Mining Matters Returns

Rainy River Resources is bringing back the Mining Matters initiative.

The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada program give people a chance to learn more about the industry.

Company vice-president Kyle Stanfield says two separate sessions, one for adults and another for children, will be held in Barwick next Tuesday and Wednesday.

New Art Work In Fort Frances

There's some new art work up in Fort Frances.

Students involved in Lindsay Hamilton's youth art camp are painting the walls of various business.

MacKenzie Sovereign says in the past they've help create murals, but decided this year to go with a theme focusing on "unity."

Students says the paintings also help get more young people interested in the arts.

Their work can be found on the sides of Green's Furniture, From the Grind Up, Pharmasave, Lowery's and the Fort France Royal Canadian Legion.

Man Loses Licence and Car

A Fort Frances man is without his drivers license and car after being charged with impaired driving on the weekend.

Reports of a driver in a Corvette swerving along Highway 11 Sunday led to OPP tracking the vehicle down and stopping it in Couchiching First Nation.

The 55-year-old was handed given an immediate 90 day license suspension and had his car impounded for seven days.

He'll appear in court Friday.

Official Opening For Locum House

Supplied photo

A celebration for residents in Rainy River.

An official grand opening was held for the new locum rental house Saturday.

It provides temporary housing to doctors who travel to the community and provide medical care.

Doctor David Singleton, one of three physicians now providing permanent coverage, says visiting doctors are very impressed with home he sees also helping with future recruitment efforts.

Dawson Township, Lake of the Woods township, the Town of Rainy River and Big Grassy First Nation also partnered in its development.

Kraft Celebration Tour Results Out Tonight

The votes have been counted, but it won't be until later this afternoon before we know if Fort Frances was victorious in the Kraft Celebration Tour contest.

Hundreds of residents across the district were on computers Friday and Saturday morning giving their support to the Fort Frances Curling Club.

Club member Patrick Bruyere says its now a waiting game, but appreciates all of the support that was given to the club.


Club members will be at Boston Pizza to watch TSN Sportscentre at 5 p.m. for the announcement.

Draft E.A. Out For Rainy River Resources

A draft of the environmental assessment report for Rainy River Resource's proposed gold mine north of Barwick is now out for public comment.

The documents outlines key environmental and social issues and how the company will address them.

Vice president Kyle Stanfield says there is nothing that will dramatically impact on plans to begin construction late next year.

The mine proposes to mine 20-thousand tonnes per day with processing done on site.

The company will hold a public meeting next week in Barwick as part of the public input gathering process.

Bass Tournament This Week

This is tournament week in Fort Frances.

Set up of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is underway with actual fishing starting Thursday.

Chair Gord Watson says its great to be back at the Sorting Gap Marina after staging the event indoors at the Memorial Sports Centre for the past three season.

Fort France Curling Club and the Fort France Chamber of Commerce have joined in to help stage some of the entertainment.

A comedy night Thursday will help generate money for the Club.

Quest For The Best will be held Friday.

So far about 90 teams are entered.

Question Of The Week

Will you be taking in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championships?

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

Last week, 56 per cent of respondents indicated they would be missing the KidsPro fishing tournament and Parade of Boats, not part of the event this year.
this year?

Daycare Complaints Reviewed

Ontario's Education Minister says nine complaints about unlicensed daycares went unanswered last year.

Complaints are supposed to be acted up with a visit to the daycare within five business days.

The ministry is reviewing complaints after the death of a two-year-old girl at a daycare in the Toronto area.

The ministry received 280 complaints last year.

New Forest Fire In Fort Frances Area

Six new forest fires were reported in northwestern Ontario from Friday to Sunday.

One of them was a lightning-caused blaze Friday in the area of Windy Point on Rainy Lake.

It was extinguished the same day.

Humanitarian Scholarship Created

A graduating Fort Frances student is giving back to his high school.

Dexter Fichuk is developing a humanitarian travel scholarship allowing students to visit underdeveloped countries in Africa.


Fichuk hopes the scholarship will lead to more young people becoming more interested and involved in humanitarian efforts.

Paddlers Reach Rainy River District

A group of paddlers are making their way through the Rainy River district.

Paddle Across Canada is raising money for three charities that promote outdoor education.

Team member Peter Vooys says outdoor education helps connect children back with nature.

The group started its travels in May leaving Rocky Mountain House and will end their journey in Lachine, Quebec in September.

They arrived in Fort Frances Friday.

Kraft Celebration Vote Today

It's voting day.

Fort Frances Curling Club is seeking your support in a bid to host a leg of the Kraft Celebration Tour next month.

Mayor Roy Avis, who's a lifetime club member, says a victory over Dryden would be a boost to the entire community.

Avis credits the Club for its efforts in trying to rally the area around the initiative.

Avis says he called Dryden's Mayor Craig Nuttall to wish his community well, but is predicting a strong win for Fort Frances.

The on-line vote begins at 11 a.m. this morning, ending tomorrow at 11 a.m.

TSN's Jennifer Hedger, who will be part of the tour with Darren Dutchyshen, says it's easy to do by logging on to www.kraftcelebrationtour.ca and voting as often as you can for Fort Frances.

The vote is open to anyone of any age and residents of United States and other countries are eligible to vote as well.



Those without computers can visit a variety of locations around Fort Frances to cast their votes.

Fort Frances Curling Club is opening up its club during the duration of the vote and will host a BBQ  beginning at 4 p.m.


Other voting locations are being set up at Boston Pizza, La Place Rendez Vous, Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, Fort Frances Library, McDonalds, Fort Frances Museum, NCDS, Lowrey's, From the Grind Up and Wilson's Business Solutions.

Log onto www.kraftcelebrationtour.ca, or follow the links through the Club's website or our own website 931theborder.ca.

The Go Local office in Fort Frances and Rainy River Future Development Corporation, are among those getting into the spirit

They're pledging to gain at least 10-thousand votes for Fort Frances.

The Go Local office is staying open late tonight for those without a computer and opening tomorrow from 8 to 11.

High school students can also earn volunteer hours by manning computers.


Call 274-9621 in advance to ensure space is available.

A win comes with a 25-thousand dollar cheque.

Curling Club president Ron Silver says it would help pay off the cost of a geothermal energy system installed last fall.

Silver says the system, costing in excess of a million dollars, has already helped save the club more than $26-thousand in energy costs in its first year.

Silver says when the system is fully paid off in about eight to ten years, the savings will go back into club  programs and keeping costs down for members.

Several Agencies Involved In Drug Bust

A Fort Frances man faces several charges following an investigation by several agencies including OPP, Health Canada, Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services and the town of Fort Frances.

A police search of a home on the 11-hundred block of Kings Highway last Friday led to the discovery of  several drugs include morphine, oxycocet, fentanyl, methadone, cannabis resin and several marihuana plants.

Police also seized 12 firearms.

39-year-old Jeremy Johnson makes a court appearance August 26.

Youth Charged In Emo Drug Investigation

A male youth is now facing drug charges after OPP executed a search warrant on a parcel of property in the Emo area last month.

Twenty-one marijuana plants from three separate grow operations were discovered.

Police also seized marijuana stems, hash oil and firearms from a home.

The youth will appear in court August 26.

Fort Frances Pair Face Drug Charges

Two Fort Frances residents will be in court next month after OPP discovered a quantity of marijuana, cannabis resin, marijuana shake, drug paraphernalia and cash inside a home on Fourth Street West in Fort Frances.

The 49-year-old woman and 49-year-old man both face possession and trafficking charges.

AFN Responds To Nutritional Experiments

Canada's largest aboriginal group wants financial compensation for aboriginals who were the subject of nutritional experiments.

The  Assembly of First Nations approved a resolution at its annual meeting in Whitehorse.

It calls on the Harper government to apologize and make restitution to those affected by the experiments conducted during the 1940's.

Woman Charged in Onigaming F.N. Man's Death

A 24-year-old woman from Naicatchewenin First Nation is facing a charge of second degree murder.

The charge against Micheline Nicole Chiefson is in connection with last weeks death of 38-year-old Christopher Lee Jack of Onigaming First Nation.

His body was found in an apartment on the reserve near Nestor Falls last Wednesday.

Chiefson remains in custody after a court appearance yesterday in Kenora.

Preps For Mill Layoffs Continue

Three groups set up to help mitigate the impact of layoffs at Boise Cascade's International Falls mill will meet next week.

Mayor Bob Anderson says they'll be meeting with a Duluth-based consulting firm.

Anderson says they want individuals on the committees to be empowered to bring forth their ideas for economic development.

Civic leaders and the area's economic development officials won't be attending unless asked.

Councillor Pete Kalar says they will serve as resource people.

The groups were formed to look at business development and retention, worker assistance and strategic planning.

Curling Club Needs Help

The Fort Frances Curling Club is seeking volunteers to help promote tomorrow's vote in the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The Club plans to hand out flyers at Walmart and Canadian Tire today and tomorrow and along Scott Street tomorrow.

Volunteers are also needed to help man voting areas around town for those without computers.

Call the Club or Patrick Briere at 276-2293 if you can help.

Fort Frances Curling Club Hosts Americans

Fort Frances Curling Club photo

There is an important American component to the Fort Frances Curling Club.

It's also home to the International Falls Curling Club.

President Dave Johnson says about 35 Americans curl regularly.

Johnson says they have their own league, host a bonspiel every winter and have used the club to introduce the sport to area students.

Power Outage Planned

A couple of power outages are planned for the Rainy River district next week.

The Fort Frances Power Corporation says lights will be out in Fort Frances Sunday July 28 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., allowing Hydro One to perform equipment updates.

A brief outage is also scheduled by Hydro One for areas west of Fort Frances on the same day beginning at 8 a.m.

Toys Part of Kids Camp

Toys will be the focus of a camp coming up in Atikokan next month.

Kids Invent Toys is a four-day event running out of the Atikokan Economic Development Corporation office in conjunction with the Northern Ontario Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative.

Coordinator Andrew Koch says kids will get a chance to learn how toys are developed and marketed.

They will also get an opportunity to take apart toys and build their own.

It's aimed at kids aged 8 to 12 and you can call the Atikokan EDC for to register.

Unsafe Boating Practices Identified

OPP Marine unit is finding some boaters not following the rules.

A number of charges were laid follow checks of boats on Rainy Lake last weekend.

A 29-year-old Alberton township man was charged for not having a fire extinguisher on board.

A 66-year-old man from International Falls was charged after Police watched a boat pull a water tube with two teenagers on board without a spotter in the boat.

A 53 year old White Bear Lake, Minnesota man was charged for not having enough life jackets in his boat.

Two others, a 79 year old man from Oregon and a 56-year-old man from International Falls were charged after Police open liquor was found in their boats.

DNR Begins Spraying Operations

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has started spraying operations in the Littlefork area.

The DNR says its to control vegetation on newly established forests.

The aerial herbicide application on 31 acres, and ground application on another 6 acres of state land will continue until September 12.

Signs have been posted in the effected areas.

Missing Swimmer Found

The body of a swimmer who went missing in the Rainy River earlier this week has been found.

OPP say a dive team recovered the body of 27-year old Odane Orville White of Toronto just before 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Police says he was found in water about 35 feet south of the public docks in Emo.

White was with another man attempting to swim a length of the river Sunday when something went wrong.

The other man managed to swim back to shore safely.

Police Calls For Mediation

The union representing Treaty 3 Police officers is calling for mediation in an attempt to resolve issues with the police board.

The Pubic Service Alliance of Canada Sharon De Sousa says her members are willing to sit down and talk.

De Sousa also wants the Police Service Board hold off on its decision to close the doors on August 19 and negotiate a solution instead.

OPP Watch Young Bicycle Riders

OPP in the Rainy River district will handing out some positive tickets to young bicycle riders this summer.

Police have hired two summer students to watch for children obeying the province's bicycle laws.

Student Jessica Coran says they will be rewarded with coupons for ice cream and a chance to win an iPod Nano.

Several bicycle rodeos are also planned with the first happening this Friday in Rainy River.

Ainsworth Workers Acccept Deal

Unionized workers at Ainsworth in Barwick have accepted a new four year contract.

The Communication, Energy and Paperworkers union says the 130 members of Local 324-99 voted 77 per cent in favour of the deal that will give them a 10 per cent wage hike over the course of the agreement.

CEP National rep Stephen Boon says the deal offers long-term stability for the Barwick mill while providing stronger contract language and major monetary improvements for the workers.

Club Promotes Curling To Youth

FF Curling CLub photo

We are just a day away before you vote for the Fort Frances Curling Club in the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The club is always working to grow the sport among the youth.

Hailey Beaudry, who curls on the Fort Frances High School team, says the team has benefited.

After years of enlisting a Grade 8 student to curl lead, the high school teams has as many as nine girls interested to play this season.

Beaudry says the club also has great programs from younger kids which also help grow the sport.

City Beach Bus Funding Stopped

The city of International Falls is no longer funding bus service to its City Beach.

Council this week decided to end payments to Arrowhead Transit Service because of a lack of riders.

Councillor Pete Kalar says while weather may have been a contributing factor, just 38 people have used the free service in the past few weeks.

Kalar says they may consider alternative transportation methods for next summer.

City Turns To Former U.S. Congressman For Advice

The city of International Falls is turning to a familiar face for help in the development of its multi-modal initiative.

Director of Economic and Community Development Shawn Mason says officials will meet next week with former U.S. Congressman Jim Oberstar.

Mason says they're hoping he can identify how the city can benefit from a major rail point of entry and highway transportation links.

Oberstar chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee while in office.

Mason says Oberstar is offering up his services at no cost to the city other than having to pay for travel expenses.

New Invasive Species In Minnesota

Another invasive plant is threatening to overwhelm native species in northern Minnesota.

It's called Japanese knotweed and looks like bamboo.

The Department of Natural Resources calls it a "significant threat,'' especially near water as it can survive high water and floods and spread before native species recover.

Search For Missing Swimmer Continues

The search continue for a missing swimmer in the Rainy River near Emo.

An unnamed 27-year-old man went under the water Sunday night while attempting to swim a length of the river with another person.

The one person returned safely back to the public docks at Emo.

An OPP dive team is expected on scene later today.

Ministry Asked To Help Resolve Treaty 3 Policing Issue

The province is being asked to get involved in the Treaty 3 Police Service issue.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is asking Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur to help prevent the Service's closure.

Campbell says First Nations policing has to be recognized as an essential service.

Campbell acknowledges the province has been already involved in issue, but more pressure needs to be placed on the federal government.


The Police Service cites funding issues for its decision to shut down next month.

College Moving Float Plane Base

Confederation College is looking for a new location for its float plane base.

It comes after cottagers at Eva Lake near Atikokan complained about planes flying over head this summer.

President Jim Madder says they've agreed to find a new location and have interest from some communities willing to host the program.

The program is to resume next June.

New Forest Fire In Rainy River District

MNR file photo

Three new forest fires in northwestern Ontario, including one in the Rainy River district.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says crews were called out yesterday to extinguish a human caused blaze in the area of Bearpaw Road off Highway 502.

It's this region's first fire in over two weeks.


Of the ten fires reported in this district this fire season, nine have been human caused.

Area MP Reacts To Cabinet Shuffle

No surprises for a northwestern Ontario MP with the changes made to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty feels the introduction of eight new Ministers is all aimed at improving the Conservatives image heading into the next federal election.

Rafferty does congratulate Kenora MP Greg Rickford becoming the Science and Technology Minister.

He's also hopeful of Rickford does well in taking over responsibility of FedNor from Industry Minister Tony Clement.

Curling Club Champions

Three days until the vote in the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The Fort Frances Curling Club has had many of its curlers compete at regional, provincial and national levels.

Kathy Jackson is the most recent, readying a team for the Dominion Curling Club women's championship this fall.

She says winning the provincials this past spring and being able to represent northern Ontario at a national event is the most exciting event in which she's participated.

She sees the Dominions are a way of supporting curling at the grassroots level, giving curlers a taste of what competitive play can be like and helping to grow the support.


It's the second time Fort Frances has been represented at the Dominions.

Raymond Roy skipped a men's team to the national event in 2010.

Prescription Drug Awareness Planned In Falls

An effort is underway in International Falls to curb prescription drug abuse.

The Borderland Substance Abuse Court Alumni group will hold an awareness event in September.

The Drug Court's Lori Santee says they're seeing in cases involving prescription drug abuse.

Santee says they plan to set up drop off sites for old medication and visit schools to educate young people.

Bear Researcher To Meet With Governor

A Minnesota bear researcher is getting an audience with the Governor.

Lynn Rogers is expected to meet with Mark Dayton Monday in a last-ditch appeal to keep his permits to radio-collar wild bears and place video cameras in their dens.

The Department of Natural Resources doesn't believe Roger's research is yielding much results and worries the bears are getting  too comfortable around humans.

Kenora MP Named To Cabinet

Northwestern Ontario has a voice in Prime Minister Harper's cabinet.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has been named Minister of Science and Technology and will be responsible for FedNor.

Rickford says he's excited to take charge of northern Ontario's economic development program.

Rickford has also been asked by Prime Minister Harper to take the lead in the Ring of Fire project.

Kenora Search Update

OPP have recovered the body of a man who jumped off a bridge in Kenora into the Winnipeg River Saturday and failed to surface.

He's been identified as 20-year-old John Savoyard of Minaki.

His body was found by an OPP dive team early yesterday morning.

Police Search Underway In Rainy River

Police on both sides of the border are involved in a search for a man in the waters of Rainy River.

OPP say the unnamed 27-year-old was with another who attempted a swim last night into the river, returning back to the Emo public dock, a distance of about 60 metres.

The one man returned safely.

An OPP Marine unit, with help from Koochiching County Sheriff's Department are patrolling the area.

An OPP dive team is also responding.

Curling Club Profiled

Fort Frances Curling Club is looking for your vote in the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The Club is home to several leagues for curlers from its Little Rockers to seniors.

President Ron Silver says the sport attracts a wide range of talents, but remains one of few that truly promote fair play.

Silver says the club has also had the privilege of hosting many regional and provincial championships, allowing local residents to watch the likes of Brad Jacobs, Al Hackner and Krista McCarville.

Search For Man Continues

A search continues for a 20-year-old man who jumped off a bridge in Kenora into the Winnipeg River and never surfaced.

OPP officers on patrol were flagged down Saturday by witnesses.

An OPP marine unit and dive team have been on scene since.

The name of the man has not been released.

More Zebra Mussels In Minnesota

More zebra mussels have been found in Minnesota.

State wildlife officials say adult zebra mussel have been identified in Cross Lake and Lower Hay Lake - two of 14 lakes in the Whitefish chain in central Minnesota, north of Brainard.

Similar discoveries were confirmed in May at lakes, southwest of International Falls, that eventually flow in Rainy River.

Quiet Weekend For Forest Fires

MNR file photo

A quiet weekend on the forest fire front in northwestern Ontario.

Just one new fire was reported with the number of active down to 32.

However, the effects of rain in the far north were short lived and the hazard there is back to the high range.

The central and southern portions of the region are in a low to moderate fire hazard.

Newspapers Put To Computer

The Fort Frances Museum continues its work to preserve its large collection of local newspaper.

The newspapers are being digitized so they can be stored on computer.

The Museum's Jeremy Hughes says it will help protect their existing copies, some of which are in such bad shape they should no longer be handled.

Hughes says storing them on computer will also improve access for research.

Class Action Lawsuit

A longstanding class action lawsuit heads back before the courts today.

The case stems from the almost 16-thousand aboriginal children in Ontario who were removed from their homes between 1965 and 1985, and placed in non-native communities.

Vote This Friday

It's just a matter of days before you get to help the Fort Frances Curling Club secure a spot in the Kraft Celebration Tour.

The on-line vote against Dryden goes July 19.

Club president Ron Silver says the club will host a bbq, courtesy of Canada Safeway and Kraft for anyone who visits the Club Friday and uses its WiFi to cast ballots.

Those without computers can also cast ballots at Boston Pizza, La Place Rendez Vous, Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre, McDonalds, Fort Frances Museum, NCDS, Lowrey's, From the Grind Up, Wilson's Business Solutions.
 
You can also log onto kraftcelebrationtour.ca, 931theborder.ca or fortfrancescurlingclub.ca beginning Friday 11 a.m.