Victim In House Fire Named

The victim of last week's tragic house fire in Devlin has been identified.

She's been identified as 49-year-old Laureen McKay.

OPP and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall continue to investigate the the cause of the fire which completely destroyed the home located just west of the main village on Highway 11-71.

Energy Warning From NOMA

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association feels power needs in the north are being over looked.

President Dave Canfield says the province and energy companies still don't have the right numbers for how much power will be needed when the mining sector takes off.

Canfield says it wouldn't be an issue if we were in the South.

Canfield also warns the region could experience ongoing blackouts within the next years.

Some Young Students Failing To Meet Provincial Standards

A new study suggests up to third of Ontario's kindergarten students may fail to meet provincial standards in reading, writing and math by Grade 3.

The Education Quality and Accountability Office looked at the early progress of over 72-thousand students in the province.

It says 29 per cent were deemed by their teachers to be "vulnerable'' or ``at risk'' in their language and cognitive development.

Former Mill Social Club Being Revived

An effort is underway to revive a once popular mill workers social group in Fort Frances.

The Quarter Century Club died out when then Abitibi-Bowater entered into creditor protection five years ago.

A member of group working to restart the club, Bill Morrison says it was quite active.

Morrison says the new group will hold its first event, a banquet at the Royal Canadian Legion in Fort Frances June 27.

Firefly Likes Anti-Bullying Initiative

A new national anti-bullying program is being welcomed by one area agency.

Chief Executive Officer of Firefly Karen Ingebritson says it's still a bit too early to see how it will work, but says it's a great initiative.

The program will focus on young people helping each other.

TBay Tel Review CRTC Ruling

TBaytel is still mulling over news the federal government is making changes to wireless contracts.

This December, customers will be able to cancel their cellphone contracts after two years without any penalties.

Tbaytel's Katie Crowe says they are looking over the decision, but early indications show that it is in line with what the company is already doing.

Murder Charge Laid

A murder charge has now been laid in connection with a death last month at a remote First Nations community.

34-year-old Leslie Fiddler of Sandy Lake First Nation will appear in court today on a charge of second degree murder.

The charge come after an investigation into the death of 29-year-old Uriah Kakepetum who died at the community's nursing station May 12th.

Provinces Defend Boreal Forest Protection

Manitoba and Ontario are defending the decision to commit more than 15 million dollars to get UNESCO recognition for a large stretch of boreal forest along their borders.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger says having the area designated a world heritage site will attract tourists to the remote area.

Michelle Nowak of Ontario's Natural Resources Ministry says the site could fill a gap in boreal forest representation in the world heritage system.

New Gold Committing To Project

New Gold says it's committed to continuing the work started by Rainy River Resources in the development of a new gold mine north of Barwick.

New Gold announced last week it would be assuming control of Rainy River in a friendly take-over bid.

President Bob Gallagher says they intend to do a thorough review of the project, but have no plans to shelve it.

Gallagher says they also want to get to know the area and meet with First Nations and community leaders who've support the project so far.

He says they also intend to honour the agreements Rainy River Resources signed with area First Nations.

Gallagher says they had been eying Rainy River for almost two years before putting forward a bid.

Education Director Honoured

The outgoing Education Director with the Northwest Catholic District School Board is being recognized a Catholic parents group.

The Ontario Association of Catholic Parents in Education is giving Mary-Catherine Kelly an Honorary Lifetime membership.

The groups' president Aimee Gerdevich says Kelly's been a strong and consistent advocate for the parent voice and a strong supporter of the Association.

Kelly was presented the honour at the Association's recent meeting in Peterborough.

No Records Set Here

No records set in Fort Frances following a weekend of wet weather across much of northwestern Ontario.

Almost 21 millimeters of rain fell over a four day period beginning last Thursday.

But that's nowhere near amounts received in areas around Dryden which topped 5 centimeters over that period.

Atikokan's rainfall was not recorded because of problems with equipment.