Racoon Turns Out The Lights

A racoon is being blamed for causing a power outage this morning in Fort Frances.

The electricity went out around 3 AM.

A spokesperson with the Fort Frances Power Corporation says the animal got into one of its substations, causing the wide-spread outage.

The lights came back on shortly after 4 AM.

Meantime, brief outages were also reported elsewhere in the district.

No cause has been listed for those yet.

The outage also impacted 93.1 The Border's transmitter.

The station could still be heard through it's website before technicians were able to restore the off-air signal shortly before 8 AM.

Derailment Investigated

The Transportation Safety Board is now investigating that CN rail derailment west of Fort Frances.

A team of investigators was deployed after thirty-five cars left the track Friday afternoon, just east of the level crossing on Highway 11-71 in the township of Alberton.

It's reported that two of the cars contained dangerous goods, but nothing spilled.

A small grass fire also broke out, but was quickly extinguished.

No one was injured.

CN says it had the tracks cleared of debris by 6 PM Saturday night, but still expected some rail travel to be delayed going through the area.

More Forest Fires On Weekend

The grass fire resulting from Friday's CN train derailment has been recorded as the first forest fire of the year in the Rainy River district.

It was one of five new blazes that sparked across northwestern Ontario this weekend.

All were human caused, but have since been declared out.

It brings this year's total to 22 fires, covering just over 11 hectares.

Two Dead Near Dryden

Two people are dead following a motor vehicle accident west of Dryden yesterday.

OPP says a vehicle came into collision with an oncoming tractor trailer unit on Highway 17 near Eagle River.

Both of the fatalities were occupants of the vehicle, but their names have not been released.

Two people in the transport were not hurt.

Northern Leaders Debate Today

Two of Ontario's top political leaders square off in an election debate in the city today.

The NDP's Andrea Horwath and Kathleen Wynne of the Liberals will be answering questions on northern Ontario issues when they face each other in the lunch hour debate.

PC leader Tim Hudak could not make it because of a scheduling conflict.

He's in Peterborough.  

You can watch the debate through Livestream beginning at 11 AM Central time. 

The link is being provided by Net Newsledger.com.

Click this link.

Liberal Election Platform Released

Premier Kathleen Wynne is confident with the Liberal's election platform.

She released her party's plan in Thunder Bay yesterday, much of which mirrors the failed budget presented earlier this month.

The Premier says the Liberals remain committed to better road conditions in the north.

The Liberals are also committing the billion dollars for the Ring of Fire regardless of the federal government's involvement.

NDP Asks "Who Got Main Service?"

New Democrats are calling on the Premier to release the names of Liberal cabinet ministers who reportedly received free maid service.

They were named in OPP documents as part of an investigation into an elaborate kickback scheme that saw a contractor bill for over $2.2 million for government cleaning contracts between 2002 and 2008.

Three government officials plead guilty to breach of trust, two of whom worked with the Ministry of Transportation while Wynne was then Transportation Minister.

Weather Record

A new weather record for the borderland on the weekend.

The high in Fort Frances Saturday of 30.7 C surpassed the old mark of 30.5 C set back in 1980.

Pool Users Get Break On Bills

The city of International Falls intends to give residents with pools a break on their sewer bills.

Council last week approved a committee recommendation to give residents credits when they have to refill their pools over the summer.

Councillor Gail Rogenrud says it recognizes water loss that can happen during the summer.

Mayor Bob Anderson voted against the idea, noting such credits weren't being given to people who water their gardens or wash their vehicles.

Attawapiskat Resident Back Home

Residents of Attawapiskat First Nation are back home, but those from another remote first nation are still waiting to go back.

About 140 Attawapiskat people being housed in Fort Frances were among the 300 hundred allowed to return home last Thursday as flooding threats diminished.

But nearly 15-hundred from Kashechewan are still waiting out high waters near their community in Thunder Bay, Greenstone, Cornwall and Kapaskusing.

A date for their return home is not known.

Youth Located

Provincial Police says two youths reported missing in Fort Frances have been found safe and sound.

17-year-old Felicia Morrison, reported missing May 6, was located in Kenora.

15-year-old Mariah Wilson, reported missing last week, was found in Couchiching First Nation.

All Parks Now Open

The unusually cool spring is having a trickle down effect at some provincial parks in northwestern Ontario.

Ontario Parks delayed the opening of 11 parks across the region, including Quetico Provincial Park, last week because of snow and ice.

All were supposed to open on the weekend.

Three Charged In Plane Fight

A fight aboard a plane taking residents of Attawapiskat First Nations back home has resulted in charges against three people.

It's happened in a flight Tuesday.

A 27-year-old woman and two youth are charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft.

Two youth also facing additional assault charges.

OPP Seeking Students

OPP in the Rainy River district are looking to hire a couple of youth this summer.

Successful applicants will work with OPP to deliver a variety of public safety programs.

Police received funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for the hires.

Applications to the detachment in Fort Frances are now being accepted until June 13.

Healthy Candidates

Anthony Leek, Randy Nickle and Tim McKillop are healthy candidates.

They're among more than 100 candidates in the provincial election pledging to the Heart and Stroke Foundation their parties will invest more to promote and support better health in Ontario.

The Foundation's campaign in 2011 attracted 86 per cent of the elected MPP's.

The Green's John Northey in Thunder Bay-Atikokan is the only other northwestern Ontario candidate to have signed the pledge.

Drug Bust

A traffic stop near Kenora has led to drug charges against a northwestern Ontario man.

OPP say nearly 200 grams of marijuana, street-valued at about $3,600, were found inside a vehicle stopped last Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old driver from Machin will now make a court appearance in July.

PC's React To NOMA Debate Decision

The PC party says it's unfortunate that organizers of the northern Ontario leaders election debate did not pick a date that was good for everyone.

Tim Hudak won't be in Thunder Bay Monday because of scheduling conflicts.

The Tory candidate for Thunder Bay-Atikokan Harold Wilson says he's not upset that the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association will proceed without the leader.

Monday's debate will feature NDP leader Andrea Horwath and Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Campbell Criticizes PC Leader For Being A No Show At Debate

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River is accusing the Progressive Conservatives of making northern Ontario an afterthought in their plans.

The NDP's Sarah Campbell says it's illustrated by leader Tim Hudak's decision not to partake in next week's leaders debate in Thunder Bay.

The Tories say it's because of scheduling conflicts.

Campbell says it's disrespectful to northerners for the leader not to make time to participate.

Nickle Slams New Rules For Camp Owners

Kenora-Rainy River PC candidate Randy Nickle is calling for a stop to unnecessary red tape burdens on local camp owners.

Nickle says the province has ordered all employees at tourist lodges to wear life jackets when near water.

Nickle calls it unnecessary and another example of how impractical government regulations are getting in the way of small local businesses.

Leaders Campaign

The NDP wants to keep schools open for community groups to access after hours and on weekend.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath is pledging $60-million as part of an "Open Schools" fund.

Horwath says it will help school boards offset their costs of making school available after hours and allow community groups to run programs at low or no cost to users.

PC Leader Tim Hudak is predicting a comeback in Ontario's manufacturing industry through his Million Jobs Plan.

Hudak says through a combination of lower taxes, affordable energy and reduced red tape, the number of blue collar workers in the province will increase.

Hudak claims Ontario has lost 300-thousand manufacturing jobs under the Liberals who at the same time added 300-thousand new government workers.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says the choices in front for voters in this provincial election are stark.

Wynne feels her Liberals have laid out a very comprehensive plan that looks at all aspects of society.

Wynne says it compares with the PC's plan that will undercut the economy while the NDP is putting out one-off ideas.


For the leaders today, both Horwath and the Premier speak in Toronto.

Hudak campaigns in Ottawa.

New Zamboni Planned

A new electric zamboni is being considered for Kerry Park in International Falls.

It would replace an existing one that runs on propane.

International Falls Rec commission rep Bill Mason says it's necessary to ensure they meet air quality requirements at the arena.

Mason says they are currently in the process of raising the $122-thousand needed for the unit.

Cash Draw Tickets Half Sold

Riverside Foundation for Health Care says tickets for its Canada Day Cash Lottery are over half sold.

The grand prize is $10-thousand with several early bird prizes up for grabs.

Joe Kniesz of Fort Frances picked up the first prize - a fishing package courtesy of Manitou Station Fishing Lodge.

Greens Request Participation In Leaders Debate

If the leader of the PC Party can't make it to a Northern Ontario debate, Mike Schreiner of the Greens is more than willing to take Tim Hudak's seat.

Schreiner he just wants the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association to gives its ok.



He says he's written a letter to NOMA asking to participate.

Riding Debates Planned

Candidates in Kenora-Rainy River will be debating the issues among each other soon.

A debate has been confirmed for June 3 in Kenora.

The Rainy River Federation of Agriculture says it's in the process of setting up one in Stratton for May 29.

There's no word if a debate will take place in Fort Frances this election.

The Chamber of Commerce has in the past set that up, but won't be involved this year.

Man Rescued In Quetico Park

A harrowing experience for a canoeist in Quetico Provincial Park.

OPP say the man's canoe had drifted away Monday afternoon after he stopped at an island on Kawnipi Lake, leaving him stranded.

He was able to sent a message back to a Minnesota tourist outfitter who notified authorities.

Poor weather delayed rescue efforts until Tuesday morning when the man was found safe and sound.

Officers also helped get the man's canoe back.

Visitor Restrictions Lifted

Visitor restrictions at Rainycrest Long Term Care have been lifted.

The measures went into place two weeks ago following an outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness at Fort Frances senior facility.

NOMA Debate Going Ahead Without PC Leader

It was the Liberals in the last election, now its the PC's.

Tory leader Tim Hudak will not be joining the northern leaders election debate in Thunder Bay next week because of scheduling conflicts.

Debate organizer Iain Angus of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association says the debate will go ahead as planned as it did when then Premier Dalton McGuinty failed to show for the 2011 debate.

Both NDP leader Andrea Horwath and Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne are both confirmed for next Monday's event.

PC To Make Ontario First Choice of Destination For Immigrants

PC Leader Tim Hudak wants immigrants to Canada to make Ontario their new home.

Hudak says he'll start by working to eliminate the red tape that restricts immigrant professionals from immediately working in their fields.

Hudak also wants to make it easier for immigrants now studying in Ontario to stay in the province and find jobs in their fields.

NDP Focus on Health Care

New Democrats are promising to cut wait times in hospital emergency rooms in half.

Leader Andrea Horwath says her plan will include the hiring of 250 new nurse practitioners, opening 50 new 24-hour family health clinics and creating 14-hundred more long term care beds.

Horwath is also pledging to implement a five-day home care guarantee.

Liberals Promising To Strengthen Agricultural Industry

A commitment from the Liberals to protect the province's farmland.

Premier Kathleen Wynne is proposing a Farms Forever plan that would ensure farmland isn't taken over for other development.

The Liberals are also promising $400-million over the next decade to help food processing factories and farmers acquire new equipment.

Leaders Wednesday

On the election campaign today, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is in Brampton and Toronto.

Premier Kathleen Wynne's stops include a visit to the Toyota Plant in Cambridge and a meeting with the Chinese community in Thornhill.

PC leader Tim Hudak visits Coburg and Peterborough.

County Looking To Address Blasting Concerns

Koochiching County is looking at changes to a zoning ordinance to deal with residents complaints about blasting.


Several residents claim the work by a company east of Rainer has led to damages to their homes and well being.

Environmental Services manager Dale Olson says changes in wording may give the County more control.

Lawyer for Bowman Construction Steve Nelson says the County may be wasting its time and energy and should direct residents to pursue their complaints through the courts.

Nelson adds the company is following the rules with its blasts.


The proposed changes to the zoning ordinance will get a legal review before heading to the County's planning commission for public input.

No Fires In Rainy River District Yet

The forest fire situation in the Rainy River district remains quiet.

No fires have been reported yet in 2014.

There was activity elsewhere in northwestern Ontario with nine new blazes reported during the long weekend, all human-caused.

Water Levels Up

Water levels are up at area water.

The International Joint Commission says Rainy Lake has risen about 30 centimetres over the past week, putting its well over the normal levels for this time of year.

The higher level is partly due to the opening of dams at Namakan Lake which are letting water through at maximum levels.

Meantime, Rainy River has risen over 3 metres since April.

Flood Warning In Dryden

CKDR photo

A flood warning remains in effect in the Dryden area.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the warning will stay in place until Friday.

Flooding has already impacted some roads including a section of Highway 105 to Red Lake.

Missing Youth

OPP are seeking the public's help in locating a missing Fort Frances teenager.

Police says 15-year-old Mariah Wilson was last seen on Armit Avenue Sunday morning.

The First Nations teen is described as being 5'1" and 101 lbs with a thin build.

She was last seen wearing a grey sweater, green shoes and black pants.

Fort Frances Home To Evacuees

Fort Frances is now a temporary home to about 140 residents of Attiwapiskat First Nation.

They are among the one thousand who were evacuated from their community on the weekend because of high water levels on the Attawapiskat River.

Others were airlifted to communities in northeastern Ontario and Quebec.

Their stay, though, may be short.

Emergency Management Ontario says flood risks have diminished and residents evacuated will start heading back home as early as today.

Northern Ontario Leaders Debate Set

2011 NOMA debate

Two of three provincial leaders are confirming their intentions to attend a debate focusing on northern issues.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association will host the May 26 event in Thunder Bay.

Premier Kathleen Wynne committed during NOMA's conference in Fort Frances to attending the debate.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says she's also excited about the opportunity to engage with the Liberals.

It is still unsure if PC leader Tim Hudak will be attending.

Horwath Wants More Debates

NDP leader Andrea Horwath is calling for more debates.

Along with the northern Ontario debate, a televised debate will take place June 3.

Horwath is asking for another focusing solely on jobs and the economy.

Hudak Promises To Cut Red Tape

File photo

PC Leader Tim Hudak is out with plans to reduce red tape, he says will create 84-thousand new jobs.

The measures include removing rules that prohibit competitive bids on government construction projects, streamlining apprenticeship rules and ending a government monopoly on workplace insurance to employers.

Leaders Tuesday

Today, the leaders are campaigning in southwestern Ontario.

Premier Kathleen Wynne visits a farm in Paris, before traveling to London and Windsor.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath makes a campaign announcement at Queen Park before traveling to London.

PC leader Tim Hudak starts his day in Scarborough before visiting a Woodstock farm and a factory in Nebringville.

Greens Well Represented In Northwestern Ontario

The Green Party now has candidates in all three northwestern Ontario ridings.

John Northey is the candidate in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

Joseph LeBlanc is challenging Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle in Superior North.

As previously reported, Tim McKillop is running in Kenora-Rainy River.

Policy Institute Coming Together

The pieces of a new Northern Policy Institute are slowly coming into focus.

President Charles Cirtwill says six people have been selected for the advisory committee and is looking for some more candidates.

Cirtwell says some of the invites have been sent to people in Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie and Fort Frances.

Cirtwill says the recent selections were based on their experience, knowledge and connections in key sectors across the northern Ontario.

The Institute is being created to provide input into the decisions at Queen's Park impacting Northern Ontario

Public Input Expected On Water Plan

A chance to raise concerns of water issues in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin.

A team working on a Water Quality Plan of Study will soon be looking for public input.

Member Kelli Saunders says the goal is to find out where they can improve water quality.

A draft report for public review should be complete in July.

Medicinal Marijuana Approved In Minnesota

Credit: Mark/Flickr

The 2014 Legislature in Minnesota ended with a flurry over the weekend with several bills passed now awaiting the Governor's signature.

One is to legalize medicinal marijuana use.

Starting next summer, approved patients could get marijuana in liquid or pill form at up to eight distribution facilities to open in the state.

Heather Azzi with Minnesotans for Compassionate Care says it won't allow for the sale of plant leaves for smoking, so the fight is not over.

The aims to have rules and manufacturers in place by next winter.

Governor Mark DAyton, who supports the bill, must still attach his signature.

Click Or Ticket It

Law enforcement agencies in northeastern Minnesota are kicking off a seat-belt enforcement campaign today.

It's part of their efforts in the aim to reduce the number of deaths on State highways.

Officials says more than half of all motor vehicle fatalities each year are attributed to a lack of or improper seatbelt use.

Changes To Postal Services In Fort Frances

Fort Frances residents are seeing some changes with their mail delivery service.

The union representing postal workers says one and a half positions were recently cut which has led routes being expanded for the remaining carriers.

Local president Sandra Lange says it's put a strain on workers.

Lange says despite Canada Posts claims, they are seeing an increase in mail locally, particularity with flyers and parcel deliveries.

Museum Promoted

A new campaign to attract more people to the Fort Frances Museum.

Friends of the Museum chair Duane Hicks says they've developed new cards contained various information about the museum.

Hicks says the cards will be found at a variety of locations, including tourist centres around northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota.

Hicks says it makes the museum more "sexier" to visitors and hopes it will draw more people in this summer.

Busy Summer Planned For Work Crews

There's going to be a considerable amount of road work around Fort Frances this summer.

A total of seven different projects are scheduled.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the biggest will be a further upgrade to Third Street East between Crowe and Frenette Avenues to place aging infrastructure.

Because of the proximity of Robert Moore School, that work won't start until school ends in June.

The town is also looking at road improvements on Frog Creek Road to its airport and a replacement of some fire hydrants and storm sewer manholes throughout the town.

Fort Frances Budget Delayed

Town of Fort Frances is hoping to finalize its budget by the end of this month.

Council had planned to pass it at its meeting this past week.

Mayor Roy Avis says some recent changes impacting the assessed value of the Resolute Forest Products mill which is being closed played into a delay.


Avis says a previously announced tax increase of half-a-per cent may change, but not by much.