Accident Closes Area Highway Again

Another fatal traffic accident contributed to a temporary closure of Highway 71.

It happened early yesterday morning, six kilometres south of Sioux Narrows, keeping that section of the highway closed for nearly seven hours.

No other details have yet been released.

The accident came just days after a Thunder Bay teen was killed in a single vehicle accident on the same highway.

Distracted Driving Crackdown

Keep off your cellphones and keep your eyes on the road if you don't want to attract the attention of police.

Provincial police officers are kicking off their second "Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other, Distracted Driving Campaign."

Starting today, officers will be stopping any drivers caught using a hand-held communications device.

Using a cellphone while driving could bring a 155-dollar fine.

Recycling Strategy Up for Discussion

Residents of Emo will get another opportunity tonight to comment on a propose recycling strategy for their community.

The town is in the midst of a Class Environment Assessment.
Councillor Vernon Thompson says the plan includes setting up a depot to keep recyclables out of the landfill.

"Removing the cardboard from the dump, number 1 and number 2 plastics - that kind of stuff," says Thompson. "We'll have a spot for tires. We have that now. We have a spot for steel. We'll have an electronics site. Get rid of the tin cans out of the dump so that less stuff that goes in the dump the longer it's going to last."

The meeting at the Emo-LaVallee Community Centre goes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More Forest Fires in Far North

Nine new forest fires were reported in northwestern Ontario yesterday, almost all in remote areas north of Red Lake and Sioux Lookout.

A total of 76 fires are currently burning in the region, none in the Rainy River district.

Forest Fire Cuts Power

A forest fire burning near New Osnaburgh has consumed power lines and left hundreds of people in the dark.

Hydro One says the power went out yesterday afternoon effecting New Osnaburgh, Pickle Lake and Cat Lake First Nation.

Court Times Reducing

Ontario's Attorney General says the province's courts have seen an encouraging drop in processing times three years into a program to eliminate wasted resources.

While not all courts have met the target of bringing down the number of days and court appearances used per criminal case by 30 per cent, Attorney General Chris Bentley says court times are going in the right direction.

Science Camps in District

Science North kicks off its summer camps in the Rainy River district today in Atikokan.

Staff Scientist Natalie Crinklaw says the week-long camp is made up of three different ones for different age groups.

"For the middle age group, 6 to 8, there's going to be a discovery camp," says Crinklaw. "There's a whole bunch of different things going on and each day going to have a different science theme. For the older kids, 9 to 11, is the Gizmo camp. They're going to find out how things work and they get to build their own rocket."

There is also a nature camp aimed at youngsters 4 and 5.

A similar camp will be held in Fort Frances in August.

Thunder Bay Teen Dies in Accident

A Thunder Bay teen is dead after a fatal accident on Highway 71 in Sioux Narrows.

OPP says a vehicle lost control early yesterday morning, rolled and ejected the driver.

18-year-old Nicholas Corrigan died at the scene.

Missing Thunder Bay Man Found Dead

The search for a 69-year-old man from Thunder Bay has ended tragically.

Illinois State Police say both Ed Spakowski and his dog were found dead yesterday.

The circumstances surrounding the death aren't known, but police do not believe anything suspicious.

Spakowski disappeared last week after picking up an RV in Elkhart, Indiana to drive back to Thunder Bay.

More Forest Fires Reported

The forest fire situation in the Rainy River district is quiet, but continues to heat up in the Far north.

Three new fires were reported yesterday with 73 still active, almost all north of the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout areas.

Fires have burned over 105-thousand hectares so far this season, more than twice the ten year average.

Health Unit Report Card

The Northwestern Health Unit is giving itself top marks in the release of a new public health report card.

The report outlines a variety of programs and the progress made in improving people's health.

CEO Mark Perrault feels they're doing very well in meeting that objective.

"Through restructuring which has saved money we've actually improved our services," says Perrault, "and we're delivering more programs now than we did three years ago."

One of the highlights from 2010 was the health unit's unconditional accreditation from the Ontario Council on Community Health Accreditation.

New Northwest Cancer Plan

Regional Cancer Care Northwest is embarking on a four year cancer plan.

Vice President Michael Power says it will include a new integrated cancer screening program.

"We're buying a new OBSP (Ontario Breast Screening Program) coach where we will add not only breast screening mammography," says Power, "but will also offer pap testing for cervical cancer screening as well as colorectal cancer screening through the distribution of kits."

Cancer Care Northwest also plans to start a new Palliative Care Program.

New Wood Logo

There's new logo being attached to Ontario lumber.

It's to help consumers to see if the wood they buy is manufactured in this province.

Marianne Berube of Ontario Wood Works says until now, people couldn't tell.

"This follows like Agriculture Ontario and it's 'Good Things Grow in Ontario,' says Berube. "This is somewhat like a segue since that has been so successful why don't we do it for our wood products."

The logo will be placed on wood products, including lumber, flooring and furniture.

Highway Closure

A section of Highway 71 has been closed because of a traffic accident.

There are no details of the accident yet available, but OPP say it happened about 6:30 a.m. this morning on the Highway at Frickas Road in Sioux Narrows.

No word when that section of the highway will be reopened.

Deer Lake Evacuated

Nearly 500 residents of the remote community of Deer Lake are being evacuated because of a nearby forest fire.

The province is co-ordinating with federal and defence officials to evacuate residents whose health is most at risk.

The more than 480 residents will be airlifted to Geraldton.

New Fire in Rainy River District

Just one new forest fires being reported in the Rainy River district.

The less than one-hectare lightning-caused fire is burning near Mayhew Lake, northeast of Atikokan.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has classified it as being under control.

Thunder Bay Man Missing

Authorities are looking for a Thunder Bay man who drove to Indiana to pick up an R-V, but never returned home.

Police in Thunder Bay and Indiana know that Ed Spakowski made it to the Elkhart RV factory on June 30 and picked up the unit, but did not get on the toll road heading home.

Police say there's also no indication Spakowski has come back into Canada.

Home First Expansion Proposed

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network wants to expand its Home First program for seniors in the region.

The program is aimed at trying to get people, now in a hospital bed, back home.

CEO Laura Kokochinski says it's part of a broader provincial initiative.

"That we're moving in that direction," says Kokochinski, "that people will not wait any longer in an acute hospital where there's lots of bacteria and virus floating around and people can actually get sometimes sicker while waiting in a hospital. So it's to take them back to their home environment where they'll wait."

Kokochinski says enhancing home care services and putting in supportive housing also helps build toward the Home First philosophy.

Ride for Memories

The Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River has started the planning for its annual Ride for Memories and poker derby.

Executive Director Lynn Moffitt says this year's motorcycle rider will have start locations in Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances.

"And they meet up along the ride," says Moffitt. "The host location for the awards ceremony and dinner will be at the Adventure Inn in Fort Frances."

Money raised is used to help fund various patient programs.

Registration packages for the August 27 event can be obtained at the Adventure Inn or by visiting the agencies website at www.alzheimerkrr.com.

Loggers Concerns Still in Court

Another court will now rule on whether Minnesota loggers can continue working during the government shutdown.

A Koochiching County judge last week granted a temporary restraining order allowing loggers to continue harvesting timber.

But the State's Supreme Court is backing a request by the Department of Natural Resources to have the case assigned to the same judge who determined which agencies would be allowed to work through the shutdown in a separate case.

It's unclear when the case will now be heard.