More Evacuations from Sandy Lake today

An additional 250 residents from Sandy Lake First nation are being evacuated to Thunder Bay and Fort Frances today.

They've been forced from their homes because of forest fire smoke that is affecting their community.

M.N.R. Information Officer Deb MacLean says the number of fires to the South and West of Sandy Lake are not directly threatening the community but they are keeping a close eye on them.

MacLean says the smoke that has displaced the residents is difficult to predict because it's totally dependant on the wind.

RCMP Rescue Canoer

An Ontario woman is recovering from injuries after she was struck by lightning while canoeing with six other people in wilderness northwest of Kenora.

RCMP say a group of seven girls was paddling on the Bloodvein River near Lake Winnipeg on Sunday when the 23-year-old woman was hit by lightning.

A 15-year-old girl also suffered an electric shock while holding on to a canoe as they were pulling the craft ashore during the storm.

The group sent out a GPS distress signal and a helicopter with two Mounties aboard managed to track down the group.

The woman was sent to Winnipeg for treatment of minor injuries, but the 15-year-old girl told police she was not hurt and remained with the group to carry on with the trip.

Highway Dedicated in Honor of Leo Bernier

Long time Kenora M.P.P. Leo Bernier has a road named after him in Kenora, now he has a highway named after him near Sioux Lookout.

Bernier was a Hudson native and the provincial government has announced that it is dedicating Highway 664 in his honor.

The 17 kilometer stretch of road runs from Hudson to Highway 72 near Sioux Lookout and is now called the Leo Bernier Memorial Highway.

The dedication was made this morning.

Second Youth Charged in Whitefish Bay Murder

Treaty Three Police and Ontario Provincal Police have made a second arrest in relation to the death of Charles Minshall.

61-year-old Minshall was found dead at a store in Whitefish Bay on July 22.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on Friday and charged with First Degree Murder.

He is expected to appear in Kenora Court later today.

A 16-year-old suspect was arrested and charged on July 24.

Police say that due to the ages of the suspects, their names cannot be released.

OHIP Hoax Revealed

Be aware of an internet hoax involving alleged OHIP changes.

Several local residents have reported reading about Provincial Government changes coming to Ontario OHIP coverage in 2013.

They have been told that no emergency medical procedures will be given to anyone over the age of 75 unless permission is given by a review board.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says its an internet hoax and never been mentioned in the Legislature.

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is also denying the report.

Province Announces More Funding for Energy Program

The provincial government is expanding the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program to encourage First Nation and Métis participation in creating energy projects.

Energy Minister Chris Bentley announced details of the program expansion yesterday.

Bentley says the program is being expanded because it has been very successful so far.

Arrest Made in Keewatin Stabbing

An 18 year old man has been arrested in connection to a stabbing incident in Keewatin over the weekend.

The OPP say they were called to a 10th Street Residence around midnight on Sunday.

A 22 year old man had been stabbed following an altercation.

He was taken initially to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment then tranferred to hospital in Winnipeg for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Zachery Perrault of Kenora has been chrarged with aggravated assault.

Rain Puts a Damper on Local Forest Fires

The recent weather is a mixed blessing for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Fire Information Officer Debbie McLean says the rain has been helpful, but all the lightning accomanying it can pose some problems.

There were just three new wild fires reported yesterday and 12 new fires over the weekend.

Hydro One Crews Still Working to Restore Power

Still a handful of Hydro One customers without power this morning.

About 100 cottages in the Clearwater Bay and Sioux Narrows area are still in the dark this morning after the electricity went off Sunday night.

Hydro One is mobilizing crews on boats to try to get to some of the more remote areas on the lake.

Sunday night's storm knocked trees onto powerlines affecting almost three thousand Hydro One customers.