Tuesday, May 25, 2010

More fires over long weekend

Despite some wet weather, the Ministry of Natural Resources says there were eight new forest fires reported over the long weekend.

Blazes were reported in most districts including Fort Frances, Dryden and
Sioux Lookout.

The rain over the weekend did allow fire crews to declare four active fires
out.

The largest fire still burning in the area is 110 kilometers east of Red Lake, now
at 11 hundred hectares in size.

The MNR says it is concerned that all the lightning over the weekend could trigger
news fires in the region.

Gun Bill Vote in jeopardy


Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the Liberal opposition is doing everything it its power to stall a bill aimed at scrapping the Gun registry.


Rickford says all Liberals have been instructed to vote against the bill and notes the future of the registry lies in the hands of the NDP.

Rickford expects a third and final vote on the Bill in June.

Prime Minister Visits Kenora Riding

The prime minister of Canada seems to like the Kenora Riding.


Stephen Harper was in Dryden on Saturday for the airshow.

It was his fifth visit to the riding in the past three years.

Harper says he came in to help celebrate Dryden's 100th birthday.

Harper also thanked area Veterans for their service to Canada and the community.

The Prime Minister also made a major funding announcement for the Domtar Mill.

RCMP Investigates Falcon Lake Accident

Two people had to be taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital following
an early morning crash near Falcon Lake.

The RCMP say a head on collision involving an SUV and a passenger
vehicle took place about one kilometer west of the community on
Highway 1 around 3:30 Sunday morning.
The jaws of life were needed to extricate the driver and two passengers
from the vehicle, and they were transported to hospital in Kenora.

The two people inside the SUV were taken to hospital in Steinbach for
treatment.

Police say alcohol was not a factor in the collision.

The Trans-Canada was closed for about three hours due to the
accident.

Free Parks Passes


Enjoy Canada's Parks.


That's the message being delivered by Kenora MP Greg Rickford who is visiting area communities with a special gift in hand.

Rickford presented grade 8 students with a free pass for all national parks and historic sites in Canada.

Rickford says the initiaitve is a great way for youth to connect with our natural and historical treasuers.

Rickford made the announcement at Evergreen Public School and Thomas Aquinas School on Friday.

Grassy Blockade taken down

As one road block comes down in the region, another has gone up.


Treaty Three Police say a two day blockade on the Grassy Narrows First Nation has come
to a peaceful resolution.

A road block was set up last week at the entrance to the community on Highway 671.

Treaty Three Police were denied access to conduct general patrols due to a number of
policing concerns.

The deputy chief of the police service, met with community members Thursday afternoon.

Treaty Three Police have made a committment to look at Grassy's concerns over the next
few weeks.

Meanwhile, a toll booth was set up on Couchiching First Nation near Fort Frances late Friday
afternoon.

The band says its asking for a dollar per vehicle for any vehicle to gain access to Highway 11
in their community.

Its trying to get the federal and provincial government to address a number of issues in
the community.

So far, the OPP say there have been no incidents at the toll both, and delays have been
minimal over the weekend.