SIU clears Red Lake OPP officer

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit has cleared the OPP in Red Lake of any

wrong-doing in the death of a North Spirit Lake Man this pas summer.

41 year old Dalius Kakegamic was picked up on a criminal charge on June 14th,
but began experience medical problems.

He was initially taken to hospital in Red Lake, but was then airlifted to the Regional

Health Sciences Center in Thunder Bay a week later.

Kakegamic died on June 21st.

The SIU says there is no evidence to show that Kakegamic was mistreated while
in custody.

SIU director, Ian Scott suggests that Kakegamic's rapid decline and death

were likely due to a pre-existing medical condition.

NorWOSSA Court Sport Finals this week

The NorWOSSA double and single "a" boys volleyball and girls basketball finals are taking place this week.

Single "a" play-offs begin today at Thomas Aquinas with the semi-finals.

Three Saint teams have bye's into tomorrows gold medal games, so the only T.A. squad in action today is the junior girls basketball team.

The Saints take on Sioux Lookout today for the right to advance to tomorrows final.

That game begins at noon.

Meanwhile, the double "a" play-offs are taking place in Fort Frances tomorrow.

All of Beaver Brae's court sport teams are in the semi-finals.

Former OPP officer faces several years in prison

The Crown says a former OPP officer who sexually molested boys for most of  his policing career deserves 10 to 12 years behind bars.

The prosecutor in an Orangeville court said Robert Lewis has never admitted guilt, expressed remorse or taken responsibility for his actions.

Lewis is a former OPP officer who served in Minaki and Whitedog in the 70's.

Court heard that the now 63-year-old man used his position for more than 25 years to molest the boys, even in his police cruiser, while in uniform.

The defence is arguing for a term of five to seven years.

Paving begins on the Redditt Road

Expect traffic to move slowly on parts of Highway 658 for the next couple of days.

Pioneer Construction has begun paving a four kilometer stretch of the Redditt Road

just north of the Highway 17-A intersection.

The work is expected to last all week long, including patching a number of other

locations along that stretch of highway.

Funding for the project is from the federal/provincial infrastructure program.

Province working on a 10 year infrastructure plan

The McGuinty government is getting input on a new 10 year plan for funding road, sewer and building projects.

Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli believes such a plan would be very valuable for local communities and agencies.

Chiarelli met with representitives from school boards, municipalities and first nation

communities from northwestern Ontario yesterday.

NOSM Board ratifies contract with support staff

Finally, some labor peace at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

The strike by support staff is now over after the school's board of directors voted to ratify a new contract with OPSEU Local 677.

Dean Dr. Roger Strasser is happy business can get back to normal.

The contract is for 3 years, but a back to work date still has to be worked out.

Fort Hope Crisis gets national exposure

The crisis on the Fort Hope First Nation is starting to get some national exposure.

The wives of the Governor General and Ontario's Lieutenant General toured the community that recently declared a state of emergency last week.

Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine says the arsons and murders in the community all stem from poverty.

Fontaine says he feels for the community and understands that it's a huge challenge.

New Fire Hall getting ready to open

Work continues to get the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill ready for occupancy.

The opening ceremonies for the fire hall will take place in just under three weeks, on Monday, November 29th.

However, members of Kenora City Council will get a sneak preview of the six million dollar construction project.

A special meeting of the outgoing council has been scheduled for November 18th.

Fire chief Warren Brinkman says he wanted to give the council that approved the funding for the project a chance to see the building first hand, before they leave office.

Brinkman adds that they are still waiting for furnishings to be delivered to the new fire hall and for final inspections to be completed.