Campbell speaks out against Doctor Shortage

Ontario's Health Minister is being accused of forcing communities in northwestern Ontario into a medical crisis.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell reissued an invite to Deb Matthews to visit and speak with local officials about what can be done about the doctor shortage in small towns in her riding.

Matthews says her Ministry is working hard to help the community and has ensured emergency room coverage at Rainy River Health Centre until April 5.

Senior Thistles cancel weekend game

A couple of changes to the Kenora Senior Thistles Schedule.

The Thistles were supposed to play the Southeast Prairie thunder tomorrow night at the Kenora Rec. Center, but scheduling conflicts force it to be post-poned.

The Thistles next game will be Sunday, March 4th at 2:00 against the Fort Frances ThunderHawks.

That's the second game of a two game total point series to decide who will host the regional branch championships.

High School Hockey Play-offs this weekend

No shortage of high school play-off action this weekend.

Both Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas teams will be doing battle against eachother in NorWOSSA semi-final action.

Tomorrow night, the battle of Kenora will feature the Beaver Brae boys against Thomas Aquinas.

The Broncos beat the Red Lake Rams 6-2 last night in a one-game play-off  to advance.

Tomorrow night's game is scheduled for 8:30 at the Thistle Rink.

Meanwhile, the Beaver Brae Girls will meet up with Thomas Aquinas in game two of their series Sunday night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

 The Broncos lead the Saints one game to none in the best-of-three series.

City Council members head to ROMA/OGRA

Provincial cabinet ministers will be in short supply at the Ontario Good Roads Conference next week.

Traditionally, municipal leaders take the opportunity to meet with the ministers to talk about their concerns at the winter conference.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says they have received a lot of rejection letters this time around.

Canfield says they will be meeting with the Ministers of Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources and Training, Colleges and Universities next week.

Downtown CIP continued for one more year

A program designed to fix up aging businesses and buildings in downtown Kenora is being continued for at least one more year.

Kenora City Council approved the Community Improvement Plan extension in its budget deliberations earlier this month.

Over the past three years about 200 thousand dollars in grants have been handed out to enhance the downtown core, with facade improvement and new signage.

Council has agreed to top up the budget for the Downtown CIP to 100 thousand dollars this year.

Arson Confirmed as Cause of Sandy Lake Fire

Nishnawbe-Aski Police confirm arson as the cause of a major fire at Thomas Fiddler Memorial School in Sandy Lake First Nation.

The blaze caused extensive damage last Sunday afternoon.

Fire officials have yet to put a price-tag on the damage.

Police are now looking for suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nishnawbe-Aski Police or Crime Stoppers.

Rickford Concerned with decrease in population in Kenora District

Diversification is the key to growing the population of northwestern Ontario.

That's the feeling of Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford.

Rickford admits the downturn in the forest sector has taken its toll on the region, but he believes the federal government has a role in turning that trend around.

The most recent census showed the population in the Kenora District shrank by 11 percent, largely due to the decline in the forest industry.

Petition Launched against Bill C-10

A petition is being circulated to try and get the federal government to make some changes to its Safe Streets Act.

Kenora lawyer Peter Kirby has been outspoken about Bill C-10.

He says he's particularly concerned that it will take away the discretion of judges to provide alternate sentencing options.

Kirby appeared the Commons Justice Committee earlier this month to talk about his concerns and is urging local residents to visit his office to sign the petition.

Two Treaty Three Officers to Receive Medals of Bravery

Two members of the Treaty Three Police will be heading to Ottawa today to receive medals of bravery from the Governor General.

Constables George McNeil and Kris Miclash were singled out for risking their lives on the Grassy Narrows First Nation back in May of 2007.

McNeil and Miclash were called out to deal with a resident who was firing off a .223 pump action rifle in the community.

They took cover behind their vehicle and demanded the suspect drop his weapon.

The intoxicated man refused and fired off a couple of shots while advancing towards the officers.

Fearing for their lives and the safety of by-standers, they shot at the gunman, causing him to fall and drop his weapon.

They secured the weapon and restrained the gunman until an ambulence arrived at the scene.

The awards will be handed out tomorrow at a ceremony in Rideau Hall.

OFSAA Nordic Ski Championships Wrap Up Today

Just one medal so far for Kenora skiiers at the OFSAA Nordic Championships taking place near Huntsville.

Jamie Triskle from Thomas Aquinas won in the girls 1.1 sit ski event.

Maya Boivin T.A. was 8th in the senior girls senior girls freestyle division, while Katie Burkhart was 15th in the junior girls five k race.

The All-Ontario Nordic Championships wrap up later today.