Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Bio Energy Atikokan

Researchers looking into the bio-energy industry in Atikokan have wrapped up their work, but they says its not the end.

Lakehead University and a team of researchers and students spent three years examining the issues surrounding the industry.

L-U's Vice-President of Research Rui Wang says the information gathered provides a blueprint for other agencies to take the next step.

More than 20 reports and one patent were generated out of the researchers work.

Northern Growth Plan Meeting Tonight

The Northern Growth Plan has been out for about a month and now the provincial government is seeking public input on the document.

A meeting will take place tonight in Kenora so the province can get feedback.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle saysthey just want to make sure the plan does what local residents want it to do.

Tonight's meeting will take place at 6:30 at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Elk Management Ontario

The Ministry of Natural Resources is drafting an Elk Management Planto deal with the population of the animals in four separate areas of the province.

The MNR began importing elk into Ontario from Alberta 10 years ago with mixed results.

Christie Curley is a spokesperson for the MNR and says due to concerns over disease, they have decided not to import anymore elk.

Elk numbers in the Bancroft area have exploded in recent years,and Curley says there has been talk of moving the animals into areas where their populations have not done as well, like Lake of the Woods.

Drug Bust

A 16-year-old has been charged following a drug bust at the Sandy Lake First Nation Airport.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police seized roughly 30-thousand dollars worth of oxycontin pills from the girl.

The drugs were transported to the remote Northern Reserve from the Winnipeg Airport.

The teen faces 1-count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Post Mortem

A post-mortem is to be conducted in Toronto today as an investigation continues into the discovery of human remains in northwestern Ontario.

A hunter came across the remains near Pickle Lake and investigators are trying to determine the person's identity and the cause of death.

Police say there is no evidence at the scene to suggest there was foul play.

Red Lake Mining

Conquest Resources has provided an interim report on its Red Lake area mining property.

The company has completed its 2009 surface drill programme which consisted of six drill holes
of over 4-thousand metres.

The report shows that the property contains shallow depths of gold.

The report provided the company with necessary encouragement to embark on a major deep drilling program in the near future.

Warm Weather Record Kenora

Kenora broke temperature records on Monday.

The city reached a high of 5 degrees in mid November, something the community hasn't seen since 1942.

Mix FM Meteorologist Bill Laidlaw says residents should enjoy the warmer temperatures while they have the chance.

The rest of the region also saw record breaking temperatures with Dryden recording a high of 4 degrees something the City hasn't seen in 90 years.