Toll Booth Planned

Couchiching First Nation is planning to set up a toll both on Highway 11 near the Noden Causeway next month.

Band officials say its over the lack of response to a number of issues they've been long trying to resolve with both the provincial and federal governments.

It includes compensation for land used to build the highway and the contamination of soil at a former sawmill.

The toll is set to go in place May 21.

The band says is also plan to beginning charging launch fees at Five Mile Dock.

Drug Changes Attacked Again

Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton was on the attack yesterday over proposed drug changes impacting the province's pharmacies.

Hampton told the legislature small pharmacy owners in his riding are worried about the impact to their businesses.

"The independent pharmacies in Red Lake, Emo and Rainy River, if they were forced to close, would have literally thousands of people having to travel, in some cases, 100 kilometres or more to the next pharmacy," said Hampton. "They are concerned that they may have to close, because they see your scheme as a one-size-fits-all strategy that ignores communities in northern Ontario."

Health Minister Deb Matthews says an increase in the dispensing fee provided to pharmacies will offset any losses incurred by the proposed change.

Local Teen Heads to Pageant

The Rainy River district will be represented at a teen pageant this summer.

18-year-old Felicia Schmutz of Emo earned the right to represent northwestern Ontario at the Miss Teen Canada-World pageant in July after competing for the Manitoba title in Winnipeg over the weekend.

"After the show, I was asked if I wanted to represent a section of Winnipeg or northwestern Ontario," says Schmutz. "I really wanted to do northwestern Ontario because it's home and I don't too many have represented the area before."

Schmutz is now hoping to attract sponsorship to attend the July event in Toronto.

Rail Crossing Improvements

The federal government has announced dozens of projects to make rail crossings safer.

It includes upgrades to a crossing in the Rainy River district.

Transport Minister Rob Merrifield says these improvements will help save lives.

"The investment that the government is making really there to continue the downward trend of accidents and derailments and injuries right across the country," says Merrifield, "particularly in those communities where we are investing."

Thirty-five thousand dollars spent on a crossing at Paquette Road in the township of Dawson will include construction of an access road in conjunction with the crossing's closure.

Blackout today

Some residents in the west end of the district will be in the dark for several hour today.

Hydro One is planning a six hour power interruption impact customers in the townships of Burris, Carpenter, Dance, Devlin and Crozier.

It's to begin at 10 a.m.

Thefts Investigated

OPP are looking into a rash of thefts from vehicles in Atikokan.

Four separate vehicles were broken into over the past two weeks.

Items taken include CD's, an iPOD, guitar, tobacco and cash.

Police say in three of the cases, the vehicles were left unlocked.

Strike Adverted

A last-minute deal has averted a strike by Ontario property assessors.

The strike was set for midnight, but a tentative two-year deal has been reached and the union executive is recommending acceptance.

The contract calls for a wage freeze over the next two years.

There are approximately 15-hundred property assessors in Ontario who determine the value of land and properties in the province.