Positions Available to Students

The Ministry of Natural Resources is putting out the call to students interested in being a part of its Stewardship Ranger program.

Four positions are available to those 17 or older in the Fort Frances area.

Applications must be submitted by May 28.

Low Water Faced in Season Opener

The opening of fishing in Minnesota is this weekend, but anglers may find low water levels at some lakes this season.

The Department of Natural Resources says some lakes in central, eastern and northeastern Minnesota are down a foot or two.

Officials say some concrete ramps may not be long enough when boats are launched on lakes with low water.

Vehicles Vandalized

A number of vehicles in the east end of Fort Frances were the target of vandals over the weekend.

Two vehicles parked in the 1000-block of Williams Avenue were broken into and fires set inside late Friday night.

A number of other vehicles parked around one-thousand and 11-hundred blocks of Scott Street and Second Street East had their side mirrors smashed and paint scratched.

A trolling motor was also damaged.

One killed in Atikokan House Fire

A house fire in Atikokan has claimed the live of a woman in that community.

31-year-old Amy Rachel Lee was inside a home on MacKenzie Avenue East that caught fire Saturday morning at around 7:30 a.m.

An unidentified man was taken to Atikokan hospital and later transported to Winnipeg in serious condition.

Atikokan Fire Department was on scene for nearly five hours before fire fighters were able to contain the blaze.

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office and OPP are investigating it's cause.

Town Council Tonight

Future plans for the former Fort Frances High School building are expected to be discussed at tonight's meeting of Fort Frances council.

Owners of the property are to discuss activities at the former school property.

Also tonight, a request for more money for this year's Canada Day activities comes back to the table.

Council agreed to provide $5-thousand, but asked its economic development advisory committee to review the organizing committee's request for more.

The public portion of tonight's meeting begins at about 6:40 p.m.

Portage Avenue Blocked

Motorists travelling to the north end of Fort Frances this afternoon will be forced to use McIrvine Road.

Access through the Portage Avenue underpass will be closed for the next ten day as crews begin the next phase of work along other parts of the roadway.

The closure begins at noon.

Ontario's Responds to Possible Toll

The Ontario government is promoting a need for continued dialogue with Couchiching First Nations.

In an interview with B-93, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says the province is open to ongoing talks instead of seeing the band move ahead with a planned toll booth to back demands.

"Our position is always that talking and discussions and negotiation is the way to go," says Bentley. "That's what ultimately gets things done."

The federal government has also indicated a willingness to talk, but there's no indication that any meetings have actually been set up.

Man's Death Investigated

The Special Investigations Unit is investigating a fatal shooting at a First Nations community near Sioux Lookout.

OPP say a 39-year-old man was injured at Whitefish Bay during a confrontation with police yesterday.

He later died in hospital.

Police say they're also investigating a separate death from the same house.

No names are being released at this time.

Women's Health Symposium Return a Success

Diversity the theme at the Women's Health Symposium Saturday at the Fort France High School.

The event attracted women of all ages, and committee member Peggy Loyie says they were pleased with the turnout after the event's year absence.

"We were a little worried about that," says Loyie, "in getting people back together. I think we brought together a really awesome group of presenters that express our theme and as well as the exhibitors."

Guest speakers included local film producer Andrew George, Laura Horton of Seven Generations Education Institute and Jim Lees of Confederation College

'What Hook You Hear' Underway

(Left: Fort Frances Pam Cain 'hooking' parts of the first panel for the What Hooks You Here project)

Work has started on the What Hooks You Here project.


It's a large rug that focuses on the outdoor activities people in the Rainy River district enjoy year round.


Fort Frances Museum Curator Pam Cain says it's reflective of input from the public.



"We had great participation," says Cain. "The design incorporates lots of what school children and local artists have given us. We can still change things. If there's something that people think we don't have in it, there's still opportunity to change it once they see the design."

Cain says they hope to have the project completed by next February.

3-D TV in Rainy River District

3-D TV has arrived in the Rainy River district.

The newest in television viewing can now be found at Sight and Sound in Fort Frances and salesman Bryan Barnes its bring a whole new perspective.

"It's not like your regular t.v. viewing," says Barnes. "You put the glasses on and you feel like your right in the television set. It's unreal."

The system will set you back a fair coin with the sets now at about $39-hundred dollars, plus a few hundred more for the glasses and 3-D blue ray player.

Housing Wait-Lists Long

Some low-income people in the Rainy River district are waiting up to two years for housing.

That according a report by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association.

Executive Director Sharad Kerur says longer wait times and a rise in the number of people seeking social housing continues to be a trend right across the province.

"We don't have enough affordable housing supply being built in Ontario," says Kerur. "There's also an affordability issue with people not being able to afford the kind of shelter they already have."

According to the Association, the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board has 37 people on wait lists for housing, compared with 24 last year.

Kerur says the numbers could be much highers with some people living with family and not registering on housing lists or those who don't have immediate access to local housing centers.

Speech Pathologists Funding

The McGuinty government is being accused of quietly cutting funding for speech pathologists in northwestern Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says its led to young children with delays and handicaps in their speech waiting up to 18 months to get services.

"We know that children with delays in their speech and language development who don't receive appropriate professional help will then face subsequent serious behavioural, social and educational challenges," says Hampton.

Children's Services Minister Laurel Broten says her ministry will be soon be conducting a review on how to improve access to services.

Hampton says want is needed is funding to be restore to adequate levels.

Pharmacists Protest Today

The lawn in front of the Ontario legislature will be a sea of white lab coats today as pharmacists hold a protest rally.

They're waging a pitched campaign against the Ontario government's plan to put an end to so-called professional allowances.

The Ontario Community Pharmacies coalition will also present petitions to the McGuinty government signed by thousands of people who want the government to stop the reforms.

First Nations Working Group Plan

Provincial and territorial ministers of aboriginal affairs are moving forward on a plan to deal with some of the challenges facing first nations people.

Ontario's Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says they hope to close the graduation and income gap.

"We're going to add to our areas of general agreement over the next 90 days with some concrete steps that can be taken immediately to improve lives," says Bentley. "We're going to present our advice to the Premiers at the beginning of August and they can decide what they want to do with it."

The group is also calling for a First Ministers meeting on Aboriginal Issues.

Farmers' Market Opens Tomorrow

It's another season for the Clover Valley Farmers Market in Fort Frances.

This year, along with local producers, board member Deb Cornell says they're hoping to attract some local musicians to play at the market.

"We're always happy to have buskers," says Cornell. "It's a way for musicians to make a little bit of money and entertain visitors to the market."

The market opens tomorrow with local maple syrup, free rhubarb plants and fresh flowers for Mother's Day available.

Relay For Life Plans Progresssing

There's a lot of interest in this year's Relay for Life event in Fort Frances.

Committee member John Homer says 24 teams have registered so far and is hoping for a few more.

"We only had 16 last year," says Homer, "so we're way a head of the game. We're shooting for thirty so if there is anyone who wants to put in a team to call Duane or myself at Gillon's."

The 12-hour fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society is scheduled for June 25 at Pither's Point Park.

INAC Responds to Planned Toll

The federal government is responding to Couchiching First Nations plans to set up a toll booth later this month.

In an e-mail to B-93, Michelle Yao, a spokesperson for Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, says the government is committed to working with the band and the province in resolving the issues cited as reasons for the toll.

But Yao says an open dialogue is much more constructive and effective in dealing with the band's concerns.

Last night, band council held a community meeting to update residents on their plans for the May 21st toll.

Deer Proposals Put Forward

The town of Fort Frances has filed its application for federal funding to help chase deer away from the airport.

The money would be for a 5,800 metre long fence, costing about $300-thousand.

The town is also seeking approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources on plans to deal with deer if funding doesn't come through.

It includes installing motion detection noise equipment along main deer trails near the airport and allowing a bow hunt cull if and when deer become a major concern to aircraft.

Rafferty Loses Support

John Rafferty's private members bill to provide protection to workers and their pensions when companies restructure or enter bankruptcy proceedings appears to have hit a snag.

After last week receiving hints that all parties would support it going to the committee level, the M-P for Thunder Bay-Rainy River says it now appears Conservatives are planning to put a stop to the bill.

"I guess what saddens me the most is to think that Conservatives are listen more to bank lobbyists than to ordinary Canadians," says Rafferty.

Rafferty is suggesting residents call Conservative M-P's or the Prime Minister to voice their displeasure.