Fort Frances To Host Evacuees

Fort Frances will be playing host to about one hundred residents from Sandy Lake First Nation.

They're being flown out of their remote community this afternoon because of smoke from nearby forest fires.

Fire Chief Frank Sheppard says they'll be staying the Adventure Inn when they arrive.

More than 550 other residents are in Thunder Bay.

School Boards Told To Negotiate Deals

Ontario's Liberal government wants school boards to use the province's deal with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association as a basis to reach local contracts by the end of the August.

Education Minister Laurel Broten says boards will have to do what her government could not do and convince the teachers' unions to accept a pay freeze or she'll introduce legislation.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation says Broten is being unrealistic in expecting school boards to reach deals in 30 days that the province couldn't reach in six months.

Second Teen Arrested In Death

A second teen is facing a charge of First Degree Murder in the death of a man on Whitefish Bay First Nation earlier this month.

A 14-year-old boy, who can not be named because his age, will appear in a Kenora court today.

Both Treaty Three Police and OPP initially charged a 16-year-old boy, who also can't be named, two day's after police discovered the body of 61-year-old Charles Minshall when they responded to gun fire in the area of the man's store.

Fight To Reopen Tourism Centres Continues

It's not going to happen this year, but the fight to get the region's tourism centres re-opened isn't stopping.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is again refuting the Tourism Ministry's reasons behind closing the centres, including those Fort Frances and Rainy River.

Campbell says the government's now pointing to the use of GPS units as a reason.

She disputes that claim saying her use of GPS in the area often fail to identify local landmarks that would help travellers.

Campbell admits its been frustrating, but isn't giving up hope the centres can be reopened next year.

Border Numbers Up

There's an increase in traffic being seen at the Fort Frances border.

Canada Border Services Agency says more than 108-thousand people in 50-thousand vehicles passed in June.

That's a 4.3 per cent increase from the number in June of last year.

By contrast, the number of travellers through the border at Pigeon River was down 3 per cent.

Portage Ave. Underpass Closed

There's a closure of the Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances today.

Operations and Facilities Manager Doug Brown says road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and tomorrow so crews can install electrical cable as part of upgrades to the sewage pumping station.

The sidewalk is also being closed, but pedestrians will be permitted to walk through the area along the closed road portion.

No More Evacuations Announced

MNR file photo

No word yet if there will more evacuations of remote First Nation communities today.


Emergency Management Ontario spoke with several communities, including Fort Frances, yesterday about the possibility of them hosting people from communities impacted by smoke from forest fires.

Thunder Bay is hosting 300 evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation.

Walk for Good Life Continues

A walk through parts of northwestern Ontario is underway.

Between 20 to 25 participants are involved in fourth annual Walk for Good Life, promoted by the group Good Life for Young Peoples.

They left Eagle Lake First Nation Sunday and will pass through this area today with stops at Couchiching and Rainy River First Nations.

The walk aims to inspire walkers culturally while promoting healthy lifestyles.

Zebra Mussel Problems In Minnesota

Inspectors for Minnesota's aquatic invasive species program are struggling to keep up with the spread of zebra mussels in State lakes this summer.

The Department of Natural Resources identifies more than sixty lakes are as being effected.

Agency officials add about 20 percent of boaters they check are in violation of laws aimed at preventing invasive species, but they're are making progress in building awareness.

Death At Remote Community Probed

Nishnawbe-Aski Police and the Ontario Provincial Police are investigating the death of a North Spirit Lake First Nation resident.

The deceased has been identified as 38 year-old Paul Campbell.

Details of the circumstances that led to his death have yet been revealed.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today in Thunder Bay.

Weekend Death Not Suspicious

OPP says they've found nothing suspicious about a weekend death of a 66-year-old man from Minnesota.

The man was pronounced dead at LaVerendrye hospital Friday afternoon after being transported from an island on Rainy Lake near the Five Mile Dock with what's described as a medical emergency

A post mortem was to be conducted Monday in Kenora.

Emo Break-In Suspects Sought

OPP are looking for two people who may be connected with a break-in earlier this month in Emo.

Fishing roads, an ice auger and a chain saw were taken from an unlocked garage.

Police says security cameras in the area identified two men carrying an auger and chain saw in the early hours of July 22..

One was wearing blue jeans and an orange or red sweatshirt.

The other was wearing a dark sweatshirt and dark pants.

Minnesota Anglers Win FFCBC

A Minnesota angling team is this year's winners of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

Mark Raveling and Mike Luhman led all three days of fishing combining for 55.06 lbs of bass.

The team had finished second in four previous tournaments.

They beat out Chad Johnson and John Janousek, who entered the final day of finishing 11th and held onto to the top spot with 51.83 lbs before Raveling and Luhman weighed in.


Fort Frances anglers Jim Sandelovich and Karl Howells were fourth with 50.06 lbs.


Ted and Leo Heyens finished fifth with 50.05 lbs. 

Hydro Out

Some residents in the Mine Centre area are without power this morning.

Hydro One says about 50 customers lost their electricity overnight.

There is also an outage in the Devlin area with about 20 customers impacted.

Crews have been dispatched and should have power restored later this morning.

Meantime, nearly two-thousand home in the Kenora area are still without power after a vicious storm passed overnight.


As many as three-thousand were effected.


Hydro One says it will be later today before power can be fulled restored to that area.

Forest Fire Hazard Drops

MNR file photo

Forest fire hazard across northwestern Ontario has dropped to low.

Sixty-six fires are still active, but were slowed by rain on the weekend.

Among the new blazes in the Rainy River district was one near Lizard Lake north of Sapawe.

It's listed as being under control.

Five fires are now within Quetico Provincial Park, but are being allowed to burn themselves out because of  their benefit to the ecosystem.

All of the fires in the district are being identified as being lightning-caused.

First Nation Residents Evacuated

MNR file photo

A forest fire has forced an evacuation of 70 people from Sandy Lake First Nation.

Chief Bart Meekis says he's asked city of Thunder Bay to serve as a host community.

Some Crews Head Home

An easing of the forest fire situation in parts of northwestern Ontario is allowing some out-of-province crews to return home.

Twenty firefighters from Minnesota as well as two CL-415 waterbombers from Quebec left the region yesterday.

Personnel from New Brunswick and Saskatchewan are still in the area helping Ontario forest firefighters.

More ORNGE Hearings

Health Minister Deb Matthews faces another grilling by a legislative committee this week about her oversight of Ontario's embattled air ambulance service Ornge.

Matthews earlier testified that her ministry was kept in the dark by Ornge while it set up a web of spin-off companies with taxpayers' money.

But much of what Matthews told the committee was contradicted by former CEO Chris Mazza.

BizKids Sell Products

There's some new entrepreneurs in the Fort Frances.

Nine youngsters, who participated in the Northwest Business Centre's BizKids camps, pitched products at at open air market Friday.

13-year-old Nicholas Derkson, who sold Candy-Kabobs, says he learned a lot.

The youngsters learned all aspects of operating a business and visited stores in the downtown area before marketing their own wares.

It's the first time the camp has been offered in Fort Frances.

The Centre is looking at bringing it back next summer.

Facebook Travels

Greg Mountenay photo

An Ontario man is trying to get a little face-to-face time with the hundreds of his Facebook friends.

Greg Mountenay is travel across the country and make Fort Frances a stop on the weekend.

He says he's being able to connect with friends he hasn't seen in several years.

Mountenay lists more than 1,200 Friends on this Facebook page.

He started his journey two weeks ago and will end it later next month

Search For Missing Teen Continues

The search for a missing Fort Frances teen continues.

14-year-old Maddi Bruyere left home Wednesday night to attend the teen dance at the Memorial Sports Centre and had spoken with her caregivers late that night, but never returned home.

OPP Constable Anne McCoy says they're hoping someone has information about her whereabouts.

Bruyere is described as being 5'7", thin build with long dark hair kept in a pony tail

She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark grey shirt.

Health Card Suspensions Isolated Cases

Health Ministry officials say reports of cancelled O-HIP cards are isolated incidents.

There are still more than 3.5 million Ontario residents with the old red-and-white health cards that have no expiry date and no picture.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says there have been no changes to the program to move people over to the new cards, and wants people to know they can still use their old health cards.

Large College Classes Expected

Classrooms at Confederation College's Rainy River campus could be close to capacity this fall.

Nearly one-hundred first year students have already registered for classes.

Campus manager Anne Renaud expects those numbers to increase with applications for programs still being accepted.

Renaud admits there will be some challenges in trying to fit everyone one in, but says it's a good problem to have.

Police Looking For Missing 14-year-old

Provincial Police in Fort Frances looking for a missing 14-year old.

Maddi Bruyere had left home Wednesday night to attend the teen dance at the Memorial Sports Centre and had spoken with her caregivers around 11:30 that night, but never returned home.

Police says she does know people at Naicatchewenin First Nation.

She is described as being 5' 7", thin build with long dark hair kept in a pony tail.

She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark grey shirt.

Hayes Wins Quest Again

Her performance of Heart's hit song "Alone" has earned Brittnay Hayes her second Quest for the Best title.

Hayes, who won in 2009, was voted the best vocal performance following the final sing-off last night with Larissa Desrosiers.

Hayes lost the sing-off last year, but took home $15-hundred in the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce sponsored event..

Area Residents "Be A Donor"

There continues to be strong interest in the Rainy River district from residents to register their consent for organ and tissue donation.

Figures release show 39 per cent of Fort Frances residents and 25 per cent of those living elsewhere in the district have already signed on with a provincial registry.

That's higher than the provincial average of 22 per cent.

Rainer Roost Celebrates 25 Years

Anniversary celebrations for an assisted living facility in Rainer.

Decker's Family Care established Rainer Roost 25 year ago as a 7 bed unit, expanding later to 23.

John Decker says they've been able to fill a real need.

A open house will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. with the facility making a special dedication in honour of a former resident.

Warm Weather To Continue

More warm and dry weather is on the way for the Rainy River district.

Environment Canada's Chantal Cerny says the higher than normal temperatures already experienced this summer will likely continue in the fall.

The average temperature for June was 1.4 C above the norm while the thermometer this month has reached over 30 C four times, compared with the average of two.


Rainfall amounts for June was the lowest it's been in eight years while another monthly record low could be achieved in July.

Health Care To Many Could End

Millions of Ontarians could find themselves without health insurance coverage if they ignore government notices to get a new health card.

There are still more than 3-and-a-half million residents with the old red-and-white cards, including a CTV reporter who was told her OHIP card had been cancelled and she'd have to pay $60 to see a doctor.

The old cards don't have expiry dates, but government officials say people were sent three notices to get the newer one.

If the card holder doesn't respond, and the health card hasn't been used in seven years, the government will suspend it.

Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship Results

Here are the results from the first day weigh-ins at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

Rank 1, team 3 Mark Raveling and Mike Luhman 19.73
Rank 2, team 2 Glenn Leroux and Trevor Zimak 18.45
Rank 3, team 59 Tyan Teigen and Mike Teigen 18.31
Rank 4, team 91 Jim Sandelovich and Karl Howells 17.25
Rank 5, team 24 Bill Godin and Ralph Galusha 16.73
Rank 6, team 20 Chad Johnson and John Janousek 16.71
Rank 7, team 48 Dennis Fiedler and Duane Anderson 16.68
Rank 8 team 31 Troy Norman and Jay Samsal 16.67
Rank 9, team 5 Jeff Gustafson and John Peterson 16.63
Rank 10, team 56 Kurt Johnson and Pat Jeffries 16.10
Rank 11, team 74 Ted Stewner and John Guzej 15.92
Rank 12, team 101 Dan Grosenick and Trevor Guderyan 15.89
Rank 13, team 46 Dorian Lindholm and Bill Wilcox 15.71
Rank 14, team 35 Brian Hansen and Lee Erickson 15.67
Rank 15, team 65 Dave Lindsay and Norm Lindsay 15.64
Rank 16, team 44 Jason Pavleck and Bill Walls 15.55
Rank 17, team 42 Dennis Barnard and Scott Gobeil 15.40
Rank 18, team 14 Ted Heyens and Leo Heyens 15.37
Rank 19, team 34 Chad Adrians and Caleb Colwell 15.36
Rank 20 team 104 Jody Shypit and Jeremy Shypit 15.35
Rank 21, team 84 Dan Seckora and Pete Garin 15.34
Rank 22, team 38 Leroy Wilson and Mike Wilson 15.27
Rank 22, team 60 George McDonald and Kevin Erickson 15.27
Rank 24, team 7 Darren Ward and Tony Holenko 15.24
Rank 25, team 37 Scott Ourada and john Allen 15.00
Rank 26, team 43 Glenn Ward and Mark Wilson 14.70
Rank 27 team 17 Jim Merthan and David Skallet 14.66
Rank 28, team 96 Luc Levesque and Alex Parent 14.52
Rank 29, team 1 Richard Rud and Joh Austin 14.48
Rank 30, team 55 Jarold Nesbitt and Pat Villemaire 14.38
Rank 31, team 49 James Kaemingh and Dan Veldhuisen 14.26
Rank 32, team 72 Paul Kielb and Tyler Long 14.12
Rank 33, team 30 Scott Walsh and Heath Iacarella 14.11
Rank 34, team 6 Bill Sentor and Brian Durham 14.06
Rank 35, team 76 Paul Visser and Dillon Swire 13.94
Rank 36, team 8 Scott Bonnema and Mark Fisher 13.86
Rank 37, team 103 John Gibbons and Jules Gibbons 13.66
Rank 38, team 57 Scott D. Roe and Rick Grissom 13.63
Rank 39, team 99 Colin Gluting and Scott Gluting 13.57
Rank 40, team 18 Steve Sandberg and Scott Sandberg 13.44
Rank 41, team 28 Morgan Cadene and Rene Cadene 13.40
Rank 42, team 94 Matt Dronyk and Marcel Tookenay 12.93
Rank 43, team 54 Nathan Brigham and Brett Myers 12.92
Rank 44, team 100 Duane Peterson and Travis Peterson 12.87
Rank 44, team 36 Tom Pearson and Adam Dalum 12.87
Rank 46, team 22, Frank McClymont and Terry McClymont 12.78
Rank 47 team 62, Jim Ducharme and Larry Ducharme, 12.52
Rank 48, team 40 Josh Miller and stan Miller 12.48
Rank 49, team 16 Bryan Gustafson and Jamie Bruce 12.46
Rank 50, team 82 Larry Buttner and Mike Jolicouer 12.39
Rank 51, team 33 Troy Jutting and Tom Ward 12.29
Rank 52, team 19 Dale Labelle and Dave Byrnes 12.25
Rank 53, team 41 Murphy Paypompee and Thomas White 12.19
Rank 54, team 4 Lauren Ras and chuck Olson 12.11
Rank 55, team 51 Derek Kuntz and Bob Kuntz 12.10
Rank 56 team 67 Les Whitefish and Norma Spencer 11.94
Rank 57, team 47 Harvey Cochrane and Gerald Arch 11.86
Rank 58, team 13 Kyle Juillery and John Glenn 11.85
Rank 59, team 53 Ryan Hastie and Rick Cooper 11.72
Rank 60 team 80 Larry Bollig and Todd Bollig 11.69
Rank 61, team 73 Darren Marcine and Tony Gierke 11.66
Rank 62, team 89 Mike Badiuk and Jeff Bragg 11.60
Rank 63, team 21 Doug McBride and Matt Plante 11.59
Rank 64, team 97 Terry Wilson and James Lambert 11.45
Rank 65, team 12 Paul Jewiss and Mike Graham 11.38
Rank 66, team 70 Dave Bennett and Mark Libitka 11.09
Rank 67, team 68 Rob Newhouse and Paul Singerhouse 11.08
Rank 68, team 50 Cole Godbout and Braedon Keast 11.08
Rank 69, team 39 Shanke Wepruk and Mike Maxton 10.95
Rank 70, team 88 Anthony Veert and Tyson Mclean 10.20
Rank 71, team 9 Joe Thrun and Jim Moyhagh 10.00
Rank 72, team 15 Jon Evans and Dave Evan 9.93
Rank 73, team 75 Randy Paishk and Vernon Fair 9.88
Rank 74, team 29 Erick Bennet and Hiram Archibald 9.86
Rank 75, team 69 John Miller AND TIM Miller 9.69
Rank 76, team 66 David Doty and Troy Ostby 9.64
Rank 77, team 85 Mike Adams anD Michelle Adams 9.43
Rank 78, team 102 Dave Beckmann and Ron Gerdusmeier9.04
Rank 79, team 26 Steve Hurlburt and Alex Orme 8.91
Rank 80, team 93 Ray Watson and Norm Woods 8.86
Rank 81, team 86 Terry Allan and Bob Calder 8.76
Rank 82, team 87 Calvin McKay and Danny Fontenot 8.70
Rank 83, team 23 Jeff Schreiner and Tam Schreiner 7.80
Rank 84, team 45 Dan Fraser and Patti Fraser 7.55
Rank 85, team 98 Sean Good and Pete Badiuk 7.46
Rank 86, team 77 Daniel Mueller and David Mueller 7.21
Rank 87, team 63 Phil Bangert and Dave Bangert 7.04
Rank 88, team 79 Tom Johson and Clarence Johnson 6.25
Rank 89, team 58 Bill Brooks and Mike Klawitter 5.64
Rank 90, team 92 Clint Geyshick and Kerek Geyshick 4.50
Rank 91, team 81 Kent Ballan and Steve Ballan 3.40
Rank 92, team 90 Andrew Perrault and Tasha Perrault --
Rank 92, team 83 Colin Santerre and Brian Caul --
Rank 92, team 78 Justin Rose and Courtney Armstrong --
Rank 92, team 25 Greg Kizeweski and dave Markquart --
Rank 92, team 71 Jonathan Ottertail and Blair Whitefish --
Rank 92, team 10 Vince Godbout and Ron Tucker --

Youth Arrested in Shooting Incident.

Police have made an arrest in connection with a shooting incident earlier this week at Whitefish Bay First Nation near Sioux Narrows.

A 16-year-old, whose name can not be released, is facing a charge of second degree murder.

Treaty Three Police found the body of 61-year-old Charles Minshall Sunday morning after responding to reports of shots coming from the area his store.

Police aren't saying, for now, how he died.

Drug Trafficking Ring Busted

Police say they have dismantled a prescription drug and cocaine trafficking ring allegedly run by an inmate in jail.


Investigators believe the group has been operating for two years and funnelled large amounts of cocaine and the painkiller Oxycodone from southern Ontario cities to communities in the northwest.

Eleven people, including a jail employee, are facing nearly 100 charges after the six-month joint investigation between the provincial police, RCMP and various local police forces.

Don't Pick Up Hitchhikers

Police are advising motorists not to pick up hitchhikers on Highway 17 in the Schreiber area, east of Thunder Bay.

They're searching for a man wanted in connection with a break-in near the city.

Two others were arrested, one later released, after OPP, trailing a suspect vehicle, had to deploy a spike belt to slow it down.

The occupants then fled on foot.

Bass Tournament Kicks Off

Midge McTaggart photo

First day of fishing in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship goes today.

95 angling teams began leaving from the Sorting Gap Marina at 7 a.m.

Event chair Gord Watson says a change in prize structure introduced last year is helping to generate excitement with a few more local teams taking part.

Weigh-ins at the Memorial Sports Centre begin at about 3:30 p.m.

Be sure to stay with 93.1 The Border as we provide live updates.

Quest For The Best Tonight

Twenty of the area best singers compete at Quest for the Best tonight.

They'll be divided into two groups with the winners of each section taking part in a sing-off for the one-thousand dollar first place money.

The show at the Memorial Sports Centre begins at 7:30 p.m.with 93.1 The Border's own Dave Bishop hosting.

Torys Dispute Teachers Contract

The Progressive Conservatives say Liberal claims they negotiated a two-year wage freeze with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association are false.

P-C Leader Tim Hudak says teachers will still be allowed to advance on a salary grid, which means automatic raises for many of them.

Rain Helps Forest Fires Situation

Rain is helping to lower the forest fire hazard in the Rainy River district.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says four fires, allowed to burn within Quetico Provincial Park, received heavy amounts of rainfall and were showing minimal signs of life yesterday.

Those storms also brought plenty of lightning strikes which the MNR says could mean the potential of more new starts in the near future.

Power Corp Worried With Energy Review

The Fort Frances Power Corporation is expressing concern with the province's review of the energy sector.

It includes a potential sell-off or amalgamation of municipally owned distribution utilities.

Chair Doug McCaig is worried the province may force the Power Corp being folded in with either Hydro One or other area utilities.

McCaig says such a move could impact on local rates, which are the lowest in the province.

New Forest Fires Reported

The Ministry of Natural Resources is closely watch if a storm passing through the area will provide any help to the number of forest fires burning across northwestern Ontario.

Ten new starts were reported yesterday, including two new lighting-cause blazes within Quetico Provincial Park.

A total of 70 across the northwest are active.

Drug Investigation Revealed Today

Details of a joint forces drug investigation are expected to be revealed later today.

Officials says it focused on the trafficking of prescription medication and other illegal drugs from southern Ontario to several communities in the northwest.

OPP, Thunder Bay Police, RCMP and Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service were null.

E-Waste Depots Set Up

There are now permanent depots in the Rainy River district for people to dump their old electronic equipment.

Asselin's Transportation and Storage is setting up two locations.

Co-owner Eldon Mose says one will be at main office in Alberton township.

A second site is at the Black Sturgeon landfill site located on Highway 502.


Materials collected will be shipped to recycling facilities.

Home Price Report Questioned

A report on rising Ontario home prices has drawn concern from a Liberal MP.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation says home prices in Ontario are up 17 per cent over the past four years, 26 per cent in the Kenora-Rainy River districts.

The corporation says the numbers suggest a strong real estate market.

MP John McCallum says the increase is high given the current economic environment.

Atikokan Showcased

Atikokan is showcasing its promising future to a Thunder Bay audience today.

The town's inviting developers, miners and investors to an open house at the Whitewater Golf Course to learn more about its activities.

The town's preparing for an economic boom in the energy, forestry and mining industries with as many as four projects, creating as many as 900 new jobs, about to proceed.

Parade of Boats Tonight

FFCBC photo

Just one more sleep before the fishing begins at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, but tonight anglers  showcase their boats and gear in the annual Parade of Boats.

This year, it starts at the Memorial Sports Centre, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and travelling west down Scott Street to Mowat Avenue.

Anglers will then head to Boston Pizza where you get your opportunity to rub shoulders and obtain a few fishing tips.

Home Sales Up

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation says the average home price in the Kenora and Rainy River districts has increased 26 per cent over the past four years. 

MPAC's chief assessor Larry Hummel says different forces affect the real estate market in northern Ontario, including the recent increase in activity in the mining sector.

Overall, Ontario's home prices are up 17 per cent.

Portage Avenue Underpass To Close

The Portage Avenue underpass in Fort Frances will be temporarily closed to traffic next week.

The closures happen next Tuesday and Wednesday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., both days.

It's to allow crews working on the pumping station to install new electrical services.

A temporary pedestrian walkway will be set up on the east side of the road during the closure.

Mining Symposium Planned

Mining and skilled trades are the wave of the future in northwestern Ontario, so the federal government is giving a hand to help aboriginal youth gain access to those sectors.

Federal government's setting aside $46-thousand to support an Aboriginal Trades and Employment Symposium in Dryden.

The September event will include reps from various mining companies.

Man Dead In Shooting Incident

A 61-year-old man is dead following a shooting incident at Whitefish Bay First Nation near Sioux Narrows.

Police says Charles Minshall was the owner of a store in the community.

Treaty Three Police Service found his body after responding to reports of gunfire being heard in the area of the store Sunday morning.

No one has yet been arrested.

No Injuries In Boating Incident

No one was injured in a boating accident on Rainy Lake on the weekend.

Koochiching County Sheriff's Office says two boats received minimal damage after brushing each other sides Saturday night.


Police says both operators thought the other was going to turn away to avoid a collision, but neither did.

Man Arrested On Sexual Assault Charges

A 25-year-old man man faces a long list of charges after a 50-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in the Red Lake area.

OPP says the two knew each other.

The victim was transported to hospital and released.

The accused remains in custody.

No names have been released.

MNR Getting More Fire Aid

The Ministry of Natural Resources is receiving more outside help to deal with a rash of forest fires in northwestern Ontario.

Twenty firerangers from Saskatchewan and 20 from New Brunswick will join Ontario's crews on the fire lines.

Waterbombers from Quebec and Newfoundland have also been called in.

Twenty firerangers from Minnesota arrived last week.

Five new fires were reported yesterday, bringing to 70 the number active.

Four are in the Rainy River district.