Tuesday, May 31, 2011

More Help to Alberta

The Ministry of Natural Resources is send more personnel to the forest fire fight in Alberta.

Another one-hundred and two fire staff are expected to leave Ontario tomorrow, replacing some of those who have been in the western province for the past two weeks.

Eight-five of the 190 Ontario personnel now in Alberta are expected to return later this week.

Search Continues

A search for a missing American angler continues near Morson.

Provincial Police were back in Lake of the Woods yesterday looking for 69-year-old Richard Herman.

The Illinois man was with another fishing on the lake last Monday.

Their capsized boat and the body of a 73-year-old man were found by police the next day.

NAN Upset with Awards

The head of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation says a decision to reward some OPP officers last week sends a wrong message to First Nations.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy says the commendations are glorified and unnecessary

One award was given to an officer involved the shooting of a First Nations woman brandishing a knife in Kenora.

More Officiers Wanted

The help wanted sign is up at Ontario Provincial Police.

Commissioner Chris Lewis says staffing levels are a concern for him and the OPP are looking to fill expected vacancies.

"We're losing about 400 people to retirement this year," says Lewis, "so we're recruiting actively. We've hired a number of experienced officers from other police departments. We're also recruiting new recruits. We have a number of good applicants."

Lewis says part of the emphasis is encouraging more people from northern Ontario to consider the OPP as a career.

MSA Golf Tournament Coming

Golfers are being sought for the Muskies Sports Association's upcoming golf tournament.

Shane Bliss, one of the event's organizers says it will happen June 4 at Kitchen Creek Golf Course.

People can call myself 274-0502 or Kitchen Creek 274-4653 to sign up for the golf tournament," says Bliss

Part of the $100-dollar entry fee is used to fund Fort Frances High School sports teams except hockey and football.

Motorists Charged

Two motorists face charges following separate incidents over the weekend in the Rainy River district.

One was charged Friday for failing to stop for a school bus in Atikokan.

Police says the charge stemmed from a complaint that a vehicle had driving through the flashing red lights while students were boarding.

And Sunday, OPP charged a driver with being impaired after he was found asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle that was stopped on the road near the overpass in Fort Frances.

Blue's Artist Hit's Number 1

More recognition for Atikokan blue's artist Sunday Wilde.

Her self-titled album has hit the number spot on the Global Blues Charts on AirplayDirect.

The chart is based on downloads by radio stations around the world.

Wilde performs in her hometown Wednesday.