Monday, June 3, 2013

Plane Crash Victims Identified

OPP have recovered two bodies from a fatal plane crash in northwestern Ontario.

OPP says 59-year-old Jim Beauchene and 58-year-old Brenda Beauchene, both of Phoenix, Arizona, were found amongst the wreckage at the bottom of Red Lake by a police dive team Saturday evening.

The float plane they were in crashed into the water, shortly after taking off Thursday.

Medical School Featured in New Television Drama

A television series based on the Northern Ontario Medical School makes its debut on TV Ontario next Sunday.

It's called Hard Rock Medical

Actress Tamara Duarte plays Gina Russo, a first year med student and feels it's a good portrayal of the medical challenges facing the north.

Fort Frances Public Library will be advance screen the first two episodes Thursday night.

The show will air on Sunday on TV Ontario.

Chilly Morning

It's June, but residents around the Borderland are waking up to sub-freezing temperatures.

Frost warnings were issued by Environment Canada earlier this morning as temperatures
Yesterday morning, International Falls reported a low of 30 degrees, a record low for the date.

Crane Lake reported a morning low of 28.

Weather Keeps Forest Fire Hazard Down

The weekend's wet and cool weather helped keep the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario down.

No new fires were reported on the weekend while there is just one still active.

That being a blaze near Webequie First Nation which is classed as under control.

Careful Of Ticks

The Northwestern Health Unit is advising the public to protect themselves from Lyme Disease.

It's something that can be transmitted through deer ticks.

Public Health Inspector Kurt Casey says the tick must be on the person for 24-hours for the bacteria to enter the body.

The Health Unit is also offering Tick Kit at its offices.

Rainy River Resources Welcome New Operators

The current developers of a planned open pit gold mine north of Barwick are confident the project will become a reality under new owners.

Rainy River Resources is agreeing to a friendly buy-out by New Gold.

Rainy River's Nick Nikolakakis says feels the decision to accept the deal now makes good sense.

Nikolakakis says New Gold has a good track record of developing mines and excellent management team that fits well with the Rainy River gold project.

House Fire Claims One

One person is dead following a house fire in LaVallee township.

Members of the LaVallee Fire Department were called to the home on Highway 11 just before 5 Friday morning.

No name has been released at this time.

Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

College Grad Set

Graduation ceremonies at Confederation College's campus in Fort Frances have been announced.

They are set for June 17 at the Townshend Theatre, and for the first time, there will be two separate ceremonies.

One will feature 50 students who have earned certificates and diplomas from various College programs.

The other will recognize students participating in the "School Within A College" program.

That program allowed students to gain College credits that were also credited toward receiving
their Secondary School diploma.

Take Over Of Rainy River Resources Announced

There's a new owner of a major gold project in the Rainy River district.

Vancouver based New Gold has reached a friendly deal to acquire Rainy River Resources.

The offer values Rainy River at about $310 million.

New Gold would pay up to $198 million in cash with the remainder in stock.

Rainy River's board is supporting the deal.

New Life-Saving Training Coming To Area High Schools

A new life saving initiative is coming to high schools in the Rainy River district.

The ACT Foundation is offering a new CPR and defibrillator training program for students.

Executive Director Sandra Clark teachers are getting the qualification to train the students.

The initiative is also providing Atikokan High School with 2 AED training units and 15 training mannequins while Fort Frances High is getting four training units and thirty mannequins.