Speed Racing on Highway 71

A 20 year old Nestor Falls resident has lost the use of his car for a week.

The OPP say they pulled over a vehicle over the weekend on Highway 71 for speeding.

Officers say the car was travelling more than 50 kilometers in excess of the posted speed limit of 80 kilometers an hour.

Under new provincial regulations, that's considered speed racing and police can impound the vehicle for a week.

To make matters worse, the driver was found to be drinking and has been charged

with impaired driving.

Tobacco Free Grant for Nestor Falls

The Town of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls is just the second community in northwestern Ontario to receive funding from a provincial anti-tobacco strategy.

More than 100 of the Play, Live and Be Tobacco Free Grants have been handed out across
the province.

Nestor Falls will be using the funding to help stage their annual Triple P race.

The race involves biking, running and canoing.

The inaugural Triple P fun race took place this past July at Bass Lake Park and attracted
participants and volunteers from across northwestern Ontario.

Organizers will get a cheque for 500 dollars for the event.

Americans Fined for Illegal Hunting

Two men from South Dakota have been fined a total of 34-hundred dollars for illegal bear hunting near Ignace.

John Gubbrud pleaded guilty to illegally hunting a black bear and providing hunting services to a non-resident without a licence.

James Walker was slapped with a 400-dollar fine for not carrying his hunting licence and failing to wear hunter orange.

Court heard that last September Walker harvested a black bear in an area for which his licence was valid.

A Conservation Officer learned that Gubbrud, who was working for an Ontario Tourist Camp, led Walker to the area, even though it was outside a legal Bear Management Area.

Victims of Crime Funding

A local agency is getting support to help aboriginal people who are victims of crime.

Weechi-ti-te-win Family Services is receiving 192-thousand dollars from the province's aboriginal victims support grant program to fund a variety of initiatives.
Lori Flinders is a director of the agency and says all of the programs are bases on community needs.

David Zimmer, Ontario's Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General, made the funding announcement during a recent visit to the area.

Wabigoon Chief Defends Two-Feathers

The Chief of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation believes they are nearing the final stages of the Two Feather Forest Products Value-added project.

Rueben Canton says its his hope that everyone involved can dot the I's and cross the T's.

Canton admits its been a long process.

Canton says were talking about a new project, with new ideas, and it takes some time for things to happen.

The project was first talked about in 2002 but really took shape in 2004.

Public School Board releases Strategic Plan

A comprehensive and aggressive Strategic Improvement Plan has been adopted by the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

The strategy holds students, teachers, staff, senior administration and the Board more accountable to student success.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says one focus is helping aboriginal students.

43-percent of the student population in the School District is aboriginal.

The Board also serves 1-thousand and 33 special needs students.

Bearskin Airlines Sold

A major announcement impacting the airline industry in Northwestern Ontario.

Exchange Income has signed a letter of intent to acquire Bearskin Airlines for 32.5-million dollars.

Bearskin has been a local fixture for over 47-years with service in several communities including Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Kenora, Fort Frances, Thunder Bay and Winnipeg.

President Harvey Friesen says the timing was right.

Winnipeg-based Exchange owns and operates CalmAir, Keewatin Air, and Perimeter Air.

No changes in staffing or service are expected and the deal should close around December 1st.