Thursday, October 28, 2010

OPP policing under budget

The City of Kenora seems to be getting value for its policing dollar.

A report was released by the Kenora Police Services Board yesterday which showed the first full year of policing the city by the OPP came in less than expected.

Inspector Dave Lucas from the Kenora Detachment says overall, they were 554 thousand dollars under budget.

Lucas says the figures are based on the one year period from July 2009, when they took over policing the city from the Kenora Police Service, to July of 2010.

Heatherington earns berth to Canada Winter Games

Luke Heatherington will be Halifax bound in February.

Heatherington was the only member of the Jaffray Melick Judo Club
to book a berth to the Canada Winter Games.

He qualified for the games by winning his Under 20, 66 kilo division in North York this past weekend.

Kaitie Dennis also attended the qualifying tournament but failed to advance.

Spirit Horse Production tours local schools

Elementary students in Kenora were treated to the Spirit Horse Theatre Production yesterday.

The play is about 2-aboriginal children whose family is caught between their traditional ways and contemporary urban culture.

It looks at the challenges and cultural sterotypes facing aboriginal students.

The production also provides teachers with a tool to make drama, dance, music and visual arts come alive in the classroom.

Meegwun Fairbrother is a Kenora actor and was one of the members of the production, which has been touring the province.

Canfield targets 2011 provincial election

Now that the municipal election is in the books for another four years,

attention is now going to be turned to the provincial election next fall.

Mayor-elect in the City of Kenora, Dave Canfield says he wants to use the
election to focus on issues affecting communities in northwestern Ontario.

Canfield says the provincial election will be an excellent opportunity to
meet with cabinet minister and other candiates for the Ontario election
to raise their concerns.

Bill aimed at Mining Companies defeated

A private member's bill aimed at ensuring Canadian mining companies respect environmental and human rights standards abroad was narrowly defeated by the House of Commons.

At final reading, MP's voted 140 to 134 against the bill.

Red Lake Mayor Phil Vinet says mining is a booming economic driver and we should be doing everything to encourage mining in Canada.

The bill was intended to hold corporations in the mining, oil and gas sectors accountable by requiring the foreign affairs and trade ministers to submit annual reports to the Commons and Senate for review.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford voted against the Bill.

Two charged with supplying alcohol to minors

The OPP have charged two people for supplying alcohol to minors.

Over the weekend, officers were called out to the Kenora Shopper's Mall where two teenaged girls were found to be in possession of some alcohol.

Following a short investigation, police determined the booze had been
purchased by two adults who then gave it to the girls.

Two residents of Washagamis Bay, a 20 year old woman and 25 year
old man will have to appear in court on charges of supplying alcohol
to minors under the age of 19.

Work on new tourism zones continues

It will still be several month's before the new Northern Ontario Tourism Zone is officialy incorporated.

Paul Pepe is a member of the transition team and says a lot of legal work remains.

Pepe says they have decided to break-up the North zone into 3 sub-region's.

A total of 1.54-million dollars has been allocated for tourism-related initiatives in Northwestern Ontario.

Pepe spoke at the Annual Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association Conference in Dryden Wednesday.