Provincial Liberals Look to Reorganize

Liberals in Kenora-Rainy River are looking to reorganize.

A provincial riding association meeting is planned for January 17th in Dryden.

Anthony Leek, who represented the party in last October's election, says it's important to have a strong local riding association in place.

Leek admits the association was not that active in the years leading up to last fall's election.

Osisko Faces "Mini-Tender" Offer

Osisko Mining has become the target of an unsolicited mini-tender offer.

The company, proposing an open-pit gold mine near Atikokan, says it neither recommends nor endorses the bid from TRC Capital.

TRC wants to acquire up to $5-million in Osisko shares at a discounted rate.

Mini-tender offers are designed to seek less than 5 per cent of a company's outstanding shares.

Hunter Fined

A northwestern Ontario woman has been fined $1,500 for hunting violations relating to an incident last fall in the Sioux Narrows area.

Trisha Brackett was charged in October after a Ministry of Natural Resources investigation revealed the resident of Marathon had fired from and across a road at a deer.

She later killed the animal, despite not having a proper tag.

Rainy River Man Charged

A man from Rainy River will appear in a Steinbach court room in February on a charge of trying to bring a prohibited weapon into Canada.

RCMP say the 66-year-old was initially detained December 20th by the Canada Border Services Agency at the Sprague, Manitoba, point of entry for failing to declare a gun.

The unnamed man also faces five other firearms related charges.

Cultural Plan Explored

A final draft of a new municipal cultural plan is now in the hands of Atikokan township councillors.

It makes 33 recommendations aimed at promoting and using the town's cultural assets as an economic development tool.

Mayor Dennis Brown says the township will be able to carry out some, but not all of the recommendations.

Council will hear more about the plan when it's author visits next Monday night.

Trail Development Still Planned

The city of International Falls is still hoping to proceed with a proposed trail system along its waterfront despite being denied State funding.

Applications for funding for trail development and upgrades to City Beach Park were both rejected.

City administrator Rod Otterness says the city will still explore doing a portion of the trail work with existing funds this year.

Question of the Day - January 5

83 per cent of respondents to our online poll questions support making the salaries and contracts of hospital executives public.

Today's question, how do you feel about the economy going into the 2012?

Tell us on Facebook or our new website 931The Border.ca.

Salvation Army Falls Short of Campaign Goal

The Salvation Army in Fort Frances fell a bit short in its Christmas Kettle Campaign.

The agency collected just over $15,000.

It was aiming for $18,000.

The agency uses the money to carry out programs to those in need.

Virtual Dementia Tour Planned

The Alzheimer's Society of Kenora-Rainy River is giving area residents an opportunity to experience what it may be like to live with the dementia.

Eleanor Barron, public education coordinator, says they're working with the Rainycrest Family Council in presenting a virtual dementia tour.

Participants will wear special equipment and attempt to carry out a variety of simple tasks.

To register for next Wednesday's event at the Super 8 in Fort Frances you're asked to contact Barron via e-mail eleanor@alzheimerkrr.com or the Society's office in Kenora 1-800-682-0245.

Snow Helping Trail Development in Minnesota

Recent snowfalls are helping get more snowmobilers on the trails in Minnesota.

The department of Natural Resources says trail conditions, though, continue to be poor at best and any trails that are open should be used with caution.

Meantime, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club groomed trails in the Rainy River district are still closed.

Water Rates Upsetting

Some rural residents around International Falls are upset with the cost they now have to pay for the delivery of city water.

The city increased rates last month.

Resident Kathie Fluke says an increase of 48 per cent to the out-of-town delivery charge contrast to the 20 per cent increase impacted users in the city.

But the city says it's increase only amounts to a few dollars, depending on the amount of water used and any higher costs could be associated with fees applied by the independent water haulers.

Fort Employees Have New Contracts

Municipal employees in Fort Frances have started 2012 with new labour agreements.

Separate four-year-deals for unionized workers and managers and non-unionized staff were agreed to just before the Christmas break.

The deals include wage hikes of two per cent in each year.

One with the Canadian Union of Public Employees impacts 67 full and part time workers, along with eighteen student positions.

The other covers about 40 managers and non-unionized staff, along with another 28 students.

Festive Ride Stats Disappointing

The OPP aren't happy with the results of the festive RIDE program.

Sergeant Shelly Garr says it's disappointing to see some in northwestern Ontario still taking the chance of drinking and driving.

A total of 47 people across the region were charged with impaired.

The specific number of charges in the Rainy River district were not immediately released.

Cap on Hospital CEO Salaries Needed

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says it's time to cap salaries and cut perks for health-care executives.

Her comments come after most of Ontario's hospitals posted their CEO's compensation packages online.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the idea of a one-size-fits-all salary cap is simplistic and not well thought out.

Question of the Day - January 4

Do you support making the salaries and contracts of hospital executives public?

Tell us on Facebook or our new website 93.1The Border.ca.

In yesterday's question, 52 per cent felt increases in CPP and EI premiums are necessary.

Those increases went into effect Sunday.

Fibrek Fights Takeover Bid

Quebec pulp producer Fibrek is urging its shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Resolute Forest Products.

Resolute is offering 130-million dollars for the company that has pulp mills in Quebec, West Virginia and Michigan.

Fibrek says bid is timed to take advantage of turmoil on the equity markets and low pulp prices.

Less Pay - More Taxes for 2012

We'll be paying more in taxes this year.

An increase in CPP and EI premiums will see Canadians take home as much as 300 dollars less than last year.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says its tough news for people in northwestern Ontario.

Rafferty says this is coming on the heels of corporate tax cuts which just puts more of a burden on the average person.

Question of the Day - January 3

Do you think increases in CPP and EI premiums are necessary?

Tell us on Facebook or our website b93.ca.

In response to our last on-line poll question, 81 per cent of 93.1 The Border listeners don't see a good reason to make New Year's resolutions.

FOI Materials Expected On-Line Today

Most Ontario hospitals are expected to post their executive contracts online today.

They're subject to freedom of information legislation.

The NDP wants to cap the salaries of hospital CEO's.

 Tom Closson of the Ontario Hospital Association says this is the wrong time to limit pay for hospital administrators.

Closson says being more transparent will boost the public's confidence in what he says is the most efficient hospital system in Canada.

Rate Changes Proposed for Atikokan Hydro Users

Atikokan Hydro is seeking an increase to the delivery charge to its users.

An application is now before the Ontario Energy Board.

If approved, residential users who consume 800 kilowatts per month would see an increase of about 12-dollars and 31 cents.