Burning Permits Cancelled

Burning permits are being temporarily suspended in the town of Fort Frances.

Fire Chief Frank Sheppard says the recent rise in temperatures has forced them to take action.

Burning is also prohibited in the Emo as well as in the townships of LaVallee and Dawson until at least April 1st.

Other municipalities outside of Fort Frances don't issue permits until then.

Health Care Access Improving

The provincial Liberal riding association in Kenora-Rainy River is out defending the McGuinty government's record on heath care.

President Anthony Leek admits there's more work to do, but much has been done to improve access to care in the region.

It includes the creation of Family Health teams which Leek says have brought eight new doctors to Fort Frances.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell the creation of those teams is a part of the problem to the doctor issue in the region.

Custom Officers Doing What They Have to

The Port director at the U.S. Border in International Falls makes no apologies for how her staff performs.

Chris Lessard told an International Falls Chamber of Commerce gathering U.S customs officers have been often described as rude, sarcastic and intimidating.

Lessard says the public needs to know, officers do have a job to do.

Still, Lessard says complaints from the public are taken seriously and officers can face discipline or improved training if they're legitimate.

Man Picked Up For Impaired

A 53-year-old man will make a court appearance next month on an impaired driving charge.

OPP arrested the man Wednesday night in Fort Frances after a vehicle failed to stop for a pedestrian using the light activated crosswalk on King's Highway.

Police says breath samples taken from the driver were found to be twice the legal limit.

Oxy Panel Set Up

The provincial government is setting up an expert panel to deal with the issue of prescription drug abuse.

Medical Officer of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit Dr. James Arthurs says Thunder Bay's Dr. David Williams will help lead the new panel.

Health officials met Thursday by video-conference to talk about issues surrounding the end of oxycontin production in Ontario.

Weather Record - Thursday

Add another daily weather record to the books for Fort Frances.

Thursday's high of 13.5 C tied the mark set in 2009.

Expo Returns

An International Sportsman's Expo is returning to International Falls.

The event, held for the first time last year, will take place in April to showcase the area's outdoor opportunities.

President Tom Holt says 26 different vendors and several guest speakers will be on hand.

The event will also collect food items for the Salvation Army's Food Shelve and donations to a campaign to bring kidney dialysis to the Falls.

The event at the Evangelical Covenant Church takes place April 14.

Trails Closed

The snowmobile season in northwestern Ontario has apparently come to an end.

Nearly all trails have been closed because of deteriorating conditions caused by the weather.

A trail around Atikokan is the only one listed as still being open.

Early Fire Season Doubtful

Record high temperatures may lead us to believe we are looking at an early start to the forest fire season.

But the the Ministry of Natural Resources says that may not be the case.

Information Officer Debbie MacLean says despite the lack of precipitation, they're forecasting a wet spring.

MacLean says staff training will begin in the next couple of weeks.

Weather Records Continue to Fall

For the fourth time in five days, temperature records have been broken in the Rainy River district.

Yesterday's high in Fort Frances of 12.4 C edged the old marker of 12 C set in 2010.

International Falls also reached a record high, with a reading of 57 F.

The previous mark was 54 F, set in 1911 and again in 2010.

Beware of Thin Ice

OPP are warning people to be cautious around waterways because of the mild weather.

Police say the warm weather has caused ice to become unsafe.

Parents are also urged to talk to their children about the dangers of fast moving water.

Angler Convicted

A Rainy River resident is out of pocket a thousand dollars after being convicted of having too many walleye.

Dorion Ozykowski was charged back in September by the Ministry of Natural Resources after initially found in possession of fourteen fish by U.S. Customs officers patrolling Rainy River.

Court was told the man told officers he didn't know how many fish he had nor was entitled too, later claiming the fish had been given to him.

Fort Reunion Planning

Efforts to have a reunion of Fort Frances residents, past and present, will begin in earnest later this month.

An organizational meeting for the 2013 event has been planned for Tuesday March 27, 6:30 p.m. at the Adventure Inn.

Organizers says many volunteers will be needed to make the event possible.

Alzheimer Society Fundraiser Next Week

Tickets still remain for the Alzheimer Society's upcoming Spring Reflections Dinner in Fort Frances.

The agency's Lynn Moffatt says the March 24 event is an important fundraiser for the district group.

Tickets are available at Northwood Gallery and Gifts or by through the Society's website.

March is Nutrition Month

This is nutrition month and the Canadian Diabetes Association is out with some tips for people, especially those with diabetes, on how to eat and live healthy.

Spokesperson Richard Boon says following Canada's food guide is the simpliest suggestion.

Boon says taking time to meal plan and equipment your kitchen with the right foods can also lead to smart eating.

Mill Manager Head Industry Group

The mill manager for Boise 's paper mill in International Falls has been named to head a industry lobby group.

Bert Brown will serve as president of Minnesota Forest Industries.

Brown has been with Boise since 1995, becoming manager of the Falls mill in 2009.

Rafferty to Support Mulcair

John Rafferty is ready for the NDP leadership vote.

The Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP says he's going to support Thomas Mulcair for leader of the New Democrats.

NDP will select their successor to the late Jack Layton March 24.

OPP Take Proactive Approach to Oxycontin End

An end to oxycotin production in Ontario has provincial police in the Rainy River district taking action to deal with possible repercussions.

Increases in theft, break-ins and overdoses have been noted elsewhere.

Constable Anne McCoy says their work here includes talking with area pharmacies who may be potential targets.

McCoy says police are also watching for illegal shipments of the drug coming from areas where the prescription pain medication may still be in full supply.

DSSABs Unite

The agencies responsible for the delivery of social services programs in northwestern Ontario have joined as one in a call for more funding.

Representatives from the Thunder Bay, Kenora and Rainy River district Social Services Administrative Boards presented a united front in a recent meeting with the province.

Deb Ewald, a member of the Rainy River board, says it was the first time all three have come together.

Driver's Fees Going Up

The province says higher driver and licence fees will help pay for the maintenance of provincial roads and bridges.

A new driver's licence will cost five dollars more next year while vehicle registrations in northern Ontario increase four dollars.

NDP critic Gilles Bisson says the Liberals are piling new costs on struggling families.

Conservative Frank Klees says instead of taking more money from taxpayers, the government should curb spending.