Liberal Accused Of Contempt

The provincial Liberals are  being accused of contempt.

Conservative critic Vic Fedeli suggests the Premier is trying to subvert the Ontario legislature by leaking portions of the provincial budget.

Fedeli says the government plans to announce $5.7 billion dollars in spending in the next 27 days leading up to the budget's release.

Gas Plant Scandal Continues

The gas plant scandal continues to dominate debate at Queen's Park.

The opposition grilled the Liberals repeatedly yesterday about what the government knew about allegations of wrong-doing in the premier's office.

Liberal House Leader John Milloy says the matter is under investigation and is best left to the police.

Over the weekend, Premier Kathleen Wynne confirmed she has sent a libel notice to Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak. 

Mill Fined

A northwestern Ontario mill has been slapped with a huge fine in connection with an explosion that killed a worker three years ago.

Terrace Bay pulp was fined $275-thousand dollars after a Ministry of Labour investigation determined welding repairs to a steel tank had been allowed to take place before the tank has been cleared of hazardous material inside.

The probe also found the mill had not taken reasonable precautions in advance of the work.

Province Says Gains Made In Education And Health

The provincial government is chest thumping about the improvements Ontario has made in Health and Education.

In a progress report released, the province says several improvements have been seen in both areas.

It includes noting reduced surgical wait times for cancer surgeries, more Ontarians now with a family doctor and more nurse hired over the past decade.

More Technology Planned For Schools

School Boards can expect to see more technology in their classrooms.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says the province will invest more than $150-million over the next three years to bring more digital tablets, netbook, camera and software into schools.

Some of the money will be used for professional development to keep teachers up-to-date on the technology.

Festival Day 5 Results

The first day of piano competitions at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts saw several multi-winners.

Raymond Polz among them who took home three first-place awards.

The competitions continue today at the Townshend Theatre beginning at 9 AM

Here is the list of all winners from Monday.

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 9
FIRST:  Raymond Polz
SECOND:  (Tie) Erin Gustafson, Sarah Bagacki

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 8
FIRST:  Anna Schwartz
SECOND:  Tianna Veldhuisen

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 7
FIRST:  Wanetta Petkau
SECOND:  Gareth Dunn

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 6
FIRST:  Brianna Eldridge
SECOND:  Mika Kooistra

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Baroque, Grade 5
FIRST:  Madison Krikke

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 5
FIRST:  Jessica Empey
SECOND:  Madison Krikke

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 9
FIRST:  Raymond Polz
SECOND:  Erin Gustafson

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 8
FIRST:  Anna Schwartz
SECOND:  Tianna Veldhuisen

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 7
FIRST:  Jordan Bruyere
SECOND:  Gareth Dunn

Piano Solo, Examination Courses, Classical, Grade 6
FIRST:  Brianna Eldridge
SECOND:  Emma Dykstra

Piano Solo, Traditional Hymn, Fold Hymn or Modern Chorus Accompaniment, Intermediate
FIRST:  Mika Kooistra
SECOND:  Alexa Veldhuisen

Piano Solo, Own Composition, Advanced
FIRST:  Raymond Polz

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Introductory Level
FIRST:  Torrie Spence
SECOND:  Emerson Archie

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Popular, Introductory Level
FIRST:  Dahlia Kaun
SECOND: (Tie) Valentina Schickell-Busch, Torrie Spence, Liam Dent

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Classical, Introductory Level
FIRST:  Rex Tolton

Piano Solo, Own Composition, Introductory
FIRST:  Sullivan Spiers

Piano Solo, Method Courses, Children’s Songs, Level 1 (9 years and older)
FIRST:  Kaidence Perreault
SECOND: (Tie) Connor Dutka, Bransen Campbell

Piano Solo, Method Course, Jazz, Level 1
FIRST:  Connor Dutka
SECOND:  Bransen Campbell

Directive Pays Off

Fort Frances High School is receiving strong community support for a directive toward students posting inappropriate photos and comments on social media.

It warned them last week of the consequences of such actions and asked that sites connecting the school be removed.

Principal Peg Keefer says it appears to have made a difference with student and parents who complained seeing marked decrease in the negative use by students of social media sites.

Keefer says they're also continuing ongoing education in the school to reinforce the importance of using those sites responsibly.

Official Opening For SCAP



RRDSB photo

The ribbon has been officially cut on the new location for Sturgeon Creek Alternative Education Program.

About 100 students have been attending classes at the new Emo school since September.

Chair of the Christian Parents Association Carmela Klug says the new school improves on facilities they had in Stratton.

Klug says the school also includes a gymnasium, something students didn't have.

The Association is still continuing to raise money to help offset its construction costs.

Seven Gens To Deliver Mining Program

A major cash infusion for the Seven Generation Education Institute.

The federal government is providing it with $5.2 million for programming that helps students prepare for jobs in the mining industry.

Seven Gens will be working Confederation College, Lakehead University and Cambrian College.

Jobs Numbers Grow In Ontario

Ontario's job market is continuing to grow.

The province saw 13,400 net new jobs in the month of March, while the unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent.

That's a 0.2 percentage decrease from February.

Salvation Army Recognized For Its Work Locally

The Salvation Army is receiving praise for its 100 years of service in the Fort Frances area.

The local church celebrated on the weekend.

Area Commander Major Debra Bungay says the community should be proud of the history and the relationship its had with the Salvation Army.

Bungay says Fort Frances raises on a per capita bases as much as some of its larger areas to help sustain programming.

Bermuda Band Visits Fort Frances

A brass band from Bermuda was among those on hand to help the Salvation Army celebrate 100 years of service in Fort Frances.

Band master Jerome Astwood says it's was just their third trip ever overseas, and second to Canada having visited the Toronto area back in the late 1990's.

The 17 members raised their own money to make the trip.

They made several public appearances while in Fort Frances, including marching through the downtown area.

Here's a bit from their performance at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

Festival Day 4 Results

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts continues today with piano competitions getting underway at the Townshend Theatre at 9 AM.

Director of Education with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Tanya Derkson serves as adjudicator.

Friday, the instrumental portion of the festival wrapped up with Hanna Veldhuisen and Fort Frances High School bands each earning four first place finishes.

Here is list of all winners from Friday and the French Drama portion from Wednesday.

Instrumental Results, Friday, April 4
Violin Solo, Method Courses, Level 3
FIRST:  Alexa Veldhuisen

Violin Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 4
FIRST:  Hanna Veldhuisen

Violin Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 5
FIRST:  Mika Kooistra
SECOND:  Katelyn Bruyere

Violin Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 6
FIRST:  Tianna Veldhuisen

String Solo, Short Recital Piece, Junior
FIRST:  Alexa Veldhuisen

String Solo, Short Recital Piece, Intermediate
FIRST:  Hannah Veldhuisen
SECOND:  (Tie) Katelyn Bruyere, Mika Kooistra

Fiddling, Intermediate
FIRST:  Katelyn Bruyere, Mika Kooistra, Tianna Veldhuisen and Hannah Veldhuisen

String Ensemble, Intermediate
FIRST:  Alexa Veldhuisen, Tianna Veldhuisen, Katelyn Bruyere, Hannah Veldhuisen and Mika Kooistra

Bands and Orchestras, Junior Band
FIRST:  Fort Frances High School Junior Band, Director: Lisa Loney

Bands and Orchestras, Intermediate Band
FIRST:  Fort Frances High School Intermediate Band, Director:  Lisa Loney

Bands and Orchestras, Senior Band
FIRST:  Fort Frances High School Senior Band, Director:  Lisa Loney

Bands and Orchestras, Jazz Band
FIRST:  Fort Frances High School Jazz Band, Director:  Lisa Loney

Ensembles, Garage Band with Vocalist, Cover Material
FIRST:  St. Mary’s Youth Band, Director:  Marie Brady

Instrumental Duets, Senior
FIRST:  Shawn Brady and Raymond Polz


French Drama Results, Wednesday, April 2
French Solo Poetry, Grades 7 and 8
FIRST: Janissa Judson
SECOND: Alexa Veldhuisen

French Solo Prose Reading, Grades 7 and 8
FIRST: Siobhan MacKintosh
SECOND: (Tie) Abby Sanders, Lyzzie Klem

French Solo Poetry, Grades 9 and up
FIRST: (Tie) Mackenzie Wright, Libby Paleczny
SECOND: Claire Hyatt

Water Trail Progressing

The development of an all-water trail route through northwestern Ontario is being welcomed by Trans Canada Trail.

 

Path of the Paddle recently received Ontario Trillium Foundation funding for the project.

 

Trans Canada Trail's Ontario manager Melissa Pomeroy says it's key funding.

 

They hope to have the trail, that will pass through several area waters and Atikokan, in place by 2017.

Tree Of Kindness Growing

A tree of kindness is growing in the Rainy River district.

The United Native Friendship Centre is asking people to add leaves to its tree by identifying acts of kindness they did recently.

Spokesperson Steve Latimer says it's part of efforts to celebrate Day of Pink next Wednesday.

Latimer says people are encouraged  to visit and write their good deeds on pink hands that will be placed on the tree.

UNFC is also asking other organizations to create their own trees.

Salvation Army Celebrates

The Salvation Army is kicking off its 100 year celebrations in the Fort Frances area this weekend.

 

It starts today with an appearance from a Salvation Army brass band from Bermuda.

 

Lieutenant Dennis Maybury says they'll first perform this morning at Rainycrest before marching down Scott St. at 11:30 this morning.,

 

A public performance is planned for tomorrow, but it's been sold out.

Snow And Ice Still Hindering River Access

A chance to get a little spring fishing in along the Rainy River could be remote for many Minnesota anglers this weekend.

 

An access to the river near Birchdale remains socked in with snow and ice.

 

Koochiching County Land Commissioner Dennis Hummitzsch says any work to remove it won't be worth it.

 

Hummitzsch says only the weather and water flows will determine when the ice leaves.

Hydro Protest In Nestor Falls

A protest over rising hydro costs is planned in Nestor Falls today.

The noon hour gathering is part of a province wide demonstration.

The event is taking place at Dalseg's Trading Post parking lot.

Suicide Awareness Training At Medical School

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is incorporating suicide awareness training into its MD curriculum.

 

Professor Brian Ross says students will spend the first two years of training in class.

 

The School is the one of the first North America to have such a program in place.

Weight Restrictions In Place

Spring truck weight restrictions after now in effect on Minnesota state highways within its north-central and north frost zones.

Spring load restrictions are already in place for the state's south, southeast, metro and central frost zones.

Fire Death Prompts Demands For Better Fire Safety

The death in a house fire in the remote community of Fort Severn has prompted calls for a better approach to fire safety and prevention in First Nations.

 

Nishnawbe-Aski First Nation wants governments and emergency service providers to begin putting more emphasis on prevention.

 

Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says a chronic lack of firefighting services and substandard housing, many without smoke detectors or fire extinguishers, is becoming a deadly combination that claiming too many live.

 

Monday's fire at Fort Severn fire comes just weeks after four perished in a house fire in Mishkeegogamang near Pickle Lake.

Goldcorp Extends Takeover Offer

Goldcorp is extending an offer to takeover Osisko Mining while it studies a partnership agreement Osisko says it has another mining company.

 

Goldcorp's offer was to expire today, but it's now set April 15th as an expiration date.

 

The move comes after Osisko announced that Yamana Gold is acquiring a 50-per cent stake in the company's mining and exploration assets which include the Hammond Reef Gold project near Atikokan.

Sewer Project Still Part Of Bonding Bills

A project to extend sewer services to the Island View area east of International Falls continues to be on a list of projects that could received State funding through a bonding bill.

More than $8.5 million dollars has been earmarked for the Voyageur Clean Water project in two separate bills making their way through the House committee level.

They come up for discussion against today.

Minnesota Kicks Off Its Construction Season

Minnesota plans to spend more than a billion dollars this year to fix up highway and bridges across the State.

It includes a $6.6 million improvement to a section of Highway 11 in the area of Pelland, west of International Falls.

There will also be new railway gates on Highway 11 in International Falls, costing $325-thousand.

ETFO Proposed Education Changes

Ontario's elementary teachers have released a plan they say will result in a better learning environment for students.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario wants such things as smaller class sizes in the intermediate grades, more meaningful assessment of student success and more resources for special needs students.

President Sam Hammond says their proposals come directly from education professionals and are priorities for parents.

Healthy Smiles Grow

Ontario is expanding it's healthy smiles program.

A change in eligibility allows 70 thousand more children from low income families to access free dental services through the program.

That brings to 460 thousand, the number of children now eligible for dental care through Ontario's low income dental programs.

More Recognition For Atikokan Musician

Another award nomination for Atikokan artist Sunday Wilde.

She's up for Blues Artist of the Years in the this year's SiriusXM Indies to be handed out in May.

Wilde is also up for blues song of the year in the Independent Music Awards.

Festival Results Day 3

Reece and Scott Jolicoeur among top performers in the instrumental division of the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

Both earned two first place finishes yesterday.

Competition in the vocal division has wrapped up with the newly formed Rainy River District Youth Choir claiming it's first-ever first place finish.

Bands take over the stage today at the Townshend Theatre starting at 9 AM


Violin Solo, Method Courses, Level 1
FIRST:  Mackenzie Jolicoeur

Guitar Solo, Level 1
FIRST:  Rachel Anderson
SECOND:  Connor Dent

Guitar Solo, Level 2
FIRST:  Reese Jolicoeur

Guitar Solo, Grade 1
FIRST:  Scott Jolicoeur

Guitar Solo, Beginner
FIRST:  Resse Jolicoeur

String Solo, Popular Music, Intermediate
FIRST  Scott Jolicoeur

Instrumental Duets, Junior
FIRST:  Bryan Ribey and Sarah Ribey

Instrumental Solo, Brass, Short Recital Piece, Junior
FIRST:  (Tie) Sarah Ribey and Bryan Ribey

Ensembles, Beginner
FIRST:  Robert Moore School, Grade 4 Class, Directors Ms Donald and Mr. Cuzzolino

Bands and orchestras, Beginner Band
FIRST:  J. W. Walker School, Grades 7 and 8 Band, Directors Mr. Dutton and Ms. Bonner-Vickers
SECOND:  Robert Moore School, Grades 7 and 8 Band, Directors Mr. Dutton and Ms. Avis


Vocal Results

Classroom Choruses, Kindergarten (English)
FIRST:  Robert Moore School Early Learning Class, Directors:  Ms. Cain, Ms. Solomon, Ms. Wishert
SECOND:  Robert Moore School Early Learning Class, Directors:  Ms. Eldridge, Ms. Kivimaki

Classroom Choruses, Grade 2 (English)
FIRST:  Donald Young School, Grades 1 and 2 Class, Director Ms. Martin-Brown

Massed Primary Choir, Grades K to 4 (English)
FIRST:  St. Michael’s School, Director Mr. Brown

Girl’s Choir, Grades 4 to 8 (English)
FIRST:  Robert Moore Girls’ Choir, Grades 4 to 8, Director:  Ms. Von Niebelschutz

Community Choirs, Open
FIRST:  Rainy River District Youth Choir, Director:  Ms. Campagna

Contemporary Solo, 9 and 10 years
FIRST:  Christian Wiedenhoeft
SECOND:  Emma Bone

Contemporary Solo, 11 and 12 years
FIRST:  Brianna Eldridge
SECOND:  (Tie) Sarah Ribey, Star Martin

Vocal Duet, 9 to 12 years
FIRST:  Callahan Wiedenhoeft and Christian Wiedenhoeft
SECOND:  Katelyn Bruyere and Joelle Bruyere

Sacred Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 1
FIRST:  Emma Bone
SECOND:  Emma Toriseva

Vocal Duet, Trio or Quartet, 13 to 15 years
FIRST:  Anna Schwartz, Katelyn Bruyere and Rachel Anderson

Original Composition, 13 and 14 years
FIRST:  Anna Schwartz

Original Arrangement, 11 and 12 years
FIRST:  Callahan Wiedenhoeft

Sacred Solo, 13 and 14 years
FIRST:  Abigail Lücke

Secular Solo, 19 years and over
FIRST:  Kenneth Brown

Contemporary Solo, 5 and 6 years
FIRST:  Taylor Godin

Contemporary Solo, 13 and 14 years
FIRST:  Avery Cates
SECOND:  Emma Dykstra

Contemporary Solo, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  McKenna Begin
SECOND:  Faith Pollard

Traditional Folk Song, Examination Courses, Grade 6
FIRST:  Jillian Armstrong

Contemporary Solo, 19 years and over
FIRST:  Kenneth Brown

Vocal Duet, Open
FIRST:  Betty Anne Lücke and Abigail Lücke

Vocal Duet, 13 to 15 years
FIRST:  McKenna Begin and Faith Pollard

High School Issues Warning About Social Media Postings

A warning to students on social media from Fort Frances High School.

In a statement on its own Facebook page, the High School states any student posting photos, making inappropriate comments, or using them in a derogatory manner will be subject to progressive discipline.

The school says it's aware of a several comments, photos and bullying-type actions currently on-line and gave students until the end of yesterday to remove them.

It also wanted other sites identifying the school deleted.

OPP Combatting Incidents of Cyber-bullying

OPP say they're taking great interest in curbing incidents of cyber-bullying in area schools.

They been delivered their "Respect Technology" program for the past three years.

Constable Anne McCoy says they're trying to get students to understand the ramifications of using social media improperly.

McCoy also encourages students who believe they're are victims to come forward.

Studies who that while while 84 per cent of parents believe their children will talk to them about being bullied, just 8 per cent of students actually do.

Police Called To Fort Frances Incident

OPP are looking into an incident that occurred in downtown Fort Frances last night.

Few details are immediately available, but a caller to CFOB-News says one person was taken to hospital.

Police tape had been wrapped around the area of First Street East and Portage Avenue.

It has since been removed.

One Dead In House Fire

One person is dead following a house fire on the Fort Severn First Nation.

The Nishinawbe Aski Police Service say the blaze broke out around 5 AM Monday morning.

While several people managed escape, one person was unable to get out.

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office has been called in to help out with the investigation.

Do One Thing

The Northwestern Health Unit wants to "Do One Thing."

It's the name of a conference to take place next month in Kenora.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Perrault says it's a first of it's kind conference for service providers.

Perrault says it aimed at starting a dialogue on the health status of the region and future actions.

Caliper Lake To Re-open

Caliper Lake Provincial Park is re-opening.

It's the result of a three-year agreement between the province and the municipality of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls.

The province closed the park last year as part of cost-saving measures.

Under the deal, the municipality will now be responsible for staffing and operating costs and cover any losses.

Osisko Signs Partnership To Fend Off Goldcorp Takeover

Osisko Mining appears to have found a partner to help fight off a hostile take-over bid by Goldcorp.

Osisko says it's entered into a partnership with Yamana Gold that will see the Toronto-based company acquire 50 per cent interest in Osisko and become an equal partner in its mining and exploration projects.

The deal is valued at nearly $930-million.

Goldcorp is offering $2.9. billion for Osisko.

King's Gold Finds Partners

A junior mining company doing work in the Rainy River district says it's found some interest for its projects.

King's Bay Gold says it's signed multiple Confidentiality Agreements with unnamed third parties relating to its Menary Gold Project near Nestor Falls and other properties.

The company says it's also received a three-year exploration permit from the province to continue its work.

Money Given For All-Water Route

The group working on an all-water route through northwestern Ontario has received some funding.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is providing the Path of the Paddle Association with over $333-thousand to hire staff and continue the development of the route.

It proposed to link several rivers and lakes between the Manitoba border and Thunder Bay, connecting with Kenora, Dryden and Atikokan.

The Association is hoping to launch the 900-kilometre route in 2017.

Manitoba Hydro Identifies Tranmission Line Routes

Manitoba Hydro has identified some possible routes for a transmission line to cross into Minnesota that will send power to the Iron Range.

It's preferred location would connect to Minnesota Power's proposed 500 kilovolt line at the border just south of Piney.

Six alternative locations have also been pinpointed.

Manitoba Hydro will begin a series of public meetings later this month.

Minnesota Power is looking at possible routes through Koochiching County for its part of the connection to be in place by 2020.

More Protection For Cell Phone Users

New protection for cellphone users is now in place in Ontario.

New legislation went into effect Tuesday that forces companies to have its contracts written in plain language and clearly identify which services are included as part of the basic fee and which come with extra charges.

It also limits the amount companies can charge if users cancel their contract before it expires.

Casino Question Pondered

The idea of a casino in Fort Frances could come to a public vote this fall.

Town council is considering adding a question to the ballot during the municipal elections to determine if residents support council pursuing the idea.

Mayor Roy Avis says it does not mean the town intends to build one, but rather gaging interest about it speaking further with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission.

A public meeting on the question will be held this month before it reaches the October 27 ballot.

Town Budget Nearly Complete

It's looking like it will be a minimal tax increase for residential ratepayers in Fort Frances.

Final approval has yet to be given, but the 2014 budget does includes a tax increase that's less than one per cent.

Mayor Roy Avis says given where the numbers were at the start of the discussions, he's happy.

He notes it was also done without having to cut services.

The town will spent almost $23-million in the operating budget.

Another $8.6 million has been earmarked for capital projects.

The town is still awaiting final figures from the province affecting the industrial rate before it's in a position to pass the budget later this month.

Provincial Budget Coming May 1

It appears a provincial budget is coming May 1.

The Progressive Conservatives says documents obtained reveal a so-called  "Budget Leaking Team" intended to roll out it's components through a variety of announcements in the weeks leading up to the release.

They say it also includes $5.7 billion in new spending.

The Tories says the Liberals are co-opting the civil service to help generate publicity in advance of a spring election.

What Do You Think Of Kiss And Ride

Proponents of the Kiss and Ride initiative in Fort Frances want to know how its working.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says the local traffic safety committee is conducting a survey to determine what the public thinks of the new rules for dropping off and picking up students at Fort Frances schools.

The survey can be found on the Rainy River District School Board and the Northwest Catholic District School Board websites.

Festival Results From Wednesday

Brianna Eldridge, Tayler Shouldice and Maggie Gauthier the only multi-winners from the second day of vocal competitions at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

Eldridge and Shouldice won their awards in solos categories.

Eldridge also won twice on the festival's first day.

Gautheir earned a first in a solo category and later in a duet on an original composition written and sung with Lisa Loney.

The choirs take over the competitions this morning at Robert Moore School before the vocalists return to the stage at Knox United Church this afternoon.

Here is a list of all winners from Wednesday.

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 1
FIRST:  Paiten Kinnear
SECOND:  Jaycee Mose

Musical Theatre, Up-Tempo, Solo, 9 and 10 years
FIRST:  Christian Wiedenhoeft
SECOND: (Tie) Kenzie Begin, Janaya DeBenetti, Mya Davis

Musical Theatre, Ballad, Solo, 9 and 10 years
FIRST:  Joelle Bruyere

Musical Theatre, Up-Tempo, Solo, 11 and 12 years
FIRST:  Katelyn Bruyere
SECOND:  (Tie) Bianna Eldridge, Carmen Hebert, Star Martin, Callahan Wiedenhoeft

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 5
FIRST:  Brianna Eldridge
SECOND:  Katelyn Bruyere

Musical Theatre, Ballad, Solo, 11 and 12 years
FIRST:  Brianna Eldridge
SECOND:  Carmen Hebert

Musical Theatre, Up-Tempo, Solo, 13 and 14 years
FIRST:  Emma Dykstra
SECOND: (Tie) Emily Loney, Caitlin Anderson

Musical Theatre, Ballad, Solo, 13 and 14 years
FIRST:  Abigail Lücke
SECOND:  Jillian Armstrong

Musical Theatre, Solo, 19 years and over
FIRST: Betty Ann Lücke

Musical Theatre, Ballad, Solo, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  McKenna Begin
SECOND: (Tie) Isaac Firth, Faith Pollard

Musical Theatre, Up-Tempo, Solo, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  Kenzie Godin
SECOND: (Tie) Isaac Firth, McKenna Begin

Musical Theatre, Ballad, Solo, 17 and 18 years
FIRST:  Taylor Shouldice
SECOND:  Danielle Pearce

Musical Theatre, Up-Tempo, Solo, 17 and 18 years
FIRST:  Taylor Shouldice

Contemporary Solo, 17 and 18 years
FIRST:  Maggie Gauthier
SECOND: (Tie) Alisha Hunter, Taylor Shouldice

Original Composition, 19 years and over
FIRST:  Lisa Loney and Maggie Gauthier

County To Help College Find Space

Koochiching County is offering some help to find extra space for Rainy River Community College.

The College had expressed interest in a former Armory building for an industrial maintenance program.

Commissioner Wade Pavleck feels putting a proposal to the State for a new building might be a better route.

The College says it has 22 students planning to take the course this fall.

New CEO At Rainy Lake Medical Centre

Rainy Lake Medical Centre has a new Chief Executive Officer.

Dan Odegaard takes over from Bob Haley who had been serving in an interim capacity for the past couple of years.

Odegaard comes to the International Falls hospital after serving as CEO at Bigfork Valley Hospital for the past eleven years.

Police Numbers Drop In February

The cold weather likely having an effect on the need for provincial police in the Fort Frances area in February.

OPP handled around 270 calls.

That's about 50 less than in February of last year.

Police laid a total of 64 charges during the month, 15 fewer than in 2013.

They also responded to 33 motor vehicle accidents, up from the 29 in January and the 30 in February 2013.

Woman Held In Police Custody Dies

A woman who had been held in custody by the Koochiching County Sheriff's Office has died.

Authorities says the woman was found hanging in a cell at the County jail last Tuesday night.

28-year-old Kathryn Schneider was eventually airlifted to hospital in Duluth where she was pronounced dead on Saturday.

Police say the woman had turned herself in last Tuesday on a parole violation.

Watch For The Lake Ice To Go

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is asking citizens to document when the ice disappears from lakes on its side of the border.

The agency says it helps identify changing climate trends.

The MPCA collects both lake ice-on and ice-off data and makes it available for use by researchers and the State Climatology Office.

Festival Results For Tuesday April 1

A trio of wins by two young vocalists highlighted the opening day of the vocal competitions at the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.

 

Callahan Wiedenhoeft and Piper Likea each scored three first place finishes.

 

The vocal competitions continue today at Knox United Church starting at 9 AM.

 

Here is a list of all winners from Monday.

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Introductory Level
FIRST:  Christian Wiedenhoeft
SECOND:  Maya Davis

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 2
FIRST:  Morgan Beckett

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 4
FIRST:  Carmen Hebert

Secular Solo, 9 and 10 years
FIRST:  Christian Wiedenhoeft

Secular Solo, 11 and 12 years
FIRST:  Callahan Wiedenhoeft

Sacred Solo, Examination Courses, Introductory Grade
FIRST:  Piper Lidkea

Sacred Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 5
FIRST:  Brianna Eldridge
SECOND:  Callahan Wiedenhoeft

Traditional Folk Song, Examination Courses, Introductory Level
FIRST:  Piper Lidkea

Contemporary Solo, 7 and 8 years
FIRST:  Piper Lidkea

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 6
FIRST:  Emma Dykstra

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 7
FIRST:  McKenna Begin

Secular Solo, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  Isaac Firth

Secular Solo, Examination Courses, Grade 6
FIRST:  Emma Dykstra

Sacred Solo, 11 and 12 years
FIRST:  Brianna Eldridge

Traditional Folk Song,  Examination Courses, Grade 2
FIRST:  Kenzie Begin

Traditional Folk Song, Examination Courses, Grade 5
FIRST:  Callahan Wiedenhoeft
SECOND:  Brianna Eldridge

Traditional Folk Song, Examination Courses, Grade 7
FIRST:  McKenna Begin

Traditional Folk Song, 11 and 12 years
FIRST:  Callahan Wiedenhoeft

Traditional Folk Song, 15 and 16 years
FIRST:  Isaac Firth

Traditional Folk Song, 17 and 18 years
FIRST:  Taylor Shouldice

Roads Closed

Travel in the Rainy River district is slowly come back.

Traffic is flowing again on Highway 71 and a section of Highway 11 between Atikokan to Rainy River is also open.

Both those roads had been closed for nearly 14 hours because of the weather.

However, travel farther east to Thunder Bay and the use of Highway 502 is still restricted.

Schools Closed

There will be no school in the Rainy River district today for at least the public school students.

The Rainy River District School Board has just announced its closing all of its schools because of the weather.

No word yet from the Northwest Catholic District School Board about its schools

Confederation College has also closed its Fort Frances campus.

The aboriginal head start program in Fort Frances is also closed as is the Countryview Child Care Centre in Devlin.

Couchiching First Nation's Child Care Centre is closed.

Schools in International Falls and Indus are starting classes two hour later than normal.

Forest Fire Season Starts This Week

Believe it or not forest fire season officially begins tomorrow.

Fire information officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources Debbie MacLean admits it could be a while before there are any fire starts in northwestern Ontario given the amount of snow in the forest.

Still, she says the MNR will prepare for the season as normal, noting activity picked up quickly after a slow start back in 2012.

$100,000 Club Grows

The region's education sector is seeing an increase in employees earning over $100,000 a year.

 

The disclosure of public sector salaries shows 39 employees with the Rainy River District School Board over the $100-thousand salary threshold.

 

That's up from 35 employees in 2012 and the 22 disclosed two years ago.

 

The Northwest Catholic District School Board has 13 employees on the list, down one from 2012.

 

Riverside Health Care Facilities shows 20 over the magic number, including 9 nurses.

 

The town of Fort Frances has five on the list.