Gymnasium Expansion Planned

An expansion of the gymnasium in Mitaanjigaming First Nation, northwest of Fort Frances, is in the works.

The Band is receiving funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to expand the facility into a multi-use one that will include conference, technology and kitchen facilities.

Renovations are expected to be finished by December.

Minnesota Election

The field of candidates for civic elections in International Falls this November is set.

Current Councillor Paul Eklund and former Mayor Bob Anderson are making a bid for the mayor's seat.

Willi Kostiuk and Peter Kalar are running for the Councillor at Large seat.

In yesterday's primaries in Minnesota, Rick Nolan won a tight three-way Democrat race for the 8th Congressional District which includes Koochiching County.

Nolan beat out rivals Tarryl Clark and Jeff Anderson for the right to challenge Republican Rep. Chip Cravaak in November's election.

Elsewhere, Wayne Skoe was the top voter getter in the primary for the District 5 seat on the Koochiching County's Board of Commissioners.

He and Linda Dreher, who was second, move on to November's ballot.

International Falls lawyer Dan Griffifth was a distance second behind incumbent Lorie Gildea in a primary for Chief Justice, but will be on the ballot in November.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Kurt Bills breezed to Senate primary victories and will challenge each other this November.

Teachers Talks Continue

Local negotiations between the Rainy River District School Board and its teachers groups continue.

The province is giving boards until the end of this month to reach deals.

In a statement, the Board says it's working to find a solution that supports student achievement and well-being while respecting both the teachers and the negotiating process.

Most Civil Servants Getting Bonus

It appears most Ontario Public Service managers eligible to receive bonuses last year got them.

This despite assurances from the cash-strapped Liberal government that it's serious about freezing pay in the broader public sector.

According to documents, the province paid out bonuses to 87-hundred of 89-hundred eligible workers, costing more than $35-million dollars.

Fairmont Begins Exploration Program

Fairmont Resources has started a reconnaissance prospecting and soil sampling program in an area near Atikokan.

The work will explore areas of the Marmion South Property in preparation for a fall drill program.

The property is located near Osisko's Hammond Reef Gold project.

Christmas This Weekend At Area Farm

It's Christmas in the Rainy River district this Sunday.

A number of local performers will gather at Cornell Farms in LaVallee township to record a live Christmas CD and DVD to be available to the public later this year.

Tom Foley, one of those involved, says it's a good way of promoting local talent.

Musical Director John Dutton says many well-know singers will be participating.

Cornell's Barn will be decorated in a Christmas theme with money raised  from the sale of CDs and DVDs going towards the Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Fund.

First Day Blood Donor Clinic Numbers

Canadian Blood Services is slightly off the pace of meeting its goals after first day of blood donor clinics in Fort Frances.

A total of 137 donors contributed 108 units of blood, just a little below the 119 units the C.B.S. was hoping to collect Monday night.

It's two-day goal is 297 units.

Figures for yesterday's clinics are to be released later today.

Food Shelves Getting Money

Nearly 300 food shelves around Minnesota will be getting a nice boost this week.

Minnesota FoodShare is sharing a record $900-thousand build up within its food fund.

Director Sara Nelson-Pallmeyer says it helps agencies at a time when donations are general slow, but demand continues.

There were more than 3 million visits to food shelves statewide in 2010, up 62 percent from just two years before.

Labour Market Needs In Mining Explored

Challenges in the mining industry are hoping to get a break.

The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board is teaming up with the Mining Industry Human Resources Council to forecast labour market needs.

The Board's executive director Sonya Wainio sees it of interest to companies working in this area.

Wainio hopes the forecast will be complete by September.

Fort Frances Supports OPG Conversion Of Thunder Bay Plant

Fort Frances is giving its support to calls Ontario Power Generation move ahead with the conversion of the coal-fired plant in Thunder Bay to natural gas.

OPG has put the project on hold until it gets a power purchase agreement with Ontario Power Authority

Fort Frances council is backing a Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association resolution that asks the Province to step in to get that agreement approved.

Building Upgrades Approved

Repairs to a maintenance building at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances are expected to begin this week.

A $94-thousand contract has been awarded to Ed Kaun and Sons of Fort Frances.

The work includes the installation of a new metal roof, new siding and windows.

Museum Seeks Grant

Fort Frances Museum is seeking a unit to digitally store historical documents.

The town is authorizing the museum to seek a $50-thousand dollar provincial grant.

CAO Mark McCaig says it will help preserve the Museum's documents.

If the grant is approved, the town's share would be about 10-thousand dollars.

Primary Day in Minnesota

Today is primary day in Minnesota, when fields of candidates will be narrowed for the November 6 general election.

The races on the ballot range from the congressional to the local level.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 tonight.

Meantime, the deadline to register for elections in International Falls is today.

Municipal elections are not involved in the primary.

Candidates must fill by 5 p.m.

Entertainment Groups Get Funding

Federal funding is being handed out help three entertainment groups in the Rainy River district.

Atikokan Entertainment Series is getting just less than $20-thousand over the next two years to offset the cost of staging live entertainment.

The Tour de Fort Concert Series in Fort Frances will use $20-thousand over the next two years.

The Kids and Company Family Performing Artists Series in the Fort will get a grant of $6-thousand.

I. Falls Safe To Live Because of Weather

International Falls is being identified as one of the safest cities in the United States to live if you're trying avoid dangerous weather.

The Weather Channel suggests the so-called "Icebox of the Nation" might be better described as the "Safety Deposit box."

Although cold in the winter, the Weather Channel says extreme cold is not seen as big weather killer.

It also notes the Falls has not seen a tornado in almost 20 years.

Fires Out

Forest fires that have been burning in Quetico Provincial Park for some time are now out.

Some of the five lighting-caused fires had been burning since the middle of July.

They were allowed to burn themselves out because of the benefits to the park's ecosystem.

There are now no active fires in the Rainy River district.

Chamber Office Moves

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is in the midst of a move.

It's relocating its Scott Street office to the second floor of the Northern Lights Credit Union building.

It will open the doors of its new location September 1st.

Minnesota Wetlands Examined

Scientists are checking on the health of wetlands across the state, as part of a project to determine how well conservation programs are working.

There are about 10 million acres of wetlands across Minnesota, nearly 15 per cent of which are located in Koochiching County.

Officials are monitoring wetland quality and quantity, exploring the areas by foot and using aerial photographs towards possible changes in state regulations.

Osisko Ending Drilling

Osisko Mining will be ending drilling operations at its Hammond Reef project near Atikokan in the near future.

President Sean Roosen says much of the focus now will be completing feasibility and environmental impact assessment studies.

The company is also expected to update the anticipated size of its gold deposit by the end of the year.

Billionth Tree Planted

Photo courtesy MPP Sarah Campbell

Resolute Forest Products is celebrating the planting of one billion trees in northern Ontario.

Two-meter tall white spruce trees were planted in Fort Frances, Iroquois Falls and Thunder Bay Friday to mark the achievement.