PETA Speaks Out Against Bear Hunt

The animal activist group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is rallying its troops against the upcoming return of the spring bear hunt in Ontario.

It's asking people to write the Premier and the Natural Resources Minister to cancel the hunt.

PETA representative Ashley Byrne says the spring hunt won't help with bear populations or human bear conflicts.

PETA feels Ontario should instead enforce strict wildlife feeding prohibitions and provide residents with more information about how to better coexist peacefully with their wild neighbors.

Residential School Survivors Recognized

Grand Council Treaty 3 is hosting Residential School Commemoration today.

The event is taking place in Kenora.

Organizer Richard Green says the event will focus on all schools in the Treaty 3 territory.

Green hopes people will remember the challenges people faced while attending the schools.

World Tuberculosis Day

The Northwestern Health Unit is promoting World Tuberculosis Day.
Public Health Nurse Chanda McAuley says the disease is more prevalent in Canada than most people think.

McAuley says about 16 hundred people a year in Canada get diagnosed with TB.

McAuley says the health unit has plenty of information about TB and offers treatment for both  active and latent forms of the disease.

Rail Talks Continue

Canadian National Railway and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference continue to talk.

They agreed to resume negotiations on the weekend with the assistance of a federal mediator.

This after members of the Teamsters union narrowly rejected a latest contract offer from the company.

About 3,000 yard and train workers are impacted.

Weather Records Set

Dana Fowler photo

More snow is in the forecast for this week, but not to the amount we received Friday.

The National Weather Service out of Duluth says last week's storm brought over 10 inches or 26 centimetres of the white stuff to International Falls and area.

It's the largest one day dump of snow seen this winter.

From near record snowfalls, to record-setting temperatures.

Fort Frances and International Falls both set new records yesterday.

The thermometer hit - 32.9 C or - 26 F, surpassing the old mark of -31.7 C set in 1974.

Buckle Up In Minnesota

Click It or Ticket.

That's the warning from law enforcement in Minnesota who are in the midst of a seat belt enforcement campaign.

While most Minnesotans buckle up, approximately 150 deaths and 400 serious injuries result annually from motorists who fail to use a seat belt.

The fine in Minnesota for not wearing a seat belt is between $25 and $100.

Stolen Vehicle Found In Nestor Falls

A 34-year-old Winnipeg woman is facing a charge of theft after OPP stopped a vehicle in Nestor Falls last week.

Police had pulled the vehicle over because it didn't have any visible license plates.

It turned out the vehicle had been reported stolen in early February.

Change In 50/50 Raffles Considered

There could be a new way to play those 50-50 raffle draws.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation plans to test model electronic hand-held mobile devices during charitable draw at Maple Leafs, Raptors and Ottawa Senators games next fall.

The OLG says the unit track sales and size of jackpots better.

Following the completion of the tests, the OLG says it will consider expanding the units elsewhere.

School Calendar To Change In Rainy River District

Students in the Rainy River district will be start classes next fall a little later than usual.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board approved its school calendar this past week, matching the public board's school start of after Labour Day.

Education Director Rick Boisvert says it's a departure from having classes start before the September long weekend.

Boisvert says none of the feedback they got to the change was in opposition.

More Americans Wanted

The Boundary Water's Dragon Boat Festival in Fort Frances is looking to attract more teams.

The July 1st event drew 13 teams and 195 last year, mostly from the Fort Frances area.

Spokesperson Cathy Tysz says they're now hoping to attract some interest from across the border in International Falls.

Tysz says she's hoping it will lead to some Canada-US challenge races along the Rainy River.

Some Students Let Out Early

Weather is forcing an early dismissal for students who travel on school buses only at most schools in the Rainy River district.

Effected students attending schools in Fort Frances and all those west to Rainy River and Nestor Falls were allowed to head home at 11:30 AM this morning.

Those schools, though, are still open for those who have alternative transportation.

Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton has closed for the day.

The early dismissal does not impact schools in Atikokan.

Careful Driving Today

OPP are advising using extreme caution while on the roads today.

Heavy snow and reduced visibility is being reported on all of the roads in our area.

Constable Anne McCoy says if you have to travel, do so according to the conditions, especially when around a snow plow.

Up to date road conditions can be obtained by calling 511 in both Ontario or Minnesota

Storm Update

Today's storm in the Rainy River district is the result of a Alberta clipper that's tracking across region.

The snow is expected to lighten up by early afternoon in the Fort Frances area and later this afternoon in the Quetico Park area.

The National Weather Service out of Duluth says snowfalls in International Falls are measuring in at about 10 inches or 25 centimetres as of noon.

Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says cold weather will follow.

Laidlaw says seasonal temperatures will returned by the end of next week.

Health Meeting Planned

Local officials are calling it a NAFTA health meeting.

They're hoping to attract key political figures from Ontario and Minnesota as well as federal representatives to a meeting in Fort Frances this July to discuss how hospitals in Fort Frances and International Falls can share medical services.

Fort Frances Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it's important to have their attention.

International Falls Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says renal dialysis, MRI and obstetrics are some of the services, now available at either hospital, that could be shared.

A list of individuals is currently being put together with formal invitations going out before the end of next month.

Storm Hits Borderland

Heavy snow is making travel on area roads this morning.

No roads are closed, but callers to CFOB-News says sections of the Highway 11 west of the community are heavily packed with snow with reduced visibility.

There is also a report of a pulp truck that has jack-knifed between Stratton and Rainy River, blocking traffic in at least one lane.

Environment Canada predicts as much as 15 centimetres of snow or more, but the National Weather Service out of Duluth says nearly 5 inches or nearly 13 centimetres had fallen in International Falls by 8 AM.

Because of the storm, Indus School delayed the start of its classes by two hours.

Some buses in the Rainy River district did not run.

Premier Warns Against Electing PCs Or NDP In Next Election

Premier Kathleen Wynne is warning against voting for the Progressive Conservatives or the NDP in the next provincial election.

Wynne spoke to party faithful at a meeting in Toronto last night.

Wynne says the province's economic recovery is still fragile and  Ontario needs "safe hands and a steady approach."

With a spring election spending, Wynne says it would also be a mistake to elect the Progressive Conservatives "risky radical approach" or the NDP, she says, is suspicious of business and untested in government.

MPP Wages Could Stay Frozen

A freeze on MPP salaries could go a little longer.

The provincial Liberals have introduced legislation that, if passed, would have the salaries of our elected representatives remain the same until 2017.

MPP's wages have not changed since 2009.

Falls Council To Discuss Donohue Property Next Month

International Falls council will discuss next month whether it will proceed any further with a parcel of land given to the city two years ago.

A consultant's report recommends the city taking certain actions on the Donohue property.

It came to council this past week, but Mayor Bob Anderson says he wasn't prepared to take those actions at this past week's meeting.

Recommendations include annexing the property, constructing a trail and building a monument.

Canada vs US Military Tussle Developing

It could be the biggest battle between Canada and the U.S since 1812.

Organizers of the annual Peace Pull tug of war between Fort Frances and International Falls are working to have a match pitting the Canadian military against the U.S. National Guard.

Fort Frances Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says there is interest from both sides to take part in the annual tug of war challenge, and has even caught the attention of officials in Washington and Ottawa.

The tussle would be one of three events to take place during the July 2nd event.

It would also commemorate the 150 anniversary of the War of 1812.

Two Projects Reach Tbaytel For Good Semi-finals

Two projects in the Rainy River district have advanced to the semi-final round of Tbaytel's For Good initiative.

The Border Skating Club and the Rainy River Recreation Board will receive two thousand dollar.

Anne Renaud submitted the skating club's bid for new entertainment equipment which topped the popular vote.

Tbaytel will announce the grand prize winner for $5,000 on March 27.