Insurances Rates Drop For Some

There is good news for some Ontario drivers.

The Co-operators says it plans to reduces its auto insurance rates October.

Actual dollar savings will vary between drivers.

The province announced last week it will mandate a 15 per cent drop in rates over the next two years

Cops Given Stun Guns

Ontario's frontline cops will be allowed to carry stun guns.

Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur says the decision comes after lengthy consultations with police and coroners across the province.

Ontario's police chiefs have been advocating for the expanded use of Tasers for years but only supervising and specialized officers have been allowed to carry them.

Wolf Attack In Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking into a rare apparent wolf attack on a teenager.

It happened Saturday morning at a campground at Lake Winnibigoshish in north-central Minnesota.

A 16-year-old boy is recovering.

The DNR says a serious injury or fatal attack on a human has never been documented in Minnesota before.

Question Of The Week

Was the Kraft Celebration Tour as you expected?

Let us know on our website 931theborder.ca.

In last week's poll, 65 per cent of respondent support an increase in Ontario's minimum wage.

RAin Helps Fire Situation

MNR file photo

Widespread rain Saturday night has helped put a damper on the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.

Ministry of Natural Resources Debbie McLean says it helped douse a number of fires they were monitoring last week.

Meantime, the Ministry is sending 109 fire rangers to Montana to help battle wild fires in that state. 

Wynne's Home Site Of Protest

She wasn't home, but that didn't stop protesters from northwestern Ontario to descend on the front doors of Premier Kathleen Wynne's Toronto home.

More than 100 people, including a marching band,  protested Sunday the level of mercury in the drinking water in Grassy Narrow First Nation.

Protesters claimed Wynne hasn't honoured a promise to address the issue, but her office says progress is being made on the file.

MP Not Pleased With Liberal Leader's Behaviour

A northwestern Ontario Conservative is questioning federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's behaviour.

Trudeau recently admitted to smoking marijuana since elected to Parliament.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he was also reported to have done a strip teased routine at a recent fundraiser.

Rickford says Trudeau's actions show he's not capable of leading one of Canada's largest parties.

New Chamber Members

There are some new members of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

Participants in the Biz Kids program were made honourary members for a day.

Chamber vice-president Robin Payeur says it's great to see young people take an interest in business.

All seven involved received certificates from the Chamber.

Large Turnout For Kraft Celebration Tour

The Kraft Celebration Tour is over, but for Fort Frances it was a huge success.

Hundreds of people came out to the Sorting Gap Marina yesterday to take part in the activities and the free BBQ.

Many booths ran out of items given away.


Fort Frances Curling Club's Ron Silver says it was a great end to a lot of work by a lot of people.

The Club also received a $25-thousand cheque towards its geothermal energy project.

TSN Broadcast Live From Fort Frances.

It was a live broadcast of TSN Sportscentre that drew many to the Marina.

In an address to the crowd, co-anchor Darren Dutchyshyn expressed his amazement of the town's beauty.

During the show, co-anchor Jennifer Hedger remarked about the weather, admitting she made a series miscalculation in expecting much cooler weather.

The show included a feature on the 1952 Canadians Allan Cup winning team, a top ten centered around former resident and NHLer Duncan Keith, and a few notes about Fort Frances as a community.

International Falls was also mentioned for being the backdrop for "Frostbite Falls" in the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

Heat Problem During Tour Visit

Heat did prove to be a challenge at the Celebration Tour.

Temperatures soared to above 30 C and with the humidity it felt like 40 C.

Officials say a number of people were treated for heat-related illnesses, requiring a temporary treatment site to be set up at the Memorial Sports Centre.

A fire truck was also used to spray water to help cool the area.

Kraft Window Display Winner

The window display at Northwood's Gallery and Gifts was deemed the best by judges in a contest promoted by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce around the Kraft tour.

                                                   The staff earned three large gift baskets of Kraft food items from Safeway, two of which were given to the United Native Friendship Centre and the Salvation Army for use in their food banks.

OPP Investigation Attempted Abduction Case

OPP are investigating reports of a man driving a min-van in the region who may be trying to lure young children.

Police were altered of the incident in Atikokan last Tuesday in which two young girls said they ran away after a man tried to offer them candy to get in his vehicle.

The van, described as being light brown or tan in colour, could not be located.

Facebook posts since say there was a similar incident in Thunder Bay, but OPP says police there have no reports to confirm.

Rainy River DSSAB Holds Third Public Session

The final stop today for the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board as it gathers comment on a new housing and homelessness plan for the next ten years.

A session goes from 9:30 a.m. until noon at the La Place Rendez Vous.

You can also provide input through the Board's website.

Rainy River College Starts Classes Today

Still another day off for students in the Rainy River district, but those attending Rainy River Community College in International Falls go back today.

Dean Elena Favela says they begin the year with several new programs in cooperative arrangements with others.

They include the new security studies program with Itasca Community College that's attracted some interest.

Favela doesn't anticipate much change in enrollment despite pending layoffs at Boise.

Enrolment at the college usually numbers about 300.

Biz Kids Hold Market

Some potential business owners might be in our midst.

Participants of the Biz Kids program took to the streets Friday to sell products created during the week long program.

Dave Lyle of the Northern Ontario Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative says it taught kid all aspects of business.

A total of 7 youngsters between the ages of 8 and 14 took part.

Former Rangers Seek Return Of Program

Pressure is being put on the province to bring back the Ontario Ranger program.

Hundreds of former participants rallied in Huntsville Saturday as part of lobby efforts.

Spokesperson Emily Kerton tells CFOB-News there is support for the program's return and are hoping for a meeting with government to talk about ways of bring Ranger camps and the program back.

The province eliminated the 68-year-old program last fall.

Forest Fires Near Fort Frances

MNR File Photo

Two lightning-caused fires in the Rainy River district last week among thirteen new forest fires recorded by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Both blazes, north of Fort Frances near Fish Hawk Lake and Priam Lake, were both small in size and now out.

New Routes For St. Francis School Parents

A catholic elementary school will be a part of the Kiss and Ride initiative to start next week at two public schools as well.

Principal of St. Francis School Kim Anderson says parents are asked to follow a designated route to the school.

Anderson says special times in the morning and in the afternoon have been designated for parents to avoid school buses.

Drug Conference Planned

Children who are exposed to the illicit drug trade will be the focus of a conference next month in Fort Frances.

The Drug Endangered Children Conference is being hosted by the Rainy River District Substance Abuse Prevention Team.

Chair Lori Maki says it's will help local agencies better understand the issue as a number of presenters from across North America will be in to talk about experiences elsewhere

Maki says the conference will also help improve communication and procedures between the agencies involved.