Counterfeit Cheque Scheme

A counterfeit cheque from an insurance company has been sent to a resident of Geralton along with a survey from Canada Post.

The person was asked to call a phone number in order to participate in the Canada Post survey.

Once the number is called a person is then asked to cash the cheque and sendpart of the money through Western Union to someone else.

The person who cashes the cheque gets the remainder of the money.

OPP would like to remind everyone that if you get one of these or similar cheques it could very well be a fraudulent cheque and you maybe responsible to pay the money back if you cash it.

If anyone receives a cheque like this and are unsure, please contact the OPP.

Beach Closures

Kenora area beaches have a high E.Coli once again this week.

There are numerous beaches in the area that have been closed for the time being.

They include, the Ottawa St. beach, Darlington Bay beach, Anicinabe Beach and the Rabbit Lake beaches are closed for the time being.

High E.Coli levels in the water pose certain risks to swimmers. Including, a variety of skin, eye, nose and throat infections, as well as gastrolintestinal illness.

However the other beaches in the area that have not been mentioned ARE open for swimming and the water quality signs have been removed.

Harbourfest Starts Today

Well the time has come the 2010 edition of Harbourfest gets going today.

Collective Soul headlines tonight with local band Random Acts opening for them.

On saturday, it's time for some Classic Rock, Canadian Kim Mitchell is the headliner with special guests; Starship staring Mickey Thomas and Asia featuring John Payne.

The festival winds up with Country artists Emerson Drive with guests Jessie Farell and Mark Ekins on the bill.

Tickets for all three nights are still available and can be bought at Two Bear's Marine, Donny B's and Nibblers Nook.

SIU KENORA

A Kenora O-P-P officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the June shooting of a woman in that city.

But the Special Investigation's Unit is questioning why it took Provincial Police almost two hours to report the incident.

39-year-old Helen Proulx was shot twice in the torso after brandishing a knife at an officer.

Director Ian Scott found no reasonable grounds to believe the female officer acted inappropriately.

Witnesses told the S-I-U, Proulx was intoxicated and in a despondent emotional state at the time and failed to comply with the officer's repeated requests to drop the knife

But in his report, Scott expressed concerned with the delay in reporting the shooting to the S-I-U, a contravention under the act, and that some officers at the scene were told by an association lawyer not to make notes.

He's asked the OPP Commissioner to investigate.

Rise in traffic fatalities over the past two years

With the dissapointing rise in traffic fatalities this year the OPP will be cracking down on irresponsible drivers over the next little while.

This year up until July 25th, there has been 163 deaths commpared to 154 in 2009 in the same period for an increase of 6 percent.

OPP commissioner Julian Fantino, was quoted as "It is very disturbing to see the carnage on our highways start to creep back up again, and any loss of life due to irresponsible driving is unnaceptable."

Harbourfest is just around the corner

This years Harbourfest is almost upon us.

The festival Kicks off this year with Collective soul on Friday night, with a local band "Random Acts" opening for them. Tickets cost $65.00. Show starts at 9 pm.

Tickets for the opening night are still availible, but you can't get them online any more, they can be picked up at: Two Bear's Marine, Donny B's and Nibblers Nook.

Saturdays line up includes: Kim Mitchell with special guests Starship starring Mickey Thomas and Asia featuring John Payne. Tickets are $55.00 Show starts at 7:30.

And Sunday it's country time with Emerson Drive Jessie Farrell & Marc Ekins, tickets are only $40.00 and show starts at 7:30.

Followed by a fantastic fireworks display at 10:30 pm.

Helicopter Crash Victims Identified

A local man has been named as one the two men who died in a helicopter crash late last week.

19 year old, Ethan Boucha from Rat Portage First Nation and John Tumchewics, origionally from Yellowknife but was living in North Bay, both died in the crash.

The crash happened 200 km south of Timmins, between the Elk Lake and Gowganda areas.

They were flying a Bell 206 helicopter that belonged to Essential Helicopters of North Bay.

No one at the company would comment and the investigation by the Transpotation Safety board continues.

Long weekend crack down

With good weather on the way for the long weekend, expect increased travel on the highways, trail and water ways.
The OPP would like to remind the publicthat they will be out patrolling to keep the community safe.

Officers will be targeting aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and people who aren't wearing their seatbelt.

And if you are planning on being on the lake, remember to waer your life jacket. And cary your operators card with you, if you are operating a vessel with a motor.

Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship

Dorian Lindholm of Fort Frances and Bill Wilcox of Burleson, Texas are your 2010 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Champions.

The pair had a 3 day total of 56.45 pounds of bass to take the 25 thousand dollar top prize.

Kenora's Jeff Gustafson and Partner Jon Peterson of Bemidji, Minnesota finished 3rd just over 4 pounds back of the winners.

Another local angler had a strong showing. Frank McClymont and partner Albert Trudeau of Ile-Des Chenes were 4th.

Thunder Bay OPP continue to investigate arson

Thunder Bay OPP continue to investigate an arson in Neebing Township.

The OPP have charged a 45 year old Female from Thunder Baywith arson, Assault and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

Police were called to a building fire that occured throughout the night on July 23rd, at a residence located on Jarvis Bay Rd. in the Neebing township.

Further investigation resulted with the other two charges. The female has been released and the investigation contiues.

Bronzeback Results

Adam Bachinski and Andrew Beernart are your 2010 bronzeback classic champions.

The pair won with a two day total of 31.58 pounds of bass. Jim Picha and Bill Low came second with a two day total of 29.54.

The top male/female team with Mary-Anne Rench and Wayne Early with 27.57 pounds of fish.

Brandon Scott and Curtis Scott were the top Adult/Child team with a two day total of 29.41.

For those with a motor of 50 horsepower or less, Brad and Jayden Symonds topped the list with a catch of 28.31.

Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship

A couple of Kenora-led teams are in the hunt for the Fort Frances Canadian Bass championship after the first day of fishing.

Frank McClymount and his fishing partner Albert Trudeau are in a tie for fifth, two-and-a-half pounds out of first place.

Jamie Bruce, who's teamed with Bryan Gustafson is also fifth while Trevor Guderyan and Dean Tackynk sit back in seventh.

Fatal Collision on Highway 17A

Two people are in hospital with life threatening injuries and two otther people are dead, following a crash yesterday morning.

For an undetermined reason a west bound Dodge Caravan left the roadway and struck a rock cut on Highway 17A near Jones road.

After hitting the rock cut the van caught fire and because of the damagethe occupants were trapped inside the vehicle.

OPP say there were 4 occupants in the vehicle, a 46 year old female and a 19 year old male were fatally injured. Another 18 year old male and a 46 year old male driver has been transported to Thunder Bay with life threatening injuries.

The investigation is continuing into the collision.

Keewatin Beach Closed

People who use Keewatin Public Beach will have to find another place to cool off over the next few days.

The Northwestern Health Unit has posted the beach as unsafe for swimming.

The Health Unit says recent tests has found high bacterial counts in the water.

The beach will remain closed until satisfactory test results come back.

The Health Unit tests local beaches on a regular basis and Keewatin Beach was found to have unacceptible levels of e-coli.

Kenora By-Pass Closed by Fatal Accident

A fatal motor vehicle accident has closed down a section of the Kenora By-Pass this
morning.

The OPP say there was a single motor vehicle accident shortly after 8:00 this morning
near the intersection of the Jones Road.

The vehicle burst into flames and fire crews and the OPP are at the scene dealing with
the situation.

As a result of the accident, the Highway 17-A has been closed down from the
east entrance to the By-Pass right to the Redditt Road.

Traffic is being detoured through the City of Kenora.

Busy weekend for sports ahead

Its shaping up to be a busy sports weekend in Kenora.

Four major events will be taking place over the next three days.

First up is the annual Lake of the Woods Men's Soccer Tournament at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

Eight local teams will be doing battle with eight out-of-town teams from Manitoba, Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

Action begins Friday evening and will wrap up Sunday afternoon with the

finals.

Just across the road, the Kenora Rowing Club will be holding its annual Tops and Bottoms

Regatta Saturday on Rabbit Lake. 

The Bronzeback Classic will start Saturday and finish with last day weigh-ins Sunday.

100 teams are entered in the sold out fishing tournament.

And finally on Sunday, the Kenora Borealis Triathlon/Duathlon will take place at Garrow Park.

The race is scheduled to start at 9:00.

Moose Tag Changes Proposed

Today is the last day Ontario residents have to comment on a proposed change that could impact the transfer of moose tags among hunters.


The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking to prohibit hunters from passing their tags onto another person in consecutive years.

Wildlife Management Coordinator Tosh Gierek says the recommendation based on input received at public meetings last year.

The new regulation could be in place for the 2011 hunting season.

Washed out Redditt road repaired

Residents on the north side of Redditt can now travel to the south side of the tiny hamlet without taking a lengthy detour.

A couple of weeks ago, the main road in the community north of Kenora washed out after a

beaver dam burst.

It took a couple of weeks for the repairs to be carried out, but a new culvert and gravel

were put in place late last week.

The Redditt Local Roads Board is appealing to the provincial government for emergency                      funding to cover the cost of repairs.

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More Money for Northern Highways

The McGuinty Government has increased the funding for the Northern Highway program.

An extra 125 million dollars was added to this year's budget.

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says four laning the highway will help our economy and our safety.

Included in the 775 million dollar funding includes twinning the first 15 kilometers of the

Trans-Canada Highway from the Manitoba Border towards Rush Bay and the re-surfacing of
10 kilometers of Highway 17 from the Kenora City limits east to the Kenora By-Pass.

Jack Irwing Passes Away at 78

A sad note to pass on about the parent company of Northwoods Broadcasting, its chairman Jack Irving passed away in Saint John New Brunswick after a short illness.

He was 78.

Among other accomplishments, Jack Irving was a member of the Order of Canada.

In 1952 he joined his father's businesses and worked all his life, along-side his brother Arthur in Irving Oil.

In addition, he was a Director of all Irving businesses and was responsible for and managed a number of the companies within the varied Irving enterprises.

Funeral services will take place Saturday in Saint John.

Round-About Etiquette urged

The OPP say local motorists need a refresher course on how to properly use the round-about by the Subway.
A recent survey by local summer students hired by the OPP show that about 61 percent of drivers exit the round-about without using their turn signals.

The students observed 151 vehicles recently and found that 93 didn't use their turning lights.

The OPP says using signals while exiting the round about helps with the continuous flow of traffic.

Donations Sought for Family

Making Kenora Home is looking for household items for a family of five displaced by a fire a couple of weeks ago.

The family lost all their possessions in the fire, but have managed to find a new place to live at the end of this month.

However, the mother and four kids are in need of a number of items including beds, dishes
and dish cloths, cutlery, clothing and toys.

The children include a 5 year old girl, a two year old and a four year old boy and a six
week old baby girl.

Donations can be dropped off at the Ontario Works Office at 120 Matheson Street South.

PUSH NWO Searching for Volunteers

People living with disabilities continue to work towards creating a more accessible society.


The group persons united for self help in Northwestern Ontario is holding an information session looking for volunteers.

Spokesperson Justin Miller says volunteers will help fight for equality in a number of areas.

 The Volunteer meeting will take place in August, but anyone who wants more information can contact  http://www.pushnwo.ca/

Rickford Supports Voluntary Census in 2011

The M.P. for the Kenora Riding says he supports his government's plan to

scrap the 2011 long form census.

A number of groups have written the government asking that the census
be carried out as normal.

Greg Rickford says he has concerns about the way the census is conducted
and the type of information that's being collected.

There are concerns that the response to a voluntary census will be very low among the poor, aboriginal communities and recent immigrants.

Minister of Natural Resources promoting Far North Act

Minister of Natural Resources Linda Jeffrey has been using her summer to tour area first nations.


Many people have said that there hasn't been enough consultation with aboriginals on the far north act.

Kenora Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton says proper consultation needs to take place throughout the entire implementation process.

Meanwhile, Minister Linda Jeffrey says its often hard to accomodate everyone in such a short period of time.

The bill will come back for a second reading in the legislature in the second week of September.

OPP Summer Students Busy

The OPP summer students have been busy in recent weeks keeping track of local motorists.


The students have been involved in a number of different initiatives, including the Lock it
or Lose it Campaign.

So far over 25 hundred vehicles have been checked in downtown Kenora and 14 percent have
found to be unlocked.

Over 21 hundred vehicles have also been checked for seatbelt compliance, and the students
have fund that 5.7 percent of motorists are failing to buckle up.

Three students have been hired by the OPP to patrol the downtown core this summer.

Construction resumes downtown

There shouldn't be any delays on Bernier Drive this week, as phase two of the downtown revitalization project gets under way.

Jarnel Contracting began work on the nearly four million dollar project yesterday.

Site work has started up in the area near the Thistle Pavillion.

Phase two will include the construction of Lake of the Woods Plaza south of the ScotiaBank on Main Street South and also preparation of the underground works for the festival site on the Kenora Harborfront.

Work is expected to continue through the rest of this summer right into late fall.

The city says it will be providing weekly updates on the progress of the project
on the BigSpruce website.

Phase Two of Downtown Revitalization Begins

Work has started on phase two of the downtown revitalization project.

Jarnel Construction began mobilizing yesterday and will be working over the next couple of months on the almost four million dollar contract.

The Lake of the Woods Plaza and festival park will all be part of the project.

One item that's not included in the work is the installation of a new tent on the Harborfront.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck admits that's something they will have to include in the 2011 budget.

Perchuck say the tent structure will likely cost about a million dollars.

The city has applied for a grant of 500 thousand dollars from the Northern
Ontario Heritage Fund to help cover the cost of the tent.

NOMA wants 2011 Census to Proceed

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is adding its name to the list of groups expressing concern about the recent Federal Census decision.

The Government is moving to discontinue the use of the mandatory long-form questionnaire in favour of a voluntary survey.

President Anne Krassilowsky says the voluntary response will be unreliable.

Krassilowsky notes its not known how many forms will come to Northwestern Ontario.

OPP seek Auxillary Officers

A recruitment effort is underway by the OPP to increase their numbers

in the Auxillary Unit.

The OPP Auxillary is a volunteer unit that works along side full-time
officers.

OPP Constable Dave Cain says members of the Auxillary do receive
training.

An information session will take place tomorrow night at the OPP
Detachment office on the Kenora By-Pass starting at 7:30.

Legalize ATV's For On-Road Use

If Kenora City Council has its way, All-Terrain Vehicles would be licensed to operate on local highways.

Council approved a resolution recently calling on the provincial government to review the Off-Road Vehicles act to include ATV's as vehicles that can be licenced to drive on provincial and municipal roadways.

The resolution says there are economic benefits in the tourism industry to develop ATV trails.

Hap's Runners Up at Women's Soccer Tournament

One local teams made it into the prize money at the annual Lake of the Woods Woman's Soccer Tournament over the weekend at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.
Hap's Hurricanes finished second overall, after losing the A-Side Final Sunday afternoon 4-0 to the Southend Shooters from Winnipeg.

Manitoba teams dominated the other finals played Sunday.

The Wisegals from Winnipeg edged Stonewall 2-1 in penalty shots.

In the C-Side Final, it was Portage over Victorious Secret from Winnipeg 2-1 also in penalties.

Canfield files nomination papers

Its going to be at least a two-man race for the mayor's chair in Kenora.

Former mayor Dave Canfield did the expected on Friday by filing his
nomination papers.

In an interview earlier this year, Canfield indicated he's ready to get back into
municipal politics after being defeated in the last municipal elections.

Canfield will challenge former city Councillor Andrew Poirier in the
mayoralty race.

The deadline to file nomination papers is September 10th.

CAV ready to Ride Into Kenora

The Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle club will be returning to Kenora over the August Long Weekend.

The 4th Annual Lewis McKenzie Order of Canada I-Cross National Honor Ride will take place July 30th to August 1st.

A number of events are being planned including a memorial service at the Lake of the Woods
Cemetary.

There will also be a flag raising event at Memorial Park.

As many as 100 motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to attend the three day gathering.

Second Coney Island Festival ready to roll

Organizers of the "Maybe Annual Coney Island Festival" say arrangements for this year's event are coming together.

The one day music festival featuring local performers takes place next
Saturday.

Ferg Devins is one of the co-ordinators of the event and says they
are still hoping to make this an annual event.

Devins says this year there will be a band stand, which was provided by
the city of Kenora.

Changes Urged to Commercial Fishing

The Canadian Federation of Taxpayers wants the Federal government to allow commercial fisherman the choice of selecting buyers for their catch.


All commercially caught fish are turned over to the federally regulated Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation.

Spokesperson Colin Craig says the Federal Government needs to consult area commercial fisherman.

Craig adds the fishermen who are forced to sell their catch to the government body do not have pensions,sick leave benefits or other perks that emplyees at the federal body enjoy.

Deer Lake man faces murder charges

A 26 year old Deer Lake First Nations resident is scheduled to appear in Kenora Court today on 2nd degree murder charges.

The OPP charged Jason Miller after investigating the death of 27 year
old Joey Crows from Deer Lake last weekend.

Crow had been pronounced dead at the Deer Lake Nursing Station on July 10th and another man had to be taken to hospital in Thunder Bay for treatment of unspecified injuries.

Jason Miller was initially charged with attempted murder in connection to the injuries sustained by Neilson Meekis.

Open Studio Tour this weekend

Members of the Lake of the Woods Arts Collective will be opening up
their studios to the public this weekend.

The Open Studio Tour will take place Saturday and Sunday and will involve more than 20 artists.

LeeAnn Hawkins is one of the organizers and says each site will be well marked.

Hawkins says there are brochures available around town, including at
the Tourism Bureau.

This is the second year in a row the Open Studio Tour has been held.

Studios will be open 10 til 4 on Saturday and noon until 4 on Sunday.

Highway fatal near Ignace

A Mississauga woman is dead following a 2-vehicle collision on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Dryden.

OPP say a westbound car and an eastbound pickup truck collided yesterday afternoon near the Highway 622 junction.

Both vehicles were sent off the road and struck a rock cut.

The driver of the car, 45-year-old Kaneez Zehra, died as a result of the crash.

The driver of the truck was transported to Dryden Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The collision forced the complete closure of the Highway for 5-hours.

The cause is under investigation.

CJRL Helps Find Missing Man

A missing Sioux Lookout man has been found.

89-year-old Michael Marcyniuk was found safe near Falcon Lake, Manitoba.

OPP say an alert Ignace resident noticed a car broken down on the side of the Highway.

The motorist heard the story on the CJRL and recognized Marcyniuk's car.

Arrangements are being made to reunite Marcyniuck with his family.

Search for Ultimate Fishing Town

Several northwestern Ontario communities are battling for the title as Canada's Ultimate Fishing town.

It's a contest sponsored by the World Fishing Network with the winner getting 25-thousand dollars in prizes.

WFN's Hookin Up TV Host Mariko Izumi has this to say about the competition.

Nominations so far have come from Kenora, Dryden and Thunder Bay, but none from the Rainy River district.

Voting for the ultimate fishing town starts August 17th.

Study Shows Northern Youth Overweight

Junior and senior high students in northern Ontario are are more obsese or overweight than their counterparts in sourthern Ontario.

That's according to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.

Author of the report Doctor Robert Mann says they also found that about 30 per cent of students indicated feeling anxious, stressed or depressed.

Twenty-four per cent of students surveyed indicated having sought out mental health care over the past year.

MNR Fire Rangers Returning home

Northwestern Ontario firefighters have returned after a multi-week stint in Northern Manitoba.


Crews, aircraft and support staff were sent to the western province last month to help in the fight against several forest fires.

Here at home, the Ministry of Natural Resources is monitoring 13-active fires and no problems are anticipated.

One lightning caused fire was reported yesterday in the Nipigon District.

The fores fire hazard is low to moderate across the Region.

Former Kenora Resident Faces Child Porn Charges

A bureaucrat working for the Ministry of Natural Resources in Thunder Bay has been convicted of child pornography charges and sentenced to jail.


David Laderoute was sentenced to the statutory minimum of 14-days in jail and 18-months probation.

He must also submit a DNA sample, and will be a registered sex offender for 10 years.

A Government spokesman says Laderoute's 18-year career with the public service has ended.

An investigation began in April, 2009 when it was discovered that a computer at the Thunder Bay MNR office was being used to access pornographic websites.

Salmonella recall in Northwestern Ontario

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning Northwestern Ontario residents not to eat Freybe brand head cheese.


The Agency says the product may be contaminated with salmonella.

All products sold up to and including July 14th are affected by the recall.

The CFIA says it may have been sold from deli counters or repackaged at the store.

In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis can be deadly.

OPP Searching for Missing Man

Sioux Lookout OPP are searching for a missing elderly man.


Police say 89-year-old Michael Marcyniuk left his home in Sioux Lookout at 9:30 yesterday morning.

He was scheduled to go shopping in Dryden in his white 1994, 4-door Oldsmobile, with Ontario plate APLA-172.

Marcyniuk never returned.

He's 6 feet, 180-pounds and last seen wearing grey dress pants, a tan jacket and black rimed glasses.

Police say he has several health issues and may have signs of dementia.

Anyone with information on Marcyniuk's whereabouts is asked to contact OPP.

Biz Kids Camp starts next week

Future MBA's will get a chance to strut their stuff next week.

The annual Biz Kids Camp will be taking place starting Monday.

Mike Greaves from the Northwest Business Center says they still have some spaces open for would-be business tycoons.

Greaves says anyone who wants to sign up can contact the
Northwest Business Center.

A similar camp will also be taking place in Dryden in August.

Paving Contract Awarded

Its going to cost just over two million dollars to fix up about 10 kilometers of the Trans-Canada  Highway from the Kenora City Limits to the By-Pass.

The Ministry of Transportation has awarded the tender for the rehabilitation of two five kilometer stretches of Highway 17.

Pioneer Construction has been awarded the 2.1 million dollar contract.

That project is expected to be completed by the fall and employ about 15 people.


Pioneer is also paving the section of the Trans-Canada from Transmitter Road to the east city
limits.

Health Unit testing for Lyme Disease

Health officials are on the watch following two confirmed cases of lyme disease in the Thunder Bay District.


Kurt Casey is the Public Health Inspector for the Northwestern Health Unit and they have sent a couple of  deer ticks away for testing, but so far none have come back positive for Lyme Disease. 
Casey says the heavy season for deer ticks ends in mid-July.

Mike Richards Charity Golf Tournament Thursday

The inaugural Mike Richards Charity Golf Tournament will take place tomorrow

at the Kenora Golf and Country Club.

The event was sold out months ago with a total of  24 teams signed up.

The Philadelphia Flyers captain says some of team mates, including Jeff Carter, Daniel Briere,
Arron Asham and Riley Cote are expected to attend.
Richards says proceeds will go towards the Canadian Cancer Society and the Kenora
and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

Former OPP Officer to be Sentenced in November

A retired OPP officer who once served in Minaki and Whitedog, and was found guilty on a number of sexual assault charges, won't be sentenced until this fall.

Robert Lewis was found guilty on 19 charges dating back to the 1970's, some of which were laid while he was an officer in the Kenora area.

The sentencing for Lewis is scheduled to take place November 8th in the Orangeville Court House.

Lewis, who now lives in Fenelon Falls, Ontario was initially charged back in 2006.

The court case just wrapped up last month.

Catholic Board rejects amalgamation with Keewatin Public

Thanks but no thanks.


That's the response from the Kenora Catholic District School Board to an offer by the local public school board to amalgamate two schools in Keewatin.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board made the offer to merge Keewatin Public and St. Louis Schools as a means to combat declining enrolment.

The separate board has issued a formal response which indicates its not interested in engaging in any amalgamation of school either from within its own jurisdiction or with the Keewatin-Patricia School Board.

The public school board began looking at options for Keewatin Public School during an Accommodation
Review last year.

Enrolment at the school is expected to continue to drop over the next few years.

Smoke-Free Parks Proposed

The Northwestern Health Unit is upping the ante in its battle against cigarette smoke.

The Health Unit says it wants to make area parks and playgrounds smoke free.

Health Unit Chair John Albanese, says many communities are participating in the voluntary program.

The Health Unit is providing the signs with participating communities covering the cost of installing them.

MTO Responds to Trans-Canada Twinning Concerns

The Ministry of Transportation has issued a response to some of the concerns raised about twinning the Trans-Canada Highway between the Manitoba Border and the Kenora By-Pass.

The MTO says some of the routes north of the current Highway 17 road bed were ruled out due to potential impacts to undisturbed forests, wildlife habitat and a poor crossing of Deception
Creek.

It adds that while its not bound by the Clearwater Bay Restricted Area Order, any construction has to first pass a Class Environmental Assessment.

The MTO statement goes on to say that no final decision on where to locate a double lane highway
from Clearwater Bay to Kenricia Road has been made yet.

It is hoping to finalize a route by the fall.

Construction on the first phase of the twinning project from the Manitoba Border to Rush Bay
is also expected to begin this fall.

Property Owners Meet This Afternoon

The Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association is gearing up for its annual

summer meeting with its members in Kenora.

The three hour session will take place this afternoon.

Susan McLeod is the executive director of the Association and says one of the main topics
of discussion will be cottage security.

McLeod says the meeting is for their members who are unable to attend their AGM in
Winnipeg each May.

The session will take place at the Best Western Lakeside Inn starting at 1:00.

Richards Way signs AWOL

Kenora's decision to name a street after Philadelphia Flyer's captain Mike Richards is proving to be popular.

Maybe too popular.

The signs for Mike Richards Way were installed earlier this month, but have already been stolen.

Kenora City Councillor Chris Van Wallenghem says they'd like to get the signs back.

The signs were stolen just two days after being unveiled at a special ceremony on July 2nd at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Priesentanz says goodbye to council

Kenora City Council has bid a fond farewell to a long time employee.

Bill Preisentanz attended his final meeting as Chief Administrative Officer
Monday night.

Councillor Rory McMillan says Preisentanz will be missed after 18 years on the
job.
Preisentanz's last official day on the job is July 31st.

The City's Chief Financial Officer, Karen Brown will take over his duties as of
August 1st.

Stafford rides into Northwestern Ontario

Rodney Stafford and his son, Daryn, are crossing into Ontario today in their bicycle journey from Edmonton to their hometown of Woodstock, Ont.

This is Day 21 of their 3,500-kilometre trip to raise money and awareness for Child Find Ontario.

In recent days, the Staffords have contended with road construction near West Hawk Lake, Manitoba where they attended a parade on Saturday.

They are due in Woodstock on August 8.

The bike ride is in memoray of his eight-year-old daughter Victoria, who was
abducted from her school and killed last year.

Highway 17 North campaigns

A campaign to have the twinning of the Trans-Canada moved north of the current road bed seems to be gaining momentum.

A group called Highway 17 North made a deputation to Kenora City      Council last night.

Rob Giguere is a spokesperson for the group and says they just want the Ministry of Transportation
to abide by the MNR's regulations regarding development in the Clearwater Bay protected zone.

Kenora City Council has passed a resolution in support of keeping the Trans-Canada twinning north
of the current road bed.

The issue will be the subject of another public meeting scheduled for later this month at the
McKenzie Clearwater Bay Fire Hall.

India signs mining deal with Ontario

India and Ontario have formed a partnership when it comes to mining.


A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two party's mining ministries.

Minister Michael Gravelle says the agreement will benefit companies in the Northwest.

The agreement was signed recently with India's Mining Minister touring Ontario.

Abitibi Fined for Workplace Injuries

Abitibi-Consolidated has been fined 125-thousand dollars for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that caused injuries to 2-workers and a student in Fort Frances.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that a tool was not used near a live electrical installation.

The 3-people were injured by an arc flash while working on a paper machine on August 20th, 2008.

The two electricians suffered first-, second- and third-degree burns.

A student who was watching them suffered first-degree burns.

In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, which is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Deer Lake fatal investigated

The OPP's Criminal Investigation's Branch is looking into the death of a Deer Lake First Nations man over the weekend.

The Nishinabe Aski Police Service was called to the Deer Lake Nursing Station
Saturday evening.

A 27 year old man had been pronounced dead, while a second male had been injured and was airlifted to hospital in Thunder Bay.

Police say the deceased has been identified as Joey Crowe.

A post-mortem exam was conducted at Lake of the Woods District Hospital and foul
play is suspected, though the cause of death has not been released.

26 year old Jason Miller from Deer Lake has been taken into custody and charged with attempted
murder in relation to injuries sustained by Nielson Meekis.

Miller appeared in Kenora Court yesterday on the charges.

Oxdrift Fire

A large log garage was destroyed following a fire near Oxdrift over the weekend.

The Oxdrift Volunteer Fire Departmetn responded to the blaze shortly after 7 o'clock Saturday night.

11-firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within an hour.

Highway 601 was closed while the blaze was being battled and no one was injured.

The cause is under investigation.

Groups Oppose Forest Tenure Plan

The Ontario Forest Industry Association is calling on the Provincial government to cancel its plans to reform the forest tenure process.


The OFIA is part of a province wide coalition against the McGuinty government's forest tenure proposal.

President Jamie Lim says it's going to have a negative impact on the forest industry.

The coalition is made up of unions, forestry groups, municipal leaders and chambers of commerce.

Life Jacke Campaign

The OPP Marine Unit has launched a new campaign on Lake of the Woods promoting life jacket use.

Members of the Marine Unit haned out red t-shirts over the weekend to kids
proclaiming, "I got caught wearing my life jacket".

The OPP says while most of the life-jackets were handed out to youth, some adults were also rewarded.

The message from local police is if the motor is running, life jackets should be on.

Broadband service in northwestern Ontario expanded

More homes in the remote northwest will be getting high speed internet.

Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews made the announcement last week.

He says the project will be completed by the end of next year by three companies.

TBay-Tel, Galaxy Broadband Communications and the Spectrum Telecom Group will be rolling
out the broadband service.


Toews says here are about 45 hundred households in the region that will benefit from the funding
announcement