College and LU Receive Funds

The Provincial Government is give Lakehead University and Confederation College a financial shot in the arm.

The College is getting 1-million dollars to launch its new Trades and Technology program and increase space for another 260 students.

Lakehead is receiving 285-thousand to fund research that will look at the utilization of wood as a value-added project and another 150-thousand to study new harvest planning strategies.

Deadly Long Weekend in Ontario

It proved to be a deadly weekend on Ontario's highways and waterways.

The Ontario Provincial Police concluded their Civic Holiday long weekend safety initiative midnight Monday.

A total of 12 people died on the roads, trails and waterways patrolled by O-P-P over the long weekend, including ten as the result of motor vehicle collisions and two deaths related to boating incidents.

During the 2008 Civic Holiday long weekend, four people died.

None of this year's deaths were in the Rainy River district.

OPP Seek Public Help

OPP in Fort Frances are seeking the public's assistance in solving two acts of mischief that occurred in the town last month.

In the first incident, culprits caused more than $6,000 in damages after denting three vehicles parked at West End Motors sometime during the evening of July 4th or early morning July 5th.

A day later, police say two people smashed a store front window of the Bargain Store, causing $500 in damages.

Anyone with information regarding either incident is asked to call OPP or Crimestoppers.

Tragic End to Missing I. Falls Man

A man who was the subject of a search in International Falls has died after being struck by a vehicle.

Koochiching County Sheriff's Department says 74-year-old Charles Kay Johnson died at the Rainy Lake Medical Centre from injuries suffered in the accident that occurred on Highway 11-71, north of County Road 107 at around 2:30 this morning.

Johnson had been the subject of a police search after failing to appear in court on Monday.

Police, with the assistance of a St. Louis County Sheriff Department dog team, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and local divers, began searching the Rainy River and the surrounding woods yesterday after his vehicle was found at the Shorewood River access.

Smokey Bear Turns 65

Smokey Bear will be honoured today in International Falls.

The city is celebrating the 65th birthday of the most recognizable symbol of conservation and protection of America's Forests.

President of the International Falls Chamber of Commerce Betsy Jenson says its was a local campaign that brought Smokey to the community.

"They had buttons that said 'I'm giving towards Smokey Bear statue coming here'," says Jenson, "and I think the statue originally cost about $3,600 to put it up."

The statue is located at the city's park, named in honour of Smokey Bear and stands 26 feet tall, making it the tallest such monument in the United States.

Jenson says both the monument and the park, itself 55 years old, have become important landmarks to the city.

"It is certainly pretty much the heart of our city. Many of the fun activities done in International Falls are centred out of Smokey Bear Park from our Independence Day Celebrations right down to family reunions."

Festivities to celebrate his birthday begin at about 5 this afternoon at Smokey Bear Park with free dogs and seedlings given to the first 1,000 people who arrive.

There are also games for the kids and an opportunity to have your picture taken with Smokey Bear.

A concert in the bandshell at 7 p.m. will conclude the birthday party.

Exhibitors and Volunteers Wanted

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society is putting out a call for people interested in displaying exhibits at this year's Emo Fall Fair.

President Emily Watson says the fair book is now available.

"Anyone who wants to enter can go to our website www.emofair.com," says Watson. "We were fortunate to get funding for a summer student and she's at the ground. If people want to go there and pick up a fair book or entry forms, there can simply go to the fair office at the grounds."

Entries for all exhibits will only be received at the Exhibition Hall Wednesday August 12th between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Watson says they're also looking for some volunteer assistance.

"We're always looking for volunteers. This is a good way for students to get their (volunteer) hours for high school so we're able to do that every year."

Trillium Grant for Atikokan

More money for Atikokan's new youth centre.

An Ontario Trillium grant of $40 thousand dollars will be used for staff and equipment purchases.

The centre, located in Atikokan's downtown, was established to provide programs and services to youth aged 13 to 20.

College Enrollment Increases

Confederation College will see an overall enrollment increase for the upcoming school year.

President Pat Lang says so far, there's a 10 to 14 per cent increase of students with the numbers of nearly all programs on the rise.

Lang says the college is preparing for the increase in students by expanding the health and community services programs as well as adding new programs.

Forest Fire Equipment Sent to B.C.

Northwestern Ontario has sent additional resources to fire ravaged British Columbia.

Two CL-415 water bombers left Dryden and Kenora yesterday for Kamloops.

Support is also being provided in the form of fire suppression equipment such as pumps, hoses and portable water tanks.

Ontario currently has approximately 570-fire personnel working in B.C.

The MNR has started rotating staff, replacing crews who've now completed a two-week deployment.

Flares Encouraged on Boats

Provincial Police are reminding area boaters about the importance of having good working marine flares on board.

It comes in the wake of a weekend rescue of two American boaters who found themselves stranded on Rainy Lake for two days.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says it make sense to have flares when traveling the lake.

"We think there are such small bays on Rainy Lake," says McCoy, "and you're really not technically a mile from shore at any given area, but you may get blown into a back bay like this vessel did."

The boaters became stranded when their engine gave out and they drifted into an area not visible by passing boaters.

Search in International Falls

Few details are being released regarding a search being conducted by the Koochiching County Sheriff's Department.

A search was initiated yesterday for a body in Rainy River near International Falls.

The department would only say the search “is in regards to an investigation,” but would not provide any other details until later today.