OPP Marine Unit Hits Lake of the Woods

The OPP says it will be out in force this weekend on Lake of the Woods.

The Marine Unit will have several of boats patroling the big lake and some of the other smaller bodies in the region.

Mike Barclay is a spokesperson for the Marine Unit and says they will be looking specifically for open alcohol in boat and safe boating practices.

Barclay adds that the marine unit will also be teaming up with MNR conservation officers, making sure anglers obey local fishing regulations.

Harborfest Line-up Announced

Harborfest will be rockin' once again this summer.

The concert line-up for the 20th annual August Long Weekend festival has been released.

Friday night will feature four bands including Honeymoon Suite and Streetheart.

Randy Nickle is chair of Harborfest and says they had a tough time finalizing the Sunday night concert line-up.

Sunday night will feature the Watchmen and Sloan, while Saturday night has Doc Walker as the headliner.

Tickets will go on-sale on the Harborfest website this afternoon.

Alcohol Ban imposed in Some Provincial Parks this weekend

The alcohol ban at provincial parks continues this May long weekend.

Parks Spokesperson Barb Rees expects a busy weekend despite the booze ban.

The alcohol ban is in place at Blue Lake, Rushing River, Sleeping Giant, Aero Lake and Silver Falls until May 24th.

Heightened MNR Enforcement expected this weekend

It's the opening weekend of the fishing season in Northwestern Ontario.

Conservation Officer Ross Johnston says you can expect to see enforcement officers out on area lakes and roadways all weekend long.

Johnston adds it's illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol.

Regional Nursing Program Gets Kudos

The regional community based nursing program is getting rave reviews from hospitals in northwestern Ontario.

Darlene Furlong is with the Dryden District Hospital and says the program is a great recruiting tool.

The program is about to be featured in a position paper to be released by Confederation College and Lakehead University.

The program is currently being offered at satelitte campuses of Con College in Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances.

Saint Girls win NorWOSSA Gold

Thomas Aquinas could manage just one gold medal at the NorWOSSA single A soccer

championships yesterday at the T.A. field.

The Saints girls squad earned a 2-0 shut-out over Rainy River yesterday afternoon in the championship game.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas boys team dominated possession of the ball, but couldn't find the back of the next.

In the end the Saints were shut out by Red Lake 1-0 in the gold medal game and had to  settle for silver.

Long Wait Times Expected at Northwest Border Crossings

Officials in both Canada and the U-S are anticipating longer than usual wait times to cross at the Fort Frances-International Falls border this May weekend.

Both the Canada Border Services Agency and U-S Customs and Border Protection say long lines at the border could begin as early as today and again Monday afternoon.

They say wait times to cross could reach up to 45 minutes long during peak times.

New Directors for LHIN's appointed

Dianne Loubier of Ignace has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

The former Councilor is now the Chair of the Ignace Economic Development Committee and Treasurer of the Ignace Golf and Country Club.

Loubier will sit on the LHIN Board for a 2-year term.

She is joined by Goyce Kakegamic, the former Deputy Grand Chief of the NIshnawbe-Aski Nation.

He played a strong role in establishing the Northern Ontario Medical School campus in Thunder Bay.

Kakegamic will serve a 3-year term.

Whitedog Chief loses house to fire

The Wabaseemung First Nation is trying to help out its band chief during a difficult

time.

The house of Chief Eric Fisher was destroyed by fire over the weekend.

While everyone managed to get out of the home, one person is still recovering

from smoke inhallation.

Some community members are now trying gather up donations of household goods

for the family, which has been displaced by the fire.

Items such as mattresses, blankets, sheets, pots and pans and food donations

are being accepted.