Support Sought For Economic Recovery

Several requests for government aid have been made to help fund projects that will bolster the Fort Frances and Rainy River district economy.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation is working on a diversification plan.

Consultant Tannis Drysdale says some of the grant requests are around marketing.

Drydsale says they've also initiated studies around telecommunications and health care to determine further economic opportunities.

Atikokan Receives Funds For Sewer Project

Atikokan is receiving a huge cash infusion from the province.

Ontario is providing $2-million towards improvement on Willow Road.

It includes a reconstruction of the road, a rehabilitation of the sanitary main sewer line and sidewalk repairs.

Mayor Dennis Brown says it's been a project they've wanted to do for several years, but couldn't without government help.

Supect Sought In Emo Break In

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OPP are looking for a suspect in connection with a break-in at a grocery store in Emo.

Police says the man was seen leaving the store at around 12:30 Monday morning and fled when approached by a witness.

Surveillance video circulating online shows the suspect wearing a dark jacket, dark pants and a black balaclava.

There are also reports of break-ins at the Abattoir and another business in Emo, but no information on those incidents have been released by police.

Nestor Falls Break-In

There has been a break-in at Nestor Falls.

OPP say an unnamed business on Highway 71 was entered sometime between last Friday night and Saturday.

A quantity of cash and some valuables totaling about $2,500 were taken.

Death Considered Not Suspicious

Police now say at sudden death on the weekend at a native community near Kenora was not suspicious.

The body of 39-year-old Matthew Charry was found inside a home Saturday at Washagamis Bay.

A post mortem was performed yesterday, but the exact cause of death was not revealed.

Propane Cut Off Rules Discussed At Minnesota Capital

Minnesota is looking at legislation that would prohibit propane distributors from cutting off service during the winter because payment issues.

It's aimed at strengthening protection for residential customers who saw prices spike to more than $6 per gallon in some parts of the State.

The bill, though, is being met with heavy resistance from industry who say it does nothing to address the cause of the State's propane shortage this winter.

February - Coldest In 35 Years

Many people happy that February is now a distant memory.

A review of weather data by Environment Canada shows it was the coldest month the Rainy River district has seen in 35 years.

Meteorologist Geoff Coulson say the average temperature came in 7 degrees below the norm.

Coulson says it's because of the so-called Polar Vortex that brought down the cold Arctic air deeper than the normal and has stayed longer than usual.

Award Program For Women Accepting Nominations

An awards program recognizing women leaders in northern Ontario is being expanded.

The Influential Women of Northern Ontario awards will be handed out in June.

Kimberley Wahamaa of Northern Ontario Business says awards will be given to executive, entrepreneur and young entrepreneur of the year.

As well, three new awards will recognize Aboriginal leadership, top tradeswoman and community trailblazer.

Click www.influentialwomen.ca to nominate someone before this Friday.

Lost Wheels Result In Charges

It's a good thing to check that all the wheels are there.

OPP charged a 28-year-old Manitoba man after spotting a commercial motor vehicle Saturday afternoon in Dryden that was missing the rear two tires of its car hauler trailer.

Police says they had received an earlier call about the wheels coming off on Highway 17, east of the northwestern Ontario city.

Snowmobiler Found Safe

A Winnipeg woman is back safe after being stranded in the wilderness for several hours in the Dryden area.

OPP says the 40-year-old was among a group of snowmobilers that left to attend a cabin Friday in Redvers township when her snowmachine got stuck and become separated from the others.

A search involving the OPP's Emergency Response Team helped find the woman who was taken to hospital for treatment and released.