Highway Traffic Accident Victim Identified

An Atikokan man has been identified as the victim of yesterday's fatal motor vehicle accident on Highway 17.

OPP says 57-year-old Danny Henderson died after his vehicle came into collision with a pick-up truck, about 40 kilometres east of Ignace.

Two people in the truck were taken to hospital in Dryden for treatment of injuries.

Bed Shortage Back At Thunder Bay Hospital

A bed shortage is back at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Patients are being treated in the halls and alcoves.

Spokesperson Doctor Mark Henderson  says the hospital has been preparing for this latest surge, but doesn't see the gridlock easing for at least another three years.

More Deaths Due To H1N1

Grim news to report on the H1N1 flu front.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says the death toll has increased to five attributable to influenza.

The Health Unit's Diana Gowanlock says four of the deaths were adults under the age of 65 and one was a senior citizen.

No deaths have been reported by the Northwestern Health Unit.

Dignitaries Expected To Attend Funeral

A number of dignitaries are expected for tomorrow funeral for Couchiching First Nations Chief Chuck McPherson who died last Sunday.

Ontario's Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer and Ontario regional Chief Stan Beardy among those to attend.

A number of First Nation chiefs from across the province also expected.

Funeral services will be held at the Couchiching Arena beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Dinner Canceled

There will be no Robbie Burns dinner in Emo this year.

The Emo and District Lions Club says its been forced to cancel the January 25th  dinner due to poor ticket sales.

President Stuart Firth says they do hope to bring it back next season.

Those who purchased tickets can call Firth at  482-1958 for a refund.

Aquaponics Investigated

The industry of aquaponics is being explored by officials in International Falls and Koochiching County.

A contingent plans to visit a facility in Silver Bay, Minnesota next week.

City Councillor Cynthia Jacksa says they want to see if there is any potential to have a similar facility in their area.

Aquaponics combines the raising aquatic animals with the cultivating of plants in water.


Jacksa says it create jobs and provide a local source of vegetables for area markets.

New Business In District

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A new business opening the Rainy River District.

Dreamweaver Ranch is offering such things as horseback riding, lessons and the ability to host birthday parties.

Owner Angela Halverson says it's something she had been considering for a while.

Halverson says the name of her ranch bears that of her very first horse she got when she was 5 years old.

He was later sold and used in a local therapeutic riding program.

Registration For Full Day Kindergarton Accepted

RR Dist. School Brd photo

Full-day kindergarten registration is now underway.

The Rainy River District School Board says it will host open houses during the week of February 3, but parents can register their children at any time.

The program for four and five year-olds will be offered at all elementary schools in the area beginning in September.

Nomination Meeting Delayed

The recent death of Couchiching First Nation Chief Chuck McPherson has prompted a delay in the band's nomination meeting for this year's elections.

That meeting was scheduled to take place for last night.

A notice issued by the band's electoral officer says it will now take place January 23.

Elections for the chief and six councillor positions are slated for March 6.

Native Walkers Head To Ottawa

Three walkers have left Attawapiskat First Nation with the goal of trekking to Ottawa with a message for the government.

Danny Metatawabin, Brian Okimaw and Paul Mettina are on foot to encourage the government to work together to address and reconcile several Aboriginal issues.

According to a statement posted on Facebook, Metatawabin states they're delivering a message to both levels of Government and to Chiefs that the time to honour our treaties is now!

Jail Time For Man In Winnipeg Death

Jail time for one of two men arrested in the 2012 death of a northwestern Ontario man in Winnipeg.

Raymond Baker was sentenced yesterday to four years in jail  after pleading guilty to a charge of manslaughter in the death of 18-year-old Eli Mandamin Junior of Shoal Lake.

Mandamin, who was the son of Shoal Lake chief Eli Mandamin, was killed in an altercation outside a Winnipeg hotel in February 2012.

Baker could be released in just over two year's time due to time already served.

New Measures On Woodstoves Planned

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new standards for the amount of air pollution that can be emitted by woodstoves and heaters.

If approved, the stoves and heaters manufactured after 2015 would be an estimated 80 percent cleaner than those manufactured today.

The proposal does not affect heaters and stoves already in use in homes or currently for sale today.