Ring of Fire Advances Another Step

Another step is being taken in making sure First Nations concerns are heard in the Ring of Fire negotiations.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the province and Mattawa First Nations have signed an agreement to move forward with a negotiating process on the issues they find crucial to them.

New Director Appointed To Riverside Foundation For Health Care

Riverside Foundation for Health Care has a new director.

Samatha Manty takes over the position Monday, replacing Nicke Baird who left to become the executive director at NCDS.

Manty, who's a graduate of Montreal's Dawson College, will wrap up her currently job at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce this week.

Koochiching County To Add New Social Worker

Another child and family social worker is being added to Koochiching County's community services department.

Director Terry Murray says it allows for some cases handled by outside agencies to be dealt again by county workers.

He says the additional staff person will also ease the workload of its other two social workers.

Festival Line-up Nearly Complete

Organizers of the newest summer festival to Fort Frances says they'll be in position to announce their line-up next month.

The Harmony of Nations! Music Festival is set for July18 and 19 at the Sorting Gap Marina.

Coordinator Shannon Darby says because of the event's uniqueness, it's been relatively easy lining up the acts.

The festival will also include a public workshops with artists.

A new website has also been brought on-line that will have further information on the festival as its made available.

Skating Club Wins

The Border Skating Club has been selected the grand prize winner in the Tbaytel For Good initiative.

The club wins $5,000 to help replace its audio equipment at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Rainy River Recreation Board receives $2,000 for reaching the semi-final round.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Budget Progressing

It could be another month before the Municipality of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls passes it's budget.

Mayor Bill Thompson says they are making good progress, but suggests they still need to make some last minute changes. 

A review of the changes is expected at council's next meeting, but Thompson says final approval may not come until the end of April.

Park Fees For Houseboats Not In Place Yet

Voyageurs National Park says it won't be charging a new reservation fee to houseboats this year.

The park had indicated the $10.00 charge would be part of a new reservation and fee program taking effect this season.

It says that fee if for private houseboats and won't be in place until next spring.

The Park says it's still talking with area houseboat companies about the fees and a plan for visitors who rent from companies who operate within the park.

Pennies Gathered For Leukemia Research

Supplied photo

Students at Rainy River Community College have gathered their pennies in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

A fundraiser promoted by the College's Student Senate this month brought in $227.49 for blood-born cancer research.

The Pennies for Patients included a battle of the sexes component with the women collecting $112 to the men's 105.

Condo Project To Get A Further Review

A proposed condominium project for Fort Frances is going to get a further review by town council.

 

Thunder Bay-based Northern Superior Structural Solutions is proposing a 24-unit project on Front Street.

 

Mayor Roy Avis says the idea will get look over from its various committees first before council makes a firm decision.

 

Company officials are currently promoting the project on its website as "The Vu by the River. "

Job Cuts At DSSAB

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board is reducing staff.

Three full-time positions are being eliminated.

The Board says the reductions reflect the economic pressures faced by municipalities who, in part, fund the agency.

It last cut positions in 2012, when six in the Social Housing Program were eliminated.

Mauro Named Municipal Affairs Minister

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro is the province's new minister of municipal affairs and housing.

The announcement coming from  Premier Kathleen Wynne as part of a wider cabinet shuffle.

Mauro says it came as a bit of surprise, but is ready to hit the ground running.

Mauro calls it a big hill to climb with a tremendous amount to learn but looks forward to the challenge.

The shuffle was precipitated by the departure of Linda Jeffrey.

The former Municipal Affairs Minister announced yesterday she was leaving provincial politics to make a run for mayor of Brampton in this falls municipal elections.

Jeffrey was first elected to Queen's Park in 2003, holding a number of cabinet portfolios under former Premier Dalton McGuinty along the way.

Premier Not Saying When Budget Is Coming

Premier Kathleen Wynne continues to evade opposition demands for a provincial budget.

In Question Period yesterday, the Premier did outline what her government spending priorities will be.

Wynne says infrastructure spending, skills development and training and a youth jobs strategy is among her government's focus.

Gas Up The Snowblower, Again

Brace for more snow.

Environment Canada says a system, tracking from the U.S. is expected to bring snow to across northwestern Ontario tonight and into tomorrow.

Atikokan and area to the east are expected to receive the greater amounts with about 5 to 10 cm expected for the Atikokan area.

Lesser amounts are predicted for areas west.

Drivers Want Highways Improved

Research being released by the five companies responsible for plowing Ontario's highways is  showing that Ontarians want the government to make roads safer.

The survey, conducted in early March, shows that the majority of 1,500 drivers questioned feel the government should increase spending on highway maintenance.

The study also shows that Ontarians find roads to be in worse shape that they were 3 years ago by a 2-to-1 margin - 3-to-1 in Northern Ontario.

Another Job Fair In Fort Frances

The offer of jobs continues in the Rainy River district.

CN Rail plans to hold another job fair in Fort Frances April 2.

A similar event held in February attracted considerable interest and a number of applicants.

The region has also been visited by representatives from at least three pulp and paper companies in the past month, trying lure former workers laid off from Resolute Forest Products.

RRFDC Moving

Staff at the Rainy River Future Development Corporation is moving.

The regional economic development agency is relocating to the second floor of the same building that houses the Northern Lights Credit Union and the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

It will open its new office April 7.

To accommodate the move, it will close its Scott Street location April 3 and 4.

Residents Warming to Getting Flu Shot At Drug Store

File photo

It appears getting a flu shot at the local pharmacy is catching on in Ontario.

More than 750-thousand people opted to get the free flu shot at a pharmacy this past season.

That's triple the number over last year when pharmacies were given provincial approval to administer the shot.

Man Arrested For Trying To Steal Truck

A 24-year-old Fort Frances man faces several charges after trying to steal a pick-up truck from a locked compound.

The man was sitting in the truck at the back of a Fort Frances commercial property when OPP arrived last Thursday evening.

After some time in trying to get the doors unlocks, the man began to physically resist officers trying to get him out of the truck before eventually taking him into custody.

Name Your Worst Road

Just in time for pot hole season.

The Canadian Automobile Association is once again launching it's Worst Roads campaign.

Over the next four weeks, Ontario motorists are invited to vote online for roads or city streets in most need of repair.

You can log onto worstroads.ca to nominate a road in our area. 

Town Eyes Tourist Centre

The town of Fort Frances is looking at taking over the former provincial tourist information centre.

Mayor Roy Avis says the town's is speaking with the Ministry of Infrastructure about a leasing the vacant building.

The building was closed by the Liberal government in May 2012.

Avis says it would improve their ability to promote the town and the region.

He adds they hope to partner with other organizations as well.

Council Signs Off On Funding Request

Fort Frances council is signing off on the grant application to help tear down the former Rainy Lake Hotel and create a new market square.

The town is also committing $150-thousand, plus another $30-thousand in in-kind services toward the project.

The exact dollar amount requested from the province was not disclosed, but previous estimates had the project coming in at around $1.2 million.

Plant Still Treating More Water Than Produced

Fort Frances continues to treat more water than it produces.

It's been an ongoing issue for the town, but the agency that handles its sewage treatment plant says it's not that unusual.

Ontario Clean Water Agency's Jamie McPherson says is a common theme in many northwestern Ontario communities with older infrastructure and sewer lines located below the water table.

The plant did see spikes in the amount of water treated last summer, but McPherson that was due to increased snowfall and rainfall.

Outbreak Declared At Hospital

An outbreak of gastro-intestinal illness has occurred at Riverside Health Care's LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Seven patients and four staff members have contracted symptoms consist with the stomach virus.

Officials say it's isolated to the hospital's first floor.

They say patients have been isolated, all group activities have been postponed, and an aggressive cleaning of the floor has taken place.

The effected staff members were sent home until they are symptom free for at least 48 hours.

Leek Steps Down From Northern Caucus

The Liberal's candidate for Kenora-Rainy River has relinquished his post with the party's northern caucus.

Anthony Leek had served as a regional vice-president for the past two years.

He says he'll now focus more attention on his run in the next provincial election.

Leek says sitting on the council allowed him to work with people across the province and to have a better understanding of how the party worked.

Refusal To Leave A Bar Sends Man To Court

A 58-year-old Fort Frances man will now visit a court room after refusing to leave a local drinking establishment last week.

OPP were called to the unnamed bar Friday night where they had to place the inebriated man in custody after he was uncooperative with staff and confrontational with officers.

He remained at the Fort Frances detachment until he sobered up.

Impaired Driver Nabbed

A 35-year-old man from Wabigoon First Nation will be in court next month on impaired driving charges.

OPP were alerted of the driver early Sunday morning after he left the drive through of a Fort Frances restaurant.

He was stopped a short time later on Third Street West where he was taken into custody and his vehicle impounded.

NDP Taking Direct Aim At Debit And Credit Card Fees

The federal NDP is taking direct aim at the fees consumers pay to use their bank cards at ATMs or debit machines other than their own institution.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says some users are being charged as much as $3 and $4 a transaction when it's only costing banks about 36-cents to handle each transaction.

The NDP wants to limit those fees to  50-cents.

PETA Speaks Out Against Bear Hunt

The animal activist group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is rallying its troops against the upcoming return of the spring bear hunt in Ontario.

It's asking people to write the Premier and the Natural Resources Minister to cancel the hunt.

PETA representative Ashley Byrne says the spring hunt won't help with bear populations or human bear conflicts.

PETA feels Ontario should instead enforce strict wildlife feeding prohibitions and provide residents with more information about how to better coexist peacefully with their wild neighbors.

Residential School Survivors Recognized

Grand Council Treaty 3 is hosting Residential School Commemoration today.

The event is taking place in Kenora.

Organizer Richard Green says the event will focus on all schools in the Treaty 3 territory.

Green hopes people will remember the challenges people faced while attending the schools.

World Tuberculosis Day

The Northwestern Health Unit is promoting World Tuberculosis Day.
Public Health Nurse Chanda McAuley says the disease is more prevalent in Canada than most people think.

McAuley says about 16 hundred people a year in Canada get diagnosed with TB.

McAuley says the health unit has plenty of information about TB and offers treatment for both  active and latent forms of the disease.

Rail Talks Continue

Canadian National Railway and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference continue to talk.

They agreed to resume negotiations on the weekend with the assistance of a federal mediator.

This after members of the Teamsters union narrowly rejected a latest contract offer from the company.

About 3,000 yard and train workers are impacted.

Weather Records Set

Dana Fowler photo

More snow is in the forecast for this week, but not to the amount we received Friday.

The National Weather Service out of Duluth says last week's storm brought over 10 inches or 26 centimetres of the white stuff to International Falls and area.

It's the largest one day dump of snow seen this winter.

From near record snowfalls, to record-setting temperatures.

Fort Frances and International Falls both set new records yesterday.

The thermometer hit - 32.9 C or - 26 F, surpassing the old mark of -31.7 C set in 1974.

Buckle Up In Minnesota

Click It or Ticket.

That's the warning from law enforcement in Minnesota who are in the midst of a seat belt enforcement campaign.

While most Minnesotans buckle up, approximately 150 deaths and 400 serious injuries result annually from motorists who fail to use a seat belt.

The fine in Minnesota for not wearing a seat belt is between $25 and $100.

Stolen Vehicle Found In Nestor Falls

A 34-year-old Winnipeg woman is facing a charge of theft after OPP stopped a vehicle in Nestor Falls last week.

Police had pulled the vehicle over because it didn't have any visible license plates.

It turned out the vehicle had been reported stolen in early February.

Change In 50/50 Raffles Considered

There could be a new way to play those 50-50 raffle draws.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation plans to test model electronic hand-held mobile devices during charitable draw at Maple Leafs, Raptors and Ottawa Senators games next fall.

The OLG says the unit track sales and size of jackpots better.

Following the completion of the tests, the OLG says it will consider expanding the units elsewhere.

School Calendar To Change In Rainy River District

Students in the Rainy River district will be start classes next fall a little later than usual.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board approved its school calendar this past week, matching the public board's school start of after Labour Day.

Education Director Rick Boisvert says it's a departure from having classes start before the September long weekend.

Boisvert says none of the feedback they got to the change was in opposition.

More Americans Wanted

The Boundary Water's Dragon Boat Festival in Fort Frances is looking to attract more teams.

The July 1st event drew 13 teams and 195 last year, mostly from the Fort Frances area.

Spokesperson Cathy Tysz says they're now hoping to attract some interest from across the border in International Falls.

Tysz says she's hoping it will lead to some Canada-US challenge races along the Rainy River.

Some Students Let Out Early

Weather is forcing an early dismissal for students who travel on school buses only at most schools in the Rainy River district.

Effected students attending schools in Fort Frances and all those west to Rainy River and Nestor Falls were allowed to head home at 11:30 AM this morning.

Those schools, though, are still open for those who have alternative transportation.

Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton has closed for the day.

The early dismissal does not impact schools in Atikokan.

Careful Driving Today

OPP are advising using extreme caution while on the roads today.

Heavy snow and reduced visibility is being reported on all of the roads in our area.

Constable Anne McCoy says if you have to travel, do so according to the conditions, especially when around a snow plow.

Up to date road conditions can be obtained by calling 511 in both Ontario or Minnesota

Storm Update

Today's storm in the Rainy River district is the result of a Alberta clipper that's tracking across region.

The snow is expected to lighten up by early afternoon in the Fort Frances area and later this afternoon in the Quetico Park area.

The National Weather Service out of Duluth says snowfalls in International Falls are measuring in at about 10 inches or 25 centimetres as of noon.

Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says cold weather will follow.

Laidlaw says seasonal temperatures will returned by the end of next week.

Health Meeting Planned

Local officials are calling it a NAFTA health meeting.

They're hoping to attract key political figures from Ontario and Minnesota as well as federal representatives to a meeting in Fort Frances this July to discuss how hospitals in Fort Frances and International Falls can share medical services.

Fort Frances Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it's important to have their attention.

International Falls Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says renal dialysis, MRI and obstetrics are some of the services, now available at either hospital, that could be shared.

A list of individuals is currently being put together with formal invitations going out before the end of next month.

Storm Hits Borderland

Heavy snow is making travel on area roads this morning.

No roads are closed, but callers to CFOB-News says sections of the Highway 11 west of the community are heavily packed with snow with reduced visibility.

There is also a report of a pulp truck that has jack-knifed between Stratton and Rainy River, blocking traffic in at least one lane.

Environment Canada predicts as much as 15 centimetres of snow or more, but the National Weather Service out of Duluth says nearly 5 inches or nearly 13 centimetres had fallen in International Falls by 8 AM.

Because of the storm, Indus School delayed the start of its classes by two hours.

Some buses in the Rainy River district did not run.

Premier Warns Against Electing PCs Or NDP In Next Election

Premier Kathleen Wynne is warning against voting for the Progressive Conservatives or the NDP in the next provincial election.

Wynne spoke to party faithful at a meeting in Toronto last night.

Wynne says the province's economic recovery is still fragile and  Ontario needs "safe hands and a steady approach."

With a spring election spending, Wynne says it would also be a mistake to elect the Progressive Conservatives "risky radical approach" or the NDP, she says, is suspicious of business and untested in government.

MPP Wages Could Stay Frozen

A freeze on MPP salaries could go a little longer.

The provincial Liberals have introduced legislation that, if passed, would have the salaries of our elected representatives remain the same until 2017.

MPP's wages have not changed since 2009.

Falls Council To Discuss Donohue Property Next Month

International Falls council will discuss next month whether it will proceed any further with a parcel of land given to the city two years ago.

A consultant's report recommends the city taking certain actions on the Donohue property.

It came to council this past week, but Mayor Bob Anderson says he wasn't prepared to take those actions at this past week's meeting.

Recommendations include annexing the property, constructing a trail and building a monument.

Canada vs US Military Tussle Developing

It could be the biggest battle between Canada and the U.S since 1812.

Organizers of the annual Peace Pull tug of war between Fort Frances and International Falls are working to have a match pitting the Canadian military against the U.S. National Guard.

Fort Frances Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says there is interest from both sides to take part in the annual tug of war challenge, and has even caught the attention of officials in Washington and Ottawa.

The tussle would be one of three events to take place during the July 2nd event.

It would also commemorate the 150 anniversary of the War of 1812.

Two Projects Reach Tbaytel For Good Semi-finals

Two projects in the Rainy River district have advanced to the semi-final round of Tbaytel's For Good initiative.

The Border Skating Club and the Rainy River Recreation Board will receive two thousand dollar.

Anne Renaud submitted the skating club's bid for new entertainment equipment which topped the popular vote.

Tbaytel will announce the grand prize winner for $5,000 on March 27.

Rate Strike Vote To Be Taken

A rare strike vote to be taken by administrators and supervisory staff with the Ontario government.

Members of the Association of Management, Administration and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario have been negotiating on a new deal with the province since February.

But the union says the province is seeking cuts to health benefits and several other concessions, forcing the need for a first ever strike vote.

The vote for the 11-hundred members takes place next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Resolute Fights Back

Resolute Forest Products is responding after Greenpeace unfurled banners in Montreal earlier this week to denounce the company's forestry practices in the boreal forest.

In a release, the company says Greenpeace's actions are consistent with those it has taken since withdrawing from the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement a year ago.

Resolute also calls Greenpeace's allegations untrue, noting all of its woodlands are independently certified to one or more internationally-recognized standards.

It adds that only 0.2 per cent of the boreal forest is actually harvested with 40 per cent of the forest off limits to forest companies.

Volunteers To Be Honoured In May

The region's volunteers will be honoured at a ceremony planned for Fort Frances this May.

The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards will be handed out to volunteers for continuous service to an organization of between 5 and 60 years.

Youth will also be recognized for two or more years of volunteer service.

The Fort Frances event will take place May 28.

Promoting Fire Safety In First Nations Communities

The Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada and the Federal Government are launching a campaign to raise awareness around fire prevention.

Be Fire Safe will reach out to the public through social media and will focus on storage of chemicals, barbeque safety and the importance of working smoke detectors.

Plans To Knock Down Former Hotel Accelerating

The wheels are being put in motion on a plan that could see the former Rainy Lake Hotel in Fort Frances come toppling down as early as this summer.

An application to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is being put together by the town and the Rainy River Future Development Corporation for funding to help develop a market square on the Scott Street location.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says recent discussion with the province is giving them some hope of the application gaining approval this year.

Drysdale says the fine details are to be work out, but the project could include a new building that might be a new home to the local Farmer's Market.

Our Lady Of The Way Stays Open

Trustees with the Northwest Catholic District School Board are allowing Our Lady of the Way school in Stratton to stay open.

The decision follows an accommodation review was conducted for the school which only has an enrolment of about 13.

They agreed Tuesday night to see if enrolment numbers can be increased.

Education Director Rick Boisvert says they'll revisit the issue in 2017.

Boisvert says they'll work with parents and community leaders on ways to keep the school open.

Kiss And Ride Expands

A program to provide for easier and safer pick-up and drop off of students will go in place in Atikokan at the end of the month.

North Star Community School plans to institute the Kiss and Ride initiative.

Principal Beth Fairfield says a loop used by buses will be utilized.

Fairfield says they will allow parents to drop their children off prior to the buses arrival and pick them up after the buses have left to avoid conflicts.

School support staff will be on site to assist children in and out of their parent's vehicles.

The program is already in place at schools in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

It's Spring Today - Snow Tomorrow

One more significant snow storm to bring in spring.

Spring officially begins this afternoon, but an Alberta clipper is tracking toward our region with snow, at times, heavy, likely spreading into the area by tonight and into tomorrow.

Total snowfall amounts could reach as much as 10 cm or more by the time the system moves out of the area tomorrow afternoon.

Search For Festivals' Name Continues

Chambers of Commerce in Fort Frances and International Falls are still searching for a name that will help market the events around July 1st and July 4th in the Sister communities.

Community leaders from both sides bantered around a few possibilities last night, but none grabbing their full attention.

Officials say they'll accept submissions until May 1 with hopes of find a suitable name for use this year.