Rain Dampens Fire Activity in the Northwest

Despite widespread rain over the long weekend, the MNR says they still responded to
four forest fires across the region.

There were two new ones yesterday and two on Sunday.

The number of active fires has dropped to just 17.

One of the fires declared out was Kenora Fire #43, which was one of the
blazes burning on Lake of the Woods.

Ladies Slo-Pitch Finals Start Tonight

The finals in the Day's Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch League will begin this evening.

The best-of-three championships will begin in three divisions.

In the A-Side Final, Northern Harbor will take on Dunit Contracting at the Rec. Center Ball Diamonds at 7:00.

Northern Harbor has yet to lose a game yet this season.

In the B-Final, it will be the Martinis vs Tribal Logistics Slammers, while the C-Final will feature Riverview Industries against the Ice Cold Pitchers.

Both of those series will take place at the A&W Ball Diamonds at 6:30.

Police Investigate Explosion at Bare Point

Four people have been sent to hospital following an explosion in the Bare Point area.

The blast took place last night around 7:30 and sent four people to Lake of the Woods District hospital initially but were then transferred to hospital in Winnipeg for further treatment.

Their injuries are no considered life threatening.

Two of the people in the boat were picked up by a passing boater, while two others made it shore on their own.

The OPP are continuing their investigation of the explosion with the help of
local fire officials.

Union Members Approve Merger of CAW and CEP

The merger of two of Canada's largest unions is now complete.

Almost 96 per cent of delegates at a conference in Toronto on the weekend agreed that the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers and the Canadian Autoworkers should become the newly formed UNIFOR.

Jerry Diaz was elected its first president.

Unifor now represents almost 7-thousand members in northwestern Ontario, primarily in the areas of forestry, health care, manufacturing and transportation.

Wynne Makes Impromptu Stop at Labor Day Picnic

Premier Kathleen Wynne played tourist in Kenora yesterday.

After a leisurely tour through the downtown area, she made an unscheduled stop over in Keewatin for the annual Labor Day Picnic.

Wynne says its important to celebrate Labor Day because the union movement is still under siege in North America.

Wynne continues her tour of northwestern Ontario today with a stop in
Thunder Bay, where she will be holding an economic round-table.

Con College Ready for New School Year

Last week it was elementary and secondary students.

This week, its post-secondary students.

Confederation College is getting ready to open its doors for another year.

Acting Director of the Lake of the Woods Campus Laura Christie,says they have 2 days of orientation this week.

Christie estimates they'll have over 90 students enrolled in their full-time classes this year.

Two Survive Plane Crash Near LacLu

The Transportation Safety Board says it will be following up on a float plane
accident in the LacLu area.

A Cessna float plane went down in the bush between Louise and Lulu Lakes
late Friday afternoon shortly after take-off.

Both the pilot and a passenger were able to walk away from the accident
scene with only minor injuries.

Peter Hildebrand from the TSB says while they won't be sending an investigator to the accident site, they will be looking to see if there were any technical problems and determine whether weather was a factor in
the crash.

Traffic Slowed on Highway 17 West of Kenora

It was a slow drive back home for a number of cottagers from Sunset Country.

There were numerous reports of traffic back-ups along Highway 17 west of Kenora and Highway 1 in Manitoba.

One caller counted more than 13 hundred vehicles lined up along the Trans-Canada as traffic moved agonizingly slow.

No official reason has been given for the traffic delays, though there was a car fire in the area of the Shoal Lake turn off around 4:00, which did cause some problems.

Ear Falls Man Dies in ATV Accident

A 63 year old Ear Falls man is dead as the result of an all terrain vehicle accident near Marathon Saturday.  

Police say that James Buckner was operating the ATV on a trail and lost control of it.

The vehicle went down a hill and threw him off.

They say he was not wearing a helmet at the time.

The Ministry of Labour is investigating as well, because

Buckner was working for Stillwater Mining at the time

Girls Empowerment Conference this Month

An effort to improve the self-esteem of young girls in our district.

The first ever "I Am Awesome and I Know It Self-Esteem and Empowerment Retreat will go at the end of next month in Nestor Falls.

Director Renee Martin-Brown says it's aimed at girls between the ages of 10 and 14.

A number of speakers will also be on hand to talk to the girls.

Registration is through the group's website.