Large Maijuana Seizure in Kenora

The Kenora OPP have seized over 180 pounds of Marijuana.

Police say they stopped a tractor trailer unit on Highway 17 yesterday afternoon for a violation.

Upon investigating the trailer police found the marijuana, valued at $450,000.

Also seized was $1,000 in cash.

As a result 43 year old Nicusor Cioanca of Mission, B.C has been charged with Trafficking Marijuana, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

The accused answered to the charges in court today.

The investigation is continuing.

Suspicious Death in Machin Township

Police in Dryden are investigating a suspicious death in the municipality of Machin.

Yesterday afternoon Dryden Provincial Police responded to calls of a body in the Mutrie Township.

Police identified the body as 44 year old Randal Lichty from Machin.

A postmortem will take place at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Anyone with information are asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122

Rally For Safer Roads This Weekend

Local residents are going to take to the street to protest the state
of winter road conditions in northwestern Ontario.

A rally is being planned for this weekend in Vermillion Bay.

A Facebook page has also been set up to encourage people to
attend the Rally for Safer Roads.

Already this month, the Trans-Canada Highway between Kenora and
Vermillion Bay has been shut down three times because of multiple-vehicle
accidents.

The rally is scheduled to take place this Saturday from 10 till noon at the intersection of Highway 105 and Highway 17.

OPP Investigate Fatal Accident Near Fort Frances

The OPP are continuing its investigation into the death of two people in
an accident near Fort Frances.

Police say a westbound vehicle collided with a transport about 15 kilometers
east of the border community on Highway 11 yesterday afternoon around 4:40.

Both the people in the Chrysler, a man and a woman were killed, while the
driver of the semi was not injured.

Highway 11 was closed for about three years hours due to the accident.

The names of the released have not yet been released.

Rickford Responds to Auditor's Report

The federal government is taking steps to address emergency preparedness on first nation communities.

That according to Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford.

He was responding to the auditor general's report, which suggested the
department of Indian Affairs hasn't set aside adequate resources to
deal with emergencies in aboriginal communities.

Rickford says the federal government is also working out a clearer response plan in the case of emergencies, for departments at both the federal and provincial level.

North Spirit Lake Crash Results in Aviation Changes

It may be hard to fathom but some good has come out of a tragic plane crash in northwestern Ontario.

Four people died when a Keystone Air Service plane went down near the North Spirit Lake airport.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has completed its investigation and Peter Hildebrand notes the airport made a big change following the 2012 crash.

Hildebrand says Keystone Air has revised its operational manuals, implemented new icing policies and amended its flight training record-keeping procedures.

Energy Minister Releases Long Term Plan for Ontario

Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli is out with the new long term energy plan.

Chiarelli says the plan forecasts 70 billion dollars in savings by 2030.

He says all rate payers can expect a decrease.

Chiarelli says the plans will save 15 billion dollars by deferring the construction of two nuclear reactors.

CP Holiday Train Makes Whistle Stop in Kenora

The Salvation Army has capped off a busy weekend of donations with a stop by the CP Holiday Train.

CP presented the Army with a cheque for 6 thousand dollars.

Mayor Dave Canfield says it's another key step in ending hunger.

Salvation Army Business Manager Sandra Poole took the opportunity to again thank the community for their generosity.

Kenora Figure Skaters Excel in Winnipeg

A good weekend for Kenora Figure skaters.

A dozen members of the Kenora Figure skating club were in Winnipeg
for the Superskate competition.

Local skaters claimed six gold medals, four silver and five bronze.

All of the Kenora skaters also finished in the top seven in each of their
events.

It was the first competition of the season for the local figure skaters.