Another Forest Fire in RR District

Another lighting caused forest fire in the Rainy River district.

Yesterday's blaze was spotted at the north end of Rainy Lake and burned less than 0.1 hectares.

It's just the 27th forest fire in this district this year.

Tornado Damage Reviewed

(MNR photo)


Damage caused by Tuesday's tornado in the Dryden and Sioux Lookout areas appears to be minimal.

An inspection by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Canada personnel identified spots where the tornado touched down, but found no real impact.

In a scale used to rate tornadoes, Environment Canada says this was a zero - the lowest rating possible.

Here is some video supplied by the Ministry of Natural Resources of its surveillance

Education on Election Radar

Ontario's education system is getting a lot of attention from all three parties in the upcoming provincial election.

Premier Dalton McGuinty warned elementary teachers gathered in Toronto that if the Progressive Conservatives win, the system will return to the cutbacks of the Mike Harris era.

Tory Leader Tim Hudak wasn't invited to speak at yesterday's meeting, but the Conservatives were quick to deny McGuinty's claims, saying they will put two billion dollars into the education system.

Gravelle Talks to OFL Head

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle feels talks went well with the Ontario Federation of Labour.

Gravelle made a phone call to president Sid Ryan after injured workers occupied his Thunder Bay office.

Gravelle says he's committing his support to moving forward on their concerns over workers compensation.

Labour groups are looking for improvement that help injured workers.

Fair Opens Today

(Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society photo)

It's fair time in Emo

The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society's annual event begins today with the midway opening at 2 p.m.

The crowning of the fair queen, as well as the Mini King and Queen, takes place at the Emo-LaVallee Arena at 6 p.m.

Gate admission is 3 dollar per person with advance ride tickets available around the district.

Boy Killed in ATV Accident

A 10-year-old boy from the Rainy River district is dead following an accident involving an ATV.

OPP say the boy was operating the off-road vehicle on private property in Dawson Township early Tuesday night when he lost control and struck a barbed wire fence.

He was transported to hospital in Rainy River where he was pronounced dead.

No name has been released.

Customs Officers Sentenced

A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer who worked in International Falls has been sentenced to seven years in prison

A Koochiching County judge Monday sentenced 46-year-old Patrick Hamburg on a charge of second-degree sexual assault involving a young girl.

Hamburg was arrested last November and later admitted to accusations of assaulting the girl multiple times over several years.