Accident Closes Area Highway Again

Another fatal traffic accident contributed to a temporary closure of Highway 71.

It happened early yesterday morning, six kilometres south of Sioux Narrows, keeping that section of the highway closed for nearly seven hours.

No other details have yet been released.

The accident came just days after a Thunder Bay teen was killed in a single vehicle accident on the same highway.

Distracted Driving Crackdown

Keep off your cellphones and keep your eyes on the road if you don't want to attract the attention of police.

Provincial police officers are kicking off their second "Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other, Distracted Driving Campaign."

Starting today, officers will be stopping any drivers caught using a hand-held communications device.

Using a cellphone while driving could bring a 155-dollar fine.

Recycling Strategy Up for Discussion

Residents of Emo will get another opportunity tonight to comment on a propose recycling strategy for their community.

The town is in the midst of a Class Environment Assessment.
Councillor Vernon Thompson says the plan includes setting up a depot to keep recyclables out of the landfill.

"Removing the cardboard from the dump, number 1 and number 2 plastics - that kind of stuff," says Thompson. "We'll have a spot for tires. We have that now. We have a spot for steel. We'll have an electronics site. Get rid of the tin cans out of the dump so that less stuff that goes in the dump the longer it's going to last."

The meeting at the Emo-LaVallee Community Centre goes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More Forest Fires in Far North

Nine new forest fires were reported in northwestern Ontario yesterday, almost all in remote areas north of Red Lake and Sioux Lookout.

A total of 76 fires are currently burning in the region, none in the Rainy River district.

Forest Fire Cuts Power

A forest fire burning near New Osnaburgh has consumed power lines and left hundreds of people in the dark.

Hydro One says the power went out yesterday afternoon effecting New Osnaburgh, Pickle Lake and Cat Lake First Nation.

Court Times Reducing

Ontario's Attorney General says the province's courts have seen an encouraging drop in processing times three years into a program to eliminate wasted resources.

While not all courts have met the target of bringing down the number of days and court appearances used per criminal case by 30 per cent, Attorney General Chris Bentley says court times are going in the right direction.

Science Camps in District

Science North kicks off its summer camps in the Rainy River district today in Atikokan.

Staff Scientist Natalie Crinklaw says the week-long camp is made up of three different ones for different age groups.

"For the middle age group, 6 to 8, there's going to be a discovery camp," says Crinklaw. "There's a whole bunch of different things going on and each day going to have a different science theme. For the older kids, 9 to 11, is the Gizmo camp. They're going to find out how things work and they get to build their own rocket."

There is also a nature camp aimed at youngsters 4 and 5.

A similar camp will be held in Fort Frances in August.