Rickford reacts to Pikangikum Suicide Crisis

The federal government says it is taking action to deal with the suicide epidemic on the Pikangikum First Nation.

Last week a coronor's report made several recommendations help the troubled community, including re-building the school.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says they have committed funding for the reconstruction of the school.

The Coronor's report dealt with the death of Sixteen people between the ages of 10 and 19 who killed themselves in Pikangikum, between 2006 and 2008.

Green Party Candidate in Kenora-Rainy River Ready to hit Campaign Trail

The Green candidate for the Kenora-Rainy River Riding says she feels stronger and more informed than she did last Provincial election.

Jo Jo Holiday is in her second Provincial election campaign and says its time for someone to represent the people of this Riding.

Holiday says health care, education and child poverty are all issues that need to be corrected.

Birth Rates on the Rise Across Northwestern Ontario

Birth rates are on the rise in Northwestern Ontario.

A recent report shows there's been a 5 percent jump in the number of births since 2004

The Kenora District has seen the biggest recovery with an increase of 9 percent followed by Thunder Bay District with just over 3 percent

NDP Candidates past and future make an appearance at Labor Day Picnic

M.P.P. Howard Hampton won't be standing for re-election in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding this October but he says we're in good hands.

Sarah Campbell is taking his place.

She has been working at Hampton's Dryden constituency for the past 6 years, and Campbell admits she's still learning. 

The NDP say they will be opening their campaign office in Kenora this weekend. 

Classes start at Confederation College despite Strike

Pickets are up at the nine Confederation College campuses in Northwestern Ontario.

Support staff walked off the job last week and no new talks are scheduled.

Today is the first day of classes at Confederation College and President Jim Madder is asking students and staff to take extra care and time when arriving to class.

Madder stresses its important for folks to stop and listen and respect picketers.

He says at the end of the day, these are valued staff and colleagues who are exercising their legal rights.

Discovery Center a big hit with visitors

The new Discovery Center on Lakeview Drive is proving to be a big hit with visitors.

The Discovery Center replaces the old tourism bureau on Highway 17 east.

Tourism Development Officer Heather Paterson says they've seen a big increase in their numbers.

The grand-opening of the Discovery Center took place on Friday afternoon.

Stunt Driving

An Edmonton man faces stunt driving charges after he was stopped on Highway 17.

Dryden OPP clocked the man doing 160 in a 90-zone on Sunday.

21-year-old Jessie Fraser had his driver license suspended for 7-days and his vehicle was impounded

Impaired Driver

A Galloway, New Brunswick man is in custody awaiting a bail hearing after he was stopped by Ignace OPP on the long weekend.

Police received a report of a possible impaired driver and officers stopped the vehicle on Highway 17. 45-year-old Joseph Vautour faces 2-counts of impaired driving.

He was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Chickenpox Vaccine

Your kids may not like this, but the Canadian Pediatric Society say when it comes to warding off the chickenpox, it seems two needles are better than one.


The doctors' group says there's evidence that without a second
dose of the chickenpox vaccine, some children could get the illness
as adults.

The society recommends that youngsters get the first dose between
12 and 18 months of age, and the second dose between the ages of
four and six.

Forest Fire Update

The forest fire season is slowly winding down.


There are now 28-active fires burning in Northwestern Ontario.

A total of 470-thousand hectares of forest are affected.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has started to tear down base camps and all of the large forest fires are either being held or are under control.

60-out of Province firefighters remain to support fire fighting efforts in the Northwest.