Boston Pizza International Inc. announced this week it is actively seeking a franchisee in Fort Frances as part of its rapid growth across Ontario.

FORT FRANCES—Monday’s surprise announcement of a proposed merger between Abitibi-Consolidated and Bowater Inc. has the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers of Canada asking questions, including what impact the deal might have on the proposed bio-mass boiler here.

FORT FRANCES—There’s an empty seat on the Northwest Catholic District School Board that it is hoping to see filled soon.

FORT FRANCES—With the Fort Frances Curling Club still owing the town taxes to the tune of $74,000, discussion of what council should do to help the club dominated Monday’s budget meeting.

The Ontario government is working to strengthen the economy of northeastern Ontario by making cedar resources available for a proposed new processing facility that could create about 40 new jobs.

FORT FRANCES—After news last August that west-end properties were purchased by Loblaw Properties West Inc. and an Extra Foods grocery was going to be built there, the company now is saying the new grocery store won’t be opening here until next year.

The Rainy River District School Board’s annual literacy celebration showed some growth last week, with increased turnout at the Fort Frances event as well as strong support at the other three locations.

FORT FRANCES—As part of it efforts to enhance transparency in the billing of hydro customers, the Ontario Energy Board has begun to post on its website estimated bills for residential customers of each utility in the province.

FORT FRANCES—As they work through the 2007 budget process, Fort Frances council is contemplating an increase to its water and sewer rates for both residents and businesses.

Tickets are still available for the “Just Imagine” raffle being drawn this Saturday (Feb. 3) at 1 p.m. at Canada Safeway here.

FORT FRANCES—Some district seniors will have access to funding to help make repairs and improvements to their home to help them live there longer, thanks to a new program proposed by the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board and recently approved by the province.

They’re one of the hottest tickets in town. With a week-and-a-half still to go before the famous VALA Follies hit the Townshend Theatre stage on Feb. 10, only about 100 tickets are available for the 7 p.m. performance and just a few more than that for the 2 p.m. matinee.

FORT FRANCES—The Rainy River District Municipal Association agreed to endorse, in principle, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association’s Regional Recovery Plan at its 16th-annual general meeting Saturday in Emo.

Looking for a special way to spend Valentines Day? Well, the Kidney Foundation of Canada has just the answer.

Paul Jewiss was the grand prize winner of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s “Fun in the Sun” NHL ticket raffle.

Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. wishes to announce the retirement of Dr. J. A. Spencer, effective Feb. 28.

The Emo Legion will host a walleye fish fry on Saturday, Feb. 10 (sorry for the misprint last week that read Feb. 19).

District municipalities were told Saturday that provincial regulations covering electrical and mechanical work were behind the cost overruns at the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board’s new building in Fort Frances.

Although Emo council decided earlier this month that it would not be “breed specific” and pass a bylaw to cage and padlock rottweilers and pit bulls, the issue was back on the table at last Tuesday night’s regular meeting.

EMO—Bill Limerick and Pete Sarsfield, with the Northwestern Health Unit in Kenora, declared Saturday that they are willing to work with local farmers to petition the provincial government for an exemption from the regulations impeding them from processing uninspected meat.

Being a fair drive from Fort Frances, students at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton previously hadn’t had the opportunity to partake in swimming lessons.

The Rainy River Public Library celebrated major improvements to its facilities with an open house on Saturday.

This week’s article is Part 2 on congenital defects in cattle. Here are some of the more common genetic defects that can occur:

Rainy River won’t be without a place to take empty beer bottles and the new returnable liquor bottles after all.

The Ontario government and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters are encouraging anyone looking for some winter fun to get outdoors and drop a line during the first winter Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, Natural Resources minister David Ramsay announced last week.

An Ignace area outfitter is the latest person convicted following a two-year investigation by Ontario and U.S. wildlife officials into illegal bear hunts.

With a minority government in place in Ottawa, and the possibility of a spring federal election in the making, the Thunder Bay-Rainy River NDP will hold its nomination meeting tomorrow (Feb. 1).

FORT FRANCES—The local agriculture community was hoping for a tele-conference link to the upcoming public consultations of the “Next Generation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Policy.”

Not only did the “Families Learning Together” literacy celebration in Emo grow this year, but the 45 parents who attended really appreciated the event.

The Muskie hockey program earned a split in the latest instalment of their rivalry with International Falls on Monday night at Bronco Arena.

There will be a strong mix of veterans and new blood representing Sunset Country at the Northern Ontario five-pin bowling championships coming up Easter weekend in Timmins.

The Muskie girls’ volleyball program currently features two teams heading in opposite directions.

Despite a rash of injuries, and a busy schedule that saw the team play its fourth game in five nights, the Muskie boys’ hockey team edged the Dryden Eagles 3-2 in NorWOSSA action at the Ice for Kids Arena last night.

The Fort Frances Canadians regrouped after a tough weekend and beat the host Baudette Bears 5-2 last night.

The battle for first place in the Fort Frances Men’s Basketball League remains a two-horse race.

The Muskie junior boys’ basketball team went winless at the St. Boniface Jr. Varsity tournament over the weekend in Winnipeg.

The Muskie boys’ basketball program hasn’t missed a beat. Despite not having played a league game in more than a month, both the junior and senior squads continued their NorWOSSA dominance yesterday afternoon in Kenora.

Lorne Jackson had something to prove when he stepped onto the ice at the Northwestern Ontario Curling Association’s men’s district playdowns last week in Red Lake.

Rarely do championship games produce such exciting results. The BDO Stars PeeWee girls’ hockey team edged Fort Frances Esso 5-4 in the ‘A’ final of the Fort Frances Atom ‘A’ tournament Sunday afternoon at the Ice for Kids Arena.