Search and Rescue helps standed anglers on Lake of the Woods

The OPP have cautioned local residents about heading out on the ice for the past couple of weeks.

But apparently that message hasn't reached the south end of Lake of the Woods.

Early this morning 13 American Anglers had to be rescued from an ice floe near Birch Point on the Manitoba side of the Lake.

Terry McLeod is president of Lake of the Woods Search and Rescue and says they sent their air boat out last night, making five trips from the mainland to the chunk of ice, to rescue the stranded ice anglers. 

The anglers went out on ATV's yesterday around noon, but conditions deteriorated as the day went on.

Everyone was safely evacuated from the ice floe by around 3:00 this morning

NOACC Disappointed with Provinicial Budget

Local business groups are disappointed with Tuesday's provincial budget.

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce is concerned with the delayed implementation of corporate tax cuts.

Chief Operating Officer, Harold Wilson says there's really nothing in the budget to encourage economic growth.

Wilson suggests the promised corporate tax cuts could take as long as eight years to implement, because the government wants to wait until it erases the deficit.

Gravelle Defends Tuesday's Provinicial Budget

The Provincial Government is not touching the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

The Drummond report called on the Government to move the Fund and combine it with other economic development corporations.

Natural Resources minister Michael Gravelle says Heritage funding will stay at 100-million dollars.

Gravelle adds that the Provincial budget will also preserve the Northern Industrial Electricity rate for at least one more year. 

Two BC men face Weapons Charges

Two British Columbia residents are due to appear in Kenora Court today on weapons charges.

The OPP say they were called to a hotel last week to assist ambulence personnel.

One man was taken to hospital for treatment and later released.

While at the scene, officers notice a handgun in the hotel room.

They got a search warrant and seized the gun.

A 37 year old and a 23 year old man remain in custody pending today's bail hearing.

Habitat For Humanity Launches another Fundraiser

Habitat for Humanity is counting down to its first ever build in Kenora.

A couple of more fundraisers are being planned this spring to help raise money for the project.

Spokesperson Thelma Wilkens-Page says at the end of May they will be hosting a Re-Fit day where old building materials can be donated to the cause.

Habitat For Humanity is hoping to turn sod on its first Kenora home sometime in May.

Health Unit Continues to Deal with Oxcontin Withdrawal

The Northwest Health Unit says its not planning to start up any new clinics to help people deal with withdrawal from prescription pills.

There is still concern about the impact of taking oxycontin off the market.

Dr. Jim Arthurs is the medical officer of health and says they simply don't have the resources to start up a new clinic to deal with the problem.

Arthurs says there are supports in place in the community, such as the Morningstar Clinic, that are more suited to dealing the problem.

Boundaries Commission Looks at Ontario Ridings

The process towards a redrawing of the federal political maps in Ontario has started.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission of Ontario is looking at how add 15 new seats to the House of Commons.

There are some concerns it will also mean some change in boundaries to northwestern Ontario's ridings where the population continues to decline.

The Commission is giving the public until the end of April to comment.

Grassy Declares another Logging Victory

The Grassy Narrows First Nation says the province has promised not to allow logging in its Traditional Land Use Area in the Whisky Jack forest while an appeal of a court ruling in going on.

Last summer, the Ontario Superior Court ruled the government couldn't take away Grassy's treaty rights by allowing clear cut logging near the community.

Since then the Provice has decided to appeal the decision.

Grassy says that a no-logging agreement now prohibits any forestry activity in about 50 percent of its traditional land use area.