St. Michael's Expansions to Proceed

The Northwest District Catholic School Board has received the go ahead from the province to expand St. Michael's School to allow for the full-day kindergarten this fall.

Education Director Mary Catherine Kelly says the Ministry of Education has confirmed the over $622-thousand for the project at the Fort Frances school.

"The board will renovate two existing classrooms so that it adds two additional square footage," says Kelly. "Then we have two classrooms that will be expanded even further to create kindergarten full-day classrooms across from the current kindergarten classrooms."

Work is expected to begin this spring.

Rainy Lake Hotel Up for Tax Sale

The former Rainy Lake Hotel has been put up for tax sale.

Bids on the building are being accepted by the town of Fort Frances until February 15th.

The town is seeking a minimum bid of just over $163-thousand.

The hotel has been closed in 2005.

Weddings Continue at Sunny Cove

The town of Fort Frances is again going to allow a limited number of weddings at Sunny Cove Camp this year.

Councillor Andrew Hallikas says they're permitting just four during the non-traditional wedding months as part of an ongoing evaluation of the service at the town owned camp.

"We had allowed up to four weddings last year, I think only two actually happened," says Hallikas. "We're still in early days and seeing how it goes because it is a good resource for the entire community."

The town put a limit on the number of weddings last year after complaints it was going in direct competition with the private sector.

Acting No More

(Dr. James Arthurs (r) speaking to area mayors in 2009)


The Northwestern Health Unit's chief medical officer of health no longer has the term 'acting' in front of his title.


Ontario's Health Minister has finally signed off on Dr. James Arthurs' credentials, two years after the Health Unit hired him.



"It doesn't change my authority or what I do," says Dr. Arthurs. "So we're just going to push on with all of our programs. Make sure that were doing what we're expected to do and what we do do and do its well."

Arthurs admits some took the term 'acting' to mean he was only filling in until a more permanent M.O.H. was found.

Holocaust Survivor Returns

(Dr. Eva Olsson speaking Tuesday at Fort Frances High School)

A return visit to the Fort Frances yesterday by holocaust survivor Dr. Eva Olsson.

Olsson is visiting schools across the district to talk about her experiences and how we can combat hate and bullying.

The 86-year-old says it starts with parents teaching their children about proper attitudes now.

"Because we want to see them when we see them as adults," says Olsson. "They're going to replace us. They're going to be leaders, some of the them, and I want to be sure I won't be disappointed what I send out there."

She's at Atikokan High School today and returns to St. Michael's School in Fort Frances tomorrow.

Snow Removal Policies Discusssed

The town of Fort Frances is adding more resources to help deal with snow removal this winter.

Five contractor trucks will join town crews over the next ten days.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says they understand the frustration by some residents, but the town is following its policies.

"We know that we have to react," says Brown, "but there's nothing telling us, other than our policy to prioritize, there's no regulation that we're not meeting. We are doing it to the best of our ability in the most cost effective manner for our community."

Brown says Fort Frances has seen more snow this year than it has over the past few winters.

The town budgets about $500-thousand each year for snow removal.

Brown says it spent more than $320-thousand in 2010, compared with the $47-thousand in 2009.

More Surveillance Cameras Installed

There will be more eyes watching over Fort Frances' Memorial Sport Centre and Public Library.

The town is spending over 6-thousand dollars to install more surveillance cameras.

Mayor Roy Avis says it may help curb acts of vandalism.

"The community service committee sat down and looked at it and felt this was a good way in order to track the damage that's being done at that facility," says Avis, "and being done at the new Public Library."

Two of the six new cameras will be pointed at the Library and Skate Park.

More Wood Allocations Coming: Gravelle

Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle says he understands Atikokan Renewable Fuel's disappointment.

The company says it was forced to lay off staff because it hasn't received a wood allocation from the province.

Gravelle says announcements are coming soon.

"I know they're very, very keen to get the results of our wood supply competition," says Gravelle. "I'm very conscience of the urgency for Mr. Fukushima and to know where things are at. I'm doing what I can to get that resolved as quickly as possible."

Gravelle says he did meet with forestry officials in Toronto to discuss future wood allocations.

Oberstar to be Honoured

The city of International Falls is planning to name its new riverfront complex project in honour of long-time U-S Congressman James Oberstar.

Mayor Shawn Mason says Oberstar was instrumental in helping the city get the project off the ground.

"He understood our vision and he embraced it," says Mason, "and he said what can I do to help."

Oberstar will be honoured when the first phases of development which include the new Voyageur National Park headquarters and amphitheatre are opened July 2.

Oberstar was defeated in November's general election after more than 36 years as the area's representative in Washington.

NOMA Happy with Lobby Efforts

Area municipal officials believe the advocacy work of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is paying off.

Acting president and Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown says NOMA's ability to speak directly to provincial cabinet ministers allowed them to tackle several issues of concern in 2010.

"From all of these meetings we've noticed some changes made for the betterment," says Brown. "We have the ability to meet with the ministers when there is a need to do and we'll continue to do that in 2011."

Brown feels with a provincial election on the way, NOMA will like get increased attention from all parties.

Deer Study

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the University of Minnesota are launching a pilot research project to better understand the movements and habitat of white-tailed deer in northwestern Minnesota.

Researchers plan to place satellite-linked radio collars to track the movement of eighteen deer over the next fifteen months.

Part of the study is to determine if deer are using farmed areas more frequent than nearby forest and wildlife management areas.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels Still Waits for Wood

A partner in the company Atikokan Renewable Fuels says they've been forced to lay off most of their employees because they are still waiting for a wood allocation from the Province.

Ed Fukushima says the process is flawed and he's disappointed.

"It's problematic, "says Fukushima. "If there's a deadline set it should be met. We've got a major investment up there in Atikokan. It cost us to heat the building which is not producing any income. We're paying taxes up there and we have potential jobs for some northerners. There's no reason why this project shouldn't go forward."

The plant proposes to make pellets for Ontario Power Generation, but Fukushima says time is working against them.

New Detachment to Open Soon

Treaty Three Police Service is hoping to have their new detachment at Couchiching First Nations up and running in the near future.

Chief Conrad Delaronde says they are just putting the finishing touches to the facility.

"We should be taking possession of it hopefully in the early part of the new year," says Delaronde. "It's almost done. It's on Agency One land and it's going to be out southern detachment serving communities in that area."

Delaronde says they also want to expand their drug unit and enhance their administrative services in the new year.

Board Finances Strong

The Rainy River District School Board appears to be in a good financial position.

Audited statements to the end of August released show the board enjoyed a surplus of $1.9 million.

The surplus was due to an increase in government grants and a decrease in expenditures.

The money has been moved into the board's reserve fund for future use.

Violence Against Aboriginal Women Hearings

Violence against aboriginal women will be discussed in Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay this week.

The Status of Women committee is traveling across Canada.

British Columbia MP Cathy McLeod says they want to hear from community members.

"(We want to) Naming violence and saying it's not okay and sharing that with the children," says McLeod. "How can we really take the good things that are happening and imbed it in a more widespread way."

McLeod says they will be releasing a report to the federal government in the spring.

Invasive Species Plan Unveiled

Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources has unveiled its plan to slow the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species.

It includes additional conservation officers to inspect boats and other vehicles that spread invasive species as well as increased fines for violations.

It will be presented to state lawmakers on Friday.

Ice Box Days Gets Attention in England

(City of International Falls photo)

Some International exposure over the weekend for International Falls and its Ice Box Days.

Chamber president Faye Whitbeck was the guest Saturday on a London, England based radio program to talk about the event.

Whitbeck says the hosts inquired mostly about turkey bowling, comparing the frozen birds to actual bowling balls and wondering where you placed your hands.

NDP Promise HST Cut on Energy Bills

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath continues to attack the McGuinty Government's failure to remove the HST from hydro, and home heating bills.

Horwath says northerners especially are struggling and need a break.

Horvath says if her party is elected she would remove the HST from home heating oil and natural gas.

McGuinty Future

A broadcast report says Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is hinting that he may not serve a full third term if his Liberal party wins re-election in October.

In an interview with CTV News, McGuinty hedged about his future when asked if he would serve out four years.

McGuinty said he was " not going to speculate as to how long,'' but was committed to seeing through the policies the Liberals have put in place.

McGuinty first led to Liberals to power in 2003.

Natural Helpers Program at Fort High

(Fort Frances High School teacher Shane Beckett explaining Natural Helpers Program at recent Rainy River District School Board meeting)


Students at Fort Frances High School are benefiting from a program that offers help from their own peers.

The Natural Helpers program was established two years and involves a group of students selected in part by the student body.


Grade 11 student Kennadi Herbert says there's satisfaction to lending a hand.

"It's hard helping people and hard constantly being there and listening to every one's problems," says Hebert, "but when you get that thank you or that smile or that 'you helped me so much' it makes it all worth it."

The group participates in monthly training sessions, including on suicide identification.