Crimestoppers Seeks Break-In Tips

Crimestoppers is getting involved in the investigation of a break-in in Emo.

A grocery store was broken into early Monday morning.

The suspect, who was caught on surveillance video, and approached by a witness outside the store, is described as being 5' 8" with a medium build.

He was seen wearing a red hoodie sweater, dark grey feather down jacket with a horizontal white line across chest and shoulders, dark pants, dark shoes, and a black balaclava.

You can call anonymously to Crimestoppers with tips that can help lead to an arrest - 1-800-222-8477.

Hospital Rerendendum Planned

The Ontario Health Coalition wants to bring people to the ballot box next month.

It plans to hold a voluntary referendum April 5 as part of a campaign denouncing the privatization of hospital services.

Executive Director Natalie Mehra says they are in the process of getting organized in northwestern Ontario.

Mehra says if certain medical procedures are shifted from hospitals to private clinics, patients in northern Ontario would likely be forced to travel out of town more often.

Elk Doing Well In Winter

The harsh winter conditions aren't expected to affect the elk population in northwestern Ontario.

Elk were released in
the Cameron Lake area near Nestor Falls about 15 years ago.

Co-chair of the Elk Restoration Committee Murray English says the animals are pretty well adapted to surviving deep snow.

English says the elk population ranges between 40 to 50 animals, but they are seeing more calves each year.

International Water Forum Starts

The Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed is in the spotlight this week.

The Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation is hosting its annual international forum International Falls starting today.

Executive director Todd Sellers says the meeting will be well attended with researchers and government officials coming from both sides of the border.

Sellers this years event focuses on a number issues including a plan on invasive species.

Snoasis 2 A Go

Snoasis 2 goes this weekend in Fort Frances.

The family fund day takes place at Lion's Park this Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

Chair of the Friends of the Museum Duane Hicks says a number of events are planned, including an attempt to construction an ice fort.

There will also be events at the Fort Frances Library and discounted skating and swimming at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Wilde Nominated For Independent Music Award

Atikokan musician Sunday Wilde is among this year's nominees in the Independent Music Awards.

She's up for best blues song for "More Than a Wee Bit Crazy," as well as the fan choice awards, something she won in 2011.

Local residents can vote by going to www.independentmusicawards.com.

This year's winners will be announced in May.

Infrastructure Funding Announced

More infrastructure funding has been announced for communities in the Rainy River district.

Emo is receiving $2-million from the province to upgrade emergency water mains near the Emo Health Centre.

Rainy River will get the same amount of money to replace the water and sewer infrastructure on Fourth Street.

New Laws For Bus Drivers Considered

School bus drivers in Minnesota could face heavy penalties if they fail to check that all students have left their bus after a route.

The State House Transportation committee has allowed a bill to advance that forces drivers to do mandatory post-route checks.

Last year, a bus driver in northeastern Minnesota was charged with child endangerment after leaving a 3-year-old boy on a bus for hours in the cold after dropping students off at a Fond du Lac tribal Head Start program.

The new bill proposes criminal charges and jail time and the loss a driver's certification for a year.

War Memorial Proposed

Thunder Bay is considering building a war memorial for soldiers who have fallen over seas.

Councillor Larry Hebert suggests they may even extend the memorial to include soldiers from the across district.

A site for the memorial will be pitched at the end of April.

RCMP On Twitter Tonight

The Mounties are reaching out to Ontario residents today.

RCMP's Assistant Commissioner for Ontario Stephen White is holding his first ever Twitter chat, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central time tonight.

White says social media gives them an opportunity to reach out to people who may not be aware of the RCMP's role in the province.

Use the #COChat to participate.

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.