Plane Crash Near Kenora

Two Minnesotans have been seriously injured following the crash of a small plane north of Kenora.

Provincial Police says the Cessna 180 was trying to take off from a camp on Trout Lake, about 40 kilometres northwest of the city, when it crashed into the bush yesterday morning.

The pilot - a 78-year-old man -was transferred to hospital in Thunder Bay.

A 62-year-old woman was taken to Duluth.

A third passenger was not seriously hurt.

All three are from Cloquet.

The Transport Safety Board is investigating.

Atikokan Addressing Housing Needs

Atikokan is readying itself for a possible population boom.

With new people anticipated for new potential mines, a pellet plant and the Atikokan Generating Station conversion, the town's reaching out to housing developers.

Garry McKinnon of the Atikokan Economic Development Corpoartion says a recent study shows its the need for at least 1,300 accommodation units in the next five years, 900 being single family dwellings.

The town recently held a session in Thunder Bay that attracted interest from about 30 firms.

New Human Caused Fire In District

One new forest fire in the Rainy River district to report.

The 0.1 hectare fire at Harvey Lake, southwest of Atikokan, is being identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources as being human caused, but under control.

Five other lightning-cause blazes within Quetico Provincial Park are still active.

Meantime, the MNR is anticipating unsettled weather with showers to help with fires in the far north and ease smoky conditions that forced the 650 residents from Sandy Lake First Nation to Fort Frances and Thunder Bay this week.

Spray Park Down

Emo township has been forced to shutdown its spray park.

The township says its been taken out of commission for repairs.

The township gives no exact date with it will be back in operation.

Bridge Turns 100

Anniversary celebrations for the International Bridge linking Fort Frances and International Falls.

Dignitaries and residents from both sides of the border gathered last night at the Fort Frances Museum to help celebrate the bridge's 100th year.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis says its been an asset that has helped build prosperity in both communities.

Falls city councillor Cynthia Jacksa says it's been a symbol of unity between the two communities for the past 100 years.

Local Customs offices, also established back in 1912, were also recognized. 

Trillium Funding Announced

Three organizations in the Rainy River district are receiving grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Atikokan's Beaten Path Nordic Trails is receiving almost $15-thousand to purchase a snowmobile and trailer to help maintain its cross country ski trails.

The Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club will use about $26-thousand on new snowshoes and trail grooming equipment.

The Rainy River District Women's Institute Museum is getting $15-thousand for renovations to its Emo facility.

City Beach Project Gets Funding

The city of International Falls is receiving funding to remodel the bathhouse at its City Beach.

The over $34-thousand comes from Otto Bremer Foundation.

The work will include new lockers, an updated electrical system as well as making the bathhouse handicapped accessible.

The city says work will start immediately after the Labour Day weekend.

Kesselrun Begins Exploration

More gold searching in the Rainy River district.

Thunder Bay-based Kesselrun Resources says its starting an exploration program at its Bluffpoint Lake project, located 80 kilometres northeast of Fort Frances.

The work will identify areas where a fall drilling program will focus.