BUS CANCELATIONS

Here are the following buses canceled in the Rainy River District for Friday January 11

Route	Driver	Contractor
DB100 ANH	Jane Peterson	Dimit Buslines
DB101   BN	Tracy Mose	Dimit Buslines
DB102 BP	Vic Alberts	Dimit Buslines
DB103 CLE	Karen Borger	Dimit Buslines
DB104 CN	Bradley Shoemaker	Dimit Buslines
	Big Grassy	Big Grassy
DB106 ENS	Kyla Hartlin	Dimit Buslines
DB107 ESS	Gwen Dimit	Dimit Buslines
DB108 LION	Evelyn Martin	Dimit Buslines
DB109 OWL	Brenda Hunsperger	Dimit Buslines
DB110 RFH	Bernice Kornelsen	Dimit Buslines
DB111  SCE	Jody Jolicouer	Dimit Buslines
DB112 SFN	Aleata Jerry	Dimit Buslines
GF200 CLS	Greg Ferris	Greg Ferris
KF205  ESE	Ken Fisher	Ken Fisher
JM 240	Jack Medwechuk	Jack Medwechuk
	Stanjikoming	Stanjikoming
FK225 NFE	Les Fraser	Fred Kropelin
MM230 AVP	Shelley McDonald	Murray McDonald
SM235 DSE	Shane McDonald	Shane McDonald
BN245 STN	Bruce Neilson	Bruce Nielson
IR300 AJN	Shirley Thompson	Iron Range
IR302  ASH	Herman Rodrigues	Iron Range
IR304 ATW	Stacy Bragg	Iron Range
IR305 BUTTERFLY	Holly Bruyere	Iron Range
IR306 DSH	Nancy Allan	Iron Range
IR307 LAMB (RP-PM)	Lyndon Hughes	Iron Range
IR308 MIS	Karen Kellar	Iron Range
COU	Don Bruyere	Couchiching
IR311 TE	Ella Wall	Iron Range
IR312 TNC (RP-AM)	Roman Mlynarski	Iron Range
IR313 TNE	Judy  Leigetfalvy	Iron Range
IR314 WFS	Max Gavel	Iron Range
BIFN800 BI	Liz Detweiler	Big Island
RRFN820 MRE	Patricia Bombay	Manitou Rapids
RRFN821 MRS	Viola Medicine	Manitou Rapids
RRFN822 MRW	Berla Horton	Manitou Rapids
NFN830 NWE	Nora Bullas	Northwest Bay
NFN831 NWS	Glenda Belluz	Northwest Bay
SRFN850 SEI-ELE	Ted Menson	Seine River Reserve
SRFN851 SEI-SEC	Norman Allan Jr.	Seine River Reserve

Keep checking for updates or listen regularly to 93.1 The Border

Fort Frances Councillor Dies

Sad news from the town of Fort Frances.

Councillor Sharon Tibbs has died.

The long-time councillor had recently taken a leave of absence and had been in hospital for undisclosed health reasons.

Tibbs had been a member of council on and off since 1993 and appointed the town's deputy mayor in six years ago.

A release from the town calls Tibbs' commitment and passion to the community exemplary and unwavering.

Flags at the Civic Centre are being lowered to half-staff in her honour.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Missing Youth Found

An area youth, reported missing five days ago, has been found.

Provincial Police say 14-year-old Mariah Wilson of Morson contacted a family member yesterday.

She had been reported missing last Friday after failing to return home from a friend's place.

Deal with Ontario Public Sector Workers

Another deal for the New Year.

The Ontario Public Sector Employees Union, which represents 38-thousand public servants in the province, has reached a tentative two-year collective agreement with the government.

The government says the deal, which still must be ratified, includes a two-year wage freeze

Fire Destroys Falls Area Business

Investigators with Minnesota's Fire Marshall's office and International Falls Fire Department expected on scene today of a business, just south of the City, that has been destroyed by fire.

The fire at Up North Builders broke out late Monday night.

Firefighters were still on the scene late yesterday preventing any flare-ups.

Cause is unknown, but damage was extensive.

Support Given To Casino Idea

There appears to be some support for a casino in Fort Frances.

An informal question on our Facebook page resulted in many people giving support to the idea brought forward last week by Councillor Ken Perry.

One resident says if we get a casino, it should include a restaurant, bar, entertainment room,waterslide park and hotel.

Another agrees the town needs to be aggressive, but feels there's a another business out there that can generate revenue in a more positive way.

E.I. Changes Panned

A northwestern Ontario MP believes changes to Employment Insurance will result in fewer people having access the program.

The changes took effect this week.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty says it forces recipients to take minimum wage jobs outside their hometowns.

The changes also include people having to competency tests to qualify for E.I.

Teachers Plotting Next Move In Labour Dispute

The union representing public high-school teachers is expected to talk today about its next moves in the labour dispute with the governing Liberals.

The government sparked outrage when it imposed new two-year contracts on about public school teachers and other education workers last week.

Some high school teachers have vowed not to resume extracurricular activities until the contracts are ripped up and the negotiations start fresh.

Hudak Presenting Plan To Improve Ontario's Finances

Tim Hudak will be making the case for why he should be the next premier.

The leader of the Progressive Conservatives is launching a tour of the province to talk about Ontario's financial troubles and how he can get it out of the red ink.

Tory insiders say Hudak will be targeting mostly Liberal ridings in southern Ontario.

Changes To Law Library At Koochiching Court House

Koochiching County and Falls Public Library are coming together to bring greater access to legal materials at the County courthouse.

Law Librarian Andrew Barnhart says part of the plan is to house much of the collection at the Public Library.

The move of the collection also frees up space at the courthouse for lawyers wanting to meet privately with their clients.

Proclamation Sought

 Fort Frances and International Falls are again seeking recognition of their unique Tug-of-War event from Prime Minister Harper and President Obama.

A letter to the Countries leaders asks them proclaim July 2nd as International Peaceful Borders Day.

A similar letter last year did get the attention of Harper.

Advice For New Year's Dieters

It's a New Year's Resolution we all make, and break.

Lose weight.

Gloria Tsang, a dietician with HealthCastle.com says people should stop counting calories because nobody can really tell how many calories we eat.

Tsang says putting less food on the plate and eliminating highly processed foods can go along way to losing weight.

She also recommends avoiding fat-free products, she says may contain artificial fillers that lead people to eating more of those products than they should.

Metis and Non-Status Indians Declared "Indians"

An important victory for more than 600-thousand off-reserve Metis and non-status Indians.

The Federal Court has ruled they are indeed ``Indians'' under the Constitution Act and they fall under federal jurisdiction.

But the Native Affairs Affairs Parliamentary Assistant Greg Rickford says it's too early to determine the impact.

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and several Metis and non-status Indians argued they are entitled to some or all of the same rights and benefits as on-reserve First Nations members.

Health Unit Yearend

The Northwestern Health Unit is continuing to test water quality in the region.

In a year-end report, the Health Unit says enforcement teams assessed over 900 small drinking water systems in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

The Health Unit says it also began a new pilot project last year that brought its mobile dental office to four first nation communities.

Warning Issued To Snowmobilers

File photo

OPP are again cautioning snowmobilers about the dangers of riding their sleds on ice.

Provincial police and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs say no ice can be considered to be 100 per cent safe to ride on.

They say this is especially true in early winter when ice is newly forming, and late in the season after ice begins deteriorating from milder temperatures.

Changes To Falls Council Approved

The new Mayor of International Falls is bringing in several changes to how his council will do business in the future.

Bob Anderson, in his first meeting, managed to receive necessary support to increase the number of council meetings a month from two to three, reduce most council committees to just two members and provide additional opportunities for the public to speak at meetings.

Anderson says its to improve transparency.

Councillor Cynthia Jaksa worries the changes will lead longer meetings and less transparency.

Honourary Councillor Appointments Held Off

The brakes have been put on honourary councillors being added to International Falls City Council.

The idea that would have allowed individuals to participate, but not vote on council decisions, was previously passed.

But Mayor Bob Anderson says he'd limit their involvement.

Councillor Cynthia Jaksa, who supported the idea initially, says it would be a pointless appointment if the individuals couldn't participated fully.

Policing Costs Pondered In Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls

2013 is starting off in the Town of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls with some uncertainty about policing.

The municipality was prepared to cancel its contract with the OPP and opt for a call for service.

Mayor Bill Thompson says the OPP have since come back with a lower contract figure, but council is holding off on making a decision in light of an Ontario Auditor's report that raised questions about the increasing cost of OPP service, while crime rates have fallen.

Thunder Bay MP Has Cancer

Another Thunder Bay politician has announced his has cancer.

MP Bruce Hyer says he has a tumour on his tongue and will have it removed this week in Ottawa.

Hyer says the prognosis is good and expects to be back to work as soon as possible.

Ontario's Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle announced last fall that he'd been diagnosed with a treatable form lymphoma.

Leek To Participate In Leadership Vote

The president of the Kenora-Rainy River Liberal Riding Association is excited about the upcoming leadership convention.

Anthony Leek will be among thousands of Liberals gathering in Toronto at the end of this month to select Premier Dalton McGuinty's replacement as leader of the Ontario Liberals.


Leek says the number of candidates is great for finding solutions to the problems facing Ontario.

The Association will hold a meeting Saturday in Dryden to discuss who'll represent it at the leadership convention.

Court Ruling Impacting Off-Reserve Natives Today

A federal court is expected to rule today on the federal rights and benefits for more than 600-thousand aboriginal people who live off-reserve.

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and several Metis and non-status Indians took the federal government to court in 1999 alleging discrimination.

They argue they're entitled to some or all of the same rights and benefits as Ottawa gives to on-reserve First Nations members.

Native Protest At Border

A peaceful protest at the border on the weekend.

Nearly 150 native people from northern Minnesota and Canada gathered in International Falls as part of demonstrations against the Harper government.


Karla Bluebird from Red Lake, Minnesota says the environmental concerns being expressed by First Nations in Canada are also a worry to U.S. bands.

The protest was one of several at border crossings that took place.

School Back

Ontario students head back to school today amid even more uncertainty than before their holiday break.

The dispute between public school teachers and the Ontario government deepened last week when the province imposed new contracts that froze most wages and cut benefits.

Many teachers are furious, with some saying they'll ignore Premier Dalton McGuinty's request to resume extracurricular activities.

Three Charged For Failing To Stop For Police

Three Fort Frances men will be making a court appearance after attempting to avoid police on snowmachine.

It happened while OPP were conducting snowmobile patrols on New Year's Eve on Rainy Lake in the area of Northwest Bay.

Police were attempting to stop a group of seven snowmobilers when three bolted.

Officers were able to identify and locate the operators and later charge them with failing to stop for police.

Snowmobile Accidents

An Atikokan man is recovering from injuries following a snowmobile accident last week in the Atikokan area.

Provincial Police says the 22-year-old was traveling on the ice of the Atikokan river Wednesday when he lost control of his snowmachine and it rolled on top of him.

The man was treated at the scene before being eventually taken to hospital in Thunder Bay for treatment of a leg injury.

A Fort Frances man also had to be taken to hospital in Thunder Bay with a leg injury earlier last week following a snowmobile accident on Rainy Lake.

OPP says the man was operating his snowmachine in the area of Ash Bay last Saturday when he was ejected from his sled, landing on the ice.

Man Charged With Mischief

File photo

A London, Ontario man has been charged after a Fort Frances business had its window smashed on New Year's Day.

Video surveillance showed a man breaking the window with his foot before walking away.

OPP arrested the 31-year-old for being intoxicated in a public place and mischief.

Campbell Awaiting News On New Premier

The MPP of the Kenora-Rainy River riding is looking forward to the new year for a particular reason.

Sarah Campbell wants to see who fills the spot of Ontario premier and leader of the Liberal party.

Campbell hopes whoever the person may be, they have a fresh perspective and work with all parties.

She's also expecting Queen's Park to resume sometime after the third week of February.

Visitor Restrictions Lifted

Visitor restrictions at Rainycrest Long Term Care in Fort Frances have been lifted.

The restrictions has been put in place two weeks ago because of increase cases of gastroenteritis.

Officials says the public should still refrain from visiting the senior home if your suffering from flu or cold-like symptoms.

Border Demonstration Planned

A native demonstration is planned for tomorrow at the border between Fort Frances and International Falls.

Idle No More websites promote the rally as being organized by First Nations on the American side of the border.

They're gathering in support of Attawaspikat Chief Teresa Spence and Canadian aboriginals wanting Prime Minister Harper to meet with the hunger-striking chief.

Organizers don't state if their plans include blocking or slowing motorists trying to cross.

It's expected to begin at about 1 p.m.

Council To Get Vocal

Fort Frances town councillors are growing frustrated with the lack of attention they seem to be getting from the provincial and federal governments.

It's something they intend to change.

Mayor Roy Avis says more attention is needed as the town grapples with the financial impacts of the recent downsizing at Resolute Forest Products.

Avis says he's most disappointed that MPP Sarah Campbell and MP John Rafferty have yet to meet with him to discuss the impacts.

Calls For Casino Again

A Fort Frances councillor is renewing calls for a casino in the community.

Ken Perry says it will help boast the local economy and keep travellers crossing the border in Fort Frances longer.

Perry notes Fort Frances is one of few border communities in Ontario that doesn't have a casino.

The province is currently looking at areas where new casinos could be located with Kenora identified as a possible site in northwestern Ontario.

Strategic Plan Gets Review

Fort France councillors are taking a thorough look at its strategic plan.

CAO Mark McCaig says a special meeting yesterday was intended to identify the progress made in the past two years and what initiatives they may or may not continue to pursue.

McCaig says many items have already been achieved, but some may not go ahead because of money and resources needed that could be directed elsewhere.

Tibbs On Temporary Leave

Fort Frances council will be short a member for an undetermined length of time.

Mayor Roy Avis says Sharon Tibbs, who's also deputy mayor, is taking a leave of absence for health reasons.

Avis says because he would be away for brief period of time as well, Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft will serve as deputy mayor in case of emergency situations.

Liberal Draw Criticism Over Teachers Deals

The provincial Liberals are drawing fierce criticism for imposing two-year contracts on public school teachers and other education workers.

The contracts cut benefits and freeze the wages of most teachers.

Union leaders won't say what action they'd take in the weeks ahead, but warn it won't be business as usual.

More Drunk Drivers Nabbed In Region

OPP in northwestern Ontario saw a slight increase in the number of motorists out drinking and driving during the Christmas holiday season.

Fourteen motorists, including two in the Rainy River district, were nabbed during an enforcement blitz last month, compared with eleven in 2011.

Suspensions for having a blood alcohol level in the warn range were down to 46 in 2012 from 57 in 2011.

Three of the suspensions were in the Rainy River district.

First Baby of New Year Born

Supplied photo

The Rainy River district has its first baby of 2013.

Kayenna Lynn Griffith was born at La Verendrye Hospital yesterday afternoon at 4:22 p.m., weighing in at 8 lbs, 15 oz.

The proud parents are Tyrell and Alyssa Griffith of Sioux Narrows.

They received a variety of gifts courtesy of Canada Safeway, Fort Floral, Pharmasave and Shoppers Drug Mart for having the region's first baby of the new year.

Contract Imposed on Teachers

 The governing Liberals are making good on their threat to impose new contracts on public school teachers.

Education Minister Laurel Broten announced the move in a news conference this morning.

She says she had "no other reasonable option'' than to use Bill 115 to impose collective agreements after the unions representing tens of thousands of teachers failed to negotiate local deals.

But Broten vows to repeal the controversial legislation by the end of the month in hopes teachers will resume extra-curricular activities.

Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers Federation, isn't ruling out withholding extra-curricular activities during the length of new contracts.

Hammond says Broten's vow to repeal Bill 115 doesn't undo the damage caused by the contract legislation.

Ken Coran of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation says extracurricular activities may return to high schools next week.

Decision On Teachers Dispute Expected Today

Ontario's Education Minister is expected announce today what the Liberals plan to do next in their ongoing labour dispute with public school teachers.

Laurel Broten has the power to impose new contracts to freeze wages and stop strikes.

Ken Coran, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, says it won't bring labour peace though.

New Democrat Peter Tabuns suggests the Liberals rescind Bill 115 and return to the bargaining table in a serious, meaningful way.

Elementary teachers staged one-day strikes in protest just before their Christmas break and suggest more of the same if the government imposes contracts.

Campaign Underway to Save Ontario Rangers

A campaign to save the Ontario Ranger Camp program is underway.

The program, which operated several camps including one at Quetico Provincial Park near Atikokan, was halted by the province last fall.

Emily Kirton with the group Friends of the Ontario Ranger Program, says the program provided many benefits to youth aged 17 and over who came to northern Ontario camps from elsewhere in the province.

Former campers and workers at the camps intend to rally at Queen's Park tomorrow.

Three Sent To Hospital In Duluth

Three people have been airlifted to hospital in Duluth, one in critical condition, following an accident west of International Falls yesterday.

It happened around the noon hour on Highway 11 in Loman.

The Minnesota State Patrol says a transport hauling logs had slowed for a vehicle at the side of the road when it was rear ended by another pulp truck, causing one to cross the centreline and come into collision with an oncoming pickup.

All of the injured were in the pickup and from Indiana.

Explosion Victims Improving

Hospital officials in Duluth have upgraded the conditions of several of the five men injured in an explosion in an ice fishing camper on the south shore of Lake of the Woods.

Two remain in critical condition, one in serious and two others in fair condition from injuries sustained Sunday when a propane furnace inside their camper exploded near Williams, west of Baudette.

Festive RIDE Numbers Disappointing

Provincial police say they're disappointed that the number of motorists charged with impaired driving over the holidays is the highest it has been in eight years.

Almost 700 people across the province were charged during the OPP's month long Festive RIDE campaign with another 625 warning range suspensions.

Numbers specific to our region have not yet been released.

Rafferty Looks Back

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty sums up 2012 with just one word.

Frustrating.

He says the Harper government hasn't been very transparent and it's made it tough for opposition MPs to do their job 100 per cent.

Rafferty says the most upsetting move by the Harper government was a change to the retirement age to 67.

Heading into the new year, Rafferty intends to represent his constituents to the best of his ability as he criss-crosses the riding as much as possible.

Rafferty's also plans to further his causes through private members bills.

Flu Numbers On Rise In Minnesota

Health officials are concerned about a recent spike in the number of flu cases in Minnesota.

More than 120 Minnesotans were hospitalized with the flu in the week ending December 22.

That's nearly twice the number of cases in the previous week.

Man Charged In Accident

A man is facing charges after trying to elude police following a single vehicle accident on New Year's Day near International Falls.

Koochiching County Sheriff's office says a vehicle hit the ditch on County Road 2 South and rolled just after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The 20-year-old driver, who had been wanted by Police on an unrelated matter, fled the scene but captured a short time later.

Two other people in the vehicle were taken to hospital in International Falls.

Education Directors Get Update On Teachers Dispute Tomorrow

The fate of extra-curricular activities in schools could be determined tomorrow.

Education directors will meet via conference call with Ministry of Education officials for an update on the labour dispute with public school teachers.

School sports teams have been on the bench since teachers ended their involvement in school activities in protest over legislation threatening to impose a contract on them.

Contract Deadline Passes

The deadline for Ontario teachers to reach agreements with their local school boards passed at one minute before midnight New Year's Eve.

Education Minister Laurel Broten now has the power under Bill 115 to impose contracts in cases where no deals have been reached, but the minister has not said if or when she plans to act.

Public School Board Review

Area educators are reflecting on the past year in their schools.

Heather Campbell of the Rainy River District School Board says one of their highlights was a pilot project to enhance the integration of pre-school and school services in speech language.

Campbell says a new strategic plan and the creating of an early learning liaison and an aboriginal curriculum coordinator were other key initiatives in 2012.

Campbell says improving student literacy and numeracy will continue to be a focus in 2013 as will the board's initiatives aimed at combating bullying.

Catholic School Board Review

There were several accomplishments for the Northwest Catholic District School Board in 2012.

Education Director Mary Catherine Kelly says she was pleased to see students and staff take an increased interest in social justice issues.

Kelly says they were also able to expand smartboard technology in the classrooms, including a recent introduction of iPads to students in the intermediate grades.

Ice Fishing Camper Explodes

Five men have been injured after an explosion in an ice fishing camper near Williams, Minnesota, west of Baudette.

Lake of the Woods County Sheriff Gary Fish says a propane furnace exploded, blowing out the camper's windows, Sunday morning on the shore of Lake of the Woods at Zippel Bay.

All were taken to hospital in Duluth.

Stratton Company Gets Bridge Contract

A Stratton company has won a contract for some work on Highway 11 near Atikokan.

The Sharpe Groupe will reconstruct a bridge over McCauley Creek.

Work will begin in the spring and completed later in the year.

Alzheimer Awareness Month

January is Alzheimer Awareness month in Canada.

Lynn Moffatt of the Alzheimer Society for Kenora-Rainy River its aimed at recognizing the signs of alzheimers and dementia.

It's estimated over one thousand residents in the region now suffer from the disease.

The national body also intends to unveil a new awareness campaign later today.

Polar Plunge

The numbers were down, but the enthusiasm was still high as 21 people took part in this year's Polar Plunge into Rainy Lake yesterday.

They combined to raise $81-hundred for charities in the event promoted by the Voyageur Lion's Club.

Members of the Fort Frances Muskies were the top fundraising group collecting $1,780.

Hailey Nugent was the top individual fundraiser, raising over $700 in her jump for World Vision.