State Patrol

The Minnesota State Patrol is on the move in International Falls.

The Patrol's four officers, including two K-9 handlers, are relocating to the new U.S. Border Patrol facility along the Rainy River.

It's the first time in the U.S. that Border and State Patrols will have shared facilities.

The move of the Minnesota State Patrol was necessary because their current location, an old state-own building, is being sold.

Spirit Horse Performed

(Supplied photo)


A play that challenges cultural stereotypes was performed before grade 3 to 8 students across the Rainy River district last week.

Actress, Cara Gee, says Spirit Horse focuses on a number of sensitive issues such as racism.

"When we present the play or when we bring it to schools, we discuss that afterwards," says Gee. "We have a question and answer period where we point out the moments where the girls were experiencing racism and we talk about how we can all make a difference if we choose treat each other with respect and open mindedness."

Public and Catholic board teachers also received hands-on professional development to help bring portions of the play back into their classrooms.

African Choir Performs

The sounds of Africa resonated through the Townsend Theatre Friday night.

Members of the African Children's Choir performed as part of a cross-Canada tour.

Chimera Victor, a team leader, says they're also raising awareness of Africa's orphaned and abandoned children.

"The African Children's Choir is out to spread a message that the African child still has dignity and amazing potential," says Victor, "and wants even the opportunity for the African child to reach to greater heights."

It's the sixth year the choir has visited Fort Frances and hosted by Bethel Baptist Church.

Border Concerns Still Linger

Camp owners across northwestern Ontario are calling for changes at the border in Fort Frances.

Concerns about how American hunters and anglers are treated by customs officers was a topic of discussion at yesterday's Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association Conference in Dryden.

Executive Director of the Sunset Country Travel Association Gerry Cariou insists policies and procedures are being carried out different at the Fort border.

"The hunters going to Quebec, northeastern Ontario, B.C. or Manitoba aren't getting refused or turned back in the numbers we're seeing in northwestern Ontario.

The Head of NOTO suggests camp owners advise their guests to lodge a formal complaint if they're treated poorly at the border.

Liberal Leaders in Northwestern Ontario

Northwestern Ontario is Liberal Leader's Michael Ignatieff's latest stop on his cross country tour.

Speaking in Thunder Bay yesterday, Ignatieff says its part of his strategy to get Liberal MP's elected in this area.

"I think it's really important for politicians to get out of Ottawa," says Ignatieff, "come here, affirm and reaffirm constantly that we think northern Ontario has an incredible future."

Today, he visits Sioux Lookout and Dryden.

Hampton Seeks Help for Remote First Nation

A northwestern Ontario MPP is calling on the Liberal Government to take action to help Fort Hope First First Nation.

Howard Hampton says the province needs to roll out programs for first nations facing prescription drug abuse.

The NDP is calling for an amendment to the Narcotics Safety and Awareness Act to address the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

Former Doc Returns to Fort Frances

A former Fort Frances physician returns to the community today to talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Doctor Ted Jablonski, himself diagnosed with the form of winter depression, is travelling across the country to draw more awareness.

Jablonski says its more common and real than many believe.

"It's a very frequent problem in our country," says Dr. Jablonski. "We live in a northern latitude and northern latitude countries are the ones who get effected. About 3 per cent of our population has S.A.D. that probably should be treated. That's over one million Canadians.

Jablonski says the disorder can easily be treated with light therapy.

He'll speak more about S.A.D. at a public meeting at 2 p.m. at the La Place Rendezvous.

Parade of Lights Planned

(B93 Staff ready to collect your non-perishable food items at the 2009 Parade of Lights in Fort Frances)


Planning for the Christmas Parade of Lights in Fort Frances is underway.

For the second year in a row, it's being organized by the staff at Causeway Insurance.


Spokesperson Brenda Kellar says they want parade participants to get ready.



"We had a really good turnout with our first annual parade last year," says Kellar. "We we're very happy on how it went. We're just hoping to get a lot more people. We do have a theme this year. It is the 'Lights and Sounds of Christmas'."



Registration for the November 27 parade can be done by calling Brenda at Causeway or emailing brenda@causewayinsurance.com.

Leons Opens

Officials with one of Canada's oldest furniture companies says Fort Frances is a good fit for their business.

Leon's Fort Frances officially opens at 12 noon today.

Franchise manager Nelson Sampson says they have no problem having stores in smaller communities.

"It grounds us a company," says Sampson. "It makes us remember what our roots are and what really the customers Leons' has and the industry has who rooted in small communities like this."

Yesterday, local dignitaries gathered with local franchise holder Mark Howarth and staff for a private celebration.

Palliative Care Discussed with Feds

Two Lakehead University Researchers are speaking with the Federal Government about palliative care in northern Ontario.

Dr. Mary Lou Kelley says they're telling the feds how they can better help residents who want to die at home.

"It isn't mandatory from the federal government to fund community services," says Kelly. "We feel the federal government should make a chance in that respect and then they should establish a palliative end-of-life care strategy."

They're also hoping to see cultural training for those providing palliative care in first nations.

Tourism Group Work Continues

The work toward creating a new tourism marketing zone for northern Ontario continues.

Paul Pepe is part of a nineteen member transition team set up to a establish the new tourism organization.

"We've been putting together the terms of reference and the transition plan for the Ministry," says Pepe, "and working towards that legal incorporation of the organizations that can then go out and appoint its inaugural board of directors."

Pepe says the northern zone has been broken up into three sub-regions with $1.54 million allocated for northwestern Ontario.

Students Trick or Treating for Can Goods

Some teenagers in Fort Frances and Emo will be among the treat-or-treaters this Sunday.

Natalie Hyatt, who will be among them, says they won't be asking for candy.

"The students will be trick-or-treating for can goods and non-perishable food items instead of candy," says Hyatt. "They will then be given to Safeway and the number of food items we collect will be matched by both Campbell's and Shaw and donated to the local food bank."

Hyatt says the students are part of a new high school group called "Saving Faces" that aims to help a variety of charitable organizations.

I. Falls Thinking Christmas

The International Falls Chamber of Commerce is thinking about Christmas.

President Faye Whitbeck says they're putting out a call to groups and organizations on both sides of the border interested in taking part in this year's 'Twas the Lights before Christmas Parade.

"We're just hoping they can get it on their calenders, get it in their schedules, to get employees together to have a company float," says Whitbeck, "friends to gather together in somebody's garage to build a float, or families to plan those little costumes for the youngsters to walk in the parade."

The parade is November 26th.

Registration can be made by calling the chamber office.

Indian Culture Celebrated

India's Festival of Lights, Diwali, will be celebrated at St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Frances this weekend.

It is the Indian equivalent to Christmas and celebrated around the world.

Wayne McIntosh, one of the organizers, says the Church will host an authentic East Indian supper Saturday in recognition.

"We're going to be having at least twelve dishes," says McIntosh, "and they will all be authentic and made from scratch. There will be vegetarian and non-vegetarian."

Tickets for the supper can be purchased by calling Sarah Gervais at 274-5872.

Poppy Campaign Subject to HST

The annual Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign is kicking off.

But Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says part of the money Canadians give to purchase a poppy will be now used to offset the HST on the Legions sales.

Rafferty says its like taking money from veterans.

"When you put that money in the box or give money to Legions I think it's really quite unfair that Canadians will now know that 13 per cent of the money they're giving simply goes back to the Government," says Rafferty.

Legions use the poppies as a way to remember fallen soldiers and as a fundraiser for their local chapters.

New Digs for VALA

(Mayor Roy Avis joins with officials with the Valley Adult Learning Association in an official opening of their new Fort Frances office)

The Valley Adult Learning Association has some new surroundings.

Administrator Barb Duguay says the move of its Fort Frances office to 241 Second Street gives them more visibility.

"We have so much to offer here," says Duguay. "A lot of the programs and services we offer are free to the public. We're funding by the Ministry of Training, Universities and Colleges and they want local literacy programs to get out there. Be more visible. Promote their programs."

Duguay says an increased of space has also allowed for an upgrade of their computer lab and more residents to access programs.

Substance Abuse Prevention Team Continues

(Rainy River District Substance Abuse Team photo)

Local officials say its important the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team be allowed to continue.

The group announced earlier this week funding from government that keeps the group operating until next March.

Coordinator Hugh Dennis says it continues their work of making residents, especially youth, aware of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

"I think this district should be very proud of the effort that people in the Health Unit, the Substance Abuse Team and the school, we've put into this effort," says Dennis. "Collectively we're trying to make a difference and I think we are."

Some of the funds have been used to purchase new equipment to support the group's work.

New Border Protection Legislation

Ottawa has introduced legislation to make it easier for Canadian and U-S authorities to tackle smugglers and other criminals on shared waterways such as Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods.

The legislation would allow specially designated Canadian and American personnel to work together aboard vessels, and continue to pursue and arrest suspects regardless of the international boundary line.

Storm Leaves Mess

A massive storm meteorologists say had a barometric reading like a hurricane is adding snow to the mix as it hangs around the U-S Midwest and central Canada.

The storm packed winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour stateside, and spawned a few tornadoes.

Snow is falling in the Dakotas and Minnesota, as well as southeastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba.

Heavy rain and high winds also blew through much of Ontario yesterday, leading to fallen trees and power failures from Thunder Bay down to Toronto.

Tories Hopeful

Progressive Conservatives see hopeful signs for next year's Ontario election from Rob Ford's mayoral victory in Toronto Monday.

The small 'c' conservative cruised to victory over former deputy premier George Smitherman.

Opposition Leader Tim Hudak says people across Ontario are hungry for a change, a view echoed by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.