Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Premier Wynne Scheduled to Visit Kenora this Weekend

Ontario's Premier Kathleen Wynne is making a trip to northwestern Ontario.

She's making stops in Kenora Sunday and Thunder Bay following Monday

Details of her trip are still being finalized, but while in Thunder Bay she'll hold a round table discussion on jobs with local business leaders.

Wynne's last trip to Kenora was during the Liberal leadership race last winter.

Some Auto Insurance Rates Ready to Drop

There is good news for some Ontario drivers.

The Co-operators says it plans to reduces its auto insurance rates October.

Actual dollar savings will vary between drivers.

The province announced last week it will mandate a 15 per cent drop in rates over the next two years

Few Forest Fires Despite Hot Weather

Despite unseasonably warm weather, still not a lot of forest fire activity in
the region.

Just one new fire reported in the Kenora District yesterday.

That follows five new wild fires that were reported the day before in the
region.

Fire information officer Debbie McLean says due to the warm weather they will be keeping their seasonal staff a little longer.

There are currently 26 active fires in the northwest region, a number of
which are being monitored.

New Ecological Reserve Near Sprague

A new ecological reserve is being created in eastern Manitoba.
   
The 76-hectare Holmgren Pines Ecological Reserve is located 30 kilometres northeast of Sprague.
   
The province says it's the only known site in Manitoba where all three native pine species, eastern white pine, red pine and Jack pine, grow together.

Rickford Questions "Pot" Use

Some things are better kept private.

The message from the Kenora MP Greg Rickford, as he reacts to news Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has admitted to smoking marijuana since being elected to Parliament.

Rickford says Trudeau has already voiced his thoughts on pot use.

He says there are challenges in Northwestern Ontario regarding the use of narcotics, and that Trudeau isn't setting a good example.

Health Unit Offers Back To School Lunch Tips

The Northwestern Health Unit is promoting healthy eating as the new school year is now underway.

Registered dietitian Julie Slack says it's important to start the day off right.

Slack adds having a solid breakfast will help kids sit still in class and will enhance student learning.

Slack says parents should be mindful of packing child friendly meals.

She says left over foods are a great alternative and suggests thinking "outside the box" when packing a lunch.

Slack adds that parents should involve their kids when making lunches or meals at home.

She notes fruits and veggies as well as small packages of yogurt or apple sauce are other great ideas for lunch.

Attawapiskat Band Elections Results to Be Confirmed Today

Chief Theresa Spence has reportedly been re-elected to a second three-year team as chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario.
 
A final vote count is expected to be made public today.
   
Spence gained notoriety last winter for subsisting on fish broth and tea for six weeks as a form of protest during the rise of the Idle No More movement.
     
The election went ahead Tuesday despite a call from The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples to postpone it until all members living off-reserve had a chance to vote.

Assault Investigated on Grassy Narrows

One man remains in hospital following an assault Monday evening on the Grassy Narrows first nation.

Treaty 3 Police say they were called out around 7:30 with reports of an assault.

Police say they found two men at the scene, one has been released from hospital while the other has been transported to Thunder Bay.

Police have charged 32-year Everette Brown with 2 counts of aggravated assault.

Men's Slo-Pitch Season Winding Down

One series has been decided and another will be going the distance in the Casey's Bar and Grill Men's Slo-Pitch League.

The Sons of Pitches took the B-side final in two straight games with a close 18-16 victory over the Titans last night at the Rec. Center Ball Diamonds.

Meanwhile, the Beauty Bay Cubs have battled back in it's series against the Sierra Construction Centuries.

Beauty Bay won game two of the best-of-three A-side final 11-8 last night.

The third and deciding game will take place tonight.