Police Investigate Plane Accident on Black Sturgeon

The OPP is investigating a plane crash on Black Sturgeon Lake.

Police say the Osprey Float plane went down in the Beauty Bay area around 4:30 yesterday afternoon.

Witnesses say the pilot was practicing touch and go, take offs and landings, but end up losing control of the aircraft and made contact with the water.

The OPP say the pilot sustained minor injuries while the plane was also damaged.

Canfield Pushes Reciprocity Deal for Snowmobiles

An old idea is being revived to try and improve winter tourism opportunities in the region.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's talked to political and tourism officials on all sides of the border about a reciprocity agreement for snowmobile permits.

Canfield says everyone he's talked to have been very supportive of the initiative.

Canfield says it will be up to the Ontario and Manitoba Governments to legislate the reciprocity agreement along with the State of Minnesota.

Campbell Ready for New Session At Queen's Park

Holding the provincial government accountable.

Summer break is over for MPP's and Kenora Rainy River's Sarah Campbell says she wants to make sure the Liberals form an accountability office.

Campbell says the office will overlook every government that takes office.

She also she will ensure the government lowers auto insurance premiums by 15 per cent with in 2 years.

Public School Board Excited By New Year

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is bullish about the new school year.

The Board held it's first meeting of the school year last night.

Director of Education Sean Monteith says everyone has a lot of pride in what they are doing right now.

Monteith points to the boards efforts, from facility renewal to assisting students that are at risk.

Autopsy Confirms Vermillion Bay Racer Died of Natural Causes

An autopsy has confirmed that Vermilion Bay stock car driver Bill Reimer died of natural causes.

Provincial Police were called to the Emo Speedway around 8 o'clock last Saturday night.

Police say Reimer was pronounced dead after his race car left the travelled portion of the raceway.

A post-mortem exam was conducted Monday at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Legal Challenge Against Ring of Fire Lifted

With one roadblock now removed, Cliffs Natural Resources is looking forward to continuing it's quest to open a chromite mine in the Ring of Fire mining development.  

Company spokesperson Jason Aagenes says with the Matawa First Nations dropping its environmental legal challenges there is more room for optimism

The case was set to be heard by the Federal Court in mid-September but the group decided to put an end to it saying they never wanted a judge to decide their future.

The company says it still has some land issues to settle and environmental approval from the provincial government.

Aagenes says while it's good news, the company still hasn't taken the pause button off the project because there are still other roadblocks

Sioux Lookout Man Faces Trafficking Charges

A Sioux Lookout man has been charged after police found over 40-thousand-dollars worth of pot.

Dryden Police, along side Provincial Police, stopped 23-year-old Lucas Roy Monday evening along Highway 17 near Kennedy Road.

Police found the drugs, and Roy has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

In addition, a youth that was travelling with Roy has been charged for the same offence.

Pickle Lake Picks Up FedNor Funding

Federal funding for the Township of Pickle Lake.

Minister of State for FedNor Greg Rickford announced nearly 300-thousand dollars in funding during a stop in Pickle Lake yesterday.

242 thousand dollars will help the community replace an existing line to the local water tower, ensuring the community has access to clean and safe drinking water.

The rest of the money will help Pickle Lake increase its bandwidth service to 100-megabytes per second.

Rickford says the work will result in faster, more secure and reliable broadband services.

Former Thistle Gets A Shot with the Leafs

A former member of the Kenora Triple A Midgets has visions of wearing blue and white.

Kevin Raine has been invited to the Toronto Maple Leafs main camp and will battle for a position on the backend.

Raine started the season expecting to be the leader of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League but was asked to attend the Leafs rookie camp.

Raine will compete against 19 other defenceman for a position with the Leafs.

Camp opens tomorrow.