OPP investigate Vehicle Fire near Golf Course

The OPP are investigating a vehicle fire on Golf Course Road over the long weekend.

Police say that early Sunday morning, shortly after 3 A.M., they were called out to a blaze reported near the Kenora Golf and Country Club.

The vehicle was fully engulfed by flames by the time officers arrived at the scene, and Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department was  called out to extinguish the blaze.

Police say the vehicle was a black 2007 Dodge.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Kenora Detachment of the OPP.

Petition For JM Arena Presented to Council

Pressure is being put on Kenora City Council to do something about the future of the Jaffray Melick Arena.

A petition was presented to council last week asking that an ice plant be installed in the community run facility.

Heather Rogers presented the petition to council last week.

The petition was started up this past winter, after the JM arena had to close early, due to warm weather and a lack of volunteers to operate the facility.

Fatal Accident Near Stratton over the Long Weekend

The investigation continues into a collision involving a vehicle and a train that killed one person in Stratton.

A C-N train hit the vehicle on the tracks at Highway 617 about 50 kilometres west of Fort Frances.

Police are trying to determine if the crossing lights were working at the time.

They had little information yesterday about the victim.

Forest Fire Threatens Northwestern Ontario Community

A fairly quiet weekend for Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews, but one blaze is continuing to  be a cause for concern.

A large forest fire is burning in Wabakimi Provincial Park, about 38-kilometres east of Savant Lake.

The fire is burning near fly-in-lodges and the CN mainline and at one point forced the evacuation of 11-residents from the tiny community of Allanwater.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the fire had grown to over 14-hundred hectares in size but notes thanks to the combined efforts of firefighters and air attack, no property was lost.

Evacuees have returned to their residence and operations on the CN main line have resumed.

There are 21-fire crews and 5-helicopters still commited to the blaze.

The cause is not known.

Work begins on new Tourism Portal

A number of economic development agencies in the region are launching a significant new tourism development project in the Kenora District.

The project is the first step towards the ultimate goal of a multimedia web portal that will showcase this area.

Spokesperson for the group, Vicki Kurz says they have to do a lot of ground work before they can launch their portal. Kurz says the infrastructure will include a mobil application so that people can plan an activity when travelling through the District.

Kenora, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Machin are involved.

OPP get new sponsor for trauma teddies

The OPP are continuing their efforts to help out children who are victims of trauma.

Local Superintenent Ron van Straalen says they've recieved a new supply of stuff toy bears to give away

Van Straalan says the program is also good for the image of the OPP.

The OPP have a new sponsor to supply the stuffed toy bears they give out to truamatized children, Aviva Canada.