OPP on Scene of a Plane Crash North of Kenora

Few details have been released about an airplane crash north of Kenora.

The OPP say a small plane went down in the bush near Trout Lake around 9:30 this morning.

The area is about 40 kilometers northwest of town.

An ambulence crews has been dispatched to the scene along with a number of OPP officers.

Local residents say a section of Highway 596 has been blocked off as rescue efforts continue.

Its not known if anyone was hurt in the crash.

Fletcher Defends Decision to Close ELA

The federal government doesn't seem to have any interest in re-visiting its decision to close the Experimental Lakes Area east of Kenora.

Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Fletcher says he supports the decision to close the facility.

He suggests that universities are probably in a better position to manage the ELA.

The federal government expects to save about two million dollars a year by closing the ELA.

Mobile Dental Clinic Ready to Hit the Road

A healthy smile is coming to your community!

Healthy Smiles Ontario has launched their mobile dental office, which provides free services to children 17 and under who don't have dental coverage.

The "smile mobile" will be coming to Kenora, Dryden, Ear Falls and Sioux Lookout from August 7-10.

650 People Evacuated from Sandy Lake

Some 650 residents from Sandy Lake First Nation are now settled into hotels in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

They have been forced from their homes because of forest fire smoke that is affecting their community.

Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Debbie MacLean says fires to the south and west of Sandy Lake are not directly threatening the community but they are keeping a close eye on them.

MacLean says anticipated rain is expected to knock the fire hazard down to low in the south.

Motorcycle Accident in Rainy River District

Motorcycle enthusiasts are again being reminded of the importance of wearing a helmet.

Rainy River Provincial Police say an Edson, Alberta man is in Winnipeg Hospital in serious condition following a crash on a rural road.

OPP say the crash occurred in Dawson Township when the 24-year-old driver lost control and entered a ditch.

The cause is under investigation.

Border Crossing Stats Rise in Fort Frances

There's an increase in traffic being seen at the Fort Frances border.

Canada Border Services Agency says more than 108-thousand people in 50-thousand vehicles passed in June.

That's a 4.3 per cent increase from the number of in June of last year.

By contrast, the number of travellers through the border at Pigeon River was down 3 per cent.

Sharks Enjoy Success at National Championships

Six members of the Kenora Sharks Swim Club are back home after competing at the National Age Group Championships in Calgary.

All six swimmers recorded top ten finishes, but didn's manage to medal.

Michelle Belcaen, who competed for the final time as a member of the Sharks, and Bryce Jones had seventh place finishes.

12 year old Winnie Boucha was swimming in her first national championship and had two top ten finishes, including 8th in the 400 individual medley.

More Evacuations from Sandy Lake today

An additional 250 residents from Sandy Lake First nation are being evacuated to Thunder Bay and Fort Frances today.

They've been forced from their homes because of forest fire smoke that is affecting their community.

M.N.R. Information Officer Deb MacLean says the number of fires to the South and West of Sandy Lake are not directly threatening the community but they are keeping a close eye on them.

MacLean says the smoke that has displaced the residents is difficult to predict because it's totally dependant on the wind.

RCMP Rescue Canoer

An Ontario woman is recovering from injuries after she was struck by lightning while canoeing with six other people in wilderness northwest of Kenora.

RCMP say a group of seven girls was paddling on the Bloodvein River near Lake Winnipeg on Sunday when the 23-year-old woman was hit by lightning.

A 15-year-old girl also suffered an electric shock while holding on to a canoe as they were pulling the craft ashore during the storm.

The group sent out a GPS distress signal and a helicopter with two Mounties aboard managed to track down the group.

The woman was sent to Winnipeg for treatment of minor injuries, but the 15-year-old girl told police she was not hurt and remained with the group to carry on with the trip.

Highway Dedicated in Honor of Leo Bernier

Long time Kenora M.P.P. Leo Bernier has a road named after him in Kenora, now he has a highway named after him near Sioux Lookout.

Bernier was a Hudson native and the provincial government has announced that it is dedicating Highway 664 in his honor.

The 17 kilometer stretch of road runs from Hudson to Highway 72 near Sioux Lookout and is now called the Leo Bernier Memorial Highway.

The dedication was made this morning.

Second Youth Charged in Whitefish Bay Murder

Treaty Three Police and Ontario Provincal Police have made a second arrest in relation to the death of Charles Minshall.

61-year-old Minshall was found dead at a store in Whitefish Bay on July 22.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on Friday and charged with First Degree Murder.

He is expected to appear in Kenora Court later today.

A 16-year-old suspect was arrested and charged on July 24.

Police say that due to the ages of the suspects, their names cannot be released.

OHIP Hoax Revealed

Be aware of an internet hoax involving alleged OHIP changes.

Several local residents have reported reading about Provincial Government changes coming to Ontario OHIP coverage in 2013.

They have been told that no emergency medical procedures will be given to anyone over the age of 75 unless permission is given by a review board.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says its an internet hoax and never been mentioned in the Legislature.

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is also denying the report.

Province Announces More Funding for Energy Program

The provincial government is expanding the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program to encourage First Nation and Métis participation in creating energy projects.

Energy Minister Chris Bentley announced details of the program expansion yesterday.

Bentley says the program is being expanded because it has been very successful so far.

Arrest Made in Keewatin Stabbing

An 18 year old man has been arrested in connection to a stabbing incident in Keewatin over the weekend.

The OPP say they were called to a 10th Street Residence around midnight on Sunday.

A 22 year old man had been stabbed following an altercation.

He was taken initially to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment then tranferred to hospital in Winnipeg for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Zachery Perrault of Kenora has been chrarged with aggravated assault.

Rain Puts a Damper on Local Forest Fires

The recent weather is a mixed blessing for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Fire Information Officer Debbie McLean says the rain has been helpful, but all the lightning accomanying it can pose some problems.

There were just three new wild fires reported yesterday and 12 new fires over the weekend.

Hydro One Crews Still Working to Restore Power

Still a handful of Hydro One customers without power this morning.

About 100 cottages in the Clearwater Bay and Sioux Narrows area are still in the dark this morning after the electricity went off Sunday night.

Hydro One is mobilizing crews on boats to try to get to some of the more remote areas on the lake.

Sunday night's storm knocked trees onto powerlines affecting almost three thousand Hydro One customers.

Charges Laid in Weekend Boating Accident

Five people have been taken to hospital following an early morning boating accident on Lake of the Woods.

The OPP Marine Unit was called out around 4:00 Sunday morning after a 15 foot Bayliner sank, after it collided with another boat, while travelling between Kenora and Keewatin.

Police say the driver of the Bayliner and two passengers were taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment, while two female passengers had to be airlifted to the Winnipeg Health Sciences Center.

25 year old Sean Goold of Kenora has been charged with two counts of impaired operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm.

Stingers Win Kenora Men's Soccer Tournament

The Stingers are back atop men's soccer in Kenora.

The Stingers won the A-Side final of the Kenora Men's Soccer Tournament over the weekend, with a 3-0 win over the Playaz.

They also claimed the first prize money of 15 hundred dollars.

The B-Side Final went to the Scorpions from Winnipeg, who got by Dryden, while Forza from Winnipeg, upended Marinos from Brandon in the C-Side final Sunday.

Sandy Lake Starts Evacuations

The forest fire situation has now forced 70 people from Sandy Lake First Nation from their homes.

Chief Bart Meekis has asked the city of Thunder Bay to serve as a host community.

Mayor Keith Hobbs has signed an emergency declaration for the city which has supported similar evacuations over the last few years and is prepared to support additional evacuees if needed.

Last year Thunder Bay hosted 350 evacuees and served as a transportation hub during the severe forest fire situation.

NTAB Looks at Mining Employment Needs

A research project is hoping to provide some help for the mining industry in the region.

The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board is teaming up with the Mining Industry Human Resources Council to forecast labour market needs.

The difficulty attracting younger workers, the under representation of Aboriginal Peoples and the looming retirement are all challenges for the growing industry.

Executive Director of the board Sonja Wainio will be getting a forecast in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

Once complete, the report will look at the 2, 5 and 10 year labor market needs of the mining industry in northwestern Ontario.