Four Arrested in Weekend Police Chase in Vermillion Bay

The OPP say four teenagers are in custody following a brief police chase in the Vermilion Bay area.

Police say they noticed a truck with Manitoba license plates stopped at the Machin Medical clinic early Saturday morning.

Officers attempted to speak with the driver, but the accused took off, resulting in a brief chase.

OPP called off the pursuit due to public safety concerns but located the vehicle a short time later after it was involved in a collision.

The teens fled into the woods but were eventually arrested.

Two of the teens are men and two are women and all hail from Saskatchewan.

They face multiple charges.

Norman Fire Causes Damage to Duplex

No injuries reported as a result of an early morning fire in the Norman Area.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Service Department was called out at 12:44 this morning to a building on Kay Street West.

The fire was reported in the lower unit of a duplex.

The blaze caused extensive smoke and heat damage to both units.

Fire fighters spent about three hours at the scene and will be back later today to try and determine the cause.

Chipman Street Still Blocked Off

You may need to find a detour driving through downtown Kenora today.

A section of Chipman Street remains blocked off after a roof overhang at the former Kenwood Hotel fell down onto the sidewalk and street in front of the building.

The parking area south of the Hotel has also been blocked off as a
precaution.

A contractor is working to stabilize the building and remove some material from the overhang.

Event Center Committee Looking for Feedback

It's time for you to offer your opinion on the expansion of the Rec Center.

Event Center Committee chair Chris Van Wallenghem says they are holding a public meeting this Wednesday.

Van Wallenghem says the meeting is aimed at getting as much public input as possible.

He adds the Event Center expansion doesn't have the be limited to a second ice surface.

The meeting gets underway at 7:00 on the ice surface at the Rec Center..

Municipality Trying to Save Caliper Lake

It wasn't a great long weekend weather-wise.

But it was an even worse long weekend if you wanted to go camping
at Caliper Lake Provincial Park.

The park was closed last year by the province, and Mayor Bill Thompson of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls says they are continuing the fight to re-open the park.

He says though that they want the MNR to transfer the land over to the municipality first.

Thompson says the longer the park is closed, the less likely it will ever re-open again.

Province Gives Green Light to Rainy River Resources

The Ministry of the Environment has decided to go ahead with the Terms of Reference for the Rainy River Gold Project.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell brought the issue up in the legislature, stating that the government was delaying the development of this project.

However, Campbell says she is pleased that the government has come through, and it will benefit the region.

Campbell says the Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle was also pushing the government to accept the terms.

Heavy Rains Cause Evacuation near Thunder Bay

Fort William First Nation near Thunder Bay has declared a state
of emergency.
   
It says homes in the community have been hit by flooding while
roads are washed out due to heavy rains.
   
About 170 residents who've had to leave their homes were being
put up in a local hotel.

Chief Georjann Morriseau says there are numerous road closures in
the community due to washouts.

Alzheimer Society Launches Penny Drive

Don't throw out your old pennies just yet.

The Alzheimers Society of Kenora and Rainy River is conducting a
penny drive once again this spring.

Ashton Faulds says any funds raised will go towards local programs.

Faulds says their goal is to collect three thousand pounds of pennies
this year.

No Water Service for Coney Island

Some disappointment for Coney Island residents.

The City of Kenora says the summer water service will not be ready for this weekend.

The Operations Department says due to a late spring, crews have found sections of water line still in a frozen state.

The water also has to be tested before it can be used by the public.

The city says the summer water line should be in service by May 24th.

OPP Vow to Be Out in Force this Long Weekend

The Ontario Provincial Police want to make sure everyone stays safe this Victoria Day Weekend.

Sergeant Shelley Garr with the Northwest Region says this year's theme is "Take Charge Of Your Own Safety".

Garr says the public is the first line of defense against any tragedy.

She says officers will be out looking for distracted and aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and those not wearing their seat belts.

Local Provincial Parks Set to Open for Camping this Weekend

Not all provincial parks will be opening this long weekend.

Bruce Van Staalduinen  with Ontario Parks says 10 Northern parks were closed by the province last year.

However Staalduinen says there is good news for 3 of the parks in northeastern Ontario, which will be re-opened under local control.

He adds that some parks won't open this weekend as planned because there is still some snow on
the ground and ice on the Lake.

He suggests parts of Quetico Park will be out of service for opening weekend.

Rushing River and Blue Lake will be open.

Visit ontario parks.com to reserve your campground.

Council To Decide Fate of Non Profit Housing After RFP

The fate of the Kenora and Keewatin Non Profit Housing Corporations should be known later this year.

Kenora City Council has agreed to send out a request for proposals for management services of Non Profit Housing services.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the request will look at a couple of different scenarios.

Back in the fall, the city had set up a Non Profit Housing Review Committee, which was supposed to determine whether the Kenora and Keewatin Corporations should be amalgamated.

Boating Safety Urged this Weekend

Don't be caught on the water unprepared.

This long weekend is the unofficial start to the boating season in the region and BOATsmart Canada is offering up some important safety tips.

President Cameron Taylor says having the proper knowledge is the most important tip.

Taylor says that anyone caught without an operator card could face a minimum fine of 250 dollars.

Strike Averted at LCBO

The union representing about 67-hundred LCBO workers is recommending they vote in favour of a tentative contract worked out last night.
   
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario and OPSEU signed a deal about two hours before a midnight strike deadline.
   
The length and terms of the agreement won't be made public until after the employees hold a ratification vote.
   
The prospect of a strike brought many Ontarians to LCBO outlets to stock up ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend.
   
The L
CBO says pre-deadline sales were brisk.

Pellatt Gearing Up for Long Weekend Bash

The Pellatt Community Center and Fire Hall will be rocking this Saturday when they host the May Long Bash.

The event is a fundraiser for the facilities.

Pat Moeller says there are multiple locations you can get tickets.

Moeller adds they will also be holding a pancake breakfast on Sunday Morning.

Saints Excel at Track and Field Meet

A strong showing from Thomas Aquinas students at the Annual Track and Field meet in Dryden.

Taylor Tom led the way with a pair of first place finishes and two seconds.

Tom won the junior girls 400 meter dash and the long jump.

Sarah Frankcom also won a pair of gold medals, finishing first in the junior girls 800 and 15 hundred meter
races.

Antwan Fair-Gilstrae finished first in the junior boys 800 meter race and second in the long jump, while
Leah Alvestad won the junior girls high jump and Eric Sundmark placed first in the senior boys shot put.

Transport Load Catches Fire on Highway 17 East

Highway 17 east of Kenora is open again after being shut down for several hours last night.

The OPP shut down the Trans-Canada just east of the Highway 71 intersection for about four
hours due to a fire on a semi tractor trailor unit.

The transport was hauling a load of hay bales, and some of the bales went up in flames
just after 9:00.

The Longbow Lake Volunteer Fire department was called out to help douse the flames.

Provincial Parks Set to Open for Long Weekend

The May long weekend means provincial parks will be opening for the first time this season.

Van Staalduinen from Ontario Parks says the majority of parks in Northern Ontario will be open as of tomorrow.

He adds that Fushimi Lake, Ivanhoe Lake, and Rene Brunelle were 3 of the 10 parks set for closure but will remain due to municipal support.

Information on all parks, campgrounds, and services including reservations are available at http://www.ontarioparks.com.

NorWOSSA Soccer Season Reaches Halfway Point

Mixed results for Beaver Brae's soccer team in Dryden yesterday.

The Bronco boys opened with a 3-1 win over Fort Frances, but then were blanked 4-0 by Dryden.

Beaver Brae's girls played to a 3-3 tie against the Muskies, but then were doubled up 2-1 by Dryden.

The teams will resume their NorWOSSA schedule next Wednesday in Kenora.

Funerals Today for Wunnumin Lake Fire Victims

Funeral services are being held today in the remote northern community of Wunnumin Lake First Nation for three young victims of a house fire.

One year old Rebecca Sainnawap, six year old Kaylene Nothing and 21 year old Roxanne Nothing perished when their home was destroyed in an early morning fire on May 8th.

Officials say the small community continues to mourn their loss.
Today's service starts at 1 o'clock.

There is still no word on the cause of the blaze.