Pickets Up in Fort Frances

There's no strike in Fort Frances, but it didn't stop Canada Post's temporary workers from setting up an information picket in front of the post office yesterday.

Kim Kelly of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers says they're upset for being abruptly laid-off during the dispute.

"There's lot of work for them to do," says Kelly. "There's mail piling up inside but they've been sent home.

Kelly says the layoffs came without reason Tuesday while most workers were in the middle of their shifts.

Outside Help Sought

The town of Fort Frances has turned to an outside firm to help deal with AbitibiBowater's appeal of its property assessment.

It's signed a service agreement with Toronto-area based Municipal Tax Equity Consultants and MTE Paralegal Corp.

A hearing on AbitibiBowater's request to have its assessment, dating back to 2009, lowered has not been set.

Gas Price Caps Promised

Ontario New Democrats are promising to regulate gas prices if elected this fall so that drivers know what they will be paying from week to week.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says she would set a weekly price cap on gasoline - a move she says should make gas cheaper on an annualized basis.

While consumers may not see the difference on a daily basis, Horwath says her plan will mean drivers won't wake up to huge price spikes if something happens overnight to drive up oil prices.

Market Thursdays a Hit

The Fort Frances Business Improvement Association's Market Thursdays is attracting the interest of a few artisans.

Jocelyn Matheson, a maker of homemade jewelry, was among the first to take advantage of the new summertime Market.

"It's a really good opportunity for local artists to showcase," says Matheson. "It's been a lot of fun. There's a real good sense of community. People are stopping and they're interested in what we're doing. It's been really great."

Portrait artist Lindsay Joy Hamilton says it's a great venue for local artisans.

"It's right downtown. Lots of exposure. Lots of great crafts and painters," says Hamilton. "It would be really nice to see all of the talent Fort Frances outside sharing their gifts with us."

It's the first year for the Markets that will run every Thursday outside the Fort Frances Museum.

Native Ed Funding Concerns

The Rainy River District School Board is asking the province to reconsider how it funds native education programs.

The Ministry of Education now requires at least twelve students to a program, up from eight.

The board's Aboriginal Education Leader, Brent Tookenay, says despite a large number of native students here, the Ministry doesn't count many of them toward the funding.

"With seven First Nations communities within the Rainy River District School Board, many of the board's pupils are considered non-resident pupils for funding purposes," says Tookenay, "and not recognized for the numbers to reach this funding benchmark.

Tookenay says the policy seems more beneficial to southern Ontario boards where there's a high number of urban-native students.

Outage Revised

Hydro One has revised the length to time some communites in the Rainy River district will be impacted by Sunday's power interruption.

Residents of Couchiching and Red Gut, as well as those in Farrington, Halkirk and Watten townships will be without electricity from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Residents in Burris, Crozier, Dance, Devlin, LaVallee, Lake Depair and Miscampbell will see outages from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and for a half hour beginning at 5 p.m.

A seven hour outage for the town of Fort Frances is still planned.

Market Thursdays Kick Off

The Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association has kicked off its Market Thursday.

Chair Connie Cuthbertson says they'll happen throughout the summer in front of the Fort Frances Museum.

"So we're going to have some artisans, crafters," says Cuthbertson. "We're hoping to have even potters, musicians. Anything that you would like to have out there in the big world to sell, we're inviting people to come down to set up a little space and show your wares."

Those interested can register by calling Richard Boileau at McTaggarts.

The BIA is waiving the fees to register during the month of June.

Snow in June?

While southern Ontario perspired through a day of temperatures in the low-to mid-30s Wednesday, Pickle Lake residents almost had to grab their snow shovels.

Mayor Roy Hoffman, who works at the airport's weather station, says the temperature was down to about 2 C and big flakes were falling for a short period of time.

Postal Strike to Expand?

The Canada Post strike is starting to impact service in northwestern Ontario.

A member of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in Dryden says mail delivery in some parts of that community has been cancelled.

The Crown Corporation has also reportedly cancelled employees' drug plan and vacations.

The official also indicates that job action is escalating and a full-scale strike could come as early as Monday.

Union officials in Fort Frances could not be reached for comment.

Social Housing Report

A report by the Ontario non-profit Housing Association says the wait times for people seeking social housing in the Rainy River district isn't as long as many other parts of the province.

It find seniors are waiting up to 30 days while low-income people or families are on waits lists for one to six months.

While the number on wait-lists has increased elsewhere, the Association indicates the number decreasing in the Rainy River since last year.

Early Learning Planning

The Rainy River District School Board will begin the process of preparing for early-learning programs at all of its schools by 2015.

The Board's education director Heather Campbell says it allows them time to determine how the program will be accommodated.

"Well the next step is looking at capital needs, looking at professional development for the early-learning teachers, developing partnerships and continuing our work with the daycares in provided extended day programs as we move out west," says Campbell.

The province gave the go-ahead last week for the program in schools not mentioned in previous announcements.

FedNor Private Member's Bill

A federal NDP MP is making another attempt to make Fednor an independent economic agency.

Claude Gravelle is tabling a private members bill this afternoon and is looking for the support of Conservatives in northern Ontario.

"If Fednor was an independent agency, it would benefit Mr. (Greg) Rickford and Mr. (Tony) Clement's riding and the riding held by the new Conservative in Nipissing," says Gravelle. "I don't know why they are stalling this bill."

Gravelle says the economy development agency should be free from political interference and control.

School Board Recognized Volunteers

(Cheryl Morrison accepts Volunteer of the year award from Board Chair Mike Lewis)


The Rainy River District School Board has recognized some of its school helpers.

Cheryl Morrison from Rainy River and Sheri and Darcy Bailey of Atikokan were honoured as the Board's volunteers of the year.

Morrison was cited for the development of a First Responder program at Rainy River High School.

The Baileys have been involved in North Star Community School’s Breakfast Snack Program.

Ted Menson, a driver for Mine Centre School students, was named Bus Driver of the year.

Outage Update

Hydro One has included more communities to its planned power outage Sunday.

Couchiching First Nation, Red Gut First Nation and residents in the townships of Farrington, Halkirk and Watten will be without electricity from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Several communities to the west of Fort Frances will also be without power from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Fort Frances residents will be effected from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as Hydro One makes upgrades to its transmission line.

Former Minnesota Man Faces Murder Charge

Koochiching County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man in Texas and charged him with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife back in Minnesota.

49-year-old Carl Chester Muggli, formerly of Ray, was taken into custody with the aid of local authorities in Stockdale.

He's to appear in Koochiching County court this week.

61-year-old Linda Muggli died last November.

Reports had indicated the well-known carver died when a totem pole she was working on rolled on her.

Safety Blitz Underway

The Ministry of Transportation has launched a three-day safety blitz for trucks and large vehicles.

Inspectors will assess their mechanical fitness and check whether loads are properly secured.

Unsafe vehicles will immediately be removed from the road.

Quest for Best Date Set

Quest for the Best will be back as part of this year's Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

The annual singing competition will be held the night of Wednesday July 19.

Performers can register by calling the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce office.

Seniors Seek Town Support

A group trying to get an assisted-living facility for seniors constructed in Fort Frances is turning to town council for support.

Robert Schultz, chair of Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, would like to see the project be a focus in the town's new strategic plan.

"We have an increasing seniors population in Fort Frances," says Schultz, "and we must ensure that seniors can remain in their community. There's only a so many spots in existing seniors complexes so assisted-living can play a role in this objective."

The group also wants to serve as a link between the town and its seniors and help promote the community to those considering a move here.

Riverside Honoured

Riverside Health Care Facilities has been recognized by Confederation College as its employer of the year.

Vice-president of Academic Judy Maundrell presented the award during Monday's Convocation ceremonies for graduating students at the College's Rainy River campus.

"Because they hire our graduates," says Maundrell. "In many different categories, they have always been a strong supporter of the programming and we're delighted to recognize them with this award."

It's the first time the College has presented its award to an organization in the Rainy River district.

Power Outage

There will be a significant power outage effectiving much of the Rainy River district.

Hydro One spokesperson Danielle Gauvin says it will occur this Sunday.

In Fort Frances, the residents will be without electricity from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gauvin says outage is necessary to do upgrades to the utility's transmission line.