Liberals Select Candidate

Liberals in Kenora-Rainy River have selected their candidates for this October's provincial election.

Emo township councillor Anthony Leek was unopposed in his bid for the candidacy at a nomination meeting last night in Fort Frances.

Leek says he's want to bring a strong voice to the riding.

"I'm dedicated to providing you an outlet to share your concerns, suggestions and questions to the province," says Leek. "I want to be the voice of positive commitment for you while I'm at Queen's Park and share the rest of Ontario the passion I have for the people of this riding."

Leek hopes to have his campaign team in place over the next few weeks.

Conservative Candidate Expected Soon

The Conservatives may be close to announcing their candidate for the Kenora-Rainy River Riding.

Party officials say they had several people interested in running but were hesitate to do so with Howard Hampton sitting as MPP.

Now that the incumbent has announced he won't seek re-election, officials say they could have a candidate in place within a few days.

U.S. to Assist with Fire Fight

(MNR photo)

The Ministry of Natural Resources is now getting help from the United States in the forest fire fight in northwestern Ontario.

About fifty forest firefighters from Minnesota will join the more than two-thousand now in the area's forests.

There are about 120 fires burning in the region- including three in Quetico Provincial Park.

Cellphone Tower Blocked

(File photo)

A Minnesota court has blocked AT&T's plan to build a 450-foot cellphone tower near the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The judge supported Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness claims the tower would likely hurt the "scenic and aesthetic resources'' of the area, but gave the ok for one less than half its size.

AT&T contended one tall tower would do the best job of extending cellphone service east of Ely, allowing paddlers to call for help in emergencies.

The company is now considering its options.

Walk for Good Life at Half-way Point

A group of walkers have passed the half-way point in their journey around the Kenora-Rainy River district.

The seventeen young people are taking part in the "Walk for Good Life" that started Monday at Eagle Lake First Nation.

Passing through Couchiching First Nation yesterday, 16-year-old Justin Morrison of Couchiching says its been a great experience.

"Just walking alone on the highway, just all by yourself, you have so much time to think and find yourself," says Morrison. "That's why it's my favourite time of year."

The group will end their walk at Eagle Lake First Nation Sunday.

Samsung Deal Rewritten

The province has renegotiated its seven-billion dollars green energy deal with Korean giant Samsung.

The Liberal government says the new deal will save taxpayers money and get new manufacturing plants built faster.

The government is giving Samsung a one-year extension to get its wind and solar projects online because of problems securing agreements with First Nations.

Get Your Vaccine Shots

Ontario's chief medical officer says recent cases of mumps and measles should serve as reminders for everyone to get their vaccine shots.

Two people from Quebec were sick with infectious measles recently while at Canada's Wonderland and a southern Ontario resort.

Doctor Arlene King says two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are enough to protect someone from both infectious viruses.