More Local Control Over Development Requested From Government

Northwestern Ontario wants more say on it's future development.

That's the feeling of the president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

Dave Canfield says he'd like to see this region have more autonomy and less influence from Queen's Park.

Canfield says this region should have more control specifically over infrastructure and training as it pertains to industries such as mining and forestry.

A Legal Look At Winter Road Conditions

A legal opinion regarding roads during the winter.

Toronto lawyer Troy Lehman says both the Ministry of Transportation and municipalities have a legal duty to keep the roads under their jurisdiction in a reasonable state of repair.

Lehman says motorists involved in accidents, thinking of legal action, must first prove road conditions were to blame and also show that the government's responsible failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the hazardous condition.

Lehman says there have been successful cases which found governments weren't patrolling roads as they should.

Minnesota Highway Practices

MinDOT photo

With criticism continuing to pour in regarding northwestern Ontario winter highway maintenance, we decided to look south of the border.

Minnesota Department of Transportation's Pat Houston says using chemicals on their highways doesn't happen until the highways are all plowed thoroughly to the pavement.

Houston says the chemicals won't work in sub zero cold temperatures.

PSB Holds Elections

A local businessman is back as chair of the Fort Frances Police Services Board.

John McTaggart has been re-elected to the position he's held for several years.

Town councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft is the vice-chair

Charges Up In Fort Frances

A lot of paperwork for the OPP last month.

Police laid 97 charges in Fort Frances in November, double the number in the same period last year.

Police responded to a total of 280 calls, four less than the number in November 2012.

The total number of charges of one-thousand to date, is still about one hundred less less than last year.

Gas Pumping Again

A gas shortage in Thunder Bay's is expected to end soon, according to some of the city's station managers.

Although some stations are still without premium fuel, regular gasoline is in stock across the city.

Reindeer Run Tomorrow

One of the last fundraising runs of the year goes tomorrow in International Falls.

The 3rd annual Reindeer Run is a 5 K run/walk and a one K walk for children.

President of International Falls Partners in Education Jennifer Windell says it helps raise money for local schools.

This year, the proceeds will go toward purchasing art supplies for the classrooms.


You can register tomorrow at Falls Elementary School at 9 a.m. or today through the ISD 361 school district webpage.

Accidents Up In Rainy River District

The Rainy River district is seeing it's fair share of motor vehicle accidents.

Statistics released by the OPP for November show 63 accidents compared to 43 in October.

Road conditions were blamed for some of the accidents, but Police say others were the result of drivers following too closely, failing to yield the right of way or making improper lane changes.

MPP Wants Visit By Transportation Minister

Anger over the condition of area roads this winter is growing.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is calling on Transportation Minister Glen Murray to honour a promise and check out the roads for himself.

Campbell says Iron Range Bus Lines refusal to travel Highway 502 should be raising alarm bells by the Ministry as well.

Illegal Smokes Found

A 40 year old Winnipeg man is facing charges after OPP found over one-hundred cartons of unmarked cigarettes in vehicle stopped for speeding in the Kenora area.

Police value the contraband at over $10 thousand dollars.

He's to appear in court in March.

UCare Commited To Koochiching County

UCare is outlining its commitment to Koochiching County.

Officials spoke with County commissioners last week following concerns with the non-profit health plan being named the sole provider of health care plan services for the area come January 1.

UCare's Stephanie Schwartz says they're interested in an open dialogue.

While some concerns had been expressed, UCare says its communication with providers indicates no major issues.

Consultations Begin On Pipeline Project

The formal gathering of public input has started into the proposed Energy East pipeline.

The Ontario Energy Board has launched a website as part of the consultation process into TransCanada's project to transport crude oil from Alberta to New Brunswick.

The Board says it will also visit a number of communities along the proposed route through Ontario early in the new year.

Fort Frances Community Dinner Looking For People

A few more hands are being wanted for next week's Community Christmas dinner put on by the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau.

Spokesperson Gaby Hanzuk says the help is needed especially for set up on Christmas eve.

They also want to hear from people who may be wanting a meal to be delivered on that day.

You can call the Bureau or June Caul  at 274-2209 to register or if you would like to volunteer.

Christmas Day Dinner In Falls Needs Volunteers

There's a Christmas Day community dinner in International Falls.

It takes place at the Road House and everyone is welcome.

Deacon Lee Grim with Holy Trinity Episcopal Church says they too could use a few more volunteers.

Call the Church at 218-286-8606 if you can lend a hand.

You can also email holytrinityif@midconetwork.com or clgrim57@midco.net

Native Olympians To Be Profiled

Native Olympians will soon be profiled in an upcoming documentary.

Former NHLer and U.S. Hockey Olympian Henry Boucha says he's identified 16 native athletes in Canada and 18 in the U.S. so far to profile.

Boucha was in International Falls yesterday to promote a book about his own life and career that serves as the inspiration for the project.

The former resident of Warroad was a member of USA's silver-medal winning teams at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.

He later played six seasons in the NHL with Detroit, Minnesota and Kansas City-Colorado.

Wolf Hunting Season In Northeast Minnesota Ends

Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources is closing the season's wolf hunting and trapping season in northeastern Minnesota

The DNR says its because a quota of 33 wolves for the area has been reached.

The season continues in the northwest part of the State until the end of January or until the target harvest of 51 is reached

Lights Recalled

File photo

There's a couple of recalls of Christmas lights.

Canadian Tire is calling back its Holiday Collection Outdoor M5 Mini LED Lights because of a manufacturing defect that could pose a potential safety hazard.

Loblaw is recalling Life at Home LED 70-count Outdoor Christmas lights because of the possibility of lose or exposed wires.

The lights have been sold at Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Extra Foods and No Frills locations in Ontario.

Operation Crayola Crackdown

OPP in the Rainy River district are turning to young people to help spread the importance of not drinking and driving this holiday season.

Grade 3,4 and 5 students at five schools have created a variety of artwork that will be attached to LCBO bags.

Constable Anne McCoy is impressed with how the students responded to the first ever "Operation Crayola Crackdown."

The bags will be available this weekend at LCBO outlets in Fort Frances, Emo and Atikokan.

Students from Donald Young School in Emo, Crossroads in Devlin, St. Francis in Fort Frances and North Star and St. Patrick's in Atikokan were involved.

Traffic Accident Victim Identified

An Atikokan man has been identified as the victim in Tuesday's fatal accident on Highway 11.

OPP say 76-year-old Fredrick James Munro of Atikokan was the driver of a car that came into collision with a commercial motor vehicle, about 30 kilometres east of Atikokan.

A 71-year-old woman, also from Atikokan, suffered serious injuries and was eventually taken to hospital in Thunder Bay.

The driver of the commercial vehicle was not hurt.

Three Charged In Bootlegging Bust

A massive undercover operation to address the ongoing bootlegging problem in Sioux Lookout has resulted in the arrest of three men.

Charged were a 76-year-old, a 41-year-old and a 30-year old.

OPP spent six months on the investigation before laying charges.

Battling the Bulge

Obesity has become one of the biggest health issue facing residents in our area.

The Northwestern Health Unit's Medical officer of health, Dr. Jim Arthurs says its something they hope to tackle as part of a new strategic plan.

Arthurs says they also want to better measure some of their health indicators to see if programs being offered are making a difference.

Health Funding Announced

The regional health authority is getting a financial boost.

$4.4 million in provincial money to the Northwest Local Health Integration Network will be used to support home care for more seniors.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says it will help to ease overcrowding at hospitals.

Fourteen different agencies will be on the receiving end of the money.

Food Poisoning Investigated

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is looking into a possible case of food poisoning.

Officials say about 54 people who attended a banquet last Friday at the Moose Hall on Fort William Road became six.

They're now hoping to contact the 270 people who attended from across northwestern Ontario and as far away as Hamilton.

Target Identifies Data Breach

Minnesota department store chain Target says it's working with law enforcement and financial institutions into a data breach linked to purchases at its U.S. stores.

Target says as many as 40 million credit and debit card accounts may be impacted from purchases made between November 27 and December 15.

Target does not specific what stores were effected, but is advising shoppers to check their accounts and call Target if they suspect any unauthorized activity

Top Baby Names Stay The Same

Olivia and Liam remain the most chosen baby names in Ontario.

It's the second straight year that Liam has topped the boys list while Olivia has been the favourite name for girls since 2008.

Emma, Sophia, Ava and Emily round out the top five girls names.

Other popular boys names this year have been Ethan, Jacob, Lucas and Benjamin.

Hunters Charged

The Ministry of Natural Resources has levied $4,500 in fines against two men for illegally hunting a wolf in the Lake of the Woods area.

The charges stem from an incident in February where a Minnesota man hired a local guide to help him hunt wolf.

Kirk Quade ended up killing two wolves even though he only had a tag for one.

His guide, Dave Bennett attached his own game seal to the other wolf.

Kenora Supports Vets Offices Staying Open

The Minister of Veteran Affairs will be hearing more calls from Northern Ontario communities.

Kenora City Council has passed a resolution to lobby Julian Fantino to keep the 9 offices around the country open.

The offices, including one in Thunder Bay, are expected to close next year.

Emission Test Cost Lowered

Some savings for vehicle owners who must receive emission tests.

As of April 1, the Ontario government is reducing the costs of the tests by five dollars.

The tests were introduced as a way to reduce smog and other toxic emissions from motor vehicles.

The fee is being reduced from $35 to $30 to ensure the program is not taking in more money than it costs to run the tests.

Campbell Hosts Open Houses

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell will host a couple of Christmas open houses in the Rainy River district this week.

She's at the Super 8 Motel in Fort Frances tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

She's then hosts another event tomorrow in Rainy River at the Rainy River Legion from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Population Grows

Canada's population is a little bigger today.

As of October 1, Statistics Canada pegs the number at just under 35.3 million people.

That's up about 137-thousand from July's number.

Ontario's population is at 13.6 million, up almost 48-thousand people.

Fatal Collision Near Atikokan

One man is dead and a women is hospital with serious injuries following an accident on Highway 11.

OPP say both were in a car that came into collision with a transport early yesterday afternoon near the junction of Highway 633, 30 kilometres east of Atikokan.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman was transported to Atikokan General Hospital.

The driver of the transport was not hurt.

No names have yet been released.

The accident closed the road for nearly seven hours.

It was fully open to travel early this morning.

School Board Respects Iron Range Decision

Supplied by Camilla Gray

The Rainy River District School Board is being respectful of the decision by Iron Range Bus Lines not to travel Highway 502 this winter because of its concerns with road conditions.

It means longer travel times for Fort Frances High School sports teams heading north by taking Highway 71.

Education Director Heather Campbell says safety of students has to be considered.

Campbell says they are looking at options with other boards to see if games can be played at neutral locations to reduce travel times.

CN Charged With Blocking Crossing

CN Rail is being charged for blocking a rail crossing in Koochiching County.

It comes after a train blocked the Van Lynn Road for more than 90 minutes last Thursday afternoon.

County Sheriff Brian Jesperson says the issue of lengthy delays at area crossings has gone on for too many years.

A charge is considered a petty misdemeanor and can lead to a fine of $300.00.

County Board Chair Kevin Adee says it's still action that many residents have wanted to see even if the fine is pocket change for CN.

County Board Approves Budget

Koochiching County board of commissioners has approved its 2014 budget.

Spending for the year tops out at just over $25.4-million with the tax levy remaining the same as last year at almost $4-million.

The county is also planning to put more than $2-million into reserves.

Gas Tax To Hurt Northern Ontario

Progressive Conservatives says Liberal plans to add a new province-wide gas tax to fund rapid transit in southern Ontario will have a huge impact in northern Ontario.

Critic Vic Fedeli says an extra 10 cent a litre charge will result in higher prices for other goods trucked to the north.

Fedeli says it's also a slap in the face by asking northerners to help fund the southern Ontario they likely won't benefit from.

Chamber Announced New Board

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has returned Mark Caron as its president.

The owner of M.L. Caron Electric was elected to a third term in voting that concluded Monday.

Myles Kuharski of Gillons' Insurance takes over as first vice-president while Jordan Forbes of Saulteau Consulting and Engineering is the second vice-president.

Here is the full slate of officers.

EXECUTIVE:


President:  Mark Caron, ML Caron Electric
1st Vice President:  Myles Kuharski, Gillons' Insurance
2nd Vice President: Jordan Forbes, Saulteaux Consulting & Engineering
Treasurer: vacant - pending election in January
Secretary:  Annely Armstrong, NCDS & Chamber Manager
Past President: Cathy Emes

DIRECTORS:

Robin Payeur, Causeway Insurance / Main Street Market
Lisa Plourde, RBC Royal Bank
Steve Gushulak, Fort Frances General Supply
Mike Vanderwater, Acklands-Grainer
Travis Glowasky, Studio Gibbous
Paul Noonan, La Place Rendez Vous Hotel
Jennifer Greenhalgh, NCDS
Marie Allan, BDO & Company LLP
Ben Morelli, From the Grind Up

Rounding out the Board for 2014 are the Appointee and Ex-Officio positions:

APPOINTEES:
John Albanese, Town of Fort Frances
Angela Halvorsen, Rainy River Future Development Corporation
Toby Munro, Resolute Forest Products

Appointments from the Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association and the Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Aboriginal Business Development Advisory Services have yet to be announced.

Coffee Break Time

It's time to take a coffee break.

The Alzheimer Society for the Kenora-Rainy River Districts is bringing back its Coffee Break Challenge next month.

Acting Executive Director Rossana Tomashowski says residents, groups and businesses are invited to host a coffee break to help raise funds for the Society.

Last January's event brought in almost $5,000.

Register by contacting the Society in Kenora or through its website.

OPP Intercept Drug Package

One person is in custody after OPP intercepted a courier package containing drugs.

Police says the parcel, shipped from British Columbia and destined for a man in Emo contained approximately eight pounds of marijuana.

The Emo resident is now facing drug trafficking charges and will appear in court in January.

Iron Range Stops Travel Along Hwy 502

Supplied photo

Iron Range Bus Lines is no longer allowing its buses to run along Highway 502 because of concerns it has with road conditions this winter.

That's impacting Fort Frances High School teams who charter the bus carrier to get to places like Dryden and Sioux Lookout.

Athletic Director Shane Beckett says taking a longer route through Highway 71 and the Trans Canada Highway creates its own safety issues with students on the bus for longer periods of time.

No games have been cancelled, but some starts times have had been adjusted to accommodate the longer trips.

Tax Levy Stays The Same

There will be no tax increase in International Falls in 2014.

City council gave formal approval to its budget and levy at its meeting last night.

Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says an increase in local government aid from the State prevented a potential increase in the levy.

Overall, the city will spend just over $14-million, with about levy staying at $2.1 million.

Cost Study Suggested

Water and sewer rates will go up in International Falls next year.

The five per cent increase is the second of a three-year plan.

Koochiching County Commissioner Wade Pavleck says  now might be the time for the city to consider a costing study involved all those impacted by the city's rates to see if some savings can be identified.

Falls Mayor Bob Anderson says a costing study is something they have budgeted for in 2014.

Councillor Cynthia Jacka believes it may come down to getting more users of the system to bring down rates.

Ontario To Go Ahead With Pension Reform

Ontario is set to go it alone with pension reform after Ottawa blocked a consensus on reforms to the program.

Following a meeting with his provincial counterparts in Meech Lake, Quebec, federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says now is not the time to move on the pension issue.

Ontario Minister Charles Sousa disagrees, saying the province will move forward to implement a "made-in-Ontario alternative" to protect Ontario workers in their retirement.

Details on how that will happen are still to come.

Festive RIDE Stats

OPP's stepped up enforcement on drunk driving this month has resulted in seventeen motorists in northwestern Ontario being charged with impaired driving.

Just one charge has been laid in the Rainy River district.

There have also been 13 license suspensions issued to drivers blowing in the "warn range."

Three of those in our district.

This is the fourth week of the Festive RIDE program that concludes after New Years Day.

Ambulance Service Helps Salvation Army

The Salvation Army in International Falls is benefiting from the generosity of residents in that city.

Calls to fill an ambulance helped bring in a variety of gifts, food items and clothes.

Paramedic Nathan Meyers was happy with the first ever drive.

Meyers says along with the gift items children's clothing and food, over 721-dollars was also received for the Salvation Army.

Province Expands Dental Program Eligibility

More children in Ontario will be able to see a dentist free of charge.

The province is expanding the eligibility for its "Healthy Smiles Ontario" program, it says will help more than 70-thousand children and youth in low income families

Beginning in April, families with one child must have a net income of $21,500 or less to qualify.

The figure increases $1,500 for each additional child.

Crash Victim Named

The man killed in a single vehicle crash on Highway 11-17 near Shabaqua has been identified as 55-year-old John Lackey of Keswick, Ontario.

Provincial Police say Lackey was a passenger in a pick-up truck that rolled over Sunday afternoon and was struck in the back by a large fuel tank that came through the bed of the truck.

The 27-year-old driver was transported to hospital in Thunder Bay with unknown injuries.

Commissioner To Retire

Ontario's Top Cop is stepping down.

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis has announced he's retiring at the end of next March, ending a 35-year policing career.

Lewis joined as constable in 1978 in Kapuskasing, becoming Commissioner in August 2010.

A search for his replacement is underway.

Cruisers Over-Stuffed

OPP photo

A huge show of support from Rainy River District food banks.

Area residents helped stuff 37-and-a-half cruisers in the OPP's annual stuff a cruiser campaign held in Fort Frances, Emo and Rainy River.

Constable Anne McCoy is thankful to those who donated food and other items fur local food banks.

McCoy says the food will help them get through want is a normally busy time of the year.

The campaign also filled four ambulances and brought in a cruiser full of diapers.

The items are being distributed to the Salvation Army, the United Native Friendship Centre and Sunset Country Metis in Fort Frances, the Emo Food Bank and the Rainy River-West End Food Bank.

An earlier campaign in Atikokan helped fill ten cruisers.

More Food Drives

Area food banks are getting more support this week.

Staff and students at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances are holding their own food drive today and tomorrow to help those in our community.

Food Bank Use On The Rise

The demand for food banks across Ontario is growing.

The Ontario Association of Food Banks finds 375-thousand people now relying on food banks every month with over 16-thousand first time users identified this year.

Executive Director Bill Laidlaw says it's an trend that has been on the rise in the past decade.

Laidlaw says those on social assistance, seniors, single parent families and students among the greatest users.