OPP Responds to Ombudsmans Report

The OPP says its starting to take action on an 18-month investigation by the provincial Ombudsman.

It includes how the Provincial Police deal with psychologial issues, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Acting Superintendent Dave Quigley says there are a number of services available for officers and civillian staff.

Quigley says they have a working group who is going to assess the findings, and see what will work at the end of the day.

City Begins 2013 Budget Process Today

Kenora city council's getting an early jump on the 2013 municipal
budget.

Council will be meeting with groups in the city which rely on municipal funding today.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says a report by the the Municipal Property and Assessment Corpopation this week was a real eye opener.

He says the fact property values are up six percent is an interesting conundrum for council.

Canfield says they'll have to factor in the increase property values when they
begin drafting their 2013 budget. 

NOMA Speaks Out Against Provincial Park Closures

The local tourism industry has taken another hit.

The Province is cancelling overnight camping in nine Provincial Parks across Northern Ontario, including one in the Northwest.

Ron Nelson is President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and says the government is hollowing of services in our communities.

Nelson says the area is already reeling from the closure of three Travel Information Centres and possible reductions at Ministry of Natural Resources offices.

Stats Can Releases more 2011 Census Results

Kenora is increasingly an English speaking community.

Results from the 2011 Census shows that 91.8 percent of local residents listed English as their mother tongue, that's up from 91.2 percent just four years ago. 

Only 2.3 percent listed French.

Ojibway has moved up into third place at 1.6 percent.

It has surpassed German, which was spoken by just one percent of
the local population. 

Local Task Force Earns OPP Accolade Award

For the second year in a row, Kenora OPP officers have won accolade
awards.

The OPP Awards Ceremony was held yesterday in Orillia, and the Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force was singled out.

It was given an award for community partnerships.

The committee consists of both OPP officers as well as representitives
from local agencies.

The Aboriginal Issue Unit was also a recipient of another award and team member Detective Contable

Marc Depres was one of the people recognized. 

Thistles Win on the Road

The Kenora Thistles are above the .500 mark once again.

A third period goal by Brandon Pentek was the game winner, as the Thistles edged the Eastman Selects 4-3 last night in Beausejour.

The Kenora Midgets now sport a record of four wins, three losses and an overtime loss.

Their next game is at home Friday night against the Pembina Valley Hawks.

Broncos Face Elmwood in WHSFL Play-Offs

Its do or die time for Beaver Brae's football team.

The play-offs begin today in the Winnipeg High School Football League today.

The Broncos travel to Winnipeg to take on the Elmwood Giants in a quarter-final match-up.

The Giants finished third in the Currie Division with a 6-1 record, while the
Broncos were in a three-way tie for 6th at 3-4.

Game time is 5:00 at the Eastside Stadium.

Saints take three of four from Sioux Lookout

Another near sweep for Thomas Aquinas court sport teams.

The Saints took three of four games played against Sioux Lookout yesterday.

The T.A. senior boys volleyball team kept their perfect record intact in NorWOSSA
league play with a three game sweep of the Warriors.

The Saints junior boys won three sets to one.

In girls basketball action, the T.A. Junior girls cruised to a 30-7 win over
Sioux Lookout, while the senior squad lost the only game of the day 35-30
to the Warriors.

Today, the Thomas Aquinas boys volleyball teams head to Whitefish Bay for the

third games in three days.