Changes for Pharmacists

Ontario pharmacists can now adminster flu shots, write new prescriptions for stop smoking products, and will soon be able to renew existing prescriptions, except for narcotics.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the government changed regulations to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to make it more convenient for patients.

Electoral Boundaries Commission Responds to Riding Changes

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is having a change of heart.

Public hearings on riding changes in northwestern Ontario were held in Kenora yesterday, and there was a lot of feedback from residents in Lake of the Woods Township.

George Valin is chairman of the Commission and says they understand their concerns about being moved out of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.

Valin says they will likely recommend that Lake of the Woods Township stay put and not be moved into the Kenora Riding.

NOSM Holds Major Medical Conference

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a beehive of activity this week.

A major 6-day conference looking at opportunities and challenges in the health care system.

Roger Strasser is the dean of the Medical School and says it's like 5 world conferences in 1.

Strasser says groups will be able to tour Northern Ontario, including communities such as Sioux Lookout.

Path of the Paddle Gets Additional Funding

More funding to help make the Path of the Paddle a reality.

The proposed route would be part of the Trans-Canada Trail and connect waterways in the Kenora and Thunder Bay Districts.

Vicki Kurz is the project manager and says they still need to do more route planning and consultation before the Path of the Paddle becomes a reality.

Kurz says they will be receiving 68 thousand dollars from the Ontario Tourism Development Fund to carry out the second year of route planning.

KACL Takes Over After School Program

More good news for parents needing after school care for their kids.

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has announced that it has reached an agreement with the Kenora Association for Community Living to provide the service at Pope John Paul School.

The City of Kenora announced this past summer that it was getting out of the child care business.

KACL will be taking over the after school program following the Christmas break on January 7th.

Working Smart Workshops next week

A workshop on how to better use your Blackberrys, i-phones and i-pads is coming to the area.

Small Business Advisor Stefanie Armstrong says the purpose is so people can access everything their gadget has to offer.

The Northwest Business Center is presenting the workshops.

The Kenora sessions will take place on October 15th.

Operation Impaqct Stats Released

The results from the Ontario Provincial Police 'Operation Impact' long weekend blitz are in.

Sergeant Ann McCoy says they charged 361 people in the Northwest region with speeding, 41 with hazardous moving violations and 25 seatbelt charges.

Only one speeding charge in the Kenora area and one seatbelt violation.

Four people died in a two vehicle collision near Pic River First Nation and four people were injured in a single vehicle crash north of Savant Lake.

Cocaine Charges at Sioux Lookout Airport

A routine walkthrough at the Sioux Lookout Airport has resulted in the seizure of drugs.

Officers located an intoxicated man and police found he was in possession of cocaine.

Provincial Police say the accused provided a false name during his arrest.

27-year-old Gilbert Chief of Sachigo Lake First Nation faces counts of possession of a controlled substance and obstructing a police officer.

Tourist Lodge Fined

A tourist lodge Northeast of Sioux Lookout has been fined three
thousand dollars.

In September, the Old Post & Villiage served angler caught walleye to 10 guests who just happened to work for the MInistry of Natural Resources.

The MNR wants to remind the public that it is illegal to list angler caught fish on a menu and to charge for them without permission.