Thursday, September 30, 2010

Broncos versus Buckeyes

Beaver Brae's football team faces another stiff test today.

The 3-0 Miles MacDonnell Buckeyes come to town this afternoon to take on the 2-1 Broncos.

Head Coach Chris Penner says the Buckeyes are a talented offensive team.

The Bronco defense will get a boost today with the return of Dannon Saunders to the line-up.

He's been out the past four weeks with a knee injury.

Game time is 3:00 this afternoon at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

Energy Credit for Seniors

The government is proposing to boost tax relief for seniors.

The Liberals have introduced an improved energy and property tax credit.

Thunder Bay Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says the tax credit will be accessed through income tax.

Mauro says they've heard the concerns of seniors facing high hydro bills.

Police Investigate Boat Collision

The OPP are investigating a boat collision near the Main Street Dock in

Kenora.

Police say that late Sunday night, an eastbound 16.5 foot Polar Craft
was rammed from behind by a 16 foot Vanguard.

The occupants of the Polar Craft were thrown into the water, but managed to get back into their boat.

Police say they sustained only minor injuries.

Breast Screening Milestone in NWO

The Regional Cancer Centre is celebrating a milestone.

It's operated the Breast Screening Program in Northwestern Ontario for 20 years.

Cancer Care Director Alison McMullen says over 32 thousand women have been given mammograms, but more needs to be done

The Breast Screening Coach is in Kenora this week and appointments can be booked up until
October 2nd.

Premier to Visit Northwestern Ontario

Premier Dalton McGuinty is in Thunder Bay today.

He will deliver the keynote address at the Northwestern Ontario

Municipal Association and will be joined by area M-P-Ps Michael
Gravelle and Bill Mauro.

The premier will then met area residents applying for the
Northern Ontario Energy Credit.

New Scam unveiled

Phonebusters is making local residents aware of another scam that's been going around in the city.

A lawyer from Mexico has sent out a letter indicating that over 10 million dollars in an inheritance is sitting in a bank.

The letter says because the recipient shares the same last name as the deceased, the inheritance could be transferred into their account and the proceeds would be shared.

Police remind local residents that if a deal seems too good to be true it usually is.

Mayoralty campaign heats up

The mayoralty campaign in the City of Kenora is starting to pick up some steam.

Yesterday, two of the three candidates running for mayor in the October 25th election and 12 of 13 council candidates attended a forum put on by the Kenora Seniors Coalition.

Andrew Poirier used his concluding remarks to put to rest some rumours about why he stepped down from council last year.

Meanwhile, former mayor Dave Canfield used his closing remarks to chastise the provincial government.

This morning, Dave Canfield and Andrew Poirier will appear on CJRL for an open-line talk show, just after the 9:00 news.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Morgan Offensive Player of the Week in the WHSFL

Beaver Brae's first loss in the Winnipeg High School Football League this season turned out to have a silver lining.

Broncos running back Scott Morgan has been named the offensive player of the week in the
Kas Vidruk Division.

Morgan had 171 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries in Beaver Brae's 29-10 loss
to Kildonan East.

The Broncos are back in action tomorrow against the 3-0 Miles MacDonnell Buckeyes.

Another All-Candidates Forum Today

The third all-candidates forum in three days will be held this morning for those running in the October 25th municipal elections.

The Kenora Seniors Coalition will host its forum in the Rotary Room at the Kenora Rec. Center this morning starting at 10:00.

Last night, Kenora's Young Professionals group held its own forum in the same location.

Tomorrow, two of three mayoralty candidates, Andrew Poirier and Dave Canfield will be in the CJRL studios for an hour long phone in show.

MNR testing for Chronic Wasting Disease

The Mininistry of Natural Resources will be conducting a study in northwestern Ontario Wildlife

Management Units this fall to see if there is any sign of Chronic Wasting Disease among the deer population.

Tore Buchanan is a spokesperson for the MNR and says they are asking hunters in the region to bring deer heads into select locations for testing.

Depot locations have been set up in Kenora, Nestor Falls, Dryden, Emo and Fort Frances.

Deer heads will be accepted until the middle of December.

OPP investigate Murder on Fort Hope First Nation

OPP are investigating a murder in Fort Hope First Nation.

Police were called out to the community north of Sioux Lookout on Monday.

The deceased is 38 year old James Wasawa.

27 year old William Oskineegish is in custody, and has been charged with second degree murder, and breach of probation.

He'll be in Thunder Bay court on October 4th.

College Tour stops in Kenora

Confederation College is hitting the highway for a week long recruitment campaign.

Representatives will be touring area communities speaking to high school students about their programs.

Spokesperson Shari MacKenzie says its important to reach out to their cachement area.

Confederation College will be joined on the tour by 12 other post secondary schools.

The tour stops at Beaver Brae Secondary School today. 

NDP launch campaign against the HST on Hydro Bills

Ontario's New Democrats are launching a campaign to force the government to take the provincial portion of the H-S-T off hydro bills.

Speaking in the legislature, Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton says seniors, especially, are struggling to pay their electricity bills.

The NDP has created a website and N-D-P Leader Andrea Horwath is planning to tour the province to promote the cause.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

OPP Accolade Awards

Three local police officers will be honored this afternoon with an OPP Accolade Award.

The Organized Crime Enforcement Team in the north is being given the Jim Potts Award for its work in aboriginal communities.

Detective Constables Gerald Aubin and Dean Hodges from the Kenora Detachment of the OPP and  Scott Phillips from the Treaty Three Police are members of the team.

The award is being presented at the OPP's headquarters in Orillia this afternoon.

Broncos win once in Home Opener

A breakthrough for Beaver Brae's Junior Girls basketball team.

The Broncos won their first game of the year, a 28-23 victory over Dryden yesterday in their home opener.

Beaver Brae's other court teams are still searching for their first wins of the year.

The Bronco senior girls dropped a 31-21 decision to the Eagles.

In volleyball action, the senior boys were beaten three games to one, while the junior boys lost in three straight sets to Dryden.
The Eagles are coming off a second place finish at the Kenora Invitational Senior Boys Volleyball tournament over the weekend.

The Thomas Aquinas senior boys beat Dryden in two straight sets in the A-side final.

Thunder Bay Murder Autopsy Results

An autopsy shows a 16-year-old who was killed in Thunder Bay died of multiple blunt force trauma injuries.

The female victim was found on the morning of September 21st lying near a walking path in a wooded area near the Thunder Bay Expressway.

Two females, aged 15 and 14, have been charged with second-degree murder.

The accused are both in custody and are to appear in youth court Thursday morning.

The victim had come to Thunder Bay from Sachigo Lake First Nation at the beginning of September.

Drowning on Berens Lake

The OPP say they have located the body of a man who went missing while boating on Berens Lake near the Pikangikum First Nation.

Community members and peace keepers from Pikangikum began their search last Thursday.

The OPP's Marine Unit was contacted and an initial search of the area
located the victims boat drifting near an island with a damaged motor.

An MNR helicopter, the OPP's Emergency Response Team and an underwater search and recovery unit were also brought in.

They finally located the body of 37 year old Michael Dunsford on Saturday.

Police believe Dunsford drowned on the evening of September 22nd on Berens Lake.

Candidates talk about Economic Development

Economic development, retention of our youth, and openess in municipal government.

Those were some of the key themes from last night's opening all-candidates forum sponsored by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce.

Sharon Smith is a Keewatin resident and says there are lots of opportunities out there

to improve the local economy.

Councillor Charito Drinkwalter says its important for the city to create a positive environment for not only business, but for local residents.

Councillor Dave McCann stressed that the city has to be fiscally responsible.

Rod McKay is the manager of the mothballed Kenora Forest Products Mill and says
leadership is going to be important if the city wants to move forward.

For her part, councillor Wendy Cuthbert re-iterated her stand, that council needs to
hold the line on property taxes.

The second of four candidate forums will take place this evening in the Kenora Rec. Center's
Rotary Room and is sponsored by the Kenora Young Professionals group.

Mayoralty Forum

If nothing else, an all-candidates forum held by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce

shows there's lots of interest in the upcoming municipal elections.

A standing room audience listened to two of three mayoralty candidates and all 13 candidates for council at the first of four forums scheduled this week.

Economic development was a common theme from all candidates last night.

Former Kenora mayor Dave Canfield believes there are still opportunities in the forest sector.

Former city councillor Andrew Poirier also stated that the local economy would be his main focus
if he wins the October 25th election.

Kenora city councillor Jim Parson was not in attendance. But he did send his regrets through
Chamber of Commerce president Andy Scribilo.

Parson's wife Patti passed away last week after a short battle with cancer.

Monday, September 27, 2010

News Owners for Minaki Lodge

The former Minaki Lodge property north of Kenora will soon have a new owner.

Bob Banman, a former member of the Manitoba Legislature and Steinbach developer, Bob Schinkel are teaming up to re-develop the property on the Winnipeg River.

Banman says they want to create several condo units in the buildings that were once used for hotel rooms.

Banman says they are still waiting for the courts to approve the sale.

Once that's complete, they will begin work with the Ontario government on a site plan for the Minaki Lodge property.

Kenora Golfers win NorWOSSA Silver Medals

Kenora high school golfers earned three medals at the NorWOSSA championships.

The season wrapped up last week in Fort Frances, with the Beaver Brae Boys team earning the silver medal.

Brent Arsenault from Beaver Brae also took silver in boys individual play.

Danielle Toth was a silver medal winner in the girls individual bracket.

Hampton speaks out against Far North Act

The Far North Act isn't going to improve relations between the provincial government and

local first nations.

That's the feeling of Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton.

He say the legislation, which was passed last week really undermines the rights of
aboriginal communities in the far north.

The Nishinabe-Aski Nation says there could be protests over the Far North Act similar to the HST protest earlier this year.

Treaty Three meets with Children and Youth Services Minister

Grand Council Treaty #3 says its pleased with recent meetings with the minister of

Children and Youth services.

The provincial Native Child Welfare conference wrapped up yesterday in Fort Frances.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she had a chance to meet with the minister, Laurel Broten.

Broten also gave the key-note address to the agencies attending the three day conference.

Kelly says she is hopeful the new relationship with the ministry will produce meaningful results for children and youth within Treaty Three communities.

Nuclear Waste Storage Sites Sought in NWO

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is combing the area looking for communities interested in information on a proposal to establish used nuclear fuel storage sites.

Ear Falls has started the process by initiating a feasibility study, while Ignace is looking for more details.

Spokesperson Michael Krizanc says people have plenty of questions.

Krizanc says this is a long term process and any community interested in getting information
can contact the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for details about the project.

Confederation College is seeking a new president

Confederation College's President is retiring.

Pat Lang has held the position for the last ten years and says she wants the new President to bring in change.

Lang will retire this summer in July.

A national search for a replacement will get underway as soon as possible.

DOKURA votes on October 25th

The District of Kenora Unincorporated Areas Ratepayers Association is looking for

a couple of representitives to sit on the Kenora District Services Board.

Elections in two areas will also be held on October 25th.

In Lake of the Woods North, Ingrid Parkes and Barry Baltessen are going to be
on the ballot.

Returning officer for the vote, Jack McKenzie says any registered property owner
in the Unincororated areas will be eligible to vote.

McKenzie says they will have polling stations set up around the region at community
halls and fire halls.

In the Oxdrift area, Sarah Campbell and Ray LeRay are the only two candidates running
for one seat on the District Services Board.

Busy Week for Municipal Candidates

Its going to be a make or break week for the candidates running in the municipal
elections.

There are five all-candidate forums scheduled this week over the next five days.

The first event is up tonight at the Minnis Hall of Super 8, where the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates forum.

That will be followed by forum sponsored by Kenora's Young Business Professionals
tomorrow night, and a senior's forum Wednesday morning.

On Thursday, the mayoralty candidates will be on CJRL for a special hour-long talkback
show.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Broncos lose first game in WHSFL

A reality check for Beaver Brae's Football team.

The Broncos lost their first game of the season yesterday afternoon, a 29-10 decision to Kildonan East.

Head Coach Chris Penner says he wasn't surprised by the result.

One of the bright spots for the Broncos was running back Scott Morgan, who ran for 171 yards on 16 carries, including a 70 yard touchdown run in the
second quarter.

Up next for Beaver Brae is Miles MacDonnell.  The Buckeyes will be in Kenora next Thursday.

Take back the Night

About 50 people braved wet conditions for the annual Take Back the Night March in Kenora.

The march started at the Museum last night and made its way down Second Street South to the Kenora Metis Office.

The annual event is an effort to eradicate violence against women.

New contract for Contact North

Contact North is now providing distance education and training to teach more remote First Nations youth how to govern in their communities.

Contact North's Maxim Jean-Louis says an agreement with the National Centre for First Nations Governance, is helping to bring workshops to addional communities.

Jean-Louis says the program has the potential to go nationwide.

Compton appointed to LOW Foundation Advisory Group

Kenora mayor Len Compton may be leaving office later this fall, but he'll still have some association with city council.

Council has appointed Compton as the city's community liason to the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation.

Compton will be asked to act as a liason between the group and the city.

The city is also being asked to cover any travel costs Compton may incur to participate in the meetings.

Council says it also support the development of a bi-national water Quality management
board for the Lake of the Woods Watershed.

North Spirit Hydro Dam Proposed

The Provincial Government is spending 100-thousand dollars to help the remote Northern community of North Spirit Lake explore clean energy possibilities.

The First Nation is looking at developing a small hydro-electric generating station on Flanagan River, about 175-kilometres north of Red Lake.

The study will determine site conditions, water level variations, plant capacity and energy production.

Cost savings and ecological benefits will also be determined.

Parks, Trails and Beaches Report Released

A lengthy report on how to improve Kenora's Beaches, Parks and Trails has been tabled

before city council.

The 93 page report was compiled by the consulting firm of Scatliff and Miller and Murray.

Mike Scatliff says if the city decided to implement all the suggestions in the report, it would
cost almost 15 million dollars.

The report looks at refurbishing Garrow, Anicinabe and Coney beaches, as well as
improvements to Portage Bay, and downtown Keewatin.

Scatliff says the report is based on broad consultations with local residents over the
past year.

Kenora and Dryden finalize Recycling agreement

Kenora City Council has laid the groundwork for a deal with the City of Dryden to haul its recyclables to Winnipeg.

The city is getting funding from the Continuous Improvement Fund to help puchase a truck which will haul recyclables from both communities.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says if the system proves effective, its possible they could come to similar agreements with other communities in the region such as Red Lake and Fort Frances.

Under the agreement, the City of Kenora will send a truck to Dryden twice a week to pick up recyclables.

The other three days a week, the truck will be used to take Kenora's recycling to Winnipeg.

Far North Act Passes Third and Final Reading

Business leaders in northern Ontario are joining First Nations in expressing disappointment with today's passage of the Far North Act.

Harold Wilson, chief operating officer of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce, says the bill will make it harder for companies and First Nations to do business in the north.

Some First Nations leaders have warned of unrest and uncertainty in the north because of the passage of the Far North Act, which they say violates treaty rights.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Broncos face Kildonan East in WHSFL

Another big test for Beaver Brae's Football team.

The Broncos are at home today against the Kildonan East Reivers.

Beaver Brae still has an unblemished 2-0 record in the Winnipeg High School Football League, and is in a three way tie for first place.

The Reivers meanwhile, have a 1-1 record.

Game time is 3:00 this afternoon at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

Natural Gas Prices going up?

The cost of natural gas is coming down, but Union Gas customers in northwestern Ontario may still an increase on their bills next month.

The cost of a cubic metre of natural gas will drop 3-cents beginning October 1st.

But the Ontario Energy Board says customers bills may go up four to seven dollars over the next year because of the price difference for natural gas paid by Union Gas over the last three months and the price it expects to pay in the next quarter.

Tourism Changes in Store for 2011

There will be a bit of a change to the city's tourism landscape next summer.

The main tourism information outlet for Kenora will be the new Discovery Center on Cameron Bay.

The building is just under construction and is slated to be open by next spring.

The Discovery Center will replace the old tourism bureau on Highway 17 east.

The City also plans to operate the Thistle Pavillion as a secondary tourist information bureau next summer.

City council endorsed the changes at a special meeting held Wednesday morning.

AbitibiBowater Prepares to Exit Bankruptcy Protection

AbitibiBowater has achieved another step towards its exit from bankruptcy protection this fall.

The company says creditors in the United States gave its stamp of approval to a reorganization plan this week.

It received approval from Canadian creditors last week.

The plan still needs court approval in both the UnitedStates and Canada.

Second Career Expo Today

The first ever Second Career Expo is going to be taking place in Kenora today.

A total of 28 businesses and exhibitors will be setting up shop at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Dianne Schwartz-Williams is spearheading the job fair and says people looking for work should be able to find some good leads.

The Second Career Expo will run from noon to 7:00 this evening.

Environment Commissioner Lashes out at the MNR

Ontario's environmental commissioner says the government isn't following through on any of its environmental promises.

In his annual report, Gord Miller says environmental legislation the government has passed is being undermined by its inaction.

Miller says the ministries of natural resources is not given enough tools to get the job done.

Miller is critical of an oversight from the Ontario government allowing mining companies to illegally construct mining camps and airstrips in the far north.

Federal Long Gun Registry Survives Vote

The gun registry has survived a critical vote, but just barely.

MPs voted 153-151 Wednesday night to kill a Conservative bill to scrap the program.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the opposition parties missed an opportunity to get rid of a flawed program.
All three Northwestern Ontario MPs supported scrapping the registry.

Mayoralty Candiate's wife passes away

Kenora City Council paused for a minutes silence yesterday prior to its open council meeting.

It was for the wife of city councillor Jim Parson, who passed away Tuesday.

Patti Parson died after learning of a terminal illness last week.

Jim Parson had just entered the mayoralty race 10 days earlier, but had to shelve
his campaign plans so he could spend time with his ailing wife.

Parson's name will still appear on the October 25th ballot, but he says he will not
be making any public appearances.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

NorWOSSA league results


A disappointing start to the season for Beaver Brae's boys volleyball and girls basketball teams.

They were in Dryden yesterday for their first league games and returned home without a win.

Both the Bronco senior and junior boys volleyball teams were beaten 3-1 by the Eagles.

In girls hoops action, the Beaver Brae Seniors dropped a 47-12 decision to Dryden, while the juniors lost 31-19.

Meanwhile, Thomas Aquinas took three of four games from Rainy River.

Both the junior and senior boys volleyball teams won in straight sets.

Saints senior girls nipped Rainy River 42-38, while the T.A. junior squad lost the only game of the day, dropping a 38-15 decision to the Owls.

Special Council Meeting This Morning

Kenora City Council may be considered a lame duck, but it still has some work to do before a new mayor and council are sworn in.

A special meeting will take place this morning to approve a number of last minute items.

Council has to finalize arrangements for a joint recycling program with the City of Dryden.  A total of 14 items are on today's council agenda.

The meeting will take place at 9:00 at the Second Floor Meeting room in the Kenora Rec. Center.

Candidate drops out of School Board Race

There will only be four eligible candidates for the Keewatin-Patricia District School

Board when the ballots come out in the next week or so.

Jon Sigurdson had filed his nomination papers prior to the September 10th deadline,
but has informed the city's returning officer that he will be moving out of the area.

That makes him ineligible to run for the school board.

Joanne McMillin says the ballots have already been sent out to be printed, meaning
Sigurdson's name will still show up on the ballot.

She adds that she's trying to advise as many people as she can prior to the election
that as of October 1st, he will not be an eligible candidate.

New Immigration Web Portal Working

The British are coming.

That's the hope of the new Northwestern Ontario Immigration Web Portal.

Spokesperson Kathy Woodbeck says they are actively targeting the UK.

Woodbeck says each day they have been receiving 4 e-mails a day from interested Brits looking to relocate.

Construction of new land ambulence base expected by spring

The Kenora District Services Board says it will likely be spring before work on a new land ambulence base can begin.

The board is just finalizing a deal with the City of Kenora for some property on 14th Street North.

Garry Parkes is chair of a committee that was given the job to find a new location for the land ambulence base and says its getting too late in the year to begin any work.

The Kenora District Services Board had set aside a million dollars for the project several years ago,
and Parkes says they will have to address the funding side when they set the new budget for
construction.