Fire In Ignace

There's been a major fire in Ignace.

The blaze at a grocery store on Highway 17 has forced a closure of the highway there.

Traffic is being routed through the community.

No other details are available at this time.

Increase To Minimum Rate Suggested

Ontario is being told the up the minimum wage.

An advisory panel suggests it be increased based on Ontario's annually inflation rate, the first to be retroactive to 2010 when it was frozen at $10.25 an hour.

Labour and social groups welcome the news, but would still like the new starting rate be at $14.00  an hour.

Hyer Named Green's Deputy Leader

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer has new responsibilities.

He is now the Deputy Leader of the Green Party.

Hyer joined the Greens in December, a year after leaving the NDP over differences with leader Thomas Mulcair.

Relays For Life Set To Go

Residents across northwestern Ontario are being encouraged to help get behind one of eight relays for life to be held this summer.

Fort Frances organizers helped kick off the major fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society by announcing its event will be held in June.

The Society's Regional Manager Maria Cabral says a partnership will continue to see some of the money raised staying in this region.

Of the $77-thousand raised last year, more than $31-thousand was given to Riverside Health Care Facilities to purchase necessary equipment.

This year's goal has been set at $75-thousand.

There will also be a Relay For Life event in Rainy River

Cold Weather Persists

Bundle up, again.

It's going to be another cold day with wind chills of minus 40 C to minus 45 C across the Borderland.

The cold temperatures aren't setting any weather records, but Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says it has been a few years since we've had weather patterns such as those experienced.

A bitterly cold Artic air mass is entrenching all of northern Ontario and much of Minnesota leading to weather advisories again in both areas today.

Water Tower Sound

No major concerns for the water tower in Fort Frances.

An inspection of the tower by Minnesota-based KLM Engineering last November found some minor defects, but none that require any immediate attention.

It's the first inspection since the town did some work on the interior of the tower in 2010.

The engineering firm says that work is holding up well.

Stay Safe Outdoors

This winter's icy conditions, along with freezing and thawing cycles, pose a hazard to pedestrians trying to get around on slippery sidewalks.

Insurance Bureau of Canada has some tips to prevent falls on snow or ice.

Wear sturdy footwear, with a good grip.

Walk slowly and take short, deliberate steps.

Keep walkways clear of debris, and use salt or sand on front steps, driveways and sidewalks.

And push the snow rather than lift it when shoveling.

Demand For Feed-In Tarrif Program

There continues to be strong interest in the province's Feed-In Tariff program.

The Ontario Power Authority says it's received nearly 2-thousand applications for renewable energy projects that would feed power back into the grid.

More than 75 percent are for rooftop solar projects.

About 30 per cent of all projects are from First Nation communities or groups.

Builder Selected For Shelter

The Borderland Humane Society in International Falls is a step closer to having a new shelter.

Up North Builders of International Falls has been selected to build the facility at a cost of $250-thousand dollars.

The new facility will be located just west of Menard and should be complete by August.

Fort Frances In Top 8

Fort Frances is sitting sixth overall in its bid to become Kraft's Hockeyville.

It's 31 members and 23 uploads are still well back of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, which is at the front of the west division of the contest.

More members and uploads are needed by the time the first round of the contest ends in two weeks time.

Top 8 will earn $25-thousand for arena upgrades.

You can throw your support for the Fort Frances bid by going to the Kraft Hockeyville website.

New Gold Still Committed To Mine Project

New Gold says its still committed to moving ahead with plans to develop a gold mine north of Barwick.

The company will hold two open houses, today in Barwick and tomorrow in Fort Frances, on its environmental assessment report.

Company vice-president Kyle Stanfield says the recent release of a new feasibility study shows plenty of promise for the project despite fluctuating gold prices.

New Gold anticipates production to begin in the later part of 2016, later than what had been projected by then-Rainy River Resources.

OPP Worried About Driving Habits

OPP are concerned that drivers are not adjusting to road conditions.

This comes after OPP have had to respond to over sixteen-hundred accidents including three fatalities across the province following recent weather conditions.

OPP remind drivers that reducing speed and distance are significant first steps in preventing accidents.

Three Nabbed For Impaired

Three Atikokan men will be making court appearances after being charged with impaired driving-related offences in the past couple of weeks.

A 19-year-old was first charged back on January 11 while OPP were conducting a RIDE check in the area of the Atikokan High School..

Another RIDE Check a week later in the same area led to police charging a 31-year-old driver.

And early last Wednesday, a 25-year-old man was charged with failing to comply with a breath test after OPP had stopped a vehicle on Front Street.

MP's Back To Work

MP's are back in Ottawa.

For Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty, Canada Post's plans to stop home delivery is top of his mind.

Rafferty says the federal government is setting the crown corporation up for failure.

Rafferty feels the problem with Canada Post is the highly paid Chief Executive Officer and its twenty-two vice-presidents.

More Rail Traffic Seen Through Region

Area residents are seeing more rail traffic go through the Fort Frances area.

Speaking recently to area municipal leaders, CN Rail spokesperson Jim Feeney says much of that traffic is heading south.

Feeney says the increase started about the time that Prince Rupert became a key port on the west coast.


Feeney says CN has also put a lot of money into improving the American network, including helping trains move around the city of Chicago better.

Plan In Place To Deal With Economic Challenges

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation is ready to tackle the economic challenges facing Fort Frances and the Rainy River district.

It's been working on a three-year plan aimed at transiting the local economy.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says it includes growing the mining supply and services industry.

Drydsale says they're also exploring other opportunities in such areas as health care, agriculture and tourism.

Telephone Problems At Riverside

Some telephone problems for Riverside Health Care facilities.

Hospital officials says it's preventing anyone from calling any of their facilities.

Efforts to fix the problem are under way, but there is no word as to when the system will be repaired.

Pre-Budget Hearing

Plenty of ideas for the province to consider in the next provincial budget.

A pre-budget hearing in Thunder Bay drew about a dozen groups out with their wish lists.

Among them the Ontario Nurses Association executive Colleen Morrow who's seeking more nurses.

The committee also heard a call to increase the minimum wage to $14.00  an hour.

Osisko Rejects Takeover Bid

Osisko Mining has formally rejected Goldcorp's hostile takeover bid.

Osisko Mining says the $2.6 billion offer announced last week  "significantly undervalues" the company's assets, including its flagship Canadian Malartic gold mine in Quebec.

Osisko also has the Hammond Reef gold project near Atikokan in its portfolio.

Manitoba Men Rescued

Two Manitoba men are recovering after being rescued from a northwestern Ontario lake.

OPP says the two become stranded Monday night in the area of Reynard Lake, just inside the Ontario at the border with Manitoba when their snowmachines got stuck in deep slush.

One of the men was able to contact Police and helped guide a Hercules aircraft out of CFB Winnipeg to their location.

They were later picked up by family members by snow machine.

Both were cold and exhausted.

One was suffering from frostbite.

More Women In Politics Promoted

A group of Northwestern Ontario women politicians have come together to get more women in politics.

They're holding a forum in Thunder Bay today.

Long-time city councillor Rebecca Johnson says it's aimed at helping women understand what it takes to run for office.

Johnson says they're also hoping to set up a mentorship program to help support women who want to run.

I. Falls Area To Market In Deep South

International Falls is eying some new markets for visitors.

The area's Convention and Visitors Bureau is planning to market in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.

Director Pete Schultz says while they have seen visitors in the past, it's the first time they've paid any type of attention to those areas.

Schultz says they expected to judge the success of the campaign through requests for information and hits to its website.

ABC Promotes Ice Box Days

ABC News photo

Some national exposure for International Falls.

The city and its recent Ice Box Days were featured in a segment on last night's ABC Nightline.

It highlighted such events as turkey bowling, smoosh racing and the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run.

Here's the segment courtesy ABC News

 

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Stolen Vehicle Burned

A vehicle reported stolen in the Atikokan area on the weekend has been found torched.

OPP says the burned out 2006 Ford pick-up was located Sunday night on a private camp road.

The vehicle had been taken from a home on Highway 11 near Atikokan two nights earlier.

Police continue to investigate.

No Charges In Bus Accident

No charges are being laid in connection with an accident in Fort Frances involving a school bus.

It happened around 3 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Second Street East and Portage Avenue.

OPP says a small car slide into the back of empty bus stopped for the traffic lights on Second.

Police says road conditions contributed to the accident.

Thunder Bay Mayor Declares

Thunder Bay's mayor is making his mind up early.

Keith Hobbs is among the first northwestern Ontario leader to declare his intentions to seek another term in this fall's municipal election.

Hobbs says he's taking nothing for granted from voters.

Province Expanding Paramedicine Program

The Provincial Government is using $6-million to expand community paramedicine programs.

The move will improve access to home care and community support services for seniors and other patients with chronic conditions.

Paramedics can now upgrade their training so they can conduct home visits for seniors and educate their patients about chronic disease management.

Service Cuts Possible

Service cuts not out of the realm of possibility in Fort Frances.

Town council began its budget discussions last night.

Councillor Paul Ryan, who like to see a minimal tax increase, says given the financial challenges facing the town,  services may have to be reviewed.

The budget shortfall is currently at about $360-thousand.

 Meantime, Fort Frances councillors did remove nearly $1.8 million worth of projects off the capital list.

A sand shelter, some heavy equipment and a dog park among items removed in the first go around.

The list is going back to department heads to identify their priorities before it comes back to council for another review.

Thumbs Down To Sidewalk Request

Fort Frances council is saying "no" to a request for a sidewalk along Keating Avenue in Fort Frances.

The town's traffic safety committee made the request to improve the safety of children who walk to school.



Councillor Andrew Hallikas says given the town helped with the Kiss and Ride program, the school boards should help pay the cost of the sidewalk.

Estimated cost is about $65-thousand dollars.

Parents with J.W. Walker School says the absense of the sidewalk has forced students who walk to school to take to the snow banks this winter, creating a different safety concern of children sliding down, potentially in the path of traffic.

Budget Requests Reviewed

Fort Frances council has reviewed a number of public requests for this year's budget.

While a final vote is yet to come, council did indicate a willingness to give the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce $7,500 for tourism and marketing initiatives, $2,000 for the Peace Pull with International Falls and $1,000 for the Dragon Boat festival.

No immediate decisions were made on funding requests for the 100th anniversary celebrations of the mill or the Salvation Army's hosting of a orchestra from Bermuda.

No Demolition This Year

The former Rainy Lake Hotel will stay put for at least another year.

Fort Frances council says there is simply no money to consider a demolition of the shuttered hotel at this time.

The Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association had asked council to at least consider setting some money aside this year for the estimated  $950-thousand cost.

Fednor Offers Support To Town

Fednor is offering some assistance to the town of Fort Frances.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation Geoff Gillon says in light of recent announcements by Resolute Forest Products, the director of the regional economic development funding program is suggesting the town come up with projects needing $50-thousand dollars or less that could get his direct approval.

The town is now looking at potential projects.

Buses Cancelled In Atikokan

Some bus cancellations to report this morning for the Atikokan area.

All Iron Range buses are not running.

Buses elsewhere in the Rainy River district are operating as scheduled

Airport Closure Could Increase Ambulance Costs

The Rainy River District Social Services Administrative Board says it could cost a million dollars in extra ambulance costs if it didn't have access to the Fort Frances airport.

No closure decision has been made, but town council has been concerned with rising costs and has been looking for regional help.

The DSSAB's Dan McCormick says without the airport, they would need to hire at least four more paramedics to transport patients by road to hospitals elsewhere.

McCormick says an average of 550 patients have been flown out of the area in the past three years.

Pre-Budget Hearing In Thunder Bay

About a dozen group  will speak to a provincial legislative committee today on what they would like to see in the upcoming budget.

They're making presentations to the committee as it makes a stop in Thunder Bay.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and the Northwesten Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce among those to speak.

Chamber Sets Day For Awards Gala

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will honour the region's best in March.

It has set March 6 as the date for its annual business awards gala.

Spokesperson Samantha Manty says they have secured former Fort Frances resident, comedian Ryan McMahon as the night's entertainment.

Nomination forms for the nine awards to be given out will be out in the near future.

New Manager Named

There will be a new face for the Northwest Business Center.

Allison Kelly will begin her new duties as manager on January 28.

She takes over from Diane Schwartz-Williams who worked her last day Monday to pursue other opportunities.

Summer Company Returns

Summer Company is coming back to northwestern Ontario.

Offered through the Northwest Business Centre, Summer Company provides up to $3,000 dollars to students to develop their business ideas.

Funding will be available to six students in the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Ontario Accused Of Giving Power Away

The NDP says Ontario residents are helping subsidize power to neighbouring jurisdictions to the tune of one billion dollars.

Critic Peter Tabuns says that power is going to Michigan, New York, Minnesota, Manitoba and Quebec.

Tabuns says while Ontario generated power at a cost 8.55 cents per kilowatt hour, it was sold at an average price of 2.6 cents.

During the blackouts at Christmas in southern Ontario, Tabuns says excess power was actually given away at no charge.

Help For People With Disabilities

More help for people with disabilities to live independently in their homes.

The province is expanding a funding program which enables people living with disabilities to manage their care based on their individual needs.

The expanded program will provide direct funding to approximately one-thousand people with physical disabilities by 2016.

New Westjet Service Coming

WestJet is bringing a new service to Thunder Bay.

The company says it will offer Encore routes between Toronto and Thunder Bay and between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.

WestJet didn’t say when the flights would begin.

Snowmobile Safety Week

Both sides of the border are advocating snowmobile safety this week.

This is Snowmobile Safety Week both in Ontario and Minnesota

OPP says speed has been a factor in this year's five snowmobile fatal accidents in Ontario.

In Minnesota, Governor Mark Dayton, the Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association are encouraging snowmobile enthusiasts to take a safety course to learn how to avoid accidents.

MTO Reviewing Highway 502

File photo

The Ministry of Transportation is considering reclassifying Highway 502 as a way of improving winter road maintenance on the link between Fort Frances between Dryden.

Speaking to Rainy River district municipal leaders gathered in Atikokan on the weekend, Regional Manager Ian Smith says the highway has always been identified as a Class 5 highway, but could be bumped up to Class 4.



Smith says it would cost the province about half-a-million dollars to make the change.

Smith says the contractor responsible for snow plowing on the road has been hit with fines for not properly maintaining the road, but believes plowing done by the previous firm was done at a greater level than was  expected.

Emo Councillor New Municipal Association President

Emo councillor Anthony Leek has been elected president of the Rainy River District Municipal Association.

Leek beat out Fort Frances Councillor Ken Perry.

LaVallee township Reeve Ross Donaldson stays on as vice-president.

Comment Wanted On Two Mines

Public comment is being sought on two mining projects in the Rainy River district.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is gathering comment on separate reports identifying the environmental impacts and measures to mitigate them of Osisko Mining's Hammond Reef Gold project near Atikokan and New Gold's Rainy River project near Barwick.

Comment is due by the middle of February.

CUPE Seeks Funding For Developmental Services

The Canadian Union of Public Employees says only adequate funding for staffing and programs can resolve a crisis in developmental services.

It delivers that message as CUPE ramps up for new contract talks with more than 50 different agencies across the province.

It says underfunding is most obvious among the 23,000 people on wait lists for services while staff, programs and supports are being reduced.

Fort Frances Woman Helping Homeland

A relative newcomer to Canada and Fort Frances is using her talents to help children back in her homeland.

Missy Andrusko, who runs a catering business in town, has been staging dinners featuring authentic Ethiopian dishes to raise money.

Andrusko says it's providing some hope to some very needy children.

Her next dinner will be this Friday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Frances.

Joint Parish Created Between Churches

A new cross-border relationship has developed between two area churches.

St. Paul Lutheran in International Falls and the Church of the Lutheran Hour in Fort Frances are now working as a joint parish.

Pastor Jacob Quast, who divides his time between the two churches, says it's quite unique.

Quast had been filling in at the Falls church for several months with a formal agreement for a joint parish being finalized in November.

He was officially installed as the pastor at St. Paul Lutheran yesterday.

Children's Services Fair

An opportunity to learn how to have 15 minutes of fun with your family.

A Children's Services Fair takes place next Monday at the Fort Frances Library.

The Northwestern Health Unit's Miranda Sigurdson says a number of services will be showcased.

The event also coincides with Family Literacy Day and is free to attend.

New Gold Releases Feasibility Study

New Gold says its newly acquired Rainy River gold project meets all of its key criteria.

The company has issued its feasibility study on the project north of Barwick.

Executive Chair Randall Oliphant says the results are consistent with their expectations when they decided to acquire Rainy River Resources last year.

New Gold is targeting late 2016 as when the open pit mine will likely come into production.

Fundraiser Back For Community Chest

Efforts to replenish the Fort Frances Community Chest are underway.

It provides funds to district residents who requires assistance for medical purposes.

Spokesperson Joelle Caul says after taking a break last year, they'll be holding its fundraising dinner next month.

Ticket details for the February 23rd event are still being finalized, but it will take place at the La Place Rendez Vous.