SIU Investigates By-Pass Fatal

Three investigators from the Ontario Special Investigations Unit are in Kenora looking into the death of a 42 year old woman.

The woman died while being transported in a police cruiser early Sunday morning.

The OPP say that around 2:00 the cruiser collided with a semi-tractor trailor unit at the intersection of the Redditt Road and the Kenora By-Pass.

The two officers in the cruiser were taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital and later released, while the driver of the transport did not sustain any injuries.

The By-Pass was closed for over 17 hours, while the SIU conducted  it investigation of the crash scene.

Highway 17-A was finally re-opened around 7:15 last night.

OPP Continue Search for Missing Boater

The search will continue this morning for a missing boat on a lake north of Kenora.

The OPP's Underwater Search and Recovery Unit is expected to arrive on the scene today to help locate a 24 year old Winnipeg man.

Police say two men were thrown into Gunn Lake, just south of Minaki Saturday evening around 8:00 after encountering high waves.

Neither man was wearing a life-jacket.

Eyewitnesses were able to rescue a 23 year old man from the lake, but his companion is still missing.

The missing man has been identified as Blaine Letham.

Mental Health Funding Announced

A big boost for mental health services in the Treaty Three area.

Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong has received a 50 thousand dollar grant from the Bell "Lets Talk" Community Fund.

April Medwechuck says they will use the funding to spear a new program to help front-line workers recognize people with mental health issues.

The funding was announced at the 2nd annual baseball tournament put on the Kenora Drug Abuse and Mental Health Task Force on Saturday.

Court Overturns Extradition for Rainy River First Nations Resident

Ontario's top court has ruled a man from Rainy River First Nations facing drug charges in the United States should not be extradited because of his aboriginal status.

Zachary Leonard was arrested with four others in 2006 after trying to cross the border at International Falls in a van containing 46-hundred ecstasy tablets.

After escaping from a Falls halfway house to Canada, an Ontario Superior Court judge committed him for extradition.

But the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled the justice minister didn't properly take into account a legal principle that says different considerations must be made when sentencing aboriginal offenders.

The Appeal Court says Leonard could be prosecuted in Canada.

Aboriginal Life Stories Released

A teacher from the Kenora Catholic District School Board has helped launch a new literacy initiative.

Native Language teacher from St. John's Catholic School in Red Lake, Tom Doherty was in Toronto yesterday for the launch of "Books of Life".

The book is an Aboriginal education awarness and initive which tells the life stories of students from diverse school populations.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kenora also participated in the program.

First Ever Sasquatch Bush Crawl this weekend

A unique fundraiser is going to be taking place one week from today.

The 1st ever Sasquatch Bush Crawl will take place on the Mount Evergreen Cross Country Ski Trails.

David White is one of the organizers and says you can walk, run or even crawl along the five kilometer route.

Money raised from the Sasquatch Bush Crawl will go into the endowment fund for the Kenora Association For Community Living.

Kenora Man Prepares for Trip to Ghana

A young Kenora resident is getting ready for a trip of a life time.

Dusty Snyider is planning to embark on a one month humanitarian mission to Ghana in west Africa.

Snyder says he will be working with the AIDS patients in that country.

Snyder will be leaving in November but has to raise six thousand dollars to help pay his way.

Health Unit Issues Ground Beef Warning

A Nation-wide recall has hit the region.

The Northwestern Health Unit is advising that the public to not eat any ground beef with a best before date on or before September 26, due to a possible e-coli contamination.

The contamination happened at the manufacturing plant in Alberta, and has been sent to local grocery stores.

The known affected product has been pulled from shelves, but some of it may have already been sold.

Foul Play Not Suspected in Death of Sioux Lookout Girl

An autopsy has been completed on a 15-year-old Sioux Lookout girl.

The body of Regina Kakekespan was found in a wooded area of Sioux Lookout a week ago.

Provincial Police are saying that foul play is NOT suspected, but the investigation is ongoing.

The cause of death has not been released.

Saints Win KIVT

Thomas Aquinas took top honors at the annual Kenora Invitational Senior Boys Volleyball tournament over the weekend.

The Saints never dropped a set in two days of play, and won the final Saturday afternoon with a straight sets win over Dryden in the final.

Coach Bob Kowal says he was impressed by his teams resiliance.

Beaver Brae bowed out in the play-offs Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, the Broncos football team has a short week.

Beaver Brae plays two games in the next five days.

Today the Broncos are in Winnipeg to face the St. John's Tigers.

Kick-off is 5:00 this evening.