Library Sale Discussed

Fort Frances council will discuss today the potential sale of the former Fort Frances Library building.

Councillors are doing so behind closed doors in advance of tonight's regular council meeting.

The Fort Frances Community Clinic and Evangelical Fellowship Church each submitted bids for the vacant building.

The Salvation Army had also expressed interest but did not submit a formal bid.

Strategic Plan Input Sought

Residents in Fort Frances will get an opportunity tonight to provide input into a new strategic plan for the community.

CAO Mark McCaig says the plan will serve as a blueprint for council over the next four years.

"This is an opportunity to get involved in the planning process," says McCaig, "and give some direction to Mayor and Council about initiatives or areas that the town should start moving in on a long-term basis."

McCaig says residents who don't attend tonight's meeting can still submit suggestions before the end of this week.

Local College Grads Get Diplomas

Graduating students from Confederation College's campus in Fort Frances will be honoured tonight.

Commencement ceremonies will be held for 49 students at the Townshend Theatre beginning at 5 p.m.

For the first time, the College will hand out its employer of the year award to a local business for its contributions to the school.

New School Opens

An official opening of the new Robert Moore School in Fort Frances was celebrated in Friday.

Principal Dianne Thompson says the school incorporates the latest in technology to assist in student learning.

"Things from Smartboards incorporated into every single classroom," says Thompson. "Computer labs on both floors, really incorporating where we are in this point in time and looking towards the future for the education of our students."

More than four hundred students have attended classes in the new school since September.

Forest Fire Watched

The Ministry of Natural Resources is monitoring a forest fire in Quetico Provincial Park.

The lighting caused fire in the southwest portion of the park was reported Saturday.

Since it's causing no concern, the MNR says the fire will be allowed to burn as it will benefit the area.

Postal Strike Underway

No pickets in Fort Frances, but Canada Post is now on strike.

Postal workers started walking the picket line late last night in Winnipeg -- the first city to be hit with the rotating strike.

Lisa Peterson, vice-president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Winnipeg local, says rotating strikes can grab Canada Post's attention.
The union is expected to respond later this morning to the Crown's Corporation latest offer.

Man Charged with Sexual Assault

A Fort Frances man facing a several sexual offences involving children.

OPP says 41-year-old Christopher Ernest Simmons was arrested after a May 19 search of his home turned up alleged images of child sexual abuse on computers and video devices.

He's also been accused of trying to obtain sexual services from someone under 18.

Missing Girls Ends up in Duluth

Officials won't say much about a missing southern Manitoba girl who took shelter in a parked freight train and woke up the next morning in Minnesota.

RCMP says the 16-year-old from Steinbach ended up in Duluth.

It's believed the train may have passed through border at Warroad, Rainy River and Fort Frances.

Weather Warning

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Sioux Narrows, Nestor Falls and Morson areas.

It's monitoring a line of strong to severe thunderstorms that's moving in from northwest Minnesota into southeast Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

Heavy rainfall with strong damaging winds and local large hail is possible.

More Help to Alberta

More Ministry of Natural Resources personnel are being sent to Alberta.

One hundred and 27 firefighters and support staff are joining crews who have been in the western province for the past three weeks.

One air attack officer is also being assigned to assist the Northwest Territories.

Robert Moore Officially Opens

The Rainy River District School Board has waited to the near end of school to officially open the new Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

The board will hold a three-hour event beginning at 11 a.m. today with a ribbon-cutting, bar-b-que and and student presentations.

College Grad

(Confederation College President Patricia Lang presenting award at 2010 College Commencement Ceremonies in Fort Frances)


Over 1,400 Confederation College students from across the northwest will graduate today at the College's main campus in Thunder Bay.

Students attending classes in Fort Frances will hold their ceremonies Monday.

Tourism Week Kick-Off

The Ontario Travel Information Centre in Fort Frances is kicking off Tourism Week.

An open house will go today from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. with cake being served to all visitors at noon.

Bev Noga says the centre is now fully staffed for the summer season.

"We've hired our summer staff," says Noga. "We're getting them all trained and ready to go for the summer. We're opening now from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week."

The Travel Centres across the province are also raffling off four tourism getaway packages to anyone who visits and signs-up between now and September 5.

Water Passes Through Fort Frances

A bucket of water taken from Hudson Bay is making its way to join buckets from four other bodies of water and dumped in Lake Superior.

The Mother Earth Water Walk reached Fort Frances Wednesday

Debbie Danard has been with the walk since its start in Churchill, Manitoba.

"As much as its raising awareness about the pollution or the caring of the water," says Danard, "what I also see is that it's showing also how we're caring for each other as human beings and that we're learning what the water is teaching us."

The water is expected to reach its final destination June 12.

Energy Project To Proceed

Work on a new geothermal energy system for the Fort Frances Curling Club will begin in August.

The club received a $250-thousand provincial grant for the project, but will have to cover the rest of the $560-thousand total cost.

Cheryl Gartley, a member of the building committee, says they have some ideas how that will be done.

"We're looking at a number of different ways to raise money," says Gartley. "One of the things we've discussed is the idea of offering debentures to members as a way of financing the project."

Gartley says the club expects to save more than $25-thousand annually in utility bills when the system is up and running by the end of this year.

Final Early Learning Programs Approved

(Rainy River District School Board photo)


The provincial government has given approval to area school boards to begin planning for full day kindergarten in 2013 and 2014.

Sturgeon Creek School in Chapple township, J.W. Walker in Fort Frances and Donald Young in Emo have been approved for the program beginning September 2013.

Crossroads in Devlin, Mine Centre School, Riverview in Rainy River, Nestor Falls School, McCrosson-Tovell School in Berglund and Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton will start a year later.

Legislation Adjourns Early

Opposition politicians are upset with the McGuinty Liberals after the government adjourned the legislature one day ahead of schedule.

New Democrat House Leader Peter Kormos says it shows the government's fear of having to defend themselves -- for even one more day.

Progressive Conservative House Leader John Yakabuski says there's no reason to prorogue the legislature, especially without any notice or explanation.

The Liberals say they have accomplished a lot over the session, and Ontarians should be focusing on the legislation that was passed, not on the exact day the House rises.

MPP's won't be back now until after the October election.

Cellphone Warnings Wanted

The NDP want warnings that come in cellphone booklets to be placed right on the phones themselves.

It follows word from the World Health Organization that cellphones and other wireless devices may put people at greater risk of cancer.

New Democrat Frances Gelinas says that should prompt governments to act.

Census Takers go Door-to-Door

Employees with Census Canada have started going door-to-door in the Rainy River district as part of this year's Census.

Those who have not completed the questionnaire, in paper form or on-line, can do so at the door.

All interviewers have an identification card that features their photo and census logo.

Water Walk Reaches Fort Frances

The Mother Earth Water Walk arrives in Fort Frances today.

Heidi Smith of the United Native Friendship Centre says its was first organized by Josephine Mandamin to bring awareness to the state of the world's water supplies.

The walkers will be celebrated at a community feast at Agency One land at noon.