Careful When Approaching Snow Plows

A timely safety campaign from the Ontario Provincial Police.

OPP are reminding motorists to slow down approaching a snow plow with its blue lights active.

Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says while it is not illegal to pass a snow plow, attempts to pass could result in tragic ccircumstances.

McCoy says driving too fast and passing snow plows are among major causes of winter collisions.

High Demand For Help Expected

The Salvation Army in Fort Frances is anticipated requests for help this Christmas to be as large as ever.

Registration for its Christmas hampers took place last week.

Lieutenant Dennis Maybury says they're seeing a lot of faces at the doors they've never seen before or haven't needed the Salvation Army's help in some time.

Maybury says they'll be relying greatly on donations from the area to help meet the need.

Awareness For Salvation Army

A Confederation College student is doing his part to help the Salvation Army.

Joe Galbraith collected clothing on the weekend as part of a class project.

Galbraith says while the need is greatest during the winter, demand for the Salvation Army's services is year round.

Riverside Granted Accreditation

Riverside Health Care Facilities has earned Accreditation status for another four years.

It follows a review of operations by Accreditation Canada in October.

CEO Allan Katz says overall, Riverside came away with a 93.8 per cent rating.

Katz says surveyors were very complementary of Riverside's staff and the community for its financial support towards the Riverside Foundation.

Perfect Score Again

The Rainy River district has achieved a perfect score in an annual review of safety initiatives by Safe Communities Canada.

Administrator of Safe Communities Rainy River Grace Silander says credit goes to its partners in helping meet the criteria in the report card.

It's the sixth straight year the district has received perfect marks.

Town Asked To Put Off Rezoning

Town of Fort Frances is being asked to delay its decision to rezone the former Huffman School property.

A public meeting on that rezoning to permit the development of new housing lots takes place as part of tonight's council meeting.

Members of the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together and the Assisted Living Action Group want the town to hold off until their search for suitable sites for an assisted living facility is complete.

Parade of Lights Winners

Award winners from the Parade of Lights in Fort Frances have been announced.

St. Mary's Youth Group was the best among church and school groups.

 Duty Free America of  International Falls won for best business.

Fort Frances Mobilizers won the award for non-profit groups.

Bill Whiting won in the individual category.

The Nordic Ski Club won as the best recreational group.

International Falls Parade Winners

International Falls Chamber of Commerce staged its 'Twas the Lights Before Christmas parade Friday night.

The Gizzard Girls took first place honours for their float, "The Grinch Who Stole the Finish Line."

Wood Interiors took second spot with its "Manger Scene & Cross."

Falls High Student Council's "Charlie Brown Christmas" was the third place winner.

Honourable Mention went to Duty Free Americas for the "Nutcracker."

Question of the Week

Resolute Forest Products has indicated it will study the potential of producing alternative products at its soon to be idled Fort Frances operation.

Do you think the kraft mill and paper machine 5 will be restarted at a later date?

Let's us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

In our previous question, 81 per cent of respondents believe the search to replace Premier Dalton McGuinty as Liberal leader is leading to a spring election.

NCDS Ready To Help

An area employment agency say its prepared to provide what ever assistance it can to assist employees at Resolute Forest Products effected by the indefinite idling of the kraft mill and a paper machine at the Fort Frances mill.

Jenny Greenhaulgh of NCDS says they've long expected to see many of those workers.

Greenhaulgh says a number of employees were already visiting, well before last Tuesday's announcement.

Biomass Contracts Awarded

There's some good news elsewhere for the region's forest industry.

The Ontario Power Authority has awarded two contracts for biomass for the Atikokan Generating Station.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels will supply 45-thousand tonnes of biomass wood pellets.

Resolute Forest Products will provide an additional 45-thousand tons.

The Authority says over 150 new jobs will be created through the wood pellet supply.

As part of that announcement, Resolute is spending $10-million to build a new wood pellet plant in Thunder Bay.

Construction will begin soon and open in 2014.

Christmas Kettles Need Bell Ringers

The Salvation Army in Fort Frances is seeking the public's support.

Lieutenant Dennis Maybury says they need volunteers for their Christmas Kettles set to go December 1.

Maybury says the time commitment can be as little as an hour or two.

Those who can assist are asked to contact the Salvation Army.

MPP Holds Holiday Collection Drive

MPP Sarah Campbell photo

A collection drive is being organized by Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell.

Campbell is setting up bins at locations throughout the riding for the collection food, clothes and toys that will go to specific organizations in each community.

Campbell says as an incentive and to promote local shopping, donors will be entered into a draw for a chance to win gift certificates to local businesses.

In the Rainy River district, those drop-off points are at the Royal Canadian Legion in Rainy River and at Campbell's constituency office in Fort Frances.

Cutest Pet

A 160 pound black Newfoundlander has been named the Cutest Holiday Pet in International Falls.

"Puller Express" owned by the Cummings family was a co-winner in the contest held Friday with a dog named "Flanders" owned by the Kossow family.

Nearly 20 dogs were entered in the first ever contest.

Teachers Begin Job Action

Elementary teachers with the Rainy River District School board have started a series of work-to-rule actions in their efforts to reach a new deal.

This after a Ministry of Labour conciliator issued a no-board report in their talks wih the board.

Local union president Trevor Bowles says focus for teachers will now only be on classroom instruction and ensuring the safety of students.

Some of the jobs action include teachers showing up for work 30 minutes before the start of school and leaving 30 minutes after classes end on Mondays and Tuesdays only.

They will also refrain from participating in extra-curricular activities on those days.

The teachers actions are more directed at the provincial government, they say has hindering local bargaining with the passage of Bill 115.

Kenora Man Seeks P.C. Nomination

Progressive Conservatives in Kenora-Rainy River are getting prepared for the next provincial election,some believe will happen next spring.

Randy Nickle, a prominent businessman in Kenora, says he's throwing his name into the hat to be the party's candidate.

The riding association intends to hold a nomination vote December 1.

Leadership Debate To Go In Thunder Bay

All of the Ontario Liberal Leadership hopefuls will be coming to northwestern Ontario next month.

Thunder Bay will be the site of one of several candidate debates.

It's scheduled for December 9, but a location has not yet been identified.

Residents wanting to participate are being asked to contact the local Liberal riding association.

Town Recognition Dinner Cancelled

Town of Fort Frances is canceling this year' dinner intended to recognize retiring employees, town volunteers and its citizen of the year.

The town says it's because of recent developments in the community, prior commitments by several of the honorees and a low response to the event in general.

It's now looking how at best to recognize individuals in a different way.

School Bus Cancellations

A school bus cancellation to pass on at this time.

The bus from Stanikoming First Nation driven by Desmond Jourdain won't be running today because of slippery road conditions

Hunt Numbers Down In Minnesota

Minnesota hunters killed 7 percent fewer deer this firearms season.

The Department of Natural Resources says the drop was expected.

The DNR increased the number of lottery areas where hunters had to have a permit to shoot a deer without antlers.