Horwath to Scrap Forest Tenure Policy

(CJUK photo)


The NDP are promising to scrap the current wood allocation process in the north if they form the next government at Queen's Park.

It's part of their northern Ontario election platform.

Leader Andrea Horwath says Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle has it all wrong.

"I think northerners are tired of hearing from a Minister who talks about what can't be done and how we can't fix the problems facing northern Ontario," says Horwath. "I disagree. I believe this and should be done and must be done amongst other policies."

Horwath also says the NDP would force mining companies to process the minerals they mine in Ontario.

Second Councillor Seeks Conservative Nomination

Conservatives in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding now have some choice in their selection of a candidate for the upcoming provincial election.

Kenora councillor Louis Roussin has announced his intention to seek the nomination.

He joins Rod McKay, also a Kenora councillor, in the race.

No word yet when a nomination meeting will be held.

Rainy Lake Fisheries Surveyed

(David Denyes and Alex Crichton conduct a survey on the North Arm of Rainy Lake to monitor angling effort on the lake and to gauge the number and weight of fish harvested during the open-water fishing season - MNR photo)


The Ministry of Natural Resources is in the midst of a creel survey on Rainy Lake.

A survey crew is working in the north arm of the lake until the end of September.

Area Biologist Darryl McLeod says it will give the MNR good information on the lake's fishery.

"It helps us evaluate the fishing regulations on the lake," says McLeod. "For example, the walleye slot-size that's on Rainy Lake. It also helps us evaluate our management objectives so we can look at what our target harvest levels are."

McLeod says the findings will also help in a possible re-write of the Ontario-Minnesota Boundary Waters Fisheries Atlas in 2014.

Park Officials Kill Bear

Officials believe they've killed a bear that attacked a Pukaskwa National Park visitor last week.

The bear matches the physical and behavioural description provided by the victim.

Tests are being conducted to determine if the DNA of the killed bear matches evidence collected from the scene.

Pukaskwa is located about 300 kilometres east of Thunder Bay.

No Fires Yesterday

(MNR photo)

Low temperatures and much needed precipitation is helping forest firefighters get the upper hand on the more than 110 fires still active in northwestern Ontario.

And first time since June 10, there were no new fires reported yesterday.

Mineral Mountain Adds Property

Mineral Mountain Resources has acquired more property around it's now-held former Straw Lake Gold Mine.

The company says it has purchased 64 hectares containing six mining patents from a Fort Frances resident for $600-thousand and 350-thousand shares.

The area is located in Richardson township, 60 kilometres north of Fort Frances.

Retired Teacher Goes to Sports Hall

A retired teacher from Rainy River who spent the better part of four decades coaching will be headed to Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

Don Gale says the selection came as a complete surprise.

"It really shook me up that I would be inducted," says Gale. "I never thought that it would happen. I played a lot of sports and I coached a few. I was just kind of overwhelmed, but very honoured."

Gale began coaching hockey when he moved to Rainy River in 1969 before switching to curling and golf.

Drunk Drivers Nabbed

Three men will be making appearances later this month in an Atikokan court room on separate impaired driving related offences.

O-P-P first charged a 35-year-old man from B-C with failing to provide a suitable breath sample during a traffic stop early Saturday morning.

Later that day, police charged a 19-year-old Atikokan man suspected of operating a dirt bike while impaired.

Then that night, a 51-year-old Atikokan man was charged with impaired after police acted on a public complaint.

Copper Theft

Hydro One is expressing concern with a rise in theft of copper from its stations and facilities across the province.

The Utility says it's been a frequent target, but a dangerously one for thieves.

A recent incident in Toronto led to a young man being badly burned while allegedly attempted to steal copper from a transformer station.