Sawmill To Start Up Again

Workers at the Resolute Forest Products sawmill in Thunder Bay are heading back to work following a sudden shutdown earlier this week.

The mill was closed Tuesday due to a recent string of accidents.

The company has since gone through a review of its health and safety procedures and plans to be back in operation this Sunday.

About 200 workers were affected by the shutdown.

Municipalities To Be Informed Of What's On The Rails

Rail companies must now let municipalities know when they're transporting dangerous goods through their communities.

Federal transport Minister Lisa Raitt has issued a so-called protective direction.

A release says it's aimed at enhancing safety and improving communication between railways and communities,

The directive is to remain in place for at least three years.

Province Reviewing Right-Of-Way Use

Complaints from Ontario snowmobile clubs has forced the provincial government to reconsider a controversial policy.

Transportation minister Glenn Murray confirms that a decision to charge snowmobile clubs for use of hydro right-of-ways is under review.

NDP critic Michael Mantha says its just one of a long line of policies that's hurting winter tourism in Ontario.

Murray says the policy was put in place because of liability concerns raised by the Ministries of Infrastructure and Energy.

Parents Asked For Help In Combating Cyber-bullying

Parents are being asked to help combat cyber-bullying.

OPP offer a "Respect Technology" program to schools in the Rainy River district.

But Constable Anne McCoy says parents can also learn how to protect, prevent and deal with the issue of cyber-bullying by finding tips on the website Commonsensemedia.org.

McCoy says many incidents of bullying are the result of comments made on social media sites that spread in a matter of seconds.

One School Recommended

Rainy River District School Board trustees are being asked to consider consolidating three elementary schools into one, with the new school built in Emo.

Trustees gathered Tuesday night to hear administration's take on recent accommodation reviews of Donald Young School in Emo, Sturgeon Creek in Barwick and Crossroads School in Devlin.

Administration suggests a single school would be provide the most benefits to the board and students.

An advisory committee also recommended a new school in Emo, but two others looking at the future of Sturgeon Creek and Crossroads recommended they remain open.

Trustees will make a final decision at their January meeting.

Snow Plowing Complaints Raised Already

Questions about snow plowing are being raised at Queen's Park again.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says has been her office is already being inundated with complaints about road closures after heavy snow fell in several parts of northwestern Ontario on the weekend.

Transportation minister Glen Murray says the government is putting more resources towards winter road maintenance, but says if there is a problem, he's willing to come to the region and talk to the local contractor.

Sheriff Worried About Emergency Prepareness Costs

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Koochiching County's Sheriff is voicing concern with the cost of preparing for an emergency.

Brian Jesperson updated County commissioners at their meeting yesterday, of potential initiatives such as Counties being required to have a full-time emergency manager and a fully-equipped operation center.

Jesperson says the measures are being pushed with little financial support.

But he says failing to comply could impact on future federal support in time of a disaster.

Fire Charges Stay Put

Residents of Koochiching County won't see an increase in the cost of fire protection next year.

Fees for the Rural Fire Service Taxing District will remain the same.

Homeowners are charged 85-dollars while commercial property owners are charged based on the value of their buildings.

The city of Rainer is charged $29,500.


Rep Randy Pozniak says the only change is that they're letting people now sooner than before.

Pozniak says they've also changed the date of its annual meeting from February to June.

Thunder Bay Sawmill Shuts Down

Resolute Forest Products is shutting its sawmill in Thunder Bay down temporarily.

The company calls it a safety break after an employee broke his nose while on the job Monday.

Company spokesperson Xavier Van Chau says it was felt best to halt operations after what he calls a pattern of safety issues at the mill.

No word when operations will resume.

Murder Charge Laid

A 21-year old woman is facing a second degree murder charge following a death on Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

OPP say 20-year old Courtney Mamakeesic died from her injuries sustained in an altercation at a residence Sunday.

21-year old Clarissa Anderson of Kasabonika was arrested and will appear in a Kenora courtroom Friday.

Thin Ice Warning

Ice is forming on some waters and that is prompting a warning from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to stay off.

The warning follows the recent rescue of a man on Little Rock Lake in Benton County who fell through the ice while fishing.

The DNR says a few days of cold weather doesn't create ice strong enough to hold a person.

Public Asked For Input

The public is now being asked to help Fort Frances come up with a brand.

A new survey has been created to assist in the initiative.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says community input ensures the right brand is being developed.

The survey is found on the town's website or at the town office.

Mayor Questions New EDO Office

Some questions are being raised about the renovations at International Falls City hall.

Mayor Bob Anderson says he was surprised to see a new office being created for the town's economic development office, suggesting the move was being "slipped under the door."

Anderson says its sends the wrong message to taxpayers.

Other councillors say the move of the EDO office was always part of the plans and the costs are falling with an approved budget.

Warming Up To Festival Of Frost

Despite some negative reaction early on, the static display for Christmas floats in Fort Frances is now generating some positive interest.

One of the organizers of the new Festival of Frost, Robin Payeur says the event is shaping up every well.

Payeur says they now have at least ten floats, along with other events including pictures with Santa Claus, horses and sled dogs.

One of the floats will include a live nativity scene.

Payeur says they still have lots of room for others to take part.

The event goes November 30

Northwestern Health Unit Welcomes New Proposed Smoking Rules

Smiles all around at the Northwestern Health Unit.

The provincial government has introduced legislation that if passed, will ban smoking on playgrounds, sports fields, and restaurant and bar patios.

Youth Engagement Coordinator Catherine Kiewning says there's a lot of benefits to having smoke free outdoor spaces.


Kiewning is also pleased to see the proposed bill to double fines for those who sell tobacco to youth.

Funding Coming To Riverside

Some funding to assist local cancer patients is coming to Riverside Health Care Facilities.

The money from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation will go to replace an IV pump and a specialized pharmacy cart that ensures the safe delivery of chemotherapy to area patients.

A formal presentation will take place tomorrow at LaVerendrye Hospital.

House Fire In Falls

The American Red Cross is stepping in to assist an International Falls family.

The family of seven, which includes five children, was forced from flee after a blaze Friday in their 22nd Street East home.

An official with International Falls Fire Department says the fire was contained mostly to the kitchen area.

It was started when something was left unattended on the stove.

Missing Teen Found

A Fort Frances teen who was the subject of a police search has been found.

OPP says 15-year-old Adrianna Copenace was found safe and sound in Mitaanjigaming First Nation on the weekend.

She has been reported missing last Wednesday.

Foundation Boosts Scholarship Award

Some more incentive for students in International Falls to get good grades.

The Rainy River Community College Foundation has increased its annual award for “Top of the Class” high school students from $2,000 to $3,000.

Top of the Class students are those whose grade point average is 3.5 or higher.

If eligible students maintain a 3.25 grade point average while enrolled at Rainy River Community College, the scholarship is renewed for another year.

NDP Welcomes More Plows

Expect to see more snowplows on area highways this winter.

The provincial government is deploying 50 additional snowplows, 42-of them in northern Ontario.

NDP critic John Vanthof applauds the move.

The Ministry of Transportation and contractors were flooded with complaints last winter about snow clearing practices.