More Details On Resolute Shutdown

More details on the number of employees at Resolute Forest Products effected by the companies decision to idle production indenfat the kraft and a paper machine at the Fort Frances mill.

In a termination notice, obtained by CFOB-News, handed out to employees yesterday, the company indicates up to 228 hourly staff, up to 20 salaried staff and up to 12 other employees will be effected.

While production is expected to come to an end by the end of this month, effected employees won't be officially laid off until the middle of February.

The notice also states the decision by the company was not an easy one to make, but it couldn't overcome the inherent challenges it faced, including the cancelling of a contract by one of its major customers.

Mill Operations Halting

Approximately 239 employees will be impacted as a result of a decision by Resolute Forest Products.

The company intents to idle indefinitely the kraft mill and paper machine number 5 at its Fort Frances mill.

The company expects to curtail operations by the end of this month, blaming market conditions.

Resolute is holding out the possibility of a restart at a later date.

It says it's exploring alternative product possibilities and will idle the mills in a way that protects the equipment.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis calls the news shocking and despressing.

Avis says company officials delivered the news to him earlier yesterday afternoon.

He's is remaining optomistic.

Avis says company officials did tell him that they're are planning to conduct studies on possible uses of the shuttered paper machine which will take at least 12 to 18 months to complete.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty calls the news devasting for the worker effected and their families.

Rafferty also spoke with company representatives and says he's received assurances the company is committed to helping affected workers during this layoff period.

Rainy River Resources Proceeding With Public Offering

Rainy River Resources has filed the necessary paperwork with regulatory authorities across Canada in connection with a recent public offering.

A deal with a syndicate of underwriters is expected to raise over $57-million for the company's exploration and development of its gold project north of Barwick.

Teachers Deals Get Liberal Blessing

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Premier Dalton McGuinty says agreements between high school teachers and two southern Ontario school boards have received a thumbs-up from government.

The details of those agreements have not been released, but could serve as a pattern for negotiations elsewhere in the province, including here in the Rainy River District.

Teachers at high schools in Rainy River, Fort Frances and Atikokan will be in a legal strike position at the end of this week.

OPP Helping Seniors In Atikokan

OPP in Atikokan are giving tips to seniors to prevent them from being scammed of their money.

They're holding a session today at the Pioneer Centre in Atikokan.

Constable Jim Davis says it's in response to a number of incidents that have happened in the community.

The session begin at 1 p.m.

Christmas Parade In International Falls Friday

International Falls Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for Christmas.

It holds its annual Christmas Parade of Light Friday night.

Executive Director Faye Whitbeck says they're still accepting entries.

Registration can be made by the calling the Chamber or through its website.

Dayton "Pardon" Turkey

It's Thanksgiving in the U.S. tomorrow, and Governor Mark Dayton has given a Minnesota turkey its walking papers.

Dayton "pardoned'' a Minnesota-grown turkey from being a main dish tomorrow.

It's part of an annual tradition in a State that produces 46 million turkeys a year, making it the nation's leading provider.

No Hockeyville For Fort Frances

A bid for have Fort Frances recognized as the next Kraft Hockeyville has been stopped.

Kraft Canada is cancelling the contest this year due to the NHL lockout and creating a new contest that offers a million dollars to minor hockey associations and recognizes volunteers.

Fort Frances resident Jonathan Glueheisen, who was preparing the town's bid, says he's disappointment by the cancellation of the Hockeyville Contest.

He is hoping to resubmit if the contest returns for 2014.

Unemployment Numbers In Koochiching County

The unemployment rate in Koochiching County has increased.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says October's rate jumped to 7 per cent from 6.6 % in September as employers shed about 150 jobs.

The rate, though, is still below both the State and National levels.

Early Wolf Hunt Ends

Nearly 150 wolves have been killed during the early season of Minnesota's first regulated wolf hunt which ended Sunday.

The Department of Natural Resources had set a limit of 200.

It did have to close hunting in the northeast section early last week when it reached the quota for that area.

A second hunting season will begin this Saturday and end at the end of January.

Rumble Strips Planned For Highway

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is agreeing to a city of International Falls request for rumble strips along sections of Highway 53

District Engineer Duane Hill told city councillors last night they've earmarked some federal dollars towards the safety measure aimed at reducing head-on car crashes

Hill says 69 kilometres of strips will be placed along the highway between International Falls and Cook.

The city asked the Department to consider installing the strips following the death of two residents in a head-on collision on Highway 53 a couple of months ago.

Support For Gravelle

Political leaders off all stripes hoping for a speedy recovery for Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle.

He announced yesterday he's been diagnosed with a form of aggressive lymphoma., but the prognosis for recovery is good.

Kenora-Rainy River Liberal Riding Association president Anthony Leek and NDP MPP Sarah Campbell among those offering their wishes to the Thunder Bay MPP.

Brown Supporting Murray

The mayor of Atikokan is throwing his support behind one of the candidates looking to replace Premier Dalton McGuinty as Liberal leader.

Dennis Brown says Glen Murray's plan for the north is best.

He says Murray's proposal to create a regional government in northern Ontario is something the area's leaders have wanted for some time.

Brown was also encouraged by Murray's interest in the region after receiving a personal email from the leadership hopeful.

PC'S Seeking Pension Changes

P.C. Leader Tim Hudak wants changes to what he's the calls "gold-plated pension plans'' for public sector workers.

Hudak says new nurses, teachers and civil servants should receive defined contribution pension plans instead of the more lucrative _ and costly _ defined benefit pensions.

Hudak also wants pooled pension plans for private sector workers who don't have a pension.

Detox Centre Needed

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The head of an Aboriginal health agency says it's getting better, but much still needs to be done to combat alcohol and drug addictions among First Nations.

Calvin Morriseau of the Fort Frances Tribal Health Area Services says services they've long wanted are still non-existent.

They include the need for a detox center and in patient treatment programs.

Morriseau says it's forcing many to leave the area to access the necessary services.

Water And Sewer Rate Increases Proposed

The city of International Falls is proposing an increase to its water and sewer rates.

It's planning to up water rates 5 per cent each year for the next three years to offset a deficit in its operating costs.

Sewer rates will rise to help cover the cost of a new wastewater treatment facility.

New Weather Records

This week's mild weather has brought some new temperatures to the Rainy River district.

Atikokan's high of 10 C eclipsed the old mark of 8.8 C set in 1979.

Fort Frances hit 11.2 C, a full two degrees more than the previous high, also in 1979.

Highs of 54 F Sunday and 52 F yesterday were also new records for International Falls.

Wilde Number 1

It's only been available for a few weeks, but Atikokan blue artist Sunday Wilde's new album has hit number one in the blues category of an international on-line music chart.

Wilde says it represents activity by radio stations around the world who have downloaded her music.

Wilde says a potential tour of Brazil next summer has also developed as a result of the increased popularity.

She's also preparing for concert appearances in Canada and in the southern United States to promote the album recorded last month at Seine River Lodge.

National Addictions Awareness Week Kicks Off

First Nations are raising awareness about the issues of drug and alcohol dependancy.

Several residents staged a walk through the streets of Fort Frances Monday as a kick off to National Addictions Awareness Week.

Calvin Morriseau of the Fort Frances Tribal Health Area Services says it's especially important with the Christmas season fast approaching.

First Nation communities across the district are holding a variety of events as are the Couchiching Treatment and Support Services, Unitd Native Friendship Centre and Tribal Health Services.

Gravelle Diagnosed With Cancer

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Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle has been diagnosed with a form of aggressive lymphoma.

The MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North he was given the news from doctors last week and is confident he will beat it.

Gravelle says despite his cancer and future chemotherapy, he intends to maintain his duties as the city's MPP and as Minister.