Warm Weather in the Forecast for Spring Break

It should be a picture perfect spring break, in terms of weather across northwestern Ontario.

Bill Laidlaw says the forecast for the start of next week calls for above normal temperatures every day.

He says temperatures could hit double digits most days. 

Normal highs for this time of year are -2.

Violence Avoided at Dryden High School

No major problems are reported after a violence scare at Dryden High School.

Police were called to the School Wednesday and Thursday after word spread in the School and on social media of a so-called "Door Wars" fight.

Chief of Police Rob Davis says several students were said to be involved and the fight had racial undertones.

Davis says nothing came of the talk and the incident wasn't racialy motivated.

Davis says the problem stemmed from a prior incident off school property.

Hospital Searches for New Head of Patient Care

Lake of the Woods District Hospital is hoping to be able to hire a new head of patient care by the end of this month.

Leslie Brown announced her retirement back in January, and the hospital has been accepting applications ever since.

Brown is retiring in June, and the board is hoping to have a new Vice-President of Patient Care in place before that, so they can do some on the job training with her before she leaves.

OPP Crack Down on Careless Driving

The OPP has been cracking down on unsafe truck drivers in northwestern Ontario.

Over the past two days, provincial police have charged two truckers.

In one instance, police say a transport failed to stay within the marked lane while driving in the Minnitaki area west of Dryden.

The 56 year old driver from Montreal was also charged with failing to keep a proper log book.

Earlier in the week Dryden OPP also charged a Fredricton, New Brunswick man with careless operation of a motor vehicle after receiving a report of a semi being operated in an unsafe manner.

OPP Say Phone Survey Legit

The OPP say its been getting a number of calls from concerned residents about a phone survey that's being conducted.

The Provincial Police has hired R.A. Malatest and Associates to poll local residents about what they think about the police service in the Community.

The OPP say the survey is legitimate and should be be completed by March 31st.

The survey takes between five and seven minutes to complete and is strictly voluntary.

Rickford Expects Safe Streets Act to Pass next week

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is not phased by an NDP move to stall passage of the Harper Government's crime bill.

It was expected to go to a vote earlier this week, but NDP procedural tactics have delayed the vote.

Rickford doesn't think it's a major setback.

Rickford notes this is common practise and he doesn't anticipate a major delay.

Campbell Singles out local students at Queen's Park

Six local high school students received a shout out in the Ontario Legislature this week.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell took time to recognize the group for their participation in the Waterloo University 'D.I.R.E.C.T.I.O.N.S' program.

Campbell also thanked the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board for being a leader in student achievement.

OPP arrest four people in Firearms Investigation

The OPP have arrested four people in connection to a four month investigation into firearm smuggling in northwestern Ontario.

The investigation is called Project Excavator and involved the OPP's Organized Crime Unit, Treaty Three Police and the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Bureau.

All four people arrested are from the Rainy River District.

Two are from Manitou Rapids, another from Couchiching First Nation, and the other from Barwick.

Charges include trafficking firearms, transferring a firearm without authority and knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm.

More charges are expected to be laid in the days ahead.