Hammond Reef Deadline Today

Today is the deadline to comment on the federal environmental assessment of Osisko Mining's Hammond Reef gold project near Atikokan.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is gathering input before making a decision on the project.

New Gold Files Technical Report

Another key document in New Gold's Rainy River project is now complete.

The company has filed a technical report pertaining to its gold project north of Barwick.

The report provides further information on the project's history as well as additional detail on both the technical and financial estimates.

New Gold is targeting construction to begin some time next year with the mine opening a year later.

Resolute Get New Deal For Workers At U.S. Mills

As Resolute Forest Products prepares for contracts talks with Unifor for its mills in Canada, the forest company has completed new deals for workers at four of its U.S. mills.

The five-year agreement covers more than 15-hundred employees at mills in Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia.

The deal includes wage improvements, but no details are provided.

New Release From Atikokan Artist

A new release from Atikokan blues artist Sunday Wilde.

Entitled "He Digs Me," the thirteen new songs are a bit of a departure for the artist who has added drums and some electric guitar.

Along with new original songs, Wilde also adds her version of Patsy Cline's "I Falls To Piece."

The album was recorded in Minnesota last fall.

Homeowners Asked To Help Prevent Freezing

The town of Fort Frances is asking homeowners who have faced frozen water lines in the past or who's neighbours are suffering the same face to run their water for the next few months.

The town's public works department has been called out to thaw more than 90 lines as of yesterday.

Manager Doug Brown says the shallow depth of lines is partly to blame.

Brown says its also good to leave a trickle of water if you're leaving town for the weekend.

Osisko Write To Shareholders

Osisko Mining's shareholders can expect mail in the near future.

The company has fired off a letter recommending they reject the unsolicited bid from Goldcorp.

Osisko states the $2.8 billion offer fails to recognize the value of it's Canadian Malartic mine in Quebec.

The letter adds that Goldcorp also made three previous offers, all of which Osisko says would have been "value destructive" to shareholders.

The matter is also before a Quebec court while Goldcorp has extended its offer until March 10.

No Change To FedNor

The Minister responsible for FedNor is firing back at Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty.

Rafferty this week stated the federal budget included no new funding for the regional economic development agency and that hundreds of thousands of dollars had been removed.

Greg Rickford calls it a "bold faced lie."

Rickford says they have new priorities under FedNor with some focus on manufacturing and support for businesses who want to diversify.

Iron Range Using Hwy 502 Again

Iron Range Bus Lines is once again using Highway 502.

The local bus line had refused to travel the road due to poor conditions and dismal road maintenance this winter.

That resulted in lengthy travel times for area sports teams, both here in Fort Frances and those in the Dryden areas.

Opposition Parties Split Provincial By-Elections

The governing Liberals were shut out in two provincial by-elections in southern Ontario.

Gila Martow won in Thornhill, maintaining the riding for the Progressive Conservatives.

The NDP's Wayne Gates won in Niagara Falls, a riding formerly held by the Liberals.

Ontario Looks To Deny Licenses

The Ontario's government appears to be trying to put an end to payday lender The Cash Store.

The province’s Registrar of Payday Loans has issued a proposal to refuse licenses to The Cash Store and Instaloans, both owned by Edmonton-based The Cash Store Financial Services.

The proposal stems from a recent court decision that lead them to being prohibited from offering payday loans or lines of credit products in Ontario.

The company plans to ask for a hearing before the License Appeal Tribunal.

Ontario Asked Not To Raise Tobacco Taxes

Ontario's corner store owners want the province to avoid following the federal government's lead in raising tobacco taxes.

The Conservative government announced in the federal budget Tuesday to add $6.00 in new taxes to a carton of smokes.

The Ontario Convenience Stores Association's Dave Bryans says that only hurts owners and does little to address the issue of contraband tobacco.

Bryans says further increases from Ontario will only inflame the problem.

Trucker Now Charged

OPP have now laid charges in that near head-on collision north of Nipigon involving two transports that was captured on video and went viral.

Police say 31-year-old Akmal Hayat of Milton, Ontario has been charged with careless driving, failing to remain at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.

Video of January's incident, showing one transport having to take evasive action to avoid another trying to pass a snow plow, helped police identify the driver.

More Charges Againt Thunder Bay Man

More charges have been laid against a Thunder Bay man accused of incidents of sexual assault dating back to 1997.

OPP slapped four new charges on 52-year-old Gary Lamont after determining the identity of three male victims.

Lamont has been in custody since arrested in December on eight other charges.

Police says the victims, all male, were between the ages of 17 and 24 at the time of the alleged incidents that occurred at Thunder Bay and Warnica Lake between 1997 and 2007.

OFAH Support Federal Funding Commitment

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is welcoming announced plans by the federal government to add another $15-million over the next two years to a recreational fisheries conversation partnership program.

The program was created last year to help support local projects that benefit the conservation of fisheries habitats.

OFAH says the new money will allow for dozens of new projects to proceeds

Crime Stats Drop In Rainy River District

A drop in calls for service for the OPP in the Rainy River district.

OPP responded to almost 68-hundred calls last year, compared with the 78-hundred in 2012.

Rainy River district detachment commander, Inspector Steve Shouldice says there was a similar trend in Fort Frances where police handling about 33-hundred calls.

Shouldice says police also cleared 33 per cent of all property crimes and 93 per cent of all violent crimes, both significantly higher than the provincial and national averages.

Tim Hortons Brings Smiles To Policing Committee

It's all smiles for the OPP's Community Policing Committee.

Tim Hortons in Fort Frances has donated nearly $4,300 raised from last fall's sale of Smile Cookies.

Constable Anne McCoy says the money will be used in a variety of ways this year.

The Committee is also working on a website to be launched next month.

Drive To Conditions

All highways in the Rainy River district and Koochiching County are open but being listed as snow covered with the snow falling in the region.

Drivers are advised to take precautions while on the roads.

There was a brief closure of Highway 71 near Sioux Narrows yesterday, following a two vehicle collision.

No one was injured.

Propane Prices Questioned

While Minnesota continues to deal a propane shortage and higher prices, there's word of similar problems facing homeowners in northwestern Ontario.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says it was brought to his attention by a homeowner in Atikokan that the cost of propane had risen 80 per cent in the past year.

Rafferty says while the Canadian Propane Association insists there is no shortage in Canada, he wonders if it's a case of price gouging.

Rafferty is asking the Minister of Finance to investigate.

Campbell Gathering Input On Budget

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is gathering feedback on the upcoming provincial budget.

Campbell says affordability is the resounding complaint she's heard throughout the riding.

Campbell says the NDP will be making demands in the budget, but it's too early to say if the party will support the Liberal government like it did last year.

MPPs return to Queen's Park Tuesday.

NCDS Ready To Help Workers

NCDS is stepping forward to help laid off workers at Resolute Forest Products.

The Fort Frances based agency provides a number of employment services programs.

Marketing Coordinator Sarah Marasyk says they have a number of workshops including ones to help workers with their resume.

Marasyk says they're also planning to create a "Coffee Club" allowing workers to gather and offer support, feedback and job hunting advice to each other.

Firms Fined For Building Mining Camp

Two companies working in the Ring of Fire mining development have been fined $27-thousand for illegally building a mining camp.

Vancouver based Fancamp Explorations and Thunder Bay's Webequie Logistics were found guilty of carrying out construction work without proper permits.

The companies were charged back in 2010 after repeated warnings from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The camp has since been removed.

Province Not Happy With Feds

Plenty of negative post-budget reaction coming from the provincial government.

The governing Liberals says the federal government is cutting $641-million in transfers to the province.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says that's over the 110 actions the federal government has taken since 2006 that have impacted Ontarians in a negative manner.

Wynne says the feds are making cuts without consulting the province and forcing Ontario to pick up the tab.

Good Budget For Northern Ontario

The Minister responsible for FedNor says the budget is about is all about fiscal responsibility and balancing the books for 2015.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says while not mentioning northern Ontario specifically, there's are some goodies for the region.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty pans the budget for its lack of support for such things as the region's forest sector and no new funding for FedNor

Obestrical Department Recognized

Some recognition for Riverside Health Care.

It's core team of six obstetrical physicians and nursing staff have received a recognition award for completing the first phase of a comprehensive three-year program that sets obstetrical patient safety a top priority.

The program, known as MOREOB, was launched at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances last April.

Fight Against Drug Abuse Continues

The federal government is stepping forward in the fight against prescription drug abuse.

It plans to spend nearly $45-million over the next five years to on an awareness campaign, increased monitoring of pharmacies and enhanced services in First Nation communities.

Officials says Canadian consumption of prescribed opioids has risen by over 200 per cent since 2000, while abuse has more than doubled in the past two years.

Made In Canada Campaign Considered

Canadian producers will be getting some promotional support from the federal government.

The recent budget includes plans to create a steering committee to help in a "Made-in Canada" awareness campaign.

Details are to be revealed in the near future.

The quality of Canadian products is recognized worldwide, but no widely recognized Canadian brand exists.

Tourism Marketing Initiative On-line

A tourism partnership between northwestern Ontario, northern Minnesota and the National Geographic Society is now official.

Together they will create an online regional geo-tourism initiative highlighting the region.

The partnership means a new in-depth website and smartphone app that will be linked with existing National Geographic sites.

Atikokan, International Falls and Koochiching County were among those contributing funding to the initiative.

Proposal For Rainy Lake Hotel Made

There's been another proposal put forward for the former Rainy Lake hotel.

No details were revealed, but Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis council did talk with the proponent at a closed door meeting Monday night.

Avis says council still favours proceeding with efforts to acquire government funding to knock down the shuttered hotel, and help in the develop of an open-air market square.

Rafferty Pans Budget

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is panning the new federal budget.

He calls it a do nothing document with hardly any substantial support, especially for northern Ontario.

While the budget mentions protecting forestry jobs in eastern Canada, Rafferty says there's nothing about helping to recover those lost in Ontario, nor any mention of any new funding for FedNor.

Mining Likes Budget

The mining industry is welcoming certain components of the federal budget.

The Mining Association of Canada says an extension of a Mineral Exploration Tax Credit for another year will be of huge benefit to the junior exploration sector.

It says renewal comes at a critical time given the tough economic challenges faced in recent months by Canada's smaller exploration companies.

Kootasca Challenged With Propane Shortage

An agency that helps low-income people is facing some challenges of its own as it tries to help those deal with the propane shortage and subsequent price hikes in Minnesota.

Kootasca says the number of people seeking financial assistance this winter has more than tripled over last year.

Housing Director Dana Herschbach says its taxing both staff and their bottom line to the point that its administrative funding may dry up in the very near future.

Hershbach says they area talking with the State about some financial relief.

Warning From Fire Department

The International Falls Fire Department is warning area residents to take precautions if using alternative heating sources to compensate for the shortage of heating fuels.

Fire chief Jerry Jensen says with some residents turning to wood or space heaters, it's even more important to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms throughout the home.

He's also offering up the Fire Department to conduct home inspections to provide further advice that makes residents safer.

Break In At Nestor Falls

OPP looking into a break in to a business in Nestor Falls.

Police says the unnamed business on Highway 71 was entered sometime after its closing Saturday night and 1 p.m. the next day.

An undisclosed amount of money and other small items were taken.

Policing Costs Clarified

Municipalities are now learning how they will be charged for policing.

Beginning in 2015, cities and towns who contract police services out to the OPP will be charged $260 per household plus additional costs based on the number and types of calls for police assistance.

Rainy River district detachment commander, Inspector Steve Shouldice says municipalities, including Fort Frances, now paying nearly $700 per household should see savings.

Shouldice says the formula will also be based on 96 different types of calls, instead of the 400 now used.

New Water And Sewer Rates In Place

New water and sewer rates have now being determined in Fort Frances.

Beginning next month, Fort Frances residents will see an extra $1.25 per month on their bills.

The industrial and commercial sectors will see a nearly $8.00 increase to their base rates, paying $2.70 per cubic metre after that.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it's a compromise to what some councillors wanted.

The increase will help the town raise an extra $106-thousand.

Campbell Calls Wage Increase A Good First Step

The MPP for Kenora Rainy River is weighing in on the increase to the minimum wage.

It's to go up to $11 an hour this summer with future increases based on the cost of living every October.


Campbell says the increase will be good to the province's lowest wage earners, but businesses are also facing financial challenges and may need some help of their own.

Campbell does note that small business owners at a pre-budget consultation in Thunder Bay indicated they did favour the wage increase.

Minnesota Looks To Improve Highway Workers Safety

File tape

Minnesota is looking some new rules aimed at improving the safety of highway construction workers.

One proposal would prohibit cell phone use - even hands-free devices – in work zones and establishes a new $375 fine for speeding when construction workers are present.

A second also proposes a ban on the use of mobile phones in construction zones, plus a $375 fine for drivers who don't obey safety flaggers in work zones.

The bills are now being debated at the committee level.

New Executive Director For NCDS

The agency responsible for delivering a number of employment programs in the Rainy River district has a new executive director.

Nikki Baird takes over at NCDS from the retiring Jenny Greenhaulgh.

Baird joins the organization after three and a half years with Riverside Foundation for Health Care.

The Foundation, meantime, will soon begin a search for Baird's replacement.

NDP Likes Chances In Northwestern Ontario

Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is optimistic with where the NDP stand in Northwestern Ontario.

Horwath says Sunday's selection of Mary Kozorys to challenge Liberal MPP Bill Mauro in Thunder Bay-Atikokan as a step forward.

Kozorys beat out former Schreiber mayor Madge Richardson for the right to represent the party in the next provincial election.

ONA Launches Campaign For More Nurses

The Ontario Nurses Association has launched a new ad campaign aimed at raising the awareness of the need for more registered nurses in the province.

President Linda Haslam-Stroud says Ontario continues to have the second-lowest ratio of RNs-to-population in all of Canada.

The ONA blames underfunding for hospitals having to cut more than one-thousand nursing positions in the past two years.

Rickford Feels First Nations Optimistic About First Nations Education Act

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says first impressions of the federal government's newly announced education act for first nations is being well received.

Rickford says regional chiefs he's spoken with feel optimistic about the act.

The act is intended to give more control for first nations over their education system.

School Board Considers Expanding High School

The school board responsible for public schools in the Dryden area is looking at having grade 7 and 8 students attend classes at Dryden High School.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board will hold public meetings later month.

The model is already in place at Kenora's Beaver Brae school.

Board officials say the addition of the intermediate grades at that school has been well received by teachers, students and parents.

New Water and Sewer Rate Proposal On The Table

Fort Frances town council gets a look tonight at another proposal to increase water and sewer rates.

It calls for residential rates to go up a $1.25 a month.

Industrial, commercial and institutional users on water metres would see their base rates go up nearly $8.00  a month.

The rate per cubic metre after that for the industrial and commercial sectors would go to $2.70 - $3.10 for the institutional side.

If approved the new rates would be reflected on the year's first bills.

Kozorys Selected To Carry NDP Banner Again

The NDP are going with a familiar face to challenge Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro in the next provincial election.

After two days of voting,  Mary Kozorys was selected as the party's candidate for the riding.

Kozorys ran against Mauro in the last election, losing by under five-hundred votes.

Unifor Targets Resolute For Patterned Talks

The Fort Frances mill will be front and centre when Unifor begins contract talks with Resolute Forest Products next month.

The union says negotiations with the company will set the pattern for talks with other forest companies.

Union president Jerry Dias says northwestern Ontario issues will be prominent, including the recent shutdown of operations in Fort Frances.

SIU Investigates Police Shooting In Red Lake

The province's Special Investigations Unit is looking into an incident in Red Lake that led to OPP have to fire their weapon.

OPP says it happen Saturday night while police were responding to noise complaints at a home.

An altercation between a women, who had forced her way inside and police led to a shot being fired.

The woman was airlifted to a Winnipeg hospital for treatment.

Two officers involved were also injured and treated in Red Lake hospital.

Physician Retires

One of the Fort Frances' long serving physicians has hung up his stethoscope.

Doctor Brian Johnston, retired at the end of the last year and was official recognition Friday night.

Johnston says he never had regrets moving to Fort Frances in 1966.

The 90-year-old says he now has time for some of the others things he enjoys such as golf.

Ice Fort Planned

The Friends of the Museum are trying to put the "Fort" back in Fort Frances.

They plan to build an ice fort at Lion's Park next month as part of a Snoasis 2, a follow up to last winter event where snow sculptures were created.

Chair Duane Hicks says they're hoping the public will help created the ice blocks for the March 15 event.

Hicks says using milk or juices cartons will make the ice blocks uniform.

Prom Dresses Wanted

A request for gently used prom and other formal wear is being made by the area's Professional Women's Business Network.

Spokesperson Jennifer Horton says they intend to sell back the dresses at reduced rates to high school students who will to attend this year's prom.

Donations will be accepted at Curvy Chick or Shear Serenity until March 17.

The dresses will be sold at events during April and May with the money raised donated to the I Am Awesome Retreat for Young Women.

Strong Response To Hockeyville Submission

The Fort Frances bid in the Kraft Hockeyville Contest has ended with the submission receiving 264 members and 365 uploads.

We'll know March 8 if our community is one of 16 to move on to the next round.