Fatal Collision Near Atikokan

One man is dead and a women is hospital with serious injuries following an accident on Highway 11.

OPP say both were in a car that came into collision with a transport early yesterday afternoon near the junction of Highway 633, 30 kilometres east of Atikokan.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman was transported to Atikokan General Hospital.

The driver of the transport was not hurt.

No names have yet been released.

The accident closed the road for nearly seven hours.

It was fully open to travel early this morning.

School Board Respects Iron Range Decision

Supplied by Camilla Gray

The Rainy River District School Board is being respectful of the decision by Iron Range Bus Lines not to travel Highway 502 this winter because of its concerns with road conditions.

It means longer travel times for Fort Frances High School sports teams heading north by taking Highway 71.

Education Director Heather Campbell says safety of students has to be considered.

Campbell says they are looking at options with other boards to see if games can be played at neutral locations to reduce travel times.

CN Charged With Blocking Crossing

CN Rail is being charged for blocking a rail crossing in Koochiching County.

It comes after a train blocked the Van Lynn Road for more than 90 minutes last Thursday afternoon.

County Sheriff Brian Jesperson says the issue of lengthy delays at area crossings has gone on for too many years.

A charge is considered a petty misdemeanor and can lead to a fine of $300.00.

County Board Chair Kevin Adee says it's still action that many residents have wanted to see even if the fine is pocket change for CN.

County Board Approves Budget

Koochiching County board of commissioners has approved its 2014 budget.

Spending for the year tops out at just over $25.4-million with the tax levy remaining the same as last year at almost $4-million.

The county is also planning to put more than $2-million into reserves.

Gas Tax To Hurt Northern Ontario

Progressive Conservatives says Liberal plans to add a new province-wide gas tax to fund rapid transit in southern Ontario will have a huge impact in northern Ontario.

Critic Vic Fedeli says an extra 10 cent a litre charge will result in higher prices for other goods trucked to the north.

Fedeli says it's also a slap in the face by asking northerners to help fund the southern Ontario they likely won't benefit from.

Chamber Announced New Board

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce has returned Mark Caron as its president.

The owner of M.L. Caron Electric was elected to a third term in voting that concluded Monday.

Myles Kuharski of Gillons' Insurance takes over as first vice-president while Jordan Forbes of Saulteau Consulting and Engineering is the second vice-president.

Here is the full slate of officers.

EXECUTIVE:


President:  Mark Caron, ML Caron Electric
1st Vice President:  Myles Kuharski, Gillons' Insurance
2nd Vice President: Jordan Forbes, Saulteaux Consulting & Engineering
Treasurer: vacant - pending election in January
Secretary:  Annely Armstrong, NCDS & Chamber Manager
Past President: Cathy Emes

DIRECTORS:

Robin Payeur, Causeway Insurance / Main Street Market
Lisa Plourde, RBC Royal Bank
Steve Gushulak, Fort Frances General Supply
Mike Vanderwater, Acklands-Grainer
Travis Glowasky, Studio Gibbous
Paul Noonan, La Place Rendez Vous Hotel
Jennifer Greenhalgh, NCDS
Marie Allan, BDO & Company LLP
Ben Morelli, From the Grind Up

Rounding out the Board for 2014 are the Appointee and Ex-Officio positions:

APPOINTEES:
John Albanese, Town of Fort Frances
Angela Halvorsen, Rainy River Future Development Corporation
Toby Munro, Resolute Forest Products

Appointments from the Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement Association and the Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Aboriginal Business Development Advisory Services have yet to be announced.

Coffee Break Time

It's time to take a coffee break.

The Alzheimer Society for the Kenora-Rainy River Districts is bringing back its Coffee Break Challenge next month.

Acting Executive Director Rossana Tomashowski says residents, groups and businesses are invited to host a coffee break to help raise funds for the Society.

Last January's event brought in almost $5,000.

Register by contacting the Society in Kenora or through its website.

OPP Intercept Drug Package

One person is in custody after OPP intercepted a courier package containing drugs.

Police says the parcel, shipped from British Columbia and destined for a man in Emo contained approximately eight pounds of marijuana.

The Emo resident is now facing drug trafficking charges and will appear in court in January.

Iron Range Stops Travel Along Hwy 502

Supplied photo

Iron Range Bus Lines is no longer allowing its buses to run along Highway 502 because of concerns it has with road conditions this winter.

That's impacting Fort Frances High School teams who charter the bus carrier to get to places like Dryden and Sioux Lookout.

Athletic Director Shane Beckett says taking a longer route through Highway 71 and the Trans Canada Highway creates its own safety issues with students on the bus for longer periods of time.

No games have been cancelled, but some starts times have had been adjusted to accommodate the longer trips.