Question of the Day - January 24

Do you think the town of Fort Frances is justified in its reasons for removing sidewalks in disrepair?

Let us know on our website 931The Border.ca.

CFOB goes FM in Atikokan

93.1 The Border makes the move to the FM dial in Atikokan later today.

Listeners in that community will lose our AM signal at about 7 a.m.,  allowing our technicians to make the switch-over.

It will return to the airwaves at 95.9 FM by 5 p.m.

You can still listen to 93.1 The Border streaming through our website.

Dog Saves Owners From Fire

The owners can give thanks to their dog for helping escape a house fire in International Falls.

The home was completely destroyed in Sunday morning's blaze which took firefighters nearly three hours to battle.

Fire officials say the owners were altered to the fire by their dog that had woken them up out of their sleep.

A man was taken to Rainy Lake Medical Centre as a precaution and released.

Cause of the fire is still not known.

Airport Survey

The Falls Airport Commission is gathering input on both sides of the border on air travel and usage of the Falls Airport.

Commission Chair Bob Anderson says the results will help them develop future marketing strategies.

The Commission is still awaiting word from the U-S federal transportation on whether Great Lakes Aviation will allowed to take over services being abandoned by Delta.

Results of the survey are now expected for several weeks.

Birth Centre Pilot Project Sought

AOM photo

The Association of Ontario Midwives is leading a social media campaign urging the province to fund a birth centre pilot project.

The association says birthing centres could cut costs such as medical and surgical expenses.

Cost Cutting Plans Expected from Premier

Premier McGuinty is expected to lay out the bare bones of his government's cost-cutting plans today.

He'll make a speech in Toronto, an inside source says will be about how to slay Ontario's  $16-billion deficit.

Visitor Restrictions at Rainycrest

Visitor restrictions have been imposed at Rainycrest Long Term Care in Fort Frances.

Officials says it's due to an increase in the number of confirmed cases of gastroenteritis.

Family members are permitted, but visits are being restricted to the resident's room and no other visits are permitted.

All Group Programming by Activation has also been cancelled.

Budget Talks Begin

More than $9-million dollars of capital projects are on the books as Fort Frances town councillors sit down today to begin their budget discussions.

They include the continuing of road improvements to 3rd Street East between Portage and Victoria Avenues, the development of a bike and walking trail and a replacement of the roof at the OPP detachment and Fire hall.

Some projects may be dependant upon the availability of government grants.

Work Workshop

Some help for employers looking for new hires or employees seeking work.

The Northwest Training Adjustment Board is holding workshop in Fort Frances this week.

Executive Director Sonja Wainio says it was based out of comments received from employers who say they're having troubles finding new employees and people suggesting they can't find a job.

Participants for Wednesday's event must pre-register with the N-TAB's office.

Question of the Day - January 16

Do you support the Liberal's policy platform to legalize marijuana?

Let us know on Facebook or our website 931TheBorder. ca.

From our weekend on-line question, 88 per cent of respondents don't have any belief into the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th.

Another Internet Bear Birth

The sister of Lilly, the black bear who gave birth while the world watched via webcam, is preparing to give birth herself.

 Lynn Rogers, senior biologist of the Wildlife Research Institute in Ely, says Jewel is showing signs of preparing to give birth any day.

Rogers says they plan to broadcast the birth on the Internet.

The website is www.Bear.org.

Rezoning Objections Reach OMB

Residents objections to the town of Fort Frances turning a neighbourhood park into housing lots are headed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

An appeal over the rezoning of Nelson Street Park has been filled with the board.

No hearing has been set as of yet.

The town must first complete a report on the issue for the OMB by January 24th.

Crash Victims Names Released

Provincial Police have released the names of those killed in Tuesday's plane crash at North Spirit Lake.

62-year-old Ben Van Hoek, 39-year-old Colette Eisinger, and 38-year-old Martha Campbell, and the pilot 41-year-old Fariborz Abasabady were all from Manitoba.

Reports says the passengers were with Aboriginal Strategies, a Winnipeg-based company which provides financial management services to First Nations.

Van Hoek was its president.

Ontario Wood First Promoter

The Provincial Government has signed up its first organization for its new Ontario Wood logo.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says the Ontario Forest Industries Association is now licensed to carry the logo.


Association President Jamie Lim says it's the best way to raise consumer awareness.

Gravelle hopes the logo proves to be as popular as the Ontario Food logo.

Relay for Life Planning Underway

The call is now out for participants and volunteers for this year's Relay for Life in Fort Frances.

Organizers kicked off the planning with an event last night.

Co-chair Jennifer Anderson says many more meetings will be held in case people were unable to attend.

A Facebook page has also been set up to keep people informed.

The fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society will likely be held again at Fort Frances High School.

Here is some video from last year's event.

Question of the Day - January 13

Virtually no public support on our on-line poll to Atikokan town council's call for a one per cent hike in the HST for infrastructure improvements.

All of the respondents said they would not support such an hike.

Atikokan is taking its idea to area municipal leaders later this month.

In our weekend question,  today is Friday the 13th.

Do you put any belief into the superstitions surrounding the day?

Let us know on our Facebook page or website 931TheBorder.ca

Minnesota Investigates Infrastructure Payments

Governor Mark Dayton is creating a task force to come up with new ways to pay for Minnesota's roads, bridges and public transit.

Dayton says the panel will make its recommendations by December.

Christmas Kettle Program in Falls Totals

The last of the donations to the Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle campaign in International Falls has been counted.

More than $23-thousand dollars was raised in last month's campaign.

That's a 12 per cent increase over 2010.

Just over $15-thousand was raised by the Salvation Army's campaign in Fort Frances.

Town Looking to Help Charities

The town of Fort France is looking to help local charities with their lottery license reporting.

Any organization that obtains a license through the town must follow certain guidelines as set out by the province.

Town clerk Glenn Treflin says that isn't always happening.

Treflin says now he's looking to set up a future training session.

Hike in HST Proposed

Atikokan town council is advocating a one per cent hike in the HST.

The town says the revenue could be earmarked for municipalities for infrastructure improvements.

Mayor Dennis Brown says it may be the only really viable option to cover the high cost of that work.

Brown says under their proposal, his community would receive more than 850-thousand dollars annually.