Miracle Marathon a Huge Success

(Midget Thistles Held Load Trailer)

The Salvation Army in Kenora has received a huge boost to it's Christmas Cheer campaign.

The 23rd Annual CJRL Miracle Marathon in support of the Salvation Army was a resounding success.

Over the last 2 days the marathon has raised over 4500 pounds in food, toys, and other items for the Salvation Army.

Business Manager Sandra Poole says the cash donations have been outstanding as well.

She says they collected more than 23 thousand dollars during the 19 hour radio marathon.

Poole says all the donations will be distributed within the community.

Impaired Driver Charged

A man from Sabaskong First nation is facing impaired driving charges.

OPP says they found a vehicle was blocking traffic on Highway 71 South of Nestor Falls yesterday evening.

Police found that the driver, 30 year old Todd Copenace, was impaired and charged him with Impaired Driving.

Copenance will answer to the charge in court today.

Kenora Retailers Embrace Black Friday

Black Friday is no longer a term being just used by American retailers.

It's coming just as big in Canada and now in Kenora.

Manager of McTaggart's Richard Boileau says his store is among many looking to attract customers with special deals today.

It's suggested Canadian will spent on average 300 dollars per person today.

PSAC Given Right to Represent NAPS Officers

Its being called a precedent setting decision.

The Canadian Industrial Labor Relations Board has ruled that officers with the
Nishinabe Aski Police can be represented by the Public Service Alliance
of Canada.

Sharon DeSousa is a spokesperson for P-SAC and says they can now move forward with negotiations on a new contract.

DeSousa adds that the ruling will also affect other aboriginal police services across the province, including the Treaty Three Police.

She says Treaty Three Police will have it's own hearing with the board in January about whether PSAC can represent their officers.

Atleo Addresses Ontario Chiefs

National Chief  of the Assembly of First Nations, Shawn Atleo is addressing first nations issues with aboriginal leaders.

Atleo says he has felt widespread support from communities wanting to have more of an influence on education.

He says he will also be speaking with the United Nations to address Canada's sustainable development goals.

Atleo made the address to the Chiefs of Ontario meeting which is taking place in Thunder Bay this
week.

Harborfest Directors Planning for Next Summer

It may be looking a lot like Christmas, but Harborfest is already thinking
summer thoughts.

Work is already underway trying to book acts for next year's evening concerts.

Dave Blake is the director of entertainment and says its become increasingly challenging to book top flight bands.

Blake says their goal is to book at least one of the night's for the August long weekend before Christmas.

CO2 Detectors Soon To Be Mandatory in All Homes

A new carbon monoxide detector might make a good Christmas gift.

A private members bill has passed at Queen's Park that will soon mandate the alarms in all Ontario homes.

Tory MPP Ernie Hardeman, who pressed for the law since the death of a family from carbon monoxide poisoning in 2008, says it replaces old laws requiring only homes built after 2001 to have the alarms.

The Hawkins-Gignac Act is named in memory of the family who died.

Resolute Runs Afoul of WSIB

A spokesperson for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is confirming that Resolute Forest products is facing some legal problems involving the company's Thunder Bay sawmill.  

The board says that its facing four counts of failing to report work related accidents within three days.  

The board would not confirm the exact safety issues that are involved saying they are now before the provincial offences court.  

Sharks in Winnipeg for Weekend Swim Meet

24 members of the Kenora Swim Sharks are in Winnipeg for the Prairie Winter Invitational.

The competition kicked off yesterday and 11 year Gabe Mastromatteo earned the first gold medal.

He swam to a personal best 36.11 second in the 50 meter breast stroke.

The competition runs until Sunday.

Murder Charge Laid After Death on Shoal Lake #40

The OPP and Treaty 3 Police are investigating a death on the Shoal lake #40 first nation.

Police say they were called to a residence on Tuesday where they found 83 year James Redsky of Shoal Lake #40 dead inside.

23 year old Katelyn Skead of the community has been arrested and charged with second degree murder.

She is being held in custody and will appear in Kenora court tomorrow.

Treaty 3 Police along with the North West Region Crime Unit and Criminal Investigation Branch are continuing their investigation.

Manitoba Man Killed in Highway 17 Crash

A 57 year old Manitoba man is dead following a three vehicle accident on Highway 17 east of Kenora.

The OPP say an eastbound transport collided with a west bound semi shortly before midnight near Percy Lake.

Another west bound tractor-trailor unit ended up in the ditch.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department was called out to extract the driver from the eastbound rig.

He was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital where he later from his injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Benjamin Buekert from Gladstone, Manitoba.

The Trans-Canada was closed for over eight hours last night due to multiple collisions on that section of Highway between Kenora and Vermilion Bay.

One Person Dead in Overnight Accident on Highway 17 East

One person is confirmed dead in a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 17 between Vermilion Bay and Kenora.

Provincial Police say the crash occurred about 20-kilometers
east of the Highway 71 junction overnight.

Police say the victim is an unidentified man.

Several other collisions involving transports were reported on the highway and the road is closed to remove all of the debris.

The OPP say one lane of Highway 17 has now been re-opened.

Highway 17 east of Vermilion Bay is open but is extremely icy.

Several vehicles were seen in the ditch overnight and extreme caution is urged.

OPP Say Expect Delays On Highway 17 East Today

Expect some traffic delays this morning along Highway 17 east of Kenora.

Just minutes after re-opening the Trans-Canada east of the Highway 71
junction, the OPP say the road has been closed again.

Police say crews are working to remove transports that were involved
in a number of accidents overnight.

There are reports of one fatality, but the OPP have not released any
other details.

The OPP say a number of transports jack-knifed or ended up in the
ditch.

Highway crews are also working to salt and sand the area.

Ontario Chiefs Reject Federal Overhaul of First Nations Education Act

Regional Chiefs meeting in Thunder Bay this week are rejecting the Federal Government's First Nations Education Act.

The Ontario Regional Chiefs held a news conference yesterday to say they have plans to implement their own education vision.

The Chiefs, which include members of Treaty Three, noted they have been working on their own strategy which will be implemented by First Nations communities across the province.

NOMA and NOACC Meet With Premier Wynne

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is pleased with their recent meetings with the Premier and Natural Resources Minister.

NOMA president Dave Canfield says they spoke about energy needs in the north as well as property reassessments on large industrial properties.

Canfield along with members of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce had a chance to sit down with Premier Kathleen Wynne for an hour on Tuesday.

Canfield says talks with the MNR's David Orazietti went ok and notes there are still some struggling points with the forest industry.

Rickford Disappointed with Provincial Response to Ring of Fire

The provincial government needs to develop a better working relationship with its partners on the Ring of Fire.

That's the feeling of Greg Rickford, who is the federal government's point man on the massive mining development.

Rickford says they were surprised by the announcement earlier this month of a development corporation for the Ring.

Rickford says he's always had a good working relationship with Mines minister Michael Gravelle, but is accusing the premier of politicizing the Ring of Fire.

Two Northwest First Nations Share Funding

Two first nation communities in northwestern Ontario are sharing a chunk of money from the province.

The Big Island First Nation near Morson will be getting just over 500 thousand dollars to help develop a seven thousand square foot business center.

The 1.5 million dollar project will include a gas bar, a grocery store, gift shop and post office.

The Bearskin Lake First Nation has been promised 750 thousand dollars to help
expand its community center.

The 1.4 million dollar project is expected to be complete next year.

10th Annual Festival of Trees Begins Tonight

An annual Christmas tradition is back at the Lake of the Woods Museum.

The Festival of Trees gets underway tonight with Seniors Night.

Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation Executive Director Darlene MacGillivray says they have a great line up of music.

The festival continues tomorrow night with the Glitz, Glamour, and Glow Gala, and finishes up Saturday with Family Day.

Saints Boys Hockey Team Loses First of the Season

The Fort Frances Muskies are proving to be the team to beat in the NorWOSSA boys hockey league.

The Muskies skated into Kenora yesterday and left with a 6-1 win over the Thomas Aquinas Saints.

It was T.A.'s first loss of the season, while Fort improved to 3-0.

Most School Buses Running This Morning

The highway closure has caused some disruption to bus service
this morning.

The Northwest Student Services Consortium says the bus from Sioux Narrows has been forced to turn back at Highway 71.

Instead, bus KN30 will start picking up students at Longbow Lake.

A pair of buses in the Vermillion Bay area have also been affected.

All other buses in the Kenora area are running this morning.

Highway 17 East of Kenora Closed Again!

Slippery road conditions have resulted in several collisions overnight and the closure of Highway 17 between Vermillion Bay and the junction of Highway 71.

There were several collisions last night in the area and the highway is expected to be closed for parts of this morning.

Police say several transports either jack-knifed or ended up in the ditch along
the Trans-Canada and it could take several hours to clear the wreckage.

OPP are asking motorists heading east to Thunder Bay to use Highway 71 to Fort Frances and then Highway 11 over to the Lakehead as a detour this morning.

Seine River Man Charged With 2nd Degree Murder

A 26 year old Seine River man has been charged with 2nd degree murder following a police investigation in Fort France.

Provincial Police say they have arrested Peter Deafy for the death of 45 year old Leo Whitecrow.

Whitecrow was found dead at the Midtown Motel on the morning of November 2nd.

Deafy is set to appear in court tomorrow to answer to the charge.

Ne-Chee Friendship Center Looking for New Board Members

The Ne-Chee Friendship Center is looking for a couple of new board members.

Ne-Chee's Board of Directors has accepted the resignations of Leanna Leask and Bob Albany at their meeting earlier this month.

The Friendship Center will be holding a general meeting to fill the vacancies.

The actual date of the general meeting hasn't been announced yet.

McIntosh Residential School Commemoration Today

Another commemoration ceremony is taking place today for residential school survivors.

The McIntosh Residential School operated north of Vermillion Bay by the Roman Catholic Church between 1924 to 1969.

The Commemoration Ceremony is taking place at the Best Western Lakeside Inn and features a number of speakers who were students at the school.

The event is a day long affair and will wrap up this evening with some entertainment, including the Billy Joe Green Band.

Bayfield Wraps Up Drilling Project

Bayfield Ventures has stopped its drills for this season.

The company has been conducting an extensive exploration program on its Burns Block project, south of Kenora and adjacent to New Gold's gold project.

It says drilling has confirmed the widespread distribution of gold and silver in high grade shoots with the potential of further discoveries.

Street Gangs Turning To Social Media

Facebook and other social media sites are becoming the tools of choice of local street gangs.

Graffiti and tagging are slowly starting to be replaced by more high tech
forms of communications.

Brad Greer is with the Kenora Street Crimes Unit and says social media
is also a lot more anonymous.

Greer adds that the Native Syndicate and Indian Posse continue to be the
most prominent gangs in this region, though they are keeping a little lower
profile than in the past.

He says their main source of income comes from dealing in weapons and drugs.

Northwest Innovation Center Meets Local Entrepreneurs

Calling all entrepreneurs.

The Northwest Innovation Center wants you.

Members of the Center are in Kenora this week talking about
their services.

Terry Smith says they have a number of meetings set up over two days.

Smith says while the Innovation Center is located in Thunder Bay, they can help local entrepreneurs expand or help them market their products.

MNR Conducts Hunting Blitz

The Ministry of Natural Resources says it pulled out all the stops in a weekend blitz to enforce deer hunting safety.  

Officials say they laid 11 charges in the effort including lying to a conservation officer, hunting without a licence and failing to wear hunter orange.

They say the region was patrol
led by air and land including the use of the OPP canine unit and its officers.

Health Unit Conducting Phone Survey

The Northwestern Health Unit is launching a telephone survey starting this week.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Perrault says they will be contacting their partners from health, education, social services and other agencies,

Perrault says they want to ensure the Health Unit is delivering the proper public health services to area residents.

The survey will also be used to measure the success of the 2013-2016 strategic plan.

Oracle Research is conducting the survey on behalf of the Health Unit.

NOMA to Hear from local Vets about Office Closure

Veterans and members of the Public Service Alliance will be speaking to the Northwestern Ontario Municipalities Association today.

They're pushing for support to help keep the Federal Government from closing the local Veterans Affairs Office.

World War 2 Veteran Roy Lamore says the move is going to mean hardships for veterans.

NOMA is considering a motion opposing the office closure in Thunder Bay and another 8 across Canada.

Tories Complain About Mazza in Lakehead ER

Dr. Chris Mazza's stint in the emergency room of the Thunder Bay
Health Sciences Center has caught the attention of at least one politician
at Queen's Park.

Conservative MPP Frank Klees says its not appropriate for the former
president and CEO of ORNGE to be back on the public payroll.

He says Mazza should be in jail, not a hospital ER.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says its up to each hospital to hire medical staff, and it's not her job to dictate who they can or cannot employ.

Auditor's Report Raises Red Flag About First Nation Emergencies

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs needs to be more proactive when it comes to dealing with emergencies on first nations.

That's one of the recommendations contained in the Auditor General's annual fall report.

Michael Ferguson says of the almost half billion dollars spent on emergencies over the past four years, only one percent has gone towards prevention.

Ferguson's report also suggests that outdated or missing emergency plans are putting first nation communities at risk.

Bronco Hockey Teams Split at Home

Beaver Brae's girls hockey team has earned its first win of the season.

The Broncos got by their cross-town rivals from Thomas Aquinas last night 5-1.

It was the Saints first game of the season.

Rylee Smith had a pair of goals for the Broncos to lead the offense.

Meanwhile, a third period collapse cost Beaver Brae's boys hockey team.

The Broncos were tied 4-4 with Dryden entering the final frame, but the Eagles scored five unanswered goals to secure the win.

Jed Rattai had a pair of goals in the loss.

Beaver Brae doesn't have a lot of time to lick its wounds as they travel to Sioux Lookout tonight to face the Warriors.

Bronco Hockey Teams In Action Today

A busy week for Beaver Brae's boys hockey team.

The Broncos play three games in four nights.

Tonight, Beaver Brae hosts Dryden at the Rec. Center, then
heads to Sioux Lookout tomorrow night.

Game time is 7:30 this evening.

Meanwhile, it will be an all-Kenora affair in girls hockey.

The Thomas Aquinas girls team will play its first game of the season
tonight when they face Beaver Brae at the Rec. Center.

Game time is 4:30.

SN-NF To Operate Caliper Lake Provincial Park Next Year

Some hope for a provincial park in northwestern Ontario.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls town council has voted in favour of operating Caliper Lake next summer.

Mayor Bill Thompson says they managed to get the Ministry of Natural Resources to make some concessions in the operation of the camp sites.

Thompson says the MNR has also agreed to add Sioux Narrows to the provincial park reservation system, which he feels will benefit the operation of that park next year.

Thompson estimates the town spends between 30 to 50 thousand dollars each year to operate
Sioux Narrows Park, and admits they don't know how much more it will cost to maintain Caliper Lake.

Lake of the Woods Hospital Board Receives Provincial Honor

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital has been received the first ever “Leading Governance Excellence” Award.

The award, presented by the Ontario Hospital Association's Governance Center
of Excellence, recognizes work done by a hospital's board of directors.

Board Chair Fred Richardson says there is one big reason they received the reward.

He says community involvement was key to the honor.

Richardson says the Ownership and Linkages Committee is their outreach into the community.

Richardson says there was 26 submissions between 2 categories.

Campbell Seeking Input on Road Conditions

 Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is using social media to find
out what local motorist feel about our road conditions.

Campbell has put out a Facebook message asking constituents to share their
stories about the state of local highways.

She's responding to Transportation Minister Glen Murray's promise to come to
northwestern Ontario and talk to local road maintenance contractors if the situation doesn't improve.

Campbell is asking residents to message her, contact her constituency office or
e-mail her directly.

Winnipeg Hunter Runs Afoul of MNR

A Winnipeg man has been fined 15-hundred for illegally exporting deer from northwestern Ontario.

Leonard Rivers pleaded guilty to the charge as well as providing false information to a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer.

Court heard that Rivers told officers he had not hunted during the fall of 2012.

However, an investigation found that Rivers obtained a non-resident deer hunting licence and harvested an antlered white-tailed deer north of Kenora.

Court heard that Rivers butchered the deer and transported the meat to Manitoba by train, even though he didn't have a permit to do so.

Northerners Embracing Liberals Common Voice

Northerners appear to be responding to the Premier Wynne's call for ideas.

Liberals from the region gathered in Thunder Bay on the weekend to discuss the Common Ground initiative.

Regional Vice-president Anthony Leek says he's happy with the response.

Some of the ideas include strengthening Telehealth services and creating a Far North Advisory council.

Former ORNGE CEO Working In ER

The former president and CEO of the Ornge Air Ambulance CEO Dr. Chris Mazza is moving onto a different line of work.

Mazza spent some time this weekend as an ER doctor at the Regional Health Sciences Center in Thunder Bay.

Chief of Staff Dr. Gordon Porter says he has no concerns that the controversy surrounding Mazza.

Porter says in fact he'd like it if Mazza helped fill future ER shifts.

Porter says the hospital is in need of part time physicians to help staff the ER.

Conservatives Reclaim Provencher Riding

No change in the standings in the House of Commons following four
federal by-elections.

The Conservatives held onto their two seats in Manitoba.

Ted Falk was an easy winner in the Provencher Riding just west of Kenora
taking 58.1 percent of the vote.

The Harper Conservatives also narrowly held onto Brandon-Souris.

Meanwhile, the Liberals held onto Toronto Center and also the Bourassa
riding in Montreal.

Good Results for Young Sharks in Dryden

Some impressive results from a couple of members of the Kenora Sharks
Swim Club at the Formula 500 meet in Dryden over the weekend.

10 year old Evan McDonald led the medal parade with five first place finishes.

On the girls side, Alexis From won four gold and a silver, while
Emilia Mastromateo took home three firsts and two seconds.

Jessica Therian and Samantha Green also enjoyed a number of strong
performances.

Gravelle Asks Rickford to Get On Board Ring of Fire

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle has written an open letter to Minister of State for Science and Technology and Kenora MP Greg Rickford.

Gravelle is once again urging the federal government to jump on board with the Ring of Fire project in the Far North.

Gravelle claims the province has been consistent in its requests for federal engagement but notes their call has been unanswered.

In the letter Gravelle suggests the Ontario government has done what it can to move the project forward but the feds have been sitting on the sideline.

Gravelle is calling for a one-on-one meeting with Rickford to discuss the issue.

The project has stalled with the temporary departure of one of the main players, Cliffs Natural Resources.

OPP Officially Release Names of Red Lake Crash Victims

Provincial Police in Red Lake have officially released the names of the 5 victims in the Bearskin Airline crash.

Police confirm 25 year old Aniruddh Sawant, 34 year old Peter Traczuk, 53 year old Anna Johannesson, 53 year old Peter Struk, and 64 year old Sharron Taylor died when the plane crashed short of the runway in Red Lake.

Two other passengers survived the crash.

The Transportation Safety Board is continuing their investigation into what caused the accident.

Provencher Voters Go to the Polls Today

One of the federal ridings bordering the Kenora Riding will have a new
member of parliament tomorrow.

Voters in the Provencher Riding head to the polls today.

They will be seeking a replacement for Vic Toews, who resigned earlier
this year to spend more time with his family.

Provencher is a Conservative held riding and one of four by-elections being
held today.

Ted Falk is carrying the Conservative banner in the by-election, while Terry Hayward
is representing the Liberals, Natalie Courcelles Beaudry the NDP and the Green Party
by Janine Gibson.

The other by-elections are taking place in Brandon-Souris in western Manitoba, Bob Rae's old riding
in Toronto Center and Bourassa in Montreal.

Campaign to Help Fellowship Center Under Way

A campaign by Making Kenora Home to help out the Fellowship Center has been well received.

Making Kenora Home has asked its members to donate 15 dollars a month to the shelter to help pay for an overnight stay.

John Pencoff is the day supervisor and says the campaign is making a difference.

Under new provincial regulations, someone wishing to stay at the Fellowship Center has to pay for their bed in advance.

There is concern that many of the city's homeless don't always have the funds to afford a night in the shelter.

Task Force Working On Managed Alcohol Program

The Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force is continuing to support the Managed Alcohol Program being set up in the city.

The controversial program that helps ween alcohol users of their addiction is looking for a location to set up in the city.

OPP Constable Bob Bernie says in the meantime their partners are working one another key step.

He says they are seeking funding from the Northwest Local Health Integration Network for a pilot program.

The Task Force has already received assistance from a controlled alcohol program in Ottawa.

KDSB Ready to Release Homelessness Plan

The Kenora District Services Board says it will meet its deadline to
submit a homelessness plan to the province.

The Board has been hard at work on the plan for the past year.

Barry Baltesson is chair of the board and says they received a lot
of positive input from local communities.

Baltesson says they will be releasing the plan at its board meeting next
month, and then will submit it to the province in January.

TSB Continues to Investigate Red Lake Crash

Not much is new in the Bearskin Airlines Flight 311 investigation.

The aircraft was en route from Sioux Lookout to Red Lake when it crashed just before reaching the Red Lake Airport on November 10th.

Transportation Safety Board Spokesperson Peter Hildebrand says investigators are still examining the engine and propeller parts in Winnipeg.

They will then be shipped out for analysis.

Hildebrand says there were snow showers in the area, but a special weather observation taken right after the crash showed conditions weren't unusual.

School Board Supports Cyber-Bullying Crackdown

The Federal government isn't alone in clamping down on cyber-bullying.

Keewatin-Patricia District School Board Director of Education Sean Monteith says they have been taking a proactive approach to address the harmful practice.

Monteith says the Board has disciplinary powers to act if a student is bullied on-line after school hours.

The Conservative government introduced measures to curb cyber-bullying attacks this week on Parliament Hill.