Cruisers Stuffed

Area residents have helped the OPP reach new heights in their annual Stuff a Cruiser campaign in the Rainy River district.

Twenty-one cruisers were filled in Fort Frances and in Emo Saturday with food and gift items for area agencies to distribute.

With nine filled two weeks ago in Atikokan, a total of 30 cruisers were stuffed in the district-wide event.

Docs Agree To New Deal With Province

Ontario doctors have endorsed a new deal with the province that will see some services scaled back and others modernized in order to find savings.

The Ontario Medical Association says the deal, worth over $11-billion dollars a year, will trim spending by 400 million through a half a per cent payment cut for all doctors.

Regional Airport Initiative Back To Council

The town of Fort Frances may take another shot at seeking support from area municipalities for a regional airport initiative.

Council is expected to vote on a report tonight that recommendations administration continue pursuing the airport concept. with area communities and First Nations.

The report suggests the town make another pitch for funding support when area leaders gather for their annual meeting in January.

Minneapolis Storm

File photo

A major winter storm has dumped between nine to 15 inches on a broad belt across central Minnesota including the Twin Cities.

Difficult driving conditions are reported in much of that area.

Minneapolis, St. Paul, and several suburban communities have declared snow emergencies.

Some flights out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport have either been cancelled or delayed.

16-year-old Arrested In High School Scare

Some tense moments at Fort Frances High School.

Students and staff were placed in a lockdown situation for about an hour yesterday after reports of someone carrying what turned out to be a replica firearm.

It happened just before the noon hour.

OPP Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says it ended without incident.

A 16-year-old boy was taken into custody away from the high school and the replica firearm seized.

The Fort Frances High School and the Rainy River District Board is offering support to students to help cope with the incident.

They are making counsellors available.

Parents are also being encouraged to discuss the incident with their children and inform the school if any additional support is needed.

High School Sports Teams Benched

Some high school sports teams from Rainy River district high schools are having to hang up their gear a little earlier than expected.

The school board responsible for high schools in the Kenora and Dryden areas has put an immediate halt to all extra-curricular activities at its schools because of the teachers planned withdraw from events on Monday.

Education Director Jack McMaster says the board simply couldn't guarantee adequate supervision for further games.

Any games scheduled for the weekend, involving high schools from Rainy River, Fort Frances and Atikokan and the Kenora-Dryden area schools, have been cancelled until at least after the Christmas break.

A volleyball tournament at Fort Frances High School is proceeding.

The Muskies girls hockey team is also continuing travel to Portage La Prairie, Manitoba for a tournament.

Victims Of Gender Based Violence Remembered

Victims of gender based violence from the Rainy River district among those being remembered.

A list of nineteen area woman, killed in the past twenty years, was shown during a ceremony at Knox United Church in Fort Frances.

Peggy Loyie of Rainy River District Victims Services is hoping that list someday stops growing.

The ceremony coincided with National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

Public Board Ends Year With Surplus

The Rainy River District School Board is reporting a surplus for the last school year.

Manager of Financial Services Meaghan Cox says much of the over $3-million, though, is the direct result of legislated measures contained inside Bill 115, reducing sick day and retirement gratuities for teachers.

Cox says other efficiencies the board was able to control help in saving about 775-thousand in the 2011-12 school year.

The auditor also gave a clean report, finding for the first time no issues related to funds collects by school groups.

Trustee David Kircher says it shows measures put in place three-and-a-half years ago to protect those funds are working.

Search In Remote North

A search is underway for two men along the west coast of Hudson Bay, southeast of Peawanuck.

Provincial police says the men left Peawanuck Monday on snowmobiles and were expected to return from a fishing camp at an undisclosed location.

NOMA Seeking More Control Over Development

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association wants the region to have more authority over it's own development.

Vice-president and Kenora Mayor, Dave Canfield, says it would benefit the entire province.

Canfield says they'd like to see a stronger role in areas such as natural resources, energy and infrastructure.

Mineral Rights Leases On Hold

State leaders are holding off on awarding a package of mineral rights leases recommended by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Executive Council voted to defer action until the Minnesota Court of Appeals weighs in on whether the DNR should conduct an environmental review of the leases.

Several northeastern Minnesota residents wanting the delay are worried exploratory drilling could contaminate ground water if not regulated properly.

Greenpeace Withdraws From Boreal Forest Agreement

Greenpeace photo

Greenpeace is withdrawing from an agreement signed by several forest companies to stay clear of critical habitat areas in the Boreal Forest.

The environmental group claims Resolute Forest Products, one of the signatories to the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, is violating the deal in the Quebec area.

It's released a number of photos of new logging roads and clear cutting in areas previously identified as being off limits.

Waits For Long Term Care Beds Longer For Area Residents

Northwestern Ontario has the dubious distinction of having the longest wait times for long term care beds in the province.

Natalie Mehra of the Ontario Health Coalition says it's because funding for home care services isn't keeping up with demand.

The Coalition says a freeze on hospital budgets is forcing even further service cuts.

Bad Driving Practices At The Border

Some motorists crossing the border are practicing some dangerous habits.

Owners of the International bridge says drivers are failing to adhere to the stop signs placed at rail crossings.

Darwin Joslyn of the Minnesota-Dakota and Western Railway says they've had too many close calls with their trains.

Even with new larger and flashing LED signs, Joslyn says the number of close calls between trains and traffic has increased.

Joslyn says the remote controlled trains travel don't travel very fast, but still takes up to 300 feet to stop.

Elementary Teachers Support Job Action

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario says teachers across the province have voted in favour of a one-day political protest if Ontario's Education Minister plans to uses Bill 115 to shut down strikes or impose a collective agreement.

Lauren Broten's threats will be tested Monday when teachers with the Avon Maitland and Ontario North East school board plan to hold the first one-day strikes.

Teachers Protest Impact High School Sports Schedules

A ramping up of protests by high school teachers next week is beginning to impact some sports teams at Fort Frances High School.

Beginning Monday, teachers will withdraw from extracurricular activities.

As a result, school officials says games involving the Muskies hockey teams for next week have been cancelled.

High school teachers across the Rainy River district have been in a legal strike position since last week.

PC MPP Wants More Young People In The Trades

Progressive Conservatives want to get more young people in the trades.

MPP Garfield Dunlop was in Fort Frances to meet with area leaders and says demand will soon explode with several mines in northern Ontario set to go.

Dunlop says the Conservatives are also preparing for a provincial election and intend to focus a lot of attention at trying to win the Kenora-Rainy River riding.

Conservative Candidate On The Campaign Trail



Randy Nickle (r) with MPP Garfield Dunlop



The man who will represent the Conservatives in the riding in the next provincial election is on the campaign trail early.

Randy Nickle of Kenora was in the Fort Frances area yesterday just days after receiving the party nod on the weekend.

He says the riding deserves better representation at Queen's Park.

Nickle says the riding also needs a MPP who's proactively working to protect our interests and help create new jobs.

National Day Of Remembrance

The 14 women killed in the Montreal Massacre will being remembered in Fort France later tonight.

Knox United Church will host the annual National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

The ceremony will also honour women from the Rainy River district who have died as a result of violence.

The event gets underway at 6 p.m.

Another Mine Possible

Rainy River Resources is raising the spectre of the potential of a second open pit mine at its gold project north of Barwick.

It follows the release of drill results conducted on a potentially large deposit identified as the Intrepid Zone.

In a release, president Raymond Threlkeld calls the results the some of the best they've seen to date in that area, providing further support to a potential open pit.

The zone was discovered about a kilometre from the company's previously announced planned open pit operation.

Trillium Funding Awarded

A couple of communities are benefiting from funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The Pioneer Club in Atikokan is receiving $10-thousand dollars over six months to assist in the purchase of a handi-transit vehicle to provide accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities in the community.

The township of Emo was awarded over $46-thousand to install a wheelchair lift at its public library, giving easier access between the lower and upper levels.

Breakfast Program Lauded

School officials and parents says increased publicity has helped bolster a breakfast program at Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

Officials appealed at the start of the school year for more funding and volunteers for the program, which cost about 20-thousand dollars annually to run.

Principal Dianne Thompson says it has since led to a host of new donors coming forward.

Parents, volunteers and students all help prepare and deliver meals each day to the 470 students.

The Rainy River District School Board recognized their work by awarding them its monthly Recognition of Excellence at its meeting Tuesday.

Docs Recognized

Two northwestern Ontario doctors are being recognized for providing exceptional care to patients.

Doctor Andrew Siren, a specialist in Thunder Bay and Dryden family physician Doctor Adam Moir are the first recipients from the northwest to receive Patients' Choice Awards.

The awards, based on patient nominations, are from the Patients' Association of Canada and the Ontario Medical Association.

Board Responding To Teachers Protests

The Rainy River District School Board say it will do what it can to keep schools functioning safely as teachers ramp up their protest against Bill 115 and in efforts to seek a new contract.

Chair Mike Lewis says those sanctions began with elementary and secondary school teachers being placed in legal strike positions last week.

Lewis expects the public will place blame on both teachers and the board when it should be directed toward the government for circumventing the collective bargaining process in the passing of Bill 115.

Board Elections Held

There's no change in the leadership of the Rainy River District School Board.

Mike Lewis, trustee from Atikokan, was acclaimed a chair while Dianne McCormack of Rainy River returns as vice-chair in elections held at the board meeting last night.

Atikokan Playground Group In Running For Funding

An Atikokan group is making a push for votes in an effort to win money in an on-line contest.

People For Playgrounds is in the finals of the Aviva Community Fund.

Committee member Anita Lyon says many existing parks aren't suitable anymore and they're proposing to create one large park.

Lyon is asking the public to vote for their project daily on Aviva's website until December 12th.

Here is the link: http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf13929.

Top ten finishers in earn $5,000 for their project with the top vote getters in line for full funding.

Commission Hears About Residential School Experiences

Residents across northwestern Ontario are sharing their stories about how the residential school system impacted their lives.

The Truth & Reconciliation Commission is holding hearings in Thunder Bay.

Sharon Wolf says the upbringings of her parents and other family members who went to residential schools led to some unhealthy behaviour.

David Achneepineskum told the commission about beatings he would receive for not responding to a name he was registered under at a school.

The hearing wraps today.

First Nations Cancer Patients To Get Help

The regional cancer centre in Thunder Bay is hiring two new people to handle how aboriginals are receiving cancer treatment.

Cancer Care Northwest Vice President Mark Henderson says one position will help guide First Nations patients through the system.

Union Denounces PC Privatization Plans

The president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union says the Tory plan to privatize the LCBO  could destroy as many as 10-thousand jobs across the province.

Warren "Smokey" Thomas says women -- who make up the majority of employees at the LCBO -- could be hit hardest by the job losses.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said yesterday he would consider selling part or all of the LCBO, and allow beer, wine and spirits to be sold in corner stores and grocery aisles.

Credit Union Launches Drive

A Fort Frances financial institution is throwing its support behind the Salvation Army.

The Northern Lights Credit Union is conducting a food and gift drive.

Residents are being asked to donate non-perishable food items and small unwrapped children's gifts into a shopping cart being donated by Canada Safeway.

Smiles For OPP

Plenty of Smiles for the OPP today from Tim Hortons in Fort Frances.

Store Owner Gord McQuarrie says the store raised $4,900 through the sale of its Smile Cookies back in September for OPP's Respect Technology Program.

OPP Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says the funding will help create multi-media presentations of the programs now being delivered in area schools.

Accidental Shooting In International Falls

An International Falls man has been airlifted to hospital in Duluth after being shot accidentally.

International Falls Police says it happened Monday afternoon inside a home on 7th Street.

The 19-year-old suffered a wound to his abdomen.

Police says no charges have been laid, but don't consider the incident to be suspicious or a suicide attempt.

Elementary Teachers Casting Votes

Elementary Teachers are currently voting on whether to stage a full-day political protest should the Liberal government impose a collective agreement or end planned strike action using Bill 115.

Nearly 45-thousand of the 76-thousand members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario had cast ballots Monday, forcing the Federation to extend voting by another day.

The EFTO says it will announce further details regarding previously announced one-day rotating strikes later this week.

Hudak Proposed Beer and Wine Sales In Corner Stores

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is floating the idea of giving corner stores the ability to sell beer and wine.

He says he wouldn't get the government out of the booze business completely, but would consider selling part of the LCBO or some of its stores.

It's the latest proposal from the Tory Leader he says will help the province concentrate on core services like health care and education.

Honorary Council Position Created

International Falls City council is looking at adding some new faces to the table.

Council has given approval to adding an honorary council member.

Mayor Tim McBride says members could provide input, but would not receive voting privileges.

McBride says it may help groom potential candidates in future elections.

The city's now in the process of soliciting interest.

Open Houses Planned

MPP Sarah Campbell photo

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is getting into the Christmas spirit.

She's holding a series of open houses beginning this Friday across the riding as a way of hearing from  constituents or just wishing them holiday greetings.

In the Rainy River district, they'll be held next Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Super 8 Motel in Fort Frances and at the Royal Canadian Legion in Rainy River the next night.

Your encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or toy for Campbell's Support Our Local Economy food drive.

High School Teachers Ramp Up Bill 115 Protest

High School teachers across the province intend to step up their protest against Bill 115 by withdrawing from extra curricular and sports activities starting next Monday.

President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation Ken Coran says teachers have always been willing to accept a pay freeze, but want Bill 115 repealed because it infringes on their right to collective bargaining.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario is planning rotating one-day walk outs at public schools, giving 72 hours notice before its members take action.

Meantime, Education Minister Laurel Broten says she will use the powers under the legislation to stop any strike actions once the threats turn into reality.

Residential School Commission Holds Hearings In Thunder Bay

The survivors of the residential school system in northwestern Ontario get to tell their stories today.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission begins two days of hearing in Thunder Bay.

Chair Justice Murray Sinclair expects a number of the victims will be there to tell their moving stories.

As many as eight residential schools operated in northwestern Ontario, including the former St. Margaret's School in Fort Frances.

Fort Frances Trustee Returns As Chair

A Fort Frances trustee is back as chair of the Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Anne-Marie Fitzgerald was acclaimed for a fifth straight year at the Board's annual meeting held on the weekend.

She been with on the board for the past 19 years.

Cathy Bowen from Sioux Lookout was acclaimed as the vice chair for a four consecutive term.

Highway Open

A large section of the Trans-Canada Highway is back open this morning.

OPP were forced to close the highway between Vemilion Bay to the Manitoba border overnight due to poor weather and icy road conditions.

RIDE Stats

Just a little over a week into the OPP's Festive RIDE campaign and police have been busy taking impaired drivers off our roads.

Nine drivers in northwestern Ontario are now facing impaired driving charges while another three had their licenses immediately suspended for having a blood alcohol level of between 0.05 and 0.08.

Across the province, 151 drivers have been charged while another 152 were handed suspensions.

Travel Numbers Encouraging

A bit of good news for the region's tourism sector this year.

Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association says American visits to northwestern Ontario were up slightly over last year.

Executive Director Gerry Cariou says it's still far off some of the peak years.

Cariou says a rebound in the U.S. economy will aid in future travel numbers.

Rainy River Closes Public Offering

Rainy River Resources has closed a public offering aimed at bringing some capital dollars to its gold project north of Barwick.

The deal involving a syndicate of underwriters is expected to raise over $57-million for exploration and development work.

President Raymond Threlkeld says the financing ensures the company's well positioned to move its project forward.

Resolute To Protect Pensions

A commitment from the president of Resolute Forest Products to maintain workers pensions.

It came during Richard Garneau's meeting with MP John Rafferty and MPP Sarah Campbell in Toronto last week.

Rafferty says Garneau told him that unlike some of its competitors, Resolute has no plans to end its commitment to pensions.

Rafferty says Garneau told him a hike in interest rates by two per cent would go along to strengthening those pensions.

Rafferty Has Optimism About Mill Following Meeting

Some cautious optimism from Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty about the future of Resolute Forest Products in Fort Frances.

Rafferty and MPP Sarah Campbell met with company president Richard Garneau last week in Toronto for nearly 3 hours.

Rafferty says Garneau spoke about investments Resolute's making in northwestern Ontario and how its looking at new products for its mill in Fort Frances.

Rafferty says Garneau also denied rumours of an offer from Boise to purchase the mill.

Question of the Week

78 per cent of respondents to our question on 931theborder.ca don't believe operations at the Fort Frances mill will be restarted at a later date.

This week we ask if you plan to support a charitable organization this Christmas season.

PCs Select Candidate For Next Election

Progressive Conservatives have selected their candidate for the Kenora-Rainy River riding in the next provincial election.

Kenora businessman Randy Nickle says he wants to give a stronger voice to the area at Queen's Park.

Nickle was unopposed in the Tories' nomination meeting held Saturday in Dryden.

High School Teachers Union Plot Next Move

Ontario high school teachers are expected to reveal their next steps today in an escalating labour battle with the governing Liberals.

The union representing the teachers cut off talks last week after teachers rejected local agreements with two school boards.

Drug Charges Laid

A 22-year-old woman from Couchiching First Nation will head to court next month on drug charges.

The OPP's Fort Frances Community Drug Action team arrested the woman November 23 while she was in her vehicle at a Fort Frances parking lot, possessing of 10 Oxycontin pills and eight Fentanyl patches.

Police says the drugs sold on the street would fetch about $26-hundred.

OPP Crime Stats For October

Break-ins and assaults topping the OPP's crime report for the month of October.

OPP investigated 11 break-ins across the Rainy River district, eight of which occurred in Fort Frances.

Among them, a break-in of a home where medication was taken.

There were also 19 assaults in the district, 10 in Fort Frances.