Former Family Services Worker Facing Charges

The former director of family services with the Rainy River First Nation is reportedly facing multiple charges in connection with alleged abuses of two teenage girls and a woman.

Metrolinx News reports 60-year-old James Leonard Cardy is free on bail after turning himself into Winnipeg Police last week.

The alleged offences took place in Winnipeg between January and November of last year.

An band official says Cardy was dismissed from his position earlier this year.

College Support Workers Get New Contract

The province's 24 community colleges should be back to normal within days after striking staff reached a tentative deal.

The eight-thousand support workers, including those with Confederation College, who were on picket lines since just before school resumed are expected back on the job tomorrow.

No details will be released until after a ratification vote.

Internet Safety to be Promoted

Ontario Provincial Police will likely roll out its Internet Safety programs to Rainy River district schools next month.

Constable Anne McCoy says they've come up with a curriculum that touches every age group, their parents and teachers.

McCoy says Tim Hortons, a past supporter of the DARE program, will continue on with this program through the sale of its Smile Cookies this week.

Passport to Farm Safety

A program that emphasizes safety on the farm is being tested in the Rainy River district.

Administrative coordinator for Safe Community's Rainy River Grace Silander says 26 area farms are involved in Passport to Farm Safety.

Pilots are also being done in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and southern Ontario before expanded elsewhere by mid-October.

Parliament Resumes

Members of Parliament will return to their seats today in the House of Commons.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty plans to reintroduce a private members bill to protect workers severance.

Rafferty says he'll also be watching for the Conservatives to bring their plan to kill the long-gun registry very early in the session.

Canada Responses to Tax Dispute

The Harper government is pressing the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to back off on its effort to find offshore tax cheats in Canada.

The IRS is going after people who are citizens of both Canada and the U-S, and didn't file a U.S. tax return.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says many of those dual citizens are not high rollers with offshore bank accounts -- and Canada is not a tax haven.

The U.S. also proposes to compel Canadian banks to notify the I.R.S. of accounts held by clients with dual citizenship.

Weather Impacts Forest Fire

The weather is expected to be a factor again in that huge forest fire burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area near Ely.

Rain yesterday helped prevent further spread of the 147-square mile fire which is 11 per cent contained.

Clear skies and strong winds forecast today could blow smoke back over Lake Superior.

Dayton Visits International Falls

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton brings his economic development summit to International Falls today.

The summit aims to gather ideas on job creation.

It takes place 2 p.m. at Rainy River Community College.

Hockey Equipment Drive Continues

A drive to collect used hockey equipment for area youth in the Rainy River district is being extended.

The Taggs Sources for Sports store in Fort Frances will collect items until September 23rd.

The equipment will later be given to Kidsport for distribution.

Candidates Debate in Dryden

Health care was a main topic of discussion at an all-candidates debate in Dryden for those seeking election in Kenora-Rainy River.

Liberal Anthony Leek says he'd make sure there's good use of existing health care dollars.

Progressive Conservative Rod McKay wants to see money wasted elsewhere is put back on the front lines.

Sarah Campbell of the NDP wants to see more nurse practitioners hired to ease the pressure on doctors.

Candidate Debate in Atikokan

Candidates in Thunder Bay-Atikokan tackled a number of economic development issues in a debate last night in Atikokan.

Questions about forestry and mining were fielded in the debate sponsored by the Atikokan Chamber of Commerce.

No Debate in Fort Frances

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has opted for a more informal event to help educate local voters about the candidates in Kenora-Rainy River.

Manager Anthony Mason says the September 28 mix and mingle takes the place of a candidates debate.

Candidates will be allowed ten minutes to outline their platforms and have their own booths to meet voters one-on-one.

Bed Shortage Concerns

Ontario's politicial partys are being asked to address the shortage of acute care beds in local hospitals.

Judy Bain of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions says they're concerned with the number of elderly who are forced to stay in hospital while waiting for a long term care bed to open up.

The Council brought its campaign to northwestern Ontario yesterday.

Ontario Election Day 10

Day 10 of the provincial election campaign will see the party leaders campaign across the province.

NDP Leaders Andrea Horwath visits Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay on the heels of the Premier's visit.

Dalton McGuinty is in Windsor and Cambridge.

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak is focusing on voters in the Toronto area.

Support Received for Minnesota Fire

Teams of elite firefighters have arrived to a wildfire in northern Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

One hundred highly trained firefighters from Arizona were to be deployed to the fire last night.

Another highly experienced crew of fire managers from the Rocky Mountains has taken over command of the blaze which is at about one-hundred thousand acres.

More Forest Fires Sparked

Five new fires have popped up in the Rainy River district.

There are now twelve active fires in the district, nine within Quetico Provincial Park.

All are lighting strikes from previous storms.

Rachel's Challenge Tickets Available

Tickets for the Rachel's Challenge presentations in Fort Frances are now available.

Steve Latimer of the United Native Friendship Centre says he's excited about the support to bring the positive peer-pressure initiative to the region.

Tickets can be obtained on a first-come first-service at Northwoods Gallery and Gifts, United Native Friendship Centre and at Cloverleaf Grocery in Emo.

Green's Select New Candidate

The Green Party has apparently found someone to run in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

Jonathan Milnes is the party's replacement for Russ Aegard who stepped down last week because of personal commitments.

Governor Plans Visit

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will be in International Falls Monday.

He'll be at Rainy River Community College in the latest stop of a state-wide economic development summit aimed at gathering ideas on job creation.

It will also be his first visit to the Falls since becoming Governor last fall.

Atikokan B & E's Investigated

OPP have called in their Rural and Agricultural Crime Team and Forensic Identification Services to assist with the investigation of a series of break-ins in Atikokan.

Seven separate homes and businesses were targets of thieves between September 5 and September 12.