Update - Former Laker Dies

OPP are now confirming that a former member of the Fort Frances Lakers hockey club was among those killed in a motor vehicle accident east of Thunder Bay.

20-year-old Jaret LeClair was among four people in a pick-up truck that came into collision with car on Highway 627 Sunday night, just outside Pic River First Nation.

It is not immediately know if LeClair was driving or was a passenger.

Two other people in the truck and the driver of the car were also killed.


Meantime, the Lakers Hockey Club is looking at ways of honouring LeClair.

Some have suggested the team retire his jersey.

Coach Wayne Strachan says exactly how they will honour him could be determined when the board of directors meet later this week.

LeClair wore number 7 in the three seasons he was with the Lakers.

Former Laker Dies

The Fort Frances Lakers are mourning the loss of a former player.

The team says Jaret Leclair died Sunday night.

The 20-year-old played with the Lakers for three seasons.

His cause of death has not been released, but OPP are investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident near LeClair's hometown of Pic River First Nation.


Police say four people were killed and two others injured, one seriously, after two vehicles collided on Highway 627 Sunday night.

No name have yet been released.

Boundary Changes Hearing In Kenora

The MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding is expected to be at a meeting  in Kenora today to speak out against proposed changes to federal riding boundaries in northwestern Ontario.

John Rafferty is to make a submission to a federal commission proposing to take Lake of the Woods township out of his riding and attach it to the Kenora riding.

Rafferty doubts the area will be adequately served.

New College Programs Proposed

Confederation College is looking to introduce some new programs to Atikokan.

A 12-week welding program could begin this winter with programs in mechanical techniques and practical nursing starting up next fall.

Manager of the Rainy River campus, Anne Renaud says the programs meet a couple of needs including demand and the ability to have transferable skills.

Renaud says they're now determining interest.

Low Water Levels

Low water levels are effecting some water bodies in the Rainy River district.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says levels on Manomin, Despair, Footprint, Off and Jackfish Lakes are all lower than normal.

The levels of some rivers and streams linking those lakes are also down.

The MNR says anyone using a boat in those water should use extreme caution over the next several weeks.

Large Minnesota Forest Fire Still Burning

Authorities say it could be weeks before a wildfire in northwestern Minnesota is contained.

The fire near Red Lake is the largest of several burning in the area and has consumed more than 38 square miles

The fire is threatening private land, timber resources, a major power line and a few private hunting cabins in Beltrami Island State Forest.

International Conference At Medical School

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is hosting a major 6-day conference this week looking at the opportunities and challenges of community participation in health care.

Dean Roger Strasser says it brings some important international attention to the school.

Over 850 delegates from more than 45 countries are expected to attend.

Strasser says some delegates will also be visiting northwestern Ontario hospitals.