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.

New Chief Ready To Work For Community

The new chief of Couchiching First Nations intends keep her community more informed of the issues and decisions being made at council table.

Sara Mainville was elected in band elections last week.

Mainville says seeking more input is a key objective for her.

Mainville says she's also open to dialogue with the town of Fort Frances, but stresses she strongly advocates for the rights of her community.

Fort Frances Left Off Sweet 16 Hockeyville List

Fort Frances is no longer part of the Kraft Hockeyville contest.

The community did not make it through to the competition's voting rounds.

Organizer Jonathan Glueheisen says it came as a complete surprise given the strong community support showed during the nomination round.

Glueheisen adds that if he's to organize next year's push, he will need more manpower.

Police Providing Free Skating

Area police are stepping forward to offer free skating today at the Memorial Sports Centre in Fort Frances.

OPP and Treaty 3 Police, along with the Rainy River District Community Policing Committee have arranged for the open skate for youth and their parents.

Constable Anne McCoy says it will go from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Those under 13 must wear a helmet.

Members of the Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey team and the Fort Frances Lakers will also be attended to lend a hand with supervision.

Ontario Providing Aid To Ukraine

Ontario's pledging to providing $100-thousand in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The money will be through the Canadian Red Cross to help emergency response teams provide first aid to those wounded on both sides of the conflict.

Ontario is home to one of the world's largest Ukrainian communities outside of Ukraine, with almost 350-thousand people.

Premier Worried About PC's Education Platform

Livestream

Ontario's premier is accusing the provincial Tories of creating a war on education.

In separate speeches to Catholic and High School teachers gathering for meetings on the weekend, Kathleen Wynne says the Tory agenda is concerning, calling it more radical that they expected.

Wynne is also encouraging teachers to lobby their MPP's to help pass Bill 122 that will help govern future teacher talks.

New Hydro Chairs Named

A former Ontario cabinet minister and a one-time New Brunswick premier will now head Ontario's key hydro companies.

Sandra Pupatello has been appointed chair of the board for Hydro One while Bernard Lord will assume the same role with Ontario Power Generation beginning April 1.

Both were only appointed to the respective boards last November.

Phys Ed Update Requested

U.S. Army photo

It's been four years since passage of the law requiring all Minnesota schools to include physical education.

Lawmakers now want to know how it's working.

State Rep. Kim Norton says a bill will be introduced today that asks for a report on the status.

It's recommended that elementary school children receive 150 minutes of phys. ed. per week - 225 minutes in middle and high schools.

Air Crash Anniversary

Today is the 25th anniversary of one of the most infamous air disasters in Canadian history.

Air Ontario flight 1363 crashed near the Dryden Airport killing 24-people back on this day back in 1989.

A subsequent inquiry into the accident led to improve safety procedures across the country.

Gravelle Working To Help Fort Frances

Ontario's Northern Development  Minister says he's ready to help support Fort Frances with its economic recovery effort.

Michael Gravelle says down with council and its economic development committee yesterday to discuss the impact of the recent shutdown at Resolute Forest Products and the town's plans to create new growth.

Gravelle says sees some support forthcoming.

He says there are some specific applications being made, but won't be in a position to make any announcement until sometime in the near future.

Gravelle says there are also other projected he intends bring to the attention of other Ministers for their support.

Premier Promising More Accountability

Ontario's Ombudsman could soon have new powers over municipalities and schools board.

It's part of legislation the Liberal government intends to bring forward.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says it's about bringing more accountability, oversight and transparency to government and the broader public sector.

The legislation would also review the compensation given to senior executives  and give powers to Ontario's Integrity Commissioner to review expenses of all provincially-funded agencies.

Hockeyville Announces Sweet 16 Tomorrow

We will know tomorrow if Fort Frances advances to the next round in the Kraft Hockeyville Contest.

CBC is to announce during Hockey Night in Canada the 16 communities that will seek the public's vote to move further.

Organizer of the local bid Jonathan Glueheisen says they're prepared.

Glueheisen says while people can vote on-line from the comfort of their home, they will also have a voting area at the Memorial Sports Centre ready to go as well.

Careful Driving Today

Highways across northwestern Ontario are reported being snow covered or partly covered following the fall of snow overnight.

Caution is advised while on the road, especially this morning.

Environment Canada is forecasting the potential of freezing rain in parts of the district.

Gillon's Expansion Continues

Gillons' Insurance continues work to completing its insurance network across northwestern Ontario.

The company is a month about away from opening its office in Thunder Bay.

Chief Executive Officer Duane Cridland says their services will have a local feel.

Gillons' already has offices in places such as Fort Frances, Dryden, Red Lake and Emo.

Tax Relief Bill Passes House

More than half-a-million dollars in tax relief for Minnesota ratepayers and businesses has passed through the House floor at the State capital.

It now moves to the Senate.

The bill includes a plan to repeal business taxes on repair and maintenance of equipment, and warehousing and storage that were meet with great opposition when imposed last year.