Campbell waits for NDP Critic Duties

It appears Kenora-Rainy River's Sarah Campbell will have to wait a little longer to find out which critic portfolio she'll be responsible for in the upcoming session of Queen's Park.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath was expected to make those appointments yesterday.

Campbell says they'll now come next week.

The New Democrats have been holding caucus meetings at Queen's Park over the past few days. 

Enrolment up at Kenora Catholic District School Board

Not a lot of empty space in the schools operated by the Kenora Catholic District School Board these days.

The school board is reporting an increase of 55 students over last year.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says the introduction of more all-day junior and senior kindergarten programs is only part of the  reason for the boost in enrolment.

Eikre says they have managed to either maintain or increase enrolment at all their schools this fall.

At Thomas Aquinas, there is an increase of about 10 students over last year.

Total enrolment is 1,583 students.

Kenora Catholic District School Board hires new Superintendant

There will be a new face at the board offices of the Kenora Catholic District School Board next week.

A new superintendant of education has been hired to replace Murray Delorme, who is now working with the Ministry of Education.

Alexa McKinnon comes from the Thunder Bay Catholic School Board where she is working as a principal.

Her first day on the job will be October 24th.

Healing Handbook being released

Sioux Lookout will have a major presence at the upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Commission Conference in Halifax.

Garnet Angeconeb is the Co-Chair of the Sioux Lookout Community Coalition for Healing and Reconciliation and says they have been invited to launch their healing handbook on October 27th.

He adds the handbook is about renewed relations and understanding.

Two jury trials on hold due to a lack of aboriginal representation

Jury Roles are once again causing trial delays in northwestern Ontario.

Thunder Bay lawyer Chris Watkins says two of his trials are on hold because they will first need a trial on the make up of the Jury.

Watkins says having a jury properly represent the community is a cornerstone of the our society.

The lack of aboriginal representation on jury pools has been an issues for several years. 

Environmental Assessment begins on Ring of Fire mine

The proposed Cliffs Natural Resources Ring of Fire Chromite mine has taken a major step towards becoming a reality.

Today the Federal Environmental Assessment Agency announced the start of a comprehensive study assessement of the project.

Spokesperson Celine Legault says this type of study will take a full year to complete

Legault says there will be 3 public comment periods during the study.

OPP receive more vandalism reports

The OPP have been dealing with a rash of vandalism complaints over the past few days.

Police were contacted about incidents of grafitti to a business on Second Street South and also a home on Valley Drive this week.

A number of vehicles have also been entered and property has been stolen.

In one instance a car had its window smashed in.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the Kenora OPP or Crimestoppers.

Saints take three of four games from Sioux Lookout

The Thomas Aquinas senior boys volleyball team continues to steamroll over the competition in NorWOSSA league play.

The Saints cruised to a three sets to none win over Sioux Lookout yesteday.

The T.A. junior boys also won in three straight.

In girls basketball action, the Saints senior girls had an easy time with the Warriors, cruising to a 60-34 win.

The lone blemish on the day was a 25-18 loss by the Thomas Aquinas junior girls.