Chamber Hands Out Annual Business Awards

A glittering gala for Kenora's Business Community.

A total of eight awards were handed out in the annual Kenora and District
Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Banquet.

Laura Moore was a double winner, picking up the Entrepreneur of the Year and Business Improvement Awards.

Other winners last night were the Royal Bank for Customer Service Excellence for
a large business, the Bijou Restaurant for best new business, and Bareheart Boutique
for Innovative Small Business.


Restaurante Pizzaria Italia won the Tourism Hospitality award, while
Bruce Anderson Carpentry too the Customer Service Excellence award for
a small company, while Haily Yanshishyn was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Pathologist Presents Findings at Murder Trial

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

Dr. Michael Pollanen is Ontario's Chief Forensic Pathologist and he presented
some of the photographs from Ed Wilson's autopsy yesterday.

Wilson's face was very badly beaten and Pollanen says he found numerous
lacerations, abrasions and bruises on his face.

Dr. Pollanen says blunt force trauma to Wilson's face and head caused extensive bleeding and that led him to choke on his own blood.

Crown Attorney Mary-Ann Mousseau asked the pathologist whether there was a single fatal blow that caused his death.

Pollanen answered that would have been a simplification of this case.

Ed Wilson died as a result of the multiple injuries he sustained.

He did confirm that Wilson was dead before he was run over by a train.

He adds that if he had received proper medical attention, there is no reason
why he should have died from his injuries.

Valleyview to get a Makeover

Valleyview Public School is expanding.

The Keewatin Patricia District School Board announced plans including 4 new classrooms, an expansion to the gymnasium, and a new playground area.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says it's a great announcement.

Work on the new classroms will begin this spring with work on the gymnasium starting in the fall.

Canfield Likes Look of New Cabinet

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's excited about the prospects of
working with some of the ministers in Kathleen Wynne's new cabinet.

Canfield says in particular he's glad to see Michael Gravelle re-assigned as the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

He's also pleased that Glen Murray has been named the new minister for Transportation and Infrastructure.

Canfield says Murray's knowledge of the Kenora area will really help in any future funding discussions for roads and bridges with the province.

Valley Throws Support Behind Justin Trudeau

The President of the Federal Liberal Association in the Kenora riding has joined the Justin Trudeau team as an organizer.

Roger Valley says he strongly believes that Trudeau will become the next party leader and the next Prime Minister.

Valley says it's nice to be part of something new and exciting.

Valley is hoping that Trudeau will make an appearance in our riding.

He has confirmed that Bob Rae will meet with supporters in Dryden on March 12th.

Red Lake Cab Driver Charged with Drunk Driving

A taxi driver in Red Lake has been charged with impaired driving.

Provincial Police say last week, a taxi was exiting the Ice Road at the Government Docks when it hit a snow bank.

An officer stopped to check on the driver, and noticed that he was under the influence of alcohol.

As a result, police have charged 56-year-old Michael Desmeules.

JM Judo Club Claims Five Medals in Winnipeg

Three gold medals for the Jaffray Melick Judo club at the recent Winnipeg
Inter-City Championships.

Kerwin Klywak won his 30-kg under 13 age group, while Noah Sullivan placed first in the 46kg Under 18 division, while Luke Hetherington was tops in the 73-kg Under 21 division.

Heatherington also claimed the silver medal in the senior men's 73 kilo event.

The tournament drew 200 competitors from across Saskatchewan, Manitoba
and northwestern Ontario.