Hydro Concerns Presented To Minister

Fort Frances town council has taken its concerns about the province's review of the electricity distribution system directly to Energy Minister.

A delegation met with Chris Bentley last week.

Mayor Roy Avis says local power users could be impacted if the Fort Frances Power Corporation is forced to merge with another.

Avis says they were also encouraged about a meeting with Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle regarding changes to the bear-wise program.

DSSAB To Develop Strategic Plan

The agency responsible for delivery of social services programs in the Rainy River district is embarking on a strategic planning session.

CAO Dan McCormick says it's the first time the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board has undertaken such an exercise.

The DSSAB has hired an outside consultant to assist with the work beginning next week.

McGuinty Would Like An End to Bankable Sick Days

Premier Dalton McGuinty is urging Ontario municipalities to consider ending bankable sick days for police and firefighters to control costs.

He says municipalities need to ask themselves whether they should continue to allow police and firefighter to bank unused sick days.

The Ontario Association of Police Service Boards says it agrees with McGuinty, but want the governing Liberals to take responsibility for the costs of the Ontario Provincial Police.

Health Unit Issues Report Card

The Northwestern Health Unit is out with a report on how well it's meeting provincial standards.

It's the second year for the report card.

Alex Berry, Continuous Quality Improvement Coordinator, says it provides a snapshot of how well it's doing in meeting Ministry of Health standards.

The report focuses on fourteen key area including food safety, tobacco use prevention and injury prevention.

The report card can be found on the Health Unit's website.

New Temperature Record Set

Fort Frances was the hot spot in northwestern Ontario yesterday.

The high of 32.5 C, or 90.5 F, shattered the 1991 mark by a full degree.

Yesterday was also the warmest day this month.

Forest Fire Hazard Increasing

State authorities say the wildfire threat is growing in Minnesota.

The fire danger is rated high to extreme in most parts of northern Minnesota.

The Department of Natural Resources is expanding its available support resources as a precaution and restricting burning permits in some areas.

In northwestern Ontario, the forest fire hazard is forecast to be in the high and even extreme range across the central and southern regions.

I. Falls Reaching Out To Celebrities

The annual Pulling for Peace Tug of War is still nine months away, but the city of International Falls is actively recruiting for its celebrity team.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Carl Eller and Mike Ehredt, who's currently running across the U.S. in honour of soldiers killed in Afghanistan are expected to be on the city's team next June.


This year event was cancelled due to weather.

College Faculty Deal Reached

It appears there will be no disruption to the school year at Confederation College.

A tentative two-year deal has been struck between the Colleges and the union representing nearly 10-thousand faculty, including those at Confederation College.

It includes a two-year wage freeze with improved job security for partial-load faculty.

Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union were set to take a strike vote September 10.

Classes for thousands of college students begin Tuesday.

Most Students Meeting School Test Standards

The provincial government is glowing over the latest results of standardized tests written by students last spring.

The number meeting standards in the Grade 3 and 6 tests for reading and writing and Grade 9 math was up five to 10 per cent in most areas.

However that success was not matched in mathematics in the elementary grades and in the Grade 9 applied course.

The Liberals say, overall, it's still proof that its education plan is working.

The results for individual boards and school will be released later in September.

Drug Charges

Two Fort Frances area men face charges after a quantity of illegal drugs were seized from a vehicle stopped near Kenora earlier this week.

OPP says half a pound of marihuana, 55 hydromorphine capsules and small amounts of Oxycondone and Fentanyl were discovered.

They value the drugs seized at about $10-thousand.

A 25-year-old from Devlin and a 23-year-old from Fort Frances were arrested.

Reasons For Riding Change Confusing

A possible redraw of federal ridings in northwestern Ontario has the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River scratching his head.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario proposes Lake of the Woods township be a part of the Kenora riding.

John Rafferty sees no reason for it to moved out of his riding.

Rafferty intends to voice his opposition at upcoming meetings this fall.

Tourist Info Delivery Efforts Successful.

An effort to make tourism information available in Fort Frances despite the closure of the province's tourist centre has been met with success.

Students spent the summer handed out pamphlets at the border with info also available at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce and Sorting Gap Marina.

Geoff Gillon of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation says it worked out well.

It has yet to be decided if they'll continue the efforts next year.

Closure Of Portage Avenue Underpass Planned

There's going to be another temporary closure of the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances.

The town says it will be shut down to traffic for approximately three days beginning September 10.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says its so work crews can safely tear down the old pump house which is being replaced, seal the concrete retaining walls and do some landscaping.

Renovations to Old Library Coming

There will be no change to the exterior of the former Fort Frances Library as part of renovations to make it the new home of the Fort Frances Family Health Team.

That work is expected later this fall.

Executive Director Maryliss Bruyere says only the top floor will be used for now with an expansion to the bottom level .

Bruyere is hoping the extra space will lead to new health programs patients now access out of town.

Zebra Mussels In Northern Minnesota

Zebra mussels are slowing making their way closer to our area.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the invasive species were found at an old mine pit in Gilbert, near Eveleth.

It's the first time they've been found in a mine pit lake, and the furthest north they been seen in the State.

New Lightning Caused Fire in Rainy River District

MNR file photo

There are now two forest fires burning in the Rainy River district.

A new lightning-caused, but small, fire, is burning in an area southeast of Morson.

The other still smolders near Basswood Lake within Quetico Provincial Park.

Alzheimer's Society Event Reaches Goal

CKDR photo

The Alzheimer's Society for Kenora-Rainy River has met its objectives in last weekend's Ride for Memories.

Executive Director Lynn Moffitt says participants helped raised $40,026.

The Society was hoping to raise $40-thousand.

the money will go to support programs and services for people with Alzheimer's and dementia and their families.

Over 165 bikers from across northwestern Ontario took part in a ride throughout the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Teachers Protest

EFTO photo

Ontario teachers gather at the Ontario legislature and in Thunder Bay today to protest controversial legislation that would their freeze wages and cut benefits.

The bill was introduced at Queen's Park yesterday.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation has postponing its strike votes, but president Ken Coran says teachers are questioning whether to do volunteer duties.

School Starts Today In Rainy River District

For students in the Rainy River district, it's back to school today.

Education Director for the Rainy River District board Heather Campbell says their schools are ready to open their doors to this year's class.

Campbell say they've expanding the use of iPads in their schools, hiring new staff to assist in their use.

The board is also participating in a pilot program on a new anti-bullying campaign.

Catholic Schools Set Theme For School Year

The Northwest Catholic District School Board is excited about the new school year.

Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly says their year will focus around the theme "Growing Together in Faith."

The board is also expanding the use of ipads, first tried at St. Francis School in Fort Frances, to its schools in Atikokan and and Dryden.