New Commissioners Sworn-In

They don't officially take office until January 1st, but Koochiching County has sworn-in the two people elected to office in November's elections.

Brian McBride, who was unopposed in a re-election to District 3 and Wayne Skoe, elected to represent District 5, took the oath of office yesterday.

Skoe  replaces long-time Commissioner Mike Hanson who decided not to seek re-election.

Minnesota May Look At Its Gun Laws

Minnesota's Democrats say now is the time to take a closer look at the state's gun laws.

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut has been a catalyst for those discussions in the U.S.

Michael Paymar, who will lead the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, says every state has every has a responsibility to evaluate their gun laws.

Meantime, Republican Rep. Tony Cornish plans to introduce a bill that would allow teachers to arm themselves in the classroom.

Former MP Joining CNIB Board

A former MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River will be lending his expertise to a group that helps Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.

Ken Boshcoff has been appointed to the CNIB's Ontario-Nunavut Board of Directors.

Boschoff, currently a Thunder Bay city council, has commemorated the appointment by using Braille on his business cards.

Managers Put Wage Hike On Hold

Senior management with the town of Fort Frances is forgoing a wage increase next year.

They were to get a 2 per hike in a previously approval deal.

CAO Mark McCaig says given financial challenges facing the town in Resolute Forest Products recent announcement to idle part of its mill in Fort Frances and the company's pending appeal of its assessment, managers suggested they not take the increase.

The move is expected to save the town $43-thousand.

Teachers Stage Protest

Public elementary teachers in the Rainy River District feel they got their message across.

They took part in a one-day strike in opposition of Bill 115 yesterday.

Local Union president Trevor Bowles says the bill's hampering both teachers and the school board in trying to reach a local deal.

Teachers rallied outside the board office in Fort Frances and at MPP Bill's Mauro's constituency office in Atikokan.

Liberal MPP Seeks End To Teachers Dispute

A Liberal MPP is asking Ontario's education minister to stand down provisions of the government's controversial Bill 115 and get back to negotiations with the union representing public elementary teachers.

Peterborough's Jeff Leal says all parties should work through the holiday period to reach a deal.

First Nation Planning Peaceful Protest

A northwestern Ontario First Nation is preparing to stage a protest of its own tomorrow.

Members of Onigaming First Nation near Nestor Falls plan to stage a peaceful protest against the federal government's omnibus budget bill.

Chief Norman Copenance says changes within the Bill C-45 impact all Canadians.

The protest includes a walk along Highway 71 that will delay traffic briefly.

Ontario Schools Safe

In the wake of the Connecticut school shooting, Education Minister Laurel Broten says Ontario schools are some of the safest in the world.

But Broten says the recent horrific event in Newtown is a reminder of how important it is to do everything that can be done to keep schools safe.

Governor Open To Changes In Gun Laws

Governor Mark Dayton says he's willing to listen to legislative proposals to alter Minnesota's gun laws.

The Democratic governor says he has no immediate changes that he plans to present to the 2013 Legislature.

Debate over U.S. gun laws has ramped up after a school shooting in Connecticut last week killed 26 people, mostly children.

Charges Now Laid In Kenora Death

Two men have been charged following a suspicious death in Kenora.

The body of 21-year-old Langford Ogemah was found Saturday in a home that sustained minimal damage in a fire.

20-year-old Peter Fisher and 22-year-old Ringo Carpenter have been charged with second-degree murder and arson.

Ski Club Trails Open

The recent fall of snow a welcome sight for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Rainy River Nordic Ski Club had been waiting for more snow to open its trails.

President Jim Krag invites people to check them out.

The club has eleven kilometres of Nordic ski trails and four kilometers of snowshoe trails.

Krag says they also have equipment available for the public to use at its facility located eleven kilometres east for Fort Frances down the George Armstrong Road.

Krag says they're also planning for a Family Day during the Christmas Holiday period.

Citizen Of The Year Recognized

Fort Frances council is recognizing its citizen of the year.

Ken Christianson was presented the honour during a ceremony at council last night.

Christianson has been a volunteer hockey coach for the past 49 years.

OPP Called To Red Lake School

OPP in Red Lake had to deal with a school incident of their own on the same day of the shooting incident in Newtown, Connecticut.

Police were called to the Red Lake-Madsen elementary school after staff spotted an unauthorized person inside the building Friday morning.

The man told police he only stopped to use the washroom.

Question of the Week

How safe do you consider our schools?

Do you think governments and schools administrators are doing enough to make schools as safe as possible?

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

Meantime, 57 per cent of respondents to last week's question support beer and wine being sold in corner stores as proposed by the Progressive Conservatives.

College Receives Funding

Rainy River Community College is receiving funding to bolster its native language programs.

The $46-thousand dollars comes from the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council Dakota and Ojibwe Language Revitalization Grant program.

The College says the money will be used by its Ojibwe Immersion Program on a variety of initiatives that meet the needs of youth, students and parents, and preserve the Objibe language.

Late Wolve Hunt Season Ends in NE Minnesota.

Hunting and trapping of wolves in northeastern Minnesota has come to an early end.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources closed the late hunt season on the weekend after the zone's harvest target of 56 wolves was neared last Friday.

The northwest zone remains open through January 31st or until its quota is reached.

Concert CDs Still Available

Tom Foley (r) makes one of first donations to Salvatino Army 

Organizers of the Christmas Melodies CD and DVD of local performers are a little closer to their objective.

More than $3-thousand have now been raised for the Salvation Army in Fort Frances.

The goal is to reach the $5-thousand mark by Christmas.

The two-disk package is still available at Canada Safeway, TD Bank, Sight and Sound, Clover Valley Market Store and Lowey's Christmas Store in Fort Frances, and at Tompkin's Hardware in Emo.

Rotating Strikes Hit Rainy River District Today

There will be no school for public elementary students in the Rainy River district today.

Their teachers will be involved in a one-day strike in protest over legislation threatening to impose a contract on them.

No pickets will be up at schools though.

Teachers with the Rainy River District School Board intend to gather at the Memorial Sports Centre in Fort Frances before picketing the board office.

Teachers in Atikokan will rally in front of MPP Bill Mauro's constituency office.

They're also going to be wearing black armbands in memory of the victims of the school shooting in Connecticut.

Public Elementary Schools Closed

The Rainy River District School Board is closing all of its elementary schools because of the strike action being taken by its teachers.

Board chair Mike Lewis says there's no way possible to keep kids safe without teachers on the job.

Busing for elementary students have been cancelled.

Buses that pick up catholic students are still operating as are those for high school students.

All secondary schools will be open.

The board's elementary schools are scheduled to re-open for classes tomorrow.

Several Motor Vehicle Accidents Reported On Weekend

A busy weekend for Ontario Provincial Police in the Rainy River district following a fresh fall of snow that included freezing rain.

OPP were called to more than ten motor vehicle accidents since last Thursday.

Most were due to weather and road conditions, but police say were preventable.

They're reminding motorists to drive according to the weather conditions.

Suspicious Death In Kenora

OPP are still looking into what they are calling a suspicious death in Kenora on the weekend.

The body of an unidentified man was found Saturday inside a home that sustained minimal damage in a fire.

Big Industry Continue To Enjoy Break On Electricity Rate

The provincial government is extending it's Northern Industrial Electricity Rate for another three years.

The program provides a lower costing electricity rate to mining and forest industry companies.

Roger Barber of Resolute Forest Products says things would be grim for his company if the Province didn't extend the program.

The program providing $360-million to keep the program in place for another three years.

Change Made To Northern Ontario Travel Grant

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is clarifying statements she made recently about the northern Ontario Travel Grant.

Campbell had expressed concern about the doubling of the distance requirement, only later to learn it was a change made five years ago.

But Campbell says there is a new requirement for the accommodation portion of the grant that took effect December 1.

Patients who travel out of the community to access health services must now submit receipts to be eligible.

The province had beefed up the travel grant a hundred dollars for travel a few year ago.

Campbell says many patients who stay will relatives won't be eligible for the money that often helped offset other costs.

Snowarama Set For Atikokan

Snowmobilers are wanted to help support Easter Seals.

Snowarama kicks again in Atikokan January 26.

Rhonda Harrison of Easter Seals says it's a tradition that the Atikokan event is the first of the year in Ontario.

The event helps raise money for Easter Seals who use it to assist children with disabilities and their families.

Pledge forms can be obtained on the Snowarama website or by calling the Easter Seal's office in Thunder Bay.

Board Reaction To Strike Announcement

The Rainy River District School Board has been quick to response to the planned action.

It's sending out letters to parents today through their children stating its elementary schools will not be open on Monday.

Buses for its elementary students won't be running either.

Buses that pick up catholic students won't be impacted.

It will also be classes as usual at high schools in Fort Frances, Atikokan and Rainy River.

Teachers Strike Planned For Monday

Classrooms at public elementary schools across the Rainy River district will be empty Monday.

Teachers, occasional teachers, and education support staff will participate in a one-day strike in protest over Bill 115.

Trevor Bowles, a local president with the Elementary Teachers Federation says no pickets are planned in front of schools.

They'll instead gather at the Memorial Sports Centre as a central location with picketing happening at the Rainy River District Board office in Fort Frances.

Teachers in Atikokan will be protesting in front of MPP Bill Mauro's office in Atikokan.

Seniors Group Wants Meetings Over Resolute

A group of former mill workers that's been fighting for the protection workers pensions is now calling on Fort Frances town council to hold a community meeting regarding Resolute Forest Products.

Chair of the Seniors-Retirees Against Pension and Elder Abuse Allan Bedard says they would also like company president Richard Garneau being involved.

Bedard says it should include representatives of those impacted by the company's decision to idle its kraft mill and a paper machine in Fort Frances.

Bedard says recent comments by Garneau promising to protect pensions was encouraging news they'd like to explore further.

Ontario Electricty Distribution Companies Suggested They Merge

A panel of three former cabinet ministers is recommending about 80 local distribution companies merge into much larger regional electricity distributors, with just two in northern Ontario.

Chair Murray Elston says they did not take a position on allowing more private players in the electricity system, but is confident there would be $1.2 billion dollars in savings over 10 years in either case.

The New Democrats say the panel's report clears the way for more privatization and higher rates.

The Progressive Conservatives like the idea of voluntary mergers of electricity distribution companies, but want to make sure local voices still have a say in the operation of the new utilities.

Visitor Restrictions At Rainycrest

Visitor restrictions have been imposed at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

It's because of a number of confirmed cases of gastroenteritis at the Fort Frances seniors facility.

Only family members are being allowed to visit for now, but they're asked not to visit if they suffer from a cough, fever, nausea or diarrhea.

All group programming by Activision has also been halted until further notice.

Christmas Dinner Planning Going Well

It has the food, it just needs a few extra bodies.

Karen Mitchell of the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau says planning for this year's Community Christmas Dinner is going well with all of the food needed gathered during last weekend's Stuff-a-Cruiser campaign.

Mitchell says they'll still looking for people to assist, especially with Meal's on Wheels that will deliver dinners to people who can't get to Knox United Church.

Call Gabi Hanzuk (274-3764) or June Caul (274-2209) for more information.

Those wanting a meal delivered must call before next Friday.

NOTO Executive Director Steps Down

Some changes for a regional tourism group.

Executive Director of Nature and Outdoor Tourism In Ontario, Doug Reynolds is stepping down at the end of next month as part of restructuring of the more than 80-year-old group.

Reynold says the group likely would not have survived without making some significant changes.

Reynolds is hoping to continue working on projects within the organization after his departure.

Gift Cards May Be Useless

The LCBO says you may not be able to redeem LCBO and Vintages gift cards that a website is offering at a significant discount.

The LCBO says the offer is not authorized by the them and it has no knowledge of the source of the gift cards being offered through this site.

Auditor General Focuses On OPP

The auditor general has found the Ontario Provincial Police were doing a poor job of keeping track of what's in their evidence lockers and parking lots.

Auditor General Jim McCarter says the OPP were unable to locate 200 vehicles in their fleet but eventually were able to track them down.

However, McCarter says visits to eight OPP detachments found police records did not match the contents of their evidence lockers, where cash, drugs and guns are often stored for use in court.

He says there were examples where a gun was missing from a locker or there was too much cash in the evidence room compared with the written records.

The auditor's annual report also criticizes the OPP for increasing spending and hiring at a time when crime and highway accidents rates have been declining and for allowing overtime costs to soar by 60 per cent since 2004-05.

Work To Acquire Tourism Centre Underway

The ball is rolling in efforts to acquire the provincial tourism centre in Fort Frances.

Town council recently directed the Rainy River Future Development Corporation to proceed with exploring a possible purchase of the now-shuttered centre.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says the first step is determining potential uses.

Drysdale says they also have to wait for the province to decide on the value for the building.

Federal Government Justifies Need For Name Tags

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says there is a good reason for having border crossing guards wear name tags.

He says they are meant to provide transparency to the public.

The customs officers are concerned wearing name tags could jeopardize their safety.

Their protests led to delays at two crossings in southern Ontario yesterday.

MP Seeks Funding Help For Legions

Google Earth photo

A northwestern Ontario MP wants to give Royal Canadian Legions easier access to funds for repairs to their buildings.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty is proposing the federal government set up an infrastructure  renewal fund that would match whatever dollars Legions can raise locally for upgrades.

Rafferty make his request in a motion put forward in the House of Commons earlier this week.

Four New Chamber Directors Named

There are four new faces on the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Rick Smith of Canadian Tire, Paul Noonan of La Place Rendez-Vous, Marie Allen of BDO and Company and Steve MacNeil with Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting will fill four vacancies on the board.

Mark Caron of Caron Electric returns as president while 93.1 The Border's manager Leo Melanson continues as First vice-president.

Some High School Activities Continuing

Not all extra-curricular activities at high schools in the Rainy River district have been effected by teachers' decisions to stop their involvement in those activities.

Semi-formal dances planned for schools in Fort Frances, Atikokan and Rainy River are proceeding as planned.

A board spokesperson says the amount of planning that went into the events was a factor in letting them go.

School administration and parents are also stepping in to provide supervision

Former CFOB Employee Dies

A former employee with CFOB and a long-time community volunteer has died.

Michael Freeman was 51.

Freeman worked as news director for CFOB in the last decade.

He started his career as a sports writer for the Fort Frances Times in the early 1990's.

More recently, Freeman served as the public address announcer during Fort Frances Lakers games.

An announcement of funeral arrangements is pending.

Morphine Seized

A Winnipeg woman is in custody after police seized 10 thousand dollars worth of morphine pills in the Dryden area.

The 22-year-old is currently awaiting a bail hearing on a trafficking charge.

Monday, OPP arrested a 50-year-old Kenora man on a trafficking charge in that city after he was found with a small quantity of morphine pills and cash.

Downtown Business To Close

A long-time business in downtown Fort Frances is closing.

Mario's Jewellers will continue to operate through Christmas before shutting the doors for good sometime early in the new year.

Owner Marilyn Venerus feels its time to retire.

Mario's Scott Street location has been the site of a jeweller store operating by different owners for more than one hundred years.

Town Still Pressing For Condo Project

The Town of Fort Frances isn't giving up on the yet to be developed condominium project.

Council has given approval to getting a meeting with developer Robert Zanette.

The project was first proposed two years ago, at which time Zanette stated he wanted to sell most of the units before starting construction on Front Street location.

Premier Still Hopeful Of Teachers Deal

File photo

Premier McGuinty is still hoping for a deal with public teachers before the end of the year, despite ongoing job actions across the province.

McGuinty says his government managed to get an agreement with Ontario's doctors after a "bumpy and very rocky road."

If teachers don't reach deals with their school boards by the end of this month, the province will impose a contract that will freeze the wages of most instructors and cut their benefits.

Meantime, one-strike strikes by public elementary teachers move to Thunder Bay schools today.

Over five-hundred teachers plan to rally at five schools and at the offices of MPPs Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle in their protests over Bill 115.

Jaguar Now Testing In International Falls

The makers of Jaguar and Land Rover have started cold-weather testing of its vehicles in International Falls.

Company officials joined with City and Koochiching County officials yesterday to officially open an expansion of the Falls Cold Weather Testing Facility.

Global manager of testing John Florida calls its one of the best around.

A willingness by the City and County to expand the facility helped attract the automarker to the area.

Jaguar-Land Rover will use the facility for the next five years with a possibility of that deal being extended.

DNR Considers Moose For Endangerd Species List

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants to add moose to the state's endangered species list.

The moose population is declining in Minnesota, so the DNR wants to list the animal as a "species of  concern."

The status wouldn't limit hunting.

That would happen only if moose moved to threatened or endangered status.

Native Leader Stages Hunger Strike

You Tube

A northern Ontario aboriginal chief has launched a hunger strike out of frustration with the federal government.

Chief Theresa Spence of the remote Attawapiskat First Nation says she doesn't fear the ultimate outcome, should she not get what she wants -- a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and aboriginal leaders.

Spence says she wants the Prime Minister to show more respect towards First Nations concerns.

Customs Officers Angry Over Name Tags

A dispute over name tags has sparked a slowdown at two Canadian border crossings in Ontario.

The Canada Border Services Agency says some officers at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and Sarnia's Blue Water Bridge are refusing to work as they question the health and safety implications of wearing a name tag on their uniform.

The agency says the new policy is in line with similar ones in place on the U.S. side of the border and in the Canadian Forces.

CD Sales Strong

Cornell Farms photo

The sale of a locally produced and recorded Christmas concert in support of the Salvation Army is progressing.

Two thousand dollars has been raised to date through the CD and DVD sales of the Christmas Melodies concert featuring local performers recording at Cornell Farms in August.

Organizers are hoping to reach the $5-thousand mark by Christmas.

TD Bank is now coming on board to assist with a sales blitz to help organizers reach their financial target.

Premier To Teachers: Let Court Decide Issue

Premier Dalton McGuinty is asking teachers taking job action to let the matter be resolved in court instead of disrupting schools.

He says involving students in the conflict over Bill 115, now being challenged in court, is the wrong thing to do.

First Nations Concerned With Federal Omnibus Budget Bill

CJRL photo

Aboriginals across Northwestern Ontario are speaking out against the recent federal government's omnibus budget bill.

Protesters say First Nations lands and treaty rights are being infringed by Bill C-45.

Rallies were held Monday outside Kenora MP Greg Rickford's offices in Kenora and Dryden.

Onigaming Chief Norman Copenance says its time chiefs come together to stand up for their self governance.

Blue Artist Nominated For U.K. Award

More accolades for Atikokan blue artist Sunday Wilde.

A radio station out of the U.K. has Wilde among its nominees for best female blue act in its year end awards.

Area residents can vote by email your choice to studio@severnfm.com with the subject: blues awards.