Highway 17 East Closed to One Lane

Traffic might be moving a little slower on Highway 17 east of Kenora this afternoon.

The OPP say the Trans-Canada is closed to one lane of traffic just west of the Highway 71 junction.

Police say there was a collision involving two tractor trailor units and a passenger van.

The accident took place shortly after 11:00, but there were no injuries reported.

The OPP say motorists should expect some delays in the area.

College Faculty Reach a Two Year Deal

Good news for students attending Confederation College or any other college in Ontario.

A tentative agreement has been reached with 10-thousand college faculty at 24 Ontario colleges.

The two deal freezes teacher salaries but eligible faculty would still move through the pay grid.

All benefits remain untouched and the deal asks for no concessions from faculty.

The deal avoids any threat of a strike.

Two Arrested in By-Pass Drug Bust

The OPP say they seized about 10 thousand dollars worth of illegal drugs during a bust along the Kenora By-Pass.

Members of the Organized Crime and Enforcement Bureau and Drug Enforcement Unit pulled over a vehicle on Highway 17-A on Monday.

Police say they found about a half a pound of marijuana, 55 hydro-morphone capsules and a small amount of Oxycodone.

Two men have been arrested.

25 year old Jeffray Bragg from Devlin and and 23 year old Jamie BRAGG of Fort Frances have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

They appeared in Kenora Court yesterday.

Rickford Pleased with Riding Changes

Some minor changes are being proposed for the Kenora Riding.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is recommending Lake of the Woods Township be added and taken out of the Thunder Bay-Atikokan Riding.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he has no problem with the changes and is relieved that northern Ontario will be keeping its 10 ridings in the House of Commons.

Local residents can comment on the proposed boundary changes at public hearings slated for October 9th in Kenora.

Numbers Finalized for Ride for Memories

The numbers keep growing for the Alzheimer's Society.

This year's Ride for Memories brought in over 40 thousand dollars.

Lynn Moffatt of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora and Rainy River Districts says it's amazing the number of people who come out.

Moffatt says the ride next year will be centered around Dryden.

Con College Hoping Faculty Reach Agreement

Ontario's College Faculty Collective Agreement is set to expire on Friday.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Province are in negotiations over the new contract but if one isn't reached a strike vote is set for September 10th.

Confederation College President Jim Madder says he hopes the two sides continue to talk.

Madder says if a faculty strike occurs the school will stay open but classes won't resume.

OPP Signs Agreement with NAPS

The OPP and Nishnawbe Aski Police Services are teaming up for a 3 year operating agreement.

They signed the formal document yesterday at the local NAPS police station.

Superintendent Ron van Straalen says it sets out protocols.

It also provides guidelines on culturally appropriate policing for First Nations.

Teachers Upset With Contract Legislation

Upset teachers have sent a message to Queen's Park.

Teacher unions held rallies in Thunder Bay and Toronto yesterday.

Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Regional spokesperson Ellen Chambers says they're upset with both the liberal and conservative governments.

Chambers says people need to know that it's not the wage freeze that's bothersome to teachers but the unwillingness to negotiate that has them upset.

Lightning Results in new Forest Fires

The recent spell of warm, dry weather has resulted in a new spate of forest fires across northwestern Ontario.

The MNR reported six new blazes yesterday, including two in the Kenora area.

One was found smouldering on Scott Island about 25 kilometers southwest of Minaki.

The other about 10 kilometers south of Kenora.

That blaze was located by an MNR helicopter and doused by the Longbow Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

The MNR is expecting more fire activity over the next few days due to lightning strikes from thunder storms over the weekend.

Two More Teams Eliminated in Ladies Slo-Pitch

A couple of teams have been eliminated from the play-offs in the Days-Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch League.

In the b-side of the draw, Roen Rednex ousted D Smith Contracting with a 16-5  victory, while KTS upended the Renegades.

Those two teams will meet up tonight in another single elimination game.

In the c-side of the play-offs, Print Gear edged Murray's Upholstery 11-9, to move on.

In men's slo-pitch action last night, the Voodoo staved off elimination in the B-side final with a win over Kenora Truck Service.

That best-of-three series will be decided tonight at the Kenora Rec. Center.