New Music From Maverick Judson

Some new music from area performer Maverick Judson.

He's released a five-song disk, entitled FYI.

Judson says the music captures styles of performers who've influenced him the most.


Many of the songs were recorded while he attended school in London, Ontario, working with other musicians and producers he'd met.

He's making the disk and songs free to listeners to download through a new website maverickjudson.com.

School To Wait On Final Decision For Sturgeon Creek

The Rainy River District School Board is holding back on an immediate decision on the future of Sturgeon Creek School.

A committee, tasked with studying the Barwick-area school, presented its report to the board this week, recommending it remain open.

Committee chair Jackie McCormick says during their public meetings, no one called for closure in the several presentations and submissions received.

Education Director Heather Campbell says a board decision on the school will likely come in the fall when its receives a recommendation about Crossroads School.

A review of that Devlin-area school is currently underway

Bus Loop Questioned

Google Earth

Concern is being expressed over a plan to construct a loop for buses to drop off and pick up students attending J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances.

The Rainy River District School Board says the loop off Flinders Avenue it will alleviate traffic congestion now experienced in front of the school on Keating Avenue.

Resident Bob Daiken would rather the loop be used by parents who drop off and pick up their children than buses.

Under the board's proposal, parents will be required to use a loop in front of the school and the school's parking lot beginning this fall.

Homelessness Tackled In Fort Frances

File photo

It may not be visible seen, but homelessness exists in Fort Frances.

Agencies, who help people without a home or struggle to stay in one, outlined their work to members of the Celebrating Diversity Committee yesterday.

Danielle Spuzak of the United Native Friendship Centre says many of the area's homeless are people who couch surf, staying at friends and families for a day or two, before moving on to another place.

Official says some people go to Thunder Bay to use the shelter in winter, but return to the area in the warmer months.

Junior Career Fair Planned

It's never too young to consider your future.

Fort Frances Public Library will be hosting a junior career fair next Wednesday.

Program director Andrea Avis says the "I Wanna Be"  fair will highlight some career ideas to young people.

Avis says a wide spectrum of local professionals will be on hand to speak with the youngsters who attended the free event.

Pre-Budget Hearing In Thunder Bay

Northwestern Ontario residents get to add their ideas to a province-wide consultation on the Ontario budget tonight.

The Ontario Federation of Labour is holding a series of "People's Budget" consultations across the province with a stop in Thunder Bay.

Vice-president Irwin Nanda says they've heard some common themes.

Input collected will sent to government.

Train Crossing Waits Drawing Criticism

Koochiching County is raising concerns about C.N. Rail trains blocking at area crossings.

Board Chair Kevin Adee says discussions with rail officials in the past led to some improvements, but he says the frequency and length of time the road is blocked is reoccurring.

In one situation, he says he sat at a crossing on Van Lynn Road for a train that was 10 cars shy of clearing.

The County plans to discuss action it may take at its meeting next week.

Mining Needs Identified

The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board says there's going to be a huge need for workers in northwestern Ontario's ever expanding mining industry.

Labour Market Economist Jamie Wolcott says their release of a 10-year hiring forecast will help those in education, industry and government prepare.

The Board's report says the Rainy River district's mining sector will need 640 workers by 2022.

Changes To Home And Leisure Show

FFCC photo

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is re-tooling its annual home and leisure.

It includes renaming the event the Business and Community Expo.

Manager Annely Armstrong says its puts the focus back on what the event should be.

Armstrong says it means Strongman competition will be dropped, but comedian Don Kelly, originally from Onegaming First Nations, will be coming to put on a show at the conclusion of the event.

Show participants will also get a break on the costs of their booths if they register early.

Area Liberal Supporting Trudeau

There's still another debate to come, but the president of the Kenora-Rainy River provincial Liberal Riding Association know who he wants heading the federal party.

Anthony Leek sees Justin Trudeau the best candidate.

Leek will among Liberals to participate in the April 14 vote.

MPP Supports Calls To Ban Declawing Of Cats

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is supporting a petition to ban the declawing of cats.

The petition has been spearheaded by a Dryden-based animal protection group.

Campbell says declawing a cat takes away their natural defense and leaves them helpless.

Gas Tax Increase Suggested In Minnesota

A five-cent increase in the state gas tax is among proposals to raise more money for transportation needs in Minnesota.

Democrats say it will help raise $3.8 billion for roads, bridges and transit projects.

Governor Mark Dayton, though, is expressing doubts about a gas tax hike getting final approval.

Missing Snowmobiler Found Safe

A snowmobiler is safe and sound after being rescued from an island on Lake of the Woods.

OPP were called out Monday night after the Baudette Sheriff's Department received a 911 call from a man who reported his snowmachine was stuck in snow and slush, but didn't know where he was.

A Hercules aircraft, dispatched from Winnipeg,  later spotted him on Bigsby Island.

OPP later arrived on snowmachine to rescue the man who was cold, but otherwise in good health.

Drug Charges Laid

Two men from Fort Frances are facing drug trafficking charges.

The pair were arrested last Wednesday after OPP executed warrants at two homes in the 300 block of Third Street West.

Police also seized an unspecified quantity of drugs, cash and drug accessories.

Pension Fight Highlighted In Ottawa

The fight for pension protection by a Fort Frances group of mostly retired mill workers has reached Ottawa.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty highlighted its efforts in a statement in the House of Commons.

Rafferty calls on the government for legislation that protects workers and their pension when companies seek creditor protection or go bankrupt.

Awards Nominees Sought

International Falls Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its annual awards.

The chamber will recognize one business as the top large business of the year, one as the small business of the year and an individual as Citizen of the Year.

Nominations must be to the Chamber by April 1.

The awards will be presented May 2.

Service Cuts Pondered By Town Council

Talk of service cuts has entered the budget discussions for the town of Fort Frances.

Councillors say they're supportive of a tax increase, ranging between one to 3.5 per cent, in order to help slay the deficit, now at $768-thousand.

Councillor Paul Ryan says some new ideas might also have to be considered.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says he'd like to find more cuts elsewhere before focusing on services.

Mayor Roy Avis says while he's opposed it in the past, council might have to consider the need for bag tags on all garbage placed at the curb.

Library Reduces Hours

Hours of service are being slashed at the Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre.

Beginning next week, the Library won't open Mondays until 1 pm while closing an hour earlier weeknights.

Board Chair Joyce Cunningham says the initial budget called for a $3.5 increase in town funding, and reducing hours was the only solution to finding savings.

Cunningham says because of usage, weekend hours remain unchanged

Town Finds Money For Tax Repayment

The town of Fort Frances has figured out how it will offset the $1.7 million tax rebate to Resolute Forest Products.

$575-thousand had already been set aside.

A million, originally earmarked for reserves this year, will now go to the assessment appeal repayment.

The remaining $118-thousand has been incorporated into the current deficit which would be offset through savings or tax increase.

Mill Re-assessments To Get Look Over

The Ontario government is promising to review the decision by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to reduce the assessment of several mills across northern Ontario.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa says he's asked officials to look into the situation impacting Fort Frances, Dryden, Espanola and Elk River.

The New Democrats want Sousa to freeze the tax assessment decisions until the review is completed.