Piano Division

(Wednesday, April 5)

A full dance floor turned half-empty in a matter of a few hours.

The 12-team playoff field in the Fort Frances Women's Volleyball League was whittled down to six last night as a half-dozen teams reached the end of their post-season road in the double elimination format.

There was only one game that ended up taking place but three amigos who ran the show.

Customers, friends, family, and neighbours turned out in droves Monday to help Jo Belluz celebrate her 85th birthday. The surprise party featured cake and coffee, as well as lively conversation for all the well-wishers who stopped by at the Belluz Concrete & Rentals office on the highway in west Fort Frances.

The front windows of The Bargain Shop! slowly are being filled as part of the store's 10th and final Easter Seals fundraising campaign. Customers who choose to donate $2 to the cause are able to write their name on a paper egg to be hung in the store's window. The Bargain Shop! also will be holding a book sale tomorrow from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and again Sunday from noon-5 p.m.

OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Public Services minister Judy Foote is taking an indefinite leave of absence from her job for personal and family reasons.

He says Natural Resources minister Jim Carr will fill in for her during her absence.

OTTAWA—Conservative Sen. Lynn Beyak says her party's decision to sanction her for comments about Canada's residential school history amounts to a threat to freedom of speech.

In a statement released yesterday, Beyak, who was removed Wednesday from the Senate committee on Aboriginal Peoples, says political correctness is “stifling opinion and thoughtful conversation.”

EDMONTON—A freezer malfunction at the University of Alberta has melted some of the world's largest collection of Canadian Arctic ice core samples.

The university says about 12 percent of the collection was damaged when temperature in the storage freezer soared to 40 C over the weekend.

Anyone eager to buy a home this spring probably has reasons to feel good. Job growth has been solid. Average pay is rising. And mortgage rates, even after edging up of late, are still near historic lows.

And then there’s the bad news: Just try to find a house.

NEW YORK — Health officials say nearly half of U.S. adults have caught HPV, a sexually-transmitted bug that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

About 45 per cent of Americans ages 18 to 59 had some form of genital human papillomavirus, according to a report released Thursday that’s the most complete look at how common HPV is among adults.

AUGUSTA, Ga.—In the toughest opening round at the Masters in 10 years, it all felt so easy to Charley Hoffman.

For the better part of three hours, in a ferocious wind that made the Georgia pines creak, he had the right yardage for the perfect club to hit every shot he wanted.

And then he made the putts—so many that it felt as though he never missed.

EDMONTON—Canada's Brad Gushue is the first to admit his St. John's rink is not known as a high-scoring team.

You wouldn't know it by looking at the scoresheet at the Ford World Men's Curling Championship.

The veteran skip locked up the first seed in the playoffs while capping an undefeated round-robin yesterday at the Northlands Coliseum.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Kendrys Morales gave the Blue Jays a much-needed lift after Toronto had started the regular season with consecutive losses.

Morales hit his fourth career grand slam, and Marcus Stroman pitched 6 1/3 effective innings, as the Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 last night.

TORONTO—Few in the Maple Leafs' locker-room know what it feels like to clinch a playoff berth in the NHL—and it showed some last night.

The Leafs had a chance to punch their first ticket to the post-season since 2013 but fell flat in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Air Canada Centre.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Don’t look to the Kentucky Coal Museum to bring coal back.

PALM BEACH, Fla.—The United States blasted a Syrian air base with a barrage of cruise missiles last night in fiery retaliation for this week's gruesome chemical weapons attack against civilians.

President Donald Trump cast the U.S. assault as vital to deter future use of poison gas and called on other nations to join in seeking “to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria.”

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—More than 400 icebergs have drifted into the North Atlantic shipping lanes over the past week in an unusually large swarm for this early in the season—forcing vessels to slow to a crawl or take detours of hundreds of miles.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The United States blasted a Syrian air base with a barrage of cruise missiles Thursday night in fiery retaliation for this week’s gruesome chemical weapons attack against civilians. President Donald Trump cast the U.S. assault as vital to deter future use of poison gas and called on other nations to join in seeking “to end the slaughter and bloodshed in Syria.”

WASHINGTON — A proxy battle with Russia in Syria and multiple Russia-related investigations in the U.S. will follow Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Moscow next week on a trip designed to test the Trump administration’s hopes for closer ties to the former Cold War foe.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping opened their high-stakes summit at Trump’s Florida beach resort Thursday, with the urgent threat of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and tensions over trade on the agenda.

SAO PAULO — A so-called “love motel” in Brazil’s capital is using the country’s corruption scandal as a gimmick to draw customers.

COPENHAGEN — The mayor of Latvia’s capital, Riga, was talking about the city’s efforts to fix potholes during his weekly online question-and-answer show when he got interrupted ... by his cat Dumka.

NEW YORK—Pepsi on Wednesday pulled an ad after it was widely mocked and criticized for appearing to trivialize protests for social justice causes.

“Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace, and understanding,” the company said.

“Clearly we missed the mark and we apologize.”

It said it was “removing the content and halting any further roll-out.”

Look for increasing cloudiness tonight, with an overnight low of five C (41 F).

Tomorrow will see a 50 percent chance of spotty showers in the afternoon, with a high soaring to 19 (66) and low around five (41).

A mix of sun and clouds is forecast for Sunday, along with a high of 16 (61) and low dipping to minus-two (28).

The annual fundraiser book sale at Revco Carpet continues today (April 7) from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and again Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m.-noon. The public can drop by the store (950 Fifth St. W.), fill a bag with books, and then make a donation. Proceeds will go to support the Borderland Judo Club and local Alzheimer Society.

Jason Thomson checked out the selection of books at The Bargain Shop's fundraiser sale here Saturday as part of the store's 10th-annual Easter Seals campaign. The campaign wraps up this Saturday (April 15), when the local store will run its “spin to win" game in conjunction with the "Egg-Stravaganza” festivities in downtown Fort Frances.

Kathie Jackson and her rink were on their game in capturing the ladies''A'-event final of the Fort Frances Curling Club's playoffs with a 7-3, six-end victory over Samantha Mueller on Saturday. Steve Gushulak, meanwhile, captured the men's 'A'-event title after topping Raymond Roy 7-6 in an extra end to bring down the curtain on another curling season here.

Montana Plasky, left, carried the colours of Japan while Erica Lemelin hoisted the banner of Austria during the finale of the Border Skating Club's annual ice show yesterday at the Ice For Kids Arena.

VIMY RIDGE, France—They came together from coast to coast to coast, by the thousands, to say thank you and to remember.

Canadians of all ages and all walks of life gathered under the soaring pillars of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial yesterday to mark the 100th anniversary of that fateful battle—and reflect on its enduring legacy.

OTTAWA—Federal Health minister Jane Philpott says Ottawa now will pay for someone to travel with indigenous women who need to leave their communities to give birth—a change to what she called an “extremely unhelpful” policy.

Though there are no surviving veterans who fought at Vimy Ridge, Canadians across the country are making sure their legacy is not forgotten on the battle's centennial anniversary.

NEW YORK—The Toronto Raptors know they are headed for another wake-up call—no matter how much they would like to sleep in.

They've had the noon start on the opening day of the NBA playoffs the last few years and expect it again.

So while playing some no-name Knicks yesterday may not get them ready for the calibre of competition, at least it provided a glimpse of the timing.

AUGUSTA, Ga.—Sergio Garcia tugged the lapel of his green jacket with both hands, proud of his prize and how he earned it.

His hopes were fading yesterday in the Masters—two shots behind with six holes to play—when his tee shot bounced off a tree and into an azalea bush, the kind of bad luck he had come to expect in the majors.

LONG BEACH, Calif.—Not once did James Hinchcliffe think his career was over after a near-fatal accident in 2015.

The Canadian IndyCar star nearly bled to death after wrecking in practice at the Indianapolis 500. And even though his injuries sidelined him the rest of the season, he knew he'd be back.

ST. PETERBURG, Fla.—Steven Souza Jr. calmed down after a dust-up and powered Tampa Bay past Toronto again.

The outfielder hit a three-run homer and was involved in a scrum after a slide during the Rays' 7-2 victory over the Blue Jays yesterday.

TORONTO—No one usually recognizes Jake Gardiner on his walk home from the Air Canada Centre, but that changed Saturday night after the Maple Leafs clinched just their second playoff berth in the last 13 years.

Post-season hockey is new again in Toronto and for most members of the Leafs heading into a first-round series with the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals.

EDMONTON—Canada's Brad Gushue won 2006 Olympic gold in a blowout.

His first Brier title last month was a nail-biter.

The St. John's skip went the patient route for the latest title of his glittering curling career.

Gushue waited until the ninth end to strike in a 4-2 victory over Niklas Edin last night.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian authorities say they have seized 18 rhino horns believed to have been smuggled into the country from Mozambique.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s surprise strikes on Syria, his allies and adversaries have searched for some broader meaning in his decision.

SANT’ANNA DI STAZZEMA, Italy — U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson used a visit Monday to a World War II memorial to declare that the United States will stand up to aggressors who harm civilians, as the Trump administration sought to rally world leaders behind a strategy to resolve the protracted civil war in Syria.

STOCKHOLM — Swedes questioned their country’s welcoming immigration policies with pride and pain on Sunday after learning that an asylum-seeker from Uzbekistan was allegedly behind the truck rampage that killed four people, Stockholm’s deadliest extremist attack in years.

Do you ever have the feeling that the world is lying to you? That everyone else in humanity has agreed to love something terrible, and you have to play along or risk looking like a fool?

The Kenora OPP, with the assistance of OPP's Technical Traffic Collision Investigators (TTCI), continue to investigate a collision that closed Highway 17A for several hours yesterday.

At 4:20 p.m., police received a report of a multiple-vehicle collision on Highway 17A at Highway 658.

The skates were blazing and the pucks flying all over the '52 Canadians Arena during Saturday's ID camp put on for the first time here by the Kenora Thistles of the Manitoba Midget 'AAA' Hockey League. A total of 48 players were on hand to be evaluated by Thistles' head coach Doug Novak and his staff, with the possibility of playing on next year's squad.

LIONS BAY, B.C.—Friends and family members of five hikers who died in the mountains near Vancouver gathered yesterday afternoon to support each other, says the Korean consul general.

Sunggu Kim said hearing the cries of a hiker's daughter amid families grieving their losses was difficult.

TORONTO—The chief justice of Ontario's provincial courts is examining what further steps could be taken on sexual assault education for judges, the attorney general said yesterday.

Winnipeg police say they don't know where the body of a missing woman is, but say they knew she was dead when they searched the home of a man accused of murdering her.

Sgt. John O'Donovan said investigators don't believe Christine Wood had any previous connection to 30-year-old Brett Ronald Overby before last Aug. 19—the day Wood was last seen alive.

TORONTO—The Canadian Automobile Association wants Ontario residents to let them know if there's a really bad road in their area.

Voting is now open for the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign.

CAA South Central Ontario said it recently conducted a member survey on the perception of local road conditions.

DENVER — A ski resort company that stretches from Quebec to Colorado was purchased Monday by the Aspen Skiing Co., setting up seismic changes in a sector with few multistate ski operators.

Aspen Skiing Co. is partnering with Denver-based KSL Capital Partners to acquire Intrawest Resorts Holdings for about $1.5 billion, including debt, Aspen Skiing said in a statement.

CHICAGO — An influential U.S. government health panel is dropping its opposition to routine prostate cancer screening in favour of letting men decide for themselves after talking with their doctor.

WASHINGTON—If nothing else, Nationals" slugger Bryce Harper spent some quality time with Cardinals' first baseman Matt Carpenter last night.

Harper tied a career high with four hits (all singles) and reached base in all six plate appearances to help Washington to a 14-6 rout of St. Louis.

Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander Aaron Sanchez is happy to be home.

While the 24-year-old grew up in Barstow, Calif., almost halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, he feels the love in Toronto.

Especially around the home-opener.

BOSTON—The Celtics now control their own fate in their quest to secure the Eastern Conference's top playoff seed.

Isaiah Thomas scored 27 points to help Boston beat back a fourth-quarter charge and defeat the Brooklyn Nets 114-105 last night.

The win clinched the Atlantic Division title and no worse than the No. 2 seed for the Celtics.

AWEIL, South Sudan — Two months after the world’s youngest nation declared a famine amid its civil war, hunger has become more widespread than expected, aid workers say.

LUCCA, Italy — The Group of Seven industrialized nations on Tuesday urged Russia to pressure the Syrian government to end the six-year civil war, but rejected a British call to impose new sanctions on Moscow over its support of President Bashar Assad.

NEW YORK — The biggest U.S. news story of 2016 ‚Äî the tumultuous presidential campaign ‚Äî yielded a Pulitzer Prize on Monday for the Washington Post reporter who not only raised doubts about Donald Trump’s charitable giving but also revealed that the candidate had been recorded crudely bragging about grabbing women.

It will be partly cloudy tonight, with an overnight low of minus-one C (30 F).

Tomorrow will see a mix of sun and clouds, with a high of 14 (57) and low around two (36).

Morning showers will give way to some sunshine Thursday, along with a high of 16 (61) and low dipping to four (39).

Then Good Friday will be cloudy, with a high of 12 (54) and low near seven (45).

In a report released last month, the Health Professionals Advisory Board of the International Joint Commission outlines several actions to augment and improve efforts to monitor and control human risks from exposure to cyanobacteria and its associated toxins, which often are present in harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes during the warmer months.

In March, 1981, Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. established a Quarter-Century Club to honour employees of the corporation and auxiliary members with 25 years or more of service.

In 2001, physicians who have had 25 or more years with hospital privileges at Riverside were included in the Quarter-Century Club.

A fundraiser dinner at Carl's Eatery has given a boost to the local “Bear Clan Patrol.”

The event raised $1,285 for the volunteer group, which patrols Fort Frances and Rainy River, making the communities more safe and helping those in need.

The Bridge and Falls Creative Residency has put out a call for applications from artists.

The residency program, hosted by the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls, consists of six self-guided residences each a week long.

The residencies will run from July 10 through Aug. 31, with spots for literary, visual, photography/multimedia, and community arts.

In order to help address the labour market shortage, the Town of Fort Frances, Rainy River Future Development Corp., NCDS, and Northwest Training and Adjustment Board are organizing a hiring fair to help employers find the right people for the job.

A new online petition has been launched to urge town council not to remove a set of traffic lights near Robert Moore School.

The petition, which can be found at tinyurl.com/ky87oul, is being conducted by local resident Frank Bruyere.

The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board is looking to build a new eight-plex unit in the east end of town, but one councillor doesn't think it's a good idea.

Grade 7/8 students at Sturgeon Creek School were challenged to make functional chairs from newspapers last week.

Teacher Robert Kinsman explained this was an activity challenge focusing on the “Structures: Form and Function” unit in science class.

Students were grouped and given the task to design a “functional” chair only from newspapers and tape.

On April 2, members of the Rainy River District OPP were contacted with respect to a goat that had been killed at a residence on Government Road in Rainy River.

Officers attended the scene and as a result of further investigation, two 18-year-old males from Rainy River and Lake of the Woods Township were charged April 3.

Rainy River recently hosted a “Bingo Night,” where guests were able to win prizes donated by local businesses as well as community members.

The event was organized by the Riverview School parents and all proceeds were donated directly to the Grade 8 class trip.

The fundraiser was a huge success.

“I wish this could happen every month,” said one attendee.

I'd like to begin my Devlin news this week by wishing you all a happy Easter weekend.

May it be filled with the love of family and friends, and whatever traditions (old or new) you enjoy.

A Maundy Thursday service will be held tomorrow (April 13) at 6:30 p.m. at Knox United Church in Emo, with a Good Friday service to be held at 10 a.m. at Guthrie United in Devlin.

The Ontario government and the OPP are reminding people to take extra care not to attract bears to their neighbourhood.

In some parts of the province, this year's mild winter means black bears are coming out of hibernation early.

Taking simple precautions can help prevent black bears from visiting your community.

The Rainy River District School Board has decided to proceed with a modified Student Accommodation Review for the consolidation of its two schools in Atikokan.

The resolution to begin the review was passed at the board's regular meeting last Tuesday (April 4).

An Easter Sunday sunrise service is set for this Sunday (April 16) at 7 a.m. on Front Street in Emo (across from Tompkins Hardware).

It will be followed by breakfast at the Emo Legion, with admission being a free-will offering.

Everyone is welcome to attend (bring your own chairs if needed).

In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Emo Legion.

J.W. Walker students were recognized for their success with second languages at the Rainy River District School Board's regular monthly meeting last Tuesday.

French teacher Rhian MacIver and Ojibwe teacher Shirley Andy led student volunteers in a demonstration of the second-language programs for trustees.

On March 8, the Ignace OPP was called to investigate several break, enter, and thefts in the Robinson Lake area, about 15 km north of Ignace off of Highway 599, as well as within the Township of Ignace.

Marina Gerber, left, of The Gideons International in Canada, presented Laura Bailey, outreach worker with the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope, with Easter baskets full of goodies yesterday at the Northwest Community Legal Clinic here.

Samantha Halliday was sheer sophistication as she glided her way through her solo routine saluting India, one of the many locations highlighted during the Border Skating Club's annual ice show. This year entitled “Vacation Destination,” the ice extravaganza took place Saturday night and agan Sunday afternoon at the Ice For Kids Arena. See more photos on A5.

The local OPP detachment got a new addition to its fleet last month. A 2016 Chevrolet Suburban was delivered to replace an older one. The vehicles usually get replaced around 200,000 km. Older vehicles are sent back to Orillia and stripped of all police-related accessories, such as its cage, radio, and overhead emergency lights. These accessories then are reused on new cruiser.

Brooklin Hayes, left, and Erica Lemelin were intertwined teammates during the senior class West Coast tribute to California.

Local artist Cher Pruys once again is a sky-high success in aviation artwork.

“Shine On," above, and "Gilmore Glare,” at right, are her latest works to have been juried in to the American Society of Avaiation Artists (ASAA) 2017 International Aviation Art Exhibition.

It will be held May 22-27 at the Hampton Air and Space Center in Hampton, Va.

—Submitted images

Sturgeon Creek School students Danica Mose, Hailey Bragg, and Emma Low worked together to complete the base of their “newspaper chair” last week.

Greta Fedoruk shone brighter than the “City of Lights,” which she honoured in her solo nod to the home of the Eiffel Tower: Paris.

Angie Redford showcased high-quality skating while staying low to the ice during her skate that recognized the most northern U.S. state: Alaska.

Laken Cumming, background, and Benjamin Parks conjured up images of banditos of the deep south as they motored around the rink in a salute of Mexico.

Montana Plasky spun her tale with spectacular skill and style as she sailed her way through a stunning tribute to “The Dark Continent” (Africa).

Willy Anderson found a gem of a book at The Bargain Shop's fundraiser sale Saturday as part of the store's 10th-annual Easter Seals campaign, which raised about $800. The campaign wraps up this Saturday (April 15), when the local store will run its “spin to win" game in conjunction with the "Egg-Stravaganza” festivities in downtown Fort Frances.

Kiannah Payash, left, Kaleah Henderson, Gracee Herod, and Maeve Hammond sparkled with both their dresses and their smiles as they tipped their helmets to the land of bullfighters and flamenco dancing: Spain.

Donna, Blair, and Nichole Lowey enjoyed barbecued back ribs and chicken during the “Bear Clan Patrol” fundraiser dinner Saturday evening at Carl's Eatery here.

Whitney Williamson, left, Rachel Ste. Croix, and Ellie Jacobsen were delightful in their energetic performance celebrating Scotland done by the CanSkate Purple Group.

Mindy Pascal was concentrating fully as she added more bracing to increase her chair's stability.

Students in Robert Guertin's Grade 10 Manufacturing class at FFHS went head-to-head in a top-spinning challenge last Thursday, with Liam Quast coming out on “top”! Students designed and made their own tops, then had a blast taking part in the fun-filled, double-elimination event.

Livia Hood, left, and Shyloh Dronyk were country cool as they sashayed their way around the ice while honouring “Music City” (Nashville).

Revco staffer Lita Lockman helped organize the multitude of books donated for the annual fundraiser book sale at Revco Carpet. The sale ran last Wednesday through Saturday (with a few leftover books sold on Monday) and raised more than $1,400. Proceeds will support the Borderland Judo Club and local Alzheimer's Society.

The Devlin Hall was packed Saturday for a tea and bake sale hosted by Guthrie United Church from 2-3:30 p.m. Those on hand were treated to desserts, as well as a penny table, bake table, a cookie walk, and many draws

The senior class did its “Riverdance” routine on frozen water while giving a shout-out to the Emerald Isle (Ireland).

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — In the ruins of a tropical hideaway where jetsetters once sipped rum under the Caribbean sun, the abandoned children tried to make a life for themselves. They begged and scavenged for food, but they never could scrape together enough to beat back the hunger, until the U.N. peacekeepers moved in a few blocks away.

Beijing is willing to work with Washington on ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons program but wants a peaceful solution to the escalating conflict, Chinese President Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump in a phone call Wednesday.

MOSCOW — Russia’s top diplomat accused the United States on Wednesday of carrying out an unlawful attack against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces as he opened a fraught meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

”I went only with my fear,” said Gatluok Chuol. “If the soldiers found me, they would have killed me.”

For several months last year, the 65-year-old South Sudanese farmer risked his life in order to feed his family.

As Mother Nature nudges spring along, it’s time to dream of the fresh, light meals that go hand in hand with this time of year.

How about a bright, rich pink piece of salmon perched atop a bed of polenta, piled with a mound of roasted cherry tomatoes, collapsed into their own sweetness? Well, all right then, we’re on the same page.

My mom was a wannabe urban farmer long before it was cool. Living in the city limits didn’t stop us from growing our own veggies in a backyard garden that flanked a huge handmade chicken coop, where we raised hens for eggs.

It will be mainly clear tonight, with an overnight low of zero C (32 F).

Tomorrow will be partly sunny and mild, with a high of 16 (61) and low around five (41).

Increasing cloudiness is forecast for Good Friday, along with a high of 15 (59) and low dipping to seven (45).

The return of the Ducks Unlimited fundraising dinner and auction to Fort Frances looks to be on its way to being a rousing success.

Tickets are available at the Fort Frances Times office for $50 each or two for $90.

“Things are going well and tickets have been selling,” said event co-organizer Charles Fisher about the May 12 event scheduled for the Fort Frances Curling Club.

Members of the Kenora Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) with the assistance of the OPP Forensic Identification Unit (FISU) are investigating a break and enter at a business on the north side of Kenora.

On Tuesday at 1 p.m., police were advised of a break and enter that occurred at a business sometime overnight.

Scott Jolicoeur gave a performance on his classical guitar as part of the Instrumental Division for the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts on Tuesday (April 11). The piece was chosen by the adjudicator and given to him 48 hours before the performance for a “quick study” examination at the Townshend Theatre.

“Canada's Greatest Explorer" Josh Henry shared his stories and photos yesterday evening at the Fort Frances Public Library as part of "The Human Experience Series." Refreshments were provided by the "Friends of the Library.”

Students at Fort Frances High School showed off their pink attire while celebrating the “Day of Pink" yesterday. The event, which started after a bullying incident in Nova Scotia, unites communities across Canada to celebrate diversity and raise awareness to stop homophobia, transphobia and all forms of bullying.

Decked out in a big pink bow in support of “Day of Pink" yesterday, Grade 7 Robert Moore student Maya Davis, left, performed "The Forgetful Fairy Godmother " from Cinderella during the Rainy River District Festival for the Performing Art. Meanwhile, J.W. Walker teacher Keira Chown, above, led her class, also dressed in pink, in a recital of "Furry Bear” by A.A. Milne.

WINNIPEG—The father of a missing woman police believe was murdered says his family has no comfort because her body has not been found.

George Wood wants whoever killed his daughter to come forward and reveal where her remains are.

Christine Wood disappeared last August after leaving her downtown Winnipeg hotel to go out for the evening.

TORONTO—Contract extensions agreed to by Ontario's teachers and education workers come with more than $275 million in additional funding as well as four percent raises.

All central education unions have now ratified agreements to extend their contracts to 2019—past the next provincial election.

OTTAWA—Polar bears and the Canadian monarch butterfly have been added to an international list of species and subspecies that are at risk of disappearing entirely from the planet.

The list is part of a new report released today at an international biodiversity conference in Ottawa.

The federal Liberal government has finally launched its long-awaited effort to legalize recreational marijuana, setting in motion a host of sweeping policy changes for public safety and health across Canada.

Marathons can be risky for hearts, but not necessarily those of the runners. It takes longer for nearby residents to get to a hospital for emergency heart care on the day of a race and they’re less likely to survive, a U.S. study finds.

Any event that draws a crowd and causes traffic detours parades, ball games, concerts, fairs may cause similar problems, researchers warn.

TORONTO—Chase Anderson and two relievers combined on a four-hitter, Jonathan Villar homered and the Milwaukee Brewers beat Toronto 2-0 last night to hand the struggling Blue Jays their fifth straight loss.

Last-place Toronto is off to the worst start in team history at 1-7.

Anderson (1-0) allowed three hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out seven.

CLEVELAND—They staggered to the finish line, falling flat and looking nothing like champions.

It's time for the Cavaliers to get up. It's playoff time.

MONTREAL—The Montreal Canadiens lamented their lack of finish after their Game 1 loss at home against the New York Rangers.

Montreal was shut out 2-0 yesterday as it dropped the opener of its best-of-seven first-round playoff series against New York.

“There were some chances to score goals,” said captain Max Pacioretty, who had five shots on target.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio—A craving for a McDonald's cheeseburger apparently prompted an eight-year-old Ohio boy to take his four-year-old sister for a ride in his dad's van, which he learned to drive on the internet.

East Palestine police Officer Jacob Koehler told WJW-TV in Cleveland the father went to bed and the mother fell asleep on the couch with the kids.

RENO, Nev.—A teen's Twitter stunt to win a year of free chicken nuggets from Wendy's might become the platform's most retweeted post of all time.

Carter Wilkinson asked the fast food chain on Twitter last week how many retweets it would take for him to get free nuggets for a year. Wendy's replied, “18 million.”

LYNN, Mass.—A Massachusetts man has a ready answer when asked for his two cents' worth: He presents a cheque he got from the government.

Bruce Rideout, of Lynn, told The Daily Item he got the two-cent cheque from the U.S. Treasury Department a couple of days ago and has been carrying it around and showing his friends ever since.

VIENNA—A town south of Vienna is abuzz over the reported theft of dozens of beehives, containing about one million bees, from a local park.

Police said yesterday they got involved after residents in the town of Ebreichsdorf noticed that the covers of wooden boxes containing 40 hives had been removed.

NICOSIA, Cyprus — The United Nations has helped put together a compromise formula that could overcome the key obstacle of security which stands in the way of a deal to reunify ethnically divided Cyprus, a U.N. envoy said Thursday.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — A craving for a McDonald’s cheeseburger apparently prompted an 8-year-old Ohio boy to take his 4-year-old sister for a ride in his dad’s van, which he learned to drive on the internet.

NEW YORK — A foundation run by the youngest son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett is announcing its strategy for distributing $90 million to help improve the lives of young women and girls of colour in the United States.

Marathons can be risky for hearts, but not necessarily those of the runners.

It takes longer for nearby residents to get to a hospital for emergency heart care on the day of a race and they're less likely to survive, a U.S. study finds.

Any event that draws a crowd and causes traffic detours parades, ball games, concerts, fairs may cause similar problems, researchers warn.

Due to the Good Friday holiday, the Times will be closed tomorrow (April 14) and there will be no Bulletin published. We will open as usual and resume publishing on Monday, April 17.

The annual “Easter Market,” featuring Lowey's Greenhouse and Market Garden, will be held Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Copper River Inn. More than 30 vendors will be on hand.

An Iowa man who police suspect shot and killed his girlfriend Saturday night was arrested at the border here yesterday.

Abraham Roberts, 38, was stopped in International Falls and taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials who recognized his car from a press release issued by the police department in Johnston, Iowa.

The team results, as a whole, didn't have them near the top of the charts.

But plenty of individual members of the Muskie track-and-field squad established themselves as credible contenders at the season-opening Bronco Booster Track & Field Invite varsity meet Thursday at Falls High School.

Muskie Ben Olsen sailed over the bar successfully on this attempt en route to a fourth-place finish in the boys' high jump event at the Bronco Booster Track & Field Invite varsity meet on Thursday at Falls High School.

Jillian Kaun from “House of Olde Shambles” showed off her new, reclaimed, and handcrafted home decor at the Easter Market held Saturday (April 15) at the Copper River Inn here. The market ran from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and featured more than 30 local vendors selling everything from arts and crafts to meats, baking, and flowers.

FFHS student volunteer Cassidy Martin, left, handed treats to Sasha and Miranda Lowry outside of Curvy Chick on Saturday during the fourth-annual “Easter Egg-Stravaganza.” Hosted by the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club and The Shops on Scott, the event drew nearly 400 youngsters downtown, where they picked up maps at the museum courtyard and went from business to business to collect candy.

Nearly a year after the massive wildfire that devastated Fort McMurray, Alta., a climate scientist says there may be more forest fires in Canada this summer.

“If the forecast's right that it's a warmer than normal summer, we'll probably have more fires,” said Mike Flannigan, a meteorologist and professor in the University of Alberta's renewable resources department.

KASHECHEWAN, Ont.—An evacuation due to flooding fears is underway at a remote First Nation community in Northern Ontario.

Area MP Charlie Angus says 325 people from Kashechewan First Nation flew to Kapuskasing, Ont. yesterday and another 200 are expected to leave the community today as ice breaks up north of the community along the Albany River.

OTTAWA—Young scientists often don't get research grants early enough, delaying careers and stunting the growth of Canada's information-based economy, Science minister Kirsty Duncan suggested yesterday in response to a report on the state of science in Canada.

TORONTO—Some teens say their likelihood of using weed hasn't changed since the Liberal government announced details of its legalization plan—though they say it's made them more aware of information on both sides of the debate.

TORONTO—Ontario Finance minister Charles Sousa is giving strong hints the government's much-anticipated house affordability package will include measures targeting real estate speculators, or “property scalpers” as he calls them.

Rabbit rescue organizations are preparing for an influx of surrendered and stray bunnies as Easter weekend comes to an end.

Kaylie Ngo, president of London, Ont.-based Hoppy Hearts, said the peak season for her rescue starts in June and July—and much of the volume stems from bunnies that were hastily-purchased as Easter gifts for kids.

ITUNA, Sask.—It's about as Canadian as a cattle drive can get.

Ranchers northeast of Regina are shaking their heads after watching a herd of curious bovines slowly follow a beaver across one of their pastures.

Adrienne Ivey and her husband, Aaron, were out checking their 150 cattle near Ituna on Good Friday when they noticed something odd.

NEW YORK—Montreal Canadiens' coach Claude Julien happily will take the result of his team's efforts.

“I thought it was a really good road game. It wasn't mistake-free and no games are,” noted Julien after the Canadiens' 3-1 win over the N.Y. Rangers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series last night.

BOSTON—The Chicago Bulls waited until the final night of the regular season to cement their spot in the post-season.

Jimmy Butler made sure the wait for a playoff victory was a short one.

Butler had 30 points and nine rebounds as the Bulls outlasted top-seeded Boston 106-102 in Game 1 yesterday on an emotional night for grieving Celtics' star Isaiah Thomas.

TORONTO—The Toronto Blue Jays lost yet another game and yet another player to injury yesterday as starting pitcher J.A. Happ exited in the fifth inning with left elbow soreness before the Baltimore Orioles slugged their way to a dominant 11-4 win.

It's another discouraging blow for the Blue Jays (2-10), whose awful April represents the worst start in franchise history.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.—Wesley Bryan remembers pestering players with a lot of crazy questions at Harbour Town Golf Links as he followed father George III's only appearance at the RBC Heritage in 2004.

“I was probably the most annoying 14-year-old there was,” Bryan noted.

Once a pesky teen, Bryan is now a PGA Tour winner.

HARPURSVILLE, N.Y.—A giraffe calf is nursing strongly and his mother is recovering “perfectly,” officials with Animal Adventure Park said yesterday after a morning veterinarian check with the newborn.

“April” gave birth to a healthy male calf Saturday at the privately-owned Animal Adventure Park before an online audience of more than a million viewers.

VATICAN CITY — On Christianity’s most joyful day, Pope Francis lamented the horrors generated by war and hatred, delivering an Easter Sunday message that also decried the “latest vile” attack on civilians in Syria.

CLEVELAND — An Ohio man claimed to be angry at a woman when he shot and killed an elderly passerby Sunday afternoon while streaming the murder on Facebook. Police urged the suspect to turn himself in, but he remained on the loose into the night.

MEETOTAMULLA, Sri Lanka — Rescuers on Monday were digging through heaps of mud and trash that collapsed onto a clutch of homes near a garbage dump outside Sri Lanka’s capital, killing at least 29 people and possibly burying dozens more.

KABUL — Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Monday that the U.S. is using Afghanistan as a weapons testing ground, calling the recent use of the largest-ever non-nuclear bomb “an immense atrocity against the Afghan people.”

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s main opposition party urged the country’s electoral board Monday to cancel the results of a landmark referendum that granted sweeping new powers to the nation’s president, citing what it called substantial voting irregularities.

HARPURSVILLE, N.Y. — April the giraffe’s calf is nursing strongly and his mother is recovering “perfectly,” said officials with Animal Adventure Park on Sunday after a morning veterinarian check with the newborn.

April gave birth to a healthy male calf Saturday at the privately owned Animal Adventure Park before an online audience of more than a million viewers.

PANMUNJOM, Korea, Republic Of — Viewing his adversaries in the distance, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence travelled to the tense zone dividing North and South Korea and warned Pyongyang that after years of testing the U.S. and South Korea with its nuclear ambitions, “the era of strategic patience is over.”

Let’s say you dream of wanting to make a very special dessert for mom on Mother’s Day but don’t really have the time or the expertise. Here’s a cheating version of Baked Alaska. Sure it’s antique ‚Äî is there any other two-word phrase in English as capable of teleporting us in an instant to the dining room of a cruise ship in the 1950s? ‚Äî but it’s also delicious.

If you are a mother: Happy Mother’s Day! Please tear out this page (or print, or forward, depending on how woman-on-the-go you are) and put it somewhere your family will find it. Now, stop reading or you’ll ruin the surprise.

If you are a kid, father, or person who loves a mom: it’s almost Mother’s Day. Do you have a plan? Keep reading, because you do now.

Flora Danylchuk of the Fort Frances Lions Club handed out Canadian flags to eager Grade 1 students at J.W. Walker School this morning. She then gave a brief presentation on why the flag is an important symbol in Canada before the class sang “O Canada.”

OTTAWA—The federal plan to legalize recreational marijuana does not include the general amnesty for past pot convictions some would like to see, Public Safety minister Ralph Goodale says.

Newly-tabled legislation would allow people 18 and older to publicly possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent in non-dried form.

TORONTO—Some Ontario university students are set for a stressful final examination: disarming fake bombs with robots they've designed.

Ryerson University said computer science students were scheduled to navigate robots through a simulated crime scene this afternoon as they try to disable mock improvised explosive devices, draw maps, and describe the area.

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta.—Horses that were struggling after falling through thin ice in northwestern Alberta were saved by rescuers who cut paths to the shore with chainsaws.

Trevor Grant, the County of Grande Prairie's fire chief, said 10 horses fell through a frozen dugout on a rural property on Sunday.

OTTAWA—Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will visit Canada this summer to participate in the celebrations marking the country's 150th birthday.

Gov. Gen. David Johnston said they have accepted the government's invitation to undertake a tour—their fourth visit as a couple.

WASHINGTON—Scientists have witnessed the first modern case of what they call “river piracy”—and they blame global warming.

Most of the water gushing from a large glacier in northwest Canada last year suddenly switched from one river to another.

CALGARY—A Calgary wildlife centre has cured a porcupine with a snoring problem.

The Kyne family has shared their backyard with the rodent they named “Billy Jo” for the past several years.

They recorded video of him sleeping and when staff at the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society watched it, they realized the porcupine's problem was more than a sleep disorder.

SHANGHAI — On April 6, Ivanka Trump’s company won provisional approval from the Chinese government for three new trademarks, giving it monopoly rights to sell Ivanka brand jewelry, bags and spa services in the world’s second-largest economy.

CLEVELAND—Blown big leads. Defensive breakdowns. Bad shots.

None of it means anything to LeBron James.

The only score that matters is 2-0.

Kyrie Irving scored 37 points, with Kevin Love adding 27 and James 25, as the Cleveland Cavaliers avoided another fourth-quarter collapse in Game 2, beating the Indiana Pacers 117-111 last night to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

MINNEAPOLIS—The return for Michael Brantley to the middle of Cleveland's lineup has seen some promising early returns.

The multi-skilled Indians left-fielder is cautiously content.

Danny Salazar finished six innings strong after a shaky start, and Brantley homered and drove in two runs, as the Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1 last night.

TORONTO—The Maple Leafs think they just could topple a giant in the first round.

They scored their second-straight overtime victory last night—rallying to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 in front of an electric Air Canada Centre crowd.

BOSTON—The Kenyans are back in Boston after a relative lull that saw them shut out in the world's most prestigious marathon twice in the past three years.

More surprisingly, so are the Americans.

Geoffrey Kirui won the 121st Boston Marathon yesterday, pulling away from three-time U.S. Olympian Galen Rupp with two miles to go to give Kenya its first men's victory in five years.

DUANVALE, Jamaica—Violet Brown spent much of her life cutting sugar cane in the fields around her home in western Jamaica.

She attended church regularly, avoids pork and chicken, and celebrated her 117th birthday last month.

On Saturday, she is believed to have become the world's oldest living person following the death of Emma Morano of Italy, who was born on Nov. 29, 1899.

BEIJING — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a new appeal for calm on the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday and said he believes the United States would prefer a diplomatic resolution to the standoff.

BEIJING — China defended its trade practices on Tuesday after Chinese-made vehicles were seen towing ballistic missiles during a North Korea military parade despite international sanctions against selling military hardware to Pyongyang.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is planning to sign an executive order that seeks to make changes to a visa program that brings in high-skilled workers.

PIERRE, S.D. — A South Dakota lawmaker frustrated with what he views as inaction over a secretive polygamous sect’s outpost in his district wants legislators to look into the compound, including why no South Dakota birth or death records have been filed from there over the last decade.

Whether you donate your dollars or your time, the local Fun in the Sun (FITS) committee needs your help to make this July 1 celebration bigger and better than ever in honour of Canada's 150th birthday.

The committee has come up with several ways for people to support them—and have fun at the same time, FITS chairperson Cynthia Donald told the Times.

When adoptive parents open their hearts and homes to children not born to them, they're sometimes faced with unexpected challenges.

An excellent new adoptive parent training program called “Pathways to Permanence 2: Parenting Children who have Experienced Trauma & Loss,” hopes to make these challenges easier to understand and cope with.

Scott Street certainly was hopping Saturday.

An estimated 400 children flocked downtown for the fourth-annual “Egg-Stravaganza” hosted by the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club and The Shops on Scott.

“It was an awesome day,” enthused Kiwanian Diane Maxey, who was lead organizer for this year's event.

Since she was small, Joanne Ogden's grandmother always said she would be a nurse, no matter how hard Ogden rejected the idea of it.

Now, with almost 32 years of experience in the field, Ogden, a community health nurse here in Rainy River District, will travel to Ottawa on May 8 to accept the First Nations and Inuit Health Award of Excellence in Nursing.

After six years of writing, local author Sara Kellar recently published her second book: a collection of short stories and poems entitled “Full of Words.”

The anthology is composed of Biblical re-tellings and allegories, each with a devotional thought following it, she said.

Her goal with the book was to make the Bible more relatable, Kellar explained.

With the Riverside Foundation for Health Care celebrating its 20th year, its annual “Canada Day Cash Lottery” will feature more chances than ever to win.

“For our 20th anniversary, we are doing a bigger 'Canada Day Cash' than we ever have,” said Foundation director Samantha Manty.

“We're doing 20 prizes valued at a total of over $20,000 for our 20th anniversary,” she noted.

Donors across Northwestern Ontario continue to provide hope and exceptional cancer care services thanks to donations to the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances is the recipient of two grants—totalling $14,677.41—for a new vital signs monitor and Triple Channel IV pump for the cancer program.

An appeal last month for donations to the Rainy River District Women's Shelter of Hope's “From Our Home To Yours” program has been answered.

Now the shelter is seeking out local woman in need who might require the items.

“We've had a phenomenal response,” outreach worker Laura Bailey told the Times.

“The community's been great, the whole district,” she enthused.

Hydro One customers in the west end of Rainy River District will not have electricity for two-and-a-half hours this Sunday (April 23).

The Citizens for Backus/AB are honoured to accept a grant of $4,800 from the Northland Foundation of Duluth, Mn.

The funding will be used towards programs at Backus that provide food access to International Falls and surrounding communities.

The two programs receiving the funding are the Community Café and the Summer Food Service Program.

It was a Happy Easter for Darren Derendorf of Fort Frances, who won the $500 up for grabs April 16 in the Rainy River District Mutual Aid Association's weekly cash calendar draw.

The Fort Frances Lions Club recently got an equipment upgrade from Shaw Cable to improve its weekly TV Bingo broadcast.

Club member Bonnie Penney said they called with some problems and Shaw came within two weeks to do the upgrade.

“They worked the entire day,” she noted.

“Canada's Greatest Explorer” is gearing up for another adventure.

Fort Frances native Josh Henry will be travelling with a group to northern Thailand, near the Burmese border, from May 28-June 10 as part of his “GiveBack GiveAway” project.

The group will be helping an under-developed school by building a playground and donating supplies.

Bonnie Penney, Paul Patterson, Patty Stefanick, and Roy Taylor (sitting) were ready to run the Lions TV Bingo last Thursday night in the Shaw studio here. The Fort Frances Lions Club recently got an equipment upgrade from Shaw, including new cameras, lights, and a new system to remotely control the broadcast, making it much easier for the local volunteers.

Kiwanian Diane Maxey, left, and her fellow organizers were kept busy by hundreds of parents and children who came by the Fort Frances Museum courtyard Saturday to sign up and get their maps to participate in “Egg-stravaganza.”

International Falls firefighter Mike Larson dragged a hose across the yard of a County Road 116 residence that went up in flames just after 1 p.m. on Good Friday. Flames fully engulfed a garage and nearby residence. An explosion was heard, and huge smoke clouds were visible on the Canadian side of the river.

—Photo courtesy of

Emily Gedde (Falls Journal)

Piper Lidkea, left, helped her older brother, Cameron, and his fellow FFHS “Chem-Free" Grad committee members Taylor McQuaker, Mackenzie Wright, and Averi King sell festive Easter cupcakes during "Egg-Stravangza” on Saturday.

Alison Oullet was all smiles when she finally got to meet the Easter Bunny at Lidkea Optometry after waiting in a long line of similarly-excited youngsters.

Easter basket in hand and bunny ears on her head, Elana Storey was excited to start collecting treats Saturday during “Egg-stravaganza” in downtown Fort Frances.

Ryder Steele, Dominic Caul, Daylia Friday, and Autumn Yerxa on Thursday showed off some of the chicks that hatched in the Early Learning classroom at St. Michael's School. While the eggs were in the incubator, the children were asked what would hatch from them. Some of the more imaginative guesses included baby snakes, bears, a stingray, and an elephant.

Thatcher Jenkinson eyed up the bike, donated by Flint House, which was a draw prize during “Egg-stravaganza” festivities Saturday. However, Frederick Taylor ended up being the lucky winner. Rudi-Lyn Bruyere won the girl's bike donated by T-Bone Consulting.

Keegan Morrison hoped the wheel would stop in his favour as Julia McManaman and Ashley Payne (both seated) looked on Saturday outside The Bargain Shop during “Egg-stravaganza" festivities on Scott Street. The Bargain Shop ran its "spin to win” game to wrap up its 10th-annual Easter Seals campaign. The store raised $7,027, exceeding its goal of $7,000.

Josh Henry, “Canada's Greatest Explorer," shared his stories and photos last Wednesday evening at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre as part of "The Human Experience Series." Refreshments were provided by the "Friends of the Library.”

Laurie Woodgate gave an Easter treat to Skylar Mansbridge outside of Professional Hair & Body Care on Saturday during the fourth-annual “Egg-Stravaganza” hosted by the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club and The Shops on Scott. About 20 businesses participated, along with some 30 other businesses and groups which donated to the event.

Joanne Ogden, second from right, celebrated her award of excellence in nursing with the Director of Health at Naicatchewenin First Nation, Armand Jourdain, and co-workers Lorraine Smith, Erin Smith, and Doreen Smith.

Rhonda Snow (above) displayed her handmade artwork at the “Easter Market” held Saturday at the Copper River Inn here All of her proceeds go to the RR Spirit Horse Ranch to support her Ojibway horses—a rare breed she is preserving on her ranch outside of Fort Frances.

Aiden DeGagne, foreground, Hunter Ottason, Courtney Sinclair, James Furlongh, and Cameron McFayden have been sharpening their shooting skills in preparation for the provincial competition happening April 21-23 in Trenton, Ont. The squad took top honours at the regional competition April 1 in Dryden to secure its spot at the provincial showdown.

Pharmasave was among the local businesses and agencies that celebrated the “Day of Pink" last Wednesday (April 12). Pictured here are Sue Korosec, front row left, Michelle Beck, and Donna Hyatt, and Patrick Goulding, back row left, Nancy Kehler, Naomi Sutton, Amanda Guimond, Chelsey Ogden, and Morgan Albisser.

Mika Kooistra performed her “quick study" examination last Tuesday (April 11) at the Townshend Theatre during the annual Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts. The piece was chosen by the adjudicator and had to be learned in 48 hours before the performance. This year's Festival wraps up tomorrow, with the annual "Highlights” concert set for Tuesday, May 9.

KENOSHA, Wis. — President Donald Trump hopes to revive the economic populism that helped drive his election campaign, signing an order Tuesday in politically important Wisconsin to tighten rules on technology companies bringing in highly skilled foreign workers.

This lemon sauce is such a simple way to dress up roasted asparagus, the pinup vegetable of spring ... or any simply cooked asparagus for that matter, such as grilled, steamed or sauteed. In fact, this sauce is also a quick and easy way to dress up pretty much any plainly cooked vegetable, from potatoes to green beans to broccoli.

The Br. #29 Legion Ladies' Auxiliary met April 12, with 30 members in attendance.

The charter was draped in memory of Nancy Shaw, who had an incredible 76 years as an auxiliary member.

We also draped the charter in memory of Carol Affleck, who was taken from us so tragically.

Yesterday at 2:30 a.m., the Rainy River District OPP received a complaint about a motor vehicle in Fort Frances.

Officers then conducted a traffic stop on the 900 block of King's Highway.

The driver, a 24-year-old Fort Frances man, was arrested and taken to OPP detachment for breath tests.

Vocal Division

(Tuesday, April 18)

The playoff atmosphere was in full swing Tuesday night at Fort High as the Fort Frances Men's Basketball League semi-finals took place.

Fans were cheering, there was lots of talking on the court, great basketball plays were on display, and there even was an “upset.”

Tulips are sprouting from the flower beds outside the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre—and soon will bloom red-and-white to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday on July 1. The bulbs were planted by a small group of volunteers in late October as part of Ontario Public Library Week festivities.

Nadine Mutz got the seed library at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre all ready for its third-annual launch tomorrow, which will take place from 10 a.m.-5. p.m. Everyone is welcome to borrow seeds, grow vegetables, and then donate seeds back to the library at the end of the season to keep the program going.

June Caul, Diane Maxey, Lu Neilson, and Verena Zucchiatti enjoyed a Las Vegas-themed party yesterday during Rainycrest's annual volunteer appreciation lunch. Elvis played in the background as those on hand lined up to grab some grub. Games such as “Plinko" and "Spin to Win” also were set up for people to try their luck.

REGINA—A Saskatchewan woman has been charged with human smuggling after RCMP intercepted a vehicle carrying nine refugee claimants who authorities believe crossed the border from the United States.

Mounties say a woman was stopped last Friday on the Canadian side of the border between the North Portal and Northgate crossings—the legal entry points into Saskatchewan from North Dakota.

OTTAWA—Environment minister Catherine McKenna is being sued for failing to tell Canadians how the country's woodland caribou are being protected.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society filed an application for judicial review in Federal Court in Montreal today.

OTTAWA—The $631 fee to apply for a criminal pardon poses a substantial hurdle for people trying to turn their lives around, said a large majority of those who responded to a federal consultation.

Eighty percent indicated the fee is a significant barrier while 16 percent considered it a modest barrier, says a newly-released briefing note about the consultation results.

WINNIPEG—The University of Manitoba is pondering its next move after students' feathers got ruffled over a decision to smash the eggs of nesting Canada geese on campus to control their population.

The U of M got a federal permit and hired a contractor to destroy the nests and get rid of the eggs after getting complaints about rising numbers of the migratory waterfowl.

NEW YORK—Bill O'Reilly has lost his job at Fox News Channel following reports that five women had been paid millions of dollars to keep quiet about harassment allegations.

DETROIT — General Motors has stopped doing business in Venezuela after authorities took control of a factory in what GM called an illegal judicial seizure of its assets.

The plant was confiscated on Wednesday as anti-government protesters clashed with authorities in a country that is roiling in economic troubles such as food shortages and triple-digit inflation.

TORONTO—Mike Babcock watched a young team, much like his own, get spanked by a veteran opponent on Tuesday night and wanted his players to be prepared for a similar situation.

After seeing the inexperienced Edmonton Oilers fall 7-0 to the San Jose Sharks, the Toronto Maple Leafs' head coach explained to his club that the level of play would rise higher with every game that passed.

TORONTO—Blue Jays' manager John Gibbons thinks his team has what it takes to be in the playoff mix at the end of the season.

His players will need to play like they did last night a little more often to make that happen.

Francisco Liriano and three relievers combined on a six-hit shutout as Toronto snapped Boston's four-game winning streak with a 3-0 victory.

OAKLAND, Calif.—JaVale McGee has made a name for himself catching lob passes and reliably slamming them home to the pure delight of his teammates.

And oh did those matter for the short-handed Golden State Warriors as they moved one win closer to another NBA championship.

ATLANTA—Bryce Harper assumes everybody already knows the Washington Nationals again will be a team to watch in the National League.

Just in case, Harper and the Nationals made the point by putting on an offensive show at the Atlanta Braves' new park.

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan — A Soyuz space capsule blasted off Thursday for the International Space Station, carrying an American astronaut making his first space flight and a veteran Russian cosmonaut.

BEIJING — China on Thursday launched its first unmanned cargo spacecraft on a mission to dock with the country’s space station, marking further progress in the ambitious Chinese space program.

The Tianzhou 1 blasted off at 7:41 p.m. (1141 GMT) atop a latest-generation Long March 7 rocket from China’s newest spacecraft launch site, Wenchang, on the island province of Hainan.

WASHINGTON—Astronomers have found yet another planet that seems to have just the right “Goldilocks” combination for life: not so hot and not so cold.

It's not so far away, either.

This new, big, dense planet is rocky, like Earth, and has the right temperatures for water—putting it in the habitable zone for life, according to a study published yesterday in the journal “Nature.”

MIAMI — The last orca has been born in captivity at a SeaWorld park in San Antonio, Texas, just over a year after the theme park decided to stop breeding orcas following animal rights protests and declining ticket sales.

I remember being told in marketing class back in graduate school that the fastest growing food category in America was hummus. Hummus, our professor insisted to us disbelieving students, would soon be ubiquitous. I should have heeded his advice and leveraged that bit of 1991 foresight in some way.

Early Learning students at St. Michael's School were busy this morning making “seed bombs" in conjunction with "Earth Day" tomorrow (April 22). The students made pulp by soaking recycled paper in water overnight. This morning, they blended the pulp, squeezed it dry, and placed small lumps in muffin trays. Seeds then will be pressed into the pulp and dried.

Skyler Friesen of the Rainy River Owls, centre, did his best to break the defensive pressure of Muskies' Chase McGuire, left, and Ethan Jourdain during their exhibition soccer match here yesterday. The boys posted a 1-0 victory on a goal by Cam Lidkea, with Jacob Albright earning the shutout.

Neila Booth bid farewell to employer Doug Cuthbertson this morning to start off her last day at Northwoods Gallery & Gifts. Booth, 61, is retiring after 12-and-a-half years there and before that, 11 years at Tammi's Flower Garden. Well-known for her service with a smile, Booth said she'll miss the customers most of all.

TORONTO—Ontario is following British Columbia's lead, promising to introduce a tax on foreign homebuyers that the province hopes will help cool the frantic housing market—easing concerns about a potential bubble in Canada's fastest-growing urban region.

OTTAWA—The federal government says it's trying to figure out how much its troubled electronic pay system has short-changed the unions representing thousands of civil servants facing pay problems.

But officials aren't saying whether the unions will be granted emergency payments like those being offered to workers who have been paid improperly through the Phoenix pay system.

MONTREAL—When Sarah Jane Green was a little girl, her father passed on his love of space and universe to her—even naming her after a character in the “Doctor Who” TV show.

So after he died suddenly of an illness in 2015, Green knew exactly how to pay tribute to him.

WOSS, B.C.—Police say a train derailment in the tiny community of Woss, on northern Vancouver Island, killed two people and injured three others yesterday.

Dave Rushton, the community's regional elected representative, said the cause of the accident is under investigation, but early reports indicate a crew was on the tracks when the rail cars approached without warning.

TORONTO—The federal government will be testing whether hiding the names of job applicants would improve its hiring practices, in what it calls an effort to strengthen diversity and inclusion in the public service.

WASHINGTON—Here's some good news for Canadian pot smokers: high taxes will not join the munchies, the pasties, and short-term memory loss as unwelcome side effects of smoking up.

The Canadian government is hinting it wants to keep pot taxes low.

MONTREAL—The Quebec government is setting aside $6.4 million over five years to fight sexual exploitation by targeting pimps and johns.

Public Security minister Martin Coiteux said his government will create a mixed force of 25 investigators from various police agencies to address the issue.

VANCOUVER—A toxin was the cause of death for two beluga whales at the Vancouver Aquarium last November, but the exact substance couldn't be identified.

The aquarium announced the conclusion of a five-month investigation yesterday saying an investigation also determined the toxin likely was introduced by food, water, or through human interference.

TORONTO — Foreign nationals who don’t live in Canada’s biggest city and its surrounding communities will pay an additional 15 per cent tax on home purchases under legislation proposed by the government of Ontario province.

MILWAUKEE—Kyle Lowry's seething silence said everything.

While DeMar DeRozan answered questions about one of the Raptors' worst losses in franchise history, Toronto's all-star point guard leaned back in the chair beside him—his lips pursed, his eyes narrowed in an angry glare.

MONTREAL—With his team facing elimination, captain Max Pacioretty says it's the perfect time for the Montreal Canadiens to show what they're made of.

The Canadiens have their backs against the wall after dropping Game 5 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series 3-2 in overtime to the N.Y. Rangers last night.

TORONTO—The silence of the Toronto Blue Jays' clubhouse after another loss yesterday was interrupted by the occasional deep exhale or the sound of clothes being jammed into suitcases.

Maybe a trip out of town is the best thing for Major League Baseball's cellar-dwellers.

ATLANTA—Ryan Zimmerman has faced R.A. Dickey enough to know what to expect from his knuckleball.

“I don't want to say it's comfortable because when he's got a good one going, it's not easy,” he remarked.

“[But] having faced him a few times before, you at least know what to expect.”

LONDON—Britain marked Queen Elizabeth II's 91st birthday today with gun salutes as the monarch celebrated quietly at home.

A troop of the Royal Horse Artillery rode horse-and-gun carriages past Buckingham Palace before staging a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park at noon.

LONDON — Holocaust denial just got a little harder.

PARIS — France began picking itself up Friday from another shooting claimed by the Islamic State group, with President Francois Hollande calling together the government’s security council and his would-be successors in the presidential election campaign treading carefully before voting this weekend.

TILLER, Ore. — A dot on a map in rural southwestern Oregon is generating a big-city buzz.

Almost the entire town of Tiller is up for sale.

A potential buyer has come forward but is remaining anonymous — and backup offers are still being accepted.

BOSTON — People looking for the perfect family pet tend to choose a dog based on appearance or breed ‚Äî but that’s barking up the wrong tree.

“If you think they’re cute, you bring them home,” said Jodi Andersen, a dog trainer and author.

LONDON — Britain is marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 91st birthday with gun salutes, as the monarch celebrates quietly at home.

A troop of the Royal Horse Artillery will ride horse-and-gun carriages past Buckingham Palace before staging a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park at noon (1100GMT). There will also be a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London an hour later.

The 2017 Business & Community Expo goes today (April 21) from 4-9 p.m. and again Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Fort Frances Curling Club. Admission is $3 per person, with children 12 and under being free.

Muskie girls' hockey blueliner Lillie MacKinnon read “Snap!" to attentive youngsters during the Blue Spruce "Celebrity Storytime" on Saturday morning at the Fort Frances Public Library. The other readers included Lauren Hyatt, Ruth Caldwell, Cam Gushulak, and Judy Kielczewski,with the "Friends of the Library” providing snacks.

Visitors of all ages were interested in the pigs outside of Emo Feed Service on Saturday. The petting zoo, which also included cattle, goats, rabbits, and a turkey, was just one of the many activities that took place for Emo's annual “Spring Fever Days” festivities from April 20-22.

Shane Carriene and Sasha Galbraith of Revco Carpet here displayed the different products and services it provides on Saturday afternoon during the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's annual Business and Community Expo at the curling club. Besides carpet, the local business carries an array of other renovation essentials, such as paint, blinds, bathtubs, sinks, and fireplaces.

NEW YORK—Erin Moran, the former child star who played Joanie Cunningham in the sitcoms “Happy Days" and "Joanie Loves Chachi,” has died at age 56.

Moran was found dead Saturday by emergency responders after a dispatcher for the Harrison County, Ind. sheriff's department received a 9-1-1 call, the department said.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—As the flow of asylum-seekers crossing into Canada continues, residents in towns along the Canada-U.S. border quietly are mobilizing to help the travellers who pass through in search of better lives.

OTTAWA—The federal government quietly has been making changes to passport offices in a bid to improve security and address concerns that the facilities could be easy targets for a terrorist attack.

Civil servants in passport and other government offices for years have faced bomb threats, and hostility from individuals who are disgruntled, drunk, or suffering mental illnesses.

TORONTO—Ontario's NDP is pledging to create a provincial pharmacare plan, appealing to the grassroots about a year out from the start of next year's election campaign.

Leader Andrea Horwath announced the policy Saturday in a speech to about 1,000 delegates at the party's convention.

JOHANNESBURG — Three African countries have been chosen to test the world’s first malaria vaccine, the World Health Organization announced Monday. Ghana, Kenya and Malawi will begin piloting the injectable vaccine next year with hundreds of thousands of young children, who have been at highest risk of death.

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Although Marcus Stroman had no idea why he was called for an illegal quick-pitch, he refused to allow the unusual umpiring decision to stop him from carrying the Toronto Blue Jays to another win in their climb out of a huge early-season hole.

TORONTO—The air was bittersweet in the Toronto Maple Leafs' dressing room after a season-ending loss last night.

Bitter from the end result of Game 6—a 2-1 overtime defeat which ended a closely-matched first-round series with the heavily-favoured Washington Capitals.

NEW YORK—As usual, Daniel Murphy was diplomatic about all the damage he's done to the N.Y. Mets since they let him leave as a free agent.

Max Scherzer knows that's just a mirage.

“He wants to beat their brains in,” Scherzer noted.

“He won't say anything, and he won't say anything to us—it's not like he's in here boasting that he wants to beat the Mets,” he reasoned.

BERNARDS, N.J.—An imposing white oak tree that has watched over a New Jersey community and a church for hundreds of years is about to come down—leaving residents with a sense of loss as they recall the site that's been a go-to location for formal photos, a landmark for driving directions, and a remarkable piece of natural history.

NEW ORLEANS — Workers in New Orleans removed the first of four prominent Confederate monuments Monday morning, becoming the latest Southern institution to sever itself from symbols viewed by many as a representation of racism and white supremacy.

SHERWOOD, Ore. — Seventeen-year-old Oregon resident Brennan Agranoff spends his days going to school, doing chores and running his custom-design sock business.

It’s no simple hobby: Agranoff is the founder and CEO of HoopSwagg, and he has already sold $1 million in custom socks.

BERNARDS, N.J. — An imposing white oak tree that has watched over a New Jersey community and a church for hundreds of years is about to come down, leaving residents with a sense of loss as they recall the site that’s been a go-to location for formal photos, a landmark for driving directions and a remarkable piece of natural history.

We’ve romanticized brunch to the point that in certain cities, we will wait in a two-hour line to eat waffles with a side of French fries. But if you’ve served brunch at home, you know that a two-hour line can be a picnic compared to the stress of getting a full meal on a decorated table before noon.

Jean Richards showed off Ed Halvorsen's pair of entries for the Fine Line Art Gallery's annual spring art show, this year entitled “Then and Now,” which will open this Friday from noon-7 p.m. The exhibit will run through the month of May.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR's most popular driver, announced today that he will retire at the end of the season.

The two-time Daytona 500 winner set an aftearnoon news conference with team owner Rick Hendrick to discuss his decision.

Hendrick Motorsports said in a news release that Earnhardt informed his team of his decision early today.

FORT McMURRAY, Alta.—The Canadian Red Cross says three-quarters of the $323 million raised since a destructive wildfire struck Fort McMurray last spring has been spent or committed nearly a year after the disaster.

The fire, nicknamed “the beast” because it was so fierce and unpredictable, forced 88,000 people to flee the northeastern Alberta city last May.

VANCOUVER—Health Canada's proposal to loosen regulations on importing prescription-grade heroin to treat opioid addiction is being hailed as a crucial step to reducing fentanyl-fuelled deaths across the country.

The United States has fired the opening shot in a latest softwood lumber war against Canada, with the Trump administration announcing its first batch of duties on imported wood in the neighbourhood of 20 percent.

Ontario is launching a basic income pilot project this spring, aimed at providing financial stability for low-income residents during a time of precarious work and a changing economy.

Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the details of the province's three-year project during a speech yesterday in Hamilton.

EDMONTON—Police say a 19-month-old boy found dead outside a church last week was covered in bruises and was horribly abused before he was killed by a blow to the head.

A passer-by found the lifeless body of Anthony Joseph Raine outside the Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Edmonton on Friday.

TORONTO—Ontario's New Democrats are promising to bring in a $475-million pharmacare plan if they win the election next year, which they say could be introduced without program cuts or new taxes—although they're not ruling them out.

MONTREAL—Rail safety advocates are using virtual reality to highlight just how dangerous it can be to cross or trespass near train tracks.

“Operation Lifesaver,” a public-private partnership that promotes awareness of safety issues around crossings, launched a campaign yesterday to mark the beginning of Rail Safety Week.

TORONTO—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his younger brother, Michel, was able to avoid a criminal record after he was caught with marijuana because of his father's connections.

EDMONTON—In the forthcoming battle of Orange Crush versus Orange County, the Edmonton Oilers say they no longer can be characterized as “green.”

“We've got playoff experience now. We just went through a round,” centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said yesterday after practice at Rogers Place.

“It gives usa confidence now that we're a legit team and we can play against anybody.”

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Cameron Maybin stood at third base in the tie game, eyed the infield playing in, and then immediately broke on contact.

He dove head-first into home, slid his out-stretched left hand around catcher Russell Martin's tag, and scored what proved the final run last night in the Los Angeles Angels' 2-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

TORONTO—Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were delighted to yield the spotlight to Norman Powell for a night.

Powell scored a career playoff-high 25 points on an array of dunks and long bombs to lift the Raptors to a 118-93 blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks last night.

ELLINGTON, Conn. — Police in Connecticut have cited Fitbit records in an arrest warrant for a 40-year-old man charged with killing his wife in 2015.

Richard Dabate (DAH-bayt) faces murder, tampering with evidence and making a false statement charges in the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Connie Dabate on Dec. 23, 2015.

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Federal officials in South Dakota said Monday that 15 people have been indicted for illegally trafficking eagles and other migratory birds after a two-year undercover operation potentially involving hundreds of birds.

It was the most stunning political victory of the 21st century, one that brought shocked concern in many parts of the world and cheers in others. One uncontroversial certainty was that it would cause reverberations around the globe.

CINCINNATI — Police in Ohio have received a stuffed toy given by a child to a Pennsylvania police officer to help keep him safe.

The Cincinnati Enquirer (http://cin.ci/2owU8hU ) reports a stuffed moose called Mr. Moosey has become a travelling protection talisman sent to police and other first responder agencies around the country.

MOSCOW — A flash flood of fruit juice from a beverage plant in southern Russia has flowed into a town’s streets and into the River Don.

Mushroom and Cheese Burritos are a delicious vegetarian dish hearty enough to satisfy even the most die-hard carnivore in your family: a burrito stuffed with portobello mushrooms, chiles and cheese. It’s perfect for Meatless Mondays and ‚Äî bonus! ‚Äî all the ingredients are cooked together in a single rimmed sheet pan, which means cleanup is a snap.

The 2017 budget process is all but finalized after town council gave it the nod at their regular meeting Monday night.

The $34.5-million budget includes a zero percent tax levy increase—meaning the town will not be collecting any more tax revenue than it did last year.

But Mayor Roy Avis noted the town will not “fall behind” by having a zero percent levy increase this year.

The Fort Frances Power Corp. is at the head of the class when it comes to electrical conservation.

It was presented with the 2011-14 Conservation Target Achievement Award on Friday during the 2017 Business & Community Expo at the Fort Frances Curling Club.

Town council might have to consider kicking in upwards of $380,000 toward the future Rainy Lake Square project—or start cutting key components.

After the project tender closed April 11, it become apparent that the tenders all were over-budget, with the lowest one (RML Contracting Ltd. of Thunder Bay) being over by about $618,000.

The laboratory at Riverside Health Care here has achieved ISO 15189 Plus certification from the Institute for Quality Management in Healthcare (IQMH).

This international standard for excellence requires the medical laboratory to standardize processes and procedures for its quality system, as well as technical requirements.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's annual Business and Community Expo had a successful two days at the local curling club.

Chamber director Jennifer Soderholm said it was a steady event, with continuous traffic similar to last year's for both Friday and Saturday.

Forty-two vendors set up their booths this year, many of which were new to the expo.

A broken-down fire rescue truck brought the Watten community together during a blaze on Reef Point Road back on Good Friday.

The Watten Volunteer Fire Department's rescue vehicle, a 31-year-old truck donated by Hydro One and converted to suit its needs, failed to pass safety inspection this year and was pulled off the road.

Loretta LeBlanc was the lucky winner of the first “Catch the Ace” draw.

Held Saturday at Rainy River Meats in Emo in conjunction with other “Spring Fever Days” events, organizer Steve Loshaw told the Times that 990 tickets were sold for $2 each, for a total of $1,890.

Fifty percent of the ticket sales will go to support local agriculture awareness and education.

The Fort Frances High School Class of 2007 reunion will be taking place Saturday, Aug. 19 at La Place Rendez-Vous.

The supper and evening of merriment are the only things set in stone at this point, though plans for daytime activities currently are underway, as well.

Tickets for the event will be available beginning June 1.

A seven-member team of Grade 7 and 8 students from Robert Moore School here were among the 141 students who participated in the 21st Northwestern Ontario Association for Math Education Math Olympics at Superior Collegiate in Thunder Bay on Saturday.

There are days that feel like entire months in Nicole LePine's long journey back to being her old self again.

The anguish mounts as her progress stagnates.

LePine's mind enters a questioning mode—wondering if the fight to regain the physical freedoms she no longer takes for granted is worth all this.

St. Patrick's Church of Emo will hold a Mother's Day spring tea on Saturday, May 13 from 1-3 p.m.

There will be plants, perogies, and baking for sale. There also be draws, including one for a wheelbarrow full of gardening supplies.

See the display in Gillons' window on Front Street for a list of the items and other information about the prize.

Local artist Cher Pruys loves Canada.

If you don't believe it, just ask the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA).

Two of Pruys' paintings, “After The Rain" and "Ski Chalet," have been juried into the SCA 2017 Elected Members Exhibition, "Oh Canada—Our Home and Native Land,” which will be held at Gallery 78 in Fredericton, N.B. from June 16-July 9.

A motion recently was carried by the Township of La Vallee council that helped put young ball players back in motion.

“Without council, this wouldn't have happened,” township administrative assistant Leeann Galusha said about the revival of a junior T-ball and softball program in Devlin, which is set to start May 8.

After more than 70 years of providing quality entertainment from across the globe in Borderland, the Border Concert Association is pulling the plug.

The Scott Woods Band will grace the stage in the last performance of the series next Friday (May 5) at the Backus Auditorium in International Falls.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board reviewed the responses from its budget input survey at its monthly meeting last Tuesday (April 18).

The feedback was not quite what board wanted, however, with the biggest problem being the lack of respondents.

Crossroads School will host the 20th-annual regional chess tournament next Wednesday (May 3) from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Organizers are looking for volunteers to help out and act as arbiters (referees). Canteen helpers also are needed.

For more information, or if you are able to help out, call the school at 486-3329 and leave a message with the office.

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The first cattle sale of the season for the Rainy River Cattlemen's Association was very successful on Saturday.

We sold 1,338 head (and one horse) for $1,616,042.45 at the sales barn in Stratton.

Emo businesses welcomed spring with their annual “Spring Fever Days” celebration last week.

Running Thursday to Saturday, the event drew crowds to Emo for sales, activities, fundraisers, raffles, food, and fun.

Charleen Gustafson showed off her AlpacaPlus Imports for sale at the “Crafts Galore" event that ran Friday and Saturday at the Emo Legion in conjunction with "Spring Fever Days.” Gustafson touted the benefits of the alpaca fleece, which is famous for not feeling itchy like wool while also being softer and more versatile.

Not a single hair was safe at the 20th-annual “Cuts for Cancer” outside of The Hair & Body Care Shoppe in Emo on Saturday. The six participants raised a total of $8,497, which will go to Tamarack House in Thunder Bay.

A small brush fire on an unmarked property in Watten became out of control due to strong winds on Good Friday. The fire jumped to the tops of the trees, making it more difficult for the small Watten fire crew to battle it. Without the help of the Couchiching Fire Department and the MNRF, they may have had to evacuate Reef Point Road.

Aaron Meyers, Ryley Booth, and Owen Riches of the FFHS First Responders demonstrated how to properly administer CPR to “Rory,” a $60,000 robot they practise on. He reacts to medical situations like a normal human being so the responders can have a more realistic experience while honing their skills.

The Fort Frances Choraliers performed their Easter cantata, “Champion of Love,” before a full house on Sunday afternoon at the New Beginnings Fellowship here. The concert was dedicated to the late Everett Freeman, who sang in the choir for years. The Choraliers will perform the uplifting songs again this Sunday (April 30) at 3 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church over in International Falls.

Fort High students ran a car wash in the Cloverleaf parking lot in Emo on Saturday to raise money for their upcoming “Chem-Free Grad” party. The rain held off long enough for them to also have a successful time selling hotdogs and baked goods while garnering about $1,850.

“Princesses" Sophie Thomson, Isabella Cain, and Alexis Latter enjoyed fancy sandwiches, tea, and dainties at the "Cinderella Tea” held Saturday afternoon at St. John's Anglican Church here. Those on hand also enjoyed a bake sale and gift basket draw while special guests Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty made an appearance, too.

Melina Jansen from Dryden, above, a new addition to the Business and Community expo vendors, explained the different types of blinds offered at her business, Blinds by Melina. She also was at the expo as a representative for Am Sunrooms. Meanwhile, below, local photographer Katy Trimble had a booth to showcase her prints.

Declan Doyle, manager of direct customers at the Independent Electricity System Operator (ISEO), presented Joerg Ruppenstein, president and CEO of the Fort Frances Power Corp., with its 2011-14 Conservation Target Achievement Award on Friday during the 2017 Business & Community Expo at the Fort Frances Curling Club.

A calf checked out potential buyers on Saturday during the first cattle sale of the season at the Stratton sales barn. Some 1,338 head of cattle were sold for a total of $1,616,042.45—money that, for the most part, will stay here in the district.

Riverside Foundation for Health Care director Samantha Manty, left, took a quick break from selling “Canada Day Cash” lottery tickets to goof around with La Place Rendez-Vous event manager Jolene Stahn at the Canada Day photo booth Friday at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's annual Business and Community Expo at the curling club.

Customers at Emo Feed Service got a special treat Saturday with a farm animal petting zoo in conjunction with “Spring Fever Days.” It featured cattle, goats, lambs, pigs, rabbits, and a turkey in pens across the road from the storefront.

These chunks of charred wood show the damage left behind by an out-of-control brush fire earlier this month. The MNRF is stressing anyone looking to burn not to do so on windy days.

Look for light snow at times tonight, with an overnight low dropping to minus-seven C (19 F).

Tomorrow will see another one-three cm (about an inch) of snow, with a high of just minus-one (30) and low around minus-six (21).

The snowfall then is expected to intensify into a storm tomorrow night, with a possible accumulation of six-12 cm (two-five inches).

Caroline Spencer's crew was snake-bitten, to say the least.

The head coach of the Fort Frances Vipers saw her team finish third in Pool 'C' before it made a quick exit from the playoffs in the 16U division of the 2017 PVC girls' volleyball tournament in Winnipeg over the weekend.

Jacob Argue of the Donald Young All-Stars, left, had no intention of giving Ashton Cousineau of the Crossroads Tornadoes any room to operate during the All-Stars' 17-13 victory in the final of the Jim Oster Memorial Tournament for Grade 8 boys' basketball on Saturday at Robert Moore School.

Seth Lauzon displayed how gravitational waves work using a heavy weight, some fabric, and stepladders he set up to mimic our solar system during this semester's “Co-op Display Day” earlier today at Fort High. Lauzon is doing his co-op in a Grade 12 chemistry class.

Montana Plasky, left, and Jaida Norris were among the 35 kids who took part in the “glow-in-the-dark" Zumba fundraiser for Canada Day activities here Saturday evening in the Memorial Sports Centre auditorium. The event, led by Jenna Nowak of "Zumba with Jenna,” drew more than 50 adults and 35 kids. It raised $1,000, including revenue from the sale of smoothies.

SAGKEENG FIRST NATION, Man.—The killing of a 19-year-old high school student, and a graphic video believed to be linked to the death, has shocked a small Manitoba First Nation that has seen more than its share of tragedy.

HAMILTON—A fat beaver that got stuck in a fence in an Ontario city has been freed by the soapy hands of a municipal employee.

The City of Hamilton said an animal services officer went to a home around noon on Tuesday, where she found a beaver—carrying excess fat from hibernation—wedged between two metal bars.

TORONTO—A woman who spent hours suspended high above a construction site after scaling a crane in downtown Toronto was rescued by being strapped to a rappelling firefighter and lowered to the ground as dozens watched in suspense from below.

TORONTO—Ontario's Liberal government was to release its first balanced budget in a decade today, with a host of new spending measures focused on pocketbook issues it hopes will resonate with voters heading into an election year.

OTTAWA—The federal Liberals came to power promising sweeping reforms to the criminal justice system, but now the provinces are championing some ideas of their own as they focus on cutting backlogs in the courts.

OTTAWA—Celebrity investor and reality-TV star Kevin O'Leary, who rattled Conservative cages three months ago when he joined the party's leadership race, did it again yesterday by quitting a contest observers believe he had every chance of winning.

WATERLOO, Ont.—The Ontario city best known for headquartering BlackBerry soon may be known for an entirely different commodity: dog poop.

Waterloo soon will be the home of a pilot program that will turn dog waste into energy, using a process called anaerobic digestion that happens when organic waste breaks down in an environment without oxygen.

TORONTO—Liquor Control Board of Ontario staff have voted 93 percent in favour of a strike as their union continues to bargain for a new collective agreement.

Voting by members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union was held Monday and Tuesday.

TORONTO — Evidence of overvaluation is moderating, however Canada’s federal housing agency maintained its “strong” overall risk rating for the country’s housing market in its quarterly assessment.

TORONTO — An Ontario facility will start producing French’s ketchup early next month as condiment companies continue to battle for Canadian dollars with displays of national pride.

Select Food Products Ltd. will produce all of the company’s ketchup sold in Canada at its North York plant.

Previously some French’s ketchup sold in Canada was manufactured in the United States.

ARLINGTON, Tex.—Delino DeShields provided a spark at the top of the lineup.

Ryan Rua and Shin-Soo Choo topped off a big finish with some late long balls.

Rua hit his first career grand slam while Choo connected for a three-run homer in Texas' eight-run eighth, leading the Rangers to a 14-3 rout against the Minnesota Twins last night.

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Adam Larsson doesn't think much of his shot. At least, that's the way teammate Mark Letestu tells it.

The shocked crowd at Honda Center probably would disagree with that assessment.

DENVER—Good luck navigating through the top five of Washington's lineup these days.

It's definitely a pick-your-poison sort of situation.

Trea Turner nearly hit for the cycle for a second-straight night, finishing a triple shy, while Bryce Harper had four more hits to up his average to .432 as the Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 11-4.

TORONTO—Raptors' coach Dwane Casey expects Game 6 in Milwaukee to be a 48-minute dogfight tonight as Toronto looks to close out its first-round playoff series against the young, athletic Bucks.

“Our No. 1 thing [tonight] is to go in with a warrior's mentality,” Casey told reporters after practice yesterday.

"And not go in, get hit with a punch, and say 'OK, we've got Game 7.'

VANCOUVER—A chat towards the end of his playing career planted a seed in Travis Green's mind.

The veteran centre already had thought about staying in hockey after retirement when a conversation with Paul Maurice, then his head coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, really got him thinking.

AVONDALE, La.—It has the feel of a guys' weekend out in New Orleans for Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, and a host of fellow PGA Tour stars at the new team event the Zurich Classic has become.

Watson expects the revamped format in the “Big Easy,” which debuts today, to be a treat for fans and players—and good for golf.

MOSCOW — A Russian naval reconnaissance ship sank Thursday after colliding with a freighter off Istanbul, but all crew members were rescued, the Defence Ministry said.

Turkey’s coastal safety authority said all 78 personnel from the Russian frigate Liman were safe, as were all crew aboard the freighter, the Togo-flagged Youzarsif H. The freighter was carrying livestock.

WOOLWICH, Maine — A mysterious drop in the harvest of two of the most popular worms for sport fishermen is proving expensive for anglers and threatening a way of life in Maine.

I know some readers of this column grill year-round. Some of you because you live in temperate climates, where winter just means putting on a light jacket to throw some burgers on, and some of you because you are die-hard grilling machines, who would chisel the ice off your charcoal briquettes to light a fire outdoors.

Ask my husband what his favourite comfort food is and the answer will be quick: pasta. Who doesn’t love a steamy bowl of noodles or macaroni slathered in butter and cheese? It’s a classic, born straight out of childhood mac and cheese days, morphed into a late night college study-session standby.

Eleazar Andrusco, left, and his brother, Ethan, showed off their sunflower starter kits they got at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre on Saturday in conjunction with “Earth Day.” They posed for a photo with the intent to grow their sunflowers over the summer, then take another photo in September to chart the growth of them.

Renovations at Sight & Sound have begun in anticipation of the launch of Tbaytel Fibre here later this year. The renovations, both inside and out, should be complete by the end of May or early June. In addition to the mobility services it now sells, Sight & Sound will be offering Tbaytel's high-speed Internet, digital TV, landline phone, and security services later this year.

TORONTO—Ontario's Liberal government finally has eliminated its deficit, but its debt is rising to new heights.

The province's first balanced budget in a decade gets rid of a deficit that had reached about $20 billion at one point, and the government is projecting that balance will continue through to 2020.

MONTREAL—Canada Post and renowned architect Moshe Safdie have unveiled a stamp depicting the city's famous “Habitat 67” housing complex to celebrate the 150th year of Confederation.

Safdie presented the commemorative stamp today inside the Habitat building he designed for Montreal's Expo 67, which had its opening ceremony 50 years ago today.

LONGUEUIL, Que.—Money earmarked for space development in this year's federal budget will go to two projects that could have lasting impacts on Earth and beyond, the federal government announced yesterday.

One of them involves a radar instrument that would be used to study the surface and subsurface of Mars.

OTTAWA—Military officials say they have moved this year to force out 77 service members found guilty of sexual misconduct.

Many of the cases are older and none of the members have been released yet, as their files go through what the military says is due process.

SAGKEENG FIRST NATION, Man.—A sombre candlelight vigil has been held in honour of a 19-year-old woman slain on a small Manitoba First Nation.

Two girls, aged 16 and 17, are charged with second-degree murder in the death of Serena McKay, of Powerview, Man., on the weekend at the Sagkeeng First Nation, 120 km northeast of Winnipeg.

FORT CHIPEWYAN, Alta.—A team of scuba divers was being called in yesterday to help in the search for four hunters missing in northeastern Alberta.

Police said the divers would work with boats equipped with sonar to search beneath the surface of the Rocher River.

OTTAWA—Kevin O'Leary may be gone from the Conservative leadership race but he doesn't intend to let himself be forgotten.

Instead, the reality TV star and businessman said merger talks were held yesterday between his campaign and Maxime Bernier's to solidify a plan for the pair to work together between now and May 27, when the new leader is chosen.

OTTAWA—Federal civil servants will be reimbursed for hiring tax accountants to sort through their pay problems and departments will be allowed to re-hire laid-off payroll employees, the federal government said yesterday as it tried to bail out its sinking Phoenix pay system.

WASHINGTON — Consumers hoping to consistently find out how many calories are in that burger and fries may have to wait ‚Äî again.

AVONDALE, La.—Jordan Spieth showed off his stellar short game.

Ryan Palmer contributed momentum-saving par putts.

They turned out to be quite the team yesterday in the Zurich Classic—the first official team event on the PGA Tour in 36 years.

OTTAWA—Erik Karlsson was hoping for a good bounce and got a great one.

Karlsson's shot from an almost impossible angle beat Henrik Lundqvist with less than five minutes to go in regulation time and snatched Game 1 for the Ottawa Senators last night.

The 26-year-old's first attempt was blocked by Rangers' captain Ryan McDonagh.

ST. LOUIS—It took a little while for the St. Louis Cardinals' bats to get going during yesterday's day-night doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Once they did, they made a big difference.

MILWAUKEE—The Toronto Raptors keep getting themselves into tough situations in the playoffs.

They hope their resilience helps make them stronger as they get ready to face the Cleveland Cavaliers again.

At the very least, the Raptors will need to get better at holding onto big leads after blowing a 25-point advantage against the Milwaukee Bucks last night before winning 92-89.

NEW YORK—A startling new report asserts the first known Americans arrived much, much earlier than scientists thought, more than 100,000 years ago—and maybe they were Neanderthals.

If true, the finding would far surpass the widely-accepted date of about 15,000 years ago.

CAIRO — Pope Francis landed in Egypt’s capital on Friday for a historic two-day visit aimed at presenting a united Christian-Muslim front to repudiate violence committed in God’s name.

LONDON — British police said Friday they had disrupted an active terror plot with raids in London and southeastern England. One woman was shot and seriously wounded as heavily armed counterterrorism officers stormed a house in a residential London street.

WASHINGTON — A robot zaps and vacuums up venomous lionfish in Bermuda. A helicopter pelts Guam’s trees with poison-baited dead mice to fight the voracious brown tree snake. A special boat with giant winglike nets stuns and catches Asian carp in the U.S. Midwest.

In the fight against alien animals that invade and overrun native species, the weird and wired wins.

The Fine Line Art Gallery's annual spring show, this year entitled “Then and Now,” opens today (April 28) from noon-7 p.m. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be served and everyone is welcome.