More charges facing kidnapper

The man accused of sexually assaulting and confining a 16-year-old boy in Nova Scotia made a brief appearance at an arraignment hearing in Bridgewater this morning.

Before his court appearance, David James Leblanc had charges of sexual assault causing bodily harm, uttering a death threat, administering a noxious substance with intent to cause bodily harm, kidnapping and breach of conditions added to those he was already facing.

As Leblanc was escorted out of the courtroom, two boys yelled profanities from the gallery, calling him a ``goof'' and saying they hope he dies.

Leblanc was arrested in northwestern Ontario last week, and was suffering from hypothermia when

police finally caught up to him on a logging road near Longlac. 

OPP Searching for Two Suspects in Manhunt

The search is continuing for two suspects who stole a vehicle in Thunder Bay and abandoned it in Kenora.

The OPP say they were called out Saturday afternoon around 1:00 after receiving a report of a black Chevy Impala being operated in an agressive manner in the Cambrian area of town.

A short time later, the vehicle was found on Houghton Road.

A Canine Unit was brought in along with the Emergency Response Team, but so far the male and female suspect have not been located.

Both people are said to be in their 20's, with the male suspect described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, wearing a red had and a white jacket.

He also may have had scratches on his face.

Police say the car had been reported stolen in Thunder Bay this past Friday.

Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission Holds Hearings In Kenora

The MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding will be among those expected to speak out against proposed changes to federal riding boundaries in northwestern Ontario.

John Rafferty intends to make a submission today to the panel proposing to take Lake of the Woods township out of his riding and attach it to the Kenora riding.

Rafferty is worried the area will not be adequately served.

He agrees with the Commission the area has more "community interest" with Kenora than Thunder Bay, but it's not taking into account the interest it has with the Rainy River district.

The first public hearing will take place this afternoon at 2:00 at the Lakeside Inn.

Good Results for Safe Communities Kenora

Safe Communities Kenora is excited by its latest report card.

It received a grade of 19 out of 20 in its annual assessment.

Co-chair Judy Underwood says one of the areas they have improved is their community partnerships.

Underwood says many events are scheduled for the upcomming year including their annual trivia challenge, the share the road campaign and supporting the spring home show in Kenora.

OPP Use Taser at LCBO

A 50 year old man is recovering after being tasered by the OPP over the weekend.

Officers say they were called to the Kenora Liquor Store Saturday afternoon around 4:30 to deal with a suspect who was acting in an irrational manner.

When police arrived, the man standing on a counter in the LCBO holding a number of bottles.

The OPP say he was unstable and acting in agressive manner to people inside the store and the officers, so they used a taser to subdue him.

He wasn't harmed, but was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment of mental health issues.

More Ambulence Woes for DSAB

The land ambulance saga has been compounded for the Kenora District Services Board.

Ontario's Air Ambulance service has gone back to a requirement to have land ambulance support on every single call.

Dennis Leney says he's seen cases of an air ambulance call and three other units were dispatched to the same call.

Leney says the heartattack patient referenced endured a lengthy wait because there were no land ambulances in the area.

Kidnapping Suspect Due to Make First Court Appearance

A man accused of confining and sexually assaulting a teenage boy is expected to make his first court appearance today in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

Forty-seven-year-old David James Leblanc was returned to the province last week after being captured in northern Ontario.

His co-accused,31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham, was found dead in some nearby woods.

Warrants were issued for the two men after a 16-year-old boy turned up on a woman's doorstep, barefoot and chained at his wrists and ankles.

RCMP Warn of Human Trafficking

We might not see it on the streets, but an ex-RCMP officer says human trafficking is likely happening in northern Ontario.

Marty Van Doren, who coordinates a RCMP human trafficking awareness program, says many young girls and boys involved in the sex trade industry come from remote First Nations looking for a better way of life.

Van Doren was speaking to members of area police services boards gathered in Fort Frances.

Midget Thistles off to slow Start

Not the start the Kenora Triple A Midget Thistles were hoping for to start the new season.

The Thistles dropped both of their weekend games in Morden to the Pembina Valley Hawks.

On Saturday, the Kenora Midgets were edged 3-2 by the Hawks.

They followed that up with a 7-1 loss on Sunday.

The Thistles play their home opener Friday night against the Southwest Cougars.