FORT FRANCES—More than 350 people came out to the grand opening of the Phase IV expansion at La Verendrye Hospital here last Thursday, and the consensus seemed to be that district residents are impressed with the end result of the $12.2-million project.

FORT FRANCES—The Northwest Catholic District School Board is predicting a drop in enrolment this fall at all of its schools but one. The board is expecting a drop of about 52 students, or 36 full-time equivalencies, from its May enrolment to September.

Town council agreed Monday night to do away with the two stops signs at the intersection of Third Street West and Lillie Avenue, and have the traffic bylaw amended to reflect this change.

Students donned caps and gowns last Thursday night to celebrate the end of one chapter—and the beginning of a new one.

FORT FRANCES—With a resurgence in mining exploration in the area because of rising commodity prices, a regional land use geologist with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines has been making the rounds in Northwestern Ontario to inform communities about the potentially lucrative industry.

PINEWOOD—The recent work at Amos Brielmann’s Pine River Ranch in Pinewood was more than just a bit of tree-planting—it was a $70,000 demonstration project aimed at protecting water quality, controlling erosion, and enhancing biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

After 12 days of spraying the insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, for jackpine budworm, the Ministry of Natural Resources will begin a post-spray assessment within the next month.

FORT FRANCES—After months of negotiations, the Rainy River District School Board approved a four-year contract with its local occasional secondary teachers Tuesday night.

FORT FRANCES—As a result of changes to provincial funding formulas, the Rainy River District School Board is facing a $1-million shortfall for the 2006/07 school year—and will have to make cuts to balance its budget.

As deputy reeve, Ed Carlson officially was appointed the acting reeve of the Township of Emo during council’s regular meeting last Tuesday—the first without former reeve Russ Fortier at the helm.

An election was held at the 24th-annual general meeting of the Rainy River District Future Development Corp. last Wednesday to fill three positions on its board of directors for the forthcoming three-year term.

The Muskie football program is midway through its spring camp being held at Fort High this week. Head coach Bob Swing said the camp, which began Sunday and runs through tomorrow night, is important because it’s the last time the coaches can work with the players before the league-mandated summer break.

There is no substitute for experience. Heron Landing Golf Club member Mike Dick played the role of wily veteran to near perfection en route to winning the second-annual Men’s Open there over the weekend.

The Fort Frances Aquanauts have a new coach. Local resident Tristan Hutton was hired earlier this month to fill the head coaching position left vacant when previous coach Roman Ramirez was let go by the swim team due to financial constraints.