Fire Cause Unknown

Courtesy Teri Major

The investigation continues into the cause of a fire that destroyed a Rainy River landmark.

Firefighters from Rainy River and Baudette spent several hours yesterday battling the blaze at the Canadian Northern Hotel.

It was spotted early yesterday morning passers-by.

The hotel opened in 1903 and had operated up yesterday's fire.

Help Needed To Fix Infiltration Inflow Problem

Fort Frances will likely look to senior levels of government for help accomplish the recommendations a study examining why the town's treating more water than it produces.

The report recommends $32-million in upgrades as a start.

Councillor Paul Ryan says it won't happen without assistance.

 The study identified groundwater and surface runoff as a source of the extra water.

Fort Frances Helping Flood Victims In Thunder Bay

The town of Fort Frances is joining others in contributing money to help victims of flooding in Thunder Bay.

Inititally it wasn't going to make a donation, but Councillor Andrew Hallikas says the city deserves their support.

The donation of one-thousand dollars is to be tripled by the province.

Ice Back At End Of Month

Ice is expected to back at the Ice for Kids Arena in Fort Frances at the end of the month.

Usage of the rink was halted this summer because of a problem with the ice plant's chiller unit.

Community Services Manager Jason Kabel says equipment needed for repairs is expected to arrive next week and with ice ready for use September 30.

Fort Frances Lakers have their home opener September 28 which will now likely be played out of the 52 Canadians Rink.

Portage Avenue Closure Next Week

It will now be next week when the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances will be closed to vehicular traffic.

The road will close next Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. the next night so work crews can safely remove the old sewage pumping station and do other work to the concrete walls and embankment.

Another one day closure is planned for September 21 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The underpass will be open to pedestrian traffic and emergency vehicles.

Campaign Ride Begins This Morning

Thirty-six riders will help generate awareness of Riverside Foundation for Health Care's fundraising campaign for a new digitial memography unit today.

The first riders leave this morning at 8:30 a.m. from Rainy River.

It will end about 5:30 p.m. at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances.

Teacher Legislation Vote Today

Legislation that reins in wages and cuts benefits for Ontario teachers will come to a final vote today at Queen's Park.

If passed, the legislation will be retroactive to September 1st, clawing back any pay hikes or benefits once it becomes law.

College Faculty Approve Deal

Faculty at Ontario's 24 colleges have ratified a new collective agreement.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union says the new two-year agreement, which includes no wage gains, was approved by almost 89 per cent of its members.

The agreement includes improvements to job security for vulnerable partial-load workers and makes progress in clarifying the role of co-ordinators.

Budget Preps

Fort Frances is getting set to begin work on the 2013 budget.

A tentative schedule sees the public being allowed to provide input on September 24.

Council committees and administration will then give discussion over the next three months before premiliary operating and capital documents come back to council for its review in January.

The final budget could be complete by the middle of May.

Firefighters Ride Underway

Reagan Breeze (l) and Graham Warburton

Two northwestern Ontario firefighters have begun their 500-kilometre journey in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Graham Warburton of Atikokan and Reagan Breeze of Dryden left Kenora Monday.

They hope to finish in Thunder Bay Wednesday.

Fire Destroys Hotel

Courtesy Teri Major

Firefighters from Rainy River and Baudette are on the scene of a hotel fire in Rainy River.

A town official says the blaze at the Canadian Northern Hotel was spotted by passers-by early this morning.

Damage is extensive.

The town office, located across the road, has been closed because of smoke.

Cause is not immediately known.

Infiltration InFlow Study Revealed

The town of Fort Frances is getting a sense of why it's treating more water than it produces and the costs to correct the problem.

A draft report of a two-year study of infiltration inflows heads to councillors at their meeting tonight.

It found the problem to be wide spread, influenced by both groundwater and surface runoff.

Consultants suggest the first two phases of repairs to replace almost 6 kilometres of sanitary sewer pipe over a five year period will cost an estimated $32-million.

Tackling Chronic Diseases Focus For Health Unit

The Northwestern Health Unit wants to tackle the problem of chronic disease.

It's now working on a new strategic plan.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. James Arthurs says chronic diseases, such as diabetes, are costing the health care system millions of dollars annualy.

Arthurs says despite the best efforts of health care providers, the rates of diabetes in the region continues to grow.

World Suicide Prevention Day

Today is the 10th anniversary of World Suicide Prevention Day.

Firefly, which provides mental health services to children in the Kenora and Rainy River districts, is offering its support to those affected by suicide or other mental illness.

CEO Karen Ingebrigtson says it's something that can't be ignored.

Ingebrigtson says getting help is often on the hardest parts.

Home Construction Begins

Supplied photo

Construction of a home for locum physicians working in Rainy River is now underway.

Work crews started on the foundation last week.

It's being built for physicians who provide temporary emergency room coverage at the Rainy River Health Centre to stay.

The campaign to raise the over $300-thousand dollar cost continues.

Garden Tour Offered

Organizers of the community garden in Fort Frances are hoping to attract more green thumbs for next season.

They're offering prospective gardeners a chance to tour the garden and learn how to get involved.

Megan Bale of the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre says an expansion led to more spots becoming available.

The first of four tours goes today from 2 pm to 3 pm at the garden on Lillie Avenue.

Subsequent tours will be held Wednesday from 9 am to 10 am, Wednesday night from 6 pm to 7 pm and Friday 10 am to 11 am.

Consultations Requested

The provincial government is being urged to consult residents before going ahead with any plans to close Ministry of Natural Resources offices.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says proposed closures could have devastating impacts on northwestern Ontario communities.

No decisions have been made, but Northern Development Minister Rick Bartolucci says communities will be consulted.

Fatal Accident

A fatal accident south of International Falls has claimed the lives of two city residents.

The 24-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were in a car that came into collision yesterday morning with a pick-up truck, police say crossed the centre line on Highway 53, just south of the city.

The driver of the truck, a 68-year-old man from Illinois was taken to hospital in Duluth.

A 68-year-old female passenger was not seriously hurt and treated at Rainy Lake Medical Centre.

Second Fire In Quetico Provincial Park

Another forest fire has been discovered within Quetico Provincial Park.

The lightning-cause blaze was reported by fire dispatch in Minnesota.

As it's posing no threat, the Ministry of Natural Resources says it will allow the fire to burn itself out.

A fire at nearby Basswood  Lake has been burning since August 26 and is also being monitored by the MNR.

Sewer Rates To Rise In 2013

Some residents, living east of International Falls, will be paying more for sewer services next year.

Don Billig of the East Koochiching Sanitary Sewer District says an increase of $34.50 every three months helps offset its costs towards the new sewage plant being built by the North Koochiching Sanitary District.

Billig says the rate could flucuate based on flows over the next 30 years.

The extra charge will be seen on users bill in the second quarter of 2013.