Distracted Driving Crackdown

Ontario motorists are being advised to cut out distractions in their cars while driving.

Provincial police are teaming up with the Canadian Automobile Association and the transportation ministry in a campaign to crack down on drivers not paying attention on the road.

OPP Superintendent Don Bell says every second is crucial.

Bell says distracted driving is a leading cause of death or serious injury.

Young Cyclists To Get Tickets

Young bicycle riders following the rules in Atikokan can expected to be ticketed.

OPP, along with Atikokan Teen Centre and Atikokan Safe and Healthy Community Committee are watching for those who wear their helmets.

Constable Anne McCoy says its part of an initiative entitled "Safe Rider."

Riders who get a "Positive Ticket" get a chance to enter a draw to win an iPod NANO being offered by the Teen Centre.

Crash Caused Still Under Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board says its still too early to say what might have caused a float plane to crash north of Kenora.

Two people from Cloquet, Minnesota were sent to hospital with serious injuries after the Cessena 180 crash while taking off from Trout Lake Wednesday morning.

The Board John Cottreau says investigators are still examining the site and the aircraft for clues into what caused the crash.

Construction Contract Signed

Another step in the conversion of the Atikokan coal-fired generating station to burn biomass has been taken.

Ontario Power Generation has signed a contract with Aecon for the design and construction work on plant modifications and new fuel storage and handling systems.

The contract is worth about half the $170-million dollar project.

The plant will make the switch to biomass in 2014.

Forest Fires Hazard Remains Low

MNR file photo

The forest fire hazard remains low for northwestern Ontario as we head into the long weekend.

Thunderstorms and rain continue to track across the region, bringing lightning.

But the Ministry of Natural Resources says that lightning is less of a concern now because of the heavy rainfall associated with it.

To date, there have been a total of 492 fires in the northwest, burning a combined area of 84-thousand hectares.

Forty-four have been in the Rainy River district - 5 are still active.

Busy Border This Weekend Expected

Border agencies on both sides of the border suggest travellers might want to plan ahead if they're planning to cross this holiday weekend.

The Civic Holiday weekend is traditionally one of the busiest of the year at area points of entry.

The Canada Border Services Agency anticipates traffic at the Fort Frances border alone to be at least 3.6 per cent higher than normal.

McGuinty May Recall Legislature

Premier Dalton McGuinty is raising the possibility of recalling the legislature this month to impose new wage contracts on teachers.

The province has given school boards until the end of the month to reach new agreements that includes a two year wage freeze.

McGuinty says there's some urgency in the situation.

McGuinty says the government will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure teachers have new contracts for the start of the school year.

Park Sites Reopened

Four camping sites closed since May in Voyageurs National Park are being reopened to the public.

The sites were closed because of the presence of bald eagles nests used during critical nesting periods.

Park biologists found 72 nests within the park this breeding season

Children's Workshop Returns

A workshop for children returns to the area later this month.

Weechi-it-te-win Family Services' " Abinoojii Okogendiwin" (Children coming together) takes place outside the Nanicost Building near Couchiching First Nations beginning August 14.

The event includes traditional teachings, games, arts and crafts and Turtle Concepts presentations that help raise self-esteem and self-identify.

Your asked to call Weechi-it-te-win to register.

Plane Crash Near Kenora

Two Minnesotans have been seriously injured following the crash of a small plane north of Kenora.

Provincial Police says the Cessna 180 was trying to take off from a camp on Trout Lake, about 40 kilometres northwest of the city, when it crashed into the bush yesterday morning.

The pilot - a 78-year-old man -was transferred to hospital in Thunder Bay.

A 62-year-old woman was taken to Duluth.

A third passenger was not seriously hurt.

All three are from Cloquet.

The Transport Safety Board is investigating.

Atikokan Addressing Housing Needs

Atikokan is readying itself for a possible population boom.

With new people anticipated for new potential mines, a pellet plant and the Atikokan Generating Station conversion, the town's reaching out to housing developers.

Garry McKinnon of the Atikokan Economic Development Corpoartion says a recent study shows its the need for at least 1,300 accommodation units in the next five years, 900 being single family dwellings.

The town recently held a session in Thunder Bay that attracted interest from about 30 firms.

New Human Caused Fire In District

One new forest fire in the Rainy River district to report.

The 0.1 hectare fire at Harvey Lake, southwest of Atikokan, is being identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources as being human caused, but under control.

Five other lightning-cause blazes within Quetico Provincial Park are still active.

Meantime, the MNR is anticipating unsettled weather with showers to help with fires in the far north and ease smoky conditions that forced the 650 residents from Sandy Lake First Nation to Fort Frances and Thunder Bay this week.

Spray Park Down

Emo township has been forced to shutdown its spray park.

The township says its been taken out of commission for repairs.

The township gives no exact date with it will be back in operation.

Bridge Turns 100

Anniversary celebrations for the International Bridge linking Fort Frances and International Falls.

Dignitaries and residents from both sides of the border gathered last night at the Fort Frances Museum to help celebrate the bridge's 100th year.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis says its been an asset that has helped build prosperity in both communities.

Falls city councillor Cynthia Jacksa says it's been a symbol of unity between the two communities for the past 100 years.

Local Customs offices, also established back in 1912, were also recognized. 

Trillium Funding Announced

Three organizations in the Rainy River district are receiving grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Atikokan's Beaten Path Nordic Trails is receiving almost $15-thousand to purchase a snowmobile and trailer to help maintain its cross country ski trails.

The Rainy Lake Nordic Ski Club will use about $26-thousand on new snowshoes and trail grooming equipment.

The Rainy River District Women's Institute Museum is getting $15-thousand for renovations to its Emo facility.

City Beach Project Gets Funding

The city of International Falls is receiving funding to remodel the bathhouse at its City Beach.

The over $34-thousand comes from Otto Bremer Foundation.

The work will include new lockers, an updated electrical system as well as making the bathhouse handicapped accessible.

The city says work will start immediately after the Labour Day weekend.

Kesselrun Begins Exploration

More gold searching in the Rainy River district.

Thunder Bay-based Kesselrun Resources says its starting an exploration program at its Bluffpoint Lake project, located 80 kilometres northeast of Fort Frances.

The work will identify areas where a fall drilling program will focus.

School Board Reacts to Minister's Directive

The chair of the Rainy River District School Board calls talk of a legislative settlement by the province for Ontario's teachers predictable.

Education Minister Laurel Broten is first giving boards until the end of August a shot to come up with deals that includes a two-year wage freeze.

Chair Mike Lewis says whether the board can meet the Ministry's deadline is still to be determined.

Lewis says the board had already planned talks in September with the union representing high school teachers before the Minister's directive.

Mining Matters Workshop Returns

Rainy River Resources is giving people a chance to learn more about the company, its gold project and mining in general.

A three-day Mining Matters workshop begins next Wednesday in Fort Frances.

Kyle Stanfield, a company vice-president says it includes a tour of their project north of Barwick.

The company sponsored the event last year with great success.

Seventy spaces are available this time round.


Free registration can be made through the company's website.

Portage Avenue Underpass Closed Today

Portage Avenue underpass will be closed to vehicle traffic again today (Wednesday) from 7 a,m, to 7 p.m.

Work crews are continuing to install electrical cable as part of upgrades to the sewage pumping station.

Pedestrians and bicycles can go through by using the road portion.