Coffee Break Underway

The Alzheimer's Society for the Kenora Rainy River Districts has kicked off its coffee break challenge.

Fund Development Coordinator Elizabeth Paul says it helps raise awareness and funds for various initiatives.

Local groups and businesses can still sign up by contacting the Alzheimer's Society in Kenora.

Medhurst To Be Remembered

One of Fort Frances' oldest citizens will be remembered Friday.

An event at the Sister Kennedy Centre will be held in remembrance of 105-year-old Hubert Medhurst who died last Thursday.

In October, he'd been named the Centre's first recipient of its Senior Citizen of the Year Award as part of the facilities 30-year anniversary.

The event Friday begins at 10 a.m.


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Question of the Week

The Northwestern Health Unit is verifying the presence of the H1N1 in our region.

It says there have been 16 cases.

Each person effected did not get a flu shot before getting sick.

Will that news encourage you to get a flu shot?

Let us know on our website, 931theborder.ca.

School Bus Cancellations For Tuesday January 7

Here is a complete list of all bus cancellations for Tuesday January 7

Iron Range Bus Lines        
IR300 AJN     Shirley Thompson    
IR301 AKQ    Lynne Miles    
IR302 ASH     Herman Rodrigues    
IR303 ATK    William Zerebeski   
IR304 ATW    Stacy Bragg   
IR305 BUTTERFLY    Lyndon Hughes    
IR306 DSH    Nancy Allan    
IR307 LAMB     Roman Mlynarski    
IR308 MIS     Karen Kellar    
IR309 RCS     Kurt Miller    
IR310 SDP    Eileen Cross    
IR311 TE    Ella Wall    
IR312 TNC     Michelle Brusven   
IR313 TNE     Judy Ligetfalvy    
IR314 WFS     Max Gavel    

Dimit Bus Lines        
DB100 ANH    Jane Peterson    
DB101 BN    Tracy Mose   
DB102 BP     Brenda Hunsperger   
DB103 CLE     Karen Borger    
DB104 CN     Brad Shoemaker    
DB105 ECE    Harrold Boven    
DB106 ENS     Kyla Hartlin    
DB107 ESS     Brennin Chamberlin   
DB108 LION    Evelyn Martin    
DB109 OWL    Brian Carlson    
DB110 RFH    Bernice Kornelsen   
DB111 SCE    Bob Dimit   
DB112 SFN    Vic Alberts    

BJ215 HHW    Bob Johnson   
BJ216 XRR    Kaylene Johnson    

MN250 OLW/SCAP    Darryl Dyck    
MN251 NBS     Maury Nielson    

BN245 STN     Bruce Nielson

BR260 STW    Bill Romyn        

JM240 MOS     Jack Medwechuk    

SM235 DSE    Shane McDonald    

MM230 AVP     Shelley McDonald    

KF205 ESE    Ken Fisher

GF200 CLS     Greg Ferris

KJ220 XJK     Keith Jolicoeur         

All Rainy River First Nation Buses

Seine River Elementary Bus (Ted Menson)

Seine River Secondary Bus (Acer Allan)

Big Grassy High School bus (Jodi Goliquer)

Big Grassy Elementary bus (Elvis Adams)


Zaagi-idiwin Aboriginal Head Start Program and bus  cancelled

All Red Gut Bay Buses

Northwest Bay Bay Elementary and Secondary Buses

All Couchiching Buses

Big Island Elementary Bus

Couchiching Chief Dies

You Tube

A long-serving northwestern Ontario First Nations chief has died.

Family members report Couchiching First Nation Chief Chuck McPherson died yesterday in his home.

McPherson was first elected chief in 1986, holding the position until 1988.

He was returned to office in 1998.

No word yet on funeral arrangements.

Buses Cancelled; School Closed

The cold weather having an impact on school buses and schools today.

In the Rainy River district, several bus lines have cancelled their routes, but no schools are closed.

In Minnesota, Governor Mark Dayton ordered Friday all schools to be closed today, noting all Minnesotans should be cautious about the weather in the coming days.

Take Precautions In Cold

As some of the coldest weather in years continues to hold the  region in its icy grip, a word of caution that the bitter temperatures can bring real dangers.

Emergency room doctor Jeffrey Sather says when it gets this cold, frostbite does become a possibility.

"You know, people will put on a pair of gloves. They'll get damp. They'll start to have tingling in their fingers. They'll ignore that to the point that they actually will have some freeze injury to their skin," says Sather.

"Freeze burn is much like a hot burn. It causes damage to the skin. It will blister and the skin will peel off just like if you burn your hand with heat."

With prolonged exposure, the risk moves to hypothermia, where one's core body temperature actually drops and can lead to confusion, unconsciousness and even death.

Weather Warnings Still In Place

Weather warnings are in place for both northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota where wind chills of minus 35 C to minus 45 C are expected to remain into tomorrow.

Conditions will begin to moderate slowly by Wednesday.

N1H1 Confirmed

The Northwestern Health Unit has confirmed 16 cases of the H1N1 influenza strain this season.

Medical Officer of Health Doctor Jim Arthurs says in each case, the individual did not get a flu shot before becoming ill.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit indicated last week at least two people had died from h1N1 in its area.

Arthurs says flu shots are available at most pharmacies throughout the region.

Few Decided On Election Intentions

Only a few Fort Frances councillors are ready to confirm their intentions in this election year for municipalities and school boards across Ontario.

Councillor Ken Perry is one of few surveyed by CFOB-News who's committed to seeking another term in the October 27 election.

Mayor Roy Avis says he's still weighing his options and won't made a final decision until later this summer.

Rick Wiednehoeftsays he's leaning towards no running again after serving 11 years in office.

Senator Discusses Upcoming Session With County

The Minnesota legislature doesn't resume until next month, but Koochiching County has presented its wish list to its representatives.

Senate majority leader Tom Baak met with County commissioners Friday.

With no budget to consider, Baak expects this session to be short.

Baak did indicate support for a sewer project around Voyageurs National Park to be included in a bonding bill.

Winter Run Approaching

Registration is still being accepted for the upcoming Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard run in International Falls.

The event is into its 34th year and has attracted runners from around the world.

Chamber president Faye Whitbeck doesn't expect the recent cold weather to dampen enthusiasm for this year's run and expects the turnout to be strong as its ever been for the January 18 event.

The event attracted over 300-runners in each of the past two years.

School Bus Cancellations

Here is a complete list of all bus cancellations for Monday January 6

Route     Driver Name   
       
Dimit Bus Lines        
DB100 ANH    Jane Peterson    
DB101 BN    Tracy Mose   
DB102 BP     Brenda Hunsperger   
DB103 CLE     Karen Borger    
DB104 CN     Brad Shoemaker    
DB105 ECE    Harrold Boven    
DB106 ENS     Kyla Hartlin    
DB107 ESS     Brennin Chamberlin   
DB108 LION    Evelyn Martin    
DB109 OWL    Brian Carlson    
DB110 RFH    Bernice Kornelsen   
DB111 SCE    Bob Dimit   
DB112 SFN    Vic Alberts    
       
Greg Ferris        
GF200 CLS     Greg Ferris    

Bruce Nielson        
BN245 STN     Bruce Nielson        

Iron Range Bus Lines        
IR300 AJN     Shirley Thompson    
IR301 AKQ    Lynne Miles    
IR302 ASH     Herman Rodrigues    
IR303 ATK    William Zerebeski   
IR304 ATW    Stacy Bragg   
IR305 BUTTERFLY    Lyndon Hughes    
IR306 DSH    Nancy Allan    
IR307 LAMB     Roman Mlynarski    
IR308 MIS     Karen Kellar    
IR309 RCS     Kurt Miller    
IR310 SDP    Eileen Cross    
IR311 TE    Ella Wall    
IR312 TNC     Michelle Brusven   
IR313 TNE     Judy Ligetfalvy    
IR314 WFS     Max Gavel    

Bob Johnson        
BJ215 HHW    Bob Johnson   
BJ216 XRR    Kaylene Johnson            

Jack Medwechuk        
JM240 MOS     Jack Medwechuk

Ken Fisher       
KF205 ESE    Ken Fisher         
       
Shane McDonald        
SM235 DSE    Shane McDonald

Murray McDonald       
MM230 AVP     Shelley McDonald 

Maury Nielson        
MN250 OLW/SCAP    Darryl Dyck    
MN251 NBS     Maury Nielson

Keith Jolicoeur        
KJ220 XJK     Keith Jolicoeur  

Bill Romyn        
BR260 STW    Bill Romyn     

Big Grassy High School bus
Big Grassy Elementary bus

All Couchiching First Nation Buses

Zaagi idiwin Aboriginal Heaf Start program and bus are cancelled

Northwest Bay Elementary and Secondary Buses

All Red Gut Bay bus

Big Island Elementary Bus

Stanjikoming First Nation driven by Brian Wayash

All Seine River Buses

All Rainy River First Nation Buses

All schools in Koochiching County are closed.

Impaired Driving Charges Laid Following Accidents

A pair of new year's day accidents in the Fort Frances area have resulted in the OPP laying impaired driving charges.

A 42-year-old Fort Frances woman was charged after a two vehicle accident around the noon hour Wednesday on Portage Avenue at Fifth Street that sent four people to hospital for treatment of minor injuries

Then at about 5:30 p.m that evening, a 21-year-old woman from Nicickousemenecaning was charged following a single vehicle accident on Highway 11, about 10 kilometres east of Fort Frances.

Festive RIDE Campaign Over

Ontario Provincial Police have wrapped up their festive RIDE program with fewer impaired driving charges being laid across the province than a year ago.

A total of 578 charges and another 481 driver license suspensions were issued during the holiday campaign that ran from November 23 and concluded yesterday.

The 2012 campaign saw 693 charges and 625 suspensions.

Numbers specific to our region were not immediately provided.

Snow Expected Today

File photo

Environment Canada has issued a snow fall warning for the Rainy River district, forecasting as much as 15 centimetres of snow today.

Meterologist Geoff Coulson says it will warm up temperatures, before we're back into the ice box next week.

Meantime, International Falls set a new weather record yesterday when the low hit 42 below F or minus 41.1 Celsius.

Catch And Release Measure Imposed

Anglers fishing Mukooda Lake in Voyageurs National Park will no longer be allowed to keep lake trout.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is permitting only catch and release in the lake for the next 18 months beginning January 15.

The DNR cites the slow growth of the trout's population and unsuccessful efforts to restock the lake as reasons for the change.

High Hydro Rates Still Concerning

The high price of electricity will be a big topic of discussion when the Ontario Legislature resumes sitting later this year.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says hydro rates are spiralling out of control and are having a huge impact on seniors whose pension income isn't keeping up.

Campbell says since 2007 the off-peak rate has risen 140 per cent while the on-peak rate has jumped 48 per cent.

"Ban The Box" Law in Place

Courtesy Miss Millions

Minnesota's new "Ban the Box" law is now in effect.

It prevents employers from asking about a job applicants' criminal history on an initial application or contact.

Department of Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey says it's aimed at giving people with a record a better chance at gaining employment.

The law does include an exception for jobs where a criminal history background check is required such as in schools, health-care facilities and banks.



Minnesota is one of a handful of states with similar laws.

Study Identifies Best Transmission Route

A recent study finds that of six proposed transmission routes that would supply energy from Ignace and Dryden to Pickle Lake only one would pose minimum risk to caribou.

The Crossing Caribou Country study finds a route following Highway 599 as the best option because it is an existing, permanent road.

Spokesperson Anna Baggio says the other proposals would interfere with lands that have been described as some of the best for caribou populations.

Some Trails Still Not Open

Conditions on the lakes are getting better, but Voyageurs National Park says not good enough yet to open all of its snowmobile trails.

Only trails to Kettle Falls on the Rainy Lake and from Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake and Ash River are open.

The park says there are still pockets of slush in other areas while some has frozen up making trails rough to ride on.

First Baby of New Year

We didn't have to wait too long for the Rainy River district's newest citizen to arrive.

Jasper Isla Dennis was born at 8:37 a.m. yesterday at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances to proud parents Tyson and Robyn Dennis and big brother Blase.

She weighed in at 7 lbs 15 oz.

In recognition of the New Year's first baby, the Dennis' received with a variety of gifts courtesy of Canada Safeway, Fort Floral, Pharmasave and Shopper's Drug Mart.

Sudden Death In Atikokan

Little information is being released at this time about a death in Atikokan on New Year's Eve..

OPP says officers were called shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday about a deceased man in the 100 block of River Road.

Members of the Rainy River District Crime Unit and the Thunder Bay Forensic Identification Unit were called to assist with the investigation.

The man's identity has not been revealed.

No School In International Falls

There will be an extra day off for students in the International Falls area.

Schools were to re-open today following the Holiday break, but officials with Independent School District 361 say the cold weather has prompted them to keep the doors closed.

All school-related activities are also being cancelled.

Classes will resume tomorrow.

Weather Records Set

Extreme cold Arctic air continues to embrace the Borderland with weather advisories from Environment Canada and the U.S. National Weather Service out of Duluth still in place.

Yesterday, new temperature records were set both in Fort Frances and Atikokan with the Fort's low of minus 40.9 C and Atikokan's minus 40.2 C breaking nearly 40 year old records.

Atikokan's low of minus 41.7 C on New Year's Eve was also a new record.

Polar Plunge Raises $6,300

It may have had a lot to do with the weather as there were fewer participants than usual for yesterday's Voyageur Lions Club's Polar Plunge in Fort Frances.

Club president Bill Michl says about 25 people braved the elements to take that first dip of the year into Rainy Lake.

The annual fundraising event brought in $6,338 for a variety of charities with half going to the Club for various activities.

Ashley Payne, who was jumping for Relay for Life, was the top fundraiser with $845.

Payne, along with Jillian Cousineau and Alex French, combined to raise $1,202, the most any of the groups represented.


Jamie Spencer for the Border Skating Club was the second highest individual fundraiser, bringing in $520.

New For Ontario In 2014

Plenty of new legislation is now in effect in Ontario.

The new year has brought new powers for fire officials across the province to conduct annual fire safety inspections of retirement or long-term care homes.

Nurses can now dispense drugs under certain conditions.

Outdoor enthusiasts will pay more money for hunting and fishing licences and camping fees at provincial parks.

New For Minnesota In 2014

A host of new laws in Minnesota are now in effect.

Increased surveillance at the state’s scrap metal yards, expanded Medical Assistance coverage and radon disclosure are some of the topics covered by the new laws.

Other new laws that came into being on New Year’s Day include private employers having to wait until job applicants are selected for an interview before asking about their criminal history, and local authorities receiving more notification of chemical spills in their area.

CPP and Old Age Security Benefits Up

A slight increase for those collecting Old Age Security or Canada Pension Plan benefits in 2014.

CPP benefits go up 0.9 per cent with maximum retirement benefits for new recipients at $1,038 a month.

Old age security benefits go up 0.1 per cent with the maximum now at just over $551-dollars a month.

Dim View Of Housing Market

Northern Ontario residents aren't feeling overly optimism about the region's real estate market.

A survey conducted for the Ontario Real Estate Association finds less than half of residents surveyed seeing the northern Ontario market in 2014 being favourable.

Just four 4 per cent of residents living in northern Ontario indicate plans to buy a home in the next two years.

Trends For 2014

Watch for more investment around the world from the Chinese in 2014.

It's one of the predictions from American trend forecaster Gerald Celente.

Celente says its being aided by the strength of the Chinese economy.

Celente also foresees greater use of social media by seniors and an explosion of on-line learning.

Polar Plunge Going Ahead

It's going to be truly a polar plunge in Fort Frances tomorrow.

The Voyageur Lions Club's annual New Year's Day dip into Rainy Lake is still going ahead as planned despite temperatures expected to hover well below the freezing mark on New Year's Day.

Club president Bill Michl says it shouldn't be much of a problem for the jumpers as they have a heated shack for them to go into prior and after their quick dip.

Michl advises spectators to bundle up as they 'll be forced to watch from shore or the La Place Rendez-Vous' dock to watch.

The large government dock can't be use as it was closed down by the town earlier this year because of safety issues with the structure.

Michl says at least 30 people are confirmed to participate with more likely to sign-up tomorrow.

Get Your Flu Shot

Health officials in northwestern Ontario are urging people to get a flu shot if they haven't already.

It comes in the wake of reports that a second person in the Thunder Bay district has now died due to the H1N1 virus.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says both deaths involved people under the age of 65.

Mine Safety Review Planned

Ontario is launching a comprehensive mining safety review.

Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says it's to improve the health and well-being of workers in the sector.

Gravelle says the details of the review will be revealed early in the new year.

Man Sentenced To Jail Time

A Cat Lake First Nation man is sentenced to eight years plus time serviced in connection to the death of 65 year old Adam Yellowhead.

The sentencing of Joseph Wesley came down in Superior Court in Thunder Bay yesterday. 

Wesley was charged after the body of Yellowhead was discovered in the city's Intercity area in August of 2012.

Pay Cheques To Shrink

Ontario residents will be keeping less of their paycheques in the new year.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation's Candice Malcolm says it's because of increased Employment Insurance and Canadian Pension Plan contributions that kick in January 1.

The maximum employee share of EI taxes will go up 23 dollars while employer's share increases 31 dollars.

Make Peace Your Resolution

A coalition of national and international groups wants you to make peace your new year's resolution.

They've launched a campaign called the 24 Hours of World Peace as part of tomorrow's World Day of Peace.

Spokesperson John O'Donnell says they're asking people to register on a website to receive inspirational emails, photos and videos and to help promote peace.

O'Donnell says given recent world events, the importance of peace has been as great as it's ever been.

Sudden Death In Vermilion Bay

OPP are probing a sudden death reported on Christmas day in Vermilion Bay.

Police don't consider the death to be suspicious, but say their investigation is continuing.

A post mortem exam was conducted Friday, but no results have been released.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Looks For New Name

The township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls has started the process of selecting a new name.

Mayor Bill Thompson put the idea out earlier this fall and says he's like it in place by next fall's municipal election.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls was selected by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing when the two townships amalgamated 13 years ago.

Anderson Reviews 2013

The mayor of International Falls is happy how his first year in office has been.

Bob Anderson says some of the changes he sought to get the city more focused on the basics are coming about.

But he says the year get a little more challenging with the downsizing of its major employer.

Anderson says it means working on economic development and strengthening partnerships the city now enjoys with Koochiching County and the city of Rainer.

MP Looks Back

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he found it difficult dealing with the Harper government in 2013.

But Rafferty says he's not giving up his fight for pension protection, seniors and veterans.

Rafferty predicts the scandals that plagued the Senate and the Prime Minister's office in 2013 will continue well into the new year.

NOVA Awards

The Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards will be handed out January 18.

Shift, Thunder Bay's Young Professional Network is one of the organizations behind the awards and spokesperson Keith Anderson says they received a record 72 nominations.

The NOVA top 20 under 40 celebrates area residents who have accomplished great things in their community.

New Fishing Rules In 2014

Anglers will be facing some new rules when they drop their lines in area lakes next year.

As of January first, catch limits for crappie and bass will be reduced while a new size limit is placed on northern pike caught in lakes within the Ministry of Natural Resources zone 5.

Richard Boileau was part of a citizen committee that helped craft the new rules and is pleased with the changes.

Boileau says the measures will help sustain the fisheries for generations to come.

The fishing regulations for Rainy Lake remain unchanged for smallmouth bass and pike, but catch limits for crappie are reduced.

A Positive End To 2013 For Fort Frances

2013 appears to be ending on a positive note for the town of Fort Frances.

Mayor Roy Avis says steps council took to deal with a million dollar budget shortfall at the beginning of year, and some help from the Ministry of Finance have helped the bottom line.

But Avis says the financial challenges aren't going away just yet with a further reassessment of Resolute Forest Products and increased policing costs anticipated in 2014.

Avis says he'd hoping to maintain exiting services as best they can at an affordable level.

Red Cross Home Care Strike End

Twenty personal support workers with the Red Cross Care program out of Thunder Bay head back to work today.

The Service Employees International Union announced that a two-week old strike was over on their website, Christmas eve.

But there more labour unrest in the region.

Unifor is applying for conciliation after talks with Dryden's Revera Home Health Care broke down on Monday.

The 35 health care workers there have been without a contract since June.

Unifor will also resume conciliated talks with Revera in mid-January for over 25 office and client services staff based in Thunder Bay who are seeking their first contract.

Teen Found

A Fort Frances teen who was the subject of an OPP search last week has been found.

Police says 15-year-old Adrianna Copenance was located on Christmas Day in Mitaanjigaming First Nation.

She had been reported missing last Thursday.

Run Aids Falls Schools

The cold weather didn't stop some 30 runners from getting out on Christmas Eve in support of International Falls schools

They participated in the Partners in Education's 3rd annual Reindeer Run, braving sub-zero temperatures to do so.

The run netting $500.00 for the Wishing Willow Program which provides extra requested classroom supplies.

Another 16 youth participated in the 1 K event which was held in doors.

Flu Activity Up In Minnesota

Photo credit: NHSE

People across Minnesota are being urged to find time for a flu shot.

State health officials are reporting a rise in influenza activity.

The Department of Health's Jennifer Heath says among the strains now circulating is the H1N1 virus which emerged in 2009.

Heath says the H1N1 strain is among those covered with this year's flu vaccine.

Cold December

It's turning out to be one of the coldest months in many years.

The U.S. National Weather Service says the average temperature for December through to Christmas Day in International Falls is -3.3 F, or minus 19.6 C.

That ranks as the 3rd coldest December to date.

The coldest December in International Falls was in 1983 with the average temperature coming in at -5.1 F or minus 20.6 C.

Branding Exercises Continues

The work on a branding exercise for the town of Fort Frances continues.

Twist Marketing of Calgary has been working on the initiative for the past couple of months.


Marketing strategist Chris Field says it's more than just creating a logo.


The firm is currently gathering and reviewing information collected with the intent of bringing forward recommendations back to the town's Economic Development Advisory Committee by next spring.

Campbell Opposing Gas Tax Plan For Transit Expansion

More opposition to a proposed plan to raise gas taxes to pay for public transportation expansion in southern Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell calls it a slap in the face to northerners.

Campbell says the extra 8-cents a litre charged since the implementation of the HST should be going to public transportation across the province.

But Ontario's Liberals says northern Ontario residents will not be funding the transit expansion project in southern Ontario.

In an open letter, Transportation Minister Glen Murray says the final decision on how costs will be covered has not yet been made.

He adds they will be reviewing recommendations with the proposed plan to be included in the spring budget.

Pre-Budget Hearing Planned

Northwestern Ontario residents will get an opportunity to provide input into the provincial budget.

A legislative committee will hold a pre-budget hearing in Thunder Bay in the middle of next month.

Those wishing to make a presentation, must contact the clerk of the committee by January 9