Rafferty Comments on Senate Suspensions

The Senate is suspending Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy and Patrick Brazeau

They're cutting their salaries as well.

Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says the fact that they get to keep their health, dental and life insurance shows that we need Senate reform.

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The senators will also be barred from the upper chamber for the duration of the parliamentary session.

Tories Refuse To Endorse Nuisance Bear Committee

Kenora-Rainy River Conservative candidate Randy Nickle is standing behind several members of his party who voted against an NDP motion to establish a nuisance bear committee.

The motion passed in the Ontario Legislature 31-24 last week, and the Conservatives note that all three former Ministers of Natural Resources stood and voted against it.

Randy Nickle says we've already had a committee to study the issue and they made their recommendations to the government.

He says the conservatives have already been looking at consulting northerners on the wildlife issues facing the region and that their northern policy has given northerners a voice and let them determine what's best for them.

Nickle says it's another form of duplication and a waste of taxpayer money.

Forest Fire Season Wraps Up in NWO

An unusually quiet fire season in northwestern Ontario.

The official fire season wrapped up last week.

Fire information officer Heather Pridham says not only were the number of fires down, the number of forest land burned was also much less than normal.

Pridham says there were 357 fires this summer, almost half as much as last year.

Health Unit Encourages Testing For Radon

A simple test in your home could prevent lung cancer.

The Northwestern Health Unit is encouraging home owners to test for Radon, which is a naturally occurring radio active gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium that is found in rocks and soil.

Public Health Inspector Rick Pascoe says you can't see it, smell it or taste it.

Test kits range from 15 to 30-dollars and are available at local home household stores.

Another Challenge For Snowmobile Industry

A Conservative MPP is accusing the Liberal government is trying to kill the snowmobile industry in Ontario.

Jim Wilson says a new regulation would require snowmobile clubs to pay for the use of hydro right-of-ways.

He says that's just not financially feasible for most clubs.

Wilson says the new regulations would require the snowmobile clubs to not only pay for use of the hydro right-of ways, but also to pay for fencing along the trails.

Fort Resident Charged With Auto Theft

A 26 year old Fort Frances resident faces a long list of charges after police
in Rainy River District stopped a stolen vehicle.

The vehicle was reported stolen early Monday morning from a home in Fort Frances, and a half hour later the OPP had located it.

The vehicle was pulled over and the driver, Bobby Morrison was arrested.

He faces two counts of breach of probation, impaired driving, theft of a
vehicle, driving while under suspension and possession of marijuana.

Gravelle to Update Northern Growth Plan

An update on the Northern Growth Plan.

A forum is slated for next month in Timmins featuring mayors, aboriginal and community leaders.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says he promised such a meeting to the northern mayors back in August.

The meeting is scheduled to take place December 6th.

Heart of the Continent Progressing

A new tourist idea is being discussed for our region, and both sides of the border would be part of the plan

A group called the Heart of the Continent Partnership, wants to create a new travel destination by connecting the dots between International Falls and Duluth in Minnesota and Fort Frances and Thunder Bay in Ontario.

The idea comes in the form of an interactive map that would highlight the area’s natural features and it's historic sites.

 Restaurants, Hotels and bars would also be featured.

The hope is to create new jobs and tourism.

The group is on the verge of raising $200,000 that would fund the project.

I Am Awesome Retreat in the Running for Aviva Funding

A local event, may be well on it's way to receiving additional funding for next year. .

The I Am Awesome! (And I Know It!,) retreat is currently ranked 1st in this round of voting for the Aviva Community Fund contest.

The retreat is meant to help boost the confidence of young women in our area.

The organizer of this retreat, Renée Martin-Brown is grateful to those who have voted so far.

Voting for this round ends today.

 The winning project is provided with funding for next year.

A link to the contest is available on the 93-1 The Border facebook page.

Atikokan Experience Building Boom

A brand new saw mill being built just outside of Atikokan could bring 90 more job to the area.

The 50 million dollar project is being constructed on the property of the former Buchanan Mill.

It should start operations in 2015.

On the other side of town, Ren-tech is building into a new wood pellet facility.

With the hope of creating 20 new jobs.

The plan is to supply the Atikokan Generating Station.

They are spending $22 million in an effort open in April of next year.

The Bargain! Shop Is Number One

A fundraising campaign for Easter Seals has earned number one honours for a Fort Frances department store.

Local staff at The Bargain! Shop raised $4,100, topping all stores in Ontario and Manitoba.

Manager Darcy Banman says it had been something they had been striving for after placing second for so many years.

The Fort Frances total was almost 25 per cent of money raised by all The Bargain! Shops in Ontario.

NDP Upset At Lack of Government Help for Mining

NDP Critic Michael Mantha, continues to attack the Ontario Liberal government's treatment of the mining sector.

He believes the electricity supply is not sufficient enough to support new mining developments.

Mantha says if the government doesn't take action, thousands of potential new jobs could be affected.

Mantha adds that 30 to 50% of operating costs for the Mining sector is in the price of electricity. And the threshold for the Global Adjustment program still stands at 1 megawatt, which penalizes mid-sized producers.

Crash Victims Identified

Provincial Police have identified the four other men killed in Saturday's crash on Highway 17, near English River.

26-year-old Brady Ostell, 27-year-old Andrew Ostell, both of Kitchener, 42-year-old Kyle Prince from Waterloo and 44-year-old James Jackson from Fort Erie were in a pick-up truck that collided with a transport.

The driver of the transport, a 43-year-old man from Cambridge, was also killed.

More Drug Charges Laid

OPP have have laid more charges in connection with that massive drug bust last week in Kenora.

Eight more people have been arrested and face a variety of charges, including of possession and trafficking of both cocaine and marijuana.

A total of 38 people were rounded up last week following a year-long investigation.

Quarry Issue Sent Back To Planning Commission

Plans for a rock quarry are drawing the ire of some residents in Koochiching County.

Wagner Construction wants the develop the quarry at the end of County Road 144, southeast of International Falls.

The application was denied by a planning committee, but residents living nearby, such as Cindy Black were back before the County board to convince it of their opposition.

The County is sending the issue back to the planning commission for a re-look.

Land Auction Today

Several state lands in northeastern Minnesota are about to be sold off.

A public action for the 23 parcels of land takes place today.

Many of the properties are located with Cook, Itasca, Lake and St. Louis Counties, with minimum bids ranging from 27-thousand dollars to has high as 650-thousand.

Blood Donor Clinic Closes To Target

They came close.

The Canadian Blood Services collected 231 units of blood following clinics held earlier this week in Fort Frances.

They were hoping for at least 240 units, but are still happy with the outcome.

Almost 300 people turned out.

The next clinics won't take place until next August.

Best Chili Named

FFCC photo

The people have spoken.

Gillon's Insurance's "Bewitchin Broker's Brew" was named the top tasting chili in a public vote at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's Great Canadian Chili Cook Off.

That differed from the judges selection of the dish "Socket To You" from the staff at Acklands-Grainger.

The Fort Frances Dental Centre won the award for the best costumes.

Regions Drug Overdoses Now Number 1 Killer

It's now become more deadly then motor vehicle collisions.

The Northwestern Health Unit has revealed some sobering statistics about drug use in our region.

Public Health Nurse Kim Elke says opiate overdoses have become the leading cause of deaths in the region.

Elke says Oxycodone is the leading cause of opiate addiction in the region even though it has been pulled of the health units drug list.

Winter Road Maintenance Questioned

OPP photo

A brief dusting of snow in some parts of the Rainy River district yesterday morning has our MPP wondering how well our highways will be plowed this winter.

Kenora-Rainy River's Sarah Campbell says over the past couple of years, her office has fielded several complaints about the condition of roads in the winter.

Campbell says government needs to step up and ensure our roads are maintained to a high standard this winter.

NDP Support Ranger Program's Return

NDP are standing with former alumni in calling for a reinstatement of the Ontario Park Ranger program.

At Queen's Park Wednesday, Michael Mantha, a former Ranger himself, questioned Natural Resources Minister David Oriazetti on the decision.

Mantha says it provided unique opportunities for young people.

But Oriazetti says by moving the program to a day-based one, they've been been able to add more locations and provide more opportunities for youth.

County Offers Loan

Koochiching County is agreeing to offer up a loan to help get a new animal shelter built in International Falls.

Commissioner Wade Pavleck says the facility is needed and a loan of up to $30 thousand is the best solution.

The city of International is also offering up a loan of up to 30 thousand to the Borderland Humane Society.

Falls Groups Get Funding

Two International Falls organizations are receiving funding from the Minnesota Power Foundation.

Five thousand dollar cheques have been doled out to the Falls Hunger Coalition and to Backus Community Center.

The coalition is using its money to keep its food bank shelves stocked while Backus will uses its gift to support a variety of its programs.

Safeway Store Not Being Sold

The Safeway store in Fort Frances will not be sold off as part of Sobey's takeover of Canada Safeway.

Sobey's spokesperson Andrew Walker says a government regulator has approved the takeover, but ordered Sobey's to sell 23 stores across the country.

None of the stores in northwestern Ontario are impacted.

The $5.8 billion dollar deal is expected to be finalized in early November.

Festival Of Frost Coming Together

A new version of the annual Christmas Parade in Fort Frances is coming together.

The event, renamed the Festival of Frost, and will include a static display of Christmas floats, events with Santa Claus and a food and toy drive.

One of the organizers Robin Payeur says they are getting interest from groups wanting to decorate a float that will be placed in the downtown core.

Payeur says they're also working on a number of other events to coincide with the Festival.

It will take place at the end of November.

Hire A Hitter

Members of the Rainy River Voyageurs men's baseball team are offering up their services.

The "Hire A Hitter" program allows residents in the International Falls area to hire a team member to do work around the house or office.

Money raised offsets travel costs to Florida in the spring.

Call Shelly at 283-3380 if you can help.

Seniors Recognized

A number of senior citizens have been recognized by the Sister Kennedy Centre in Fort Frances

Appreciation awards were presented to 25 individuals during a dinner Wednesday night as part of the Centre's 30th anniversary.

They were recognized for their contributions to the centre.

The honourees are Donna Law, Diane Martin, Shirley Nault, Mildred Bedard, Marg Benjamin, Gordon Calder, Ethel Lowey, Cindy Nobel, Ann Wihnan, Bill Krukoski, Joan Krukoski, Mary Clinker, Mavis Dick, Ralph Longmuir, Ann Longmuir, Alvin 'Buzz' Wickstrom, Bonnie Watson, Metro "Svet" Wowchuk, Henry Miller, John Albanese, Gerry Martin, Ella Desserre, Lawrence Desserre and Ben Benjamin.

The town's five mayors over the past 30th years were also honoured for council's support of the area's seniors and the Centre.

First Nation Chief Charged With Extorton

The Chief of the First Nations Community on Lake of the Woods has been charged with extortion.

RCMP charged Chief John Thunder of the Buffalo Point First Nations in connection with a complaint about correspondence directed at a federal government official involved with the Buffalo Point Cottage Owners.

It's alleged the Chief's correspondence was an attempt for derail a civil legal proceeding involving the Cottage Owner’s Association.

Path Of The Paddle Getting Closer To Reality

The dream of creating a canoe route across the region remains alive and well.

Path of the Paddle has been officially incorporated and a committee is hard at work finalizing the route.

Melissa Pomeroy is director of the Trans-Canada Trail in Ontario and says they hope to the Path in place by 2017.

Pomeroy says the route through Quetico Provincial Park is complete while others going through Rushing River, Turtle and White Otter areas should be finalized by next spring.

Provincewide Bargaining Proposed

File photo

Ontario intends to create province-wide bargaining for teachers.

Education Minister Liz Sandals introduced the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act yesterday,  that if passed, would establish a clear process in future negotiations.

The proposed model would feature a central bargaining table where government, unions and teacher federations would tackle issues with province-wide impacts, such as pay and benefits.

Local bargaining would also occur involving school boards and local federations and unions.

The government wants the Act in place before teachers contracts end next August.

Campbell Dealing With Complaints On High Hydro Rates

Hydro prices in Northwestern Ontario continue to be an issue for Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell.

Campbell says she has been getting flooded with calls and emails from residents who can't afford their bill.

She says blame can be blamed on the Liberals and the cost of cancelling two gas plants in southern Ontario.

Campbell says since 2007, the off-peak hydro rate has gone up by 140-percent.

Anglers Charged

Four Minnesota men are out $740 each after pleading guilty to overfishing.

The men were charged following a recent Minnesota Department of Natural Resources investigation.

The men were found to have 84 sunfish over the legal limit after conversation officers had searched freezers in several locations.

The DNR says the fish were from lakes around Effie, about 70 miles southwest of International Falls.

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

You might see a lot of red shoes this afternoon in International Falls.

It's part of the annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes aimed getting men, especially, to bring more awareness to the issue of sexual and domestic violence.

Friends Against Abuse LeeAnn Meer feels the campaign does make a difference.

The walk begins at 4 p.m. at Backus Community Centre.

Rainy River Woman Wins Lottery Prize

A Rainy River woman is a little richer today.

Marilyn Jenson was one of 30 early bird winners in the Canadian Cancer Society's Lottery.

Jenson picked up $25-thousand dollars in cash.

Sister Kennedy Centre Celebrates

It's a week long celebration at the Sisiter Kennedy Centre in Fort Frances.

The Centre kicked off its 30th anniversary with some of those involved in its development on hand Monday.

Deanne Cunningham, mayor during the planning and construction, credits Sister Betty Kennedy who help ran smaller centre out of a an area church for getting the ball rolling.

Dave Bourgeault helped head the fundraising campaign at the time and says it was an easy sell.

The Centre is holding a variety of events this week to mark the anniversary.

New Senior Award Handed Out

File photo

One of Fort Frances' oldest residents is the first recipient of a new award being offered by the Sister Kennedy Centre.

Hubert Medhurst has received the first ever Senior Citizen of the Year award.

Director Nick Wihnann says the 106-year-old has been a big part of the centre since its development thirty years ago.

Wihnann says selection of Medhurst for the inaugural award was an unanimous selection by the board.

Armed Robbery In International Falls

International Falls Police Department is hoping for witnesses will step forward to aid in their investigation into an armed robbery in that city.

Police says someone entered Koerter's Amoco Sunday night at about 7 p.m., armed with a knife and demanded cash before fleeing on foot.

An undisclosed amount of money was taken.

Road Closure

A road to Mitaanjigaming First Nation will be closed temporarily this week.

The Mitaanjigaming access road, formerly known as Stanjkoming Road, will be closed at kilometer 2 Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, October 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.

The Ministry of Transportation says the closures are necessary while a construction project along the road takes place.

Ontario Will Cover Medical Trips To Manitoba

Ontario's health minister is ensuring area residents that if they can get medical care in Manitoba, the province will cost the costs.

Deb Matthews clarified the province's policy in response to questions in Queen's Park about a Kenora cancer patient who was recently denied permission to travel to Winnipeg for treatment.

Matthews says part of the problem stems from a directive issued by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to Manitoba physicians that was not accurate and has been corrected.

Cyber Summit In Minnesota

Officials in Minnesota are gathering in Minneapolis to share notes on the cyber threats they face and how to manage the risk.

The Better Business Bureau's Dan Hendrickson says it's a real issue that requires a statewide solution.

It's estimated that nearly half of the data breaches in the U-S last year were from malicious attacks.

House Fire In Fort Frances

No injuries reported in a house fire that occurred Tuesday morning in Fort Frances.

Member of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service were called out at around 6 in the morning to the home in the 11-hundred block of Second Street East.


Damage was extensive

The cause of the blaze is under under investigation.

New Contract For CN Police

CN Police have a new contract.

The Canadian National Railways Police Association says its member have ratified a new four year deal that begins in January.

The agreement provides for wage and benefits improvements for the 74 officers with CN across Canada, including here in Fort Frances.

MP Wants National Rail Strategy

A northwestern Ontario MP is looking for changes to the laws that govern train transportation.

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer says this weekend's fiery derailment in Alberta should be a call to action for the Harper government

Hyer wants the feds to develop a national rail strategy.

City Supports Return Of Ranger Camps

A campaign to re-open Ontario ranger camps has some municipal support.

Thunder Bay city council is sending a letter to the provincial Liberals asking them to bring back to Ontario Ranger program.

The program saw young people from across the province work in provincial parks and other ministry of natural resource related jobs until it was cut over a year ago.

MnSure Information Session

Koochiching County residents will get some information about Minnesota's new heath insurance marketplace, MNsure.

Rainy Lake Medical Center's Foundation will host a presentation October 30th at Rainy River Community College with MnSure officials on hand to answer questions.

MnSure is being put in place for individuals and small groups to obtain health coverage as part of President's Obama's Affordable Care act.

Bell To Track Your Use

Starting next month, Bell will be tracking what its customers do online, what TV shows they watch, and what kind of mobile apps they use, unless they opt out.

The company has updated its privacy policy to say on November 16, they will start collecting customer data.

They say it's to improve network performance, create marketing reports and sell targeted ads.

You can opt out, though, by registering on Bell's website.

Seniors Recognized

Two seniors from the Rainy River are being recognized by the provincial government.

Alex Broski of Atikokan and Janet Loney of Emo are among 21 receiving Senior Achievement Awards, the province's highest honour for seniors that recognizes those who've made outstanding contributions in their communities.

Broski is cited for his leadership in a range of projects with the Lions Club, being a founding member of Atikokan's Sports Days, and chair of the local Christmas Cheer fund for three decades.

Loney created Emo's Meals on Wheels program, and helped establish the Assisted Living Building Committee.