Four Arrested in Weekend Police Chase in Vermillion Bay

The OPP say four teenagers are in custody following a brief police chase in the Vermilion Bay area.

Police say they noticed a truck with Manitoba license plates stopped at the Machin Medical clinic early Saturday morning.

Officers attempted to speak with the driver, but the accused took off, resulting in a brief chase.

OPP called off the pursuit due to public safety concerns but located the vehicle a short time later after it was involved in a collision.

The teens fled into the woods but were eventually arrested.

Two of the teens are men and two are women and all hail from Saskatchewan.

They face multiple charges.

Norman Fire Causes Damage to Duplex

No injuries reported as a result of an early morning fire in the Norman Area.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Service Department was called out at 12:44 this morning to a building on Kay Street West.

The fire was reported in the lower unit of a duplex.

The blaze caused extensive smoke and heat damage to both units.

Fire fighters spent about three hours at the scene and will be back later today to try and determine the cause.

Chipman Street Still Blocked Off

You may need to find a detour driving through downtown Kenora today.

A section of Chipman Street remains blocked off after a roof overhang at the former Kenwood Hotel fell down onto the sidewalk and street in front of the building.

The parking area south of the Hotel has also been blocked off as a
precaution.

A contractor is working to stabilize the building and remove some material from the overhang.

Event Center Committee Looking for Feedback

It's time for you to offer your opinion on the expansion of the Rec Center.

Event Center Committee chair Chris Van Wallenghem says they are holding a public meeting this Wednesday.

Van Wallenghem says the meeting is aimed at getting as much public input as possible.

He adds the Event Center expansion doesn't have the be limited to a second ice surface.

The meeting gets underway at 7:00 on the ice surface at the Rec Center..

Municipality Trying to Save Caliper Lake

It wasn't a great long weekend weather-wise.

But it was an even worse long weekend if you wanted to go camping
at Caliper Lake Provincial Park.

The park was closed last year by the province, and Mayor Bill Thompson of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls says they are continuing the fight to re-open the park.

He says though that they want the MNR to transfer the land over to the municipality first.

Thompson says the longer the park is closed, the less likely it will ever re-open again.

Province Gives Green Light to Rainy River Resources

The Ministry of the Environment has decided to go ahead with the Terms of Reference for the Rainy River Gold Project.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell brought the issue up in the legislature, stating that the government was delaying the development of this project.

However, Campbell says she is pleased that the government has come through, and it will benefit the region.

Campbell says the Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle was also pushing the government to accept the terms.

Heavy Rains Cause Evacuation near Thunder Bay

Fort William First Nation near Thunder Bay has declared a state
of emergency.
   
It says homes in the community have been hit by flooding while
roads are washed out due to heavy rains.
   
About 170 residents who've had to leave their homes were being
put up in a local hotel.

Chief Georjann Morriseau says there are numerous road closures in
the community due to washouts.

Alzheimer Society Launches Penny Drive

Don't throw out your old pennies just yet.

The Alzheimers Society of Kenora and Rainy River is conducting a
penny drive once again this spring.

Ashton Faulds says any funds raised will go towards local programs.

Faulds says their goal is to collect three thousand pounds of pennies
this year.