Work on Phase II of the Heritage Tourism Project will be done for the year by the end of this week, with only a few finishing touches to go in the spring. Reconstruction of the refurbished lookout tower is now complete, with the final sections of railing put in and windows on the cupola installed, Community Services manager George Bell told town council last night. read more

After almost two months of public input and deliberation, the Atikokan Crisis Centre finally has a new name: the Rainy River District Women’s Shelter of Hope. The centre’s board announced its decision yesterday after collecting name and logo suggestions from people across the district in September and October. read more

Pickle Lake OPP are investigating the discovery of human remains located just off the Nord Road, north of the Town of Pickle Lake. The discovery of the remains was made by a hunter in the area Saturday afternoon. A post-mortem was scheduled in Toronto yesterday in an attempt to determine the identity of the remains and a possible cause of death. read more

OPP officers and emergency crews responded to an accident involving a school bus and pickup truck around 3:40 p.m. yesterday. The pickup truck was southbound on Minnie Avenue when it failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection with Second Street East. The collision occurred as the pickup truck proceeded through the intersection and was struck by the eastbound school bus. read more

Hospitals frequently tout that they are doing everything possible to better serve patients. Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. here is proving it. Riverside is one of a select group of hospitals from across Canada and the United States that has been named an OR Benchmarks Collaborative (ORBC) top performer by McKesson and OR Manager. read more

The OPP recently has received complaints of off-road motor vehicles being operated within the town limits of Fort Frances. read more

Town council will be treated to a trio of presentations by the winners of the essay contest held in conjunction with Local Government Week (Oct. 18-24). The winners include Grade 10 Civics class student Carly Pruys, and Grade 5 students Maddison Krikke (Robert Moore) and Emma Noga (St. Francis). read more

As Ontarians begin another Canadian winter, motorists need to take extra precautions and adjust their driving habits to cold, icy, and snowy conditions. The Ministry of Transportation’s “Winter Driving” booklet provides driving tips for winter road conditions. For example, drivers should remember to: read more

An Atikokan man was sentenced earlier this month in connection with a fatal single-vehicle accident that occurred during the early-morning hours of July 29, 2007. read more

With Greyhound set to discontinue operations in early December, the McGuinty Liberals still appear to be completely clueless on the future of bus service in Northwestern Ontario. During question period at Queen’s Park on Monday, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Hampton reminded Transportation minister Jim Bradley that Greyhound’s deadline for the termination of service is looming. read more

It was a small turnout Thursday evening as local MP John Rafferty hosted a local town hall meeting, which touched on the state of AbitibiBowater, pension reform, and the move by Ontario to a Harmonized Sales Tax. While the Nov. 9 meeting in Atikokan drew roughly a dozen residents, even fewer were on hand for the one here at La Place Rendez-Vous. read more

In response to a request from Tikinagan Child and Family Services of Sioux Lookout, the staff at Family and Children’s Services of the District of Rainy River is mobilizing to gather food and clothing for the children of Pikangikum First Nation. read more

Ontario’s “Second Career” and other training programs are expected to help an additional 8,000 laid-off workers re-train for new careers in high-demand occupations by next spring. Successful applicants to the “Second Career” program will be identified through a new evaluation system beginning Nov. 20. read more

A spaghetti supper fundraiser for Jessica Engels is planned for Friday, Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Devlin Hall. Jessica, the daughter of Trudy and Chris Shine, is scheduled to undergo heart surgery in London, Ont. that day. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children six-10 (those five and under are free), with tickets available at Dev-Lynne’s, Greensides, and at the door. read more

With less than 40 days left before Christmas, the sights and the sounds of the Yuletide program at Knox United Church in Emo on Saturday evening were greatly appreciated by everyone in attendance. Organizers were extremely busy, days in advance, transforming the church sanctuary and hall into a brightly-coloured, festive environment. read more

The monthly “Country Jam” held Friday night at the Emo Legion was extremely successful, with several new musicians and guests coming from far and wide to take part in the musical evening. Don Wagar came from Ignace with his mandolin while Louie Hawkness, from Dryden, took time out from touring with “Country Blend” to play and sing. read more

The driver of a tractor-trailer faces two charges stemming from a single-vehicle accident yesterday morning at the junction of Highway 11 and Highway 502. A police investigation revealed the 53-year-old male driver from Burlington, Ont. was southbound and not familiar with the highway he was travelling. read more

The parishioners of St. John’s Anglican Church will be holding their annual St. Andrew’s supper next Friday (Nov. 27). St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, so the dinner will feature traditional Scottish fare, such as haggis and neeps, prime rib and all the trimmings, and dessert. read more

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After staging a successful concert Saturday evening in Emo, director Diane Maxey said she wants to bolster the ranks of the Borderland Children’s Choir over the winter and get a larger core group in place to perform in the spring and beyond. Maxey first put out a call in late spring for a children’s choir, and saw about 30 youths express interest. read more