Food Costs Rise

The cost of feeding a family of four in the Kenora and Rainy River districts continues to rise.

The Northwestern Health Unit says its' now costing $918.00 a month to feed a family healthy food.

Public Health Dietitian Chelsea LeCain says that makes this area the most expensive in the province to buy basic foods.

Lecain says many residents don't eat well because they're reducing their food budget to help pay for other things like utilities and rent.

New CEO Named

Atikokan General Hospital has found a successor for its retiring CEO.

Doug Moynihan, vice-president of corporate services with Sioux Lookout's Meno Ya Win Health Centre, will take over from Robert Wilson January 15.

Board chair Vic Prokopchuk says Moynihan's involvement in the creation of the Sioux Lookout hospital will help in a planned upgrade at Atikokan General.

Wilson retires at the end of this month after eight years on the job.

Boat Race Proposed

An event that promotes the district's fur trading heritage is being explored.

Rainy River councillor Gord Armstrong is suggesting a race involving Voyageur long boats between Atikokan and Rainy River.

Armstrong has been talking to area municipal leaders on how to make it happen.

Armstrong would like to see it happen next summer, but says there's still a lot of details work out.

Question of the Day - December 14

There appears some divide over whether the town of town of Fort Frances should proceed with plans to develop the Nelson Street Park into residential lots.

51 per cent of respondents to our question on b93.ca say no.

49 per cent, though, think the town should go ahead.

Today's question, will you do most of your Christmas shopping this year at stores or on-line?

Tell us at b93.ca.

Auto Insurance Questioned

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath wants a legislative committee to study auto insurance rates.

Horwath stops short of accusing insurance companies of discrimination, but says rates always seem highest in the poorest areas.

Attawapiskat Meeting in Thunder Bay

The main players trying to sort out the housing crisis in Attawapiskat First Nation will meet tomorrow on neutral ground.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan will sit down with the band chief Theresa Spence in Thunder Bay.

More Recognition for Atikokan Singer

Atikokan blues artist Sunday Wilde is receiving more international attention. recognition

Her album "What Man? Oh, that Man" has been nominated as Best Acoustic Blues Album of the year in Germany by an industry magazine.

Wasser-Prawda is allowing on-line readers to vote until the end of January.

Wilde was named a fan-favourite this year in the Independent Music Awards.

Nelson Street Residents Fight for Park

Some residents of Nelson Street are asking Fort Frances town council to again abandon its plans to turn a park into housing lots.

They voiced their opposition to councillors at a meeting last night.

Michelle George says the park is too important to lose.

A similar proposal three years ago was abandoned because of  residents' opposition.

No Halloween Curfew

Fort Frances town council is backing an administration report to not implement a curfew or time limit on Halloween trick or treating.

Local resident Jackie Lampi-Hughes had asked council last month to consider limiting treat-or-treating to the hours of 6 to 8 at night.

Snow Art Proposed

There could a number of snow sculptures dotting the Fort Frances landscape if a local arts group has its way.

The newly formed Rainy River Arts Collective is seeking the use of town properties and help moving snow for its works.

Lindsay Joy Hamilton says it would be a contest to help promote local arts.

Hamilton says the February event would be open to everyone.

Rainy River Resources Looks Ahead

2012 is shaping up to be a busy year for Rainy River Resources.

Vice-president of Operations Garrett McDonald says key elements of the company's gold project north of Barwick are expected.

It includes an updated resource estimate and the start of a feasibility study.

The company has targeted the end of 2015 as a possible start-up for the mine.

Pellet Plant Opening Delayed

It's going to take a little longer to open a wood pellet plant in Atikokan.

Atikokan Renewable Fuels was hoping to begin production this year.

But owner Ed Fukushima says there's been some contract challenges.

Fukushima says the delay could be anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

Question of the Day - Dec. 13

Area residents appear to be backing the district's lawyers in their fight to have a judge for the Ontario Court of Justice remain in the district.

All of the respondents to our question on b93.ca says there's a need for a permanent resident judge here.

The position is to be relocated to the Kenora district next year.

Today's question, should Fort Frances town council develop the Nelson Street Park for housing or abandon its plans altogether.

Cast your ballot at b93.ca

Rainy River District Losing Judge

Lawyers in the Rainy River district are expressing concern over a decision to move an upcoming vacant judge's position in the Ontario Court of Justice here to the Kenora district.

Justice Thomas McKay is relocating to London, but Ontario's Chief Justice has told the District of Rainy River Law Association the vacancy will be relocated.

President Barbara Morgan says that's only going to impact court services here.

The Association is seeking a face-to-face meeting with the Chief Justice.

Stuff A Cruiser Campaign Overstuffed

A huge show of support from the Rainy River district this weekend to the OPP Stuff a cruiser campaign.

Enough food and gift items were collected in six hours Saturday to fill a total of twenty police cars.

Constable Anne McCoy says it was a phenomenal day.

The food is to be shared by the Sunset Country Metis Association, the Salvation Army, the United Native Friendship Centre, the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau for its Community Christmas Dinner and a food bank in Emo.

Seven cruisers were filled in a similar campaign two weeks ago for agencies in Atikokan.

Meals on Wheel Needs Help

The Meals on Wheel program in Fort Frances is looking for more help.

Coordinator Gabby Hanzuk says service organizations and churches have helped deliver meals to the elderly for forty years, but they too are facing their own membership struggles.

Hanzuk is hoping the program will be of interest to the area's business community.

Call 274-3764 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.  if you can help.

National Strategy on Forestry Proposed

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says it's time for a national strategy on forestry.

Rafferty feels the federal government has been neglecting the industry for too long, and communities dependant  on forestry are struggling to survive.

Rafferty put forward three motions in the House of Common's last week he hopes will spur discussions leading to a strategy.

Government Accused of Ignoring Northern Health Care Needs

The Liberal government continues to be pressed over looming health care concerns in northwestern Ontario.

As Rainy River Health Centre looks for more permanent coverage of its emergency room, comes word that Ear Falls is losing its only doctor at the end of the year.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell accuses the government of ignoring the needs of the north.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says her government has made it a high priority to increase physician coverage in the North.

Youth Centre Seeks Adult Help

The youth centre in Atikokan is looking for more adult help.

Chair of the Atikokan Youth Initiatives Eva Shields says they're hoping to find enough volunteers to keep the centre open during the Christmas.

Shields says a strong volunteer base could also aid two part-time employees the Centre has other times of the year.

Board Human Resources Manager to Retire

The Rainy River District School Board will be looking for a new Human Resource manager in the new year.

Diane Ross will end a 28-year-career with the board at the end of next March.

She first joined the board as a school attendance councillor.