OPP on Back to School Safety

The OPP is urging local motorists to slow down today as kids return back to school.

Classes resumed this morning for elementary and secondary school students in Kenora.

Police say motorists should be aware of school buses stopping and kids cross local roads.

The OPP say officers will be out patrolling school zones this week and conducting traffic enforcement to ensure students are going to be safe getting both to and from school.

Species at Risk Funding Announced

A couple of Species at Risk projects are being supported by the Provincial Government.

The Dalles First Nation is getting money to study lake sturgeon and their habitat on the
Winnipeg River.

AKRC will be getting funding to study species at risk on the east side of Lake of the Woods in
the Sioux Narrows area.

The Government is funding 113-community projects in Ontario to the tune of 3.6-million dollars.

Classes begin again today

Summer unofficially comes to an end today for kids heading back to school.

Students in both the public and separate school boards return to class this morning.

Phyllis Eikre is the director of education for the Kenora Catholic District School Board and says they have high expectations this year.

Eikre adds that they are also excited by their all-day kindergarten programs which will
be starting up at St. Louis School tomorrow.

Redditt Water project a go

Despite sky-rocketing costs, the Redditt Local Services Board is planning to move ahead

with a water treatment plant this year.

The project was tendered out earlier this summer, but the costs came in over twice as high
as the amount they had budget for.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he's spoken to the Redditt Board and is relieved they are
going ahead with construction.

The Redditt Local Services Board says its going to look again at its tender to see if it can find ways of reducing costs of the project.

Under the terms of the federal infrastructure program, projects that receieved funding
have to start no later than March 31st, 2011.

Angry Angler lashes out at Canada Immigration Officials

A Hoffman Estates, Illinois man is irate with border guards at the Fort Frances crossing.


Ed Pokorski says he was denied entry into Canada because of a charge that dates back to the 1980's.

Pokorski also claims the border agents were rude and not at all helpful.

He adds the agents wouldn't give him information on who he could call and they wouldn't help him with directions so he could make travel plans back home.

Nomination Deadline looming

With just two weeks left to the nomination deadline for the upcoming municipal elections, there are still a couple of races that need more candidates.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board will elect three trustees from the Kenora area, but so far only Cecile Marcino and Bob Onysko has signed up to run for the public school board.

Likewise, there are only four people signed up for five positions on the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

Current trustees, Paul Landry, Mike Favreau, Theresa Gallick and Frank Bastone will be running
for re-election.

September 10th is the last day to submit nomination papers.

Kenora Team wins I-Falls Bass Tournament

A Kenora team has become the first to win the International Falls Bass Championship twice.


Jeff Gustafson, along with his fishing partner Scott Dingwall, won this year's title by weighing in just over 30-pounds of bass at the weekend tournament.

Gustafson and Dingwall won the inaugural tournament in 2005 by beating Travis Peterson and Scott Mattson who also finished second this year.

Winnipeg Man Charged with Assault

An 18-year-old Winnipegger has been charged with assault with a weapon in connection with an incident  on Lake of the Woods.

Ontario Provincial Police say a 35-year-old man from England was assaulted while visiting friends in Glass Township last Tuesday.

The victim was treated at Lake of the Woods District Hospital and released.

The suspect left the residence and police began a search that involved the OPP emergency response unit, a canine unit and a helicopter.

Two days later, Adriel Shworob was located at a home on the mainland.

He is scheduled to appear in Kenora court October 18th.

Rickford gets a new job

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford is getting a promotion.


Rickford will be getting his first post in the federal Conservative
caucus.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Rickford
will take over duties as the parliamentary secretary for Official Languages.

This is Rickford's first position in the federal cabinet.

Minister defends Open For Business Act

The Minister of Natural Resources says NOMA has jumped the gun when it comes to their concerns over the "open for business act".


The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association feels bill 68 proposes changes to the Crown Forest Sustainability Act; giving the Endangered Species Act higher authority on forestry practices.

Linda Jeffery says they just want to get rid of duplication.

Jeffrey made the comments on a recent tour of northwestern Ontario

Public School Board ready for new year

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is ready for a new School year.


The Board is working on a new strategic plan that will see teachers working together in order to enhance student learning.

Director of Education Jack McMaster predicts its going to be a great year and he's looking forward to his first full year at the helm of the public school board. 

McMaster adds full-day, all-day Kindergarten is now in place at Pinewood School in Dryden and Evergreen School in Kenora.

PUSH demands more supportive housing in Northwest

Persons united for self help in Northwestern Ontario wants the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate the region's long wait lists.


Currently there are over 400 adults in the region waiting for accessible supportive community housing and home support care.

President Ron Ross says some of those people have been on the wait list for 10 years.

The people on the wait list are living in long term care facilities or with their aging parents.

New V.P. for Pope John Paul

The Kenora Catholic District School Board had to search a little further afield

for a vice-principal at Pope John Paul II School.

Michelle Sawa, a teacher at St. John Separate School in Red Lake has been
selected to fill the vacancy.

The Separate School Board expanded last year by incorporating St. John's into
its system last year.

Sawa replaces Maureen Carlin-Franklin, who was promoted to the principal's
job at Pope John Paul earlier this week.

Machin Election Update

There's going to be a race for the mayoralty in the Town of Machin.


Two people are currently seeking the top job in Vermillion Bay.

Incumbent Garry Parkes is looking for a second term as Mayor.

He's now being challenged by Gordon Dingman and Linda Anderson.

Dennis Peterson is the only person to file nomination papers for council.

Tourist Numbers up in Kenora

Tourism Kenora says its seen an increase in tourist traffic through the city this summer.

Statistics show the number of visitors to the Tourism Bureau on the Harborfront are up from last year.

Heather Paterson is Kenora's Tourism Development Officer and says local businesses are also reporting a better summer season.

Paterson believes a marketing campaign carried out in the late spring and early summer in southern Manitoba and Winnipeg has played a big part in their increase in tourism numbers this year.

New CEO Hired for Northwest LHIN's

A new person is in charge of the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.


The Board has appointed Laura Kokocinski as Chief Executive Officer effective September first.

She has worked with the LHIN as the Senior Director, Planning, Integration and Community Engagement since January 2006 and was appointed Interim CEO back in February.

Kokocinski is from Northwestern Ontario and has extensive health care experience in various communities including Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay.

She was selected from a large Canada-wide pool.

Anglers Fined for Too Many Walleye

A fishing party of 4 has been fined 24-hundred dollars for having 16-walleye over the legal limit.

Roger Marion and Donalda Zoratti of Kenora and Cyril and Solange Taylor all pleaded guilty in Court and were fined 600-dollars each.

The group was stopped on a house boat on Lake of the Woods back in May.

Houston Lake Mining has evidence of a new gold zone at its West Cedartree project near Kenora.

The Sudbury-based Company says that a potential gold mineralized zone has been identified by sampling of surface bedrock.

Houston Lake says it will move forward with future exploration with diamond drilling.

Officials believe that they have discovered another area which creates resource potential for the project.

Garrow Beach Closed Again

With a warm weekend on the way, its not the news people wanting to cool off want to hear.

The Northwestern Health Unit has issued a notice closing Garrow Beach.

The Health Unit says recent water quality tests at the beach yeilded higher than acceptible levels of
E-coli bacteria.

The beach will be closed for swimming until satisfactory water quality test results
come back from the provincial lab in Thunder Bay.

More Fire Rangers Heading West

Ministry of Natural Resources fire personnel continue to bounce between Ontario and B.C.

Another 184-firefighters are scheduled to leave for fire ravaged B.C. today.

As they arrive to begin work, 200-personnel will be allowed to return home on Friday.

A total of 317-Ontario staff members are in the Western Province.

The MNR has been lending a helping hand since July 29th.

New Northern Energy Credit Program

If you want to get a piece of the northern energy credit pie, your going to have to apply.


The program provides up to 130 dollars for single people, and 200 dollars for families.

Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle says the credit is for low to middle income northerners.

Applications are available online, at any Service Ontario location, or by calling 1-866-305-1954.

Hampton opposes insurance changes

We're less than a week away from new auto insurance rates.

Changes to policies take effect September 1st and not everyone is a fan.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the move will hurt drivers.

Standard policies will see cuts made to medical benefits and income replacement levels.

Highway 17 West finally Reopens

It took a lot longer than expected for Highway 17 west to be re-opened to two lanes of traffic.

The Trans-Canada was initially closed down due to a firey collision between two transport trailor units near the Ontario/Manitoba border.

One lane of traffic was opened up around 8:30 yesterday morning, but it took another 12 hours for both lanes to be completely opened.

Three people were sent to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment of injuries
sustained in the accident.

IJC establishes a Task Force for Lake of the Woods

The International Joint Commission is moving quickly to make its mark on Lake of the Woods.

The IJC was directed this summer by the government's of Canada and the United States to take on the job of protecting water quality on the Lake.

Todd Sellars is the executive director of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation. a Task Force has also been set up by the IJC.

Sellars says the Task Force will be given 18 months to come up with a governance model for Lake of the Woods.

A Stakeholder Advisory Group is also been formed to guide the work of the Task Force.

One Large Fire Burning in Northwestern Ontario

A forest fire east of Pikangikum First Nation continues to burn out-of-control.


The fire has grown to 178-hectares in size but is burning in an isolated area.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has 48-firefighters battling the blaze.

Meantime, 64-personnel left the Dryden Airport yesterday to help in the fire fight in B.C.

21-firefighters returned home.

Drinkwalter Running Again for Council

There's almost sure to be a race for Kenora City Council this fall.


A seventh person has entered the race for one of six seats on council.

Charito Drinkwalter filed her nomination papers on Monday.

She is a rookie member of council, and joins Dave McCann, Jim Parsons,
Wendy Cuthbert and Rory McMillan as councillors seeking re-election.

The deadline to file nomination papers is September 10th.

Highway 17 West Open to One Lane

Still no indication when Highway 17 west of Kenora near the Manitoba Border will be
re-opened to two lanes of traffic.

The Trans-Canada was closed by an accident involving two tractor-trailor units
early this morning.

The OPP say a westbound rig with a lone male driver collided with an eastbound semi.

The westbound transport caught fire and was completely destroyed.

The there were two people in the eastbound truck, and they were rescued by fire crews that
were on the scene.

All three were taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for Treatment of injuries sustained
in the collision.

The OPP says Charges are still pending.

NOMA reflects on AMO conference

Members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are recapping their recent meetings with provincial ministers.


NOMA met with 8 ministers on a variety of topics.

President Anne Krassilowski says she spoke with the Minister of Natural Resources about the forest tenure process.

Meanwhile, Krassilowski was elected to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario board alongside Thunder Bay Mayor Lynn Peterson.

Another Blockade At Grassy Narrows

Yet another blockade has gone up on the Grassy Narrows First Nation north of Kenora.

This time the blockade is aimed at the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Roberta Keesick is one of the people at the blockade and says it was started up on Friday
after MNR officials tried to shut down repair work being done by community members on
the Slant Lake Road.

Keesick says the MNR wants the community to get proper permits before its begins any
roadwork in the community.

She says there are no plans to take down the blockade any time soon.

Highway 17 West of Kenora Closed

It could be a while before Highway 17 west of Kenora is open to two way traffic again.

Highway 17, just east of the Ontario/Manitoba border is still closed due to a motor vehicle accident.

The OPP says two tractor trailor units collide just after 5:00 this morning about three kilometers west of the Shoal Lake turn-off.

Three people were injured, but no other details about the accident have been released.

Police now says the highway could be closed until at least 10:00 this morning while the wreckage is cleared and officers complete their investigation.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Announces Funding

The provincial government is supporting Northwestern Ontario's aboriginal and metis victims.


The Ontario Native Women's Association has developed workshops designed to foster healthy relationships.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says they've adopted a "for us by us" strategy.

Another first nations group is offering a healing arts program designed to remember those first nation women who are missing.

House fire on Mascott Avenue

Its been a busy couple of days for Kenora's Fire and Emergency Service crews.


Fire fighters were called out to a house fire on Mascott Avenue early this morning.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says the call came in just before 3:00 this morning.

He says due to quick work by fire crews, they were able to contain the blaze to the room of origin.

He says there was extensive damage to the room and some water damage to the home as well.

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Brinkman says they are still investigating how the fire started.

Doer Visits International Falls

Canada's Ambassador to the United States has agreed to looking into how Canada can make it easier for Americans with minor convictions to cross the border.


Gary Doer was questioned about the policies now carried out at Canada's borders during his visit Friday to International Falls.

He agrees it's vital to growing Canada's tourism industry to resolve the problem.

Area tourism officials says millions of dollars have been lost because of American being turned back at the border for minor convictions, some decades old.

New Principal for Pope John Paul

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has decided to hire from within to fill a key leadership vacancy.

Maureen Carlin-Frankcom has been chosen to be the new principal at Pope John Paul II School.

Carlin-Frankcom was promoted from the vice-principal's position at the elementary school.

She takes over from Andy Graham, who resigned last week to take a job with the Bimose Tribal Council.

The board has not indicated who will take over the vice-principal's position at
Pope John Paul.

OPP Aboriginal Awareness Course

24 OPP officers from across northwestern Ontario are spending the week on the Washagamis Bay First Nation near Kenora.

The officers are taking part in the OPP's annual aborignal awareness course which is being held at the Health Center.

Inspector Dave Lucas from the Kenora Detachment says they will cover a number of topics over the next few days.

Lucas says the course is usually held in northeastern Ontario, but last year the course was held in Sioux Lookout, and this year is Kenora's turn to host.

Fatal Fire Update

An autopsy will be conducted in Toronto today on a 47 year old man who died in a house fire in Kenora over the weekend.

Allan John Mosher was pulled out of a house on 5th Street North Saturday evening around 6:00.

Mosher was initially treated at the scene, and was transported to Lake of the Woods District Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office and the OPP's Northwest Region Crime Unit.

The OPP says the single story home sustained significant damage.

Men's Soccer Final Set

The final for Thursday night's Kenora Men's Soccer Final is all set.

The Centuries will meet up with the Stingers at 6:00.

The Centuries advanced with a 3-1 over the Playaz in semi-final action
last night.

Meantime, the Stingers romped to a 6-1 victory over the Fury.

Second Youth charged in Connection Bearskin Lake Murder

A second person faces murder charges in connection to the death of a
20 year old Bearskin Lake area man.

The OPP say another 15 year old youth has been charged with second degree murder.

Neil Fiddler was pronounced dead at the nursing station in Bearskin Lake back on August 14th.

Initially, a 15 year old youth was charged with second degree murder and also attempted murder in connection to injuries sustained by a 19 year old man.

The second youth is scheduled to appear in Kenora court today on murder charges, attempted
murder, assault with a weapon and breach of probation.

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act the names of both youth cannot be released.

One Person dies in north end Fire

The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office has been called in to investigate a fatal fire in Kenora over the weekend.

The blaze broke out Saturday evening around 6:00 in the 5th Street North area.

Kenora Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says while crews were on the scene quickly, one person still succumbed to his injuries.

The name of the deceased has not been released.

Brinkman says investigators from the Fire Marshall's office will look into the cause and origin of the blaze.

The OPP is also investigating the incident.

Hampton concerned about possible sale of northern dams

The McGuinty Government is being asked to do something to prevent the sale of hydro dams in Northern Ontario owned by AbitibiBowater.


The dams are located in Kenora, Fort Frances and Iroquois Falls.

Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the government should to something to block the sale.

Hampton says the dams are vital to the future of the mills in Iroquois Falls and Fort Frances.

Extra Funding for New Fire Hall

The City of Kenora is getting some support from the provincial government to help cover part of
the costs of building a new fire hall on Barsky's Hill.

Construction of the 17 hundred square meter facility is nearing an end, and the Northern Ontario
Heritage Fund is pledging one million dollars towards the five million dollar project.

The new facility will not only have more space for fire fighting equipment, it will also include
two classrooms.

The new building is supposed to be ready to move into by the end of September.

Bronco football players open training camp

Another high school football season is just around the corner.
Players and coaches are showing up this morning at Pete Fair Memorial
field for the start of a two week training camp.

The Broncos play their first game in the Winnipeg High School Football
league on September 10th against their rivals from Dryden.

Beaver Brae will once again be competing in Division Two of the football league.

Their first and only exhibition game will be played at home against the Eagles on September 2nd.

Construction on New Group Home Begins

Construction has begun on a new group home on Brinkman Road.


The facility will replace the aging Birchcliff Group Home on the Coker Road.

Bill Leonard is the executive director of Kenora Patricia Child and Family Services and expects construction will be complete before the end of next March.

The 2.2 million dollar project is located on the site of the playground of the old Our Lady of the Valley School.

Municipal Election Deadline Looming

The deadline to run in the municipal elections is jut three weeks from today.


So far only six people have signed up to run for one of six seats on city council.

Veteran Councillor Rory McMillan is the latest person to file his nomination papers.

He suggests the four year term of office may be too big a committment for some people.

There are also two people entered in the race for three trustee positions on the public
school board and two people running for one of five seats on the Kenora Catholic District
School Board.

The deadline for nominations is September 10th.

Foul Play not Suspected in Ignace Fatality

The OPP says foul play is not suspected in the death of a person found in the bush near Ignace earlier this week.

Some people picking blueberries about 25 kilometers east of Ignace on Tuesday
discovered the human remains.

More information is expected to be released next week after a post-mortem exam is conducted in Toronto.

In the meatime, the OPP's NorthWest Region Forensic Identification Unit, the OPP Crime Unit and a forensic anthropoligist are continuing to investigate the incident.

Ride for Memories looking for riders

The Alzheimer's Society for Kenora-Rainy River district is looking for more participants for this year's Ride for Memories.


It will take place on August 28th.

Executive director Lynn Moffitt says it's an important fundraiser for the society.

Registration can be done on-line or calling the Society's office in Kenora.

Rainy River Resources increases exploration

Rainy River Resources will be spending almost 25-million dollars over the next year on exploration activities in northern Ontario.


That's an increase of over 6-million from the last fiscal year.

Most of the money will be spent at its gold-bearing properties north of Barwick.

Three million will be used to explore of an area, 470 kilometres north of Pickle Lake, a project with Sudbury-based Northern Superior Resources

Rabbit Lake Beach re-opened

With warmer weather on the way, some good news for people heading to the beach this weekend.

The Northwestern Health Health unit has re-opened Rabbit Lake Beach after shutting it down earlier this month due to high bacterial levels.

Earlier this week, Anicinabe and Garrow Park Beaches were also re-opened after water tests showed acceptible levels of e-coli bacteria.

More Fire Crews heading to B.C.

Ontario is sending more forest fire fighting personnel to British Columbia.


The Ministry of Natural Resources says it will be sending another 222 firefighters and support personnel to B-C in the coming days.

A 19-person Incident Management team and three helicopter coordinators will leave tomorrow.

The rest will depart August 26th.

There are currentlt 334 MNR personnel working in B-C.

Gravelle stays put in Cabinet Shuffle

Minister for Northern Developmen, Mines and Forestry is happy to be keeping his portfolio.

Michael Gravelle says he thinks this week's cabinet shuffle was well planned.

Gravelle also says he's thrilled to be sitting on the Priorities and Planning committee of cabinet.


Gravelle says his ministry has a lot of issues to tackle over the next while and looks forward to continuing his work.

Human Remains found near Ignace

The OPP are investigating the discovery of some human remains near Ignace.

The body was found earlier this week in an area just off Highway 17, about 25 kilometers
east of Ignace.

The Northwest Regional Forensic Identification Unit, the Crime unit and a forensic
anthropologist have been brought in to help identify the body.

The OPP say no other details are being released at this time.