Dead Fish Investigation

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources suspects low oxygen levels caused thousands of fish to die in the Pelican River, near Orr,  over the past several days.

Fisheries supervisor Kevin Peterson says the dead fish include northern pike, smallmouth bass, and crappies.

He says low water levels last fall probably worsened reduced oxygen levels.

More Thin Ice Incidents

Thinning ice conditions resulting from the recent warm temperatures are blamed for a number of vehicles plunging into northwestern Ontario waters.

The most recent incident occurred near Kenora Monday.

Three American residents were able to get out safely before their SUV hauling two brand new snowmachines broke through on an ice-road on Lake of the Woods.

On the weekend, a truck and two ATVs fell the ice around the Fort Frances and International Falls areas.


Meantime, winter roads to many remote First Nations have become victims of the warm March temperatures.

The roads are quickly deterioating and Nishnawbe-Aski Police have had to respond to several incidents.

Most communities have closed their sections of the road network.

Premier to Accept Referendums on Casinos

Premier Dalton McGuinty is going to leave it up to municipalities to hold a referendum if they want a new casino or gaming facility.

His comments come in the wake of a major plan by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to expand gambling in the province.

McGuinty says it's not up to the province to let local residents decide.

Fort Frances council suggested last year the province set up casino's in border communities instead of introducing gambling on-line.

Thin Ice Warnings

Authorities are warning to stay off the ice.

The warning comes following separate incidents on both sides of the border in which vehicles went through the ice.

Two people escaped unharmed after a pick-up truck hauling a trailer load of flooring crashed through the ice on Rainy Lake in the area of Five Mile Dock Sunday.

The vehicle, trailer and debris have since been recovered.


Two ATV's broke through the ice in separate incidents on the weekend in Voyageurs National Park.

Friday, two people escaped the icy waters when their four-wheeler when through the ice near Wolf Island.

Then Saturday, five people, including three children, managed to the escape before the ATV they were riding went through ice between Lake Kabetogama and Namakan Lake.

Weather Records Still Falling

More weather records were set across the region for the ninth time in ten days.

Fort Frances high of 26 C shattered the old mark of 10 C set in 2000.

Atikokan's temperature of 23.6 C surpassed the 2003 record of 9.9 C.

International Falls high of 78 F broke a 1918 record of 66 F for March 19

Warm Weather to Continue

Warmer than normal temperatures in the Borderland could continue for the rest of the month.

Environment Canada's Geoff Coulson says it's the result of an intense low pressure system that's stuck over the U.S. plains States and bringing warm southern air into the region.

Coulson says given our past history, they're not ready to rule winter completely dead just yet.

Question of the Week

Do you think the warmer than normal temperatures are a benefit or a hindrance to the our area?

Let us know on our website 931 the border.ca.

Burning Restrictions Set for Minnesota

The Department of Natural Resources is imposing burning restrictions over much of Minnesota next Monday.

The initial restrictions will cover much of central and northern Minnesota.

Additional counties will be added, depending on conditions.

There have been 148 fires so far this year, 27 in northeastern Minnesota

Three small blazes were reported just south of Baudette yesterday.

New Sewer Plant in International Falls

The North Koochiching Sanitary Sewer Board is moving ahead with the construction of a $14-million dollar sewer treatment plant in International Falls.

Executive Director Tim McBride says the new facility will address a number of deficiencies existing with the current 60 year old plant.

Construction will likely begin this summer with part of the funding coming from the State in the form of grants and a low interest loan.

Part of the proposal also includes significant increases in user rate.

Local Hospitals Not Impacted

Riverside Health Care Facilities and Atikokan General Hospital will be among those not impacted by a change in how the province funds hospitals.

Beginning April 1st, ninety-one other health care centres will be reimbursed based on the care they provide, rather than providing only lump sum payments.

Ban on Burning Expanded

The list of communities imposing bans on open-air burning is growing in the Rainy River district.

The townships of Chapple and Alberton, now join Emo, LaVallee, Dawson and Fort Frances in prohibiting burning of grass or brush until at least April 1.

While most don't issue permits until then, dry conditions caused by the recent warm temperatures is forcing municipalities to take action.

Border Plans Held Up

There appears to be a set back in plans to build a new customs facility in International Falls.

During a recent trip to Washington, area officials were told the project likely won't proceed any time soon because of its high costs.

Koochiching County's Commissioner Brian McBride says its disappointing news.

The federal government had hoped to begin construction on the $100-million facility by 2014.

Grandparents Scam on Rise

OPP are growing concern with a rise in the number of people becoming victims of the so-called grandparents scam.

It's where someone will call claiming to be a relative in trouble and seeking money.

Detective Constable Dave Felstead with the OPP's anti-rackets branch says the con artists have become very sophisticated but police have the tools to track them down and bring them to justice.

More than 460 people in Ontario fell victim to the scam last year, being bilked for over $2.5 million.

More Burning Cancelled

Another community in the Rainy River district is banning open air burning until at least April 1st.

Emo has joined the townships of LaVallee and Dawson in prohibiting burning because of recent warm temperatures.

Fort Frances has suspended burning permits until further notice.

More Weather Records

It was a weekend of more record-breaking temperatures.

International Falls reached 79 F yesterday, breaking the 1918 record of 66 F.

Fort Frances hit 26.4 C, more than doubling the old mark of 13 C set in 2010.

Atikokan hit 24.7 C, breaking the old mark of 13.1 C also set in 2010.

Saturday, Fort Frances was the hot spot in Canada with its high of 24.8 C, blazing past the 2009 record of 13.4.

Atikokan was just a shy cooler at 24.6 C, compared to last year's high of 12.2 C.

International Falls hit 77 F, a full 22 degrees above the previous record set in 1968.

Question of the Week

It appears our listeners are almost split as to the reasons why so many organizations in Fort Frances struggle for volunteers.

55 per cent of respondents to our on-line poll blame it on a lack of time.

45 per cent feel it's due to a lack of interest.

Trapper Embark on Public Awareness Campaign

Area trappers are making themselves more public.

The Rainy River District Trappers Council has been around for many years, but few people know they still exist.

President Brian Love says they're working to change that.

The Council will hold a workshop for the public this Saturday at Donald Young School in Emo.

Health Care Troubles

An unflattering picture of health care planning in the northwest is being painted by a Hamilton newspaper report.

It says the Northwest Local Health Integration Network is having trouble coordinating health care for chronic ailments like heart disease and diabetes.

CEO Laura Kokocinski says it actually shows the value of the organization.

Kokocinski insists, however, residents here are getting their money's worth in health care services.

Kraft Mill Down

A lack of qualified personnel has put a halt to production at Resolute Forest Products kraft mill in Fort Frances.

In an email to CFOB News, company spokesperson Pierre Choquette says the mill doesn't have enough 2nd class stationary engineers needed to run the plant.

Such personnel are often trained in several areas as mechanical, chemical and electrical.

Choquette says they're evaluating operations to determine their best course of action.

Production on the paper side is not effected.

Fire Restrictions in Minnesota

Spring fire restrictions are also in effect in Minnesota

The Department of Natural Resources says it's already seeing wildfire activity in some parts of the States.

Eight fires have occured in the northeast region.

The DNR is advising owners to minimize the risk by cleaning their property of debris and disposing it safely.