Fire Destroys a transport near McMunn

Fire has destroyed a semi-tractor trailor unit on Highway 1 in Manitoba near McMunn.

The RCMP in Falcon Lake were contacted about the blaze around 8:00 this morning.

Police say the driver of the rig noticed a mechanical problem and pulled over in a parking lot and discovered the fire.

He tried to put it out, without any success.

Local fire crews were finally able to bring the blaze under control.

The Mounties say the rig is a total loss, but both the driver and a passenger from Ontario managed to escape unharmed.

The Trans-Canada remained open while emergency crews dealt with the fire.

Vaudeville in Kenora

Until February 25th, The Lake of the Woods Museum is home to a traveling exhibit.


Vaudeville comes to us from the Peterborough Museum and features a few staples in Canadian history like archive pictures from the Ballsillie collection,

Braden Murray of the Lake of the Woods Museum says “You don’t want to miss tomorrow’s grand opening at the First Baptist Church”

Fan favorites like the Kenora Circus Kids will be on hand to entertain as well as Olivia Wynne and Wayne Kelso.

Performances start at 7:30 tomorrow night at the First Baptist Church. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets to the show can be purchased at the museum or at the door for $10 a piece.

Lake of the Woods District Hospital Expenses

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says new reports show they are running a tight ship.

The hospital is now required to post the expenses of its management staff on-line.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says they are very careful with how they spend hospital money.

Belcaen had the highest expenses of hospital employees at just over 31 hundred dollars last year, including travel and accommodations while attending out-of-town conferences.

Winter Road Network

The Provincial Government is spending 4.7-million dollars on the winter road network in the Far North this year.


Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci says over 3-thousand kilometres of road will connect 29-First Nation communities.

Individuals and businesses will be able to use the roads until the Spring thaw, usually in mid-March.

The McGuinty Government has invested a total of 30.7-million dollars in the winter roads program since 2003.

Plan Nord

There are some envious leaders in Northwestern Ontario after they heard a presentation on Plan Nord, an economic blueprint for Northern Quebec.


Harold Wilson is with the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce and says it shows we have some catching up to do

Plan Nord is a 25 year program designed to get 80 million dollars invested in Northern Quebec.

Annual Business Awards

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for its annual business awards.


The Chamber has released the nominees for this years awards.

A total of 48 businesses and individuals have been nominated in 12 different categories.

Ray-solar was the most nominated business and is up for Environmental Business of the Year,
the Best Home Based Business, and best new business.

Three people are up for this year's Mayor's award, including Pat Brett, Mort Goss and Collette Surovy.

The Business Awards will be handed out on February 15th at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

OPP on Local Highways

The OPP is concerned with the number of fatal accidents reported across northwestern Ontario so far in 2012.

Through the first two weeks, 17 people have been killed, including two here on Highway 17 between Kenora and Dryden.

Sergeant Shelley Garr admits poor weather conditions are partly to blame for the increase in accidents.


The OPP say at the same time last year there were eight fatal motor vehicle collisions, which is
less than half the number reported for far in 2012.

Provincial Police across Northwestern Ontario are set to increase enforcement on local Highways.

UNESCO

A United Nations group will soon consider whether to grant special status to the boreal forest along the
Ontario-Manitoba boundary.

The two provinces, along with the Pikangikum First Nation, want the region northwest of Kenora, declared a world heritage site. Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger says the recognition would be a big boost.

The provinces and First Nations are now submitting their bid for recognition, which would be considered as early as this spring.

Quit Smoking

Smokers and other addicts who want to quit will get help from the provincial government.

The government will spend 4.5 million dollars over the next three years through the public drug benefit program.

It will help nearly 23-thousand people.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says addicts undergoing treatment will get free over-the-counter nicotine gum and patches, as well as counselling.

Health Canada Website