Strategic Plan Work Continues in 2012

Local officials are aiming to have a memorandum of understanding in place next spring that paves the way for a  district-wide strategic plan.

Rainy River town councillor Gord Armstrong says there were some talks about the plan this year.

He's hoping a more formal agreement keeps the process going.

He'd like to see more concrete plans in place by the end of 2012.

B-93 Becomes 93.1 The Border

There's a fresh, new look and name of an old friend on the air in Fort Frances and the Rainy River District.

Fort Frances heritage station CFOB-FM better known as B-93, is now officially known as 93-1 The Border.

Station Manager Leo Melanson says 93.1 The Border will continue to build on its reputation of community involvement and complete local news coverage.

Healthy Smiles in the Rainy River District

Northwestern Health Unit says it's getting a good responses to its mobile dental office.

The unit recently ended a lengthy visit to the Rainy River district.

Dental Health Program Manager Dawn Sauve says it saw a number of children who may not have been able to see a dentist otherwise.

The mobile unit is part of a project under the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

Murder Charge Laid

A northwestern Ontario man faces a charge of 2nd degree murder.

The charge against 33-year-old Kelsey Jacob of Webequie is connected a December 17th incident at a Thunder Bay hotel in which a man was beaten.

53-year-old Barney Beaver later died in hospital.

DNR Officer Breaks Through Ice

A conservation officer for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has escaped injury after breaking through thin ice on Lake of the Woods over the weekend.

The officer was checking fishing north of Warroad Saturday when his ATV broke through and sank to the bottom of the lake.

He was able to swim to the edge of the ice and pull himself out of the water to safety with ice picks.

He then used his radio to  call a state trooper for a ride.

Busy Year for Roy Tighe

A Fort Frances man who helped promote Mazda's inner driver campaign over a year ago could be back in the spotlight next year.

Roy Tighe is back home for a brief Christmas break and says a possible movie roll could be in his future.

He auditioned for a role in an upcoming Will Ferrell movie.

Tighe is also working to complete a documentary on comedian Richard Lett he's worked on for the past year.

Christmas Trees Ready for Discard

Christmas trees in Atikokan can be dropped off at the bottom of the Toboggan Hill at any time.

They'll be used as part of the Atikokan Lion Club's annual community bonfire scheduled for January 31st.

Question of the Day - December 29

93.1 The Border listeners took full advantage of Boxing Day sales this week.

88 per cent of respondents to our poll question said they sought out bargains.

Today question, where will you celebrate the New Year, at home or a house party or at a drinking establishment?

Tell us at B93.ca.

Report Recommends Hike in Water and Sewer Rates

A consultant's report is recommending the town of Fort Frances increase its water and sewer rates by five per cent for the next six years.

The report, accepted by town councillors at their meeting last week, says the increase will help the system achieve "financial sustainability."

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says the report is one the town is obligated to forward to the provincial government, but it doesn't have to fully accept the recommendations.

Rates for the 2012 budget year will be set early in the new year.

RecycleYourElectronics Tour Not Certain for 2012

RecycleYourElectronics.ca photo

A group working to keep old electronic waste out of landfill sites isn't sure if it back in northwestern Ontario next year.

Ontario Electronic Stewardship has held its RecycleYourElectronics tour in the Rainy River district for the past two years.

Executive Director Carol Hachu says a third straight tour is still uncertain.

Hachu says electronics can be taken to area depots, but it's website lists just an Atikokan retailer as the only one in the Rainy River district.

2011 - Good Year for Atikokan

The Mayor of Atikokan says 2011 was a year of much accomplishment for his community.

Dennis Brown says the town was able to complete a number of projects they'd not been able to do for many years.

Brown says focus for 2012 will be on a start of the new wood pellet plant, support for Oskisko's gold exploration and the conversion of OPG's coal-fired generating station.

Watershed Report Delayed

It's going to be a little longer before a final report on the Lake of the Woods-Rainy River Watershed is released.

The International Joint Commission was hoping to submit its recommendations to the U.S. and Canadian governments by this month.

But the IJC says it still needs some time to complete its work and have now targeted the end of January for release.

Warm Boxing Day

Christmas day was warm, but boxing day in Fort Frances was a lot warmer.

Monday's high of 5.4 C surpassed a 17 year old record of 5 C set back in 1994.

Christmas Day reached a high of 1 C, but well short of 8 C set back in 1994 mark.

Tuition Rebates Coming

University and college students who aren't getting student loans will have to apply online for the tuition rebates set to start in the new year.

The Liberals promised rebates of 30 per cent for students whose family makes less than $160-thousand a year.

Those who now receive student loans are automatically enrolled in the program.

Question of the Day - December 28

Boxing Day sales lured hordes of shoppers to malls and stores across the country.

Did you take advantage of those sales?

That's our poll question on B93.ca

City Banks Wetland Credits

The city of International Falls is purchasing 200 hundred acres of cedar wetlands.

The deal with Forest Capital Partners allows the city to create a bank of wetlands credits that can be applied to developments impacting other areas.

City administrator Rod Otterness says some of first credits will be applied to the planned construction of a new seniors home and hospital.

Both projects had been delayed for several years because lands they want are considered wetland areas.

Final Shopping Days Before Christmas

Some store owners in downtown Fort Frances are feeling good about the Christmas season.

Many are expecting those last minute shoppers seeking out those final gift ideas today and tomorrow.

Richard Boileau, manager at McTaggarts, says sales have been brisk at his store.

Mark Howarth of Leon's Fort Frances says a lot of big ticket items are heading out his doors.

Many stores are staying open late in the final days before Christmas with some offering gift-wrapping services to ease their customers burden.

Motorists to Start New Year with Impaired Charges

Six motorists in the Rainy River district face impaired driving charges as a result of the OPP's Festive Ride program this month.

More than four-thousand vehicle checks conducted since OPP stepped up enforcement at the end of November.

Two separate drug investigations also stemmed from the checks with officers seizing quantities of Ecstasy and marijuana.

Question of the Day - December 23

In response to a poll we had on B93.ca, 60 per cent of respondents say we're doing enough to prevent drunk driving in Ontario.

40 per cent aren't so sure.

Our poll questions will take a holiday break and be back next week.

Ornge Salaries Under Investigation

Ontario's health minister is looking into executive salaries at the province's air ambulance service after receiving what she calls troubling and concerning information.

Deb Matthews says she's sending a team of forensic auditors to review the financial documents at Ornge to ensure taxpayers get the transparency and accountability they deserve.