Fire Hazard drops for Labor Day Long Weekend

The fire hazard is starting to drop across northwestern Ontario.

Recent rains have reduced the hazard into the low to moderate range in time for the Labor Day Long Weekend.

Currently there are just 36 forest fires considered active in the region, two of those popped up in the last 24 hours.

The MNR is continuing to be assisted by 80 fire crews from out of the province.

First Nation Leaders speak out against drug abuse

The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation is calling on Ottawa to help stem what its calling an epidemic of prescription drug abuse across Northwestern Ontario.


Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says it has been 2-years since they declared a state of emergency because of drug abuse, but government response has been minimal.

He says oxycontin addiction did not begin in their communities and the drug is not made in their territory.

He made the comments yesterday came as Lyle Fox arrived in Thunder Bay to end a 380-kilometre walk from Sioux Lookout to raise awareness and funds for the fight against prescription drug abuse.

Fox is calling on youth to take up the fight against prescription drug abuse on First Nations.

The Bearskin Lake First Nation resident says oxycodone tablets are selling anywhere from 500 to 600-dollars each.

Discovery Center Holds Grand Opening Today

The new Discovery Centre is holding its grand opening today on Lakeview Drive 

The ribbon cutting is at 11:00 AM this morning and tours will be conducted from

10AM to 4PM.

The Discovery Center is the new focal point for tourism in the City of Kenora.

The building cost about a three million dollars to build. 

McKay hits the Campaign Trail

The official start to the provincial election is still a few days away, but that hasn't stopped candidates in Kenora-Rainy River from stumping for votes.

Progressive Conservative candidate Rod McKay was in Fort Frances yesterday to speak to party faithful and area business leaders.

McKay also wants to help break down barriers that hurt area businesses to be competitive.

Leek Supports Doctor House Calls

The Liberal candidate for Kenora-Rainy River is standing up in support of a party policy to have doctors make house calls.

Anthony Leek says it makes sense - there's a high number of seniors who could benefit.

Leek says other Liberal initiatives will help bring more doctors to the area to help fulfill that promise.

Telemedicine gets funding to hire more nurses

The North West Local Health Integration Network is investing just over two million dollars to hire 28 new "telehealth" nurses.

As a result of the investment, organizations from across the region will be able to hire additional staff and more residents will receive care from specialists closer to home.

In 2010-2011, the use of telemedicine in Northwestern Ontario resulted in more than 11-million dollars in avoided travel costs and more than 27-million kilometres in avoided patient travel.

Man Fined for East Highway Forest Fire

A Southern Ontario man has been ordered to pay 35-hundred dollars for starting a fire that spread into the surrounding woods back in May.

Court heard that Matthew Major of Stoney Creek started a fire to burn boxes of paper in a grassy area in Kenora.

Major didn't have a day burning permit and he left the fire unattended and went into town.

The fire spread into a wooded area and sparked a point 5 hectare forest fire.

City fire crews and the Ministry of Natural Resources were forced to extinguish the blaze.

Treaty Three seeks to block hydro contracts

Several First Nation communities in the Far North are seeking legal action to stop provincial power contracts to hydro dams on their traditional lands.

Grand Council Treaty 3 is concerned that the contracts will have adverse effects on aboriginal and treaty rights and is asking an Ontario court to set them aside.

David Estrin is the lawyer for Treaty Three and says they want a review over  they way the government issued long term electricity contracts for these dams.

The complaint is related to 5-hydro generating plants in Kenora, Norman, Fort Frances, Calm Lake and Sturgeon Falls.

Con College Promises Classes will start next week as scheduled

Confederation College is open for business across Northwestern Ontario despite the strike.

Most programming will run as scheduled when classes resume on Tuesday and staff are in place across the District to assist students.

Vice-President Academic Judi Maundrell doesn't expect major problems when students report for class or obtain financial aid.

Both sides have expressed a willingness to return to the bargaining table.

Broncos win exhibition game in Dryden

A promising start for Beaver Brae's football team.

The Broncos marched into Dryden yesterday and left with a 18-0 victory over the host Eagles.

John Lee, Spencer Wickham and Allan Hansen each scored majors for Beaver Brae.

The Broncos open the regular season next Friday on the road in Steinbach to take on the Sabres.