of work on the Noden Causeway, east of Fort Frances, has been announced.

The province has awarded contacts to George Armstrong Limited of Fort Frances and Toronto Zenith Contracting.

The work includes the installation of new concrete deck components at the east low level and west low level structures.

Construction will be done by 2014.

Business Women's Network Makes Changes

Some changes for the Fort Frances Business Women's Network.

Chair Inga Friesen says they're reaching out to other sectors as a way of expanding their membership.

Friesen says after being focused on business owners, they're now inviting women who operate a home-based business and professional women to the group.

Friesen says they're also considering a name change, becoming the Professional Women's Network.

MINNDOT Looking At Rumble Strips

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is giving some consideration to International Falls request for rumble strips down sections of some highways in their area.

Councillor Paul Eklund says MinnDOT has informed the city it's actually looking at where such safety features can be placed.

The city says the strips may help keep drivers alert and reduce head-on car crashes.

It made the request after two local residents were killed in a head on collision south of International Falls on Highway 53 last month.

Teachers Asked To Limit Report Card Comments

Parents shouldn't expect to see lots of feedback in the next batch of report cards for their children.

Ontario's Elementary Teacher Federation is telling its members to keep their report card comments short.

It's the latest move in the union's protest over the controversial law that freezes teachers wages, cuts benefits and stop strikes.

A source says elementary teachers have been advised to write only the bare minimum on upcoming report cards, such as a single sentence rather than a paragraph.

Crash Victims Identified

Four men aboard a plane that crashed Tuesday night near Pickle Lake have been identified as being from Quebec.

Provincial Police say 57-year-old Michel Nadeau, 54-year-old Bernard Mailloux and 27-year-old Yanick Fournier were killed after their Lake 250 aircraft went down in a wooded area while trying to land.

A fourth passenger remains in a Winnipeg hospital in stable condition.

Gravelle Eyes Liberal Leadership

A northwestern Ontario MPP is giving some consideration to running for leader of the Ontario Liberal party.

Thunder Bay's Michael Gravelle, who's now Natural Resources Minister, says he wants to see who else enters the race before making a firm commitment.

Gravelle says if no candidate show any passion for the north, he will consider his options.

Meantime, party officials will meet this weekend to decide when they can hold a leadership convention to replace Premier Dalton McGuinty.

The party's rules allow six months to hold a convention, but sources say the executive invoked what's known as an "electoral urgency'' clause to shorten that time frame.

Hats Off To Seniors

It will be "Hats Off To Seniors" next month.

The group, Seniors and Law Enforcement Together will host an event to celebrate seniors living in the Rainy River district.

Spokesperson Nell Laur says everyone is being invited to the November 16th event.

The group has also established a Making A Difference award to recognize individuals.

It's accepting nominations which can be found by click the link to SALT's website.

Water Route Project Gets Funding

More funding for the Path of the Paddle project.

It's a proposed water route linking Kenora, Atikokan and Thunder Bay.

Project manager Vicki Kurz says there's still a lot of work yet before the route is fulling in place.

The 68-thousand dollars from the province will allow the planning group carry out its next round of work.

Hydro Charges Drop Slightly

Starting next month, most electricity prices in the province will drop slightly for the winter months -- except for the highest demand hours.

The Ontario Energy Board says the changes to the off-peak and mid-peak prices means most consumers using the so-called smart meters will see a decrease of just over a dollar on the electricity line of their hydro bill.

Court Hearing On Catholic Education Continues

A hearing regarding the funding of Catholic schools in Ontario continues in Toronto today.

A Toronto woman is asking Ontario's Superior Court to order the government to stop funding Catholic schools because as a taxpayer who doesn't share the church's beliefs.

Ontario government lawyers say because the funding was guaranteed in 1867 in the constitution, it is not subject to charter challenges.

Parade of Lights Coming Soon

There's nine more weeks until Christmas and that means the annual Parade of Lights in Fort Frances is just around the corner.

Causeway Insurance is once again the key organizer and spokesperson Robin Payeur says this year's theme will be "A Christmas Story."

Those wanting to take part or help out for the November 24th event can contact Causeway Insurance or the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

Plane Crash Kills Three

Three people are dead and another person is in hospital following a plane crash near Pickle Lake.

Peter Hildebrand of the Transportation Safety Board says it happened Tuesday night as the plane was making a landing at the community's airport.

Hildebrand says the plane went down in a heavily wooded area about 7:30 p.m., but the wreckage wasn't found until 3 a.m. the next morning.

No names has yet been released.

Woman Seeking Money From NWO residents In Winnipeg

Shoppers heading to Winnipeg are being warned of a scam that has a connection to the Rainy River district.

Dryden Police say a woman from Dryden was approached recently at the Polo Park Mall by a woman who claimed to be from Devlin and needing money.

The reasons for the money was not disclosed.

MPP Wants Queen's Park Back In Session

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River wants her constituents to help get Queen's Park back in business.

Sarah Campbell calls Premier Dalton McGuinty's decision to prorogue the legislature because he's stepping down a "political lock-out."

Campbell is asking residents to write or call the Premier to get him to reconsider his decision to halt business at the legislature.

Meantime, Liberal supporters are still in shock by their leader's sudden resignation.

Vice-president of the party's northern region, Anthony Leek says he found out about the resignation on-line.

Economic Development High On The Candidates Agenda

Economic development top of mind for candidates attending a forum in International Falls.

Falls mayoral candidate Bob Anderson says it starts with creating a climate that helps foster job grown among existing entrepreneurs and businesses.

Councillor Paul Eklund, who's also running for mayor, says the city needs to continue investing in projects as it's now doing.

Candidates running in races in Ranier, Koochiching County and School Board District 361 also participated in the forum held at Rainy River Community College.

Park Clarifies Position On Cell Tower

Voyageurs National Park and its Park Association are clarifying statements made in a letter over AT&T plans to install a cellphone tower near the park.

The Koochiching County Board, which gave approval to the tower in August, took the letter as a threat.

The Association's Jody Tableporter says that wasn't the intent.

She says they support the County decision to limit the height of the tower to 199 feet thus minimizing any impact to the park.

The AT&T is building the tower with the ability to expand higher.

Area CEP Reps Support Union Merger

Northern Ontario members of the Communication Energy and Paperworkers Union are throwing their support being a merger with the Canadian Autoworkers.

CEP gave its blessing at its conference earlier this week.

Local rep Steven Boon believes it will provide strength to the local membership.

Boon says it will still be at least six to 12 month before all the work needed on the new structure is complete.

Catholic Education Funding Challenge

The province is trying to shut down a constitutional challenge to its funding of Catholic schools.

A Toronto woman is arguing in court that funding Catholic school violates the charter and should be stopped.

Men Without Hats Cancels Show

A scheduled performance of the 80's band Men Without Hats in Fort Frances has been cancelled.

The November 2 show at Club 88 is one of several across western Canada the Canadian group has cancelled.

The band cites unforeseen circumstances as the reason.

Foundation Fundraiser Hailed A Success

Riverside Foundation for Health Care's recent fundraiser, "An Evening in Paris," is being hailed a huge success.

Last Saturday's event raised more than $30-thousand for the new digital mammography unit campaign.

Over 200 people attended the sold out event.

Border Numbers Still Up

New numbers from the Fort Frances border.

The Canada Border Services Agency says more than 100-thousand travellers in over 48-thousand vehicles crossed into Canada at Fort Frances in August.

That's a 3.6 per cent increase in the number of travellers and 4.7 per cent increase in vehicles compared to August of last year.

McGuinty Steps Down

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says he's stepping down as Liberal leader and is also adjourning the legislature to try and negotiate with the opposition parties.

 Beaten down by a series of scandals involving air ambulances and hundreds of millions of dollars spent to cancel two gas plants, McGuinty decided he's had enough.

He made the surprise announcements to an emergency meeting of the Liberal caucus last night after the
government was hit with a second contempt motion over the cancelled power plants.

Meantime, the Opposition leaders are paying tribute to the Premier for his years of public service.

But P.C. leader Tim Hudak and the NDP's Andrea Horwath are urging McGuinty to reconsider his decision to prorogue the legislature.

Both leaders say there is important work to be done and there's no reason to stop the business in the house.

Candidates Debate

Candidates in four races within Koochiching County will outline their platforms to voters tonight.

Faye Whitbeck of the International Falls Chamber of Commerce says they'll face questions in a forum at Rainy River Community College being put together by the College's Student Senate and students at Falls High School.

Candidates seeking election in International Falls, Rainer, Koochiching County and School District 361 are taking part.

The event begins at 6 p.m.

New State Senator Visits

Koochiching County's new State senator says he's ready to represent the area in the Minnesota legislature.

The area fell within Tom Baak's jurisdiction following a rewrite of the legislative districts earlier this year.

He says it was something he and other Democrats would happen when the courts did its review of the boundaries.

Baak was in the area's to meet with area municipal and school board officials.

Local Government Week

This is local government week and members of Fort Frances council are out in the community promoting how residents can get involved.

C.A.O. Mark McCaig encourages residents to take an active role.

The town is also soliciting for volunteers to sit on future committees.

Area Man Faces Trafficking Charges

A man from Couchiching First Nation is facing numerous drug charges.

The 28-year-old was arrested last Thursday after officers with the OPP's Fort Frances Community Drug Action Team noticed a man retrieving a package containing 230 tablets of hydromorphone from a postal  box.

Value of the drugs is estimated at 20-thousand dollars.

The man will appear in Fort Frances court Friday.

Area Lodge Doubling As Recording Studio

Atikokan Blue Artist Sunday Wilde has started work on her new album.

She's using Branch's Seine River Lodge as a recording studio this week.

Wilde is joined by musicians from across Canada for the recording of her fourth album.

She hopes to have the new CD released by December.

New Children Centre Proceeds

Weechi-it-te-win Family Services is starting construction of a new children's centre.

The Abinoojii Akiin Centre is to be located property on McTavish Road  in LaVallee township.

The Centre will host a variety of health programs for aboriginal children and a 10-bed treatment and healing facility for teens experiencing addictions and behavioural difficulties.

Weechi-it-te-win hopes to have the centre operational by next summer.

Locum Home Fundraising Passes Halfway Mark

Fund raising for the Rainy River locum home has now surpassed the $165-thousand mark.

That's about half of what's needed for the house that will serve as a residence for doctors who provide temporary medical coverage at Rainy River Health Centre and it's emergency department.

The next fundraising event happens this Sunday - a harvest supper at Rainy River Evangelical Covenant Church.

Construction of the home is now into it's sixth week with the roof of the home now complete.

Tourism Group Questions FEDNOR Announcement

A regional tourism marketing group is questioning the reasoning behind the federal government funding development of a tourism app by the Dryden Development Corporation.

Gerry Cariou of Sunset Country Travel Association says it's only competes with and duplicates a project they're working on funded by the private sector.

Cariou adds their app will cost a fifth of the $160-thousand dollars handed out by FEDNOR to the Dryden agency.

Big Changes For McDonald's Restaurant

A million dollar face-lift is underway at the McDonald's Restaurant in Fort Frances.

Owner operator Steve Ford says the renovations are in line with a corporate change over announced last fall.

The restaurants is currently open, but Ford says there will be periods of time when they have to shutdown for work can be completed on the inside.

A re-opening of the new look restaurant is expected in December.

New Casino In Works

A new casino is being planned for Warroad.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians owned complex will include 600 slot machines, a 100-seat restaurant and a 60-room hotel.

The Red Lake Band now operates a Seven Clans Casino linked to a Super 8 motel is plans to continue.

Construction is to begin next week.

Roller Derby Needs More People

You Tube

Members of the Borderland Roller Derby League are ramping up efforts to keep its sport going in Fort Frances.

Melissa Carpenter says their search is for more players, volunteers and a coach.

It's also looking for a permanent place to play.

The team has been using the former Stratton Curling Club as a practice site, but is still searching for facilities closer to Fort Frances.

A fundraiser will also be held this Friday at Little Beaver Snow Park

Go Local

It's time to Go Local

The campaign aimed at keeping more local spending in the area has been officially launched.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says the program includes a cooperative marketing program for businesses and a rewards program for consumers.

The program will be first tried in Fort Frances before expanded elsewhere in the district.

Jessie Radies, who helped develop a similar program in Edmonton, was on hand to help promote the local initiative.

New Chamber Office Open

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has officially opened its new digs.

President Mark Caron says the location on the second floor of the Northern Lights Credit Union building provides them with more space and ability to showcase the services it provides to the area.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.

Caron encourages chamber members and the public to visit.

Conversion Work Celebrated

The official start of conversion of Ontario Power Generation generating station in Atikokan has been recognized.

A sod-turning ceremony was conducted at the plant yesterday.

The plant is being converted from using coal to biomass and is expected to be complete by 2014.

About 200 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of the work.

Museum Gala Planned

Fort France Museum is preparing for a special gala next month.

Duane Hicks, chair of the Friends of the Museum committee, says the November 1st event will help unveil the completed "What Hooks You Here" initiative and the local donation of art by the late aboriginal artist Norval Morrisseau.

Hicks the event is also serving as a fundraiser for the committee.

Not So Warm September

Some warm days in the early parts of September weren't enough get us pass the monthly temperature average.

Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says the month did see several days reach beyond the 20 C mark, but the monthly average was brought down by a change in the weather at mid-month.

September ended with an average temperature of 10.9 degrees Celsius, more than a full degree below the norm of 12.2.

Fundraiser Sold Out

A Riverside Foundation For Health Care fundraiser to raise money for the new digital mammography has been sold out.

The "Evening in Paris" event takes place Saturday at the Memorial Sport Centre.

The Foundation says tickets are no longer available.

New Digital Mammography Unit In Place

The new digital mammography unit, Riverside Foundation for Health Care has been raised money for, is now up and running.

Riverside Health Care Facilities CAO Allan Katz says they had enough confidence in the Foundation's campaign to commit to the purchase earlier this summer.

Katz says the unit is one of the best available producing a low amount of radiation and high quality clinical photographs.

Installation of the unit at LaVerendrye Hospital was completed last week.

The Foundation says it has all of the $650-thousand need in donations and commitments in place.

Not All People With Mental Illness Getting Help

The majority of people with mental illnesses or addictions in Ontario aren't getting treatment for their conditions.

That's the conclusion of a new report, which says the burden of mental illness in the province is higher than that of all cancers and infectious diseases combined.

Federal Health Minister Upset

Canada's normally reserved minister of health isn't mincing words when it comes to pharmacies and others who allegedly fleeced the aboriginal health-benefits plan.

Leona Aglukkaq says she's upset and disappointed with allegations that some pharmacists were stealing money from taxpayers.

Teachers Head To Court

EFTO photo

Ontario public school teachers are turning up the heat on Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Unions representing teachers and school support staff will launch court action in Toronto today, challenging his Liberal government's legislation that imposes a two-year contract on teachers.

They are argue Bill 115 strips them of their right to collective bargaining.

Go Local Launched Today

The new Go Local campaign in the Rainy River is being launched today with some western Canada help.

Jessie Radies, creator of Live Local Alberta, is in Fort Frances to provide advice to local officials.

Radies says its part of a renewal seen across north America to bolster local economies.

Radies says the campaigns have the potential of bringing significant benefits to both businesses and consumers.

Travel Policies To Be Reviewed

Travel policies for municipal staff and elected officials will get a review by Fort Frances council.

A committee has been formed to see if changes are needed to the policies or the amount of money paid out for staff and councillors who attending training or meetings.

Mayor Roy Avis says it's part of an annual review with a final report coming out in about a months time.