Labour Market Needs In Mining Explored

Challenges in the mining industry are hoping to get a break.

The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board is teaming up with the Mining Industry Human Resources Council to forecast labour market needs.

The Board's executive director Sonya Wainio sees it of interest to companies working in this area.

Wainio hopes the forecast will be complete by September.

Fort Frances Supports OPG Conversion Of Thunder Bay Plant

Fort Frances is giving its support to calls Ontario Power Generation move ahead with the conversion of the coal-fired plant in Thunder Bay to natural gas.

OPG has put the project on hold until it gets a power purchase agreement with Ontario Power Authority

Fort Frances council is backing a Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association resolution that asks the Province to step in to get that agreement approved.

Building Upgrades Approved

Repairs to a maintenance building at Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances are expected to begin this week.

A $94-thousand contract has been awarded to Ed Kaun and Sons of Fort Frances.

The work includes the installation of a new metal roof, new siding and windows.

Museum Seeks Grant

Fort Frances Museum is seeking a unit to digitally store historical documents.

The town is authorizing the museum to seek a $50-thousand dollar provincial grant.

CAO Mark McCaig says it will help preserve the Museum's documents.

If the grant is approved, the town's share would be about 10-thousand dollars.

Primary Day in Minnesota

Today is primary day in Minnesota, when fields of candidates will be narrowed for the November 6 general election.

The races on the ballot range from the congressional to the local level.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 tonight.

Meantime, the deadline to register for elections in International Falls is today.

Municipal elections are not involved in the primary.

Candidates must fill by 5 p.m.

Entertainment Groups Get Funding

Federal funding is being handed out help three entertainment groups in the Rainy River district.

Atikokan Entertainment Series is getting just less than $20-thousand over the next two years to offset the cost of staging live entertainment.

The Tour de Fort Concert Series in Fort Frances will use $20-thousand over the next two years.

The Kids and Company Family Performing Artists Series in the Fort will get a grant of $6-thousand.

I. Falls Safe To Live Because of Weather

International Falls is being identified as one of the safest cities in the United States to live if you're trying avoid dangerous weather.

The Weather Channel suggests the so-called "Icebox of the Nation" might be better described as the "Safety Deposit box."

Although cold in the winter, the Weather Channel says extreme cold is not seen as big weather killer.

It also notes the Falls has not seen a tornado in almost 20 years.

Fires Out

Forest fires that have been burning in Quetico Provincial Park for some time are now out.

Some of the five lighting-caused fires had been burning since the middle of July.

They were allowed to burn themselves out because of the benefits to the park's ecosystem.

There are now no active fires in the Rainy River district.

Chamber Office Moves

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is in the midst of a move.

It's relocating its Scott Street office to the second floor of the Northern Lights Credit Union building.

It will open the doors of its new location September 1st.

Minnesota Wetlands Examined

Scientists are checking on the health of wetlands across the state, as part of a project to determine how well conservation programs are working.

There are about 10 million acres of wetlands across Minnesota, nearly 15 per cent of which are located in Koochiching County.

Officials are monitoring wetland quality and quantity, exploring the areas by foot and using aerial photographs towards possible changes in state regulations.

Osisko Ending Drilling

Osisko Mining will be ending drilling operations at its Hammond Reef project near Atikokan in the near future.

President Sean Roosen says much of the focus now will be completing feasibility and environmental impact assessment studies.

The company is also expected to update the anticipated size of its gold deposit by the end of the year.

Billionth Tree Planted

Photo courtesy MPP Sarah Campbell

Resolute Forest Products is celebrating the planting of one billion trees in northern Ontario.

Two-meter tall white spruce trees were planted in Fort Frances, Iroquois Falls and Thunder Bay Friday to mark the achievement.

More Donors Still Wanted

The Canadian Blood Services begins the first of two blood donor clinics today in Fort Frances.

Eighty-five appointment spaces are still to be filled.

As incentives, Boston Pizza is coming on board to to give out discount coupons towards a meal to anyone who gives blood.

Fort Floral will give a rose to each donor.

You can still call register by calling 1-888-2-DONATE.

Former City Mayor Enters Race

Bob Anderson

A former Mayor of International Falls is entering this fall's mayoral race.

Bob Anderson was the city's mayor from 1982 to 1986.

Willi Kotsiuk has announced he'll be seeking the city's councillor at large position this November.

Kostiuk recently retired from the city's police department.

Firefighters Riding For Muscular Dystrophy

Reagan Breeze (l) and Graham Warburton

An Atikokan firefighter will be hitting the road next month to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy.

Graham Warburton will join Reagan Breeze of Dryden on a bicycle ride from Kenora to Thunder Bay, beginning September 10.

Warburton says they're attendance to a recent M.D. conference convinced them of the need to do the ride.

They're now accepting donations which can be made through Muscular Dystrophy Canada website or at the Atikokan Fire Hall.

New Food Program Introduced

A new food program aimed at children at risk is being introduced to Koochiching County this fall.

The United Way's Buddy Backpack program gives youngsters each Friday a backpack full of nutritious, child-friendly, non-perishable food items.

Spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson says it enhances existing in-school breakfast and lunch programs.

The United Way will raise money for the initiative through its annual "Kooch County Cruise."

Classic cars and motorcycle riders will travel throughout the County on September 8.

Register at Northern Auto Parts or the International Falls Chamber office in the Falls, or the United Way's website.

Road Closure

Motorists who travel Highway 602 will find themselves having to take an alternative route for the next few weeks.

A section of the highway west of Fort Frances is being closed between Oakwood Drive and Bone Road

It's to permit to install a new bridge over a Rainy River tributary.

The road will be closed to traffic until August 27.

Governments' Acceptance Of Task Force Recommendations Applauded

Area agencies are applauding federal governments on both sides of the border for agreeing to recommendations of an International Joint Commission task force.

It included a new management board for the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River watersheds.

Kelli Saunders, who was on that task force, is please to see their work becoming a reality.

Saunders is hoping that a water quality summit announced will happen soon that later.

Group Donors Program Established

Canadian Blood Services is asking you to become a "partner for life".

It's the name of a program being launched in northwestern Ontario to increase the number of donors.

Spokesperson Harvey Heather says the campaign encourages groups of people to become regular donors.

OPP Busy During August Long Weekend

A busy one for Ontario Provincial Police in the Rainy River district during the August long weekend.

Police laid 49 speeding charges, 12 for distracted driving, six liquor licence offences and one driver with impaired driving.

On the water, OPP Marine Unit spent 10 hours on patrol, charging one boater for not having any lifejackets on board.