Howard Hampton Not Running

Former Ontario N-D-P Leader Howars Hampton says after 35 years in politics, 26 of them as the M-P-P forKenora-Rainy River, it's time to move on. The 59-year-old Hampton says he doesn't want to spend another four years as an elected politician. Hampton, who was attorney general and minister of natural resources in Bob Rae's government in the early 1990s, stepped downas Ontario N-D-P leader in 2009 after 13 years in the job

Tabacco

A victory for Canadian taxpayers and a loss for Big Tobacco. The Supreme Court of Canada has unanimously ruled the federal government can't be dragged into two lawsuits against tobacco companies. The high court has rejected an attempt by the companies to have Ottawa also held responsible for any damages that might arise out of the suits. Those legal claims could run into millions, if not billions, of dollars.

Thunder Bay Hostel

Some hospitals in the region believe there is a need for an affordable place to stay in Thunder Bay for patients and their families traveling for medical purposes. Marlene Davidson is promoting the concept of a medical hostel and says it could be an alternative to those who can't afford the 75 to 100 dollar a night hotels. Davidson envisions the hostel being similar to one in Thunder Bay set up for aboriginal patients.

The Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Ride will be making its way into Kenora one final time this weekend. For the past five years, about 100 members of CAV have been riding to town for a weekend of fun and fellowship. Carol Davis is one of the organizers and says they will be taking a break after this year.

The highlight of the weekend is a memorial service at Lake of the Woods Cemetary Saturday morning at 11:00. There will also be a ride to the Whitedog Dam Sunday afternoon.

Harbourfest Kick off today

Its a watershed year for Harborfest. The August long weekend festival turns 20 this year. Randy Nickle is chair of the Harborfest Board and says they are looking forward to another great weekend. Harborfest gets underway this evening with four bands playing live under the Harborfront tent starting at 7:30 this evening.

Ignace Break and Enter

Ignace OPP are reminding residents to lock their homes and vehicles in the wake of a break and enter in the community. Police say a home was broken into on Saturday afternoon. The culprit walked away with an undisclosed amount of cash. OPP are also investigating the theft of 2-bikes from the Ignace Recreation Centre and an apartment building on Pine Street. The bikes are a grey, 2011, Norco Wolverine mountain bike with green trim and a men's CCM, Nitro XT, beige mountain bike. Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Forest Fire Evacuees Return home

Another 350-forest fire evacuees from Cat Lake First Nation and Sandy Lake First Nation are returning home today. 114-of the Cat Lake evacuees have been staying in Dryden. Ian Davidson is the Deputy Minister of Community Safety and he says they are getting closer to having everyone back home. Davidson says there are 3,051 First Nation residents who are still staying in host communities.

Canadian Dollar High

One of the region's top economic minds says the Canadian dollar remains high mainly because of commodity prices. Livio Di Matteo says the loonie isn't going to lose it's value to the American buck until that changes. Di Matteo also says while interest rates also play a factor, they haven't in this case.

Poplar Hills Murder

A northwestern Ontario man is charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault in the death of one man and the assault of another man. The incidents occurred on the remote First Nations community of Poplar Hills. Police say Aaron Strang, 20, was pronounced dead at the local nursing station shortly after Nishnawbe Aski Police Service officers found him on Friday.

Weekend Traffic

The City of Kenora is gearing up for one of the busiest weekend's of thesummer and that means more traffic .Kenora mayor Dave Canfield suggests the round-about has helped traffic move more smoothly through the downtown core, but he feels there is room for improvement. The round-about has been in use for two years, and Canfield says by and large reviews have been mostly positive from local residents.

Stolen Vehicle

A Balmertown resident has their Ram Pick-up truck back but OPP are still looking for the person who orignally stole it. The truck was found stuck in the mud near the Northwood Lodge. OPP say the vehicle was stolen and abandoned in Red Lake. Anyone with information is asked to call OPP or Crime Stoppers.

New Non Profit Housing Units

Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout should have 63 new non-profit housing units up and running in the next six months or so. Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services has funded projects in each of those communities.Executive Director of the agency, Don McBain says the projects are really a bonus for the non-profit housing agencies in these communities. The Kenora District Services Board has agreed to provide rent subsidies for these new housing units, once they are ready for occupancy.

Ministry of Natural Resources warns of drying trend

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the long term forecast suggests that smoke isn't expected to be an issue in Northwestern Ontario the next 7 to 10 days. However, Information Officer Carin Glassford warns that a drying trend is expected to roll in from Western Canada that could increase fire activity and bring back smokey conditions. Glassford says 2-thousand firefighters continue to battle 116-forest fires. Glassford notes that out-of-Province firefighters are starting to be recycled with new crews coming in.

First Nations Evacuation Update

It could be some time yet before forest fire evacuees are allowed to return to their First Nation homes.
153-evacuees of New Osnaburgh First Nation decided to go home, however no more return trips are expected any time soon.
Ian Davidson is the Deputy Minister of Community Safety and he says safety is their top priority right now.
Over 34-hundred evacuees are staying in 13-communities.

Kenora Library Board Meeting

The Kenora Library Board will be meeting this week to finalize the terms of reference for its operational review. Chair of the board, Marj Curtis-Poirier says their goal is to put the contract out for tender by the end of the summer.Curtis-Poirier says they would like the operational review complete by the fall, so they can be ready when the city begins its budget process.

Discovery Center Broken Into

It didn't take long for the new Discovery Center on Lakeview Drive to become a target of thieves.

A day before the new tourism bureau was to open to the public, someone managed to break-in.

The OPP say on the evening of July 20th, someone gained access to the building and stole a lap-top computer.

Anyone with information about the break and enter is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

MNR making headway on Fires in NWO

The Ministry of Natural Resources continues to try and gain the upper hand on several massive forest fires burning in the Far North.

The fires have resulted in the total evacuation of 4-First Nation communities and partial evacuation of 7-others.

Information Officer Owen Vaughan says they are greatful for the support of local communities.

Vaughan says the weather has helped firefighting efforts, but notes significan rain is still required.

OPP Investigate Downtown Assault

The OPP say one man has been arrested in connection to an assault in downtown Kenora.

On Saturday, police say they located the body of a 36 year old Rat Portage man in the alley behind Second Street South.

The victim had to be taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment, and then was transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center for treatment of a head injury.

His condition of the victim isn't known at this time.

Officers managed to arrest the suspect at the scene.

Rickford responds to Water Quality Report

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he's actually encouraged by a report on water quality on first nation communities.

The federally-commissioned assessment shows that about 39 per cent of drinking-water systems in  First Nations communities are at high risk of being unsafe, while another 34 per cent are at moderate risk.

Rickford says the government takes the report seriously and has begun to address some of the problems.

Rickford says training people to operate treatment facilities is one of the big issues in terms of maintaining water quality, and says the government is actively working to tackle that problem.

Police Investigate Fatality on Poplar Hill

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is trying to determine whether or not the death of a 20-year-old man and the injuries to a 21-year-old man are related.

Police were dispatched to Poplar Hill First Nation, about 120-kilometres north of Red Lake, last Friday after a man was found on a road with serious injuries.

Police say Aaron Strang was transported to the community nursing station where he was pronounced dead.

The following day Jobby Strang of Poplar Hill drove himself to the nursing station seeking medical attention and he was transported to Winnipeg Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police are looking for answers in this case.

Vermillion Bay youth charged in Connection to two Break In's

A Vermillion Bay youth has been arrested in connection to a couple of break-ins in that community.

The OPP say that between July 14th and 18th, the same residence was entered twice.

Following an investigation, police arrested a suspect.

He has been charged with break and enter and two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking.

He is due to appear in Dryden court in September.

Con College Raises money for Scholarships

Confederation College has managed to raise 15 thousand dollars for its students.

Organizers have tallied up the reciepts from a charity golf tournament held last week at the Kenora Golf and Country Club.

A total of 12 teams took part. 

The college says the money raised will go towards scholarships and bursaries for local students.

Red Cross looking for volunteers to help evacuees

The Red Cross says its still looking for volunteers to help out people who have been evacuated from their communities in northwestern Ontario.

Spokesperson Shanna Hansson says they have had pretty good support so far.

Hansson says that over the weekend, they had help from Kenora and other communities throughout the District.

Fire crews making progress

Fires continue to burn out of control in northwestern Ontario, but the Ministry of Natural Resources believes

it is making some progress.

There are 118 fires burning today, with 10 new blazes popping up on Sunday.

The MNR says while a couple of large fires continue to threaten remote communites in the region,

no new evacuations are planned.

Red Lake Fire 82 has burned to the edge of the community of Keewaywin, but so far crews have managed

to prevent any property loss.

Another fire of concern is Sioux Lookout #72, which is 159 thousand hectares in size and burning near the Musselwhite Mine.

Fire Crews have been working diligently from prevent any loss of property.

To date 36 hundred people have been evacuated, but there is talk that some members of the Cat Lake


First Nation may be able to start returning home later this week.

Province to look into evacuation complaints

Officials in Ontario are looking into whether families have been split up while being evacuated from communities threatened by forest fires raging in our area.

Deputy community safety minister Ian Davidson says the province has done its best to keep families together since evacuations started.

But he says the province is investigating unconfirmed reports that the evacuation process has separated members of some First Nations families from each other.

Officials say weather conditions are improving, and no further evacuations are currently planned.

Electricity back on in Pickle Lake

The power is back on in Pickle Lake and New Osnaburgh First Nation.

The lights were out for nearly 2-weeks as a forest fire near Ear Falls consumed some 18-power lines.

Hydro One was able to go on site late last week and fix the problem.

Hampton Seeking Help for Cat Lake Evacuees

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton is asking the McGuinty Government to help Cat Lake First Nation residents.

Hampton says it appears residents will be allowed to return home in the middle of this week but he notes the remote community is suffering from a severe food shortage.

The power has been out for nearly 2-weeks and Hampton says most food is now spoiled.

Hampton says most people make trips during the winter months by the ice road to get their food and stock it in the freezer.

He's asking the Province to ensure the community has food and other supplies when residents return home.

Walk for Good Life Ready to roll

A seven day 500 kilometre walk around the Kenora and Rainy River districts is set to go next month.

It will be the third year for the Walk for Good Life organized by the group Good Life for Young People.

C-E-O Teresa Hazel says its a journey of self discovery and accomplishment.

The event is open to anyone with registration made through the group's office or its website : http://www.goodlifeforyoungpeople.com/

Record Attendance For Coney Island Festival

The Coney Island Music Festival continues to grow.

This year, about 12 hundred people took in the one day event at Coney Beach.

The Third Maybe Annual Festival features seven acts over six hours yesterday.

Attendance has tripled over the past three years.

Tie for First at Canadian Bass Championships in Fort

For the first time in the history of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, there are co-winners.

Richard Rud and Jon Austin of International Falls and Thunder Bay's Glenn Leroux and Trevor Zimak avoided controversial tie-breaking methods to share the title after tying for the lead after three days of fishing.

Rud says both teams agreed to share the title.

Jeff Gustafson from Kenora and his partner John Peterson placed sixth overall, six and a half pounds back of the winners.

Team Symonds Wins Bronzeback

A couple of Keewatin anglers too top honors at the 5th Annual Friends and Family Bronzeback Classic.

Brad and Jayden Symonds came from behind to win the two day bass tournament on Lake of the Woods.

They weighed in 28.65 pounds of bass, beating out the day one leaders, Scott and Kyle Cook by just over a pound.

Steve Ellie and Tom Hefford placed third with a catch of 26.6 pounds.

Fisher tops Women's Field at Kenora Borealis Triathlon

Edie Fisher continues to be an ageless wonder.

Fisher was the top female finisher in the annual Kenora Borealis Triathlon/Duathlon at Garrow Park.

Competing in the 50-54 year old age group, Fisher finished the Olympic Course in a time of two hours and 26 minutes.

The top male was Chris Graham from the Tribalistic Team in a blazing time of two hours and seven minutes.

The top female racer in the Long Course Duathlon was Julie Whelan at two hours and 54 minutes.

Playaz Win Men's Soccer Tournament

The Playaz are the new kings of Kenora Soccer.

The Playaz won the Lake of the Woods mens soccer tournament over the weekend with a 2-0 win over Stonewall in the A-side Final Sunday afternoon at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

McGuinty Says He won't Declare State of Emergency in NWO

Premier Dalton McGuinty says there's no need to declare a state of emergency to deal with forest fires that have driven thousands of people from their communities in northwestern Ontario.

McGuinty is in the region today to survey the damage and talk with fire personnel, volunteers and evacuees.

The premier says that the province is doing everything it can to support firefighters and evacuees.

McGuinty says that includes helping out with aircraft and providing financial support for the effort.

He'll also visit Thunder Bay later today.

Discovery Center opens its doors

The new discovery center on Lakeview Drive is getting rave reviews.

The center will act as the city's new tourism bureau and was opened to the public for the first time yesterday afternoon.

Dennis Wallace is chair of the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission and says they hope to be able to expand the number of services offered there.

The two million dollar facility is opening its doors to the public for the very first time today.

Lake of the Woods Task Force issues final report

A report looking at the management of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River basins is suggesting the creation of a single International Watershed Board.

The Board would merge the International Rainy River Water Pollution Board and the International Rainy Lake Board of Control.

A series of public meetings on the report are planned for next month.

The Kenora session will take place on August 20th. 

Hampton Tours fire ravaged communities

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. has been touring the region meeting with residents of first nation communities which have been threatened by wild fires.

Hampton has chartered his own plane to get into some of the  hard to reach areas.

He says fire fighters have been working under very difficult conditions.

Hampton has been critical of the government's response to the crisis and says more needs to be done to ensure this doesn't turn into a catastrophe.

Kenora set to help out evacuees

The City of Kenora says its ready to do what it can to help with the evacuation of thousands of residents from remote first nation communities.

Another 18 hundred people are expected to be flown out today due to smoke from over 100 forest fires.

Karen Brown is the City's chief administrative officer and says the Emergency Measures Group met yesterday and agreed to declare a state of emergency.

Brown says she will be meeting with fire chief Warren Brinkman to determine how many evacuees the city might be able to accommodate.

Natural Resources Minister Tours Fire Zone

Don't expect Natural Resources Minister Linda Jeffrey to call a state of emergency over the forest fire situation in Northwestern Ontario.

Jeffrey tells our newsroom she's reluctant to do so because the situation appears under control

Jeffrey took an aerial tour of the fire zone to get a first hand look at the fires

Fires continue consume Northern Forests

The Ministry of Natural Resources continues to try and gain the upper hand on over 100-forest fires burning in Northwestern Ontario.

Information Officer Owen Vaughan says they have recieved a lot of help in their fight.

B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Quebec and the Yukon are all helping firefighters in Northwestern Ontario.

Vaughan adds that several MNR employees who don't usually fight fires are also involved and he asks the public for patience as there may be some delays in other services.

Economic Development Commission Holds AGM

The Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission says the bricks and mortar are in place in order for Kenora's economy to thrive.

The commission held its annual general meeting yesterday in the new Discovery Center on Cameron Bay.

Dennis Wallace is chair of the commission and says they have seen a lot of interest from business to set up shop in Kenora.

Wallace says there's also been a lot of interest shown in the former Abitibi property on 9th Street North and believe there should be some growth in that area in the coming year.

17 New Non-Profit Housing Units for Kenora

A total of 17 new non-profit housing units should be ready to move into by next spring.

The Aamikkowiish Non-profit housing agency held a ground breaking ceremony this morning.

Collette Surovey says they will be building in a number of areas of the community.

Aamikkowish is getting 2.89 million dollars from the provincial government for the non-profit housing project.

Dragon Tamers publish local cancer booklet

The Kenora Dragon Tamers have launched their first ever publishing venture.

The breast-cancer survivors have come out with a booklet called: The Kenora Experience, which is a local guide for people affected by cancer.

Marilyn Strain is one of the people who helped put the book together and says they spent the last year compiling all the information.

The booklet is available at most health care facilities in Kenora, as well as Edgewater Natural Health.

A busy sports line-up for the Weekend

A good weekend to be a spectator in Kenora.

A total of four major sporting events are taking place.

First up is the Lake of the Woods Men's soccer tournament at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

Action gets underway this evening at 5:30 and will wrap up with the finals on Sunday afternoon.

Tomorrow, a couple of events hit the water.

On Rabbit Lake the Tops and Bottoms rowing regatta, while over on Lake of the Woods the 5th annual Friends and family Bronzeback classic takes off.

On Sunday, the Kenora Borealis Triathlon/Duathlon starts from Garrow Park.

Non Profit Housing Project ready for Kenora

More details about a housing project in Kenora will be released today.

The Aamikkowiish Non-Profit Housing Corporation will be holding a sod turning ceremony at the Neechee Friendship center this morning.

A total of 17 new housing units are being built for aboriginal families.

The Executive Director of the Ontario Aborigianl Housing Service will also be on hand for the groundbreaking.

The ceremony is scheduled to start at 10:00.

Rain helps fire crews in Northwest

A short-lived reprieve for fire fighters in northwestern Ontario.

Wide-spread cloud and rain help keep the number of new forest fire starts down yesterday.

Only four new blazes were reported in the region, but that's on top of the 103 that are still burning.

Smoke from the fires in the far north remains the biggest challenge for fire crews and aircraft battling the blazes.

Rickford and Clement meet with local evacuees

FedNor Minister Tony Clement says the forest fire situation is a very serious and he is asking the Province to take the initiative and ask for help.

Clement and Kenora MP Greg Rickford met with firefighters and evacuees in Dryden this morning.

Clement says the Federal Government is doing everything it can.

In terms of emergency assitance relief, its up to the Province to ask for Federal support, and Clement says he's hoping they do it "sooner rather than later".

Evacuations Continue from the Far North

More than 3,000 residents of northwestern Ontario have now been evacuated from their homes as forest fires continue to rage through parts of the province.

Mike Morton of Emergency Management Ontario says so far Kenora has not been asked to welcome any evacuees.

Residents of Cat Lake, Sandy Lake, Keewaywin, Wunnamin Lake and Kingfisher Lake have been evacuated to Moosenee, Arthur and as far away as Ottawa.

Youth Charged in Morson Break-ins

Four youth face charges connection with a rash of break-ins in the Morson area of Lake of the Woods.

OPP say a number of cabins at a tourist resort and several homes were broke into over the weekend with damages estimated to be over one-hundred thousand dollars.

The four accused will now appear in Fort Frances court next month on break and enter and possession of stolen property charges

New Confederation College President on Tour

The new president of Confederation College has kicked off his first visit to the regional campuses.

Jim Madder is meeting with staff at the Lake of the Woods Campus in Kenora this week.

He says he wants to strengthen the partnerships the College now enjoys.

Madder says the visit also gave him a better understanding of the issues and opportunities facing the Campus.

Kenora Man fined for Illegally Killing a deer

A Kenora man has been fined three thousand dollars for illegally hunting Deer.

The Ministry of Natural Resources say they arrested a man last November after he had killed a deer on private property on the Essex Road.

MNR Conservation officers conducted an investigation and determined the deer had been killed at night.

Marcel Brousseau was fined for hunting at night and possessing an illegally killed deer.

Brown now officially City's CAO

Karen Brown is now officially Kenora's Chief Administrative Officer.

Brown has been on the job as the city's top civil servant since August 1st of last year, but her probation period has just been completed.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says three members of city council did a performance review and it was agreed that Brown has been doing a good job as the city's administrator.

Brown replaced long time CAO Bill Presentanz last summer.

Four weather records set

It was a record setting day across northwestern Ontario.

A number of communities across the region set temperature records.

In Kenora, the thermometer hit 33.1 degrees, breaking a 71 year old record.

The previous high for July 19th was 30.6.

Red Lake was the hot spot in northwestern Ontario, with the temperature topping

out at 35.2, smashing the previous record by three degrees.

Discovery Center almost ready to open

Tourism Kenora is getting ready to move into its new digs.

This week is moving week.

Tourism Development Officer, Heather Paterson says the old tourism office on Highway 17 east has been closed down

as the city prepares to open the new Discovery Center on Cameron Bay.

That facility is scheduled to officially supposed to open its doors on Friday morning to the public.

The grand opening is expected to take place sometime in September.

Health Unit Issues Smoke Advisory

With all the smoke this week caused by forest fires burning in the far north, the Northwest Health Unit has come out with an advisory for local residents.

The Health Unit says the young, the elderly, pregnant women, people with heart or lung problems, and people doing strenuous exercise are at the greatest risk.

If the smokey conditions prevail, the Health Unit suggests local residents stay indoors, and remain inactive and keep their windows and doors closed.

If you begin to feel unwell, you should contact your health care provider.

Conditions in Red Lake, Thunder Bay and Dryden are said to be very bad today.

Clement to meet with Fire Evacuees

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is in Dryden this morning to meet with volunteers, firefighters and evacuees affected by wildfires raging in the area.

Clement will be joined by Kenora MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs Greg Rickford.

The two will be at the Dryden Airport at 10 o'clock.

Burning Permits in the City Suspended

The hot dry conditions are causing concern for Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services.

It's forced officials to suspend all burning permits within the city citing unusually dry conditions.

The burning ban won't be lifted until the situation improves.

Premier urges residents to be careful with fire

Forest fires in northwestern Ontario have forced evacuations in several communities.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is urging those venturing into Ontario forests to be careful.

 More than 115 forest fires are raging across northwestern Ontario, and thousands of residents are in immediate danger from the growing flames and dense smoke.

Communities Looking for Help with Evacuees

Forest fires in northwestern Ontario have communities scrambling

to find accommodation for thousands of people who may have to be evacuated.

Thunder Bay wants Queen's Park to get involved in the evacuation and help with the temporary housing needed for up to 7-thousand evacuees.

Timmins and Sudbury have agreed to take in evacuees.

Some have already gone to Wawa, Sioux Lookout, Kapuskasing, Matachewan and Greenstone.

NAN Urges Governments to Commit more resources to Evacuations

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy is asking the Provincial and Federal Governments to commit all available emergency resources to help First Nations threatened by forest fires.

Beardy wants Ottawa to ensure that enough aircraft are available to evacuate the communities at a moment's notice.

More than 115 forest fires are raging across Northwestern Ontario, and Beardy says thousands of residents are in immediate danger from the growing flames and dense smoke.

As many as 200 residents of Keewaywin First Nation were evacuated to Winnipeg on Monday evening after 197 residents were evacuated Sunday.

76-residents of Cat Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Dryden and 170 residents of North Spirit Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Greenstone.

About 750 residents of Sandy Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Thunder Bay, and 230 residents of Kingfisher Lake First Nation are on standby for evacuation.

A total of 46-hundred people have already been evacuated and more are expected in the coming days.

Beady is also asking the Province to declare a state of emergency so that all necessary resources can be directed to protect the health and safety of the residents of the effected communities.