Fur Trappers To Hold Community Workshop

Your chance to learn more about the local trapping industry.

The Rainy River District Trappers Council is bringing back a community workshop this Saturday at Crossroads School in Devlin.

President Brian Love says it builds on the success they had last year.

The event will include displays and workshops on fur handling, beaver skinning and activities for young people.

There's no charge to attend.

Question Of The Week

Should Fort France town council abandon plans its plans for a housing subdivision in favour of other uses for the former Huffman School property?

That's our question on our website 93.1 The Border.ca

In response to last week's question, 69 per cent don't think the province's review of how paper mills in northern Ontario were assessed will lead to any help for the communities affected.

Alternative Use For Huffman Presented

An alternative use the former Huffman School is being offered up.

The Fort Frances seniors advisory committee would like the building used as a temporary second location to the Sister Kennedy Centre.

Al Bedard says it would enhance programs and services for seniors until an expansion of the currently facility can be done.

Town council is reviewing the proposal with the group to make a formal presentation at the next council meeting.

Candidates Named

We now know the names of the four candidates seeking the open seat on Fort Frances Council.

Arlene Georgeson, Doug Kitowski, Ed Haglund and Joe Galbraith will be interviewed by the remaining members of council in the coming days.

The selection of a preferred candidate will be made by the end of this month.

The vacancy was created by the sudden death of Sharon Tibbs in January.

No Smoking Ban Expanded

A ban on smoking in front of the doors at the Memorial Sports Centre is being extended to other locations.

Fort Frances council has approved a by-law amendment that prohibits smoking within 9 metres of any entrance or exit of a town-owned building.

There had been some consideration for a complete ban of smoking on town-property but that provision would have also applied to parks, playgrounds and outdoor recreational fatalities.

Complaints About Dog Droppings Increasing

The on-set of spring is generating complaints about dogs and their owners who don't pick up after them.

Fort Frances Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the waterfront continue to be one the problem areas.







Wiedenhoeft says it's just common courtesy for owners to pick up after their dogs.

Complaints have also been received about dog droppings left along the ski trails in the town's north end.

Tories Wants Plans For More Casinos Stopped

The Tories want to cancel the province's plans for more casinos and online gambling.

Conservative Leader Tim Hudak says thousands of jobs will be lost in the government goes ahead with casinos.

Hudak, instead, favours horse racetrack operators being allowed to take over existing slot operations.

New Bobcat Sighting

File photo

A bobcat wandering around parts of Fort Frances continues to elusive.

The town's by-law enforcement office began setting up traps last week after reports of domestic cats being killed by the wild animal.

The most recent sighting was this past week in the 600 block of Scott Street

County To Talk With CN About Trains

Koochiching County will try to seek a meeting with CN Rail officials to talk about the length of time it's taking its trains to pass by rail crossings.

The County would also like to hear from the public.

Commissioner Brian McBride says it can aid in their efforts to find a resolve.

Chair Kevin Adee says the biggest concern is trains that stop at a crossing for longer than 10 minutes.

Town Looks At Staff Changes

The town of Fort Frances may soon look at little leaner.

Some staff changes are being considered in the effort to help keep costs down.

CAO Mark McCaig says a restructuring will include early retirements.

McCaig says full details of the changes will be announced in the near future.

Town Review Staffing Requirements

The town of Fort Frances may soon look at little leaner.

Some staff changes are being considered in the effort to help keep costs down.

CAO Mark McCaig says a restructuring will include early retirements.

McCaig says full details of the changes will be announced in the near future.

Mayor Calls For More Cuts From Departments

A call for more cuts within the town of Fort Frances.

Mayor Roy Avis feels some areas may not have reduced their budgets as best they can and would like them to go back to find further savings.


The operating deficit remains at just over $728-thousand.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas feels council should hold off asking for cuts until they see how other cost-saving measures will impact the numbers.

Pope Selection Surprising

Bishop Fred Colli of the Thunder Bay Catholic Diocese says he was surprised by the selection of former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina as the new Pope.

Colli believes the Cardinals of the Church surprised Catholics around the world in their vote.

Colli says he will probably meet the new Pope Francis when he travels to Rome next year.

Water Quality Forum

Researchers from across Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota are gathering in International Falls.

They're attending the 10th annual International Lake of the Woods Water Quality Forum.

Todd Sellars of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation says the future of the forum is being looked this year.

The nearly one hundred delegates will also hear the latest in research being conducted in the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake watersheds.

Farmer's Market To Open This Month

Clover Valley Farmers' Market photo

Another sign spring is just around the corner.

The Clover Valley Farmers Market is preparing to open with an Easter market at the end of this month.

Manager Deb Cornell says they saw an increase in sales and customers last year.

Cornell says the regular season begins in May and vendors can now call to book space.

Rae Supports New Relationship With First Nations

The Federal Interim Liberal Leader says its time for the government to work more closely with the province and First Nations to address aboriginal rights and issues.

Bob Rae says forming strong partnerships will help First Nations move forward.

Rae made his comments during a stop in Dryden yesterday.

Health Integration Discussions

Health Care officials say they're working to rebuild the trust and communication that impacted their ability to address issues impacting care in International Falls.

Duluth-based Essentia Heath wants to full control of Rainy Lake Medical Centre, a plan that has been met with some resistance because of outstanding issues stemming from a 2007 partnership.

Bob Haley of Rainy Lake Medical Centre says with new people leading the discussions, they're leaving what happened in the past behind them.

Haley says they hope to have a report on the next steps by June.

New MRI In Region

A new MRI machine for northwestern Ontario.

Thunder Bay's Regional Research Institute is getting a million dollars for a new state of the art unit.

CEO Dr. Michael Wood says it will allow them to research brain diseases.

The MRI replaces an older model and will cost $5 million in total.

Gasification Project Still On Table

Work continues on a plasma gasification project in Koochiching County.

The project to generate energy by burning waste was first proposed several years.

John Howard of Coronal says the delays are actually benefiting the project.

Howard say they are also working toward getting permitting by the end of the year.

Wheelchair Curling Promoted In Fort Frances

There's an effort to establish wheelchair curling in Fort Frances.

Wayne Ficek brought his Kenora team to play teams in the local senior league yesterday.

The four time provincial champion says he'd like to help build the sport here.

Ficek says the sport is seeing growth elsewhere with a strong league in Thunder Bay and about five taking up the sport in Kenora.