An Atikokan school has been selected as the only site in the Rainy-River District to participate in the province's new After-School Initiative.
The program is designed to help students in high-needs neighbourhoods improve their personal health and wellness through a variety of after school programs.
The program will will be delivered out of the North Star School.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Rafferty on Long Gun
Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty is disappointed in what he calls an attempt to confuse constituents in his riding by the Conservative government regarding his stance on the long-gun registry.
A recent mailout from Conservative M-P Dona Cadman suggests the New Democrat supports the registry.
Rafferty accusses the MP of spreading misinformation.
Rafferty has not talked with Cadman, but says he's spoken with the Conservative MP who has a private bill ending the registry to reiterate his support to the bill.
A recent mailout from Conservative M-P Dona Cadman suggests the New Democrat supports the registry.
Rafferty accusses the MP of spreading misinformation.
Rafferty has not talked with Cadman, but says he's spoken with the Conservative MP who has a private bill ending the registry to reiterate his support to the bill.
MADD Canada Visit NWO
A powerful message about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving was delivered to students in the Rainy River District.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving presented its film "Wasted" to students in Rainy River, Atikokan and Fort Frances this week.
Spokesperson Rahul D'Cunha says although it was a fictional account of an accident that leads to a fatal conclusion, it hit home with some students who saw the film.
D'Cunha says MADD combines the film with a curriculum he hopes will spur further discussion inside the classroom.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving presented its film "Wasted" to students in Rainy River, Atikokan and Fort Frances this week.
Spokesperson Rahul D'Cunha says although it was a fictional account of an accident that leads to a fatal conclusion, it hit home with some students who saw the film.
D'Cunha says MADD combines the film with a curriculum he hopes will spur further discussion inside the classroom.
Fort Frances Drugs
The Drug Action team in Fort Frances is hard at work!
OPP executed 3-separate search warrants in recent days in the Fort Frances area.
Police seized a total of 117-marijuana plants, 4-pounds of marijuana shake, hydroponic growing equipment, 49-grams of marijuana and various drug paraphernalia.
A total of six people have been arrested.
No names have yet been released.
OPP executed 3-separate search warrants in recent days in the Fort Frances area.
Police seized a total of 117-marijuana plants, 4-pounds of marijuana shake, hydroponic growing equipment, 49-grams of marijuana and various drug paraphernalia.
A total of six people have been arrested.
No names have yet been released.
Street Closure in November
Main Street will be closed next month for a special event put on by Kenora B.I.Z.
The main drag will be shut down to traffic from 5 until 9 on Thursday, November 12th.
Councillor Dave McCann says he's for the event but notes the group can't put burn barrels on the streets or sidewalks.
The B.I.Z. will also be responsible for putting up and taking down street closure signs.
The main drag will be shut down to traffic from 5 until 9 on Thursday, November 12th.
Councillor Dave McCann says he's for the event but notes the group can't put burn barrels on the streets or sidewalks.
The B.I.Z. will also be responsible for putting up and taking down street closure signs.
J and M Judo Club
Kenora's J&M Judo club kicked off its 2009-2010 season finding success in two tournaments over the past two weekends.
Kaitie & Ben Dennis along with Luke Heatherington joined over 700 competitors from 11 countries at the Quebec Open held in Montreal, Quebec.
5 J&M members travelled to Minneapolis-St Paul to compete in the Land of Lakes Judo Tournament held at Hamlin University.
Lyndon Hensrud started the medal parade for J&M judo club followed by Boe & Rhianna Rogers, Luke Heatherington & Ben Dennis winning a combined total of 8 medals at the event.
J&M heads to Brandon next weekend to compete at the annual Brandon Open.
Kaitie & Ben Dennis along with Luke Heatherington joined over 700 competitors from 11 countries at the Quebec Open held in Montreal, Quebec.
5 J&M members travelled to Minneapolis-St Paul to compete in the Land of Lakes Judo Tournament held at Hamlin University.
Lyndon Hensrud started the medal parade for J&M judo club followed by Boe & Rhianna Rogers, Luke Heatherington & Ben Dennis winning a combined total of 8 medals at the event.
J&M heads to Brandon next weekend to compete at the annual Brandon Open.
Kenora Thistles
The Kenora AAA Midget Thistles split their games on the weekend.
Friday night they were shut out 6-0 by the Nor-Man Northstars in the first game of a double header.
They rebounded Saturday edging the Northstars 3-2.
The win puts Kenora in sole possession of second place in the Manitoba Midget Hockey leagues East Divison standings.
Next up for the Thistles are the Interlake Lightning friday night in Stonewall.
Friday night they were shut out 6-0 by the Nor-Man Northstars in the first game of a double header.
They rebounded Saturday edging the Northstars 3-2.
The win puts Kenora in sole possession of second place in the Manitoba Midget Hockey leagues East Divison standings.
Next up for the Thistles are the Interlake Lightning friday night in Stonewall.
High School Hockey Exhibition Game
The Dryden Eagle Boys Hockey team is off to an early start in the High School season.
The Eagles traveled to Kenora for a pair of exhibition games on the weekend.
Dryden won the opening game 5-3 and dropped a 4-3 decision in the second game against the Beaver Brae Broncos.
The Regular season starts November 24th.
The Eagles traveled to Kenora for a pair of exhibition games on the weekend.
Dryden won the opening game 5-3 and dropped a 4-3 decision in the second game against the Beaver Brae Broncos.
The Regular season starts November 24th.
150 over 50
150 over 50.
That's the new 12 hour drop in breast screening day the Ontario Breast Screening Program is promoting for Northwestern Ontario.
Manager of Cancer Screening, Lori Dell Vedova says there are some perks to getting your breasts checked.
To be eligable for the gift card; the future appointment must be made by November 13th.
To take part in 150 over 50 visit the Lake of the Woods Hospital on Monday, October 26th.
That's the new 12 hour drop in breast screening day the Ontario Breast Screening Program is promoting for Northwestern Ontario.
Manager of Cancer Screening, Lori Dell Vedova says there are some perks to getting your breasts checked.
To be eligable for the gift card; the future appointment must be made by November 13th.
To take part in 150 over 50 visit the Lake of the Woods Hospital on Monday, October 26th.
Tourism Kenora Advertising Plan
Tourism Kenora's advertising plan has been approved by the City of Kenora's Property and Planning Committee.
City Planner Jeff Port says its no surprise they're advertising in Manitoba and the midwestern united states.
The advertising plan calls for billboard ads in Winnipeg, and ads in local newspapers in rural Manitoba.
The two year tourism campaign is worth 105 thousand dollars.
City Planner Jeff Port says its no surprise they're advertising in Manitoba and the midwestern united states.
The advertising plan calls for billboard ads in Winnipeg, and ads in local newspapers in rural Manitoba.
The two year tourism campaign is worth 105 thousand dollars.
Risk Report
The City of Kenora plans to spend 20 thousand dollars on a risk management consultant.
Robert Harder will be conducting a risk management study that looks at potential risks and areas where the city can save money on its insurance.
Health and Safety Officer Bruce Graham says they're eager to get started.
The money for the study would come from the city's insurance reserve.
After the risk management report is paid for; the fund will sit at around 60 thousand dollars
Robert Harder will be conducting a risk management study that looks at potential risks and areas where the city can save money on its insurance.
Health and Safety Officer Bruce Graham says they're eager to get started.
The money for the study would come from the city's insurance reserve.
After the risk management report is paid for; the fund will sit at around 60 thousand dollars
KDSB Strategic Plan
The Kenora District Services Board may have a new look according to recommendations contained in a 5-year strategic plan.
The strategy calls for a re-branding and improved public relations.
Prairie Edge Management drafted the plan following consultations with KDSB staff and Municipal representatives.
Warren Thompson says the Board has to do a better job getting its name out in area communities.
The KDSB has adopted the Strategic Plan and will now focus on implementing the recommendations.
Setting up emergency shelters in communities across the District is another suggestion in the plan.
Thompson says these shelters would help with an on-going homeless issue in our Region.
He stresses the Provincial Government would have to jump on board with funding.
The strategy calls for a re-branding and improved public relations.
Prairie Edge Management drafted the plan following consultations with KDSB staff and Municipal representatives.
Warren Thompson says the Board has to do a better job getting its name out in area communities.
The KDSB has adopted the Strategic Plan and will now focus on implementing the recommendations.
Setting up emergency shelters in communities across the District is another suggestion in the plan.
Thompson says these shelters would help with an on-going homeless issue in our Region.
He stresses the Provincial Government would have to jump on board with funding.
Flu Shots
Seasonal flu shots for residents 65 and over are now being offered at Northwestern Health Unit Offices.
Medical officer of Health Doctor Jim Arthurs says because vaccines are limited to just one segment of the population.
Arthurs says clinics for the H1N1 could be ready to go by the end of the month.
Medical officer of Health Doctor Jim Arthurs says because vaccines are limited to just one segment of the population.
Arthurs says clinics for the H1N1 could be ready to go by the end of the month.
Atikokan Crisis Centre
An organization that provides safety and assistance to abused women and their children in the Atikokan area is seeking a new name.
The Atikokan Crisis Centre has been providing its programs more than 30-years.
Executive Director Donna Kroocmo says they want to dispel certain myths.
Kroocmo notes not many people know they serve communities including Emo, Big Grassy, Rainy River and Fort Frances.
The Centre hopes to have a new name in place before next month.
The Atikokan Crisis Centre has been providing its programs more than 30-years.
Executive Director Donna Kroocmo says they want to dispel certain myths.
Kroocmo notes not many people know they serve communities including Emo, Big Grassy, Rainy River and Fort Frances.
The Centre hopes to have a new name in place before next month.
Fire Season Coming to a close
The Ministry of Natural Resources has started to scale back fire fighting operations to winter levels across Northwestern Ontario.
Information Officer Debbie McLean says seasonal fire crews are no longer in the field and waterbombers and helicopters are no longer in operation.
However, McLean notes its still a busy time for full time staff.
McLean says staff will be hard at work reviewing this year's fire season and preparing for next year's possible challenges.
Officially, the fire season doesn't end until October 31st and the MNR still has the resources available to fight any new fire.
Information Officer Debbie McLean says seasonal fire crews are no longer in the field and waterbombers and helicopters are no longer in operation.
However, McLean notes its still a busy time for full time staff.
McLean says staff will be hard at work reviewing this year's fire season and preparing for next year's possible challenges.
Officially, the fire season doesn't end until October 31st and the MNR still has the resources available to fight any new fire.
Be Visible
Safe Communities Canada wants you to "be visible".
The Be Visible-Be Certified program asks residents to lobby the government and take note of unsafe situations in your community.
President Paul Kells says Kenora is targeting the issue of seniors and preventable falls.
To learn how you can take part in the campaign log onto www.be-visible.ca
The Be Visible-Be Certified program asks residents to lobby the government and take note of unsafe situations in your community.
President Paul Kells says Kenora is targeting the issue of seniors and preventable falls.
To learn how you can take part in the campaign log onto www.be-visible.ca
Mill Funding
The Domtar Mill in Dryden is 1 of 24 mills to qualify for Canada's version of the United States black liquor program.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford says under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, Domtar will qualify for more than 27-million dollars in credits.
Abitibi-Bowater Mills in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay are eligible for 33-million dollars.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford says under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, Domtar will qualify for more than 27-million dollars in credits.
Abitibi-Bowater Mills in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay are eligible for 33-million dollars.
Walking Trail Property
The Kenora Urban Trails Network wants to utilize a portion of land in its trail network next to King George School.
The group is asking the Keewatin Patricia District School Board to sell the tract of land to the City of Kenora for its Rat Portage Urban Trail.
Spokesperson Dan Essery says if the board is interested; it will first have to declare the wetland as surplus.
The Rat Portage Urban Trail runs from Husky the Musky to Anicinabe Park.
The group is asking the Keewatin Patricia District School Board to sell the tract of land to the City of Kenora for its Rat Portage Urban Trail.
Spokesperson Dan Essery says if the board is interested; it will first have to declare the wetland as surplus.
The Rat Portage Urban Trail runs from Husky the Musky to Anicinabe Park.
Recreation Department Report
The City of Kenora is tracking the number of users using their recreation facilities.
The municipality started collecting data in March, and the latest report runs until August.
Councillor Chris Van Wallenghem says he's pleased with the figures.
Kenora Recreation Centre membership rates were slightly down, but room rental rates in that building increased.
The Thistle Rink was rented 70 times in August alone, while the Keewatin Memorial Arena was booked 403 times during the last month of summer.
The municipality started collecting data in March, and the latest report runs until August.
Councillor Chris Van Wallenghem says he's pleased with the figures.
Kenora Recreation Centre membership rates were slightly down, but room rental rates in that building increased.
The Thistle Rink was rented 70 times in August alone, while the Keewatin Memorial Arena was booked 403 times during the last month of summer.