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Randy Thoms

About Randy Thoms

Randy Thoms is a veteran news broadcaster with over 40 years' experience. He is based in Fort Frances and covers stories across northwestern Ontario. Contact Randy at thoms.randy@radioabl.ca.

Posts by Randy Thoms:

Invasive species Minnesota Mitchel Lake Association

Minnesota lake associations get creative to weed out invasive plants

By Mike Moen – Producer/Minnesota News Connection

Spring is just around the corner, and area lakes will soon be losing their ice cover.

In Minnesota, crews are deploying the latest strategies to restore lake ecosystems overwhelmed by invasive plants, with hopes of making boating and other water activities easier.

Minnesota implemented a higher surcharge on boat licenses this year to help local entities pay for controlling aquatic invasive species.

In Scott County, southwest of Minneapolis, the Cedar Lake Improvement District hired PLM Lake and Land Management to drill holes through the ice and insert an herbicide that specifically targets invasive plants, such as curly-leaf pondweed.

Patrick Selter, vice president for PLM’s Midwest Region, says this plant grows throughout the winter, wreaking havoc when boating season arrives.

“About mid-to-late May, early June, that plant will top out,” he says.

“You can’t navigate through it, it’s hard to fish in, it really limits your recreational use of the lake.”

The nutrients that float away create a higher risk of toxic algae blooms.

Selter says getting an earlier start on targeted removal gives them a stronger chance to effectively manage invasive weeds over the course of an open-water season.

The progress they make allows native plants to grow.

The Department of Natural Resources has said available grant dollars for local prevention efforts more than doubled this year, to $1 million, but there’s strong competition for that money, and it can’t fund all applicants.

Selter says over the past decade or so, the response to aquatic invasive species in Minnesota lakes has shifted from weed control to restoration.

“The native plants – they are our biological control,” he says.

“We don’t have biological controls for some of these [invasive] species, and our only biological control is our native plants.”

The group Minnesota Lakes and Rivers applauds efforts like these.

It says when the Legislature makes additional funding available to protect natural resources, citizens respond with wonderful innovation.

The DNR adds it’s trying to bring more technical expertise to lake associations as they familiarize themselves with available solutions.

Ignace Fire Hall

Report supports need for new fire hall in Ignace

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A consultant’s report recommends Ignace build a new fire hall.

It feels a site on Lilly Pad Lake Road would be more strategic.

Ignace commissioned the report to evaluate the existing fire hall on Front Street and identify potential locations for a new one.

Bill Lorimer, Fire and Life Safety Manager with Loomax, says the existing hall’s age, size and location all point to the need for a new building.

“The current facility may lack the ability to accommodate recommended services and equipment, especially as certification requirements and demands for service both increase,” says Lorimer.

The study explored four potential locations.

Sites on Davy Lake Road and Pine Street were cited as being too close to Ignace Public School or further from firefighter homes.

A site near the Public Works Garage on Lily Pad Lake Road was seen as the most advantageous.

“The site is in close proximity to where current firefighters live, as well as where future firefighters may choose to live,” says Lorimer.

“The site is in close proximity to various critical infrastructure, and the site has minimal exposure to schools and pedestrians.”

It would be close to Ecole Immaculee Conception, but Fire Chief Sean De Tracey says it would offer multiple routes to access emergencies, especially to those on Highway 17.

The report does not comment on the cost of a new building.

Emo Health Centre 2021 (3)

Riverside lifts Code Grey at Emo Health Centre

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There is hot water again at Emo Health Centre.

The centre experienced limited water near the end of February, prompting Riverside Health Care to issue a Code Grey emergency code, used to designate an infrastructure failure.

It also forced the need for alternative bedside bathing procedures.

Riverside says its maintenance crews and outside contractors have since been working to correct the problem.

It reported on Thursday that repairs have been completed and the hot water is again flowing normally.

The Code Grey has also been removed.

assorted color pencils in yellow bucket

Province setting up new school supplies website for teachers

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Elementary teachers are getting some financial help with the purchase of classroom supplies.

The province is giving each homeroom teacher $750 in September.

Education Minister Paul Calandra says it leaves the purchasing power up to teachers.

“It’s not us that is going to decide what the teachers need,” says Calandra.

“It’s the teachers who are going to decide what they need because every class is unique. Every class may be different.”

The money will come in the form of a card to be used on a new online site where teachers can obtain supplies.

Calandra says they will be visiting schools and speaking with educators to get a list of what teachers need and make them available through the site.

It is expected to offer a grade-by-grade selection of commonly used classroom items, including writing supplies, notebooks, calculators, chalk, arts and crafts materials, tissues and paper towels.

Many teachers are paying for the items up front and wait to be reimbursed.

The province has provided school boards with funding, but Calandra says not all of the money is necessarily flowing to teachers.

In some cases, teachers are told to purchase items through their board’s preferred vendors, which are often higher in cost than going to big box stores.

Calandra says that by using the purchasing power of Service Ontario, prices will be the same no matter where teachers are.

“Sometimes the cost of supplies is much more expensive in the north than it is in the south. That’s why we are bringing the purchasing power of the province together.”

Dam at Fort Frances 2014

Dam operators given leeway with Rainy/Namakan lake levels

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board’s Water Levels Committee has issued its spring directive for lake levels on Rainy and Namakan Lakes.

The Water Levels Committee is directing dam operators in the area to keep Rainy Lake within the 25 to 75 percent band of its Rule Curve, which designates the minimum and maximum lake levels.

Namakan is to stay within the 40-75 percent band of its Rule Curve.

The directive takes into account current conditions and forecasts.

The Rainy Lake basin has experienced relatively dry conditions since the last, with snowpack and snow water equivalent being close to normal in the eastern headwaters and slightly below normal to the west.

The level of frost is also variable, which could enhance spring snowmelt runoff.

Long-range forecasts indicate below normal temperatures and equal chances of above and below normal precipitation.

Officials have suggested the risk of spring flooding is currently low.

The Water Levels Committee says it will continue to monitor conditions over the coming weeks and take further direction on the lake levels as needed.

a group of football players walking on a field

Minnesota considers CPR/AED training for school coaches

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Minnesota school districts are preparing to comply with a new state law requiring them to have cardiac emergency response plans.

If a separate bill passes, coaches would have to receive training so they can jump in when a scare happens under their watch.

The response plan law, adopted last year, calls on schools to have them implemented by the 2026-27 academic year.

State funding was provided to help gather resources, such as automated external defibrillators, or AEDs.

This week, the new legislative proposal received a hearing.

It would require high school and middle school coaches to obtain life-saving CPR and AED training.

Holding back tears, Danielle Tirevold, a registered nurse, recounted the story of her daughter Gia, who went into sudden cardiac arrest while playing softball.

“I watched her face and lips go white; my child was pulseless – I immediately began performing CPR,” she says.

“There was no AED, no athletic trainer, no one there was trained to assist me.”

911 was called as the situation unfolded, and a nearby fire truck brought an AED.

Tirevold’s daughter survived, but she wants to prevent similar scares from turning deadly so that other parents don’t have to endure an unthinkable tragedy.

The American Heart Association says what happened to Gia is the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes.

The Minnesota State High School Coaches Association supports additional training but worries about logistical issues.

Gia Tirevold’s coach, Rick Thomas, testified in support of the bill, saying what happened last summer opened his eyes.

“To see someone you care so much about dying in front of you, and you don’t have the training to know how to help them,” he says.

“Please take a serious look at this situation and the lack of training and realize the importance of having coaches here in Minnesota trained with CPR.”

In response to the logistical concerns raised, the bill’s lead sponsor noted the many organizations, including the Heart Association, provide this training at no cost.

Other lawmakers at the hearing pointed out that expanded training can also save the lives of parents and other spectators.

The Senate Education Committee advanced the bill to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Todd McCarthy Mar 10 2026

Ontario conservation authorities reduced to 9 in 2027

The provincial government is moving ahead with plans to consolidate conservation authorities.

The existing 36 bodies will be merged into nine regional ones.

Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Todd McCarthy says it will strengthen the watershed management.

“By consolidating into nine optimized regional conservation authorities, we can reduce administrative duplication while delivering consistent provincial standards, modern tools and strengthened capacity,” says McCarthy.

“It would mean stronger flood resilience, clearer processes for municipalities and permit applicants and better support for housing and infrastructure projects, all while maintaining the science-based decisions that people and businesses expect.”

A lone authority in northwestern Ontario, based in Thunder Bay, remains in place.

The province considered merging it with one in northeastern Ontario.

“We listened after initially proposing seven rather than six, and we’ve arrived at nine and very important changes from what we originally proposed based on those consultations,” says McCarthy.

“For example, Thunder Bay is going to be a standalone conservation authority separate from Lake Huron. We listened, we acted.”

McCarthy says the conservation authorities will continue to be independent, municipally governed organizations.

They will also continue to carry out provincially-mandated programs such as managing flooding and other natural hazards, drinking water source protection and the management of their lands and recreational trails.

A new agency established to oversee the consolidation of conservation authorities will remain.

McCarthy says the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency will now assist with the transition.

“It would lead consolidation and work to ensure that every conservation authority has the tools and the resources they need to deliver effective watershed management today and into the future,” says McCarthy.

“To support the agency’s work, our province is providing new additional funding of $3 million annually to OPCA beginning this year. During the transition, OPCA would use these funds to help conservation authorities transition to the new model.”

The new authorities to be in place early next year.

OPP drug bust 2 - Feb 26 2026 Second St. E.

8 arrested in drug trafficking investigations in Fort Frances

Eight people are facing drug-related charges following separate drug busts in Fort Frances.

Provincial Police says a search conducted in the area of Second Street East led police to find more than 622 grams of cocaine.

Over $21,500 in cash and other items were also discovered.

Items seized by Ontario Provincial Police during a drug investigation on Second Street East in Fort Frances, February 26, 2026. Phot supplied by Ontario Provincial Police, March 10, 2026

A 31-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, both from Fort Frances, were taken into custody and charged with drug trafficking and possession of property or proceeds of crime.

Both were later released and will appear back in court at the end of March.

In the second investigation, OPP, along with Treaty Three Police Service, executed search warrants at the Faith Housing Complex and at homes in the Third Street East areas to find about 70 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine and $1,000 in cash.

Items seized by Ontario Provincial Police during a drug investigation in Fort Frances on March 3, 2026. Photo supplied by Ontario Provincial Police, March 10, 2026

Two Fort Frances women, aged 23 and 50, were charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

A 42-year-old, also from Fort Frances, faced two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

A 27-year-old woman was charged with failing to comply with a previous release order.

All four individuals have since been released and will make court appearances in April.

Two 17-year-olds from the Toronto area were also arrested.

One from Toronto faced three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, while the other from North York was arrested on two similar charges and one for possession of property or proceeds of crime.

Both appeared before a Fort Frances courtroom this week.

Rainycrest Long Term Care June 2019 (2)

Visitor restrictions/masking requirements in place at Rainycrest Long-Term Care

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A respiratory outbreak at Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances has prompted visitor restrictions.

It is impacting the West Wing of the home.

Residents are allowed only two visitors or caregivers in their room at any one time.

Visitors are also being told not to visit with more than one person while at the home.

Visitors and staff also have to wear a mask when in the affected area.

Additional personal protective equipment may be required at the home’s discretion.

Riverside Health Care is also urging all visitors to self-screen before entering our facilities.

Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms is being asked to stay away until they feel better.

The home has also put restrictions on admissions, transfers, and discharges.

Large group social activities for residents on the West Wing are also cancelled until further notice.

a group of yellow and orange machines

Minnesota considers outright ban on crypto kiosks

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Minnesota is part of a nationwide push to crack down on scams targeting people through cryptocurrency kiosks.

Lawmakers, police chiefs and consumer advocates said recent policy moves are not enough, leading to a proposed statewide ban on crypto automatic teller machines.

Another legislative hearing was expected this week on a bill to prohibit electronic kiosks handling virtual currency transactions.

The licensed ATMs have popped up in gas stations and other retailers, with about 350 in Minnesota.

In 2024, the state adopted tighter rules.

Thomas Elness, advocacy manager for AARP Minnesota, says impostors are still finding ways to work around those laws and are pressuring people to deposit a lot of money when hearing threatening verbal commands.

“‘Your grandson was in a car accident and needs money.’ Or, ‘The city said we’re going to shut off your water if you don’t deliver money in the next hour to this machine,'” Elness cites as examples.

“People are shovelling $100 bills into these kiosks, and it’s going to scammers, never to be seen again.”

AARP says a grandfather from St. Paul lost nearly $9,000 in one recent scam.

Elness stresses they are not against cryptocurrency, but the group wants common-sense safeguards and is backing the latest plan.

The bill has bipartisan support, but some lawmakers want to hear more about prevention efforts from industry partners.

An official from a major kiosk operator testified against the bill, saying a ban will not make scams disappear.

Brandon Silgjord, chief of police in Sartell, says after his central Minnesota city got a crypto kiosk, it became a vessel for scammers to lure unsuspecting residents into handing over their money.

The financial hardship for the victim is the most upsetting, and Silgjord adds police have to use manpower on an almost unsolvable crime.

“We do want to try, and usually it’s all done in vain because we can’t recover the funds in any way or even identify a reasonable suspect that we could maybe track down,” says Silgjord.

He notes that even when they can somehow trace the funds, they are moved around multiple times into an overseas digital wallet.

According to FBI data, cryptocurrency kiosks were used in scams leading to more than $333 million in reported losses last year.

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