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.