Wednesday, April 23, 2014

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.