Moose FM CJJM 99.3 - Espanola

Highway 129 is closed and will be that way for at least two days. The road has been washed out about 20 kilometers south of the Highway 101 junction. OPP are also letting us know that Highway 101 between Wawa and Chapleau is also closed. No word on when that area will be reopening.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities is meeting in Parry Sound this year for its annual conference.  And new Premier Kathleen Wynne says she’ll attend.  Wynne will address the FONOM delegates on Friday.  Four cabinet ministers, including those from natural resources and northern development, will also be at the conference which is underway.

Here’s why we have to be careful when driving highways at dusk or dawn.  On the weekend motorists hit three moose and a deer just east of North Bay on Highway 17.  And police say soon we can expect more large wildlife to head for the highways because black flies will be driving moose and deer from the bush.

Less than two weeks ago, some communities faced flood threats.  But the ongoing dry weather has caused the forest fire hazard to become high in areas south of Highway 17.  The Ministry of Natural Resources says the weekend saw 16 new forest fires in the northeast region and they were all caused by people.  The fires were all small and are basically out.

Volunteer groups that help animals in distress are getting some praise from the MP for Algoma Manitoulin Kapuskasing.  Carol Hughes told her fellow MPs in the House of Commons that the work of volunteers is never done.  On the weekend Hughes took part in the Moose FM radiothon in Elliot Lake involving the Society for Animals in Distress.  Thanks to donations from the region, the radiothon surpassed its goal.  Hughes commends groups like SAD for helping to educate people about animals and finding them new homes.