Feds Provide Funding to NAN Women

The Federal Government is providing 200-thousand dollars to the Nishnawbe Aski Nation to provide training and skills development for First Nations women.

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says they want to reach out to as many communities as they can.

The 200-thousand is for two years and Fiddler hopes they'll be able to expand it after the funding runs out.

Local Agency Speaks Against Moose Tag Reductions

The Sunset Country Travel Association is the latest group to complain about the reduction in
moose tags this year.

Executive Director at Sunset Country Travel Association, Gerry Cariou says it will not only impact the
tourist industry, but local hunters as well.

Almost every Wildlife Management Unit across northwestern Ontario will see a reduction in the
number of moose tags available this year.

Time to Invest in Forestry

Investment bank Dundee Capital Markets says it might be worth investing in the forestry sector.

A research report cites increasing housing starts in the U.S. and a lower Canadian dollar to the American greenback as being favourable to Canadian producers.

It names Domtar and Resolute Forest Products as preferred investments because both stocks are inexpensive and because of the forecast for growth in earnings.

NOMA Gets Underway in Fort Frances

Municipal reps from across northwestern Ontario get down to work in Fort Frances today for the start of the annual meeting of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference.

NOMA President and Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says the theme this year deals with partnerships.

But Canfield says that theme could be overshadowed by the discussion over winter road maintenance and property assessment which have greatly impacted municipalities over the past year.

As many as 180 delegates are expected to attend, including the Grand Chief of Treaty Three and the
president of the Metis Nation of Ontario.

More Snow on the Way?

Winter just isn't ready to release it's icy grip on northwestern Ontario.

A snowfall warning has been issued for areas to the east of the City of Kenora.

Mark Shuster is a meteorologist with Environment Canada and says there's a lot of
moisture in the system.

He says Thunder Bay could get up to 20 centimeters.

Shuster says Kenora will just get brushed by the system, but could still see between five
and eight centimeters of wet snow.

Red Cross Conducts Emergency Exercise

The Kenora Red Cross is turning St. Louis School into a disaster shelter.

Elizabeth Playfair is the Community Services Coordinator and says they are running a mock emergency preparedness exercise.

Playfair says high school student will be filling the role of displaced victims.

The drill begins at 5:30.

Accident Slows Traffic on the D-2

Traffic is moving slowly on the D-2 this morning.

Police are on the scene following a two vehicle collision that took place shortly after 7:00 just
south of the turn-off to the Operations building.

A pick-up truck and a car were involved, with the car getting the worst of
the accident and was slammed into the rock cut.

No one was seriously injured.

Just one lane is open as a tow truck is on the scene removing the wreckage.

New Courthouse Opened in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay's new consolidated courthouse is now officially christened.

The Attorney General and other dignitaries took part in a ceremony opening the building yesterday.

Regional Chief Stan Beardy says the new building will help aboriginal people caught up in the justice system.

The building has been been open for several weeks hearing cases.

Heart of the Continent Map Being Developed

An effort is underway to promote local attractions within parts of northwestern Ontario and northeastern Minnesota as part of an international tourism marketing initiative.

The Heart of the Continent is seeking nominees to be a part of a web map for its Geotourism project with National Geographic.

Committee member Eric Johnson says they're looking for things that fall within the geotourism guidelines.

The public is being asked to offer its suggestions to traveltheheart.org by June 15th.

Province to Eliminate Hydro Debt Retirement Charge

The much-hated hydro debt retirement charge could soon be a thing of the past.

The Liberal government is promising to get rid of the debt retirement line on residential
electricity bills by the end of 2015.

Energy Minister Bob Chirelli says the average home-owner could save about five dollars and 60 cents a month.

The charge will remain for other customers like large industrial users until the debt is retired, sometime in 2018.

By-Pass Closed Again Temporarily

The OPP have reclosed a section of the Kenora By-pass.

Police say the closure is just west of the Highway 17 and the 596 intersection.

Crews are cleaning up after this mornings tractor trailer fire.

The highway is expected to be closed for about hours.

Traffic is being re-routed through Kenora.

Police Searching for Missing Windsor Man

Local residents are being asked to be on the lookout for a missing Windsor man.

It's believed that 30-year-old Brandon Wheeler may be in the Dryden-Kenora area as reports say he may be travelling west to Alberta.

Windsor Police say Wheeler may be under distress and they are concerned about his safety.

Wheeler is driving a green 2010 Jeep Wrangler, with Ontario plates ALPD512.

The Jeep has a soft top and very large tires with a customized bumper.

He's described as 6-foot-4, skinny and muscular and usually wears a leather jacket, t-shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact local police or Crime Stoppers.

OPP Deploy Spike Belt in Ignace Car Chase

A Quebec man faces charges following a police chase in the Ignace area.

Provincial Police tried to stop a speeding eastbound driver on Highway 17 last Friday.

The driver refused to stop but his trip eventually ended about 40-kilometre east of Upsala when officers from the Thunder Bay and Upsala Detachment's deployed a spike belt.

38-year-old Jean Guy Bergeron has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle and flight from police.

New Report Links Alcohol Consumption to Cancer

Contrary to popular opinion, alcohol can cause Cancer.

Dr Mark Henderson is vice-president of the Northwest Region Cancer Program and says although the risk is real it's not on par with some other health factors.

Henderson the more someone drinks the more risk they have.

He notes alcohol can cause mouth, liver, and even breast cancer.

NOTO Names New Executive Director

An organization representing hundreds of tourist outfitters in northern Ontario has a new leader.

Laurie Marcil has been appointed executive director of Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario.

She has been in that position in an acting capacity for the past year and is pleased to be
taking on the job on a full-time basis.

Marcil suggests the long, cold winter could have an impact on the start of the tourist
season in the Northwest because the ice isn't out of most lakes yet.

OFAH Concerned About Moose Tag Draw

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters wants the Ministry of Natural Resources to do a more comprehensive study of moose in Ontario.

The province is giving out fewer hunting tags this season because of population declines.

OFAH's Mark Ryckman says more needs to be done to explore all of the reasons for that decline.

Ryckman says if hunting isn't the sole reason for the decline in numbers, the cut in moose tags isn't going to have much an impact if other factors continue to go ignored such as predation by wolves or bears.

Carbon Monoxide Kills Two in Nipigon

A Nipigon couple is dead of what police say is carbon monoxide poisoning.

OPP say the 60 year old man and his 45 year old wife were found in their home Monday afternoon.

The deceased have been identified as Yvan Gaujean and Claire Limag-Gaujean, both residents of Nipigon.

Sgt. Randy Bye says that their 8 year old son survived and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Police aren't certain what the source of the deadly gas was, but plan to investigate.

Smokers Butt Out in Driven to Quit Challenge

Smokers in the region seem to be driven to quit the habit.

In the northwest region, 513 people joined the Driven to Quit Challenge.

Senior Coordinator for Smokers' Helpline, Naomi McNeill says we saw the largest number of smokers enter the contest this year.

There were a number of winners from the region coming from Dryden, Emo, Rainy River and Sioux Lookout.

Two Broncos Named to Seniors Bowl Roster

Two members of Beaver Brae's football team will be heading to Winnipeg next month
for the annual Seniors Bowl.

Kyle Kowalik and Hudson Boucha were added to the roster for the May 24th all-star game.

Both have been defensive stand-outs for the Broncos over the past couple of years.

The game will be played at Investors Group Field.

Traffic Moving Again on Kenora By-Pass

Traffic is rolling along the Kenora By-Pass again.

Highway 17-A was closed overnight due to a fire involving a semi-tractor trailor unit.

The smoking remains of the trailer still remain on the side of the highway, just west of the Highway 596 intersection along with a couple of emergency vehicles, police and fire trucks.

It's believed the rig was hauling a load of paint.

The cab itself was disconnected from the burning trailor and no one was injured.

The highway is listed as open to one lane in the area.