Salvation Army Delivers Holiday Hampers

The Salvation Army is playing to role of Santa Clause today.

Captain Roy Bladen says volunteers are in the process of delivering this years Christmas hampers to area families.

Bladen says even with a week left in fundraising that the donations have have gone beyond his wildest dreams.  

He adds the people in the Kenora area have donated around 50 thousand dollars worth of food, toys, and money.

Council Approves Street Vendors Again

Street vendors will be back on the Kenora Harborfront and the Discovery Center once again next summer.

Kenora City council has given approval to continue the street vendor program.

Last year there were three approved for the Harborfront area and two for the Discovery Center.

Next year, only one will be given a permit to set up at the tourist information center on Lakeview Drive.

Minaki on the River Moving Forword

Its taken a couple of years, but the owners of the former Minaki Lodge have outlined their plans for the property.

Minaki on the River will consist of a 56-unit apartment-style condominium  and 96 lots to be sold as seasonal cottage lots.

Bob Banman is one of the people behind the development and says they tried to blend into their current surroundings.

The project is currently in front of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing awaiting approval.

The developers hope to secure the approvals in early 2013, with infrastructure work to commence sometime next year.

Catholic Board and Teachers Union Disagree on Contract

The Kenora Catholic District School Board and its teachers aren't exactly singing from the same song book.

The separate school board has wrapped up local bargaining with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association.

The talks failed to produce a new agreement, so the current contract will remain in place.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says the deal with ensure at least two more years of labor peace.

However, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association says is disappointed with the current position of the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

Bastone Back as School Board Chair

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is staying the course.

Frank Bastone is back for another term as chair of the separate school board.

Bastone was re-elected at last night's inaugural board meeting.

Long time trustee Paul Landry was elected as the board's vice-chair.

Kenora Hydro Unhappy with New Report

A recent all-party report on Ontario's electrical distribution system isn't sitting well with Kenora Hydro.

The report suggests amalgamating a number of the municipal hydro utilities would save millions of dollars.

President and CEO of Kenora Hydro Dave Sinclair says the report doesn't recognize some of the realities here in northwestern Ontario.

Sinclair says while it might make sense to amalgamate hydro utilities in southern Ontario, it's a little more difficult in our region.

Aboriginal Protest on Highway 71 This Morning

Motorists travelling along Highway 71 may encounter a brief delay this morning.

Members of Onigaming First Nation near Nestor Falls intend to protest measures contained in the federal government's omnibus bill they say effects the environment and First Nation Treaties.

Chief Norman Copenance says the protest will be peaceful.

The protest to begin at around 10 this morning.

Red Lake OPP Officer Cleared by SIU

The Province's police watchdog is clearing a Red Lake O.P.P. officer of any wrong-doing in the death of a 35 year old man last month.

Ian Scott of the province's Special Investigations Unit says, “There are no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the death.

The S.I.U.’s investigation leads to only one reasonable conclusion: the decedent took his own life by means of a single bullet discharged from a rifle at close range.

There was no police involvement in his unfortunate death.”

The S.I.U. also concluded that at no time did police have any contact with the man who perished sometime between November 4th ad 5th.

Cabbie Assaulted

A 35 year old Kenora man faces charges as a result of an assault on a local taxi driver.

The OPP say they received a complaint Saturday morning around 8:00, that a cabbie had been attacked by a passenger while travelling along the Redditt Road.

A male suspect was arrested at the scene.

Patrick Achneepineskum has been charged with assault.

He's due to appear in Kenora Court at the end of January to answer to the charge.

Saints Win Exhibition Hockey Game

The Thomas Aquinas Boys hockey teams is trying to stay sharp, despite the curtailment of the NorWOSSA hockey season.

Last night, the Saints traveled to Dryden to take on the Paper Kings.

The Saints earned a 3-2 shootout victory, getting goals from Jackson Fregeau and Tyler Caron.

John Percy had the shootout winner.

The Saints will be traveling to New Mexico for a tournament during the Christmas holidays.