Campbell Complains About Winter Road Maintenance

The provincial government is defending it's winter road maintenance program in northwestern Ontario.

Yesterday in the Ontario Legislature, Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell complained about the closure of a number of roads in the region over the weekend due to snow.

Transportation Minister Glen Murray says the government is putting more resources into the road maintenance.

Murray says if there are continuing problems, he's willing to meet with the local road contractor to make sure the proper maintenance is being carried out.

Investigators Release Details of ORNGE Report

Federal investigators are holding Ontario's embattled air ambulance service to task.

Investigators say Ornge failed to protect the health and safety of its helicopter pilots.

The report relates to the May 31st crash in northern Ontario where 4 crew members died in a remote area near Moosonee.

The helicopter was on its way to pick up a patient in a remote northern community early in the morning.

Federal investigators say Ornge failed to adequately educate the pilots on the health and safety hazards associated with northern operations, among other problems.

They are asking the agency to fix the problems by the end of May.

The Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the crash.

NAN Discusses Justice Issues This Week

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is meeting this week to discuss First Nation legal issues.

Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says they've brought in experts and community members to talk about access to justice.

Executive Director for NAN Legal Services Celina Reitberger adds that they'll be talking about bringing back traditional aboriginal justice systems.

Issues up for discussion include Aboriginal justice systems, First Nation Representation on Juries, legal representation in the North and fly-in courts for remote communities.

OPP Investigate Kasabonika Lake Murder

A 20 year old woman from the Kasabonika Lake First Nation is dead following an altercation over the weekend.

The OPP's Regional Crime Unit has been called into investigate the death of Courtney Mamakeesick.

21 year old Clarissa Anderson from Kasabonika has been charged with second degree murder.

She's due to appear in Kenora Court on Friday to face the charge.

A post-mortem exam was conducted yesterday at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, but
the cause of death is not being released.

Con College Student Wins Premier's Award

A graduate of Confederation College is being recognized by the province.

Ramesh Ferris has been awarded a Premier Award in Community Services for his activism in the fight against polio around the world.

A polio survivor himself, Ferris organized an awareness campaign in 2008 and helped lobby the Canadian government to commit 250-million dollars to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Ferris graduated from the College in 2001.

Busy Night in NorWOSSA Hockey

The Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team is undefeated so far this season.

The Saints cruised to a 9-2 win over the Red Lake Rams last night at the Kenora
Rec. Center.

Jesse Rush led the Saints scoring attack with three goals, while Justis Kennedy chipped
in with two more.

T.A.'s boys squad heads to Dryden Friday for the Annual NorWOSSA High School tournament.

Meanwhile, it was a tough night on the road for Beaver Brae's hockey teams.

The Bronco girls didn't have as much luck with the Rams.

Beaver Brae pulled it's goalie in the dying minutes, but lost a 6-4 decision, as Red Lake
scored an empty netter.

Rylee Smith had a pair of goals in the loss for the Broncos.

In Fort Frances, the Musky boys doubled up Beaver Brae 6-3.

Elsewhere, Dryden crushed Sioux Lookout 9-3 in boys hockey action.