Local residents Allan Bedard and Bill Krukoski will appear before town council tonight in search of answers about the Fort Frances Community Clinic.

The outbreak of gastroenteritis is over at Rainycrest Long-Term Care and the visitor restriction has been lifted, effective today (Feb. 8). To aid in preventing future outbreaks, remember to not visit if you are experiencing any ’flu-like symptoms and wash your hands frequently to help prevent the spread of infection diseases. The visitor restriction began Jan. 12.

Local curlers Tim Nordin (skip), Mitch Seguin (third), Mike Badiuk (second), and Travis Showalter (lead) are heading to Sudbury to compete in the provincial men’s playdowns with a trip to the Brier at stake. Our district offers them congratulations and best wishes for good luck as they continue to show their skill as four well-known names on the local curling scene. read more

Last Wednesday (Jan. 27), Sturgeon Creek School in Barwick held a soup and bun lunch for students, their parents, and interested members of the community. The purpose of the event was to draw attention to the plight of children in Haiti following the earthquake that struck there on Jan. 12, as well as to raise money to ease their suffering. read more

Lakehead University president Dr. Fred Gilbert and Confederation College resident Patricia Lang have announced plans to explore the offering of a second collaborative community-based BScN nursing program this fall. The first one was offered back in 2005 in Fort Frances, Dryden, Kenora, and Sioux Lookout—and met with great success. read more

As of Monday (Feb. 1), police have begun issuing tickets for using hand-held cellphones and communications and entertainment devices while driving in Ontario. Drivers caught using a hand-held device will be issued a $155 ticket. read more

With continued cases of gastroenteritis at Rainycrest Long-Term Care here, the visitor restriction that began on Jan. 12 will remain in effect until further notice. Visiting is now restricted to one family member only and no children under the age of 18. read more

Michael Parkhill has worked with Microsoft Canada as director, Education Sector, and recently provided a visionary presentation on 21st-century learning to the Rainy River District School Board leadership. Following the presentation, he met with First Nations’ educators and community representatives to discuss a project designed to help preserve native language. read more

Ontario is making workplaces safer by focusing on hazards involving forklifts and lifting devices. Ministry of Labour inspectors will visit industrial workplaces during increased enforcement in February. They will ensure lifting equipment is being: •inspected and maintained in good condition; •operated by well-trained employees; and •used in a safe work environment. read more

More than 100,000 students will find jobs and gain important work experience this summer with assistance from the Ontario government. Through Employment Ontario’s Summer Jobs website, students can: •find job listings; •get help to improve their marketing skills and résumé writing; •learn how to start their own “Summer Company”; and read more

Family Literacy Day, created in 1999 by the ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada, takes place across Canada every Jan. 27. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Sing for Literacy.” read more

Lions Club International is offering residents of Emo and the surrounding communities the opportunity to become members of a new Lions Club. An organizational meeting of the new club was held Monday (Feb. 1) at the Emo Inn. Response was very positive and several new members joined the group. District Lions are making plans to apply for a charter for the new club soon. read more

The Town of Fort Frances will be celebrating the opening of Phase II of the Heritage Tourism Project during “Tourism Week” (June 3-8), and museum curator Pam Cain is putting out a call to urge services clubs and other groups to organize an event to coincide with the celebration. read more

Local residents looking to renew their driver’s licences or vehicle registration will do so at ServiceOntario, located at 922 Scott St., beginning next month. “The one-stop shopping concept will enhance convenience and save Ontarians valuable time, effort, and money,” Alan Cairns, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Government Services, noted this morning. read more

Due to cases of gastroenteritis at Rainycrest Long-Term Care, the visitor restriction there will remain in effect through the weekend. The situation will be reassessed Monday, at which time the visitor restriction may be lifted.

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean presented Fort Frances OPP Cst. Dan Bailey with the Medal of Bravery this morning at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The bravery decorations were created in 1972 to recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others. The Medal of Bravery (M.B.) recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances. read more

Council continued working its way through the 2010 capital budget during a special budget meeting yesterday—this time focusing on $6.8 million in projects under the Operations and Facilities division. read more

Fort Frances ratepayers likely will be paying more on their sewer and water bills in 2010, with residents to see a two percent increase and the industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sector a 17 percent hike.

There were plenty of cheers, applause, and a long list of “thank yous” as residents from across the district gathered last Thursday for the long-awaited opening ceremony of the Rainy River District Regional Abattoir in Emo. More than 200 people turned out to take a tour of $2-million, 3,600 sq. ft. facility, located at 26 Byng St. read more

Mining exploration in Richardson Township by Rainy River Resources Ltd. continues to turn up promising results, and the gold-mining operation potentially may be in production by 2014. read more