New Fishing Rules In 2014

Anglers will be facing some new rules when they drop their lines in area lakes next year.

As of January first, catch limits for crappie and bass will be reduced while a new size limit is placed on northern pike caught in lakes within the Ministry of Natural Resources zone 5.

Richard Boileau was part of a citizen committee that helped craft the new rules and is pleased with the changes.

Boileau says the measures will help sustain the fisheries for generations to come.

The fishing regulations for Rainy Lake remain unchanged for smallmouth bass and pike, but catch limits for crappie are reduced.

A Positive End To 2013 For Fort Frances

2013 appears to be ending on a positive note for the town of Fort Frances.

Mayor Roy Avis says steps council took to deal with a million dollar budget shortfall at the beginning of year, and some help from the Ministry of Finance have helped the bottom line.

But Avis says the financial challenges aren't going away just yet with a further reassessment of Resolute Forest Products and increased policing costs anticipated in 2014.

Avis says he'd hoping to maintain exiting services as best they can at an affordable level.

Red Cross Home Care Strike End

Twenty personal support workers with the Red Cross Care program out of Thunder Bay head back to work today.

The Service Employees International Union announced that a two-week old strike was over on their website, Christmas eve.

But there more labour unrest in the region.

Unifor is applying for conciliation after talks with Dryden's Revera Home Health Care broke down on Monday.

The 35 health care workers there have been without a contract since June.

Unifor will also resume conciliated talks with Revera in mid-January for over 25 office and client services staff based in Thunder Bay who are seeking their first contract.

Teen Found

A Fort Frances teen who was the subject of an OPP search last week has been found.

Police says 15-year-old Adrianna Copenance was located on Christmas Day in Mitaanjigaming First Nation.

She had been reported missing last Thursday.

Run Aids Falls Schools

The cold weather didn't stop some 30 runners from getting out on Christmas Eve in support of International Falls schools

They participated in the Partners in Education's 3rd annual Reindeer Run, braving sub-zero temperatures to do so.

The run netting $500.00 for the Wishing Willow Program which provides extra requested classroom supplies.

Another 16 youth participated in the 1 K event which was held in doors.

Flu Activity Up In Minnesota

Photo credit: NHSE

People across Minnesota are being urged to find time for a flu shot.

State health officials are reporting a rise in influenza activity.

The Department of Health's Jennifer Heath says among the strains now circulating is the H1N1 virus which emerged in 2009.

Heath says the H1N1 strain is among those covered with this year's flu vaccine.

Cold December

It's turning out to be one of the coldest months in many years.

The U.S. National Weather Service says the average temperature for December through to Christmas Day in International Falls is -3.3 F, or minus 19.6 C.

That ranks as the 3rd coldest December to date.

The coldest December in International Falls was in 1983 with the average temperature coming in at -5.1 F or minus 20.6 C.

Branding Exercises Continues

The work on a branding exercise for the town of Fort Frances continues.

Twist Marketing of Calgary has been working on the initiative for the past couple of months.


Marketing strategist Chris Field says it's more than just creating a logo.


The firm is currently gathering and reviewing information collected with the intent of bringing forward recommendations back to the town's Economic Development Advisory Committee by next spring.

Campbell Opposing Gas Tax Plan For Transit Expansion

More opposition to a proposed plan to raise gas taxes to pay for public transportation expansion in southern Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell calls it a slap in the face to northerners.

Campbell says the extra 8-cents a litre charged since the implementation of the HST should be going to public transportation across the province.

But Ontario's Liberals says northern Ontario residents will not be funding the transit expansion project in southern Ontario.

In an open letter, Transportation Minister Glen Murray says the final decision on how costs will be covered has not yet been made.

He adds they will be reviewing recommendations with the proposed plan to be included in the spring budget.

Pre-Budget Hearing Planned

Northwestern Ontario residents will get an opportunity to provide input into the provincial budget.

A legislative committee will hold a pre-budget hearing in Thunder Bay in the middle of next month.

Those wishing to make a presentation, must contact the clerk of the committee by January 9

Tentative Settlements Reached

Tentative settlements have been reached in two class action lawsuits against former provincially-run institutions.

The combined settlements of over $32-million dollars stem from lawsuits filed on behalf of former residents of the Rideau Regional Centre in Smith Falls and the Southwestern Regional Centre near Chatham who alleged years of abuse.

Both facilities closed four years ago.

The settlements come on a heels of a $35-million dollar one awarded to former residents at the former Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia earlier this month..

Christmas Dinners Tomorrow

A couple of community Christmas dinners take place tomorrow.

The Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau's annual dinner takes place at Knox United Church and spokesperson June Caul says they're ready.

It's free the public, but donations are accepted.

It begins at 11:30 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m.

In International Falls, the dinner takes place at the Roadhouse.

Deacon Lee Grimm with the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church says it's free to everyone, but they do use it as a fundraiser for the Falls Hunger Coalition.

The dinner goes from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas day.

Watch Ice Condtions

OPP and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs are reminding snowmobilers to use caution when out on frozen bodies of water.

The groups say that with some areas freezing faster then usual riders may be given the impression that all lakes are safe to ride on.

OPP suggest riders carry ice picks and wear buoyant snowmobile suits if they do cross over ice.

More Local Control Over Development Requested From Government

Northwestern Ontario wants more say on it's future development.

That's the feeling of the president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

Dave Canfield says he'd like to see this region have more autonomy and less influence from Queen's Park.

Canfield says this region should have more control specifically over infrastructure and training as it pertains to industries such as mining and forestry.

A Legal Look At Winter Road Conditions

A legal opinion regarding roads during the winter.

Toronto lawyer Troy Lehman says both the Ministry of Transportation and municipalities have a legal duty to keep the roads under their jurisdiction in a reasonable state of repair.

Lehman says motorists involved in accidents, thinking of legal action, must first prove road conditions were to blame and also show that the government's responsible failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the hazardous condition.

Lehman says there have been successful cases which found governments weren't patrolling roads as they should.

Minnesota Highway Practices

MinDOT photo

With criticism continuing to pour in regarding northwestern Ontario winter highway maintenance, we decided to look south of the border.

Minnesota Department of Transportation's Pat Houston says using chemicals on their highways doesn't happen until the highways are all plowed thoroughly to the pavement.

Houston says the chemicals won't work in sub zero cold temperatures.

PSB Holds Elections

A local businessman is back as chair of the Fort Frances Police Services Board.

John McTaggart has been re-elected to the position he's held for several years.

Town councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft is the vice-chair

Charges Up In Fort Frances

A lot of paperwork for the OPP last month.

Police laid 97 charges in Fort Frances in November, double the number in the same period last year.

Police responded to a total of 280 calls, four less than the number in November 2012.

The total number of charges of one-thousand to date, is still about one hundred less less than last year.

Gas Pumping Again

A gas shortage in Thunder Bay's is expected to end soon, according to some of the city's station managers.

Although some stations are still without premium fuel, regular gasoline is in stock across the city.

Reindeer Run Tomorrow

One of the last fundraising runs of the year goes tomorrow in International Falls.

The 3rd annual Reindeer Run is a 5 K run/walk and a one K walk for children.

President of International Falls Partners in Education Jennifer Windell says it helps raise money for local schools.

This year, the proceeds will go toward purchasing art supplies for the classrooms.


You can register tomorrow at Falls Elementary School at 9 a.m. or today through the ISD 361 school district webpage.