Ice Plant Problems at Memorial Sports Centre

There may be no ice available at the Ice for Kids Arena in Fort Frances until the middle of September.

A burst tube within the ice plant's chiller caused an ammonia leak last week.

There's now concern about the condition of the other 100-plus tubes.

A report from Community Services manager Jason Kabel recommends the entire chiller be replaced at a cost of $84-thousand.

Fall and summer bookings are being moved to the 52 Canadians rink in the meantime.

Benefit Planned for Rainy River Woman

Friends and family of an area woman are rallying to help raise money for some specialized cancer treatment.

Cindy Asselin of Rainy River was diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer in January 2011 and told by doctors in March there's no treatment left for her.

Her son Scott says she now has a chance to get treatment in California.

A benefit will be held July 17 at the Legion in Rainy River to raise the $38-thousand needed.

An account has also been set up at CIBC in Cindy's name for those who would like to donate money.

Courthouse Opens

Court proceedings expected to resume today back at the Fort Frances courthouse.

The building was shutdown over a week ago because of a water line break.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General's office says certain sections of the basement are still closed, including the Ontario Court of Justice courtroom  and the Intake Court.

Matters to heard by those courts are being rescheduled to other rooms.

Junkheap Removed From Road

Minn. State Patrol photo

Minnesota State Patrol is talking about this one that didn't get away.


Troopers stopped a Ford Pinto Canada Day on Highway 53 just south of International Fall for unsafe equipment.

Minn. State Patrol photo

Much of the vehicle, both outside and inside was rusted out with a tire holding up the driver's seat.

A gas can, located in the passenger seat, was rigged up to the engine.

 The car was impounded and the driver now faces several charges.

Youth Arrested

An area youth is facing several charges following an incident last night.

OPP say the youth was driving a pick-up truck officers attempted to stop when he fled, driving in a dangerous manner.

Police received several calls about the vehicle operating in the same manner before eventually arresting the driver.

Concern With Area Gold Project

A U.S. financial services group isn't optimistic Rainy River Resources will be on target to get its open-pit gold mine north of Barwick in operation.

UBS points to recent drops in gold prices.

It suggests with prices down 15 per cent off last year's highs, Rainy River Resources project will likely remain in a state of incubation until prices improve.

The company has targeted construction to begin in 2014 and is currently working towards the start of an environmental assessment.

Bridge Work Begins Today

Work to replace two bridges on Highway 11 east of International Falls is to begin today.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says traffic at the Tilson Creek and Jackfish Bay bridges will be reduced to one lane controlled by traffic signals.

More Forest Fires In Rainy River District

Another two forest fires on the weekend in the Rainy River district.

A small blaze near Manion Lake along the Turtle River Road was human caused and is under control.

Another lightning-caused fire near Clarkson Lake, east of Nestor Falls, is out.

The forest fire rating in the region is currently moderate.

Wind Power Not Working - MPP

A northern Ontario MPP says pristine locations are being sacrificed for a source of power that's failing Ontario residents.

Conservative Vic Fedeli says as demand topped 23-thousand megawatts yesterday, wind power was contributing just 77 of those megawatts.

Teachers Union To Speak Out Against Provincial Deal

The leaders of four unions will be commenting today on a deal reached yesterday between the province and the English Catholic Teachers Association.

The Catholic teachers broke ranks with other unions, by accepting a two year wage freeze and three unpaid professional development days, which the Liberal says amounts to a 1.5-per-cent pay cut.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario has called the government's demands ``insulting.''

OPG Reducing Workforce

Ontario's leading power provider is planning to cut one-thousand positions over the next three years.

Ontario Power Generation says the jobs will be eliminated through attrition between now and 2014.

 Spokesman Ted Gruetzner says the company is not planning to lay off any employees or offer incentive packages to encourage staff members to retire early.

More Fires Detected In Rainy River District.

MNR file photo

Three more forest fires to report in the Rainy River district.

All are small in size.

A fire at Kagaki Lake, north of LaVallee township, is listed as being out.

One near Reeves Lake, far north of Fort Frances, is listed as being held while the third, identified south of Clearwater West Lake, northwest of Atikokan, is still burning.

Cause of all three fires is unknown at this time.

There have been 25 forest fires in the Rainy River district so far this season.

Project Safe Halloween Going Beyond Rainy River

KRRDCA photo

A safety program initiated in the Rainy River district is being expanded.

Glow sticks, handed out every Hallowe'en, will now be distributed to youngsters throughout the Kenora district this year.

Betty Anne Johnson of the Kenora-Rainy River District Children's Aid Society says it continues a program started 10 years ago by the former Rainy River agency.

The OPP and the Northwestern Health Unit are partnering.

Blood Donor Clinics Dates Announced

Canadian Blood Services photo

The Canadian Blood Services has announced the dates of its summer blood clinics in Fort Frances.

The August 13 and 14 clinics will be held at the Fort Frances High School.

The agency says its looking for 270 donors to fill spaces available.

You can make an appointment by booking through the Blood Services website or calling 1-888-2- DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

"Let's Talk Health"

The Northwestern Health Unit wants to Talk About Health.

The Health Unit has launched an on-line video, Medical officer of Health Dr. James Arthurs says highlights things beyond health care that affect a person's health.

The video can be seen on the Health Unit's website.

Bridge Work Starts Monday

Work to replace two bridges on Highway 11 east of International Falls is to begin Monday.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says traffic at the Tilson Creek and Jackfish Bay bridges will be reduced to one lane controlled by traffic signals.

The projects are scheduled to be completed by June of next year.

Teacher Deal

The provincial Liberals have reached a new labour deal with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association.

Education Minister Laurel Broten says the union, which represents 45-thousand teachers, has agreed to a two-year deal with no salary increase.

She says the deal should pave the way for agreements with the other teachers unions.

The OECTA is the first teachers group to break ranks with the other unions, who have refused to negotiate after they were told their wages would be frozen.

Evidence Allowed In Murder Case

Evidence from the computers of a Koochiching County man accused of using a totem pole to kill his wife will be allowed in the case against him.

Carl Chester Muggli, of Ray, is charged with intentional second-degree murder in the November 2010 death of his 61-year-old wife, Linda.

The 50-year-old totem pole carver asked the court to suppress evidence obtained during a search of his computers, claiming it was obtained in violation of his constitutional rights.

New Owner For Terrace Bay Mill

New life has been brought to an idled pulp mill in northwestern Ontario.

Aditya Birla Group is purchasing Terrace Bay mill for 300-million dollars with plans to convert it to dissolve wood pulp for rayon fibre.

The former Buchanan Group owned mill has been under creditor protection since 2009

OMB Blocks Housing Development

The town of Fort Frances is being stopped from developing housing lots on a parcel of land in the east end.

The Ontario Municipal Board has ordered the town to repeal a zoning by-law passed back in December for the area known as Nelson Street Park.

Kalan Kielczewski says its a huge win for residents who have long opposed any development other than a park.

In its ruling, the OMB says it supported the residents appeal based on an inadequate case supporting the park's disposal.