Search Continues

An OPP dive team is expected to join in the search today for a missing Florida man on Lake of the Woods.

Police say 68-year-old Bill Amason, a summer resident of Morson, was reported missing Saturday after his boat was found floating in the area of Obabikon Bay and his clothes located on a rock.

Police believe his boat may have drifted away while he was on shore and he went swimming after it.

Back to School

It's back to school for students across the Rainy River district.

Education Director for the Rainy River District School Board Heather Campbell says staff have been busy over the summer preparing for the first day of classes.

The Board begins the year with new offices in Fort Frances and the early learning program being offered at Robert Moore School in Fort Frances.

New Classrooms at St. Michael's

There are some new classrooms at St. Michael's School.

Two new classrooms were added to the Fort Frances school to accommodate the younger students attending the early learning program for four-and-five-year-olds.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board also created a new classroom at the school for a native language program.

New Mine Centre School Not Open Yet

(Students and staff gathered in June to mark the closing of the old school that will re-open temporarily today - Rainy River District School Board photo)

Unexpected construction delays to their new school will force students attending Mine Centre School to begin the year in the old facility.

The school had been slated for closure, but staff were asked back in June to prepare it for the start of classes in case the new school wasn't ready.

Board officials say the use of the old school should only be temporary.

Safety Zone in place Thursday

The signs are up, but a new Community Safety Zone in Fort Frances won't officially take effect until Thursday.

Drivers caught speeding in the area along King's Highway near area schools can see a doubling of fines.

The safety zone was put in place to help protect the safety of pedestrians walking in the area.

It will be in effect September to the end of June weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Condo Sales Continue

Officials aren't giving up on efforts to get a proposed condominium project in Fort Frances off the ground.

ReMax real estate agent Kathy Judson admits it's taking longer than expected to pre-sell the units, but there's still strong interest.

Judson says at least five more pre-sales are needed before the project can go to tender.

Ignace Sawmill to Reopen

After sitting idle for five years, the AbitibiBowater sawmill in Ignace is set to re-open.

The company says it plans to spend $32-million in capital investments to reopen and upgrade the facility by 2014.

Yves Laflamme, a company vice-president, says the mill will also contribute to improving the cost of fibre for its pulp and paper mills in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

Liberals Promising Doctor House Calls

Ontario's Liberals are kicking off the last week before the provincial election campaign begins in earnest by courting seniors.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the Liberals are promising to bring back doctor house calls for seniors if elected October 6th.

The Liberals say their promise will apply to anyone who has trouble getting to their doctor's office.

Both the NDP and Progressive Conservatives call the $60-million program an election gimmick.

Hudak to Hit the Road

The Progressive Conservatives are expected to launch what they're calling their "campaign for change'' later today.

Leader Tim Hudak will be joined by his caucus and candidates in Toronto to announce he's hitting the road as he tries to convince Ontarians he should be the next premier.

The election campaign officially begins next Wednesday.

Pace Car Program Promoted

Drivers in the Rainy River district are wanted to set the pace this fall.

Safe Communities Rainy River District is asking motorists be part of its Pace Car Program.

Administrative Coordinator Grace Silander says it simply asks them to sign an oath to drive slow in school zones.

It's an effort that initially started in December.

College Bargaining Talks

Talks continue to try to head off a September 1st strike by support workers at Ontario's community colleges, including Confederation College.

Three days of bargaining will begin today.

Tourism Report Reviewed

A consultant's report on the new northern Ontario tourism plan is out.

Members of various tourism organizations are taking time to review the document and will be meeting for two days starting today in Sudbury.

Forest Fires Activity Continues

Eleven new forest fires in northwestern Ontario were reported yesterday, but the Ministry of Natural Resources says it's making good process on the fifty-plus still burning.

Fire Information Officer Debbie MacLean says it's allowed them to release some of the out-of-province fire crews from active duty.

Maclean says this has been the most destructive fire season in 50 years, with more than 622-thousand hectares of forest burned.

Four of the fires still active are at the southern part of Quetico Provincial Park but are posing no real threat.

NDP Back to Work

After a week of grieving the loss of their leader and saying goodbye at Saturday's state funeral in Toronto, New Democrats are turning to the job at hand.

NDP director Brad Lavigne says party members will honour Jack Layton's legacy by rolling up their sleeves and getting down to work first thing this morning.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty and his partner Pam Cain were among those attending Saturday's funeral.

Toronto Liberal Announcement

A major provincial announcement for the Liberal party was made today.
PRESTO is now available at all GO stations and on all GO buses in the southern Ontario region.
"The McGuinty government is making it more convenient for commuters to choose transit. With PRESTO, riders can travel across multiple transit systems in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with just one card." says Kathleen Wynne, the Minister of Transportation for the McGuinty government.

US Earthquake

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centred in the state of
Virgina, shook much of Washington, D.C., and was felt as far north
as Rhode Island and New York City.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was 3.7 miles (6
kilometres) deep. Shaking was felt as far north as Sudbury, and east into New Brunswick yesterday.

Layton's Body Arrives On Parliament Hill

Jack Layton's body arrived on parliament hill to lay in state this morning.

A grieving Olivia Chow accompanied her husband's coffin as it was
greeted by a piper playing a lament.
New Democrat MPs and staff shared tearful hugs as the coffin
arrived at the Peace Tower, where the flag fluttered at half-staff.

Several hundred people watched quietly as the casket was wheeled
into the the Parliament Buildings, where Layton is to lie in state for two days.
The first hours of the ceremony were reserved for family,
colleagues and dignitaries.

Major OPP Drug Bust

A routine traffic stop by Fort Frances OPP resulted in more than just a ticket. The 26 year old male driver from Manitoba was driving while suspended. Officers searched the vehicle and came away with 24 pounds of pot with a street value of over 60 thousand dollars.

The 26 year old driver was remanded into custody and faces charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, driving while suspended and two counts of failing to comply with a court order. He will appear in court tomorrow for a bail hearing. His 27 year old female passenger was also taken into custody and charged with possesssion for the purpose of trafficking. She has been released and will be back in court Sept 26th.

Fort Frances Town Council Meeting

At Fort Frances town council yesterday, a local artist was given permission to work to put up a mural in the arena.
The mural, called Timmy's World, was painted by children with Lindsay Hamilton's help.
Town councilor Hallikas is quoted as calling the work a: "fantastic, fasmagorical world!"

Jack Layton State Funeral

The deceased leader of the federal NDP will be given a state funeral.
Jack Layton will be honoured with a sendoff usually reserved for
prime ministers, governors general and cabinet ministers.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Harper says the P-M exercised his
discretion and offered Layton's wife, Olivia Chow, a state funeral, which she accepted.