Renewed Calls For Spring Bear Hunt

There are renewed calls for the spring bear hunt in northern Ontario.

The Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen's Alliance says the region has seen a huge economic loss since the hunt was scrapped more than a decade ago.

Executive Director John Kaplanis says a recent bear attack is also further proof of the hunt's need.

A Thunder Bay man escaped serious injuries after being attacked by a bear at a provincial park earlier this month.

Cool Summer In Borderland

No surprise, but the month of July in the Borderland turned out to be cooler and wetter than normal.

In fact, it was the wettest month since 2002.

Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says several severe storms stateside has some influence.

Average temperature for the month was just 18 C, 64 F - more than a full degree below the norm.

Weather Records In International Falls

For the fourth time in a week, temperatures in International Falls have hit a record low.

The temperature Saturday morning fell to 38 F, 3.3. C, tying a record set last year.

Earlier this week, the city hit a record low Thursday and tied records on Wednesday and last Sunday.

Kingston Man Dies In Canoeing Mishap

A Kingston, Ontario man has died in a accident at Lake Superior, east of Thunder Bay.

OPP say 73-year-old Erhard Fenzl was with another man canoeing along the shore of Pukaskwa National Park when their canoe capsized Saturday afternoon.

A national park vessel retrieved the man and but he was pronounced dead at the scene after repeated revival attempts.

New Fire In Fort Frances District

The Ministry of Natural Resources has recorded just the twelve forest fire of the year in its Fort Frances district.

The fire in the area of Elsie Lake, north of Atikokan near White Otter Lake, was reported late Saturday night.

It's now out, but a cause has not been identified.

Most Shares Transferred To New Gold

Nearly all of the shares in Rainy River Resources are in the hands of New Gold.

New Gold had given Rainy River shareholders until the end of the day last Thursday to accept its take-over proposal.

New Gold says 97 per cent have been transferred.

Keith Sends His Regrets

He's appreciative of the support, but Duncan Keith says a visit to Fort Frances this summer isn't in the cards.

Many local fans had been pushing for Keith return with the Stanley Cup won by his Chicago Blackhawks in June.

In an interview with CFOB-News, Keith says with a short summer, caused by an extended NHL playoff schedule, and other commitments, there's wasn't the time to get anything planned.

He doesn't rule out a visit in the future if the Hawks win the cup again.

Keith will also miss the upcoming Kraft Celebration Tour to Canada's Olympic team training camp, but has taped messages to air on the day.

Province Get Input on Infrastructure P

Municipal leaders are getting their say in how a new provincial infrastructure program will work.

The $100-million dollar fund is specific to northern Ontario.

Infrastructure minister Glen Murray their input will help get the program launched this fall.

Murray says the fund will be especially vital to communities that don't have the tax base to self-fund large infrastructure projects.

East-West Transmission Line Work To Begin

The process is now underway for the construction of a new transmission line to provide electricity between northwestern and southern Ontario.

The Ontario Energy Board's Vanda Wall says a company has been chosen to begin the initial design, the environmental assessment and land acquisition.

Wall says it could be up 18 months before this stage is complete.

Hudak Get Federal Minister's Support

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is getting some very high profile support to help fend off challenges to his leadership from within the party.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird predicts Hudak will become the next premier.

Some Tories are asking  for a leadership review after the party won just one of five by-elections last week.

Drowning In Minnesota Wilderness Area

A man from Denver, Colorado has died after jumping from a cliff into a lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Authorities pulled the body of 29-year-old Chase Winkey from Makwa Lake yesterday near the cliff that he and another person jumped from while swimming the day before.

Makwa Lake is located on the Minnesota side of the border,  just south of Quetico Provincial Park.

Ombudsman To Investigate Policy Policy

Ontario's ombudsman says he's launching an investigation into the government's guidelines for police on how to de-escalate conflict situations.

The announcement follows a fatal shooting in downtown Toronto that left an 18-year-old man dead that prompted public outrage over police use of force.

New Face Carving

 There's a new face in downtown Fort Frances.

For this one you're going to have to look up a tree.

Local carver Joe Kneisz says a dead tree gave him the inspiration to carve a face into its trunk.

Kneisz completed the carving in just a couple of days and received plenty of positive response from people who stopped to watch.

Union Heads Stepping Down

The presidents of two Canadian unions merging as one this fall are stepping down.

Communication Energy and Paperworkers President Dave Coles says neither he nor Canadian Autoworkers President Ken Lewenza will seek leadership of the new union, named Unifor.

Both indend to endorse senior CAW official Jerry Dias to lead Unifor when it holds its first official gathering in September.

Disgruntled Tories Told To Take A Deep Breath

Disgruntled Progressive Conservatives calling for a leadership review are being told to take a deep breath.

Some Tories want the review of Tim Hudak after the party lost in four of five by-elections last week.

Party president Richard Ciano says they should realize the party made a huge breakthrough in Toronto by winning in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.

Hudak  is vacationing this week and unavailable to comment.

Liberal Collect Big In By-election Campaigns

Ontario's governing Liberals may have lost three of five provincial by-elections last week, but they raised the most money by far of any party during the campaign for the August 1 votes.

Preliminary figures from Elections Ontario show the Liberals raised just under $1 million.

The Progressive Conservatives raised $245-thousand.

Figures for the NDP had been posted at $68-thousand in July, but removed at the party's request because of a problem with the way the money was allocated.

Housing Needs Studied

The housing needs of the Rainy River district are being studied.

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board intends to gather comment for a new ten year plan.

Chief Administrative Officer Dan McCormick says it will focus on all aspects of housing.

The DSSAB has developed an on-line survey and will host three open houses in Atikokan, Rainy River and Fort Frances later this month.

Shortage Of Blood Possible

Canadian Blood Services is warning of a "concerning'' shortage of blood this summer.

It cites fewer donations this summer and a constant demand from hospitals as reasons.

It says more than 50-thousand donations are needed between now and Labour Day to keep blood inventories at "an acceptable level.''

Blood donor clinics planned for later this month in Fort Frances where the CBS hopes for 240 donations.

Red Cross Looking For Help In Fort Frances Area

Canadian Red Cross is looking for some help in the Fort Frances area with its disaster response programs.

Volunteers will be at Walmart Saturday as part of the campaign to raise money.

Disaster Management Coordinator Kari Rafter says it helps them respond in times of need.

The Red Cross will also hold a workshop Saturday night for those interested in becoming part of its disaster response team.

That workshop takes place August 10, 7 p.m. at the Adventure Inn.

Bacteria Out Break At Regional Hospital Over

A three week bacterial outbreak at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences is over.

It  involved C-difficile. a mainly hospital born super bug which has been associated with the overuse of antibiotics.

Former Mill Management Employee Finds New Work

A former regional mill manager with Abitibi-Consolidated, now Resolute Forest Products, is now Thunder Bay's Economic Development Corporation manager.

Doug Murray takes on the new post Monday.

Murray hopes to use his skills to bring new industry and jobs to the city.

Leadership Review Sought

Some members of the Progressive Conservative caucus are calling on party leader Tim Hudak to face calls for a leadership review next month.

They're upset the party lost four of five byelections last week and have filed motions to seek a review.

Principal Loses Teaching License

A former northwestern Ontario school principal has had his teaching license revoked by the Ontario College of Teachers.

The College, in January, found Jacques Perron had failed to carry out his professional responsibilities after admitting to deliberately ignoring reports of abuse against a colleague at his French-language Catholic school near Thunder Bay.

His lawyer says they will be appealing both the decision and yesterday's ruling.

Speeders Nabbed in Minnesota

MSP photo

The Minnesota State Patrol says a recent speed enforcement campaign netted at least a dozen drivers doing over 100 mph.

Troopers wrote more than 17-thousand speeding tickets during the two-week statewide enforcement effort last month.

An average speeding citation for 10 mph over the limit can cost you 120-dollars.

Those ticketed for doing more than 100 mph can lose their license for six months.

Driver Faces Several Charges in Auto Accident

A LaVallee township man is facing several charges following a motor vehicle accident Tuesday near Couchiching First Nation.

Treaty Three Police came upon the accident shortly after 6 p.m., calling in the OPP to investigate.

The 29-year-old will now appear in court in October on charges that include impaired driving, dangerous driving, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, using plates not authorized, driving without a license and driving without insurance.

Public Helps Nab Drunk Driver

Calls from the public helped police pull over a suspected drunk driver last Friday.

OPP tracked down a vehicle in Fort Frances and issued impaired driving charges against the 72-year-old driver from LaVallee township.

He's in court next month.

New Trees To Be Planted

Some new trees will be planted this weekend in Koochiching County.

The Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club has received an $18-thousand grant from granola bar maker Nature Valley and the National Parks Conservation Association for trees to be planted along the Rat Root River.

The group will plant the trees during an event planned for this Saturday.

Police Chief Resigns

The Chief of the Treaty 3 Police Service is resigning.

Conrad DeLaronde will leave his post in three months.

Board chair Eli Mandamin says they'll meet next week to discuss his departure.

Mandamin doesn't expect the move to impact on talks with the union representing officers on the services financial issues.

Atikokan Resigned To Osisko Delaying Gold Mine Project

Atikokan mayor's is okay with Osisko Mining delaying plans for a gold mine near the community.

Low gold prices and high construction costs are cited as contributing factors to waiting on moving forward with the Hammond Reef gold project.

Mayor Dennis Brown says the Hammond Reef would have meant new jobs, but there's still projects from Renteck and Resolute Forest Products to look forward to.

Brown says Osisko still has a presence in the community and hopes their project can proceed when gold prices get better.

Transportation Minister Visits

Ontario's transportation minister visits northwestern Ontario.

Glen Murray will be in Murillo today and Kenora tomorrow.

He's talking with the region's municipal leaders about a new $100 million infrastructure program.

Legislature Could Return In September

Minnesota lawmakers could be back in session shortly after Labour Day.

Talks are currently underway with legislative leaders for a special session to approve a State match for federal disaster aid stemming from June storms that impacted 18 counties.

Governor Wants Drop Out Rates Lowered

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is challenging school leaders to find ways to lower Minnesota's dropout rates.

Dayton says he wants to focus on ways to keep students engaged through graduation.

Minnesota recently set a goal of a 90 percent graduation rate by 2020.

Curling Club Still Looking for Help

Fort Frances Curling Club is still looking for volunteers for the upcoming Kraft Celebration tour.

People are needed for a variety of jobs including helping with set-up and take down, manning booths and activities

If you can help, contact the club.

Tournament Needs Set Up Help

Atikokan Bass Classic goes next week, but the set up takes place Friday.

Chair Jim Johnson says they can use all the help they can get.


Volunteers are needed to gather at the tent site on Main Street at 3 p.m. Friday to help.

The tournament is full with 110 teams on board and several on a waiting list.

New Mine Program Coming To Confederation College

Some new educational opportunities in mining are opening up at Confederation College.

The College will deliver Timmin's based Northern College's highly successful Haileybury School of Mines program through its Thunder Bay campus.

It allows graduates of Confederation's Mining Techniques certificate program to advance to the third semester of  Northern's diploma program.

The Colleges say it will help meet an expected demand for workers.

Boaters Charged

Some boaters failed to heed police warnings.

OPP's Marine Unit made good on threats to crackdown of boaters who failed to follow the rules of the water during the long weekend, laying several charges while on patrol on Rainy Lake.

Five boaters where charged with various offenses in a span of five hours Sunday, including one who failed to have a proper operators card.

Two others in a boat near Rocky Narrows were charged with consuming liquor on board.

Three Charged In Traffic Stop

Two men from Kitchener are in OPP custody following a weekend adventure near Marathon, Ontario.

Police say the two ran from police after a car they were passengers in was stopped on the Trans Canada Highway near the William's Mine Monday.

One of the men was caught Monday night, the other Tuesday morning and both have been charged.

The car's driver, who is also from Kitchener, is also charged.  

Fire Hazard Remains Low

Cool weather across northwestern Ontario continues to keep the forest fire hazard down to low levels.

Only a handful of new fires were reported over the weekend, mostly in the Kenora and Thunder Bay regions.

There continues to be no fires burning in the Rainy River district.

Health Insurance Rebates Issued

More than 9,000 Minnesotans are line for health insurance rebate checks being sent out as part of the nation's new health care law.

The checks average $300.

Those receiving rebates this year have policies with Preferred One and Connecticut General.

Food Drive Helps Food Banks

The largest annual food drive in Minnesota continues to pay dividends for food banks and the families they service.

Most of the food and monetary donations, totaling 12 million dollars, were made directly to local food shelves with another $775-thousand directly to Minnesota FoodShare.

Coordinator Sarah O'Brien says those funds are now being distributed.

Last year in Minnesota, there were more than three-million visits to food shelves in the state.

Osisko Mine On Hold

Lower than expected gold prices is having an impact on a planned mine for the Atikokan area.

Osisko Mining has been working on its Hammond Reef project since taking it over from Brett Resources in 2010

President Sean Roosen says its still a valuable asset, but better prices are needed to go forward.

Roosen says the company still plans to complete the permitting process which is underway.

Awareness Walk Planned For This Saturday

An effort to raise awareness about depression and suicide in our area.

Jaymee Fiset is hoping a walk this Saturday will lead to more people talking about this issue.

Fiset says its very real issue, especially amongst the youth

The walk, called Out of the Darkness goes Saturday through downtown Fort Frances., leaving Pharmasave at 2 p.m.

Health Unit Report Out

The Northwestern Health Unit is showcasing some of the work it's done in the past year.

It's released its annual public health report card, outlining information about programs and services in the region.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Arthurs says the report also helps them with their current strategic plan.

Tackling obesity and promoting chronic disease prevention are some of the priority areas.

Bear Caught

File photo

A bear believed responsible for attacking a man at a northwestern Ontario provincial park on the weekend has been captured.

A 42-year-old Thunder Bay man is recovering after being repeatedly attacked by a black bear at Sandbar Provincial Park near Ignace on Saturday.

Provincial police says park officials were able to live trap the bear yesterday morning.

Trails around the park are remain closed until an investigation is complete.

Young Cyclists Learning The Rules

It appears young people are getting it.

OPP summer students have holding rodeos across the Rainy River district to teach young  bicycle riders the rules of the road.

Student Sierra Cousineau says they're happy with what they are finding.

Another bicycle rodeo goes in Emo today.

The students are also rewarding young riders with  "positive tickets" if they are found obeying the rules and wearing their helmets this summer.

The tickets get them a cone at the Sorting Gap Marina or at McDonald's in Fort Frances.

New Membership Fees For Out Of Town Library Users

The Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre is offering some new fees for its out of town users.

It's introduced a one month household membership for ten dollars and a six month one for $43.50.

Chief Librarian Alicia Subniak-Kilgour says they're hoping it will lead to more visits.

Subniak-Kilgour also hopes the shorter membership will appeal to visitors in Fort Frances, allowing them to access the library's on-line services.

Liberal Hold Just Two of Five Former Seats

The minority Liberals managed to retain just two of the five seats up for grabs in byelections in southern Ontario.

The Grits kept former premier Dalton McGuinty's seat in Ottawa South and a Toronto area riding.

The New Democrats scored victories in Windsor and London, while the Progressive Conservatives' lone win was in Toronto's Etobicoke Lakeshore riding.

All five were held by Liberals who stepped down earlier this year.

Special Session Considered

Governor Mark Dayton's office is in talks with Minnesota legislative leaders about a special session to provide disaster aid to communities hit by severe storms in June.

President Barack Obama recently signed a federal declaration for 18 Minnesota counties, but that aid must be partly matched by the State.

OPP Want Motorists To "Move Over"

OPP will be cracking down on motorists who fail to give room to emergency vehicles and personnel stopped on the side of the road dealing with an incident.

Constable Anne McCoy says Ontario has had a "Move Over law"  since last August.

It requires motorists approaching emergency vehicles parked on the side of the road to slow down and move over safely.

McCoy says five OPP officers have been killed since 1998 by motorists who failed to slow down.

A similar law also exists in Minnesota.