Keep Smiling

Premier Kathleen Wynne wants Ontario's governing Liberals to keep smiling even though they may be facing a sea of troubles.

Wynne told a major party fundraiser last night in Toronto that the looming threat isn't a spring election, but a toxic political environment.

Wynne says voters will tune out if they see a provincial politicians being vicious and willfully partisan.

County Health Report

Koochiching County ranks near the middle in a new report examining the healthiness of counties in Minnesota.

Counties were ranked by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute on a variety of factors.

Koochiching's rating is dragged down in part by slightly higher than average rates for adult obesity, excessive drinking and child poverty.

Nutrition Workshop

Questions you might have about those nutrition labels found on the food you buy will be answered next week.

Rooksana Randeree, the registered dietician at Riverside Health Care Facilities, is offering a workshop next Wednesday as part of nutrition month.

There is also a virtual trip through a grocery store to teach people how to make healthy food choices.

Register by calling 274-4817.

Atikokan Volunteer In Kraft Canada Contest

A long-time volunteer with Atikokan Minor Hockey is a finalist in Kraft Canada's new Hockey Goes On contest.

Brad Sampson is the only one from northwestern Ontario in the final 100 the public can vote for this weekend as Kraft prepares to reward volunteers and their associations with a share of a million dollars.

As well as serving as president and coaching a team in Atikokan, he also coached a girls team this year in Fort Frances.

You can support Sampson and Atikokan Minor Hockey by voting at www.krafthockeygoeson.ca this Saturday and Sunday.

Assault Captured On Video

Dryden Police are investigating an assault at a fast-food restaurant in that city.

The incident was captured video and immediately became the centre of attention on social media.

Police Chief Rob Davis says they were only made aware of the undated incident last night, but have been able to identify the victim and a suspect and charges are likely.

Police are also hoping to talk to the person who shot the video.

No Pre-Budget Hearings In Northwest

There's be no stops in northwestern Ontario for a provincial pre-budget consultation committee.

The legislative committee began its work last week with stops in Windsor, Timmins and Ottawa, ending in Toronto this week.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is disappointed it's not making a trip this way.

Campbell's hoping to fill the void by sending out her own pre-budget document to get residents thinking of what the budget priorities should be.

Accommodation Review Meetings Begin

A chance tonight to express your thoughts about the future of a small catholic school in the Rainy River district's west end.

A committee, tasked with examining the future of Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton, will hold the first of four scheduled public meetings.

Low enrollment has prompted the review.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the schoo.

Visitor Restrictions At Emo Hospital

Google Earth

A case of Influenza A has forced Riverside Health Care Facilities to impose visitor restrictions at the long-term care unit of the Emo Health Centre.

Patient visits are being restricted to family members only and to the resident's room.

Hospital officials also advise that if your experiencing any flu symptoms not to visit.

All group programming by Activation has also been cancelled until further notice.

Children Need To Be Active.

Children in the region aren't getting enough daily physical activity.

People for Education says its mainly due to the lack of physical education teachers in elementary schools, resulting in kids are falling short of the recommended amount of activity time.

Elaine Fischer with the Northwestern Health Unit says its an ongoing concern.

Fischer says developing physical activity early in life is key to life long habits.

Local Support For New Pope

Local support for Pope Francis.

Director of Education with the Northwest Catholic District School Board, Mary-Catherine Kelly expects him to shed a new light on the catholic system.

Kelly says the pope's message of hope will hopefully inspire students to help and support others.

Greenpeace Apologizes

Greenpeace Canada has acknowledged it was wrong when it accused Resolute Forest Products of secretly logging in protected boreal forests.

The environmental group says it has learned that the allegations it made the company in December were inaccurate.

Greenpeace says it sincerely regrets its error, and all references to the allegations have been removed from its website.

U.S. V.P. Interested In Minnesota Gun Law Debate

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is taking an interest in Minnesota's gun law debate.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk says Biden personally called him late last week to assess where the issue stands at Minnesota's Capitol.

Much of the focus has been around on requiring background checks on gun purchases.

Bakk says Biden also wanted to know opponents were fighting gun control measures.

Spring Is Here??

Today is the first day of spring, but looking outside it is hard to believe with 20 centimetres of fresh snow earlier this week.

If you think back, we were enjoying temperatures of 20 C, or 68 F, at this time last year.

It’s going to be colder than normal to start spring off this time, but we should see more seasonal temperatures later in the week.

Land Purchase Deal Completed

The city of International Falls has finally closed a purchase deal with Boise for land that will become the site of a multi-modal facility.

The more than $179-thousand purchase includes about 30 hectares, or 77 acres, to the east of the city, running adjacent to rail lines and a truck route.

Director of Economic and Community Development Shawn Mason says completion of the agreement allows them to focus on the project and have further discussions with the unnamed developer.

It's hopes work will begin later this year.

Appeal Court Supports Province

Ontario's highest court has ruled that the province has the right to "take up'' treaty land for mining and forestry.

The Grassy Narrows First Nation, north of Kenora, challenged Ontario's right to permit industrial logging on its traditional lands, saying it infringed on their hunting and trapping rights under a treaty they signed in 1873.

But The Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled yesterday the province doesn't need the federal government's approval to ``take up'' the lands - a decision that overturns a lower-court ruling.

Stockholders Meeting Comes To NWO

Resolute Forest Products is bringing its annual stockholders meeting to northwestern Ontario.

The meeting is scheduled for Thunder Bay on May 16.

City Moves Ahead With Licensing Of Rental Properties

The city of International Falls is taking the next step towards licensing and inspecting rental properties.

Council approved at their meeting last night to sent a letter asking landlords to register their properties with the city.

Some landlords like John Vinar feel the city's moving too quick with its efforts.


The city has always had an ordinance requiring the licensing of rental properties, but never had a process to enforce it.

The city isn't requiring landlords to have licenses until the end of 2014.

Liberals Not Following Through With Merger

Even though it could produce a substantial saving, the Ontario government says it won't force local electricity distribution utilities to merge.

An expert panel set up by the Liberal government called for the 80 local distribution companies to be merged into eight-to-12 regional agencies within two years.

But Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli says the Liberal government will not legislate forced consolidation.

The Fort Frances Power Corporation had opposed the merger plan saying it would lead to high electricity rates for its power users.

Phys-Ed Teacher Shortage

R. R.  District School Board photo

A new report from an education advocacy group says there's a shortage of physical education teachers in Ontario's elementary schools.

The report from People for Education finds only 45 per cent of schools surveyed had a specialist physical education and health teacher on staff.

The shortage is most pronounced in northern Ontario where only 22 per cent of schools have phys-ed staff compared to 75 per cent in the Toronto area.

Overdose Prevention Program Launched

The Northwestern Health Unit wants to prevent drug overdose deaths in the region.

It's started a prevention program aimed at those who are at risk of overdosing on opioids such as oxycodone.

Manager Gillian Lunny says eligible participants will be offered a drug called Naloxone that helps counter the effects of an overdose.

Lunny says they're also educating those of the risks associated with using opioids.

Fort Frances Not On Casino List

A deadline for communities to submit an application for a casino to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has passed without Fort Frances on the list.

OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti says there were 10 other communities that did make it, including  including Kenora.

The province considers the Kenora area as an under-serviced areas for gaming potential.

Provincial Promoting Mining Benefits

The provincial government is highlighting the benefits mining is having on Ontario's economy.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says the province is seeing record spending by the industry.

"In 2003, exploration expenditures in Ontario were $193 million," says Gravelle. "In 2011, we surpassed the $1-billion mark in mineral exploration. That makes Ontario the leading jurisdiction in Canada for exploration. The value of mineral production in 2003 was $5.7 billion. In 2011, we reached $10.7 billion."

Gravelle says that makes Ontario the leading jurisdiction in Canada when it come to exploration.

Some Moose Deaths Caused By Wolves

Researchers tracking the decline of northern Minnesota's moose population have found wolves are to blame for some of the deaths.

State wildlife experts trapped 111 moose in January and February and placed GPS trackers and transmitters on the animals.

Researchers say six of the moose in the study have died and at least two appear to be victims of wolf attacks.

Bus Cancellations For Tuesday March 19

Poor road conditions in the rural areas are forcing some buses to cancel their routes today.

Here is a list of buses not running today.

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
DB105 - ECE    Harrold Boven     Dimit Buslines
DB106 - ENS    Kyla Hartlin    Dimit Buslines
DB107 - ESS    Gwen Dimit    Dimit Buslines
DB110 - RFH    Bernice Kornelsen    Dimit Buslines
DB111 - SCE    Jody Jolicouer     Dimit Buslines
DB112 - SFN    Aleata Jerry    Dimit Buslines
SM235 - DSE    Shane McDonald    Shane McDonald
GF200  - CLS    Greg Ferris    Greg Ferri
IR302  - ASH    Herman Rodrigues    Iron Range
IR312 - TNC (RP-AM)    Roman Mlynarski    Iron Range
IR304  - ATW    Stacy Bragg    Iron Range
IR306 -  DSH     Nancy Allan    Iron Range
IR307  - LAMB (RP-PM)    Lyndon Hughes    Iron Range - reef point portion of run this afternoon only
IR308  - MIS    Karen Kellar     Iron Range
Stanjikoming First Nation - Brian Wayash
Rainy River First Nation high school bus - Viola Medicine

Keep listing to 93.1 The Border or www.931theborder.ca for updates throughout the day.

High School Report Card Released

It's back to school for students across the Rainy River district today with news area high schools aren't getting the best of grades from a conservative think-tank.

The Fraser Institute has released its latest report card on secondary schools and how well their students performed in recent provincial tests.

Co-author Peter Cowley says Fort Frances High School is among schools that haven't seen seen much improvement over the past five years.

Snow Coming

Weather warnings have been issued on both sides of the border as a winter storm makes its way through our area.

It's expected to bring significant snowfalls and strong winds.

As much as 15 centimeters is expected in the Rainy River district while U.S. forecasters call for as much as 25 centimeters in some parts of northern Minnesota.

Accident Sends Three To Hospital

Three people are recovering from injuries following a motor vehicle accident in Atikokan.

OPP say early Friday morning, a car traveling on Mercury Ave. lost control and came into collision with an oncoming truck.

The vehicles' occupants were taken to Atikokan Hospital for treatment.

No charges have been laid.

Bridges To Get Fix Up

Eleven bridges in northwestern Ontario, including one in the Rainy River district, are getting a fix up.

The federal and provincial governments are contributing $61-million to the projects.

Federal Transport Minister Steven Fletcher says it's critical to keep our roads in good condition.

The project in this district is a $1.7 million improvement at the Log River Tributary Culvert  on Highway 71.

Ontario Wants Help With Corporate Tax Dogdging

Ontario is asking the federal government for help in clamping down on corporate tax dodging.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa wants the feds to close loopholes that allow corporations to avoid paying taxes by shifting their profits and losses across Canada.

Sousa says it could bring in $200 million by 2017.

Governor To Tour State On Budget

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will travel the state starting this week to make the case for his budget.

The tour starts with a town hall meeting in Duluth on Wednesday with future meetings to be announced.

Dayton's office says that these ``Meetings with Mark'' are an effort to engage Minnesotans in personal
conversations about his proposed spending increases on education, economic development and local government aid.

Virtual Conference Planned

Leaders from across northern Ontario are expected to take part in a virtual conference discussing how they can improve the region.

Organizer Frank Roch says there will be representatives from many sectors taking part.

There is no meeting location for next month's event with registrants given video and teleconferencing instructions to join.

Fur Trappers To Hold Community Workshop

Your chance to learn more about the local trapping industry.

The Rainy River District Trappers Council is bringing back a community workshop this Saturday at Crossroads School in Devlin.

President Brian Love says it builds on the success they had last year.

The event will include displays and workshops on fur handling, beaver skinning and activities for young people.

There's no charge to attend.

Question Of The Week

Should Fort France town council abandon plans its plans for a housing subdivision in favour of other uses for the former Huffman School property?

That's our question on our website 93.1 The Border.ca

In response to last week's question, 69 per cent don't think the province's review of how paper mills in northern Ontario were assessed will lead to any help for the communities affected.

Alternative Use For Huffman Presented

An alternative use the former Huffman School is being offered up.

The Fort Frances seniors advisory committee would like the building used as a temporary second location to the Sister Kennedy Centre.

Al Bedard says it would enhance programs and services for seniors until an expansion of the currently facility can be done.

Town council is reviewing the proposal with the group to make a formal presentation at the next council meeting.

Candidates Named

We now know the names of the four candidates seeking the open seat on Fort Frances Council.

Arlene Georgeson, Doug Kitowski, Ed Haglund and Joe Galbraith will be interviewed by the remaining members of council in the coming days.

The selection of a preferred candidate will be made by the end of this month.

The vacancy was created by the sudden death of Sharon Tibbs in January.

No Smoking Ban Expanded

A ban on smoking in front of the doors at the Memorial Sports Centre is being extended to other locations.

Fort Frances council has approved a by-law amendment that prohibits smoking within 9 metres of any entrance or exit of a town-owned building.

There had been some consideration for a complete ban of smoking on town-property but that provision would have also applied to parks, playgrounds and outdoor recreational fatalities.

Complaints About Dog Droppings Increasing

The on-set of spring is generating complaints about dogs and their owners who don't pick up after them.

Fort Frances Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the waterfront continue to be one the problem areas.







Wiedenhoeft says it's just common courtesy for owners to pick up after their dogs.

Complaints have also been received about dog droppings left along the ski trails in the town's north end.

Tories Wants Plans For More Casinos Stopped

The Tories want to cancel the province's plans for more casinos and online gambling.

Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says thousands of jobs will be lost in the government goes ahead with casinos.

Hudak, instead, favours horse racetrack operators being allowed to take over existing slot operations.

New Bobcat Sighting

File photo

A bobcat wandering around parts of Fort Frances continues to elusive.

The town's by-law enforcement office began setting up traps last week after reports of domestic cats being killed by the wild animal.

The most recent sighting was this past week in the 600 block of Scott Street

County To Talk With CN About Trains

Koochiching County will try to seek a meeting with CN Rail officials to talk about the length of time it's taking its trains to pass by rail crossings.

The County would also like to hear from the public.

Commissioner Brian McBride says it can aid in their efforts to find a resolve.

Chair Kevin Adee says the biggest concern is trains that stop at a crossing for longer than 10 minutes.

Town Looks At Staff Changes

The town of Fort Frances may soon look at little leaner.

Some staff changes are being considered in the effort to help keep costs down.

CAO Mark McCaig says a restructuring will include early retirements.

McCaig says full details of the changes will be announced in the near future.

Town Review Staffing Requirements

The town of Fort Frances may soon look at little leaner.

Some staff changes are being considered in the effort to help keep costs down.

CAO Mark McCaig says a restructuring will include early retirements.

McCaig says full details of the changes will be announced in the near future.

Mayor Calls For More Cuts From Departments

A call for more cuts within the town of Fort Frances.

Mayor Roy Avis feels some areas may not have reduced their budgets as best they can and would like them to go back to find further savings.


The operating deficit remains at just over $728-thousand.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas feels council should hold off asking for cuts until they see how other cost-saving measures will impact the numbers.

Pope Selection Surprising

Bishop Fred Colli of the Thunder Bay Catholic Diocese says he was surprised by the selection of former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina as the new Pope.

Colli believes the Cardinals of the Church surprised Catholics around the world in their vote.

Colli says he will probably meet the new Pope Francis when he travels to Rome next year.

Water Quality Forum

Researchers from across Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota are gathering in International Falls.

They're attending the 10th annual International Lake of the Woods Water Quality Forum.

Todd Sellars of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation says the future of the forum is being looked this year.

The nearly one hundred delegates will also hear the latest in research being conducted in the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake watersheds.

Farmer's Market To Open This Month

Clover Valley Farmers' Market photo

Another sign spring is just around the corner.

The Clover Valley Farmers Market is preparing to open with an Easter market at the end of this month.

Manager Deb Cornell says they saw an increase in sales and customers last year.

Cornell says the regular season begins in May and vendors can now call to book space.

Rae Supports New Relationship With First Nations

The Federal Interim Liberal Leader says its time for the government to work more closely with the province and First Nations to address aboriginal rights and issues.

Bob Rae says forming strong partnerships will help First Nations move forward.

Rae made his comments during a stop in Dryden yesterday.

Health Integration Discussions

Health Care officials say they're working to rebuild the trust and communication that impacted their ability to address issues impacting care in International Falls.

Duluth-based Essentia Heath wants to full control of Rainy Lake Medical Centre, a plan that has been met with some resistance because of outstanding issues stemming from a 2007 partnership.

Bob Haley of Rainy Lake Medical Centre says with new people leading the discussions, they're leaving what happened in the past behind them.

Haley says they hope to have a report on the next steps by June.

New MRI In Region

A new MRI machine for northwestern Ontario.

Thunder Bay's Regional Research Institute is getting a million dollars for a new state of the art unit.

CEO Dr. Michael Wood says it will allow them to research brain diseases.

The MRI replaces an older model and will cost $5 million in total.

Gasification Project Still On Table

Work continues on a plasma gasification project in Koochiching County.

The project to generate energy by burning waste was first proposed several years.

John Howard of Coronal says the delays are actually benefiting the project.

Howard say they are also working toward getting permitting by the end of the year.

Wheelchair Curling Promoted In Fort Frances

There's an effort to establish wheelchair curling in Fort Frances.

Wayne Ficek brought his Kenora team to play teams in the local senior league yesterday.

The four time provincial champion says he'd like to help build the sport here.

Ficek says the sport is seeing growth elsewhere with a strong league in Thunder Bay and about five taking up the sport in Kenora.