Native Groups Joining Forces

Two First Nation government organizations are joining forces.

Chiefs of Grand Council of Treaty 3 and Anishinabek Nation are forming a unity to share ideas.

Treaty 3 spokesperson Dale Morrisseau says one of the main issues is protectng treaty rights.

Morrisseau says both communities have been working on the same proceeses so it makes sense to come together and share ideas.

Fort Water Third Best

The drinking water in Fort Frances is among the best in northwestern Ontario.

The town's water was selected third in an annual taste test held recently by the Northwestern Ontario Water and Wastewater conference.

Wabigoon Lake First Nation placed first while Red Lake was second.

Water samples were also rated for colour, odour and chlorine residuals

Kennedy Enter Leadership Race

The number of contenders to succeed Dalton McGuinty as Liberal leader and premier has grown to five.

Former MP Gerard Kennedy launched his bid yesterday, saying he has no ties to the scandals that have rocked Ontario's Liberal government.

Kennedy lost to McGuinty in the 1996 Ontario Liberal leadership race and lost the federal Liberal leadership to Stephane Dion 10 years later.

Campbell Acquires Kids In The Hall Prop

MPP Sarah Campbell photo

A prop used by the Canadian comedy troupe Kids in the Hall now sits in the Queen's Park office of Sarah Campbell.

A gas-powered bike with fake bones, used in the 2010 series "Death Comes to Town," was given to the Kenora-Rainy River MPP after the Kids went looking for places to store it.

Campbell, a fan of Kids in the Hall, considers the Bike to a piece of Canadian history.

Officer Charged

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit is charging a Kenora police officer in connection with a fatal collision back in September.

Constable Troy Bender has been charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death.

A female prisoner in the cruiser, 42 year old Gloria Assin, was killed after the cruiser she was in came into collision with a transport.

Bender will appear in Kenora court December 20th.

Students Remember

Students at Fort Frances High are taking time to remember veterans this Remembrance Day.

The school's student leadership council held a Remembrance Day assembly Thursday.

President Meghan Metke says all students should take time to reflect.

Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29 also participated.

Hoskins Steps Down

Another Ontario cabinet minister has stepped down as the race for the Liberal leadership heats up.

Eric Hoskins announced Friday he's resigning as as minister of children and youth services.

But he's not saying if he'll run for the Liberals top job.

He plans to release more details on his decision this week.

Baak Elected Majority Senate Leader

A State Senator who now represents Koochiching County will once again lead Democrats in the Minnesota Senate.

Tom Bakk's has been elected as majority leader.

Bakk, of Cook, led the Democratic minority for the past two years.

Outfitter Of The Year

NOTO photo

A lodge owner from the Rainy River district is being recognized.

Tom Pearson of Camp Narrows Lodge has been named Outfitter of the Year by the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association.

NOTO say it recognizes Pearson's outstanding contribution during the past year.

Facebook Game Established To Help Minor Hockey

A Rainy River district business is trying to help area hockey associations win some cash.

Darren Lowes of Lowes says building centre chain Tim-Br Mart has an on-line game called Sharp Shooter for people to play to help minor hockey.

$100,000 is up for grabs.

The game on Facebook continues until early January with winners announced a month later

Death Now A Murder

OPP have now released the name of the man found dead inside a Fort Frances motel.

He's been identified as 45-year-old Leo Whitecrow of Seine River First Nation.

Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says the case is now being considered a homicide.

However, the exact cause of death isn't being released at this time.