Police investigate Snowmachine accident

The OPP are continuing to investigate a collision between a snowmachine and a motor vehicle over the weekend.

Police say that sometime yesterday, a 15 year old female sledder left the trail and started driving onto Airport Road.

The snowmobile ended up hitting a north bound vehicle.

The OPP say no-one was hurt in the collision.

Police say anyone 12 to 15 has to hold a valid snow vehicle operators

licence, but is not permitted to travel on or across any roadway.

Broncos win Silver in Manitoba Girls tournament

A couple of medals for Kenora girls high school hockey teams. 

In Pilot Mound, Manitoba, the Beaver Brae girls won the silver medal, after dropping a 4-1 decision to the host Pembina Tigers in the tournament final.

Thomas Aquinas Girls hockey team took the bronze medal in that same tournament.

T.A. faced their NorWOSSA foes from Fort Frances and overcame a 3-1 deficit with five minutes left to play and edged the Muskies 4-3 in overtime.

Melissa White had a hat trick in that game, including the game winner in O.T.

Plans in the works to import more elk to NWO

The Lake of the Woods Elk Restoration Committee is hoping to be able to increase  the size of the herd in northwestern Ontario in the next year or so.

Numbers have dwindled down to about 39 in the Cameron Lake area southeast of

Kenora.

Murray English is the co-chair of the committee and says because they are no longer allowed to import wild elk from out west, they are looking to southern Ontario now to increase their numbers.

English says it would be 2012 at the earliest to have any elk transported from southwestern Ontario.

Kenora's Relay for Life Team honored

Kenora's Relay for Life team has been singled out for its fundraising efforts.

Two members of the local Relay for Life Committee were in Toronto recently to accept an award for Fundraising Development.

Kenora's Relay for Life in 2010 raised more than 77 thousand dollars, which was more than double the previous year.

Co-chair Amanda Van Wallenghem says last year more teams, more people and more money was raised and they want to make this year's event bigger and better.

Rickford shuffles parliamentary secretary duties

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford will have new duties when parliament

resumes sitting today.

He has been moved over as parliamentary secretary for Official Languages

to parliamentary secretary for Indian and Northern Affairs.

Rickford replaces Winnipeg M.P. Shelley Glover, who has been shuffled

over as the new parliamentary secretary for Finance.

Rickford just took on his new duties as parliamentary secretary this past

summer.

Parliament Resumes today

Members of Parliament are heading back to Parliament Hill today after a month off.

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says he's anxious over the fate of his pension bill.

He'll be making a last minute plea to his federal counterparts tomorrow.

Rafferty says it's going to be a busy week.

Rafferty says there still are some Liberals and Conservatives who are not supporting his bill.

Broncos take silver at Junior KIT

Beaver Brae's junior Boys basketball team had a strong showing at their own Kenora Invitational Tournament.

The Broncos made it all the way to the a-side final, but ran out of gas, dropping a 45-28 decision to Dryden in the gold medal game
Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles split their road games on the weekend.

Saturday, the Thistles were blanked 3-0 by the Southwest Cougars.

Yesterday, the Kenora Midgets eked out a 3-2 win over Pembina

Valley Hawks.

In the Casey's men's hockey tournament over the weekend, CHCP took top honors.

The Jeff Richards-led team tripped up Liesure Time 6-1 in the A-side final Sunday afternoon

 at the Keewatin arena.

Fort Frances OPP arrest two people for trafficking

The OPP have arrested two people on trafficking charges after pulling over
a vehicle in Emo.

Members of the Community Drug Action team stopped the vehicle yesterday
on Highway 11.

Officers seized over five pounds of marijuana.

The drugs have a street value of about five thousand dollars.

44 year old Carl Meeches and 33 year old Rhonda Johnson, both of Fort Frances
have been charged with possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking.

The duo are scheduled to appear in Fort Frances court next month.

Opening Doors back up and running

An after school program for kids in the Kenora area is back up and running with the help of a number of different agencies.

The Opening Doors program runs three days a week at Pope John Paul School.

OPP Constable Dave Cain says Opening Doors is targets at kids between the ages of 10 and 14.

Cain also says they help the kids out with their homework and also get them involved in other activities such as well as sports.

Poor road conditions in Manitoba

The RCMP says travel is not recommended on some highways

in Manitoba due to heavy snow and blowing snow.

Visibility is very low in some of the highways in the interlake region where
whiteout conditions have been reported.

A number of weather related accidents on Highway 1 in the Portage la Prairie area have also been reported.

The Trans-Canada between the Ontario/Manitoba border and Winnipeg also has
poor visibility due to snow, with drifting and swirling snow in traffic.

High School Sports Resume after Exam Break

After a two week break for exams, local high school sport teams are back in

action.

First up is the annual Kenora Invitational Junior Boys Basketball tournament

up at Beaver Brae.

Teams from across the region will be competing in the two day tournament.

Action gets underway this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Bronco Boys hockey team resumes NorWOSSA league play with a double header against the Red Lake Rams.

The first game is scheduled for this evening at 7:30 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The same two teams will do battle tomorrow at 2:00.

And the Beaver Brae Girls will also try to knock some rust off as they travel to Pilot Mound for a weekend tournament.

OFIA opposes changes to Endangered Species Act

Greenpeace might think the Forest Industry is getting away scot-free from the Endangered Species Act; but the Ontario Forest Industry Association disagrees.

President Jamie Lim says they were promised the industry would be exempt from Caribou habitat legislation but it just hasn't happened.

The Province recently posted changes to the act on the Environmental Bill of Rights website.

Fire Chief makes plea for old fire hall alarm bell

Kenora's fire chief has made a passionate plea to keep a couple of

artifacts from the old fire hall on Second Street South.

Warren Brinkman met with the Heritage Committee and members of
city council yesterday to talk about what should be done with the old alarm bell and the call box.

Brinkman wants to bring them up to the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill.

He says local fire fighters can do a better job of protecting the heritage value of those items.

Heritage Kenora says it still wants to see the items remain in the old firehall.

More snow on the way

As if we haven't had enough snow already.

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Kenora area.

As much as 15 centimeters could fall today.

Meteorologist Rosemary Tabory says we can expect not just one, but two snow storms back to back.

Tomorrow, another two centimeters of snow could fall in the  Kenora area

Charity Challenge Launched for Winter Carnival

Tourism Kenora says local charity groups are embracing the charity challenge

leading up to this year's Winter Carnival.

Charities will keep 50 percent of the proceeds of any button they sell for
the winter Carnival.

Heather Paterson is Kenora's Tourism Development Officer and says eight charities
have signed up.

The Winter Carnival will take place the first weekend of March and most of the events will take place down at the Harborfront or Mount Evergreen.

Summer Beaver Fire Update

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service has wrapped up its investigation into a fatal house fire on the remote Northern reserve of Summer Beaver.

Two boys, aged 2 and 3, died of smoke inhalation in the January 13th blaze.

A third child, a 6-month-old girl, is said to be doing well in a Pediatic Unit at a London Hospital.

Police say the girl is eating, smiling and interacting with others.

Police confirm the cause of the fire was accidental and no foul play is suspected.

The children's parents suffered no major injuries in the blaze.

BISNO Welcomes new Funding

Brain Injury Support of Northern Ontario says new funding from the

Northwest LHIN's will improve services in the Kenora area.

Alice Bellavance is the executive director of BISNO and says even though
there is no new funding for the Kenora office, the 715 thousand dollars
announced this week, will have some spillover effects locally.

Bellavance says the funding will allow them to put a support worker
in Dryden and Fort Frances, and establish a aboriginal cultural advisor
for Sioux Lookout.

OFIA asks for building code changes

The Ontario Forest Industries Association is calling on the government to change the provincial building code.


President Jamie Lim wants contractors to be able to use lumber in six storey buildings.

She says the amount of wood needed to build those structures could make a huge difference
to the lumber industry in northern Ontario. 

Lim says that's just one way the Province can help the region's forest industry.

NOMA voices concerns to Finance Committee

The Vice-President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association says area communities are facing extreme challenges with population declines, rising social costs and declining tax revenues.


Dave Canfield asked for a boost in funding for infrastructure and the Northern Communities Grant at a Provincial Pre-Budget session this morning in Thunder Bay.

Canfield also raised the on-going issue of non-emergent land ambulence transfers in the region.

As well, the Kenora Mayor called for an energy transmission and generation strategy for the North.

Canfield represents City at Pre-Budget Consultations

The provincial government is being urged to cough up more funding for municipalities in northwestern Ontario.

That was the plea from Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield, who made a presentation first thing this morning at a pre-budget consultation session in Thunder Bay.

Canfield says municipalities are facing extreme challenges with population declines,

industrial closures, increasing social costs, and declining tax revenues.

He is asking for a 75 dollar increase in the Northern Communities Grant to deal with declining assessments and a new system for transferring non-emergency patients in the region.

Canfield was one of the first presenters this morning.

Ontario Realty Corporation disappears

The Ontario Realty Corporation is in for a change.


The McGuinty government is merging it with another agency.

Liberal MPP Michael Gravelle says he doesn't know exactly how the merger will
affect the Corporation's offices in northwestern Ontario.

Gravelle says the goal is to elimated about 5 per cent of the province's agencies.

New funding for BISNO

The Northwest LHIN is rolling out a number of new programs for residents living with brain injuries.


715-thousand dollars is being used to offer a variety of programs across the region.

A family therapist will work with families in the region, while program facilitators will be posted in Dryden, Fort Frances and in Thunder Bay.

Changes in store for Endanged Species Act

Good news for forest companies in northern Ontario, but environmental groups are crying

foul.

The provincial government is proposing changes to the Endangered Species Act which would

make forest companies exempt from provisions dealing with woodland caribou.

Catherine Grant is a spokesperson for Greenpeace and says they actively been working with

forest companies on the issue.

Grant says they will be bringing back their Caribou Caravan this spring and target ridings

held by provincial cabinet ministers.

Pre-Budget Hearings stop in NWO

The government's pre-budget committee makes its only stop in northwestern Ontario today.


It's chair MPP Pat Hoy says he expects to hear the usual concerns in the northwest like transportation along with forestry and mining

The morning opens with a presentation from Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield on behalf of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association

Ice Roads almost Ready

Ice roads to remote First Nations across northwestern Ontario are beginning to open up to light vehicle traffic.

But the routes over frozen lakes and swamps are still not strong enough to support heavy supply transports and fuel trucks.

At Bearskin Lake First Nation, residents started driving south on the weekend.

That road runs through Muskrat Dam First Nation, with links to Weagamow Lake, Keewaywin, Koocheching and Sachigo Lake First Nations.

The road opening is a little late this year due to the heavy snow the area has received.

Supplies, like wood for building houses, had to be flown in later than usual,
by costly air transportation.

There are almost three-thousand kilometres of ice roads in northern Ontario.

Early Morning Drug bust on the By-Pass

A 28 year old Fort Frances woman has been arrested after being pulled

over on the Kenora By-pass.

Acting on a tip, the officers stopped the vehicle shortly after 3:00 this

morning and discovered about 50 oxycodone pills, with a street value

of about 54 hundred dollars.

Police say the pills were bound for the Big Grassy First Nation and Fort Frances.

Lindsay Copenace has been charged with possession of a narcotic for the

purpose of trafficking.

She's due to appear in Kenora Court on February 28th to answer the charge.

Canfield to appear before Pre-Budget Consultations

The provincial finance committee will likely get an earful when it makes a pit stop

in Thunder Bay.

Tomorrow's pre-budget consultation is the only one taking place in northwestern
Ontario.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield will be making a presentation not only on behalf
of the city, but also for the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

He's upset with the lack of notice municipalities were given to attend the session.

Canfield says he only has about five minutes to make a presentation on behalf
of the city, and will focus on funding to repair municipal bridges and road, and
the municipal infrastructure deficit.

Sioux Narrows Man fined

A Sioux Narrows man has been fined 800 dollars for failing to attach a tag

to a deer he had killed.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says Conservation Officers came upon
Christopher Frenette in the Maybrun Road area near Sioux Narrows
last month.

He had a white-tailed deer fawn on the rack of the snowmobile he was
riding.

The MNR says even though he had a antlerless game seal for the area,
he failed to attach it.

The deer was forfeited to the crown, and his firearm will be returned once
the fine has been paid.

OPP warn of another Phone Scam

Local residents are being warned about another phone scam that's
been reported in the Kenora area.

The OPP say someone has been calling local homes, saying they work for the local court house

The caller goes on to say they are attempting to clear up minor outstanding fines in the community and they then offer the chance to pay your outstanding fine over the phone by credit card.

Police say often there are no outstanding fines, but some people have been paying without
first checking with the local court house.

The OPP say court offices do not use this method to collect outstanding fines.

Long Form Census Coming

Use your voice and take part in the 2011 long-form census.


That message is being pushed by the Union of Ontario Indians.

Grand Chief Patrick Madahbee says they've struck a deal with Statistics Canada to hire aboriginals to collect the data from area reserves.

The data collected by Stats Canada is then later used by the Provincial and Federal Governments for funding allocations.

Slippery conditions result in numerous weekend accidents

There wasn't a lot of snow over the weekend, but what did fall seemed to cause a lot of problems for local motorists.

The OPP say over the past couple of days they were called out to 19 motor vehicle collisions in the Kenora area.

While no serious injuries were reported, police says the collisions did cause significant damage to the vehicles involved.

The OPP says most of the accidents were the result of drivers not

adapting to the road conditions and not staying alert.

Federal Government preparing for March Budget

Kenora MP Greg Rickford admits Canada is still pulling out of financial hardship and that will impact the upcoming Federal budget.

The Government is working on the fiscal document.

However, Rickford says taxpayers won't see massive cuts.

Rickford says the budget could be released sometime in March.

Market bullish on Rainy River Resources

Analysts are looking for big things from Rainy River Resources this year as the junior exploration company recently closed a 75-million dollar financing arrangement and released its latest drilling results.


The company, which is developing a gold project south of Kenora, says the infill drilling results also opened up new areas for potential expansion.

RBC analyst Stephen Walker says on-going results will be the prime catalyst driving share prices until the company releases its resource update this spring.

RESPECT program to be expanded

A local committee is looking at how to expand Confederation College's RESPECT campaign across the the region.


Trudy McCormick, co-chair of the Celebrating Diversity committee says the campaign, recognizing the value of diversity, would be a good fit for the area.

McCormick says they've formed a separate committee to review how aspects of the RESPECT campaign can be adopted.

Ontario wins softwood ruling

The Ontario government says it's pleased with an international tribunal's decision on softwood lumber.

The ruling limits an additional export tax on Ontario softwood lumber to just one-tenth of a per cent, dramatically lower than the 20 per cent the U.S. requested.

The tribunal rejected found that Ontario's forestry programs had no significant adverse impact on U-S producers.

Tourism Group complains about access to Crown Land

A northern Ontario recreational group says the Ministry of Natural Resources is blocking local access to lakes and rivers in favour of foreign-based tourist outfitters.

The Ontario Outdoors Recreational Alliance complains the ministry closes logging roads to prevent residents and local tour companies from driving into remote areas to hunt, fish or canoe.

Alliance president Tom Brason says the government is keeping locals out at the request of remote tourist operators who fly customers into camps on Crown lands.

Brason says a select group of remote-based outfitters is controlling vast areas of Crown land.

Thistles win pair of games on the road

A trip to Dauphin was just what the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles needed to

break a mini two game losing streak.

The Thistles won both of their games on the road this weekend.

Yesterday, the Kenora Midgets earned a 4-1 win over the Parkland Rangers.

That moved the Thistles out of the basement of the eastern Division of the
Manitoba Midget Hockey league.

On Saturday night, the Thistles dropped the Rangers 6-4.

Tim McFatridge had a pair of goals and two assists in that game.

J and M Judo Club collects three medals in Regina

Three members of the Jaffray Melick Judo Club took home three medals from the
Saskatchewan Open Judo Championships this past weekend in Regina.

Kaitie Dennis won her Under 20, 57 kilo division and took home gold.

Both Luke Heatherington and Daniel Gordon settled for bronze.

The tournament was a tune-up for the Canada Winter Games taking place in
Halifax next month.

Countdown begins for 2011 Allan Cup

The Countdown has officially started for the 2011 Allan Cup Senior Men's

Hockey Championships in Kenora.

The puck will drop in 80 days.

Judy Bain is one of the local organizers of the event and says individual
tickets won't go on sale until the end of March, after ticket package sales
have wrapped up.

The Allan Cup will run from April 11th to the 16th, at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Warmer Weather on the Way!

It looks like there is an end in sight for our current cold snap.


By Sunday, the temperature should start to moderate.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says unfortunately
there is expected to be some snow accomanying the warmer weather.

Temperatures across northwestern Ontario have been unseasonably
cold, with the thermometer dipping to -44 in Fort Frances this morning.

Prescription Drugs an increasing problem for local police

Alcohol is still the drug of choice in Kenora, but that's slowly starting to

change.

Inspector Dave Lucas says they are seeing an increase in the trafficking

of prescription drugs in the community.

Lucas says the OPP Street Crimes Unit and Joint Force Drug Unit met with local pharmasists last month to discuss the problem.

He says another meeting is planned in the new year to look at strategies

for combatting the trafficking in prescription drugs.

This time they hope to involve local doctors as well.

Taxi Rates going down?

It's soon going to cost a bit less to hail a cab in Kenora. 
Taxi rates will be going down if city council approves the recommended rate
change. 
Eric Lovas from Co-Ot Taxi made a deputation to council this
week, recommending the rate drop.

Lovas says they want to get rid of the pennies on their meters,
which was added last July thanks to the HST.

Rickford says Tories don't want spring Election

The MP for Kenora is insisting that the Conservatives don't want a Federal election.

Greg Rickford says we are still emerging from a fragile economy and most Canadians don't want to head to the polls.

Rickford notes that his party has no intention of calling an election, despite a rise in popularity in the polls.

Rickford says the Government had a relatively productive session of Parliament this Fall and he would like to see that trend continue.

NOMA Supports Policing Resolution

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is supporting a resolution calling on

the provincial government to provide more funding for police services.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says the cost of policing locally has skyrocketed
and says they want the government to increase their grants under the Ontario Municipal Partnership
Fund.

The NOMA Board met last week in Thunder Bay to approve the new resolution.

MNR investigates illegal moose Kills

At least 20 moose in northern Ontario were illegally killed this past hunting

season.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is now actively investigating these incidents.

Ken Ukrainetz is a MNR conservation officer and says in most instances, the
moose are simply left to rot in the bush.

Two moose were illegally killed near Vermillion Bay, while another
incident under investigation took place near Ear Falls.

New Firearms Regulations coming

The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking to make it illegal to carry a loaded firearm along any road or right of way in the Kenora and Rainy River districts.


It's now illegal to shoot from a roadway.

John Dungavel of the Ministry's policy branch says public concerns about safety prompted the additional regulation.

Dungavel says the new rule could be in place this fall.

Saints lose to Warriors at Home

The Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team missed a chance to move up in the NorWOSSA

Single "a" standings.

The Saints were pummelled 9-3 by the Sioux Lookout Warriors last night at the Thistle
Rink.

The win moves Sioux Lookout into a tie in the standings with T.A. with just two games left to play in

the regular season.

The Saints are back in action on Saturday evening against Beaver Brae in an exhibition game

at the Rec. Center.

Provincial Women's Curling Championships Coming to Kenora

The Kenora Curling Club has landed another prestigious event.

The 2012 Ontario women's curling championships will be coming
to town next year.

Kenora beat out three other communities in northern Ontario for the
right to host the Scotties provincial playdowns.

The Scotties will take place at the end of January in 2012 and will feature
10 of the best women's curling teams in Ontario.

KDSB wants Ombudsman to look at local Ambulence Issues

An ombudsman review of private companies that transfer hundreds of thousands of non-critical patients will have no impact on operations locally.


That according to Kenora District Services Board CAO Sten Lif who states that no such service is available here at home.

Lif says there was some talk of someone setting up shop in Sioux Lookout.

Lif is urging the Ombudsman to expand the review to decide whether or not non-emergency transfers should be provided.

Police Board looks at Illegal Taxi Issue

The issue of illegal taxis operating in the City of Kenora has been

brought to the attention of the Police Services Board.

Mayor Dave Canfield submitted a letter from a local cab company
about the problem.

Inspector Dave Lucas says they have assigned one of their officers
to deal with the issue and are also working with administration at
city hall.
The Board will be presented an update at their next meeting at the
end of February.

More Money for FedNor

The Federal Government is adding just over 1.1 million dollars to FedNor.


Industry Minister Tony Clement made the announcement yesterday and says this investment will help continue to grow business and create jobs in the Northwest.

Clement says there will also be some small changes to FedNor coming that will see it focus more on economic growth.

Snowmobile Safety Week

The Ontario Provincial Police and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs are asking snowmobilers to make smart choices this winter.

This is Provincial Snowmobile Safety Week.

Sergeant Michael Price says 5-people have died in collisions in Ontario this winter.

A 55-year-old man died when his snowmachine went through the ice on Longpine Lake, near Kenora last month.

Wasacase back as Chair of Kenora Police Services Board

A familiar face is back as chair of the Kenora Police Services Board.

Colin Wasacase was acclaimed to the position yesterday.

Wasacase takes over from Glenda McMillan, who served just one
year as chair of the police board.

McMillan was acclaimed as vice-chair.

Weedless Wednesday

Today is Weedless Wednesday a day when people are encouraged to try and kick their
smoking habit.

Dr. Karen Mazurski is a local anti-smoking advocate and says tobacco is a highly addictive substance and stresses one can't quit overnight.

Mazurski notes that quitting for even a couple of days is beneficial as people learn from each quit attempt.

Changes in store for FedNOR?

Major changes may be in store for Northern Ontario's funding body.


There are reports that top officials with FedNor have been sequestered in Sudbury to discuss the future direction of the Federal agency.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford the goal is to make a better economic development agency for the region.

Rickford believes this Region will see an even better FedNor operating in the near future.

Freedom of the City Distinction being Sought

Its kind of like getting the key to the city.

Kenora's 116th Independant Field Battery has requested the honorary designation of Freedom of the City.

Colonel Woody Linton says the honor is given to an organization that

has provided heroic service to the community.

Linton says if city council grants the request, they will start the ball rolling

with the Department of National Defense for the honorary distinction.

Not too late for a flu shot

Northwestern Health Unit's medical officer of health says the new strain of flu concerning health officials this year isn't posing many problems in this area yet.


H-3-N-2 has strained medical services elsewhere in the province, especially southern Ontario
in and around Toronto.

Doctor James Arthurs says because of its inactivity here, it doesn't mean people should avoid getting the flu shot.

Arthurs says this year's flu shot includes a vaccine to combat the new strain.

City continues to seek funding for Harborfront Tent

The City of Kenora is doing what it can to make a year-round tent on the

Kenora Harborfront a reality.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says while they don't have any money budgeted
for the structure, they continue to seek out alternate sources of funding.

Earlier this week a local business owner pledged five thousand dollars towards the
estimated 1.5 million dollar cost of the new tent.

Snow removal budget tapped out

All the snow this winter has been hard on the City of Kenora's

Budget.

Mayor Dave Canfield says if its keeps snowing, at some point
the city may no longer be able to afford to remove it all.

Canfield says crews would continue to plow the downtown core and
major traffic routes, but they may not be able to do every street in the city
for much longer.

Funding Sought for Early Learning programs

The Kenora District Services Board says it wants the Ministry of Education
to come up with some capital funds renovate schools in the region so they
can host Early Learning and Care Centers and Best Start programs.

The Board says the province has not provided any funding for alterations or
renovations to existing schools.

Last April, the province transferred responsibility for early years programming
to the Ministry of Education from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

The KDSB says the lack of funding for early learning centers is not in the best
interests of children and goes against the Ministry of Education's vision of creating
the best opportunities for children to learn.

Police Issue Warning about local Ice Conditions

Despite the recent cold weather, the OPP are warning local residents to

make sure of ice conditions before you venture out on local lakes and
rivers.

Over the weekend, the OPP say they were notified about a hole that
had opened up on Laurenson's Creek near K-Sports.

Officers investigated and say it appears that no-one fell through the ice at that location.

Police add that anyone heading out on the ice should have the proper
safety equipment, including a floatation device, a tow rope, a set of ice
picks and crampons.

New Chair chosen for Kenora District Services Board

A total revamping of the Kenora District Services Board.


Ten new faces sit on the 13-member Board of Directors.

Returning member Phil Vinet of Red Lake has been been elected Chair, replacing Rory MacMillian who is no longer the Kenora representative.

Vinet expressed interest in the Chair's seat and was unopposed at the first KDSB meeting of 2011, even though he is vacationing in Hawaii.

Louis Roussin is the new representative for the City of Kenora.

Other local members on the district services board include Barry Baltesson
and Irene Kember representing the unincorporated areas.

Big Pledge for Harborfront Tent

A local business man is putting his money where his mouth is.

Bruce Krawicki from Best Way Rentals says he would like the City of Kenora to go ahead with the installation of a new tent down on the Harborfront.

After making his deputation, Krawicki then presented a cheque for five thousand dollars to council to go towards the tent fund.

Its estimated that a new, year round tent could cost as much as 1.5 million dollars.

The city is getting ready to put out a tender for the project to find out exactly how much a tent will cost.

Foul Play Ruled out in fatal fire

Residents of a close-knit remote northwestern Ontario First Nation of Summer Beaver are mourning the loss of  two infants in a house fire.


Two boys, aged two and three, died in the fire last Thursday afternoon.

A 6-month-old girl suffered smoke inhalation and is listed in critical but stable condition at the Children's Hospital in London.

Police say the child is experiencing breathing complications but has no burn injuries.

The children's parents suffered no major injuries in the fire.

Police say that the fire was likely accidental but the exact cause isn't known.

Dryden City Council Votes against Police Costing

Dryden Council has endorsed the Municipal Police Services as the law enforcement agency of choice.


Council voted 3 against 1 in favour of not entering into a police costing study, with 3-councilors forced to declare a conflict.

Mayor Craig Nuttall voted against the resolution stating he has concerns about the Police Service budget.

Councilor Mike Wood says they can't afford to lose community policing and suggests that switching to
the OPP would result in the loss of control of their police service.

Abitibi Vows more Cost-Cutting

AbitibiBowater is planning further cost cutting at some of its Canadian mills.

C-E-O Richard Garneau says with the Canadian dollar hovering around par with the U-S greenback, the company needs to have a similar cost structure on both sides of the border.

Garneau declined to identify the targeted mills or indicate how much more costly they are to operate than their U-S counterparts.

Crimestoppers turns 25 in NWO

The Crimestoppers program in Northwestern Ontario and Northern Minnesota is celebrating
a major milestone this year.

It turns 25 year old.

Bill Harrington is the chairman of the Crimestoppers board and says they've seen a lot of growth
in the last quarter-century.

Last year Crimestoppers received 564 tips from residents in northwestern Ontario and
Northern Minnesota and approved over 14 thousand dollars in rewards for those tips.

Tragic House Fire in Summer Beaver

The Ontario Fire Marshall has been called in to investigate a fatal house fire in the remote Northern community of Summer Beaver.


Nishnawbe-Aski Police received a report of the fire last Thursday.

Police say 2-children are reported dead and one is currently being treated for injuries.

All three children are under the age of 5.

The condition of all other occupants of the home is unkwnon at this time.

Canfield elected Interim Vice President of NOMA

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield has added some new duties to his resume.

He has been named as interim executive vice-president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

Ron Nelson has been chosen interim president of NOMA.

Nelson says he's ready to mobilize the lobby organization during this election year.

Canfield and Nelson will hold the positions until NOMA holds its annual general meeting in April.

OPP costing resolution on Council Agenda this Evening

Kenora City Council is endorsing a resolution drafted by Fort Frances about the cost

of policing.

The resolution says the cost of policing has increased dramatically over the past decade,
exceeding the cost of living.

Communities across the region say they want the provincial government to cover all the
increased costs of the recently negotiated OPP contract.

That includes a five percent increase for this year.

Mayor Dave Canfield says while they don't have an issue with the service the OPP
provide locally, they do want the province to increase the police services grant for
municipalities.

Blood Donor Clinic Today

Canadian Blood Services is holding its first blood donor clinic of the

new year in Kenora.

Harvey Heather is a spokesperson for the agency and says they are
hoping for a good turn-out.

The clinic will start at 4:30 this afternoon at St. Thomas Aquinas school
and run until 9:00.

It will run again tomorrow morning from 9:30 to 12:30.

December a busy month for Crimestoppers

December was a bumper month for the Crimestoppers program in northwestern Ontario
and northern Minnesota.

Figures released for 2010 show that last month, over 42 thousand dollars in stolen property
was recovered, and 96 thousand dollars in drugs were seized.

Crimestoppers also approved 45 hundred dollars in tips, which is about a third of the money
paid out in 2010.

The busiest month in 2010 for Crimestoppers was May, with 220 thousand dollars in property
and drugs seized.

Saints Junior boys lose in bronze medal game

The Thomas Aquinas Saints junior boys basketball team finished fourth this past weekend at the St. Ignacious Falcons Invitational in Thunder Bay.


The Saints finished with a 2-2 record.

They lost in the bronze medal game to St. Ignacious.

Patrick VanBellingham was named to the tournament All-Star team.

Midget Thistles lose a pair on the road

Not a good way to start a seven game road swing.


The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles lost a pair of games this
past weekend.

On Saturday, the Thistles were doubled up 4-2 by the Interlake
Lightning.

It was the same score Friday night, as the Central Plains Capitals
downed the Kenora Midgets 4-2.

Yesterday, at the annual league All-Star game, Team West shaded
Team East 5-4.

Brennan Dubchak was the lone representitive for the Thistles in that
game.

Dryden dominates Kenora hockey teams

Dryden seems to have the number of Kenora boys hockey teams.


Over the weekend, the Dryden Eagles beat both the Broncos and the Saints in
high school hockey action.
On Sunday, the Eagles got by Thomas Aquinas 5-2 in an exhibition game.

On Friday, it was much the same as Dryden downed Beaver Brae 5-3 in
NorWOSSA league play.

In the double "a" bantam hockey tournament over the weekend at the KenoranRec. Center, the Dryden Paper Kings got by the hometown Thistles 4-1 in
the gold medal game.

At a single "A" tournament in Fort Frances, Halley's Camps Comets from Kenora
beat the Sioux Lookout Storm 9-2 for fifth place overall.

NOMA Executive Meets in Thunder Bay

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association plans to appoint an Interim President today.


NOMA is meeting in Thunder Bay this afternoon.

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown is the current acting President and says he would like to keep the job if no one else wants it.

Government makes changes to Forest Tenure System

The Provincial Government continues to work towards modernizing the forest tenure and pricing system.


The government plans to launch a pilot project of two local forest management corporations which will manage crown forests.

Minister Michael Gravelle says they're also launching enhanced shareholder sustainable forest licences.

Forest Industry organizations were against the proposed changes in the Spring, but Gravelle says they've taken in their concerns and made the necessary changes.

Panel on Northern Health stopping in Dryden

A provincial panel examining rural and northern health care is due to stop in Dryden next month.


That's the only stop in the region for the panel according to co-chair Rick Johnson.

They want to get feedback on a report on the issue

Johnson says all the information relating to the process can be found online

City Council planning for KDMA

The new edition of Kenora City Council has already given indications

that it plans to be more politically active than the last one.
The city is planning to send as five members of council to the
annual Kenora District Municipal Association Conference in Red Lake next
month.

Last year, only one member of council was sent to the KDMA conference, and
none attended the three years before that.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield has indicated that he also plans to be active in
the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, and is travelling to
Thunder Bay for a NOMA executive meeting.

Public School Board Approves new Lodging Policy

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has approved a new policy to
help out students who have to travel a long distance to go to school.

The public school board says its willing to help out with board, lodging and
transportation for students in Pickle Lake and Upsala who go to high school
in other communities.

Dean Carrie is the superintendant of business and says the policy only covers
certain students.

The school board will provide up to 500 dollars a month for room and board
and 100 dollars for transportation.

City of Kenora Signs on as Allan Cup Sponsor

The City of Kenora is getting ready to sign on as a major corporate sponsor
of the Allan Cup Senior Hockey Championships.

Council is expected to approve a recommendation to become a platinum sponsor
of the event, which will take place in April.

The sponsorship will cost eight thousand dollars, and will include advertising
in TV view.

TSN is committed to airing at least two games from the Allan Cup this year, including
the final.

Target to buy up Zeller's

Will Kenora soon be the home of Target?

That's to early say. The US retailer is purchasing over 200 Zellers stores for 1.83 billion dollars.

Spokesperson Amy Riley says the company is really excited about coming to Canada.

Riley says once that process is complete the company will begin evaluating possible locations with the goal of opening as many as 150 locations by 2013.

Busy Day in NorWOSSA Court Sports

It wasn't a great day on the courts for Beaver Brae.


The Broncos managed just one win in four games against Dryden yesterday.

The Beaver Brae senior boys basketball team had the lone win, a 47-43 decision
over the Eagles.

The Bronco junior boys dropped a 47-36 decision to Dryden.

In girls volleyball action, both Beaver Brae's junior and senior teams lost in
three straight sets to the Eagles.

Over at Thomas Aquinas, it was a different story, where the Saints took three of four
games played against Red Lake.

The T.A. junior and senior girls volleyball teams won in three straight sets, while,
the Saints junior boys basketball team cruised to a 65-34 decision.

The Thomas Aquinas senior boys basketball team suffered the lone loss of the day,
falling 73-43 to the Rams.

More snow on the way

Be prepared to do some shovelling over the next couple of days.

The Kenora area is going to get a steady dose of snow.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says the only good news is
the fact the snow will be spread out over a couple of days.

In all, the Kenora area is expected to get about 7 centimeters of
snow over the next couple of days.

Habitat for Humanity looking for Council Support

Habitat for Humanity is trying to convince the City of Kenora to donate some land
for a non-profit housing project.

Ralph Page is one of the people spear-heading the project and met with council
this week.

Page says talks are still in the early stages right now.

Page says even though the Kenora chapter of Habitat for Humanity is just starting up,
their goal is to have at least one new home built either this year or next.

Arthurs no longer Acting Medical Officer of Health

Ontario's Health Minister has finally signed off on Dr. James Arthurs credentials, 2-years after the Northwestern Health Unit hired him.

It means the Health Unit's Chief Medical Officer of Health no longer has to carry the label "acting" in front of his title.

Arthurs says the label really had no impact on how he's been able to perform his duties as medical
officer of health. 

Council request review of District Services Board

Kenora City Council plans to ask the provincial government to conduct a review of the
services provided by the Kenora District Services Board.
Former chair of the Services Board, Rory McMillan made the recommendation to
council this week.

McMillan says the Services Board is ten years old and thinks the government needs
to look at its mandate.

He suggests that some things, like land ambulence service, don't really belong on
the municipal tax roll.

He says the request for a review isn't a slight against the board, he just feels its time
to revisit its direction and mandate.

Black Sturgeon Water Quality Study Completed

A two year study of Black Sturgeon Lake shows water quality is actually pretty good.

Ryan Haines was contracted by the city to conduct the study and says they set up three
check points on the lake to test for phosphorous, Chlorophyl A, water temperatures and
oxygen levels.

Haines says says overall, the lake is still in pretty good shape.

The last edition of city council requested the water quality study to decide how much
more development the lake could take.

There are as many as 135 available lots on the lake that could be developed.

Thistles upset the Wild

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles may have played their best game of

the year.

The Thistles upset the Winnipeg Wild 3-0 last night a the Kenora Rec. Center.

Jordan Davidson scored all three goals for the Thistles, while Matt Benson turned aside 28 shots for the shutout.

The Wild are the top team in the Manitoba Midget Hockey League, while the Thistles are tied for last in the East Divsion.

Kenora Skiiers medal at NorWOSSA Cross Country Championships

Some good results from Kenora cross-country skiiers at the NorWOSSA ski Championships
in Dryden.

Sami Burkhart from Thomas Aquinas placed first in the Junior girls 3.5 kilometer event,
while Maya Boivin, also from T.A. was second.

In the senior girls six kilometer race, Manon Magnon of Beaver Brae won gold followed by Kaitie
Dennis from Thomas Aquinas.

In the girls grade 7/8 4 kilometer event, Rowan Schott of T.A. claimed the gold while Karley Lockhart finished second.

Work on New OPP Forensics Lab expected to start this year

Work is expected to begin sooner, rather than later on a new OPP forensics labratory out by the

Kenora By-Pass.

The city's planning department says it has received the proposed building plans for
the facility and has been asked to provide any comments it might have.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says the lab will be located just east of the
existing detachment office.

The province still hasn't indicated when construction on the lab might begin.

Public School Board defends Evergreen Closure

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says it followed its own procedures
when it decided to close Evergreen School.

The public school board has responded to a letter from the Evergreen Parents
who have sent a petition to the Ministry of Education, complaining about the
accommodation review process.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says they have responded in writing to the
parents concerns.

Carrie says the Ministry of Education now has 30 days to decide whether to assign
a facilitator to decide whether the school board did follow its policies properly in making
the decision to close Evergreen at the end of this school year.

Montague released from Thunder Bay Jail

Former Dryden Gunsmith Bruce Montague is out of jail and has returned home.


Montague is embroiled in a fight over the Federal long gun registry.

His wife, Donna says they'll be facing a civil forefeiture trial over the May long weekend.

Bruce Montague was released from jail yesterday afternoon after spending four months in the district facility in Thunder Bay.

Council unsure how to finance new fire hall

Kenora City Council says it wants a more thorough discussion about its financing

options for the new Kenora Fire Hall.

Administration is suggesting the city take out a five million dollar loan with the
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to cover the cost of the project.

But chair of the finance committee, Ron Lunny says he'd rather see the city
borrow from its own reserves to cover the cost.

Mayor Dave Canfield, whatever way you slice it, city taxpayers are going to be
on the hook for the cost of the project.

kenora hockey teams split against Fort and Dryden

The Kenora Senior Thistles had a tough night on the road.

The Allan Cup hosts were in Fort Frances last night and were doubled up

10-5 by the Thunder Hawks.

The Senior Thistles are back in action this weekend with a game at home
against a team of all-stars from eastern Manitoba.

Also in Fort Frances last night, a better story for the Thomas Aquinas girls hockey team.

The Saints re-bounded from a three goal deficit in the first period and came back

for a 5-4 win.

The victory improves T.A. to 4-2 on the season.

It was a split for Beaver Brae's hockey teams last night.

The Bronco girls got back on the winning track with a 4-1 decision over

Dryden.

At the Kenora Rec. Center, the Beaver Brae boys dropped a 3-2 decision to

the Eagles in a shootout.

Status of Women Committee Visits NWO

A federal committee focusing on violence against aboriginal women will be paying a visit to northwestern
Ontario this week.

The Status of Women committee is traveling across Canada, and B.C. MP Cathy McLeod says they want to hear about community solutions to violence against women.

McLeod says they will be releasing a report with recommendations to the Federal Government in the Spring.

The committee will be stopping in Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay.

OPP investigate Snowmobile Accident

OPP are once again asking outdoor enthusiasts to take it easy when hitting the trails.


Kenora OPP say an 11-year-old girl is in Hospital in Winnipeg after falling from a snow machine and being struck by a machine following behind.

The girl is in stable condition.

Police are asking young riders to ensure they are properly trained to drive machines in a safe and fun manner.

Hospital Bed Shortage Easing

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says its seen a slight easing of its bed shortage.


Chief Executive Officer, Marc Belcaen says at the end of December that had 24
alternate level of care patients in the hospital.

That's down from 26 the month previous.

He adds that only 10 of those patients were actually waiting for a long term care bed
to open up.

That's down from 13 in November.

Belcaen says the number is still high, but suggests the situation isn't as critical
as it had been earlier this fall.

Northern Harbor seeking support for expansion

A local businessman is looking for support from city council for his plans to expand
Northern Harbor.

Gary Hall is looking to add 400 docking spaces over the next 30 years, and add an R.V.
park and an arts park.

Alex Clark is working with Hall on the project and told council that there is support in
the community for the expansion.

Clark says they are having a difficult time convincing the MNR that the project should
proceed, and they are looking for support from as many groups as possible as they
go to the next level and start talking to government ministers.

Thistle Pavillion due for renovations

The Thistle Pavillion is due for some much needed renovations.


City council is being asked to support the work, which includes
replacing the roof, and refurbishing the wash rooms.

Councillor Sharon Smith says there is already money set aside for
the work.

The total project will cost over 150 thousand dollars.

Smith say they also want to increase storage down at the pavillion
so its easier to set up for special events on the Harborfront.

New Fire Hall ready to move into

It looks like Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department will be moving into the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill a few days ahead of schedule.

Last week, fire chief Warren Brinkman indicated they wanted to have the move complete by the middle of the month.

Yesterday, Brinkman indicated that the move into their new building is substantially complete and should be done by today or tomorrow at the latest.

He says the final items to make the move are some fire hoses, fire trucks and some
files.

Hospital ready to comply with new legislation

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says its nearly 70 percent compliant with new patient care legislation drafted by the provincial government.

The Excellence in Care for All Act goes into effect as of April 1st.

Under the act, the Hospital has to create a Quality Control Committee that will report directly to the board of directors.

The Hospital also have to have a Quality Improvement plan in place by April 1st.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says they have tight timelines, but should
be able to meet them.

Just over 50 percent of hospital workers have flu shot

Concern has been raised about the number of employees at Lake of the Woods District

Hospital who have received a flu shot this year.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen estimates that only 55 percent of staff at the hospital have had their flu shot this year.

He adds that administration and medical staff try to lead by example, and almost 100 percent

of doctors have had their vaccinations.

He adds that they can't force employees to get a flu shot, but they make it as convenient

as possible.

So far this year, the hospital has held 20 clinics for staff, including some during evening shifts.

Gas Prices Up

Higher oil prices have pushed up the price at the pump.


Over the weekend, the price of a liter of unleaded gas went up four cents to
116.9 at most outlets across the city.

The average price in Ontario is 112 a liter.

Kenora is by no means the most expensive place in northern Ontario to fill up.

In Thunder Bay, gas is selling for 1.24 cents a liter at many service stations.

Thistles lose two on the road

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles managed to pick up two points on a western road trip over the weekend, despite a pair of losses.

The Thistles were edged 5-4 by the Yellowhead Chiefs yesterday in a shootout.

It was the same scenario Saturday night in Brandon as the Kenora Midgets were shaded 7-6 by the Wheat Kings, also in a shootout.

Kenora Hydro Expansion

Kenora Hydro will be expanding its workforce this year.

The municipal utility will be hiring a conservation expert.

Hydro president and CEO Dave Sinclair says the position is mandated by the provincial government.

Kenora Hydro is just finishing a 350 thousand dollar renovation to its building on Mellick Avenue to increase office space.