NDP To Support Throne Speech

The New Democrats say they'll give the minority Liberal government a pass on the throne speech, but want to see some of their measures addressed in the budget.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says yesterday's throne speech was designed to include ideas that would appeal to both opposition parties.

Tory Leader Tim Hudak says his party will vote against the speech.

Northwestern Ontario MPP's Support Speech

The Throne Speech has the support of northwestern Ontario's Liberals.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says it includes something for everyone.

Mauro sees is containing good news for northwestern Ontario.

The speech gave reference to giving northern Ontario residents a stronger voice at Queen's Park and addressing "the special transportation needs" of the region.

Beef Pattie Recall

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling some frozen beef burgers sold by Canada Safeway, due to possible E. coli contamination.

They include the Gourmet Meat Shoppe Big and Juicy Burger and the Prime Rib Burger, and Butcher's Cut Pure Beef Patties -- all with a best before date of August 14th.

Campbell Ready To Work

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is eager to get back to work at Queen's Park.


Campbell says she has a long list of issues that she wants to bring up in legislature that she hasn't been able bring since it was prorogued last October.

Campbell adds she also has mixed feelings about our new premier and her agenda for northern Ontario.

Busy Weekend For OPP

A busy weekend for provincial police in our area.

OPP report 24 motor vehicle accidents across northwestern Ontario.

Most were considered minor in nature.

OPP ask that you take it easy when traveling, as high winds will make it challenging to get around the next couple of days.

Award Nominees Named

A total of 55 nominees in nine separate categories have been made for tomorrow's Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce business awards night.

The winners will be announced during the banquet.

Here's are all of the nominees.

Business of the Year – Award Sponsored by 93.1 The Border

·         Taggs Source for Sports

·         Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting

·         Tompkins Hardware

·         Nickle Lake Lumber

·         Norwest Animal Clinic

·         Harris Hill Resort

·         Angler’s Pro Shop

·         Rainy Lake Family Dental

Business Woman of the Year – Award Sponsored by the Professional Women’s Network

·         Heather Johnson, RBC Royal Bank

·         Grace Cridland, Gillons’ Insurance Brokers

·         Melanie Kozik, Living Art Emporium

·         Tonia Dolph, Northland Kitchen & Design Consulting

·         Sylvie Matthews, Certified Holistic Health & Life Coach

Customer Service – Business – Award Sponsored by TD Canada Trust

·         The Bargain Shop

·         North Auto

·         Greensides General Store

·         Fort Frances Times

·         Royal Bank

·         Sunset Country Ford

·         Rainy Lake Family Dental

·         Drs. Wu & Kennedy

·         Lowes Furniture & Appliances

·         J.D. Junction

·         Rocky Brown Auto Repair

Customer Service Award – Individual - – Award Sponsored by Good Impressions Printing

·         Andrea Whittle, Taggs Source for Sports

·         Jordan Marsh, Canadian Tire

·         Joleen Pettis, Canadian Tire

·         Peter Winik, West End Motors

·         Krista Kellar, Citifinancial

·         Kyle Glowasky, KG contracting

·         Pamela Bujold, Greensides General Store

·         Jay McFarlane, Taggs Source for Sports

·         Marjory Boileau, TD Canada Trust

·         Deb Emes, B93.1 The Border

Employee of the Year – Award Sponsored by the West End Weekly

·         Rebecca Webb, CIBC

·         Jay Caldwell, La Place Rendez Vous

·         Rosanne Farmer, Fort Frances Times

Entrepreneur of the Year – Award Sponsored by the Rainy River Futures Development Corporation

·         Chad Jackson, Pro Shine

·         Kevin Webb, Webb’s Power Shack

·         Inga Friesen, Inga Design

·         Jacquie Lampi Hughes, Energy Fitness

·         Just for Fun Power Sports

Home Based Business Award – Award Sponsored by M.L. Caron Electric

·         Kirsty Sinclair, K.I.D.S.

·         Lisa Jodoin, Scentsy

·         Jay Caldwell, Snicklefritz Custom T-shirts

·         Tonia Dolph, Northland Kitchen & Design

·         Patty Jorgenson, Sole Sister Reflexology

·         Travis Glowasky, Studio Gibbous

Small Business Trainer of the Year – Award Sponsored by NCDS

·         Steve MacNeil, Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting

·         Adam Jewell, ACO Electric

·         Andy Peters, Peters Plumbing & Heating

The Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award – Award Sponsored by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce

·         Robert Schulz

·         Jan Judson

·         Leslie Danielson

·         Monica Armour

 

Town Hunkers Down On Budget

A settlement in the Resolute Forest Products assessment appeal will give Fort Frances town council a better idea of what the 2013 budget may be.

The settlement, announced last week, means the town will have to rebate about $1.7 million back to the company in taxes.

Mayor Roy Avis says it means taking a real close look at all expenditures to mitigate the impact on taxpayers.

Avis says the goal will be be to maintain services as much as possible.

Lots Of Snow

Family day turned into a snow day for many in the Borderland.

As much as 20 centimeters of snow fell in a 24 hours period from Sunday afternoon to Monday.

That snow has now given away to cold air and strong winds that are combining to generate low wind chills.

Groups Fears Electricity Crisis For NWO

A regional group says northwestern Ontario is on the verge of an electricity crisis.

The Common Voice Energy Task Force says the region will be short of electricity if Ontario Power Generation's station in Thunder Bay is allowed to go down at the end of next year.

Iain Angus says it's up to the Ontario Power Authority and province to act.

Angus also warns of rolling blackouts in 2015 and possible delays of new mining projects.

Interim Minister Calls Residential Schools Horrible

Interim Aboriginal Affairs Minister James Moore admits Canada has a horrible record on native residential schools.

The Missing Children Project says at least three-thousand First Nations children died while attending the schools -- many of disease.

 Moore acknowledges the report reveals horrific details about the system.

Area Women Perform At Carnegie Hall

Two Fort Frances women are now among the thousands of performers who've stepped on the stage of the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City

Sarah Hallikas and Annelise Hawyluk were part of a Toronto church choir invited to perform at an event last night.

Hallikas say it was a thrill.

The two women had only joined the choir in September not knowing of the trip to New York..

Three Fort Frances Residents Receive Diamond Jubilee Medals

Some the last Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals have have been handed out to worthy recipients in the Rainy River district.

Fort Frances residents June Keddie, a long-time volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society and Henry Miller, who's long promoted conservation programs to area youth, received awards during a weekend ceremony.

CFOB-News Director Randy Thoms was also presented an award for his 30 years in broadcasting.

The awards were handed out by Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty.

No Extra Pay For Deputy Mayor Duties

There will be no extra money provided to Fort Frances councillors who take on the role of deputy mayor.

Councillors, who chair committee of the whole meetings, will be assigned deputy mayor for the next two years.

The deputy mayor is usually paid more for their work.

Councillors agreed this past week to forego the extra cash.

Assessment Appeal Settlement

A settlement has been reached in Resolute Forest Products appeal of its assessment of mill properties in Fort Frances.

The agreement, which involved the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, the town and company, will result in Resolute's assessment for the last four years being reduced by 25 per cent.

Mayor Roy Avis says the company was seeking a 58 per cent decrease.

The company will receive a tax-rebate of $2.1 million, $1.7 million from the town, which is well below the nearly $5-million had it fully won its appeal.

Salvation Army Taking On Donations

Salvation Army in Fort Frances is again accepting donations to its Thrift Store.

The agency had asked people to refrain from bringing in used items after receiving a huge collection during the Christmas holidays gathered by a local Confederation College student.

Lieutenant Dennis Maybury says they're now in a position take donations, Monday to Friday.

Out of town donors can make arrangements for a Saturday drop-off by calling the Salvation Army.

Regulations Extended

Experimental fishing regulations at five lakes of the Namakan Reservoir are being extended for another six years.

The regulations for Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, Crane and Little Vermilion lakes put limit on the size of walleye anglers can catch.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the fishery has responded well to the measure and extending it will help it further and give the Department more time to evaluate its long-term effectiveness.

Lots Of Work At Rainy River Resources Planned

Rainy River Resources photo

There's going to be lots of work this year at Rainy River Resources and its gold project north of Barwick.

The company has released an update on its planned activities for the year.

Spokesperson Indi Gopinathan says the release of a feasibility study will be a key document.

Further exploration and the submission of its environment assessment report are also planned.

Committee To Begin Work Soon

The Northwest Catholic District School Board plans to have a committee in place early this week to review Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.

The board intends to confirm its Accommodation Review Committee at its meeting tonight with committee members gathering for the first time tomorrow.

The elementary school with about 15 students is being looked at because of low enrolment.

Exact dates for public meeting will likely determined when committee members meet.

Area Bishop Surprised By Pope's Resignation

The Bishop for the Diocese of Thunder Bay says he's surprise to see the Pope resign.

Bishop Fred Colli calls this week's announcement by Pope Benedict XVI courageous.

Colli hopes the resignation sets an example to other church leaders about when to call it quits.

Improvement Program Gets Make-over

There's some changes coming to incentive programs for residential property owners in Fort Frances.

The town has been offering rebates since 2003 to owners who demolish, renovate or rebuild older homes.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says some requirements to participate are being changed to allow more property owners to participate.

Drysdale says despite heavy marketing, few people had taken advantage of them.

Some of the rebates offered will also be reworked.