Coun. John McTaggart, left, Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft, Coun. Andrew Hallikas, Mayor June Caul, Coun. Douglas Judson, Coun. Wendy Brunetta, and Coun. Michael Behan all wore various shades of pink at last night's meeting in support of International Day of Pink which takes place tomorrow (April 10).

The French Immersion kindergarten class at St. Michael's School performed “This Little Light of Mine (Ma petit Lumiere)” this morning as part of the Rainy River Festival of the Performing Arts. The vocal category runs this week, with the French Drama category on Thursday. The remaining drama divisions will run next week.

OTTAWA—Liberals are defending Justin Trudeau's threatened libel suit against Andrew Scheer, arguing that the Conservative leader's editing or deleting online statements proves he knows he's gone too far in criticizing the prime minister's handling of the SNC-Lavalin affair.

OTTAWA—The Liberal government is taking steps to stem the tide of asylum seekers who've been crossing into Canada from the U.S. at unofficial border crossings.

WINNIPEG—A lawyer representing Manitoba says a “Star Trek” fan wasn't allowed to keep his personalized ASIMIL8 licence plate because the word cannot be dissociated from the history of forced assimilation of Indigenous people in the province.

TORONTO—Ontario drivers could soon see government-mandated stickers about the price of the carbon tax on gas pumps across the province, as the Progressive Conservatives open a new front in their battle with Ottawa over the levy.

CALGARY—Direct employment in Canada's oil and gas sector is expected to fall by more than 12,000 jobs this year, according to a new report from PetroLMI.

The number of workers is forecast to drop to about 173,300 in 2019, a decline of 23 per cent from 226,500 in 2014, according to the 2019 labour market update published yesterday.

CALGARY — Direct employment in Canada’s oil and gas sector is expected to fall by more than 12,000 jobs this year, according to a new report from PetroLMI.

The number of workers is forecast to drop to about 173,300 in 2019, a decline of 23 per cent from 226,500 in 2014, according to the 2019 labour market update published Monday.

MINNEAPOLIS—It was an easy question to ask, even if the answer was tough to absorb.

“Why?”

It dogged Virginia for a year and three weeks—following the Cavaliers through sweat-soaked practices, hostile arenas up and down the East Coast, on talk radio and pundit-driven TV, and in their own, doubt-filled, uncertain minds.

HOUSTON—Jose Altuve hit the ball a really long way. Carlos Correa did just the opposite to win the game for the Houston Astros.

Altuve homered to the train tracks above left field to get the Astros on the board, and Correa's broken-bat RBI infield single in the eighth inning helped them rally past the New York Yankees 4-3 last night for their fourth-straight victory.

BALTIMORE — Chris Davis has tied the major league record for the longest hitless streak by a position player, going 0 for 46 during an unproductive run that began last year.

MINNEAPOLIS — Now that, Virginia, is the way to close out a season.

And quiet those critics, too.

STENI VALLA, Greece—Near the northern Greek island of Alonissos lies a remarkable ancient shipwreck: the remains of a massive cargo ship that changed archaeologists' understanding of shipbuilding in antiquity.

Now this spectacular find is to become the first ancient shipwreck to be made accessible to the public in Greece, including to recreational divers.

BALTIMORE—Chris Davis has tied the major league record for the longest hitless streak by a position player, going 0 for 46 during an unproductive run that began last year.

JOHANNESBURG—South African police and park officials say a suspected rhinoceros poacher was trampled to death by an elephant and had his body eaten by lions.

Kruger National Park spokesman Isaac Phaahla said the man and two others were illegally hunting for rhinos in the wildlife park in southeastern South Africa last week when the elephant surprised them.

WASHINGTON — Earth’s glaciers are melting much faster than scientists thought. A new study shows they are losing 369 billion tons of snow and ice each year, more than half of that in North America.

BERLIN — A group of 14 European scientific institutions plan to retrieve the world’s oldest ice as part of research into past climate change.

The consortium led by the Germany-based Alfred Wegener Institute said Tuesday it has identified an area in Antarctica, nicknamed “Little Dome C,” that should harbour ice as old as 1.5 million years.

LONDON — Tech giants like Facebook and Google came under increasing pressure in Europe on Monday when countries proposed stricter rules to force them to block extreme material such as terrorist propaganda and child porn.

STENI VALLA, Greece — Near the northern Greek island of Alonissos lies a remarkable ancient shipwreck: the remains of a massive cargo ship that changed archaeologists’ understanding of shipbuilding in antiquity.

Now this spectacular find is to become the first ancient shipwreck to be made accessible to the public in Greece, including to recreational divers.

Health Canada said it will launch a months-long consultation process this year on setting a maximum level of arsenic allowed in rice and rice-based food, including baby cereal.

Currently, there is no hard limit on arsenic in rice-based food in Canada and the U.S., despite existing regulations in Europe.

Great granola bars put the flavour of the oats at the forefront while supporting players back them up with a mellow sweetness.

We found that toasting the oats with a little oil and salt before mixing them with the other ingredients really deepened their flavour. Honey provided plenty of stickiness to hold the bars together.

Northern Italians combine their beloved white, or cannellini, beans with a seemingly infinite variety of ingredients.

Regular white rice; aromatic basmati; chewy, healthful brown rice; and even rustic wild rice are common pantry items. But there’s one rice variety that doesn’t get enough play: red rice.

A brief stovetop braise is the perfect way to cook delicate white fish like cod, since it keeps the fish moist and silky while creating a sauce at the same time.

To give the mild fillets a boost of flavour, we paired them with a Spanish-style peperonata, a combination of cooked bell peppers and onions, to which we added tomatoes, wine, paprika, and fresh thyme for depth of flavour.

Earthy spinach and nutty cheese star in this brunch-worthy strata.

Tonight will see patchy clouds with a low of minus-five C (23 F).

Tomorrow will be sunny and not as cold with a high of five (41) and a low of minus-five (23).

Thursday will be increasingly cloudy, with a high of three (37) and a low of minus-four (25).

In the coming months, close to $100,000 will be doled out to various charitable initiatives and organizations through the town.

During the council meeting on Monday, Coun. Michael Behan said the Moffat Fund Committee will be meeting today (April 10) to discuss how to best allocate over $93,000 to the 20 applicants who submitted this year.

The Fort Frances Senior Centre wants to put a persistent rumour to rest.

The board held their monthly meeting at the former Sister Kennedy Centre yesterday and addressed hearsay that the town was planning to shut down the senior centre and move operations to the site of the current Fort Frances Day Care Centre.

“We have no plans,” said board chair Coun. Wendy Brunetta.

How much is too much when it comes to time spent playing video games?

A group of parents listened to a presentation on video game addiction last Wednesday to learn more about the developing phenomenon.

Over 30 store owners along Scott Street have signed a petition to demonstrate a need for action regarding the increase of “street people” loitering in the downtown core.

A local man has proposed plans for a fishing bridge to be installed between Seven Oaks and a small island that sits about 30 yards offshore.

But since the Seven Oaks property is currently in litigation, the town isn't in a position to make a decision on anything relating to that property at this time.

I am being tasked with explaining what is the role of a newspaper in a community.

I have given this a great deal of thought and this past Friday night the incoming president of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association explained it most eloquently by showcasing a series of front pages from papers across the province showing the role of papers in the community.

“Energy medicine” seems to be a hot topic at St. Michael's School of late.

Or at least it is for more than 90 of its students who voluntary met at the beginning of recess to participate in energy healing exercises each day.

The Rainy Lake Square in downtown Fort Frances had a lively and busy inaugural summer last year.

Local economic development consultant Tannis Drysdale said that's not an accident.

“Any particular event space is only as good as the events it holds in them,” she reasoned.

The provincial government has launched a new web-based service that allows Ontarians to apply online for conciliation and arbitration help during their collective bargaining.

This results in faster processing for applicants, more efficiency, and the streamlining of services.

It also will reduce costly and outdated paper requests.

The La Vallee Fire Department is hosting its third annual spaghetti dinner this Saturday (April 13) at the Devlin Hall.

The dinner will be served from 4:30-7 p.m. Tickets are available from any La Vallee firefighter and at the municipal office as well as at the door until sold out.

A relatively young not-for-profit organization has already made a big impact on the district.

Since starting in 2014, the volunteer-run Emo Thrift Shop has helped cover the operating costs of the food bank and donated over $30,000 back out to the community through revenue received from clothing sales.

The Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB) is looking for the 2019 Employee of the Year, Bus Driver of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Community Partner of the Year.

The Fort Frances Curling Club concluded its competitive season with its annual wind-up over the weekend.

Raymond Roy's rink claimed the Day League title.

The rest of the rink is comprised of Christine Denby, Brian Mueller, Raymond, Wilf Belluz, Don Debenedet, Dave Gosman, Rob Gushulak, and Nancy and Dave Evans.

The Fort Frances Aquanauts and Cyclone Swim Club teams were able to bring home some hardware from the Northwest Narwhals Long Course regional meet over the weekend in Thunder Bay.

The Aquanauts racked up 39 medals in total, much to the delight of coach Dawnn Taylor.

“They all did very well and surpassed my expectations,” she lauded of her swimmers.

Spring has sprung and that means it's time for another track-and-field season.

The Muskies have been doing fitness training since early February and coach John Dutton noted that his squad has been working hard to get ready for their first meet of the season, which is slated for April 17 in Baudette, Mn. (weather permitting).

It was a tough weekend for the local Lorne Jackson rink at the Curling Club Provincial Championships in Thunder Bay.

The squad, which also is comprised of Derek Jackson (third), Mark Pedersen (second), and Ed Vold (lead), compiled a 1-4 record in the six-team field and failed to advance to the playoffs.

With the season officially in the books, it was time to dish out some hardware.

The Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association held its annual awards night on Sunday in the auditorium of the Memorial Sports Centre.

Here is a list of the winners:

Novice

The SIJHL announced Friday that Jake Witherspoon of the Fort Frances Lakers has been named the inaugural recipient of its Trainer/Equipment Manager of the Year Award.

This honour is being presented in recognition of an individual on the training and/or equipment staff of one of the SIJHL's member clubs for their efforts during the season in this capacity.

The Border Skating Club sent four of its skaters off to Mississauga to compete in the Skate Ontario Provincial Championship back on March 7-10, with excellent results.

Greta Fedoruk, Montana Plasky, Samantha Halliday, and Awnley Jacobsen joined 493 skaters from 110 different Ontario clubs to compete for the top spot in their categories.

Fine Line co-op member Jean Richards showed off two pieces submitted for the upcoming “Woodland" spring art exhibit at the Fine Line Art Gallery here. The larger piece is by Debbie Larson while the smaller painting on birch bark is by Darlene Mitchell. Artists are reminded the deadline for entries is the end of this month.

Julie Loveday, right, presented Sandra Gosselin with her recognition award for 25 years of nursing service with Riverside last Wednesday evening during the Riverside Health Care's annual Quarter Century Club awards banquet at the Fort Frances Legion. Riverside honoured the contributions of 25 employees and nine auxiliary members.

Kyleigh Ossachuk, left, Rikki Kellar, Christie Cousineau, Christina Hahkala, Sarah-Lynn Klassen and Alastair Greig of the Fort Frances branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association showed off their matching duds in honour of the International Day of Pink today. The event celebrates diversity and takes a stand against all forms of bullying, including homophobia and transphobia.

Sandra Gowan of Prairie GEM Hops spoke to the crowd at “Ag Day" about the possibilities of growing hops in the district. The hops producer from Manitoba talked about the time and effort it took to set up her land for growing, as well as working with breweries that use hops in their product.

Serge Vin took on Fort Frances High School Grade 7 students Gavin Brusvin and Nelson Mose in a game of Connect Four at Rainycrest on Friday. The students were part of a group of volunteers from the school who spent time playing games with the residents.

All aboard! Ashlynn Loney led the way while Georgia Wigdor, Lily Wreggitt, and Mya Wrolstad followed suit in perfect unison to the theme of “Transportation Revolution.”

Koda Radigan took home the Arnie Hahkala Perseverance Award for the Bantam 'AA' division at the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association's annual awards night on Sunday at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Emmilou McCormick, left, Kaysn Wuttunee, Marly Wrolstad, and Amelia Dittaro let their emotions show—which was happy—during their “Technology Revolution” routine.

All of the students at Rainy River High School protested the provincial government's cuts to education on Thursday by staging a walkout in the afternoon. The students left the school for an hour to walk through Rainy River chanting “Doug Ford has got to go” and holding signs that denounce the recently announced cuts to education.

-Sam Odrowski

Payton Plante, left, Jett Jacobsen, and Chael Bruyere looked cuddly cute in their outfits as program assistant Awnley Jacobsen gave a helping hand during their “Stuffed Animal Revolution” routine.

Construction of the bridge between Rainy River and Baudette is well underway, having started in June of last year. The contractor will use a crane on the temporary causeway into Rainy River on the Minnesota side this summer. This will give crews a working space to construct the bridge abutment and first river pier.

Fort Frances Times' publisher Jim Cumming, left, posed with an armful of Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA) awards next to John Willems, OCNA president and general manager Torstar Community Brands (Toronto), during the BNC Awards Gala held last Friday in Vaughan, Ont. in conjunction with the OCNA's spring convention.

The crowd at “Ag Day" was held rapt by Nor-West Animal Clinic's Dr. Erika Butler as she described being part of efforts to control an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in Minnesota in the early 2000s. "Ag Day" offered the public an opportunity to attend several presentations on a variety of topics, visit with vendors and have a hearty locally-sourced lunch.

TD Canada Trust branch manager Katie Trigg spoke with Grade 6 St. Francis School student Jarred Galusha while visiting his class last Thursday to give a presentation on financial literacy. She spoke to the students about the basics of money, bank accounts, budgeting, and money management. Trigg also visited Morgan Krueger's class at St.

Awnley Jacobsen, left, and Samantha Halliday were part of the four-member contingent that beautifully represented the Border Skating Club at the Skate Ontario Provincial Championship held back on March 7-10 in Mississauga.

Dominique Lemaire, left, Madison LeBlanc, and Lyla Moen showed that their connection was strong as around and around they went during their “Telephone Revolution” routine.

Ellianna Jacobsen, left, Peyton Jourdain, Jordyn Seguin, and Erica Lemelin linked hands and showed off their fancy specs during their “Eyewear Revolution" routine that was part of the Border Skating Club's annual ice show, "Revolutions,” held Saturday night and again Sunday afternoon at the Ice For Kids Arena.

Makinnley McCormick, left, Halle Johnson, Mya McFarling, McKenna Wreggitt, and Paisley Asselin showed off some great teamwork as they were decked out in hockey jerseys to perform their “Sports Revolution” routine.

Lake of the Woods Brewery's head brewer Josh Manzie listened to a question from the audience at the Chapple Rec Centre on Saturday afternoon as part of the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture's annual “Ag Day." Lake of the Woods Brewery attended "Ag Day” to give a presentation on their brewing process and desire to source local Northwestern Ontario hops for use in their beer.

Times' office manager Linda Plumridge, centre, was honoured with New Media Canada's Gold Quill award in recognition of 50 years of distinguished service to the news media industry during the BNC Awards Gala held last Friday in Vaughan, Ont. in conjunction with the Ontario Community Newspapers Association's (OCNA) spring convention.

Jamie McMillan of KickAss Careers told Fort Frances High School students about her struggles in school at the Townshend Theatre last Friday. McMillan is a steelworker and boilermaker who advocates for women in trades and apprenticeship programs for students who may not be interested in university or college.

Mental health lead for the Rainy River District School Board Tracey Idle conducted a presentation on video game addiction last Wednesday night at the board office. The information was geared towards parents and provided them with tools for curving their children's screen time at home.

St. Michael's School student Miriam Wilson, right, led one of the breathing exercises with Cheri Tolton, left, late last month during an “Energy Medicine” session at the beginning of morning recess.

DENVER — Welcome back to the playoffs , New York Islanders. Same goes for you, St. Louis, Dallas, Carolina and Calgary.

All five teams are returning to the post-season after at least one season off (or nine, for the Hurricanes). It’s a familiar number: In 12 of the last 14 seasons, the playoff lineup has included at least five teams that hadn’t been there one year earlier.

SALEM, Ore. — Rose Marie Bentley was an avid swimmer, raised five kids, helped her husband run a feed store, and lived to the ripe age of 99. It was only after she died that medical students discovered that all her internal organs except for her heart were in the wrong place.

LONDON — Kensington Palace says Britain’s Prince Harry will be partnering with Oprah Winfrey to create a documentary series on mental health for Apple’s new streaming service.

The documentary builds on Harry’s work on mental health issues, which included work with brother Prince William and his wife Kate in their Heads Together campaign.

Tonight will see mainly clear skies with a low of minus-four C (25 F).

Tomorrow will see a mix of sun and clouds with a 75 percent chance of snow later on. Expect a high of two (36) and a low of minus-three (27).

The La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary executive met on April 2 in the third floor meeting room.

Dixie Badiuk and Helene Cone are gearing up for “Rockin' for a Reason" which will take place on May 24 and 25 during the "Spring Market” at the curling rink. Pledge sheets will be mailed to auxiliary members in the near future.

In a story on page A12 of yesterday's Times, it was incorrectly reported that New Gold had pledged a donation of $8,000 a year to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care specifically for doctor recruitment.

New Gold has in fact pledged to donate $40,000 a year toward doctor recruitment.

The Time apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Vocal Division

(April 10)

On March 21, 2019 members of the Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Community Street Crime Unit along with members of the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit and Treaty Three Police Service executed a search warrant at a residence in the Town of Fort Frances.

The Muskie and Rainy River Owls badminton teams were able to have multiple players advance to the NorWOSSA championships based on their performance at a qualifying tournament yesterday in Atikokan.

Six Muskies were able to advance to next Wednesday's (April 17) competition in Dryden.

Isabelle Meeks, left, and Taryn Oster take some coaching from vocal adjudicator Dawn Bruch at Knox United Church during the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts last night. The drama categories will begin today and run through next week, with the final category, instrumental, running on April 25.

Charles Friday (Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services), second from right, was named North Operator of the Year by the Aboriginal Water & Wastewater Association of Ontario during its 2019 conference and trade show in Thunder Bay in late January.

Steve Sopotiuck quizzed a class taking the hunter safety course at the Sunset Country Métis Hall on Friday night. The course was offered free of charge along with the Canadian Firearm Safety Course to Métis citizens thanks to funding from the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

Fort High student Shallin Scott-MacNeil entered her name into a draw hosted by McDonald's during the job fair that was held in the school's gymnasium yesterday. Over 20 employers set up booths to provide students with information, accept resumes, and conduct on the spot interviews. Every class at Fort High participated in the job fair over the course of the day.

Martin Paul, bottom left, of Olympia Sports Camp's outreach program ran an activity with St. Francis School students back on April 2 to see who could come up with the most unique trait a leader might possess.

Some Elvis fans are all shook up over an Ontario town's decision to stop running an annual festival devoted to the King of Rock n' Roll.

Councillors voted unanimously this week to discontinue the Collingwood Elvis Festival as a municipally operated event after this year's edition, which runs from July 26 to 28.

MONTREAL—The rising number of children being taken to hospital for suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts is being described as a crisis, but Canadian data is too incomplete to measure the scope of the problem, a Montreal researcher who has studied the issue said.

OTTAWA—The Canadian military isn't letting its hair down just yet, but for the first time, women in uniform will be allowed to wear ponytails.

WASHINGTON—Humanity got its first glimpse yesterday of the cosmic place of no return: a black hole.

And it's as hot, as violent and as beautiful as science fiction imagined.

BOSTON — It was the death heard ‘round the running world.

In July 1984, acclaimed author and running guru Jim Fixx died of a heart attack while trotting along a country road in Vermont. Overnight, a nascent global movement of asphalt athletes got a gut check: Just because you run marathons doesn’t mean you’re safe from heart problems.

Researchers may be closing in on a way to check athletes while they’re alive for signs of a degenerative brain disease that’s been linked to frequent head blows. Experimental scans found higher levels of an abnormal protein tied to the disease in a study of former National Football League players who were having mood and thinking problems.

WINNIPEG—Pat Maroon figures his grandfather was watching him from heaven when he set up Tyler Bozak's winning goal in the St. Louis Blues' 2-1 playoff victory over the Winnipeg Jets last night.

NEW YORK—Jake Odorizzi was in complete control. He really was.

And then . . .

“It's not often you see something like that happen,” he said, much later.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Staid and tradition-driven Augusta National is suddenly on the cutting edge of technology.

The club that hosts the Masters isn’t particularly known for its embrace of the new. The club agonizes over the slightest change to its course layout. Etiquette is paramount. History is revered.

TORONTO — Rogers Communications will spend $1.72 billion to acquire spectrum licences from the federal government, making it by far the biggest spender in a hard-fought auction that pitted Canada’s wireless companies against each other.

PARADISE, Calif. — The sky was turning orange and the embers were flying from the Camp Fire when Oney and Donna Carrell and Donna’s father sped away from their Paradise home.

“I thought, ‘Oh, well, the house is done,’” Oney Carrell said.

MANILA, Philippines — Archaeologists who discovered fossil bones and teeth of a previously unknown human species that thrived more than 50,000 years ago in the northern Philippines said Thursday they plan more diggings and called for better protection of the popular limestone cave complex where the remains were unearthed.

WASHINGTON — Humanity got its first glimpse Wednesday of the cosmic place of no return: a black hole.

And it’s as hot, as violent and as beautiful as science fiction imagined.

LONDON — British police arrested WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London on Thursday, after the South American nation decided to revoke the political asylum that had given him sanctuary for almost seven years.

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Archaeologists and Cherokee scholars have collaborated to interpret tribal inscriptions written in an Alabama cave.

The inscriptions inside Manitou Cave near Fort Payne are evidence of the tribe’s syllabary, which the Cherokee scholar Sequoyah developed using symbols for each sound. It was formally adopted as the tribe’s official written language in 1825.

NEW YORK—Hey Kitty! Yes, you. A new study suggests household cats can respond to the sound of their own names.

No surprise to you or most cat owners, right? But Japanese scientists said last week that they've provided the first experimental evidence that cats can distinguish between words that we people say.

Tonight will see snow at times with a low of minus-three C (27 F). Expect an additional accumulation of one to three inches of white stuff tonight.

Tomorrow will see periods of snow, with another one to three inches expected to accumulate. Expect a high of zero (32) and a low of minus-four (25).

“Spring Fever Days” will run today through Saturday (April 11-13) in Emo. Be sure to check out the special supplement that was in this week's Times!

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Dryden Detachment members would like to request the public's assistance in locating a missing woman.

Susan Tilley, 39, of Dryden, was reported as missing on April, 11, 2019 at approximately 2:30 p.m.

She is described as being five feet in height, heavy build, mid-length, dark brown hair and green eyes.

On April 11, 2019 at 5 p.m., officers of the Fort Frances Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on the 300 block of Scott Street in the Town of Fort Frances.

After speaking with the driver, he subsequently failed the roadside test and was arrested at the scene.

Cindy Manty, left, and Dawn-Marie Danylchuk participated in a Métis beading workshop at the library on Saturday.

Retired firefighter Len McCormick, left, and Gail Kelly enjoyed a hot meal at the La Vallee Fire Department's third-annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday evening at the Devlin Hall. The fundraiser saw 235 people go through the door and raised roughly $2,500 through ticket sales.

North Star Deserter (Ryne Strachan) entertained the crowd at a fundraising event at From the Grind Up on Friday evening. Proceeds from the event, which featured a total of eight local acts, went towards supporting the Robertson family of Churchill, Man. while their infant son, Malcolm, undergoes treatment for leukemia in Winnipeg.

MONTREAL—A 36-year-old woman has died after falling from a sixth-floor balcony in Old Montreal.

Montreal police spokeswoman Veronique Dubuc said the woman fell about 20 metres after passing over a railing to try to retrieve an object.

Police said several people were with the woman when the fall occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

TORONTO—The Progressive Conservative government is slashing the budget of Legal Aid Ontario, including eliminating funding for refugee and immigration law services—a move lawyers with the organization call a “horrific” decimation.

TORONTO—Buried in Ontario's budget bill are fines of up to $10,000 per day for gas station operators who don't display government-mandated stickers about the price of the carbon tax.

The budget contains a new piece of legislation called the Federal Carbon Tax Transparency Act that would require gas stations to display the sticker on each pump.

SALMON ARM, B.C.—A former foster child of a Salmon Arm, British Columbia shooting victim is remembering Gordon Parmenter as the man who helped him discover his potential.

The foster child, who can't be named, has identified Parmenter as the man shot to death yesterday at a church in Salmon Arm, about 100 kilometres north of Kelowna.

VANCOUVER—Cindi Phelps never imagined herself running a pot shop.

She smoked weed as a teenager, but as an adult she says she became “cranky” about cannabis, endlessly lecturing her kids and judging everyone who touched the stuff.

A drug that’s used to help control blood sugar in people with diabetes has now been shown to help prevent or slow kidney disease, which causes millions of deaths each year and requires hundreds of thousands of people to use dialysis to stay alive.

AUGUSTA, Ga.—Fallen hero, crippled star, and now a Masters champion again.

Tiger Woods rallied to win the Masters for the fifth time yesterday, a comeback that goes well beyond the two-shot deficit he erased before a delirious audience at Augusta National that watched memories turn into reality.

TORONTO—Marcus Stroman had a supportive chat with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. yesterday after the Blue Jays' second baseman made a costly error that led to his removal from the game.

The gist of the message was that his teammates would be there to help the 25-year-old infielder over the mental hurdle he seems to be facing on the field.

ST. LOUIS—Kyle Connor and the Winnipeg Jets got back on track by sticking to the same way they wanted to play all along.

Connor scored twice, Patrik Laine had a goal and an assist, and the Jets beat the St. Louis Blues 6-3 last night to climb back into their first-round playoff series.

HOPKINTON, Mass. — Runners are trying to stay dry as they await the start of the 2019 Boston Marathon.

The 123nd running of the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon got a wet start. But it’s not as cold as expected, with temperatures in the 60s as runners arrived instead of the 30s that were initially forecast.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—A Dutch fertility doctor who used his own sperm to inseminate 49 women may have fathered even more children.

Ties van der Meer of the Dutch Donor Child Foundation said today that three more people contacted him this weekend because they suspect they may also have been conceived using the sperm of Dr. Jan Karbaat.

BEIJING—The only known female member of one of the world's rarest turtle species has died at a zoo in southern China, officials said yesterday.

The animal was one of four Yangtze giant softshell turtles known to be remaining in the world.

The Suzhou zoo, where the female turtle lived, also houses a male Yangtze giant softshell turtle.

BEIJING — The only known female member of one of the world’s rarest turtle species has died at a zoo in southern China, officials said Sunday.

JUBA, South Sudan — Mia Farrow will never forget the day she watched a baby die in her mother’s arms.

“It was a little girl staring at her mother and finally she just stopped breathing. I just moved away and listened to the mother’s cry,” the actress and human rights activist told The Associated Press in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, earlier this month.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Dutch fertility doctor who used his own sperm to inseminate 49 women may have fathered even more children.

Ties van der Meer of the Dutch Donor Child Foundation said Monday that three more people contacted him this weekend because they suspect they may also have been conceived using the sperm of Dr. Jan Karbaat.

LONDON—Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, may be keeping plans about their impending baby under wraps, but that hasn't stopped everyone in Britain from trying to guess the gender and the name of their first child.

If Britain's bookmakers are to be believed, it's definitely a girl and Diana may well be one of her many names.

Tonight will be mainly clear with fog late in the night. Expect a low of zero C (32 F).

Tomorrow will see periods of sun and cloud with a high of 15 (59) and a low of two (36).

Wednesday will be cooler with afternoon rain. Expect a high of nine (48) and a low of two (36).

The fallout from the sudden, heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures may have put a dampener on some of the festivities, but Emo's “Spring Fever Days” went out with a bang on its final day.

While not everything that was planned to run on Saturday survived the wild weather from earlier in the week, overall the day was hailed as a success.

A program at Confederation College is coming to the end of its second year, and casting an eye to the future.

Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) is a two-year certificate program at Confederation College in Fort Frances that is a little different from your regular college program.

Locally-made craft beer is a reflection of where it comes from. Lake of the Woods Brewing Company is proudly Ontario's northernmost brewery. Our brewing heritage is born out of the very place that we call home, right here on the northern shores of Lake of the Woods.

The province is expanding the use of service plates for boat, snowmobiles, and off-road vehicles.

Transportation minister Jeff Yurek recently announced changes that will make it easier and more efficient to transport boats, snowmobiles, and off-road vehicles (ATVs) to customers and recreational shows.

Employers across the district are having a hard time filling entry-level positions.

To address this issue and lessen the gap ,a summer hiring fair was held at Fort High last Wednesday.

During the event employers accepted resumes, conducted on the spot interviews, and networked with students in hopes of filling vacant positions.

TBT Engineering is honoured, humbled and proud to be named one of “Canada's Top Employers Top Small and Medium Employers” for 2019.

With a corporate history extending back over 50 years, TBT Engineering strives to always provide exceptional services and support to the communities in which we live and work.

Local MP Don Rusnak strongly supports the measures in Budget 2019 that will build the groundwork for a national pharmacare system.

“These are a strong first step,” he said.

“Community members in Northwestern Ontario have been paying too much for too long for their medication,” Rusnak stressed.

The provincial budget of April 11, 2019, calls for significant cuts to legal aid funding in Ontario.

If these cuts are of the reported magnitude of 30 percent, it could result in a serious reduction in front-line services in the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Close to 250 people packed into the Devlin Hall on Saturday to enjoy a spaghetti dinner and help the La Vallee Fire Department raise money to upgrade and purchase firefighting equipment.

The Emo and District Lions Club would like to thank everyone who purchased tickets for this year's “Lions' Share” grocery raffle.

Once again the profits from the draw will be going back into the district to fund several of the club's current projects.

Ontario's government is working for the people by fighting against increased costs to public institutions caused by the burdensome federal carbon tax.

Fort Frances Legion Ladies Auxiliary to Br. #29 met on April 10 with 32 members in attendance.

The meeting was brought to order at 7:05 p.m. by president Alfreda Easton, followed by the minutes of the March 13 general meeting and the April 1 executive meeting being read and approved.

There were no new membership applications presented for approval.

Trimming a horse's hooves is a difficult task and with a lack of farrier services being offered locally, many are opting to do it themselves.

Jenna Jarvis, 22, is one of the few who provide the service and has been doing so for about a year now.

After a long and busy day, Lisa Teeple and her team had the chance to step back and examine the fruits of their labour.

“I'm happy," Teeple said when asked about how this year's "Ag Day” turned out.

“We were happy with the number that we had turn out. We always wish for more but we were happy that we had as many as we did.”

Ruby's Pantry is pleased to accept a $325 donation from Waschke Family GM Center in International Falls.

The local car dealer contributes to the community monthly, according to office manager Beth Gable.

“We prefer to keep the money local,” she noted.

“We like to focus on organizations who assist children and those who work to alleviate food insecurity,” Gable added.

Bob MacDonald and Alice Pollard of Fort Frances were among the $30 cash calendar winners for the week of April 7-13.

Other winners in the Rainy River District Mutual Aid Association draw for that week included Tim Mutz (Devlin), Mary Elder (Atikokan), Dawn and Shawn Jacobson (Thunder Bay), and Joe Bremault (South Junction, Man.).

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada released the results of its 600 MHz spectrum auction last week and Tbaytel is among a number of wireless carriers from across the country that were successful at obtaining spectrum.

Tbaytel acquired a block of spectrum in the 600 MHz frequency band within the company's geographical serving territory.

The Thunder Bay North Stars' trio of Jacob Brown, Keighan Gerrie, and Ryan Mignault collected a combined nine points to help their sqaud upend the Red Lake Miners 5-2 on Sunday night in Game 2 of the SIJHL's Bill Salonen Cup Final at the Fort William Gardens.

With the win, the North Stars evened the best-of-seven set at 1-1 heading into Game 3 tonight at the Cochenour Arena.

What a way to wrap up the regular season.

The Mighty Mustang youth wrestling program from International Falls had five of its wrestlers earn podium finishes at the Jaycee's State Championship held Friday and Saturday in Grand Rapids, Mn.

Florida State Seminole student-athletes gathered last Wednesday for the 25th-annual Golden Nole Awards banquet, which is hosted by the Student Athlete Advisory Council (S.A.A.C.).

The event honours the contributions made in the community and also recognizes those student-athletes that go above and beyond to display leadership on and off the field while striving to live unconquered.

With his junior hockey career now complete, Jaedin Ness is looking forward to a new opportunity.

The forward, who spent the last two seasons with the Fort Frances Lakers, announced last week that he has committed to play hockey for the College of St. Scholastica Saints starting next season.

With another great season in the books, the Fort Frances Girls'/Women's Hockey Association honoured the efforts of its players at its annual year-end awards banquet on Sunday evening at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Here is a complete list of the winners from each team:

The SIJHL announced Thursday its first and second all-star teams for the 2018-19 season.

These annual awards recognize the individual accomplishments of six forwards, four defencemen, and two goalies during the course of regular season play in the SIJHL.

The first and second all-stars were selected in voting done by each of the SIJHL's six clubs.

Almost two dozen local bowlers headed up to Dryden earlier this month and returned home as champs once again!

Fort Frances compiled 35 overall points to capture the aggregate banner for the second-straight year in the annual tournament that pits the local club against those in Dryden, Kenora, and Balmertown.

An impressive wrestling season keeps on getting better for Hudson Mann.

The eighth grader, who originally is from Fort Frances, wrestled his way to top spot at the Gord Garvie Memorial Tournament back on April 4.

Mann was part of a team of his friends that hail from Superior Wis.

Instructor Kim Daley, guided Kayleigh Spiers of the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre along as she strung her beaded craft at the library on Saturday as part of the Métis beading workshop. The event is part of the historical centre's Indigenous Art Workshops that are hosted around the district.

-Sam Odrowski photo

Hudson Mann, left, teamed up with some friends from Superior, Wisc. to wrestle to a first-place finish at the Gord Garvie Memorial Tournament in Thunder Bay back on April 4. Mann, who was born in Fort Frances, has put in the work and wrestled well all season.

Grillmeister Steve Loshaw flipped burgers outside of Rainy River Meats in Emo during “Spring Fever Days” on Saturday. Sunshine and warmer weather helped to draw a crowd to the last day of the annual event after a cold and wintry week.

Vai Lockman of Fort Frances looked to level change and get ready to grapple with his opponent during a match at the Jaycee's State Championship held on Friday and Saturday in Grand Rapids, Mn. The third-grader nabbed a podium spot with a third-place finish at the tourney.

Emo residents Katherine Young launched a personalized ice chunk, dubbed the HMS “Hello,” on Rainy River with her brother, Alexander, on Sunday afternoon. They joined numerous other district residents who were thrilled to get outdoors on Saturday and Saturday.

Former Fort Frances Lakers' forward Jaedin Ness will be taking his talents and joining the College of St. Scholastica Saints' hockey program next season. The 21-year-old from Wayzata, Mn. racked up 52 goals and 28 assists over the last two seasons in the SIJHL with the Lakers.

Volunteer firefighters Adam Esselink, left, and Iain McMillan served up spaghetti to attendees of the La Vallee Fire Department's third-annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. The event was meant to offer community engagement, information on fire safety and an affordable meal, while fundraising for the local fire department.

Chase Councillor fired a shot on net during a session at the Fort Frances Atom 'AA' Canadians' prospects camp that was held last Monday-Wednesday at “The Duke” Couchiching Arena. Prospective players for the 2019-2020 season were able to showcase all that they could bring to the squad during various drills.

TBT Engineering was named one of Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers for 2019 during an awards ceremony Friday in Toronto.

Alia McQuaker got in some quality cuddle time with one of the kittens at the petting zoo outside of Emo Feeds as part of “Spring Fever Days” on Saturday.

Marly Wrolstad got a haircut from Stacy Kreger as part of “Cuts for Cancer” at the Hair and Body Care Shoppe in Emo during Spring Fever Days on Saturday. Kreger said the annual event raised between $5,000-$6,000 for the Tamarack House in Thunder Bay, and more donations are expected to come in over the rest of this week.

In addition to the snakes and alligators, there were some weird looking fish caught by anglers in the Winyah Bay Area last week, including this alligator gar that I caught on a Chatterbait.

Ian McDonald, a crop innovation specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Farming and Rural Affairs, gave a talk on the effects of soil compaction and how to combat it at “Ag Day.” The day-long event featured speakers and vendors and covered a wide range of topics of interest to farmers and the layperson alike.

Alivia Bordynuik watched as Raina Johnson Luoma applied a glitter tattoo to her arm at the Emo Arena on Saturday as part of “Spring Fever Days.” While the Nestor Falls Marine boat show occupied the arena floor, the upstairs hosted a number of craft and vendor tables.

Blair Whitefish, left, and Adrian Indian rocked the house at the Malcolm's Fight Fundraiser at From the Grind Up on Friday evening. Malcolm Robertson is an infant from Churchill, Man. who is currently undergoing treatment for Infant Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in Winnipeg. All proceeds from the event went towards supporting the Robertson family.

Safeway employees April Deveau, left and Landyn Gesic had a booth set up at Fort Frances High School for their job fair on Wednesday. They provided students with information about the jobs they offer as well as accepted resumes from those interested in a position at the store here.

Terry Beadle took a chance at the penny table during the La Vallee Fire Department's third-annual spaghetti dinner at the Devlin Hall on Saturday. An array of prizes were available to bid on at the penny table and a $300 fire safety door prize was raffled off for attendees at the end of the night.

The Town of Rainy River recently replaced the waterline from First Street to Sixth Street along Atwood Avenue and is waiting to have the road paved. Water and sewer lines will also be replaced along 5th Street during the 2019 construction season. The town's water and sewer lines are over 110 years old and the number of water breaks and sewer backups were increasing in frequency.

Livia Lundon, left, Allison Cox, Janice Cousineau, and Natalie DeGagne of the Riverside Foundation for Health Care's special event committee showed off just some of the penny table and silent auction items that will be available at this year's spring fundraiser luncheon which be held on Saturday, April 27 at 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in the upstairs hall at the Emo Arena.

John Gerber, left, and Rick Boersma showed off their winnings at “Ag Day" on April 6. The two were among the winners of several draws which featured items from companies that had a presence at "Ag Day,” including Precision Land Solutions and Lake of the Woods Brewery.

TORONTO — The recipient of what’s believed to be North America’s first paired living liver donation says he has “the deepest regards” for the stranger who saved his life.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Dryden detachment has confirmed the identity of a woman who died in a recent car crash as 39-year-old Susan Tilley of Dryden.

Both the Muskies and Rainy River Owls will have some representatives from their badminton teams at the NWOSSAA championships in Thunder Bay next Wednesday (April 24).

The black-and-gold will have two members moving on while the Owls qualified three 'birders' at the NorWOSSA finals in Dryden Yesterday.

Grade 5 students from Robert Moore, led by Mike Jones, sang “O Canada” in Anishinaabemowin as part of the Anishinaabemowin Drama Division of the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts at the Townshend Theatre this morning.

St. Francis students Matthew Strain, left, and Alexa Bagacki hammered nails into a crucifix during the school's interactive Stations of the Cross ceremony this morning. Participating in the Stations of the Cross around Easter time is a common Catholic tradition. There are 14 stations and each one depicts the successive events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion.

KITCHENER, Ont.—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Ontario's Progressive Conservative government of dragging its feet on vital infrastructure spending and says the indecision endangers work for the summer construction season.

OTTAWA—A new commemorative loonie is sparking concern among academics and advocates who fear it could perpetuate myths about Canada's treatment of lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two spirited persons.

MONTREAL—The attraction of English baby names held strong in Quebec in 2018, with Emma and William again topping the annual list.

For Emma, it was the fourth-straight year in first place and for William the sixth.

Records released by Retraite Quebec show that William was followed closely by Logan and Liam, while Thomas returned to the top 10 after dropping out in 2017.

AKWESASNE, Ont.—Lewis Mitchell, a former police chief on the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne, chuckled when asked if he thought he would have trouble finding customers when his first batch of cannabis is ready for sale around summertime.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—An Indiana man is suing his parents for getting rid of his vast pornography collection, which he estimates is worth $29,000.

The 40-year-old man last week filed a lawsuit in federal court in Michigan, where he moved in with his parents in 2016 following a divorce.

VANCOUER, B.C.—Police in Vancouver are asking parents to have a “tough” conversation with their teenagers about the dangers associated with marijuana at a large unsanctioned 4-20 event while city and park board officials call on organizers to pay for policing costs.

TORONTO—Ontario is looking at merging ambulance services, but the premier is guaranteeing that the move will not result in fewer paramedics.

In its budget delivered last week, the Progressive Conservative government said it plans to streamline the way land ambulance dispatch services are delivered by integrating the 59 emergency health services operators and 22 dispatch centres.

TORONTO—Ontario's Progressive Conservative government released a new ad against the federal carbon tax yesterday that the opposition decried as publicly funded partisan advertising—something the Tories railed against before they were in power.

EDMONTON—An unofficial turnout shows nearly 70 per cent of Albertans voted in Tuesday's provincial election ‚Äî the highest in decades.

Elections Alberta said about 2,615,000 people in Alberta were registered to vote.

Deputy chief electoral officer Drew Westwater said the unofficial turnout was 69.9 percent, based on numbers crunched by mid-afternoon yesterday.

VANCOUVER — A new study suggests preschoolers who are allergic to peanuts can be treated safely by eating small amounts of peanut protein with guidance from a medical specialist.

The findings offer assurances to allergists in clinics and hospitals that oral immunotherapy does not have to be confined to research settings.

TORONTO—With the Maple Leafs buzzing and Scotiabank Arena rocking after Toronto equalized early in yesterday's second period, the Bruins needed a push from their dormant stars.

David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron delivered, and now the Eastern Conference quarterfinal is heading back to Boston tied at two games apiece.

MINNEAPOLIS—Two starts ago, on a soggy mound in Philadelphia, Jake Odorizzi let the rain derail his pitching and didn't finish the first inning.

The weather in Minnesota last night didn't deter him, and neither did Toronto's lineup.

Nelson Cruz had two hits and two RBIs, helping Odorizzi and the Twins beat the Blue Jays 4-1 following a 54-minute rain delay.

NEW YORK — Love them or hate them, electric scooters are everywhere zipping along city streets and littered on sidewalks, to the dismay of pedestrians and drivers who must share the road.

And now they have overtaken station-based bicycles as the most popular form of shared transportation outside transit and cars in the U.S.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An arsenal of new technology is being put to the test fighting floods this year as rivers inundate towns and farm fields across the central United States. Drones, supercomputers and sonar that scans deep under water are helping to maintain flood control projects and predict just where rivers will roar out of their banks.

SALEM, Ore.—Rose Marie Bentley was an avid swimmer, raised five kids, helped her husband run a feed store, and lived to the ripe age of 99. It was only after she died that medical students discovered that all her internal organs except for her heart were in the wrong place.

Detroit-area Roman Catholics have one more dining option during Lent than most other followers of the faith. The culinary appeal of that item, however, is up for debate.

BERLIN—German authorities have ordered a blinged-out golden Porsche off the road for being too shiny.

Hamburg's Morgenpost reported April 5 the 31-year-old driver was stopped in the northern city last week and told his Porsche Panamera, sporting a reflective gold foil finish, might blind other drivers and was a danger.

They were born without a working germ-fighting system, every infection a threat to their lives. Now eight babies with “bubble boy disease” have had it fixed by a gene therapy made from one of the immune system’s worst enemies ‚Äî HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

NEW YORK — Earth, meet Polo.

Polo Ralph Lauren on Thursday launched a version of its iconic polo shirt made entirely of recycled plastic bottles and dyed through a process that uses zero water.

NEW YORK — The percentage of U.S. adults who belong to a church or other religious institution has plunged by 20 percentage points over the past two decades, hitting a low of 50% last year, according to a new Gallup poll. Among major demographic groups, the biggest drops were recorded among Democrats and Hispanics.

SASKATOON — Before he died, Chris Wenzel always talked about travelling across Canada with his wife.

Cheryl Wenzel of Saskatoon is now planning that trip from Vancouver to St. John’s, N.L., to show off frames of her late husband’s preserved tattooed skin.

It was a wish the heavily inked, tattoo artist left for her to fulfil before he died of an illness last October.

SASKATOON—Before he died, Chris Wenzel always talked about travelling across Canada with his wife.

Cheryl Wenzel of Saskatoon is now planning that trip from Vancouver to St. John's, N.L., to show off frames of her late husband's preserved tattooed skin.

It was a wish the heavily inked, tattoo artist left for her to fulfil before he died of an illness last October.

Tonight will be clear with a low of zero C (32 F).

Tomorrow will be see some sun, a high of 16 (61) and a low of six (43).

Saturday will see a mix of clouds and sun. Expect a high of 17 (63) and a low of two (36).

Due to the Good Friday holiday, the Times will be closed tomorrow (April 19) and there will be no Bulletin published. We will open as usual and resume publishing on Monday, April 22.

• CLASS AL408 Anishinaabemow in Choral Speaking, Grades Four, Five and Six— Non Competitive Robert Moore School Grade 5 (M. Jones) Non Competitive J.W. Walker School Grade 5 (S. Andy) Non Competitive J.W. Walker School Grade 6 (S. Andy) Non Competitive Donald Young School Grades 4-6 (S. Guimond);

Volunteer Jan Abbott, left, and Cooper Witherspoon fill up the back of a vehicle with empties for the bottle drive fundraiser that was held by the Rainy Lake Gymnastics Academy on Saturday. The academy had a drop-off location in the parking lot of the Memorial Sports Centre, while others drove around town collecting more bottles.

Alexis Latter, left, and Maddisyn Smith were all smiles while cuddling with an bunny during the Easter Market at the Copper River Inn on Saturday. The market offered kids a cuddle and photo session with the rabbit, while parents could check out dozens of vendors selling everything from Easter baking and flowers to direct sales products like Tupperware and scented wax.

Brittany Gibson sat patiently as Cadence McCulley worked on the finer details of her bunny face-painting during the local Kiwanis'“Egg-stravaganza” held in downtown Fort Frances on Saturday.

OTTAWA—Canada plans to attract more international students by expanding its presence overseas in an effort to advance classroom diversity and boost economic benefits that already amount to billions per year.

MONTREAL—More than 600 Canadian soldiers have fanned out across Quebec, filling and stacking sandbags as officials warn that flood waters are likely to keep rising this week due to warming temperatures that contribute to snowmelt and ice movement.

VICTORIA—When Elizabeth May walks down the aisle, she'll be dressed for her wedding along with Earth Day.

The Green party leader and British Columbia entrepreneur John Kidder will exchange wedding vows this afternoon at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, and May will be adorning more greenery than just a bouquet.

OTTAWA—The chief of a First Nation in northwestern Ontario long-plagued by the debilitating impacts of mercury contamination says he is worried about the fate of a federally promised treatment facility as the calendar speeds towards this fall's election without any signs of progress.

CHICAGO — Accidental suffocation is a leading cause of injury deaths in U.S. infants and common scenarios involve blankets, bed-sharing with parents and other unsafe sleep practices, an analysis of government data found.

These deaths “are entirely preventable. That’s the most important point,” said Dr. Fern Hauck, a co-author and University of Virginia expert in infant deaths.

Hockey players are conditioned to think that winning the Stanley Cup means going through the best teams to be the best team.

SAN FRANCISCO — Tesla CEO Elon Musk appears poised to transform the company’s electric cars into driverless vehicles in a risky bid to realize a bold vision that he has been floating for years.

The technology required to make that quantum leap is scheduled to be shown off to Tesla investors Monday at the company’s Palo Alto, California, headquarters.

MEDICINE LODGE, Kan.—Authorities say a vulture caused a crash that killed two people as they rode a motorcycle in southern Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said the bird came out of a ditch Saturday afternoon and struck 42-year-old Brandon Husband, of Fowler, in the head on a rural road 13 miles (20 kilometres) northwest of the Barber County town of Medicine Lodge.

ANNANDALE, Va.—Police say a central Virginia man made off with a whopper of a haul from Burger King: hundreds of gallons of used cooking grease.

But he couldn't give police the slip and now faces grand larceny charges.

NEGOMBO, Sri Lanka—The seaside Sri Lankan fishing town of Negombo has long been called “Little Rome,” a reference to its abundance of churches and its place at the centre of the country's small Catholic community.

Today, it was a town in mourning.

Small white flags flew in house after house near St. Sebastian's Church, a sign that someone who lived there had died.

NEW YORK—The percentage of U.S. adults who belong to a church or other religious institution has plunged by 20 percentage points over the past two decades, hitting a low of 50 percent last year, according to a new Gallup poll.

Among major demographic groups, the biggest drops were recorded among Democrats and Hispanics.

Hockey players are conditioned to think that winning the Stanley Cup means going through the best teams to be the best team.

That does not mean they are blind to some of the inequalities of the NHL's current divisional playoff format.

NEGOMBO, Sri Lanka—St. Sebastian's Church in Sri Lanka's Negombo city was packed when Nilantha Lakmal arrived with his wife and three daughters for Easter Mass.

The pews already full, the family joined dozens of others in the front garden, listening to the priest through the church's open doors.

LONDON — The time is drawing near for the impending birth of the first child for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. The couple is keeping many details about Meghan’s pregnancy and birth plan private and say they don’t know the baby’s gender yet. Here are some key points about what will be the latest addition to the world’s most famous royal family.

———

LONDON—The time is drawing near for the impending birth of the first child for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

The couple is keeping many details about Meghan's pregnancy and birth plan private and say they don't know the baby's gender yet.

Here are some key points about what will be the latest addition to the world's most famous royal family.

Tonight will be clear with a low of one C (34 F).

Tomorrow will be see some sun and then turn cloudy. Expect a high of 17 (63) and a low of six (43).

Wednesday will see a mix of clouds and sun with an afternoon shower possible. Expect a high of 18 (64) and a low of two (36).

A new program in Fort Frances is hoping to offer a vital service to those in need.

Riverside Community Counselling, in collaboration with the Family Health Team at the Fort Frances Clinic, began offering same-day mental health services to those who are experiencing acute mental health situations at the beginning of this month.

Long-term care communities are always looking for ways to improve the quality of life for their residents. “Life Skills” stations offer an opportunity to engage those who face the daily challenges of an Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis.

A convoy of concerned voices is currently making its way through Northwestern Ontario.

Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), along with some parents of autistic children, were in Fort Frances yesterday in an attempt to reach the ear of MPP Greg Rickford.

Litigation over Point Park could soon be a topic of the past with both town council and Agency One bands optimistic about a positive working relationship going forward.

Moving to a new community can be difficult, especially when immigrating there from another part of the world.

To assist those who are new to Fort Frances get better acclimated to the community, the Valley Adult Learning Association (VALA) hosted their second official “Newcomer Meet and Greet” at the Plaza Lanes bowling alley here last Friday.

Those who utilize the Fort Frances Public Library, as well as the libraries in Emo and Rainy River, will now have less services available to them.

The Ontario Library Service (OLS) is responsible for many of the services the local library provides and the province announced a 50 percent cut to its funding earlier this month.

Dinner theatre returns to the stages of Backus Community Center this Saturday (April 27) when the centre's own Borealis Bards theatre troupe presents the fifth annual “Room to Act.”

Once again guests will be served a gourmet dinner followed by a wide-ranging selection of short plays and monologues.

The option to eat at a “family-style” restaurant will soon be available to those dining in town.

The old Pizza Hut building on King's Highway is being converted into the “Neighbours Modern Diner” and is set to officially open its doors in June.

Ontario's Government for the People is introducing updated personal and commercial licence plates along with a new driver's licence design that reflects a renewed government promise to put people first in everything it does.

The Northern Policy Institute's latest report, entitled “Income and Employment Multipliers for 20 Industries in 11 Census Divisions in Northern Ontario,” by author Dr. B. Moazzami, provides accurate and reliable estimates of income and employment multipliers.

Businesses and entrepreneurs from across the district and surrounding area will be taking over the Fort Frances Curling Rink this Friday and Saturday for the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's Business and Community Expo.

“Education Week” takes place at Crossroads School May 6-10 this year. Staff and students have been busy planning the Crossroads Block Party this family fun event will be from 5-7:30 p.m.

The Street Eats Venders will be open from 5-6 p.m. Hoping everyone can be ready for activities starting at 6 p.m.

The theme this year is “Full Steam ” ahead.

The Rainy River District is gearing up for the first cattle sale of the season.

The sale is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday (April 27) at the sales barn in Stratton.

Methamphetamine use has increasingly become an issue in the district over the last half decade.

To better educate those in professions that routinely come into contact with meth users, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) hosted two half-day workshops at La Place Rendez Vous last Monday.

There will be a distinct Rainy River District flavour at the NWOSSAA badminton championships today in Thunder Bay.

Both the Muskies and Rainy River Owls had 'birders' qualify after finishing within the top two in their respective divisions at the NorWOSSA finals last Wednesday in Dryden.

Hard work and dedication has paid off handsomely for a district minor hockey coach.

Jamie Booth—who was head coach of both the Emo Express PeeWee 'AA' Affiliate and Emo Express PeeWee Green and assistant coach for the Emo Express Novice Green

The SIJHL announced Sunday that its director of communications, Tom Annelin, has been named the 2018-19 recipient of the prestigious Gary Cook Memorial Award.

This distinguished honour is presented annually by the SIJHL to an individual in recognition of their efforts, commitment, and contributions to the league.

The Ontario government is working for the people by listening to concerns from hunters on how the province manages its moose population to ensure sustainability and hunting opportunities for future generations.

The SIJHL announced last Wednesday that it has entered into a multi-year partnership agreement with Power Play Recruiting, based out of the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Mn. to aid and assist its players looking to further their respective post-Jr. 'A' careers at the NCAA level.

Keighan Gerrie scored twice, and assisted on the game-winner, to pace the Thunder Bay North Stars to a 4-1 win over the Red Lake Miners on Saturday night and capture the SIJHL's Bill Salonen Cup title in front of a season-high crowd of 2,120 at the Fort William Gardens.

Who is that guy?

The answer to the question is—Ash Gibbs of Fort Frances, Ont.

The lifelong Blues fan is a native of Thunder Bay (home of Robert Bortuzzo), and as seen in the tweet below, he was the lone Blues fan in the viral photo after the Blues scored with 15 seconds left in the Game 5 win.

Francis Logue got some candy, a stamp on a map, and a toothbrush from Richard Boileau at McTaggart's on Saturday during the Easter “Egg-Stravaganza.” The map could be stamped at each participating business and then entered into a draw at the Rainy Lake Square. Boileau said all three of the dental offices in town donated toothbrushes for the event.

Kerry Manthenga from Stonehenge Therapeutic Community delivered two half-day presentations on methamphetamine use last Monday at La Place Rendez-Vous. Both sessions were completely full. Those who attended work in a broad range of professions from the OPP to mental health support workers.

Fred Taylor got an extra piece of candy from Pat Fowler at 4 Your Pets on Saturday during the local Kiwanis Club's Easter “Egg-Stravaganza.” Though rain earlier in the morning made the day a little wet, a break in the weather shortly after 11 a.m. allowed families to visit the participating businesses in downtown Fort Frances in relatively dry clothes.

Chase Ableman posed with Buddy, the CBSA Easter “Bunny" at the Easter "Egg-Stravaganza” in downtown Fort Frances on Saturday. Buddy and a few other more traditional Easter mascots were out for the event.

Fred Taylor got an extra piece of candy from Pat Fowler at 4 Your Pets on Saturday during the local Kiwanis Club's Easter “Egg-stravaganza.” Though rain earlier in the morning made the day a little wet, a break in the weather shortly after 11 a.m. allowed families to visit the participating businesses in downtown Fort Frances in relatively dry clothes.

Chase Ableman posed with Buddy, the CBSA Easter “Bunny" at the Easter "Egg-Stravaganza” in downtown Fort Frances on Saturday. Buddy and a few other more traditional Easter mascots were out for the event.

Jaslynn Potson, left, Nikolai Cochrane and Julieann Potson got their picture taken with “Easter Bunny" Kylee Keith at Pharmasave on Saturday as part of the Easter "Egg-Stravaganza.” The downtown core was full of children and their families visiting participating businesses for candies, chocolates or other treats, while members of the Kiwanis club served up hot dogs in the Rainy Lake Square.

OPSEU chair of Developmental Services Erin Rice waved the OPSEU flag outside of MPP Greg Rickford's office here yesterday. Members of the group are travelling the district and stopping at Rickford's offices to protest cuts made to autism services in the province and to raise funds for parents who need to travel to access those services.

Close to 40 people from 11 different countries came out to Plaza Lanes on Friday for the “Newcomer Meet and Greet” event hosted by the Valley Adult Learning Association. The event was meant to help people who are new here connect and network with other newcomers.

“Neighbours Modern Diner” is currently under renovations but the owners say it should open up in June. Once opened, the family restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner from around 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Francis Logue got some candy, a stamp on a map, and a toothbrush from Richard Boileau at McTaggart's on Saturday during the Easter “Egg-Stravaganza.” The map could be stamped at each participating business and then entered into a draw at the Rainy Lake Square. Boileau said all three of the dental offices in town donated toothbrushes for the event.

Devyn Oliver, left, got some candy from Aynsley Ogden at the table set up by the Rainy Lake Gymnastics Academy for the Easter “Egg-Stravaganza” held in downtown Fort Frances on Saturday. The event, presented by the Kiwanis and local BIA with the support of numerous sponsors, ran from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Madison Kreger, left, took an overhead swing at the birdie as her Owl teammate Tala Quran watched intently during the NorWOSSA finals last Wednesday in Dryden. The RRHS duo won the silver medal with four wins and one loss.

Being a St. Louis Blues fan is a family affair for Lisa Gibbs, left, Makayla Gibbs and Ash Gibbs.

Jan Abbott steadied a garbage bag of empty cans in the back of the vehicle being used by the Rainy Lake Gymnastics Academy as part of their bottle drive fundraiser on Saturday. The group raised $406 between the drop-off location in the Memorial Sports Centre parking lot and a group that drove around town to people who wished to donate their empties.

Jamie Booth, right, is pictured here with the Emo Express PeeWee Green team, including co-coach, Andy McCormick, left, who nominated Booth to be Hockey Northwestern Ontario's Coach of the Year.

Ash Gibbs, centre, was the only Blues fan in a sea of Jets lovers in this now-famous photo from Game 5 of that series. —Screen capture from St. Louis Blues Twitter account

Lake trout are active early in the season and offer great spring fishing opportunities.

Judy Kielczewski, centre, recently won first place at the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild's annual convention in London Ont. with this elabourate hooked piece based on a vintage photo of young hockey players getting ready to play some shinny.

Americans are becoming increasingly sedentary, spending almost a third of their waking hours sitting down, and computer use is partly to blame, a new study found.

TOKYO — It’s a short hop from Pyongyang to Vladivostok by plane. There’s even a semi-regular flight.

But for his first summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has once again opted to go by train.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Wednesday that she and French President Emmanuel Macron will host a meeting in Paris next month seeking to eliminate acts of violent extremism and terrorism from being shown online.

BEIJING — A conference this week showcasing a Chinese initiative to help build ports, railways and other infrastructure in the developing world is casting a spotlight on complaints the projects leave some countries with too much debt.

HOUSTON — A Houston high school principal has implemented a dress code for parents because she says it is necessary to establish high standards for students, despite criticism that the move could be discriminatory.

James Madison High School will turn away parents who show up to school wearing pyjamas, hair rollers, leggings or certain other items of clothing, including bonnets.

Tonight will be clear and cool, with a low of four C (39 F).

Tomorrow will see more sun than clouds and be slightly less warm. Expect a high of 14 (57) and a low of zero (32).

Friday will be partly sunny and cooler, with a high of nine (48) and a low of minus-one (30).

Registration for the seventh-annual “I Am Awesome! And I Know It” self-esteem retreat for young women is opening next Wednesday (May 1) at 7 a.m.

The retreat will take place at Sunny Cove Camp about 10km east of Fort Frances from Sept. 19-22 and registration is limited to 60 participants.

The NWHU is challenging you to “Turn Off the Screens” next week (April 29-May 5).

The “Turn Off the Screens Challenge” encourages parents to try a different screen-free activity every day with their kids.

Families can track their participation using a log sheet that is available from the NWHU website.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations officers working at the International Falls Port of Entry targeted a rail container destined to arrive in Ranier, Minnesota.

A dominant season has led to another trip to the all-Ontarios for Jackson Arpin.

The Rainy River Owl went a perfect 5-0 en route to claiming gold in senior boys' singles at the NWOSSAA badminton championships yesterday in Thunder Bay.

It will be the third trip to OFSAA for Arpin, which is slated for May 2-4 in North Bay.

A crane lifted another section of roof truss into position at the site of the new consolidated catholic school on Flinders Avenue. Some areas of the roof on the southern end of the new school have already been shingled, and preparations are being made for the slab in covered sections of the building. The new school is expected to be open for the 2019-2020 school year.

Donald Young School students tested their skills at the Mazinibii'an gaye Nisidotan station during the 20th-annual “Quest for Knowledge" event yesterday at Rainy River First Nation. The station's English translation was "Draw it and Understand it” and it was in a Pictionary-style format where teams had to guess the Anishinaabeg word.

Marcy Loveday watched as Myla Perreault tries out some homemade fudge at the “Oh For FUDGE Sakes!” table at the Easter Market on Saturday. The annual market, held at the Copper River Inn, saw dozens of vendors set up to sell their goods to those who were looking for that special Easter treat or gift.

The Fort Frances High School Grade 8 Band, led by Jody Bonner-Vickers, performed this morning for the final day of the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts. The afternoon and evening instrumental sessions today will conclude the adjudicated portions of the festival. The annual highlights concert will take place next Tuesday (April 30) at 6:30 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre.

Sean Huziak powered up and leapt through the air during the boys' long jump event at the Bronco Booster Track & Field Invite varsity meet at Falls High School on Tuesday. Huziak finished seventh with a jump of 16',4".

Stakes have been planted to mark out the dimensions of the new OPP detachment set to be built at 200 McIrvine Road. The $18-million building is expected to be built by the fall of 2020. Funding for the project comes from the provincial government's commitment of $182-million to help replace aging police infrastructure.

@Body copy:TORONTO—Ontario is cancelling a tree planting program, with those involved warning the move will lead to the loss of jobs and environmental benefits that forests provide.

VICTORIA—British Columbia's health officer is urging the provincial government to consider the decriminalization of people caught with illegal drugs as another step to stem the overdose crisis.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says it wouldn't be the same as legalization, like Canada did with marijuana, but would be an alternative to criminal charges for drug users.

OTTAWA—Canada's war in Afghanistan ended five years ago but the price of that effort continues to grow.

Newly revealed figures show the number of veterans from the war in Afghanistan receiving federal support for mental-health conditions nearly doubled between March 2014 and March 2018.

Michelle Gray says she's afraid to get behind the wheel again after having her licence suspended for failing a cannabis saliva test in Nova Scotia, even though she passed a police administered sobriety test the same night.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand—New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday that she and French President Emmanuel Macron will host a meeting in Paris next month seeking to eliminate acts of violent extremism and terrorism from being shown online.

DETROIT—U.S. auto safety regulators have expanded an investigation into malfunctioning air bag controls to include 12.3 million vehicles because the bags may not inflate in a crash. The problem could be responsible for as many as eight deaths.

WASHINGTON—Justin Williams returned to the building that was the scene of his only Game 7 loss and left the ice relieved and redeemed after knocking off his old friends and defending Stanley Cup champions.

LEVITTOWN, N.Y. — Who’s minding the store? In the not-too-distant future it could be cameras and sensors that can tell almost instantly when bruised bananas need to be swapped for fresh ones and more cash registers need to open before lines get too long.

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin said after his summit with Kim Jong Un Thursday that the North Korean leader is ready to proceed toward denuclearization but needs solid security guarantees to do so.

OTTAWA — Five of Canada’s leading scholars in fields ranging from artificial intelligence to Soviet history are being honoured with the $100,000 Killam Prize.

The Canada Council for the Arts recognized academics from across the country Thursday for outstanding contributions to the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences and engineering.

HONG KONG — Just opposite the entrance to a neon-lit night market, one of Hong Kong’s few remaining carvers of mahjong tiles engraves the two Chinese characters for the number 8,000 on a piece of acrylic.

With a knife in his right hand, Cheung Shun-king turns the tile with the other to cut into it. From time to time, he gently blows away the shavings.

Tonight will be increasingly cloudy with a low of zero C (32 F).

Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy and cooler. Expect a high of 10 (50) and a low of minus-one (30).

Saturday will be cloudy with a high of 10 (50) and a low of minus-two (28).

Riverside Health Care will hold its next open board meeting this evening at 6 p.m. in the board room at Rainycrest Long Term Care.

Badiuk's Boat Show 2019 will go on until 5 p.m. today, and then continue Friday, April 26 from 9 am.-5 p.m. and Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Check out the sales and enter a draw to win to prizes.

The 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadets were selling for their meat and BBQ draw at their booth during the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's Business & Community Expo on Saturday at the Fort Frances Curling Club. The funds raised from the draw will be used to offset the cost of sending five of the air cadets on a trip to Europe later this year to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.

Kathy Foy, left, and Pam Rittau of the United Native Friendship Centre invite members of the public to come to their main building located on 516 Portage Ave.

It was all a matter of who was going to retrieve the ball first as the Muskie and Rainy River Owl girls' soccer teams renewed their rivalry on Thursday afternoon in exhibition action at Fort High. The black-and-gold prevailed in both games, with the girls' squad winning 2-0 and the boys eking out a 3-2 decision over the visiting Owls.

Chantal Derendorf, left, Jaana Georgeson and Sheri Georgeson chose where to put their tickets at the penny table during “Mama's Gone Country Chic,” this year's spring fundraiser luncheon for the Riverside Foundation for Health Care, which was held Saturday upstairs at the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre.

TORONTO—Ontario's government-run cannabis distributor has cancelled its tender for couriers to make same-day pot deliveries.

The provincial corporation tasked with the online sale and distribution of recreational cannabis posted a cancellation notice on Friday via the Ontario government's tender portal.

TORONTO—First Nations leaders are calling on the provincial government to help press Ottawa to relocate the community of Kashechewan as it deals with annual flooding.

Kashechewan First Nation has been evacuated, as its more than 2,500 members have been flown to other locations across the province.

TORONTO—Ontario is spending up to $500,000 to review workplace culture at the provincial police, prompted by recent suicides.

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones announced today that the government will create an independent review panel.

Jones has said the Ontario Provincial Police are facing a mental health crisis, with 13 officers having taken their own lives since 2012.

TORONTO—Ontario is cutting the amount of money school boards receive per student, which advocates say will mean fewer services and supports for kids.

The Progressive Conservative government announced the 2019-20 school board funding on Friday, details that came as some boards have been issuing surplus notices to teachers, prompting worries about layoffs due to increasing class sizes.

The average value of Canadian farmland rose nearly seven per cent last year, according to a new report, but that growth rate is likely to be cut in half over 2019 amid ongoing canola trade issues with China.

Most retirement calculators are optimistic to a fault. They assume our incomes will rise throughout our working lives, or at least stay roughly the same.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Trailing in the second period and in danger of going down 2-0 in the series, Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar put his three top scorers back on a line together and got the results he sought.

TORONTO—The thrill of a walkoff win still hasn't gotten old for Justin Smoak, even after a decade in Major League Baseball.

Smoak drove in the winning run in the 11th inning as the Toronto Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 5-4 victory yesterday afternoon.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

GRAND HAVEN, Mich.—Police in Michigan are appealing to people to surrender their instant riches after a box with $30,000 fell off the back of a truck.

Authorities in Grand Haven say drivers stopped last Thursday to pick up cash for themselves.

POWAY, Calif.—Eight-year-old Noya Dahan had finished praying and gone to play with other children at her Southern California synagogue when gunshots rang out. Her uncle grabbed her and the other children, leading them outside to safety as her leg bled from a shrapnel wound.

An unusually large number of grey whales are washing up dead on their northbound migration past the Oregon and Washington coasts this year. The peak stranding time for grey whales in the Pacific Northwest is normally April, May and June. But the federal agency NOAA Fisheries has already logged nine dead whales washed ashore in Washington and one in Oregon.

POWAY, Calif. — Eight-year-old Noya Dahan had finished praying and gone to play with other children at her Southern California synagogue when gunshots rang out. Her uncle grabbed her and the other children, leading them outside to safety as her leg bled from a shrapnel wound.

Tonight will be rather cloudy with a couple of flurries and a low of minus-one C (30 F).

Tomorrow will see low clouds. Expect a high of seven (45) and a low of minus-one (30).

Wednesday will be cloudy, with a couple of showers, a high of seven (45) and a low of minus-one (30).

Mrs. Sieders' and Mrs. Wood's classes at St. Michaels School shared some smiles last Thursday on “Career Day” where students throughout the school wore outfits depicting the jobs they want to work when they grow up. Some students dressed up as professional hockey players while others put on costumes representing doctors and teachers.

Communities in central Ontario's flood-ravaged cottage country worked to stave off more damage yesterday while bracing for heavy rainfall forecast for later in the week.

TORONTO—Ontario's high school teachers will start the early stages of contract talks next month in what could be a contentious round of bargaining.

Contracts for teachers and education workers at the province's publicly funded schools expire at the end of August, but Education Minister Lisa Thompson has asked unions to come to the table early.

Panama — An intense drought related to this year’s El Nino phenomenon has precipitously lowered the level of Panama’s Gatun Lake, forcing the country’s Canal Authority to impose draft limits this week on ships moving through the waterway’s recently expanded locks.

MINNEAPOLIS—Jake Odorizzi punched out Yuli Gurriel looking, and the usually stoic right-hander couldn't help but clench his fist and let out a yell.

Odorizzi and the Minnesota Twins made another early season statement.

Odorizzi pitched seven solid innings to outduel Justin Verlander, Ehire Adrianza homered off Houston's ace and Minnesota beat the Astros 1-0 last night.

To make grilled cauliflower with a tender interior and a flavourful, nicely browned exterior, we first microwaved it until it was cooked through and then briefly grilled it to pick up colour and flavour.

To ensure that the cauliflower held up on the grill without falling through the grate and to provide sufficient surface area for browning, we cut the head into wedges.

With their built-in handles and small size, economical chicken drumsticks are tailor-made for a cookout. So we decided to devise a foolproof way to roast them on the grill to ultra-tender perfection with nicely browned skin and wonderfully juicy meat.

Tonight will be cloudy with a low of minus-one C (30 F).

Tomorrow will be cloudy with rain and drizzle in the afternoon, turning to snow by the evening. Expect a high of six (43) and a low of minus-two (28).

Thursday will see morning snow followed by cloudy skies, a high of seven (45) and a low of zero (32).

A stroke can be one of the most frightening experiences in a lifetime.

The condition can be sudden and fatal, and even if a patient survives there can be severe neurological damage, as the brain suffers from an impact to blood supply during a stroke.

The Rainy River Future Development Corporation (RRFDC) and the Town of Fort Frances have announced that TD Bank Group will be the 2019 sponsor of the Rainy Lake Movie Nights.

The sponsorship will support the screening of five free family movies on Thursday evenings throughout the summer, starting on May 23.

A pair of candidates from Thunder Bay are currently vying for the NDP nomination for the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding in the upcoming federal election.

On Friday, May 10, the public is invited to Weechi-it-te-win Family Services'“Children's Wellness BBQ.”

There will be a free lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, beverages and cake located at 601 Victoria Ave. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..

There will be educational and prevention information on site.

The Northwestern Health Unit knows about needles.

Tbaytel held its annual general meeting Monday at Thunder Bay City Hall and released “Game Changing,” the company's 2018 report to the community.

The report highlights a number of Tbaytel's key accomplishments from throughout 2018, as well as the company's strategic direction and summarized financial information.

It wasn't exactly business as usual at the Seven Generations salon on Friday.

“It's rare to see it so busy in here,” Don Eldridge said.

Eldridge is the post-secondary co-ordinator at Seven Generations Education Institute. He was at the salon building, located at 540 King's Highway, because of a special event that was happening.

Businesses, organizations, and charitable groups from Northwestern Ontario had a chance to network and educate people on what they do at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's Business and Community Expo on Friday and Saturday.

More than 500 people came through the curling rink's doors over the two days to see what was being offered by 35 different exhibitors.

Riverside Health Care in conjunction with the Northwestern Health Unit has declared a gastroenteritis outbreak at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home.

All admissions, transfers, discharges and social activities have been cancelled until further notice.

Visitors are restricted to family members and caregivers only.

Indigenous women go missing and are murdered at a disproportionately higher rate than those who are non-indigenous.

To respect the indigenous women who have been affected, a Day of Remembrance and Honour for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, also known as “Red Dress Day,” is being held on Sunday, May 5 around the country.

The Fort Frances Museum and Cultural Centre opened its newest temporary exhibit on Wednesday.

The photo exhibit, “Taking Back our Natural World” showcases pieces that highlight the driving forces of climate change, as well as the impact those forces have had on the planet so far.

The Competition Bureau has concluded its investigation into high gasoline prices in northwestern Ontario, and announced yesterday it did not find evidence that an offence under the Competition Act has occurred.

As part of the investigation, bureau officers conducted field interviews at a total of 50 gas stations in the communities of Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, Dryden and Kenora.

Terry and Alanna Newman of Fort Frances were the lucky $500 Easter winners in the Rainy River District Mutual Aid Association cash calndar draw for the week of April 21-27.

Anishinaabemowin has a long-standing history and importance in the district, as it is the first language of the Ojibwe-Anishinaabeg and it was the language of trade for generations in this territory before being targeted for extinction.

The Rainy River Public Library Board is reeling from a 50 percent cut to provincial library services.

The cut was delivered by the Ontario government in its 2019 budget.

Taking over $1 million away from Ontario Library Service-North (OLS-North) and the Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS) will be a disaster, said Rainy River librarian Michael Dawber.

The second largest cattle sale to ever be held at the Stratton Sales Barn took place on Saturday.

A total of 1,572 animals went through the ring, generating roughly $1.95 million for farmers across the district and surrounding area.

The largest cattle auction ever had at the Stratton Sales Barn was held in 2011 and sold 1,633 animals.

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society is hosting its “Spring in Hawaii Gala” this Saturday (May 4) at the Emo Arena.

Tickets are $50. Social hour is 5:30 p.m. dinner served at 6:30.

To make the evening more enjoyable there will be a cake roulette, penny table, a silent auction and lots of games and prizes.

The Rainy River Owl girls' and boys' soccer teams will be looking to start the NorWOSSA 'A' season off on the right foot today.

The boys were slated to face the Red Lake Rams while the girls were to battle the Sioux Lookout Warriors this afternoon in the regular season-opener at RRHS, with the outcomes not known as of press time.

The four-team field for this week's Dudley-Hewitt Cup, which kicked off yesterday and runs through Saturday in Cochrane, has been finalized.

Another season, another trip to the all-Ontarios for Jackson Arpin.

The Rainy River Owl standout continued his dominance this season with an impressive 5-0 showing en route to claiming gold in senior boys' singles at the NWOSSAA badminton championships held last Wednesday in Thunder Bay.

To say the Muskie boys' soccer team has been impressive over the last decade would be a massive understatement.

The NorWOSSA landscape has been painted black-and-gold for the last eight brilliant seasons and the Muskies are hoping they can secure a ninth-straight NorWOSSA title and with it—another trip to the all-Ontarios.

Add another Fort Frances Lakers' product to the list of who will be playing hockey for the College of St. Scholastica Saints next season.

Defenceman Nate Drobnick recently announced that he has committed to play for the Saints next season.

While the weather hasn't fully cooperated so far, the Muskie track-and-field team still was impressive at its season-opening meet last week and they'll be hoping to continue that trend at a meet in Dryden next Wednesday (May 8).

RED LAKE, Ont.—The Red Lake Miners of the SIJHL are looking to fill the role of GM/head coach for the upcoming 2019-20 season.

After four years of dedicated service to the Miners' organization, Derek Sweet-Coulter has decided to pursue another opportunity in the hockey world.

We wish Derek continued success as he transitions from the Miners' program to his next venture.

This group of students cheered as they got the correct answer at the “Oko-aabajitooyang Anishinaabemowin" station—a Jeopardy-style language competition—during the 20th-annual "Quest for Knowledge” (Gagwegakendamaawiziwin) held last Wednesday at Rainy River First Nations.

Choir director Diane Maxey addressed the audience as the Fort Frances Choraliers looked on before a concert at Rainycrest's Hallett Hall on Saturday afternoon. This year's Easter cantata, “Hope Alive in Me,” was also performed Sunday afternoon at the Zion Lutheran Church in International Falls. They have one more performance slated for this Sunday (May 5) at 3 p.m.

Volunteers and graduates of the first “Moving On from Stroke" program at La Verendrye General Hospital this year posed for a celebratory photo. Seated in the front row are volunteers Wilma Chapman, left, and Melvin Jourdain, while in the back row are volunteer LaVerna Brown, left, and graduates Blondie Ditmars, Betty and Bill Penney, and Marcus Gerber.

Conservative Party candidate for Thunder Bay-Rainy River Linda Rydholm, left, spoke to constituents at the Chamber's Business Expo on Saturday afternoon. Those who came by the booth had a chance to speak with the candidate one on one and learn about her campaign.

Abigail, Tyler, and Elon Dogget, right, were curious about the Fort Frances First Responders' booth at the business and community expo on Saturday. The First Responders had their dummy set up and showed CPR demonstrations to the youngsters.

-Sam Odrowski photo

Brothers Corbin and Owen Riches took a quiz at the Northern Development Career Services (NCDS) booth during the Chamber's expo on Saturday afternoon. They were tested on their knowledge of NCDS; Owen was the first person to score 100 percent on the quiz.

Achilles Morrisseau was almost free of the chair as Seven Gens' hairstyling student Jaida Nash, left, and program instructor April DeGagne put the finishing touches on his brand-new 'do on Friday.

A group of OPP officers, along with their furry friend, had a booth setup at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's Business and Community Expo on Saturday to interact with, and give out information to, the community.

Over 100 people came to watch the live spring cattle auction at the Stratton sales barn on Saturday. Much of the audience consisted of farmer and producers who watched their own cattle get sold to buyers from Manitoba and southern Ontario.

Kim Jo Bliss, left, kept track of the numbers as auctioneer Rick Wright solicited bids during the spring cattle sale at the Stratton sales barn on Saturday. The auction went until 10 p.m., running a bit later than average due to the large volume of animals up for bid.

A package of cattle entered the ring at last Saturday's sale in Stratton and were part of the nearly 1,600 head which were sold. The animals sold for a total of nearly $1.95 million, bringing a long-awaited paycheque to many of the districts farmers. -Sam Odrowski photos

Ashlyn Beck, left, of the Muskies, and Paige Anderson of the Rainy River Owls had their sights set on the airborne ball while Tala Quran (#5) looked on during Fort High's 2-0 win in exhibition action last Thursday afternoon here. The black-and-gold will next see action with some more exhibition games this weekend in Thunder Bay.

Callum Galusha cocked his arm back and got ready to make a throw during the shot put event at the Bronco Booster Track & Field Invite varsity meet last Tuesday at Falls High School. Galusha wound up 12th with a best throw of 27',8."

Rainy River Owl standout Jackson Arpin got ready to make a serve during one of his matches earlier this season. Arpin has been dominant in senior boys' singles play this season and qualified for his third trip to OFSAA with a perfect 5-0 showing at the NWOSSAA badminton championships held last Wednesday in Thunder Bay.

Muskie Connor Nelson (#4) looked on as Jackson Arpin of the Rainy River Owls looked to control the ball and move it up the pitch during Fort High's 3-2 win in exhibition action last Thursday afternoon here. The Muskies next will be in action at the annual St. John's-Ravenscourt tournament in Winnipeg this Friday through Sunday.

Andre Hendrikx had laser-like focus as he was dialed in on the finish line during the boys' 200m dash at the Broncos Booster Track & Field Invite varsity meet held last Tuesday at Falls High School. Hendrikx finished 17th for the Muskies with a time of 29.37.

Ojibwe language co-ordinator for the Rainy River District School Board Jason Jones asked students questions about the Anishinaabemowin language and verb conjugation during the Oko-aabajitooyang Anishinaabemowin station during the 20th-annual “Quest For Knoweldge” event that was held at Rainy River First Nations last Wednesday.

Heather Oltsher, right, and Joyanne Tolen admired a pillow which was up for bid in the silent auction Saturday afternoon during the “Mama's Gone Country Chic” fundraiser at the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre. This year's spring fundraiser luncheon raised just over $9,200 for the Riverside Foundation for Health Care.

The two prize-winning artist submissions to the “Taking Back our Natural World" exhibit are displayed at the Fort Frances Museum. The second-place winner "Crying Earth" by Arunima Kulmitra, left, and first-place winner "Plastic Plague” by S. LeBlanc were awarded a combined total of $500, with both prizes being donated by New Gold Inc.

Linda Esselink, left, and Ynske Kaemingh took their chances while playing the pie roulette operated by Betty DeGagne “Mama's Gone Country Chic” fundraiser on Saturday at the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre. About 125 women attended the event.

Safeway pharmacist Kim Bruyere was charged with failing to shave her head during the Fort Frances Voyageur Lions Club's seventh-annual “Bail or Jail” on Saturday at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's Business and Community Expo. She raised $350 when serving time in the slammer that will go towards purchasing a new mammography machine at Riverside Health.

Donald Young School students made drums and sticks in class that they presented to judges at the “Aabajitoon minik gegoo ezgi-gikendaman" station during "Quest for Knowledge” last Wednesday. Under the direction of Ojibwe language teacher Shawnee Guimond the students learned about the materials used to make the drums as well as their cultural and historical significance.

Randi Roth, left, bought an arm's-length of tickets for the watch and necklace draw from RBC volunteer Michelle Elias at the luncheon on Saturday afternoon. Elias was joined by fellow RBC volunteers Courtney Yatchuk and Dana-Lynn Begin. RBC donated $1,000 to the Foundation for the event through its “Day of Service” program.

Leah Seguin, who was representing Donald Young School, was just able to clear the bar during the girls' high jump event at the Bronco Booster Track & Field Invite varsity meet held last Tuesday at Falls High School. Seguin snagged bronze with a best jump of 4',6."

Have any questions about substance use and abuse?

Bring them to La Place Rendez-Vous next Wednesday (May 8) from 6:30-8 p.m. during the “Community Conversation about Substance Abuse.”

It will feature a panel of experts from the OPP, Treaty #3 Police, Northwestern Health Unit, and Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services.

Next week is going to be a busy one for the Fort Frances branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

CMHA will be celebrating Mental Health Week from May 6-10, and the organization has a lot going on in Fort Frances.

“This is our 68th-annual Mental Health Week,” said CMHA staffer Christie Cousineau.

New Gold has suspended milling ops until it can pump excess water from the tailings management area to the water management pond.

In the late afternoon of April 24, management at the Rainy River mine temporarily shut down the mill to assess a buildup of water in the tailings management area.

On Monday at approximately 11:13 a.m., members of the Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to a call of a possible impaired driver in the east end of Fort Frances.

A respiratory outbreak was declared at Rainycrest Long Term Care Home yesterday. This is the second outbreak declared this week after Riverside Health Care, in conjunction with the Northwestern Health Unit, announced a gastroenteritis outbreak on Tuesday.

Anishinaabemowin has a long-standing history and importance in the district, as it is the first language of the Ojibwe-Anishinaabeg and it was the language of trade for generations in this territory before being targeted for extinction.

Students at Fort High were able to try their hand at the sport of spikeball on Tuesday.

Sheree Jewell, left, administrative assistant at Knox United Church, and Kiwanian Robin Wright showed off the winning ticket for the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club's “Trip of the Month” draw for May at International Travel Services yesterday. This month's winner is Nicole Avis, who won a trip to Jamaica, valued at $4,400. Next month's draw will be for a trip to New York, NY ($3,600).