Funding Request Deadline Today

Today's the deadline for groups and individuals seeking funding to participate in the federal environmental assessment of Rainy Resources gold project.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is making over $122-thousand available.

Community Forest Policy Network Planned

There's a move in Ontario to get First Nations and Municipalities involved in managing and using area forests.

Lakehead University's Dr. Peggy Smith says delegates to a recent conference agreed to developing a national policy network to look at community forestry programs.

Smith says they'll continue to work towards creating the network in the coming months.

Teachers Asked To Resume Extracurriculars

The union representing Ontario's public high school teachers is recommending its members go back to supervising extracurricular activities.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation intends to explain why later this morning.

Premier Kathleen Wynne predicts most teachers will return to voluntarily looking after the clubs and sports.

Wynne says her government didn't make any concessions to get extracurriculars back, other than to promise to work on a new collective bargaining process.

OPP Seeking Public's Help in Solving Theft

OPP are looking for the public's help in solving a theft in Fort Frances.

Police says a 2010 Polaris Assault 800 was taken from an enclosed trailer at a Christie Avenue home sometime last week.

Election Talks Heats Up

Talk of an early election in Ontario is heating up.

The Conservatives are already saying they'll vote against the budget, yet to be announced, while the NDP are looking for certain demands.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says those requests come directly from people they've talked with.

They include ending corporate tax loopholes, and changes to auto insurance.

Petitions Delivered To Queen's Park

Two petitions at Queen's Park on two separate issues from Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell.

One called for a reopening of northern Ontario parks closed to overnight camping by the province last year.

The other seeks an expansion of power to the Ontario Ombudsman to oversee such things as hospitals, police and school boards

Thunder Bay Firm Wins Contract

A Thunder Bay firm has been award a road and sewer and water improvement project in Fort Frances.

The project includes upgrades on Second Street East between Mowat and Central Avenues and Mowat between Second and Third Streets.

Total cost of the contract to Makkinga Contractors is just over $1.2 million.

The town is hoping for provincial funding help cover a third of the project.

Snow Sculptors Wanted

Calling all artists.

Snow sculpturing is returning to Fort Frances.

Participants are being asked to carve their creation out of piles of snow in the area of the former Huffman School property.


Organizer Samantha Manty says they intend to make the event a community family affair.



Sculpting will begin on March 5 with judging and other activities happening on March 9.

Prospective sculptors are asked to contact the Fort France Museum if your interested.

STOP Program Returns To Fort Frances

An opportunity for area smokers trying to break the habit.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, through the Northwestern Health Unit, is bringing back its Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients, or STOP, back to the Fort Frances area next week.

Coordinator  of the Northwest Tobacco Control Area Network, Jennifer McFarlane says its free eligible participants and provides five weeks of nicotine patches.

Your asked to register with the Health Unit for Wednesday's event.

Town Responding To Transport Canada

The town of Fort Frances isn't pleased with how Transport Canada is responding to a new proposed landfill site in Couchiching First Nations.

The federal agency says it has no authority to restrict the site, but recommends it be operated bird-free.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft doesn't know how that's going to happen.

The town plans to draft a response back to Transport Canada.

DSSAB Budget Delayed

It will be another month before area municipalities know exactly how much they'll be contributing to the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board.

CAO Dan McCormick says they still need the final paperwork from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation on the agreed reduction of Resolute Forest Products mill that will impact the final budget.






The board is also monitoring the doctor situation in Rainy River to determine if a contingency fund for additional patient transfers will be kept in place.

Question Of The Week

Fort Frances council is in the midst of dealing with this year's budget.

The operating budget is currently looking at a $2.2 million dollar shortfall.

How concerned are you with town's financial situation?

Let's us know on our website 931theborder.ca or comment on our Facebook page.

Province Asked To Help Save Experimental Lakes

The provincial government is being asked to help save the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says the province can intervene if it chooses.

"This lack of action is appalling," says Campbell, "given that the province has the power to prevent the closure by enforcing a bilateral agreement that was signed with the federal government, which requires all 58 lakes to be fully rehabilitated if the site is to be closed."

The facility is set to close at the end of March.

Jury Report Released Tomorrow

A long awaited report on the jury roll system in Ontario will be released tomorrow.

Former Ontario Superior Court judge, Frank Iaccabucci was asked to look at how to better get aboriginal representation on jury rolls.

His report will be released in Thunder Bay.

Hudak Says Election Needed

The Progressive Conservatives say Ontario needs an election as soon as possible, and warn they won't vote for the Liberals' budget, which won't be made public for weeks.

PC Leader Tim Hudak says Premier Kathleen Wynne used this week's throne speech to signal she would entrench the Dalton McGuinty legacy instead of cutting the size and cost of government.

The Conservative opposition, alone, won't force an election, but if the NDP doesn't like what in the budget, leader Andrea Horwath says she'll withdraw her support for the Throne Speech.

"Save ELA" Voiced At New Orleans Conference

Efforts to save the Experimental Lakes area near Kenora have spread across the border.

A number of delegates attending a science conference in New Orleans wore t-shirts in support of the northwestern Ontario research site.

Conference president Dr. James Elser says almost every session will use pieces of science derived or inspired by research at the site.

The federal government announced an end to funding to the area last year.

Institute Appoints First Chair

An organization set up to monitor the implementation of the Northern Ontario Growth plan now has a chair and vice-chair.

Martin Bayer, who works for a law firm in Sudbury, will serve as the Northern Policy Institute's first chair.

Dr. George Macey, a dentist in Marathon, will act as the vice-chair.

The Institute is to provide recommendations to government on policies and programs to strengthen the north's economy.

Area Schools Given Poor Grades

A right-wing think tank isn't giving good grades to elementary schools in northwestern Ontario on student achievement.

Peter Cowley of the Fraser Institute says their review of area schools finds them well below the provincial average of 6 out of 10.

The Institute bases its scores on how well schools and their students performed on the latest provincial literacy and math tests.

The Institute also bases its analysis for the Fort Frances area on just two elementary schools.

Education Director Announces Retirement

The director of education with the Northwest Catholic District School Board is calling it a career.

Mary-Catherine Kelly plans to retire at the end of this August.

Kelly says the timing to leave after seven-and-a-half years is right.

Kelly says a need to be closer to her aging parent in southern Ontario also played a role in her decision.

Council Vacancy Filled

The township of Alberton has filled a vacancy on its council.

Wayne Woods was selected in a special council meeting held this past week to review applications for the seat left open by the recent departure of Doug Mitchell.

Woods will be sworn into office next month.

Illegal Baskets Stopped At Border

U.S. authorities in International Falls have stopped a shipment of baskets, they say had the potential to do harm to the country's forest.

The baskets, originating from China, were being railed through Canada to the U.S. when they reached the Falls rail facility for inspection.

Officials says the baskets were made out of a type of willow that's prohibited in many countries because of its risk of spreading watermark disease and being a potential host to several wood-boring pests.

Almost 8-thousand baskets were seized and destroyed.

Help To Attract Doctors Wanted

There are renewed calls for the province to rework the rules around signing physicians to contracts.

Vice-President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, Dave Canfield says the current model, based on population, doesn't take into account patients from the outlying communities and First Nations.

Canfield claims several doctors wanting to practice in the north are being held up by bureaucracy.

Opposition Questioning Future Wage Freezes

The Ontario government is coming under fire for its position on wage freezes for public servants.

Opposition Conservatives are accusing the government of back-pedaling on the freezes.

P-C Leader Tim Hudak says a change of government is the only way to get the province's finances back on track.

Chambers Award Winners

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce handed out awards in its annual business awards last night.

Here are the winners

Business of the Year – Award Sponsored by 93.1 The Border

·         Norwest Animal Clinic

Business Woman of the Year – Award Sponsored by the Professional Women’s Network

·         Heather Johnson, RBC Royal Bank

Customer Service – Business – Award Sponsored by TD Canada Trust

·         North Auto

Customer Service Award – Individual - – Award Sponsored by Good Impressions Printing

·         Pamela Bujold, Greensides General Store

Employee of the Year – Award Sponsored by the West End Weekly

·         Rosanne Farmer, Fort Frances Times

Entrepreneur of the Year – Award Sponsored by the Rainy River Futures Development Corporation

·         Kevin Webb, Webb’s Power Shack

Home Based Business Award – Award Sponsored by M.L. Caron Electric

·         Kirsty Sinclair, K.I.D.S.

Small Business Trainer of the Year – Award Sponsored by NCDS

·         Steve MacNeil, Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting

The Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award – Award Sponsored by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce

·         Jan Judson

More Positive Findings From Rainy River Resources

Rainy River Resources continues to build on the potential of its gold mine north of Barwick.

It's out with the latest findings from a drill program conducted in an area identified as the Intrepid zone.

The company says the results continue to support the belief that the zone is similar to a main deposit found in the heart of its project.

It hopes to better define the size of the zone by the middle of this year.

Go Local Cards Out March 6

Proponents of the Go Local campaign in the Fort Frances area are ready to distribute the cards required to participate in a customer rewards program.

A message on the campaign's twitter account says the cards will be out March 6th.

Users of the cards will earn points at participating businesses towards gift cards to be used at those stores.

Funding To Help Women Entrepreneurs

More assistance will be soon be available to women in business.

Thunder Bay's PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise is receiving $1.5 million dollars in funding from FedNor.

The money will help the centre offer workshops, training, coaching and mentoring activities to women entrepreneurs across northwestern Ontario.

Thin Ice Warnings

It's been a tragic winter on the ice across Minnesota.

So far five people have died after falling through the ice, with a sixth person missing and presumed drowned.

Kara Owens of the Department of Natural Resources says they're on pace to have the deadliest year on ice in six years.

The DNR notes that ice seldom freezes uniformly so while it may be a foot in one location, the ice may be only a couple inches just a few feet away.

Preliminary Operational Budget Released

The town of Fort Frances has a huge financial hole to dig out of.

A draft operating budget, released Tuesday night, has the town in a deficit position of over $2.2 million dollars.

Treasurer Laurie Witherspoon says left untouched, it would mean a 22 per cent tax increase.

CAO Mark McCaig says council and administration will be working hard over the next few weeks to bring that number down.

The deficit does includes the money the town has to rebate resulting from a lowering of Resolute Forest Products assessment, but not the town's share of costs toward the district's social services programs or its capital requirements.

Council will review the operating budget at a meeting March 4.

Water Rates Going up

Water and sewer costs in Fort Frances are going up.

Fort Frances council has approved a 4.5 per cent increase for residential users.

Mayor Roy Avis says it helps offsets a loss of revenue caused by the idling of Resolute Forest Products operations.


Avis says Resolute, one of the town's biggest water users, saw its consumption of water drop drastically.

Changes have also been made to the metered rate to the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors.

Court Case Underway

Opening arguments have been laid out in the court case regarding a stretch of shoreline property along Rainy Lake, known as the two-chain shore allowance.

Four area bands are seeking a declaration that the land was initially intended to be part of a reserve more than 125 years ago.

Lawyers representing the bands, the province, Canada, the town, and residents living in the area, also introduced several pages of documents to be used as evidence in Tuesday's opening.

The testimony in the hearing is expected to continue until late March.

NDP To Support Throne Speech

The New Democrats say they'll give the minority Liberal government a pass on the throne speech, but want to see some of their measures addressed in the budget.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says yesterday's throne speech was designed to include ideas that would appeal to both opposition parties.

Tory Leader Tim Hudak says his party will vote against the speech.

Northwestern Ontario MPP's Support Speech

The Throne Speech has the support of northwestern Ontario's Liberals.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says it includes something for everyone.

Mauro sees is containing good news for northwestern Ontario.

The speech gave reference to giving northern Ontario residents a stronger voice at Queen's Park and addressing "the special transportation needs" of the region.

Beef Pattie Recall

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling some frozen beef burgers sold by Canada Safeway, due to possible E. coli contamination.

They include the Gourmet Meat Shoppe Big and Juicy Burger and the Prime Rib Burger, and Butcher's Cut Pure Beef Patties -- all with a best before date of August 14th.

Campbell Ready To Work

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is eager to get back to work at Queen's Park.


Campbell says she has a long list of issues that she wants to bring up in legislature that she hasn't been able bring since it was prorogued last October.

Campbell adds she also has mixed feelings about our new premier and her agenda for northern Ontario.

Busy Weekend For OPP

A busy weekend for provincial police in our area.

OPP report 24 motor vehicle accidents across northwestern Ontario.

Most were considered minor in nature.

OPP ask that you take it easy when traveling, as high winds will make it challenging to get around the next couple of days.

Award Nominees Named

A total of 55 nominees in nine separate categories have been made for tomorrow's Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce business awards night.

The winners will be announced during the banquet.

Here's are all of the nominees.

Business of the Year – Award Sponsored by 93.1 The Border

·         Taggs Source for Sports

·         Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting

·         Tompkins Hardware

·         Nickle Lake Lumber

·         Norwest Animal Clinic

·         Harris Hill Resort

·         Angler’s Pro Shop

·         Rainy Lake Family Dental

Business Woman of the Year – Award Sponsored by the Professional Women’s Network

·         Heather Johnson, RBC Royal Bank

·         Grace Cridland, Gillons’ Insurance Brokers

·         Melanie Kozik, Living Art Emporium

·         Tonia Dolph, Northland Kitchen & Design Consulting

·         Sylvie Matthews, Certified Holistic Health & Life Coach

Customer Service – Business – Award Sponsored by TD Canada Trust

·         The Bargain Shop

·         North Auto

·         Greensides General Store

·         Fort Frances Times

·         Royal Bank

·         Sunset Country Ford

·         Rainy Lake Family Dental

·         Drs. Wu & Kennedy

·         Lowes Furniture & Appliances

·         J.D. Junction

·         Rocky Brown Auto Repair

Customer Service Award – Individual - – Award Sponsored by Good Impressions Printing

·         Andrea Whittle, Taggs Source for Sports

·         Jordan Marsh, Canadian Tire

·         Joleen Pettis, Canadian Tire

·         Peter Winik, West End Motors

·         Krista Kellar, Citifinancial

·         Kyle Glowasky, KG contracting

·         Pamela Bujold, Greensides General Store

·         Jay McFarlane, Taggs Source for Sports

·         Marjory Boileau, TD Canada Trust

·         Deb Emes, B93.1 The Border

Employee of the Year – Award Sponsored by the West End Weekly

·         Rebecca Webb, CIBC

·         Jay Caldwell, La Place Rendez Vous

·         Rosanne Farmer, Fort Frances Times

Entrepreneur of the Year – Award Sponsored by the Rainy River Futures Development Corporation

·         Chad Jackson, Pro Shine

·         Kevin Webb, Webb’s Power Shack

·         Inga Friesen, Inga Design

·         Jacquie Lampi Hughes, Energy Fitness

·         Just for Fun Power Sports

Home Based Business Award – Award Sponsored by M.L. Caron Electric

·         Kirsty Sinclair, K.I.D.S.

·         Lisa Jodoin, Scentsy

·         Jay Caldwell, Snicklefritz Custom T-shirts

·         Tonia Dolph, Northland Kitchen & Design

·         Patty Jorgenson, Sole Sister Reflexology

·         Travis Glowasky, Studio Gibbous

Small Business Trainer of the Year – Award Sponsored by NCDS

·         Steve MacNeil, Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting

·         Adam Jewell, ACO Electric

·         Andy Peters, Peters Plumbing & Heating

The Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award – Award Sponsored by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce

·         Robert Schulz

·         Jan Judson

·         Leslie Danielson

·         Monica Armour

 

Town Hunkers Down On Budget

A settlement in the Resolute Forest Products assessment appeal will give Fort Frances town council a better idea of what the 2013 budget may be.

The settlement, announced last week, means the town will have to rebate about $1.7 million back to the company in taxes.

Mayor Roy Avis says it means taking a real close look at all expenditures to mitigate the impact on taxpayers.

Avis says the goal will be be to maintain services as much as possible.

Lots Of Snow

Family day turned into a snow day for many in the Borderland.

As much as 20 centimeters of snow fell in a 24 hours period from Sunday afternoon to Monday.

That snow has now given away to cold air and strong winds that are combining to generate low wind chills.

Groups Fears Electricity Crisis For NWO

A regional group says northwestern Ontario is on the verge of an electricity crisis.

The Common Voice Energy Task Force says the region will be short of electricity if Ontario Power Generation's station in Thunder Bay is allowed to go down at the end of next year.

Iain Angus says it's up to the Ontario Power Authority and province to act.

Angus also warns of rolling blackouts in 2015 and possible delays of new mining projects.

Interim Minister Calls Residential Schools Horrible

Interim Aboriginal Affairs Minister James Moore admits Canada has a horrible record on native residential schools.

The Missing Children Project says at least three-thousand First Nations children died while attending the schools -- many of disease.

 Moore acknowledges the report reveals horrific details about the system.

Area Women Perform At Carnegie Hall

Two Fort Frances women are now among the thousands of performers who've stepped on the stage of the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City

Sarah Hallikas and Annelise Hawyluk were part of a Toronto church choir invited to perform at an event last night.

Hallikas say it was a thrill.

The two women had only joined the choir in September not knowing of the trip to New York..

Three Fort Frances Residents Receive Diamond Jubilee Medals

Some the last Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals have have been handed out to worthy recipients in the Rainy River district.

Fort Frances residents June Keddie, a long-time volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society and Henry Miller, who's long promoted conservation programs to area youth, received awards during a weekend ceremony.

CFOB-News Director Randy Thoms was also presented an award for his 30 years in broadcasting.

The awards were handed out by Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty.

No Extra Pay For Deputy Mayor Duties

There will be no extra money provided to Fort Frances councillors who take on the role of deputy mayor.

Councillors, who chair committee of the whole meetings, will be assigned deputy mayor for the next two years.

The deputy mayor is usually paid more for their work.

Councillors agreed this past week to forego the extra cash.

Assessment Appeal Settlement

A settlement has been reached in Resolute Forest Products appeal of its assessment of mill properties in Fort Frances.

The agreement, which involved the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, the town and company, will result in Resolute's assessment for the last four years being reduced by 25 per cent.

Mayor Roy Avis says the company was seeking a 58 per cent decrease.

The company will receive a tax-rebate of $2.1 million, $1.7 million from the town, which is well below the nearly $5-million had it fully won its appeal.

Salvation Army Taking On Donations

Salvation Army in Fort Frances is again accepting donations to its Thrift Store.

The agency had asked people to refrain from bringing in used items after receiving a huge collection during the Christmas holidays gathered by a local Confederation College student.

Lieutenant Dennis Maybury says they're now in a position take donations, Monday to Friday.

Out of town donors can make arrangements for a Saturday drop-off by calling the Salvation Army.

Regulations Extended

Experimental fishing regulations at five lakes of the Namakan Reservoir are being extended for another six years.

The regulations for Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, Crane and Little Vermilion lakes put limit on the size of walleye anglers can catch.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the fishery has responded well to the measure and extending it will help it further and give the Department more time to evaluate its long-term effectiveness.

Lots Of Work At Rainy River Resources Planned

Rainy River Resources photo

There's going to be lots of work this year at Rainy River Resources and its gold project north of Barwick.

The company has released an update on its planned activities for the year.

Spokesperson Indi Gopinathan says the release of a feasibility study will be a key document.

Further exploration and the submission of its environment assessment report are also planned.

Committee To Begin Work Soon

The Northwest Catholic District School Board plans to have a committee in place early this week to review Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.

The board intends to confirm its Accommodation Review Committee at its meeting tonight with committee members gathering for the first time tomorrow.

The elementary school with about 15 students is being looked at because of low enrolment.

Exact dates for public meeting will likely determined when committee members meet.

Area Bishop Surprised By Pope's Resignation

The Bishop for the Diocese of Thunder Bay says he's surprise to see the Pope resign.

Bishop Fred Colli calls this week's announcement by Pope Benedict XVI courageous.

Colli hopes the resignation sets an example to other church leaders about when to call it quits.