The first round in the ongoing dispute between the Northwestern Health Unit and area businesses opposed to the its ban on smoking in the workplace has gone to business. Eight businesses from Kenora/Rainy River were successful in obtaining a temporary stay against health inspectors who earlier had issued cease-and-desist orders […]

The efforts of the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition and its partners in education and law enforcement already have proven to be well worthwhile, RRVSC reps Grace Silander and Dorothy Poperechny told the annual meeting of the Rainy River District Municipal Association on Saturday in Stratton. The key to its […]

Those who can’t wait to revisit the ’50s and the spirit of rock ’n roll at the sixth-annual Riverside Foundation for Health Care dinner coming up Feb. 22 had better make reservations fast as tickets sales are brisk. “We’re halfway there,” Foundation director Teresa Hazel said yesterday, referring to the […]

The long-awaited, and much-anticipated, DSL Internet service will be coming to Rainy River District—but not just yet. That was the message conveyed Saturday by Bell Canada Area Manager Bernie Blake to delegates attending the Rainy River District Municipal Association’s annual meeting in Stratton. Blake said he understood area residents have […]

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is seeking community input on the debate over a “big box” retailer looking to open here. In a communiqué sent out Monday, Chamber members were asked to pass comments along to be discussed at an upcoming board meeting, probably Feb. 11. “We haven’t really […]

There’s no question the mayor of Fort Frances is a big booster of Northwestern Ontario. He just wishes others who share his enthusiasm could recognize the flaws and problems as well. Glenn Witherspoon, who chairs the regional “Smart Growth” panel, told delegates attending the Rainy River District Municipal Association’s annual […]

The Woodlands Division of Abitibi-Consolidated’s paper mill here made history last Thursday by seeing the Crossroute Forest recognized as the first woodland in Ontario to receive Canadian Standards Association certification for sustainable management practices. It also was the first division to fulfill Abitibi’s pledge to receive CSA certification for its […]

After some outcry for reform of the current councillor remuneration policy, town council passed a resolution during its regular meeting Monday night to see a more balanced means of paying councillors with and without the town benefits package. The revised policy, the terms of which were agreed upon after two […]

Mayor Glenn Witherspoon brought some good news back with him from a trip to Toronto last week–the Fort Frances Jail won’t be closing next May as the Ministry of Correctional Services originally announced back in May, 2000. “The date for closure has been pushed back indefinitely,” Mayor Witherspoon said Monday. […]

While winter hasn’t been as hard on residents as it has been some other years, the town’s manager of Operations and Facilities told council Monday night that Public Works crews haven’t been sitting on their hands waiting for a blizzard. “Some people have asked, ‘How come you’re out plowing snow […]

Think your teen is facing problems at school but won’t tell you about it? How does sex, drugs, and violence figure into the lives of youths? What kind of pressure are kids under these days anyway? These and other topics are ones two local organizers wanting to form a new […]

Industry Canada announced Friday that five area proposals for funding to develop broadband business plans as part of the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program were successful. One of the successful applicants was the Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Non Profit Advisory Services application representing seven area First Nations, including Couchiching, […]