Record Warm Weather Won't Last

Its been a record tying day already, weather-wise.

Overnight the temperature soared to 9.4 degrees, matching the previous high for this date set back in 1971.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says the warm weather won't last.

Already, hazardous driving conditions are being reported on the prairies as a storm system packing freezing rain and snow tracks its way across the west.

RCMP say road conditions in southern Saskatchewan are very poor with slippery sections, blowing snow and near zero visibility on several highways, including parts of the Trans-Canada.

Nickle Wins Conservative Nomination

A Kenora businessman is seeking to be the next MPP of the Kenora-Rainy River riding.

Randy Nickle won the Conservative nomination Saturday at meeting in Dryden.

Nickle says he wants to cut the red tape in small and medium sized businesses.

Nickle was the lone candidate in the race to seek the Conservative nomination.

He replaces Rod McKay, who chose not to run again.

22nd Miracle Marathon Delivers

The need for Christmas hampers is expected to grow this year.

The Salvation Army launched its Christmas Cheer Campaign overthe weekend with the CJRL Christmas Miracle Marathon.

Captain Roy Bladen says the need is as great as ever this year.

Bladen says the Miracle Marathon will make a big dent in their fundraising efforts this holiday season.

 Thousands of dollars worth of non-perishable food items, cash and toys were donated during the two day radio fundraiser.

Grassy Commemorates 10 Years of Logging Blockade

(Courtesy of Sergio Alberto Mendoza Luna http://mendoza.prosi​te.com)

The Grassy Narrows First Nation is marking a different sort of anniverary.

Its been 10 years since the Blockade of logging roads near the community began.

A special ceremony was held at Queen's Park in Toronto yesterday.

Its considered the longest running Indigenous logging blockade in Canada.

A sacred fire was lit at the Ontario Legislature, and on the Grassy Narrows First Nation, a pipe ceremony was held in a new long house built at the Slant Lake Blockade site.

Grassy residents have been protesting clear-cut logging activity in their community.

Chamber of Commerce on the Move

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is going to be on the move.

The Chamber of Commerce will be moving its office later this month.

Vice-President, Wes Romaniuk says they will be sharing space with Lake of the Woods Insurance.

They will be taking over the old Copperfin Credit Union office on Park Street. 

Romaniuk says they will also have a new office manager when they move into their next digs this month.

9th Annual Festival of Trees Shines

Another big weekend for the Festival of Trees.

Over 16 thousand dollars was raised through the auction of the decorated Christmas Trees at the Lake of the Woods Museum.

Darlene McGillvary from the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation says she was impressed with the turn-out this year.

McGillvary says by the time all is said and done, they hope to raise about 25 to 30 thousand dollars from this years Festival of Trees.

This year's winners were:

St. Louis School and Saakate House: School Challenge Award

Keewatin Figure Skating Club: Excellence in Community Spirit

Tunnel Island Management Company:  Best Illustration of a Theme

Lake of the Woods Arts Community:  Most Beautifully Decorated Tree. 

Thistles Win Two of Three on the Road

It was a pretty good road trip for the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles.

They won two of three games over the weekend.

Yesterday, the Thistles completed a two-game sweep of the Interlake Lightning in Gimli with a 3-1 win.

Saturday, the Kenora Midgets downed the Lightning 5-2.

That followed up on a 7-2 loss Friday night against the Central Plains Capitals.

Broncos Girls Blank Saints

Beaver Brae's girls hockey team remains perfect in NorWOSSA league play.

The Broncos blanked their cross-town rivals, the Thomas Aquinas Saints last night 8-0 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Jodi Melillo and Hayley Moncrief each had a pair of goals to lead the offense.

Aryn Puls recorded the Shutout.

The Broncos are back in action Tuesday night against the Dryden Eagles, while the Saints travel to Fort Frances on Wednesday to take on the Muskies.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's boys hockey team finished the Brandon High School Hockey tournament with a 3-2 record.

The Broncos lost to Sturgeon Creek yesterday 5-4 in the B-side Final.

Local Girls Hockey Teams Earn Seven Medals

A good weekend for the home side in the Lake of the Woods Girls hockey tournament.

Local teams collected two gold medals, two silver and three bronze.

The Lake of the Woods Chaos were one of the gold medalists taking top honors in the PeeWee Division.

After going undefeated in the round robin, the Chaos trounced a Fort Frances team 9-1 in the final.

In the Atom Final, it was an all-Kenora affair with Dynamite narrowly beating the Stingers.

Katelyn Stenlund netting the lone marker.

In the Novice final, the Lake of the Woods Purple Slurpies took home a silver medal after losing 5-3 to the Dakota Lasers in the final.