Money Still Available for Community Improvement

After two years, about two thirds of funding available through a community improvement fund for downtown Kenora has been spent.

The fund was set up as part of the downtown revitalization project and encourages local business owners to fix up their building facades and signage.

To date about 133 thousand dollars of the 250 thousand dollars set aside in the CIP fund has been spent.

Heritage Kenora is asking the city to re-new the program once again in 2011, to use up the funds remaining in the budget.

OPP Forensics Lab gets okay from Council

Kenora City Council has given the go ahead for a new

OPP Forensics Laboratory to be built north of the Kenora

By-Pass.

Council approved the site plan for the facility, which will

be built just east of the existing detachment office.

The Property and Planning committee says the OPP didn't

need approval from the city to proceed with construction,

but did so as a courtesy.

Its expected that construction will begin sometime later this year.

IJC Task Force releases Interim Report on Lake of the Woods

A task force looking into water quality issues on Lake of the Woods has come out with its interim report.

The 84 page document looks at some of the agencies currently involved on the lake and address some of the long term issues affecting water quality.

Todd Sellars is the Executive director of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation and says the interim report is a very thorough document.

The task force, which was set up by the Internation Joint Commission will be holding a couple of open houses in April to get feedback on the interim report.

The only stop in northwestern Ontario is April 7th in Sioux Narrows.

Construction on Discovery Center Progressing

The new discovery center on Lakeview Drive is expected to be open

in time for the 2011 tourism season.

Local officials got a first hand look at the facility this week.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says funding for the project was approved under the federal/provincial infrastructure project.

The Discovery Center will function as the new tourism bureau for the city.

Construction is expected to be complete by June.

Freedom of the City for the 116th Independant Field Battery

The 116th Independant Field Battery in Kenora is getting

a unique honor from the city.

Council has granted a request given the military group Freedom

of the City.

The honor is given to organizations or members of the community

that have provided heroric service to the City.

The request to have Kenora give the Freedom of the City was made last month by Colonol Woody Linton during a deputation to council.

He says its an honorary distinction, that places no monetary demands on the city.

Four Council Members at Good Roads

The City of Kenora is well represented this week at the Ontario Good Roads

Conference.

Four members of council and one staff member have made the trip to Toronto

four the three day conference.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says their main focus will be to get funding from

the provincial government to help fix up our aging bridges.

Canfield says the price tag for fixing up Kenora's bridges runs into the tens of

millions of dollars, something local taxpayers just can't afford.

Fiecek Rinks Avances to National Wheelchair Championships

A perfect weekend for Wayne Fiecek at the Northern Ontario Wheelchair curling championships.

The Fiecek foursome booked its ticket to the national championships with a 5-4 win over Steve Daniel of Sudbury yesterday at the Fort William Curling Club.

Fiecek finished with a 4-0 record and now moves onto the national championships

at the end of March.

Bronco Hockey teams win in NorWOSSA Semis

Both of Beaver Brae's hockey teams have advance to the NorWOSSA

finals.

The Bronco boys were in Dryden yesterday and earned a 2-1 win over

the Eagles in game two of their best of three semi-final.

Beaver Brae also won Friday night's game 1-0 and take the series
two games to none.

Meanwhile, the Bronco girls beat their cross-town rivals from Thomas
Aquinas in two straight games.

Last night Beaver Brae needed double overtime to tame the Saints.

The Broncos won 4-3, with a game winning goal by Sam Smith.

They now face the winner of the series between Fort Frances and Dryden.

A good weekend for the Kenora Triple "a" senior Thistles.

The Thistles won both games played at the Rec. Center this weekend against

the Fort Frances Thunderhawks.

Yesterday, Jeff Richards scored twice en route to a 6-1 win over Fort.

Saturday night, a similar scenario with the Kenora Seniors earning a 5-1 win.

Their next game is this weekend, with the Penticton Vees coming to town for

a pair of exhibition games.

Ontario Heritage Trust Volunteer Awards

Two Keewatin Residents have picked up volunteer awards from the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Ted Szjewski and Laureen Parsons were presented plaques for their work in restoring the old cemetary in Keewatin.

The cemetary dates all the way back to the early 1900's but had been abandoned and overgrown.

Szjewski and Parsons and a number of other volunteers have been working over the past few years to clean up the gravestones and spruce up the property. 

Police Board gets unexpected windfall

The Kenora Police Services board is a little richer today.

The board has been presented over 16 hundred dollars in found money.

OPP sergeant Kelly Fitzsimmons handed over the cash this week.

She says the money was collected over the past six years by the

former Kenora Police Service and either the owner was not found, or

the money was seized as part of a criminal investigation.

She says if there was no forfeiture order, the money has to by law

turned over the Police Board.

Chair of the board Colin Wasacase says the money will be put into

reserves for future use.

Fantino tours Northwestern Ontario

The Federal Government is providing almost 400 thousand to help seniors and people with disabilities in the region.

Minister of State for Seniors Julian Fantino made the announcement yesterday while touring the region yesterday and says its an important issue that needs support.

The funding is part of the 2010 Federal Budget and is being distributed through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

District Services Board Approves Budget

The Kenora District Social Services Board has passed it's 38 million dollar budget.


The 2011 budget includes cost increases for Land Ambulance, Social Housing, and Ontario Works programs.

CAO Sten Lif says that's a 1.8 percent increase for local area municipalities.

Kenora's share of the budget will be increasing this year by 42 thousand dollars. 

Jeffrey won't budge on Land Permit Fees

If angry tourist outfitters were expecting help from the Natural Resources Minister they're out of luck.

Linda Jeffery doesn't give any indication she's willing to budge on the issue of increase land permit fees.

Some outfitters say they're fees have shot up 700 per cent, but Jeffery indicates it's a done deal with the Outfitters Association

Jeffery doesn't believe the fee increase will cause some fishing lodges to close as the outfitters claim.

OPP Investigate fatal accident in Sioux Lookout

A 50 year old Manitoba man is dead after an industrial accident in Sioux Lookout.

Abram Guenther and another man who is seriously injured were working on modular home units at McDiarmid Lumber.

Constable Jodi Peckford says they were were airlifted to Winnipeg for treatment on Wednesday night.

The Ministry of Labour is conducting an investigation into the incident.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Heatherington finishes out of medals at Canada Winter Games

Still no medals for Kenora athletes at the Canada

Winter Games in Halifax.

Luke Heatherington saw his first competition yesterday

and finished 7th overall in the men's under 66 kilo division.

Heatherington lost his first fight, won his second, then

dropped his third and final match.

He's back in action on Saturday in the team event.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Canada, Kaitie Dennis

won a bronze medal at Pacific International Judo Championships in Vancouver.

She finished with a 2-1 record in the women's 57 kilo event.

NorWOSSA Double "A" Finals re-scheduled

Beaver Brae is playing host to the NorWOSSA double "a" championships
today.

All four Broncos teams will be in action this morning in the semi-finals.

The Beaver Brae Junior Girls volleyball team hits the court at 10:00 against
Fort Frances in one semi, with the winner going on to face Dryden in the gold
medal game this afternoon.

The Bronco junior boys basketball team is also in action at 10:00 this
morning against the Muskies.

Both of Beaver Brae's senor boys basketball and senior girls volleyball
teams hit the court at 11:30 for their semis.

Peaceful Ending to Pikangikum Stand-Off

The OPP says a stand-off on the Pikangikum First Nation has ended
peacefully.

Police were called out shortly after 1:00 Thursday morning after a shot was
fired inside a home on the community during a domestic dispute.

No-one was injured, but the OPP's Emergency Response Unit and a Crisis
negotiator were dispatched to the scene.

A perimeter was set up around the house and around 10:00 yesterday
a male suspect gave himself up to police.

The OPP say charges are still pending in the incident.

Traffic Moving On By-Pass After Being Closed all Night

Travel could be slow going this morning in the Kenora area.


Freezing rain last night created very slippery conditions on local roads,
and now blowing snow has resulted in very poor visibility.

The good news is that Highway 17-A has finally been re-opened to two-way
traffic.

The Kenora By-Pass was opened by the OPP around 5:00 this morning.

Highway 17-A had been closed around 10:00 last night, forcing drivers to
park their rigs along the side of the highway all night long.

School Buses Cancelled today

The Keewatin Patricia District School Board has cancelled all its

buses this morning due to the freezing rain and blowing snow.

The cancellation also affects the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

Roads are still very slippery in some sections, and the high winds have
resulted in very poor visibility on local highways.

Schools buses have also been cancelled in Red Lake, Ear Falls, Dryden,
Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Upsala.

The weather conditions have also forced the cancellation of the
NorWOSSA double "a" boys basketball and girls volleyball finals
up at Beaver Brae today.

McGuinty Responds to Agent Orange Report

Premier Dalton McGuinty is trying to resassure retired government forestry workers.

It comes after a report that says they may have been exposed to the cancer causing chemical Agent Orange during their work years.

McGuinty says the government is interested in getting information on the situation.

Speaking in Thunder Bay Premier McGuinty says he was only recently made aware of the issue.

Council refuses to endorse Northern Harbor Expansion

Kenora city council says its not willing to publically support a proposal to

expand Northern Harbor.

Because the Marina is not within city limits, council says it will defer any
decision about the expansion to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Council made the decision even though it admits the area could benefit
from increased docking facilities.

Northern Harbor is wants to add another 400 docking slips over the next
25 to 30 years and develop an R.V. Park on its property on Lake of the Woods.

New Lease for Rec. Center Concession

The City of Kenora has decided that it no longer wants to operate the

concession stand at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Council is expected to approve a lease with Kim Pries for the operation
of Food and Beverage Service at the Thistle Rink.

The lease is for 525 dollars a month.

The city had tried to lease out the concession stand last year, but felt the
tenders were too low.

At the time the Community Services Committee felt it could make more money
by operating the concession on its own.

The new lease will take effect as of March 1st and run for two years.

Saints lose out in the NorWOSSA Semis

The finals are all set for the NorWOSSA Single "a" boys basketball
and girls volleyball at Thomas Aquinas.

Yesterday, the Saints Senior Boys Basketball bowed out in the
semis, dropping a 57-36 decision to Sioux Lookout.

The Warriors take on Red Lake in the gold medal game at 9:00.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas junior girls volleyball team pushed
Sioux Lookout to a fifth set, but still lost 15-12 in the fifth and deciding
game.

In other match-ups today, the Thomas Aquinas junior boys basketball
team will face Red Lake in the final at 11:00 and the T.A. senior girls volleyball
squad will take on Rainy River in the other final at 1:00.

Thistles Drop First Game of Play-offs

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles are on the brink of elimination in

the Manitoba Midget Hockey League.

The Thistles were shutout 6-0 last night by the Eastman Selects in
Beausejour last night in game one of their best-of-three preliminary
round series.

The Kenora Midgets will try to stave off elimination Saturday night
at the Thistle Rink, when they host game two of the series.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's boys hockey team lost their final regular season
game.

The Broncos had a make up game last night in Dryden and droped a 6-4 decision to the Eagles.

The same two teams will meet up in the first round of the NorWOSSA play-offs next week.

Temperature Records Set in NWO

Enjoy the spring-like conditions while they last.

Three days of above normal temperatures will come to a crashing halt later today.

Yesterday was a record days for a number of communties across northwestern Ontario.

In Kenora, the thermometer at the airport topped out at 7.6 celcius, which broke the previous high for February 16th by almost two degrees.

The previous record was 5.9 back in 1981.

Kenora wasn't the hot spot in the region.

Atikokan hit a sizzling 15.1 celcius, breaking the previous high of 9.8 degrees.

No Rebates for Local Municipalities from DSSAB

Local municipalities shouldn't expect to see any money returned back to them from the Kenora District Services Board this year.

Council says if the provincial government is paying the cost of more services, those savings should be passed back to towns and cities in the Kenora District.

Louis Roussin is the City representitive on the District Services board and says instead for returning money back to municalities, the extra money is being put into reserves.

He says the District Services Board then uses that money for capital expenditures, such as replacing ambulences.

Kasabonika Signs Mining Agreement

MacDonald Mines Exploration has signed a three-year agreement with  a northwestern Ontario first nation that gives it unrestricted access to  explore properties on band territory.

The value of the deal was not released, but the Toronto-based miner says it will issue shares to Kasabonika Lake First Nation, as well as make both a lump sum and ongoing payments.

MacDonald's property on the First Nation's territory has been reviewed  by nickel experts, and diamond drilling will begin later this year.

Kasabonika Lake First Nation is 575 kilometres northeast of Kenora and currently has a strategy to develop mineral exploration in the community.

Community Clubs to get Grants

The four community clubs in Kenora will be getting much needed funding

to help make it through the winter.

Kenora City Council has approved grants of six thousand dollars each
for Pinecrest, Rideout, Central and Evergreen.

Recreational Services Manager Colleen Neil says the money is really to
help off-set the cost of utilities, such as water, which is needed to flood
the rinks during the winter month, and to heat the buildings.

She adds that Rideout Community Club was able to access a reserve fund
this year to help fix up the floor of the building.

Government Continues Negotiations over Ring of Fire

The Ontario government is confident that it will reach an agreement with First Nations communities over the Ring of Fire mining project in northern Ontario.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says he is working closely with the Matawa First Nations, who have threatened to block access to the chromite deposit located on their lands.

Gravelle says the government will ensure that the Matawa First Nations will benefit from the project.

Tourist Outfitters want meeting with Minister of Natural Resources

Angry Northwestern Ontario tourist outfitters are hoping for action from the Natural Resources Minister.

They've fired off a letter to Linda Jeffery demanding that a 700 per cent increase in land fee permits be reversed.

Their point man is Paul Boucher of the Ogoki lodge who says the message to Jeffery is "talk to us".

Boucher says these are desperate times form outfitters and they don't need such a hefty increase.

Concerns Raised about the Sale of Abitibi Hydro Assets

The NDP says it wants the provincial government to take a close look at the sale of Abitibi's hydro

dams in Ontario.

MPP Gilles Bisson says any decision that allows Abitibibowater to sell hydro assets
must be carefully scrutinized and involve local community leaders.

Last week, Abitibi announced the sale of eight Hydro dams, including those in Iroquois Falls, Fort Frances and Kenora to an unnamed buyer.

The sale is still subject to approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Historically the dams have provided low-cost electricity to mills in these communities.

Federal Funding for Aboriginal Housing

A number of first nation communities in northwestern Ontario will benefit

from a 14 million dollar housing program announced by the federal government.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford announced the infrastrucuture project at the Northern Housing Conference taking place in Thunder Bay.

The Rat Portage and Couchiching First Nations will get the largest share of the  money in this region.

Both communities have been promised 400 thousand dollars.

Rickford says the money will be used for social housing projects and also to help repair aging homes in the communities.

NorWOSSA Court Sport Finals in Kenora starting today

Both Thomas Aquinas and Beaver Brae are hosting NorWOSSA play-offs
this week.

Action begins today up at T.A. were the semi-finals of the single "a" boys basketball and girls volleyball take place.

The finals are scheduled to start at 9:00 tomorrow morning.

The Double "a" semis and finals will take place tomorrow at Beaver Brae.

Second Career Program Deemed a Success

The McGuinty Government is celebrating the success of the Second Career program in the North.

Just over 32 hundred Northern Ontario workers have particapated in the program, which offers financial assistance to laid off workers to retrain for a second career.

A recent survey shows 74 percent of Second Career students have found employment in less than a year after completeing the program.

The Second Career program was launched in 2008 by Employment Ontario. 

Woman fined for Illegal Deer Hunting

A Terrace Bay woman found out shooting deer can be expensive.


She was fined one-thousand dollars after pleading guilty to
shooting a deer from a roadway near Kenora last October.

Donna Parise was met by conservation officers on the Villeneuve Road after
they'd received a report of a high powered rifle been discharged in the area.

Parise said she fired a single shot at a deer from the centre of the road but believed she had missed.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds hunters it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road.

New Electronic Billboard Proposed for Harborfront

Its a sign of the times.

A national advertising company wants to put an electronic billboard up on
the Kenora Harborfront along the C.P. right of way.

Pattison Signs made a pitch to city council to replace the five conventional
billboards along the harborfront, with one electronic one.

Rob Sedgewick is a spokesperson for the company and says the concept is
a good one for the Harbortown area.

The only fly in the ointment, is that Kenora's new sign by-law prohibit any
new billboards from being erected in the Harbortown area.

Council has decided to set up an ad-hoc committee to look at the issue to
decide whether to allow the electronic billboard or not.

Free Parking for Veterans?

There may be no such thing as a free ride, but there is such a thing as

free parking, at lease if you are a military veteran in Kenora.

City council has re-visited a by-law allowing free parking for vets only
on certain days, such as Remembrance Day and D-Day.

Councillor Rod McKay feels anyone who fought for out country should be eligible for free parking.

He says it won't cost the city a lot of money.

There was some concern about people abusing the privaledge, but
Councillor Ron Lunny says the number would be so small, that it
shouldn't be a real issue.

LU closer to getting a Law School

Lakehead University is taking the next step towards getting a law school.


The proposed school's curriculum has received approval from the Law Societies of Canada.

University President Brian Stevenson says the curriculum focuses on aboriginal and resource based economy law.

The final law school decision rests with the Ontario government.

Healthy Food Basket comes to council

The Northwestern Health Unit says there are things City Council can do

to help people live more comfortably on a fixed income.

Health Unit dietician Chelsea Lecain made a presentation to council to
coincide with the Week of Action Against Poverty.

She says their healthy food basket program shows prices have
gone up higher in the Kenora area than anywhere else in Ontario.

Lecain says its costs about 918 dollars to feed a family of four, based on
the healthy food basket.

Plans for new land ambulence base coming together

Still no firm decision from the Kenora District Services Board when construction on
a new land ambulence base in Kenora will begin.

The city has given some land beside the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill to the Services
board to build the new facility.

Louis Roussin is the new council representitive on the board and says they still haven't
decided whether to begin construction this year, or next year.

He says the estimated cost of the project is about 2.8 million dollars.

Roussin says the District Services board may go ahead with the design portion of
the project this year, and wait til 2012 to begin construction.

Bronco hockey teams finish the regular season with a split

Beaver Brae's boys hockey team put a big exclamation mark on their season.

The Broncos beat the league leading Fort Frances Muskies 3-2 last night in

a shootout.

It was the second game in a row the Broncos beat the Muskies 3-2 in extra time.

With the win Beaver Brae finishes second overall in the Double "A" standings
and now faces Dryden in the First round next week.

Meanwhile, the Bronco Girls dropped a 3-2 decision to the Dryden Eagles in
a shootout.  Beaver Brae had already clinched first overall.

In Sioux Lookout, the Warriors edged the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team 6-5 last night to wrap up the regular season.

The two teams tied for first in the single "a" division, but the Saints will have home ice advantage in the play-offs thanks to a better goals against average.

T.A. will face Sioux Lookout next Tuesday in game one of the best of three final.

Council Unwilling to float loan for Paterson Medical Clinic

Kenora city council says its not willing to be the banker for the Paterson Medical Clinic.

The clinic owes the city about 6.8 million dollars for the renovation and expansion of the
medical facility on Tunnel Island.

Councillor Ron Lunny says they want the Kenora Medical Clinic to seek an outside financial
institution to pay the loan off to the city.

Councillor Louis Roussin says while he supports the resolution, he thinks the medical clinic
will find it difficult to find any financial institution which would be willing to foot the entire
loan amount.

Province to Appoint Facilitator to look into Evergreen Closure

Parents at Evergreen School haven't won the war yet, but they have scored

a minor victory.

The Ministry of Education has agreed to appoint a facilitator to look into
the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board's decision to close Evergreen
at the end of this school year.

Patti Letourneau is a member of the parents committee they really don't know
how the process is going to unfold.

The Ministry of Education says it can't overturn the school board's decision, but
it can determine if the public board followed its own processes in closing the
school.

Don't feed the Deer

Problems with deer experienced by some residents in the area over the past few years could be minimized by this winter's snowfall.

Melissa Mosley, a biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources, says the full impact won't be known for a while, but this year's heavy snowfall will help in keep deer in the bush.

The snow, though, is not impacting on the animal's ability to feed, and area residents should avoid setting up feeding areas.

Kenora Hunter Fined illegally hunting wolf

A Kenora area resident has been fined 15 hundred dollars for hunting a wolf

north of town.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says Jaques Choquette was hunting with a group in an area
off Ena Lake Road last October.

Conservation officers came across some photos of a wolf, and upon further investigation
discovered that a wolf had been shot a couple of days previous, but a tag had not been
affixed to the animal.

The wolf carcass had also been abandoned.

Choquette was fined a thousand dollars for abandoning a wolf pelt and 500 dollars for
failing to attach a game seal.

His digital camera and rifle have been seized until the fines are paid up.

Relay for Life Hosts Kick-Off event tonight

The Relay For Life for the Canadian Cancer Society will get a kick start this evening.

The kick-off event will take place this evening at the Minis Hall of the Super 8

Andrea Perchuck is co-chair of the local Relay and says they are actively seeking volunteers.

Perchuk says the Relay garnered over 77 thousand dollars last year, and they are hoping to top that
number this year.

Sharks Claim 88 medals in Fort

It was quite the medal haul for the Kenora Sharks Swim Club.

The Sharks were in Fort Frances over the weekend for the Boston Pizza Winter

Chill Invitational swim meet.

The Kenora swimmers collected 88 medals in all.

Winnie Boucha topped the leaderboard seven times, and also won a bronze.

Bryn Jones took home six gold and two silver, while Orion Demisse won four gold,

three silver and two bronze.

Three People Fined for Illegal Hunting near Minaki

Three Michigan men have been fined more than seven thousand dollars for illegally

hunting in the Minaki area.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says technicians discovered a couple of deer carcasses
in the ditch out side of Minaki last October.

Conservation officers checked some local tourist lodges and located the men responsible.

They discovered the hunters had removed the antlers but left the rest of the animal to
rot.

Two men have been charged with abandoning a white-tailed deer and also littering.

They each have been fined over 32 hundred dollars and banned from hunting in Ontario for
three years.

A third hunter was fined 750 dollars for allowing deer meat to spoil.

Rickford opposes FedNor Private Members Bill

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says a Private Members Bill to establish FedNor as a permanent regional economic development agency will do nothing but add an unnessary level of buracracy to the system.

The Conservative member voted against Bill C-309 in the House of Commons this week.

Rickford says the current system doesn't need to be fixed.

He stresses the Bill will never see the light of day.

Five groups band together for Northwestern Ontario Energy Plan

A group of Northwestern Ontario political leaders is now part of a new Energy Task Force.

It consists of the Municipal Association, the Chambers of Commerce, city of Thunder Bay and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

NOMA president Ron Nelson says they'll fight for an energy plan for the northwest

Nelson says the northwest needs it's own plan for electricity generation, transmission and pricing

School Board Saves Money on Green Energy Projects

Apparently it is easy being green.


The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says its seen a three percent
reduction in its energy costs in the past year due to a number of different
conservation programs.

Kim Carlson is the school board's facilities manager and says by doing simple
things like upgrading the lighting system, they have been able to save money.

Carlson says the public school board is on the cutting edge in implementing
green technology, and they are being recognized not only in Ontario but
across Canada.

Ontario's Abitibi Dams Being Sold

It looks like the long talked about sale of the Abitibi dams in Ontario is

about to come to fruition.

AbitibiBowater has announced its has sold a 75 percent share of its
hydro assets in the province, that includes dams in Kenora, Fort Frances
and Iroquois Falls.

The sale price is listed at 300 million dollars.

The unnamed buyer is expected to close the sale in the next 60 days.

Abitibi says it will use the proceeds to help pay off its outstanding debt.

Kenora Skiiers win Gold at Manitoba Championships

A busy weekend out at Mount Evergreen Ski Club, where the Kenora Nordic Trails hosted a pair

of events for the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba.

On Saturday, the classic races were held, and a couple of Kenora racers won gold.

Alyson Stoliker won the 1.2 kilometer girls event and also the 1.2 kilometer girls freestyle mass start
yesterday, while Christopher Moose took
the 1.2 kilometer boy race.

It was a Kenora sweep of the medals on the atom girls 1.2 kilometer race, with Shayna
Hensrud claiming top honors. She also won Sunday's 1.2 kilometer freestyle mass start.

In the eight kilometer junior girls race, Samantha Burkhart beat out Maya Boivin for
gold.

Burkhart also won the eight kilometer freestyle event yesterday.

Thistles end regular season on a losing note

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles go into the play-offs this week on a
five game losing streak.

The Thistles dropped both of their games over the weekend.

They were blanked 2-0 by the Winnipeg Thrasher Friday and 5-2 by
the Eastman Selects on Saturday.

The Thistles will meet up with the Selects starting Thursday in Beausejour
in game one of their preliminary round play-off series.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's girls hockey team has clinched first place in the
NorWOSSA double "a" hockey league.

The Broncos came back from a three goal deficit, to beat Fort Frances 5-3.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas girls hockey team continues to roll along,
beating Dryden 3-1.

Ultimate Fishing Town Contest Returns

The search is on again to find Canada's Ultimate Fishing town.

The World Fishing Network contest will begin accepting nominations March 1st.

Spokesperson Shawna Gosevitz says the success of the event last year convinced them to run it again.

Nestor Falls won five thousand dollars for its second place finish.

Two more Child care agencies merging

Two more child care agencies in northwestern Ontario will be merging their services this spring.

The Patricia Center for Children and Youth will be amalgamating with

the Lake of the Woods Child Development Center as of April 1st.

Jackie Mitchell is chair of the board of the Patricia Center and says they are looking forward to combining their resources.

Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services and Family and District Services  of Rainy River will also be merging on April 1st.

Scribilo back as chamber president

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is going to maintain the status
quo for another year.

The business group held its annual general meeting yesterday, and this is
no change in the executive.

Andy Scribilo is back for a second term as president and says having
continuity isn't a bad thing.

Scribilo says the chamber has a busy agenda this spring as it prepares to
host the Northwestern Associated Chambers of Commerce Spring conference
in April, then the Kenora Home and Liesure Show in May.

Bombers join Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are trying to build back up its image in the region.

The Bombers have been heading out into the hinterland to try and re-connect with their fan base.

Bomber president, Jim Bell says its really a win/win situation.

Bell spent the past two days meeting with local business groups and even took out a membership in the Kenora and District  Chamber of Commerce.

Northern Health Panel Stops in Dryden

Non-urgent patient transfers continues to be an issue across Northern Ontario.

So says Liz Sandals, the Parliamentary Assistant for the Ministry of Health, who took part in a round-table disscussion on improving the Northern and Rural health care system.

Sandals was in Dryden yesterday and says other concerns were raised.

The Guelph MPP hopes to deliver her list of recommendations to the Government early this Summer.

Bombers visit Lakewood

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are looking forward to a better year in

2011.

Four members of the team were in Kenora yesterday to meet with

students at Lakewood School.

Quarterback, Buck Pearce says its good to get out and expand

their fan base.

Pearce was joined by Doug Brown, Glen January and Chris Cvetcovic

on the tour.

Broncos lose three of four to Dryden

The Dryden Eagles continue have Beaver Brae's number.


In the final regular season games of the season, the Broncos lost
three of four games against Dryden yesterday.

The lone win came from the Beaver Brae senior boys basketball team,
which earned a 41-34 victory.

The Bronco junior boys dropped a 56-32 decicison to the Eagles.

In girls volleyball, Beaver Brae's junior and senior teams lost in three
straight sets.

The NorWOSSA play-offs will take place one week from today.

Chamber of Commerce hands out Business Awards

A total of 12 local businesses and business owners have been honored by their

colleagues.

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce held its annual business
awards ceremony last night.

Mark Skrzypek from Energy Tech Services was named Business Owner of the Year.

Randy Nickle was named entrepreneur of the year, while Jake Garrow from Custom
Drilling was given the Young Entrepreneur award.

Other Award winners: 

Mayors Award:  Keric Fund

New Business:  Boreal Datacom

Tourism/Hospitality:  Mount Evergreen Ski Club

Customer Service (Staff over 10 employees):  ScotiaBank

Customer Service (Staff under 10 employees): Kitchen and Bath Factory

Environmental Business:  North Winds Energy Inc.

Business Improvement:  Agnew Chapman Optometric Services

Innovative Small Business:  Kenora Design Group

Home Based Business:  DC Productions

Dragon's Den Host Addresses Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet

Just because there is an economic downturn, doesn't mean its a bad

time to start up a new business.

That was one of the messages delivered by Diane Buckner at the Chamber
Awards Dinner last night.

Buckner is the host of the Dragon's Den and says the key to starting up a
new business is to know your market.

Buckner will be making another presentation this morning about the
art of the pitch, at a brunch sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Rainy River Resources to make a pitch in England

A mining project south of Kenora will be get some international attention next week.


Rainy River Resources will be among companies scheduled to make a presentation about their projects at a conference in London, England.

The conference allows companies to meet with potential overseas investors.

Rainy River Resources is proposing a gold mine north of Barwick.

Public School Board posts Suplus in 2010

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board finished the last fiscal year in the

black.

Trustees were presented the audited financial statement for 2010 at last night's
board meeting.

Finance Manager Kathleen O'Flaherty says they actually posted a fairly healthy
surplus.

O'flaherty says of their 16 million dollar surplus, 14 million will go directly to
pay for the new elementary school in Dryden.

Making Kenora Home Launches Poverty Challenge

The Making Kenora Home Commitee has selected 12 local Kenora residents and given them a challenge.

They are going to be given 35 dollars to live on for 5 days.

Chair of the Communications commitee Dan Jorgensen says they want people to know what it's like to live on Social Asisstance.

Jorgensen says that they are also going to be given a daily challenge card which could be anything from buying toothpaste to getting ready for a job interview.

The challenge begins tomorrow and wraps up on February 16th.

Six medals for Kenora Skiiers At NWOSSA

Kenora Skiiers took home six medals from the NWOSSA cross country ski championships
at Mount Evergreen.

Despite bitterly cold conditions, local racers claimed gold, silver and bronze in the junior girls
race.

Sammi Burkart finished first, followed by Maya Boivin and Keisha Strachen.

In the Senior girls event, Manon Magnon won the gold, while Kaitie Dennis claimed
silver.

Erick Lockhart won the gold medal in the shortened senior boys six kilometer race.

Thistles lose in Winnipeg

The Kenora Triple "A" Midget Thistles have extended their losing streak to three
games.

The Thistles were in Winnipeg last night and were shelled 7-2 by the Wild.

The local midget squad wraps up the regular season at home with a pair of
games at home this weekend.

Broncos lose three of four on the road

Beaver Brae's court teams managed just one win in Fort Frances in their last
road trip of the regular season.

The Bronco senior boys basketball team was upended 53-31, while the junior
squad lost by ten points.

In girls volleyball, Beaver Brae's junior girls won the only game of the day, downing
the Muskies three sets to one.

The Bronco senior girls lost three sets to one.

Beaver Brae wraps up the regular season on home court today with Dryden in town.

Aerial Moose Survey Wrapping Up

The annual aerial moose survey is underway in Northwestern Ontario.

Ministry of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Brad Allison says they're trying to see if certain trends are continuing this year, which includes low numbers in the Kenora and Fort Frances areas.

In recent years, brainworm has killed off a number of moose in the local area.


Allison says it's been an ideal winter for the survey because of the early snow cover

TBSO celebrates 50th Anniversary in Kenora

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 50th birthday
this year.

The TBSO is in Kenora tonight for its annual concert.

Arthur Post is the new conductor and says he's looking forward
to his first tour with the musicians.

The Thunder Bay Symphony will be playing Knox United Church this
evening.

Public School Board Tackles Student Mental Health

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is taking a pro-active approach to dealing with student mental
health issues.

The public school board is working with a couple of local child care agencies to come
up with a Children's Mental Health Strategy.

Peter Harland is a retired pediatrician and says about a third of kids show signs of mental
health problems, such as anxiety, depression or worse.
The public school board is working with the Lake of the Woods Child Development Center
and the Patricia Center for Children and Youth on the Children's Mental Health Strategy.

Bed Shortage Continues at Lake of the Woods Hospital

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says it hasn't seen a lot of relief in the

use of its beds in the past few months.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says as of the end of January they still
had 25 so-called Alternate Level of Care Patients, eight of which were waiting
for a long term care bed to open up locally.

The other 17 patients are rehabilitiating, but Belcaen says its possible they will
also soon be on the waiting list for a long term care bed.

He adds they still haven't heard any word from the Northwest Local Health Integration
about opening up any new long term care beds in Kenora.

An announcement had been expected early in the new year.

New Board of Health In Place

The Northwestern Health Unit has sworn in a new Board of Directors.


The Board features 4-new appointees.

John Albanese has been acclaimed as Chair, while Julie Roy will continue to serve as Vice-Chair.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield is one of the new appointees to the board of health.

Bill Thompson from the Township of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls will continue to
represent his community, while Mel Fisher is the representitive for Vermillion Bay and Dryden.

Hospital says its in compliance with new regulations on Consultants

Lake of the Woods District Hospital feels its in compliance with new

legislation being drafted by the provincial government regarding the
hiring of consultants.

The legislation is scheduled to go into effect as of April 1st, and will
make instititutions that recieve public funds more accountable how they
spend their money.

Chief Executive officer Marc Belcaen says they rarely use consulants,
and doesn't feel they will have any problem with the new regulations.

He adds they are still waiting for clarification about whether professions
such as lawyers and accountants who conduct audits are considered consultants
under the new bill.

KDMA adopts a couple of resolutions

Municipal leaders in the Kenora District have given their backing to an emergency
resolution calling on the federal and provincial governments to move ahead
as quickly as possible with the double-laning of the Trans-Canada Highway in
northestern Ontario.

Kenora City council brought the resolution forward over the weekend at the
KDMA annual conference in Red Lake.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says support for the resolution shows the
need for the city to continue to support the work of the KDMA.

One other resolution supported by KDMA called on the federal and provincial
levels of government to expand cellular phone service into smaller communities
such as Pickle Lake.

Dryden woman killed in weekend fire Identified

Dryden Police say foul play is not suspected in a fatal fire at a women's shelter early Sunday morning.

However, Police say the investigation into the cause has ruled out an accidentally caused fire.

50-year-old Darlene Chartrand died in Hospital from smoke inhalation.

Nine others were treated and released from Hospital.

The fire caused roughly 100-thousand dollars in damage.

The Van Horne Avenue apartment complex is for abused women and their families.

Saints Edge Fort

The Thomas Aquinas Girls hockey team seems to have Fort Frances' number.

The Saints edged the Muskies 4-3 last night at the Keewatin Arena.

Robin Houle had a pair of goals including the game winner for T.A.

Their next game is Friday in Dryden against the Eagles.

Saints soar past Falcons

The regular NorWOSSA court sport season is quickly winding down.


The Thomas Aquinas Saints have just two league games left before the play-offs begin next week.

Yesterday, the Saints swept the Ignace Falcons at home.

The T.A. junior boys basketball team cruised to a 56-30 victory.

Patrick Van Bellingham had 15 points to lead the Saints offense.

In girls volleyball action, both the Thomas Aquinas junior and senior girls beat Ignace three sets to none.

The final home game of the regular season is tomorrow against Whitefish Bay.

Chamber awards tomorrow

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce will honor some of its best and

brightest at its annual awards banquet this week.

A total of 45 businesses have been nominated in 12 categories, including best
home based business, customer excellence, young entrepreneur, business owner of the
year, new business and environmental business award.

The Chamber awards will be presented tomorrow night at the Best Western Lakeside Inn at their annual general meeting.

Hospital still in the black

Lake of the Woods District Hospital continues to show a surplus on its operations

this year.

After three quarters of this fiscal year, the hospital is about 331 thousand dollars
in the black.

Chief Executive Officer, Marc Belcaen says they still expect to remain in a surplus
situation by the end of the fiscal year at the end of March.

He adds that the hospital does tend to spend more during the winter months, due to
higher utility costs, and revenues are lower, which will cut into their surplus. 

Three arrested in local drug bust

A total of four people have been arrested following two separate drug

seizures in the Kenora area.

In one incident, a 34 year old Quebec man and two Kenora residents were taken
into custody after the OPP's Organized Crime and the Street Crimes Units
executed a search warrent on a residence in downtown Kenora.

Officers seized a quantity of drugs including 21 grams of hash, more than 100 grams
of marihuana, two grams of morphine and a small quantity of Methadone.

Police also discovered over 700 in cash as well as other drug paraphernalia.

34 year old Dany Chartrand, 28 year old Vernon Jack and Ashley Noname have
been charged with possession of a narcotic, trafficking, and possession of
property obtained by crime.

They are due to appear in Kenora Court next month.

Horwath continues to call for HST relief on Home Heating bills

The Leader of the Provincial NDP is taking another shot at the HST.

Andrea Horwath made a quick stop in northwestern Ontario yesterday and says scrapping the HST on home heating bills would benefit people across the region.

She says the McGuinty government is out of touch.


Horwath says the HST is costing people in the Northwest 50-60 dollars each month in extra heating costs.

A new Executive Council for KDMA

Red Lake mayor Phil Vinet has been returned as the president of the Kenora
District Municipal Association.

The 70th annual KDMA conference was held in Red Lake over the weekend.

Vinet had been the acting president of the municipal organization.

Roy Hoffman of Pickle Lake is first vice-president, while former Kenora
resident, Kevin Kahoot, the new mayor of Ear Falls is second vice.

Next year's KDMA convention will take place in Sioux Lookout to help
celebrate that's town's 100th birthday.

Dryden Woman Dies in House Fire

A 50-year-old woman is dead following a fire at a Dryden Apartment complex.

Dryden Fire and Police were dispatched to the blaze early Sunday morning.

Crews arrived and found smoke billowing from a second floor window.

Firefighters broke into the unit and fought the blaze, only to find an unconsious woman.

She was transported to Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Nine other people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Council decides to Finance new fire hall internally

After much debate, city council has decided to fund the long-term debenture for the Kenora Fire Hall.

Council held a special meeting this morning and agreed to borrow money from the Citizan's propertity fund to finance the five million dollar building.

Councillor Ron Lunny says its better to finance the debenture internally rather than externally.

Mayor Dave Canfield admits he has mixed feelings on the 20 year loan, which will pay the city three percent a year.

Council was almost unanimous in the decision.

Louis Roussin voted against, saying the Citizans Prosperity fund was never intended to pay for public projects.

Council Meets This Morning

Five members of Kenora city council are back from Red Lake and the 70th

annual Kenora District Municipal Association.

They will be put right back to work this morning.

A special meeting of council is scheduled for 9:00 this morning.

There is only one item on the agenda.

Council will be talking about how to pay for the new Kenora Fire
Hall on Barsky's Hill.

The previous edition of council had planned to take a debenture out
on the building, but some members of the new council say they would
prefer to borrow internally from city reserves.

Gravelle hopes for Compromise in Land Use Fee Issue

Michael Gravelle says he's working to find a compromise in an area tourist outfitters dispute.

The Northern Development Minister says he understands how upset some the some outfitters are upset over increased government fees, especially since it was their own association that recommended them

Gravelle hopes to find a solution that will be agreeable to all sides

No Chronic Wasting Disease in NWO

Nearly 14-hundred deer heads were tested for chronic wasting disease last year in Ontario.


Ministry of Natural Resources Wildlife Research Technician Tore Buchanan says 362 deer heads were tested in the Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances Districts.

The results weren't surprising according to Buchanan.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease affecting members of the deer family.

Body Found on Lower Manitou Lake

A post-mortem exam is scheduled to take place today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital

on the body of a man found in Lower Manitou Lake, southeast of Kenora.

74 year Ted Davis of Fort Frances disappeared last week while operating a trail groomer
on the lake.

On Saturday afternoon shortly after 1:00, and OPP Dive Team found his body in the
depths of the lake.

Davis was working for Manitou Gold at the time, and was building an ice road.

The Ontario Ministry of Labor is also investigating the accident.

PeeWee Thistles win Stonewall Tourney

Home ice held no advantage for the Kenora Triple "a" Thistles.


Back at the Thistle Rink after a seven game road trip, the Kenora Midgets
dropped a pair of games to the Interlake Lightning over the weekend.

Yesterday, the Thistles were beaten 6-2.

Saturday night, it was the Lightning over the Thistles 3-1.

The regular season wraps up next weekend with a pair of games at
home for the Kenora Midgets.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Double "a" Peewee Thistles took top honors
from a tournament in Stonewall, Manitoba.

The Thistles beat Morden 3-1 in the A-side final.

Saints Girls Volleyball Squad wins Thunder Bay Tourney

A big weekend for the Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball team.

The Saints were in Thunder Bay for the Thunderwolves Invitational Tournament

at Lakehead University.

T.A. went through the tournament without dropping a set, and won the gold medal with a straight sets win over St. Ignatius from Thunder Bay.

Becky Elliot was named the tournament MVP, while three other members of the Saints

were named to the tournament all-star team.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas Boys hockey team compiled a 2-1 record at a tournament

in Duluth, Minnesota.

The Saints tied for 5th overall out of 15 teams entered in the Junior Gold A tournament.

In their final game, the Saints got by at team from Blaine, Minnesota 4-3.

Meanwhile, the Saints girls hockey team was in Sioux Lookout over the weekend, and skated

to an easy 13-2 victory.

Two Kenora Figure Skaters Qualify for Provincials

Three medals for the Kenora Figure Skating Club at the Festival of Stars in

Sault Ste. Marie.
Kelsey Scribilo won a silver in the Senior Ladies event, and then collected a bronze
in the Gold Triathon.

Julia Withers also placed second in the Silver Triathlon.

Both skaters have now qualified for the Provincial Silver Star Skate in Mississauga
next month.

Hospital looking for new board members

A campaign to attract new members to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital has

been launched.

A number of ads have been posted asking local residents to purchase corporate
members prior to the Hospital Board's Annual General meeting.

Vice-chair of the Hospital board Fred Richardson says its a challenging, but rewarding
job.

Corporate memberships cost just five dollars, but anyone wanting to become a director
on the Hospital Board has to purchase a membership at least 60 days prior to the board
elections in June.

Government Under Fire for OPP pay raise

The governing Liberals are under fire for agreeing to a 5-percent pay hike for the OPP while demanding a wage freeze from public sector workers.

Municipal leaders across the region have called the increase`irresponsible'' and putting towns and cities, which have to pay for policing, in a tight spot.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is insisting his plan to curb salaries is still on track.

Last spring's budget called for a 2-year freeze on wages for more than a million public sector workers to help fight a record Provincial deficit of about 20-billion dollars.

Hospitals get more funding for joint replacement

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is promising more money for knee and hip replacement surgeries in Kenora, Fort Frances and Dryden.

However, Lake of the Woods District Hospital doesn't think it will be able to take advantage of the of the extra funding.

Chief Executive Officer, Marc Belcaen says they don't have the same demand for the surgeries as other hospitals in the region.

The LHIN's is providing 275 thousand dollars to carry out 40 more knee and hip replacement surgeries in the region.

Local Nurses train in Smoking Cessation Techniques

A valuable day of information for health care professionals across the region.


Roughly 50 people participated in a Nurses Association of Ontario 'Smoke Free' Workshop this week.

Public Health Nurse Sue Wood says their goal was to train nurses so they can improve their smoking cessation and brief intervention techniques.

The Nurses Association stresses when nurses intervene, smokers quit.

OHA head meets with local hospital CEO's

The Ontario Hospital Association is touring Northwestern Ontario this week.

President Tom Closson met with hospital CEO's from across the region yesterday.

Closson says hospitals continue to struggle with patients taking up beds because
they don't have anywhere else to go.

Closson is also asking for a freeze in salaries for unionized hospital workers.