Highway Closure

A section of Highway 71 has been closed because of a traffic accident.

There are no details of the accident yet available, but OPP say it happened about 6:30 a.m. this morning on the Highway at Frickas Road in Sioux Narrows.

No word when that section of the highway will be reopened.

Deer Lake Evacuated

Nearly 500 residents of the remote community of Deer Lake are being evacuated because of a nearby forest fire.

The province is co-ordinating with federal and defence officials to evacuate residents whose health is most at risk.

The more than 480 residents will be airlifted to Geraldton.

New Fire in Rainy River District

Just one new forest fires being reported in the Rainy River district.

The less than one-hectare lightning-caused fire is burning near Mayhew Lake, northeast of Atikokan.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has classified it as being under control.

Thunder Bay Man Missing

Authorities are looking for a Thunder Bay man who drove to Indiana to pick up an R-V, but never returned home.

Police in Thunder Bay and Indiana know that Ed Spakowski made it to the Elkhart RV factory on June 30 and picked up the unit, but did not get on the toll road heading home.

Police say there's also no indication Spakowski has come back into Canada.

Home First Expansion Proposed

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network wants to expand its Home First program for seniors in the region.

The program is aimed at trying to get people, now in a hospital bed, back home.

CEO Laura Kokochinski says it's part of a broader provincial initiative.

"That we're moving in that direction," says Kokochinski, "that people will not wait any longer in an acute hospital where there's lots of bacteria and virus floating around and people can actually get sometimes sicker while waiting in a hospital. So it's to take them back to their home environment where they'll wait."

Kokochinski says enhancing home care services and putting in supportive housing also helps build toward the Home First philosophy.

Ride for Memories

The Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River has started the planning for its annual Ride for Memories and poker derby.

Executive Director Lynn Moffitt says this year's motorcycle rider will have start locations in Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances.

"And they meet up along the ride," says Moffitt. "The host location for the awards ceremony and dinner will be at the Adventure Inn in Fort Frances."

Money raised is used to help fund various patient programs.

Registration packages for the August 27 event can be obtained at the Adventure Inn or by visiting the agencies website at www.alzheimerkrr.com.

Loggers Concerns Still in Court

Another court will now rule on whether Minnesota loggers can continue working during the government shutdown.

A Koochiching County judge last week granted a temporary restraining order allowing loggers to continue harvesting timber.

But the State's Supreme Court is backing a request by the Department of Natural Resources to have the case assigned to the same judge who determined which agencies would be allowed to work through the shutdown in a separate case.

It's unclear when the case will now be heard.

Economic Development Funding

The Atikokan Economic Development Corporation is receiving half-a-million dollars in federal funding.

The money allows the EDC to carry out loan programs aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses in the community.

Similar funding last year helped the Corporation provide assistance to 18 businesses that created or maintained 51 jobs.

Boating Accident

A close call for three teens on Lake of the Woods.

OPP say the girls were in a boat heading to a camp near Kenora when the operator lost control causing one of the girls to be thrown into the water and be struck by the prop of the motor.

The girl was pulled from the water and taken back to Kenora where she was transported to hospital for treatment of injuries to her neck and head.