Chemical Spill Cleaned Up

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A rail car that toppled over Friday on Resolute Forest Products mill property in Fort Frances has now been emptied and hauled away.

Some of it's contents, hydrogen peroxide, spilled, but crews had it contained by Saturday.

The chemical is used in the bleaching process at the mill, but officials says it posed no risk to the public at any time.

Roads that had been closed during the incident have now been reopened.

Mock Emergency Planned

Area emergency personnel will be put to the test next Tuesday as they participate with Energy Fundamentals Group or EFG in an exercise simulating a natural gas leak.

EFG's Michael Pelletier says it's being done in conjunction with Union Gas and the town of Fort Frances.

The exercise is also being evaluated by the National Energy Board.

Highway Accident Kills Five

OPP continue to investigate a horrific crash on Highway 17 near English River Saturday night involving a transport and a pickup truck that claimed five lives.

Provincial Police have released the name of the transport driver killed as 43-year old Sukhwinder Thandi of Cambridge, Ontario.

The names of the four men killed in the pick-up have not been positively identified.

Two oth
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er vehicles were involved in the accident, although none of the occupants were injured.

Operation Impact Numbers Revealed

The numbers of this year's Operation Impact Campaign are in.

OPP Constable Dave Shaw says all of their statistics were down from last year.

Police still laid 244 speeding charges, one stunt driving charge, 34 for seatbelt violations and 4 distracted driving charges.

The month long campaign ended last Sunday.

Forest Fire Season Winding Down

The forest fire season in Northwestern Ontario continues to be a quiet one.

Ministry of Natural Resources Spokesperson Deb MacLean says the last fire was in Red Lake, and was put out last Wednesday.

Two prescribed burns in the Sioux Lookout area are still active, but are listed as being held.

The official end of the forest fire season is October 31.

Blood Donor Clinics Seeking Young Donors

The Canadian Blood Services is back in Fort  Frances.

It will hold clinics at the Fort Frances High School today and tomorrow.

Spokesperson Mike Choi says part of the visit is to attract more young people as donors.

Choi says they hoping to collect 240 units of blood.

Senior Centre Celebrates

Anniversary celebrations for a senior's center in Fort Frances this week.

The Sister Kennedy Centre is celebrating 30 years with a variety of events.

It will kick the week off this morning with an official opening at 9 a.m. with a number of dignitaries on hand.

Freshie Week

This week is Freshie Week at Fort Frances High School.

The main event is the naming of a Freshie King and Queen.

A total of ten nominees will participate in a week-long friendly competition towards a crowning this Friday.

This year's nominees for Freshie Queen are Victoria Beaudry, Kassidy Fryer, Caitlin Visser,  Jess Steele, and Sara Selman.

Cole Sandelovich, Brett Hahkala, Hunter Koles, Christian Audette, and Cole Kowalski vye for the title of  Freshie King.

Comunity Living Outlines Plans For Former School

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Community Living Fort Frances and District has taken the wraps off its plans for the former Sixth Street School.

It intends to demolish the former school and construct a new multi-use facility featuring space for training, activities and offices.

Executive Director Alanna Barr says the plan came out of input from a variety of individuals.

A fundraising campaign for the estimated $3.5 million dollar project will be launched soon.

Gold Project Still Proceeding

New Gold is assuring the public it intends to continue work on a proposed gold mine north of Barwick.

It's acquisition of Rainy River Resources is now complete..

Director of Sustainability Kyle Stanfield says while there is a new owner to the project, there are no plans to scuttle the work take placing.

Stanfield says they're still aimed for obtaining ministerial approvals early next year and possible construction next fall.

Tory MP Defends Government Agenda

Northwestern Ontario's lone Conservative member is defending the federal government's agenda outlined in Wednesday's Throne Speech.

The Minister Responsible for Fednor Greg Rickford says there were many perks identified for our region.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty notes may of the promises made will be done if government returns to a balance budget, something he doubts will take place.

NDP Want Wynne To Testify Again

The NDP wants Premier Wynne back before a committee examining the decision to cancel two gas plants in southern Ontario.

Critic Gilles Bisson says the recall of the Premier is needed to answer some of the questions arising out of the Auditor General's latest report that now puts the cost of the cancellation at over $1.1 billion.

Since the recall is not binding, it's up to the Premier to decide if she want to appear.

Drug Bust Details To Be Announced

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Details of a lengthy drug investigation in northwestern Ontario are being reveal today.

It involved Dryden Police, OPP, Treaty Three Police and the Anishinabek Police Service.

A media conference is planned for this morning in Kenora police say will address the results of a lengthy undercover operation that led to large amounts of cash, drugs and property being seized.

Charge Laid In Fort Severn Death

A 19-year-old man from Fort Severn First Nation is facing a charge of second-degree-murder in connection with the death of a woman in that remote community earlier this week..

Nishnawbe-Aski Police say 24-year-old Georgina Beck Stoney died at the community's nurse station Monday.

Charged is Tommy Raymond Miles Junior.

Community Television Station On Fundraising Drive

Officials with a community television station in International Falls are now focused on funding.

A community drive is underway to raise funds for equipment.

Board member and city councillor Cynthia Jaksa says it includes purchasing gear to stream programming on-line throughout Koochiching County.

Jaksa says they also want to purchase cameras to be placed in communities outside International Falls where resident can use to record their own programming for the station.

Long Time Kenora Councillor Died

A former Kenora councillor has died.

Helene Dubenski, often known as the hat lady, died earlier this week at the age of 96.

Dubenski served as a councillor for 27 years under 6 different mayors during the 1970's, 80's and 90's.

Motorists Paying For Road Improvements

A new study says Ontario drivers are paying most of road infrastructure costs, to the tune of more than $7.5-billion a year.

The Conference Board of Canada says drivers of cars, minivans, SUVs and light pickup trucks now pay 70 to 90 per cent of the costs through fuel taxes, fees and tolls.

The report notes that municipalities that own and maintain a large part of the infrastructure collect a relatively small portion of that revenues.

E-Waste Day In International Falls

Residents of Koochiching will get an opportunity next month to rid themselves of their old televisions, computers and stereos.

Rainy River Community College, along with Wisconsin-based 5R Processors, will hold a collection day November 2.

Most consumer electronics and home office equipment will be accepted.

New Deal For Medical School Dean

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has the only dean its known, for a little longer.

Dr. Roger Strasser has been reappointed Dean in a deal that will keep him around until the end of June 2019.

Strasser was first hired in 2002 as the school's Founding Dean to aid in its development and subsequent opening in 2005.

Let's Talk

Confederation College student union is talking.

It's launched a new monthly live talk show series titled "Let's Talk About...."

The Student Union says it intended to engage students and the community in dialogue on a wide variety of what can be difficult, challenging or taboo subjects.

Each show will be broadcast via video conference to the college's regional campuses and recorded for the web.

The first show, about sex, took place yesterday
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