Wynne Hosts Northern Media in Conference Call

Premier-designate Kathleen Wynne is promising to set up a northern Cabinet Committee after she is sworn in.  

Wynne says it's purpose would be to have ministers across goverments to look at the policies, issues and decisions though a northern lens.

Wynne held a conference call with northern media yesterday taking questions ranging from the forest industry to mining to the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kenora.

Wynne is also promising to have a meeting of the full cabinet in northern Ontario within a month after she is sworn in.

Forensic Evidence Presented At Murder Trial

Some graphic evidence has been presented at the second degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall.

Some of the crime scene photos of Ed Wilson's body were presented to the jury today.

Wilson was run over by a CP train around 3:30 on the morning of March 21st, 2009.

The photos shows the dismembered head and left arm of the victim lying beside the train tracks in Norman.

About 17 meters to the west, his right forearm and hand were located.

Constable Marc Sharpe was one of three forensic identification officers on the scene that day and says they found a number of areas where Wilson's blood was found, both on a trail leading up to the train tracks and on A Street West.

Sharpe says the only other blood they found in the area belonged to Kenneth Ivall.

DNA tests found his blood in an area about 44 meters west of the Tower Motel, and also directly in front and to the side of the front entrance of the building.

The crown estimates that it will be able to present the balance of its evidence over the next two weeks.

MPAC Hammers Dryden's Assessment of Domtar

A major blow for the City of Dryden.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has reassessed the value of Domtar's operations in Dryden and the new figure has come in at 14-million dollars.

That's a 72-percent drop in assessed value from the previous 50-million.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says they will have to go back to the drawing board with the 2013 municipal budget.

The city had been hoping for an assessment in the range of 36-million dollars.

Attawapiskat Blockade DeBeers Ice Road

De Beers Canada says a group of residents in Attawapiskat are blockading an ice road used to move heavy equipment and supplies to its Victor diamond mine.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has called a band council meeting for tomorrow to discuss a blockade of the winter road.

De Beers and Attawapiskat band officials met with the blockaders yesterday afternoon.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network says one of the band officials involved in talks is Danny Metatawabin, who was Spence's spokesman during her recent hunger protest in Ottawa.

De Beers spokesman Tom Ormsby says the blockade has not yet impacted the mine's operations, but has forced De Beers to cease operations on the road.

Some officials in Attawapiskat believe the blockade was launched over specific and personal reasons, primarily over things like employment.

Kenora Continues to Excel At Organ Donation

Forty-three percent of Kenora residents are registered organ donors.

The Trillium Gift of Life Network says last year, there were one thousand-fifty-three organ transplants, which is an 11 per cent increase from 2011.

President and CEO Ronnie Gavsie says you can donate organs, even when you're alive.

On the larger scale, only 22 per cent of Ontario residents are donors.
Visit beadonor.ca to register.

Count Down to Kenora Winter Carnival Is On

Showing your colors and promoting local charities.

The Winter Carnival Charity Challenge is starting to heat up.

Special Events coordinator Mark Duggan says there is some incentive to wear all 4 charity buttons.

Charity buttons are on sale at multiple locations throughout the city.

Locations will soon be posted on the winter carnival website.

Red Lake Wins Drive Away Hunger Challenge

The Red Lake BDO office now has a fancy new trophy to display.

The employees were presented with the BDO Cup for their participation in the Drive Away Hunger Campaign.

Ken Ficocelli from BDO says this is the first year of the cup and that the trophy resembles a well known professional championship.

Red Lake collected over 4400 pounds of food per employee that all stays within their local foodbank.

Broncos lose to Eagles

Beaver Brae's boys hockey team has fallen to 5-3 on the season.

The Broncos were edged 3-1 last night by the Dryden Eagles at the
Thistle Rink.

The Eagles are undefeated since the high school hockey season resumed
in the new year.

Beaver Brae's next game is at home against the Sioux Lookout Warriors next
Monday.