OPP investigate armed robbery

The Kenora Detachment of the OPP is investigating an armed robbery this

took place early this morning on Lakeview Drive.

Police say the culprits entered a restaurant around 1 A.M. and forced their

way into the office.

They were able to get away with an undisclosed amount of

cash before the police could be called.

Members of the OPP's Criminal Investigations Branch and Street Crimes

Unit have been called in to assist.

Hampton Opposes Far North Act

The Ontario Legislature has resumed sitting and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton has a number of items on his agenda he wants to see addressed.

The NDP member says the key issue is the Government's proposed Far North Act.

Hampton accuses the Liberals of trying to convince Ontarians that First Nations are on side with the Legislation.

The Far North Act is due for third and final reading on Thursday.

Councillors say their farewells

Members of the current edition of Kenora City council have officially said their goodbyes.

Last night was the final regularly scheduled meeting of council befor the October 25th municipal elections.

Chris Van Wallenghem and mayor Len Compton are the only two members not seeking  re-election.

Van Wallenghem says its no easy task being a city councillor.

Council released a report last night, outlining their accomplishment's over the past four years.

It includes phase one and phase two of downtown revitalization, retro-fitting the Kenora Rec. Center and the rehabilitation of Highway 17 east and west into the City of Kenora.

Canoer Drowns in Quetico Park

The body of a Duluth man has been pulled from the waters of McAree Lake in Quetico Provincial Park.

Rainy River OPP had been searching for Darrell Cellers who had gone missing in the area since September 9th.

Investigation revealed that Cellers had been travelling through the park when hs canoe overtuned during windy conditions.

A post mortem exam showed that Cellers had drowned.

Far North Act Under Attack

First Nations leaders are warning of a showdown with the Ontario government over the Far North Act, which is slated for a third and final reading Thursday in the legislature.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy says the bill robs aboriginals of their treaty rights and doesn't give them a say in how their lands will be developed.

The Far North Act would block up to 42 per cent of Ontario's land mass from development, protecting 225-thousand square
kilometres of boreal forest.

Good Turn-out for Day One of Blood Donor Clinic

A good first day, but more donors are still going to be needed today at day two of the Canadian Blood Service Blood Donor Clinic in Kenora.

A total of 146 people came out yesterday and donated 123 units of blood.

CBS spokesperson Harvey Heather says that was about 12 people more than they had

expected.

However, he adds they still have about 50 appointments available today.

The Blood Donor Clinic will run from 9:30 to 12:30 today at St. Thomas Aquinas School.

Four Walk Away from Plane Crash

Four people are lucky to be alive after a plane crash in the bush near Pickle Lake.

The OPP say they were contacted Friday afternoon around 1:30, after receiving reports from the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Center of an airplane that went down about 27 kilometers east of Pickle Lake.

Police say the plane, owned by Northern Waterworks Sales and Consulting in Red Lake, had just taken off from the Pickle Lake Airport, when it began experiencing engine problems.

The pilot decided to return to Pickle Lake, but ended up making an unscheduled landing in the bush.

The pilot and three passengers on board managed to walk away from the wreckage.

They were rescued by a helicopter that was dispatched to the scene.

Only two of the four occupants sustained minor injuries.

They were later flown back to Red Lake.