Rachel's Challenge Coming to I. Falls

Officials in International Falls are hoping to tackle local issues of bullying through the legacy of a victim from the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.

LeeAnn Meer of Friends Against Abuse says area residents will get to learn more a program called Rachel's Challenge next month.

"Rachel Scott was the first student killed at Columbine," says Meer. "Her family has taken her story and turned it into one of the most powerful school program in the country. It is traveling the country and we have them coming to International Falls October 5."

The program is based on an essay written by Scott a month before the shooting which challenged people to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.

More Drills Proposed by Osisko

More drills could be working on Osisko Mining's Hammond Reef project north of Atikokan by the end of the year.

Osisko acquired the project following its takeover this year of Brett Resources.

Jean-Sébastien David, a company vice-president, says they already have thirteen drills in place.

"We will add a couple of more drills before Christmas," says David. "We might have fifteen drills which would make it one of the biggest drilling programs in Canada."

David says results of the program will help in the development of a feasibility study for the project.

More Approvals Given to AbitibiBowater Plan

AbitibiBowater has achieved another step towards its exit from bankruptcy protection this fall.

The company says creditors in the United States gave its stamp of approval to a reorganization plan this week.

It received approval from Canadian creditors last week.

The plan still needs court approval in both the United States and Canada.

Natural Gas Rate Change Approved

The cost of natural gas is coming down, but Union Gas customers in northwestern Ontario may still see their bills increase.

The cost of a cubic metre of natural gas will drop 3-cents beginning October 1.

The Ontario Energy Board says customers bills may still rise by about four to seven dollars over the next year.

Spokesperson Vanda Wall says it relates to a price difference Union Gas paid for natural gas over the past three months and the price it expects to pay in the next quarter.

Quetico Park Plan Reviewed

Residents in Atikokan will get a chance to comment on a new management plan for Quetico Provincial Park.

An open house will be held today at the Atikokan Arts Centre from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The plan includes the proposed creation of a new wilderness recreation zone, the elimination of two aircraft landings, and a re-opening of old logging roads to hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.

Rewards Program Promoted

A rewards program that encourages local shopping is being promoted in the Rainy River district.

The program in place in Sonoma, California.

Terry Garrett of Sustaining Technologies says shoppers earn rewards each time they shop at participating businesses.

"You could earn them at one business and spend them at another," says Garrett. "That way it unites all of the businesses together with the general public to recirculate, applying the local economic multiplier effect which means the money gets spent local and stays locally."

The idea was put forward to delegates attending last week's Northern Network's Trade Conference.

Falls Concerned About Out-of-town Businesses

International Falls city council will look at its rules governing out-of-town firms that conduct business in the city.

In narrowly approving a business licenses for one such business Monday night, city councillors expressed concern about how some transient businesses have conducted themselves in the past and the impact they have on local businesses.

Mayor Shawn Mason says they can't legally prevent those businesses from setting up shop, but may be able to take steps that protect local residents.

Another Company Joins Gold Search

Another company is getting ready to enter the search for gold north of Barwick.

Soldi Ventures says in acquired 471 hectares of land, immediately south of Rainy River Resources project.

The British Columbia based junior mining company is also in negotiations to acquire additional land.

Rainy River Resources and Bayview Ventures are currently conducting separate exploration activities nearby.

Ambulance Department Expects to be Busy

The city of International Falls is preparing its ambulance department for an increase in patient transfers.

Officials with Rainy Lake Medical Centre say patients needing hospital care will be sent to hospitals elsewhere until it can get a handle on damages caused by Sunday's water line break.

Speaking to city councillors Monday night, Fire Chief Jerry Jensen says ambulance personnel are being readied.

"I think they're pretty dedicated and step up pretty solid as it is," says Jensen, "(but we've asking) to be a little more diligent in telling us when they're in service and out of service. Also to let them know that they might be bringing a patient to the hospital and they might be diverted as soon as they stabilize a patient to where every they're going."

City council also agreed to adjust the schedule of its paramedics to 12 hour shifts until the number of patient transfers decreases.

Immigration Portal Getting Response

A website set up to entice immigrants to northwestern Ontario is attracting some interest.

The Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal, which provides information about the region, went online in March and is managed by the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association.

Executive Director Kathy Woodbeck says they've been dealing with about 3 to 5 inquiries each day since.

"We've had individuals communities requested," says Woodbeck. "We've had people asking about their professions if they are needed in this region and how they can connect with economic development corporations in the communities."

Woodbeck says the site has also attracted people living elsewhere in Canada to the northwest.

Cheating on EQAO Tests Examined

Ten public schools in Ontario have been investigated for cheating and irregularities on last year's province-wide tests in reading, writing and mathematics.

Marie Parsons, chief assessment officer at the Education Quality and Accountability Office, says some schools cheated while others inadvertently broke the rules.

Parson says in some cases, students were provided questions beforehand or handed back answers to correct.

Local Food Bill Proposed

Ontario's New Democrat leader Andre Horwath is planning to bring forward new legislation aimed at helping farmers.'

She says she'll introduce a private member's bill that would require all government ministries to buy local food.

Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell says she's open to the idea, because it builds on what the governing Liberals have already done to promote Ontario-grown food.

OFAH Upset With Long-Gun Registry Debate

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is stepping into the debate over the federal long gun registry.

OFAH supports the campaign to dismantle the registry, but spokesperson Greg Ferrant is upset by some of the misinformation being published by the opposition.

"It's nothing more than an attempt by the opposition parties to derail a productive debate on this issue," says Ferrant, "and to attempt to frighten NDP members into changing their vote."

Ferrant is also disappointed by some New Democrats who have announced plans to change their vote when a private members bill came back to the House of Commons.

Flood Hits I. Falls Hospital

Rainy Lake Medical Centre is cleaning up after a water break forced the International Falls hospital to cancel much of its in-patient services and transfer patients to other nearby hospitals.

Executive Director Brian Long says last night's break left nearly 7 inches of water on the facilities lower floor.

Long says the hospitals emergency room is still functional, but it could be later today or tomorrow before they can determine when other services can resume.

Treaty Three Opposes Far North Act

Grand Council Treaty Three has joined the ground swell of opposition against the Far North Act.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she's worried the provincial government is taking away some of the decision making over their traditional lands.

She adds that the Toronto-based discussions and consultations are not appropriate for decisions that affect this region.

WEEE Depot a Success

The first-ever collection of electronic waste from the Rainy River district is being hailed a success.

A total of 46 pallets of old computers, televisions, cellphones and other old electronic equipment were collected during Saturday's event at the Fort Frances Public Works yard.

Executive Director with Ontario Electronic Stewardship Carol Hochu says centres in southern Ontario will now remove the hazardous materials and break down the other components for recycling.

The material collected filled two transport trailer units.

Big Dollars Raised at Terry Fox Runs

New organizers, a different route and good weather attracted over one-hundred people for Sunday's Terry Fox run in Fort Frances.

A total of $11,528.23 was raised for the Terry Fox Foundation, compared to the over $11-hundred raised last year.

This year's run was organized by members of the Church of the Holy Spirit with participants walking along the Fort Frances waterfront.

Area schools are likely to add to the total as they will hold separate runs in the near future.

Run spokesperson Cheryl Wolfe says some Terry Fox run t-shirts are still available by calling 274-7074.

In Atikokan, seventeen people raised a total of $2,382.10 in an event organized by the local TD Canada Trust branch.

Last year 42 participants helped raise about $22-hundred.

This was the 30th anniversary of Terry's Fox's Marathon of Hope.

Fishing Town Contest Enters Final Week

It's down to a two town race in the World Fishing Network's contest to find the Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada.

Nestor Falls sits in second spot, behind Port Alberni, British Columbia, as voting enters its final week.

The northwestern Ontario community is continuing its appeal for support from the region as its fights for the title and the 25-thousand first prize money.

Atikokan Information Incorrect

An Atikokan man is not happy with the how the Ministry of Education is portraying the community.

Mike McKinnon says the Ministry's school finder website contains inaccurate information about Atikokan, including the number of residents which a university degree.

"We are a little below the provincial average in terms of education levels," says McKinnon. "That translates to about 15 per cent having some university education and for the provincial ministry of education to spread information that's is zero per cent is, to me, insulting."

McKinnon has written to the Ministry asking for the information to be corrected or removed.

Catholic Students Excell

The Northwest Catholic District School Board says its students continue to shine in their writing of provincial tests.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says the results from the April tests continue to show significant improvements.

"Our grade threes have seen an increases of eight per cent in reading, ten per cent in writing and they've remained level in mathematics," says Kelly. "In grade six , we've seen increases by four per cent in reading, ten per cent in writing and a minimal decrease of two per cent in mathematics."

Kelly says high marks were recorded at all schools, including Our Lady of the Way in Stratton where 91 per cent of grade three students exceeded the provincial standard for math.