No Spring Clinic

There will be no spring blood donor clinic in Fort Frances this year.

The Canadian Blood Services is instead moving the clinic to the summer.

Spokesperson Harvey Heather admits the move could impact on participation, but will be looking for new donors to fill the void left by regulars who won't be able to make it.

Heather says the change is part of efforts to ensure adequate supplies of blood are obtained at all times of the year.

Application Made

The town of Fort Frances will be asking the Trillium Foundation for some money to fix up Sunny Cove Camp.

Council last night gave approval to submitting an application for just over $76-thousand.

The money would be used towards a planned reconstruction of the camp's Russell Hall.

Crossing Concerns Raised at Fort Council

Transport Canada is looking at new guidelines regarding safety at rail crossings.

Fort Frances Councillor Ken Perry says it's the length of trains passing those crossings that becoming a bigger concern for this area.

He says with rail companies already looking at trains stretching as much as two to three miles in lengths, wait times at the McIrvine Road crossing could become that much longer.

The town will consider making a submission to Transport Canada expressing its concerns.

More Snow??

More snow is on the way.

The question is how much.

A system developing over Colorado is expected to reach the Rainy River district and Koochiching County area late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Environment Canada says we can expect up to 5 centimetres with heavier amounts around Thunder Bay and central Minnesota.

But the National Weather Service out of Duluth has snow fall accumulations for this region of up to 12 centimetres.

Question of the Week - February 28

Do you think nutritional guidelines on restaurant menus would force you to make healthier selections?

Let us know on our website 931 The Border.ca.

In last week's question, 76 per cent of respondents disapproved of the government's plans to privatize Service Ontario.

Snow Clean-Up Day

More digging out for residents in the Borderland today.

Yesterday's snow storm brought as much as 12 centimetres or 5 inches of snow in some parts of the Rainy River district and Koochichiching County.

Snow plows and sanders are out, but motorists may still want to take it a little snow.

All highways on both sides of the border are being described as being either partially snow packed or snow back.

Hammond Reef Project Plans

Osisko Mining is looking at spending another $59-million dollars this year on its Hammond reef gold project near Atikokan.

President Sean Roosen says they have a lot of confidence in the project.

Most of the money is being earmarked for reserve development and exploration, and feasibility studies.

NOMA Gathers Minister for Meeting

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has plenty to talk about when it meets with several members of McGuinty's cabinet in Toronto today.

President Ron Nelson says they've got a full one hour session with the ministers responsible for municipal affairs, natural resources, northern development and energy.

NOMA also has a separate meeting with Health Minister Deb Matthews.

Fort Frances Councillors in Toronto

It will be a short bench around the Fort Frances council table tonight.

Mayor Roy Avis,  along with councillors John Albanese and Rick Wiedenhoeft and CAO Mark McCaig are in Toronto for the Ontario Good Roads Conference.

They have no meetings with any provincial cabinet ministers, but Avis says it was still important to attend with the recently released Drummond Report expected to dominate the sessions.

Snowmobiler Dead in NE Minnesota

A snowmobiler has died after crashing into a tree on a trail in south of International Falls.

The St. Louis County sheriff's office says the 45-year-old man struck the tree Saturday evening near Orr.

The man died at the scene.

His name has not been released.

Distracted Drivers A Plenty in Rainy River District

It appears a good portion of the charges OPP in northwestern Ontario laid during a recent distracted driving enforcement campaign were in the Rainy River district.

Police says eight motorists were nabbed in the district for such things as using a cell phone or texting while driving.

There were 21 charges in all of northwestern Ontario.

Scam Alert

Residents in the Rainy River district are being asked to keep an eye out for a woman who may come knocking on your door looking for cash.

OPP says the woman is claiming to raise money for a local resident and their medical expenses.

Police say the woman doesn't have the consent to do such fundraising.

Rainy River Doc Issue

Concerns the town of Rainy River could be without a full-time doctor this spring will be delivered directly to government next week.

Mayor Deb Ewald wanted to meet with Health Minister Deb Matthews in Toronto, but instead has received an audience with her Parliamentary Assistant.

Doctor David Singleton, the town's lone doctor, is planned to end his practice in April.

Minister Invited to Rainy River, Again

Ontario's Health Minister is being accused of forcing the town of Rainy River into a medical crisis.


In the legislature, Kenora-Rainy River  MPP Sarah Campbell reissued an invite to Deb Matthews to visit and speak with local officials about what can be done.


"The situation for family doctors in communities like Rainy River is untenable," says Campbell, "and it means that we are unable to recruit permanent family doctors. The minister knows all of this, yet she keeps hoping that the problems will somehow magically disappear. Well, they won’t. The system as it now stands is broken."


Matthews says her Ministry is working hard to help the community and has ensured emergency room coverage at Rainy River Health Centre until April 5.

No Meetings for Fort Council

A contingent of Fort Frances council has no meetings with Liberal cabinet members when they travel to a provincial municipal meeting next week.

Council had requested meetings with about half a dozen Ministers at the Ontario Good Roads conference in Toronto.

The Ministry of Environment did agree to meet Sunday, a day before delegates where to arrive.

Interim Report on Residential Schools Today

A commission set up to help First Nations heal from abuses they suffered in residential schools is about to release an interim report.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has taken 25-thousand statements from survivors, visited 500 communities and heard from about 100 former school employees.

Minnesota Moose Continue to Decline

The head of a study that shows Minnesota's moose population continues to drop says the state probably won't have moose much longer.

Mark Lenarz of the Department of Natural Resources says northeastern Minnesota has lost about half its moose population since 2006.

Reasons for the decline are not that well understood, but diseases, parasites and a warmer climate are thought to be factors.

Social Justice Issues Explored

Social justice issues are on the minds of some students in the Rainy River district.

Intermediate students from St. Francis School in Fort Frances and Stratton's Our Lady of the Way gathered yesterday for a student leadership initiatiative.

Joseph Wenzel, a youth representative with Development and Peace, says students can make a difference

The social and economic impacts of such things as ethanol and bottle water were among issues discussed.

Chamber Awards Presented

Some of the area best businesses and individuals have been recognized by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.


The chamber held its annual awards night last night.


Here's a list of all winners

Safety Award - Town of Fort Frances

Accessibility Award - Riverside Health Care

Tony Beyak Memorial - Volunteer of the Year-  Gabriela Hanzuk

Employee of the Year - Jeff Savage, BDO Canada

Business Woman of the Year - Erin Wood, Simplicity

Customer Service - Individual - Laurie Webb-Brown, Tim Hortons

Customer Service - Business - Fort Frances Dental Centre

Entrepeneur of the Year - Nick Beyak, Sunset Country Ford

Small Business Trainer - M.L. Caron Electric

Home Based Business - SKS Unlimited - Steve Sinclair

Business of the Year (1-15 employees) - Betty's of Fort Frances

Business of the Year (16-plus employees) - Gillons Insurance

James Paul Award- Tannis Drysdale

Driving Eyes Preoccupied

Some folks still aren't understanding the importance of keeping their eye on the road.

Provincial Police in northwestern Ontario have laid 21 charges during their recent "Distracted Driver" campaign.

Tickets were issued for driving and using a cell phone, watching an entertainment device and careless driving.