Friday, November 1, 2013

Thomas Aquinas Students Work on Soccer Complex

The job of transforming the Jaffray Melick Rink into an indoor soccer complex is nearing completion.

Today, a number of shop students from Thomas Aquinas are helping prepare the floor for artificial turf.

Steve Merry is their teacher and says its a valuable experience for them.

The turf is supposed to be installed by November 10th.

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Do something unexpected and nice for someone today.

That's the idea behind the third annual Random Acts of Kindness
Day.

Darlene MacGillvray is executive director of the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation and says it doesn't have to be big, bold gesture.

McGillvray says they have a Kindness hotline set up at 465-4042.

Treaty Three Firearms Amnesty Begins Today

Surrender a firearm and get a gift card.

That's an incentive this month as the Treaty 3 Police hold a firearms amnesty program.

Detective Constable Aaron Genaille says they don't know how many guns they might actually collect.

Genaille says flyers have been posted up for when the amnesty program will be held in separate communities serviced by the Treaty Three Police

FedNor Has High Profile at Royal Winter Fair

Good things grow in northern Ontario.

That's the message FedNor is trying to send at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Greg Rickford is the minister responsible for FedNor and says they have sponsored a major exhibit at the annual agricultural showcase.

Rickford says things like barbeque sauce, salad dressing and wild rice are just some of the products that will be on display at the Northern Agri-foods Exhibit.

Motion To Create Bear Management Committee Passes

A motion to create an all-party bear management committee is a success.

It was passed yesterday in the legislature, and NDP Natural Resources Critic John Vanthof says it is a victory for Northern Ontario.

Vanthof says they need to do something to curb the number of incidents involving black bears.

Vanthof says he's not impressed by the Conservative Party who opposed the decision.

Vanthof adds it's further proof Tim Hudak and the Tories are turning their backs to the North.

Con College Bridges the Distance

Confederation College is promoting it's "Bridging the Distance" project.

Coordinator of Counselling Services Jim Lees says it aims to increase access to counselling and other student services for those across the northwest.

Lees says there's an actual office in each of the campuses with a video terminal that allows quick access to service providers in Thunder Bay.

He says they will offer everything from counciling services to financial aid.

Lost Cat Going Home

A real heart warming story about a cat from Alberta who was found near Ignace.

Vice President of Northern Critters Tanya Hazelaar says "Uncle Kitty" was dropped off to them, and fortunately he was microchipped.

The cat had escaped as the owner's family was traveling from Alberta to southern Ontario.

His condition is getting better, and Hazelarr says on Monday he will be on a flight back to his owner.

Movember Kicks off Fundraising Effort Today

It's time to grow you your Mo.

Movember's fight against prostate cancer is back for the 7th year in Northwestern Ontario.

Pete Bombaci is the national director of the movement and says they support over 45 programs nationally.

He says the movement supports research and programs to support patients.

Bombaci says Canadians raised over 42.2 million dollars last year during Movember.

Visit the Movember Canada website for more information at http://ca.movember.com

Broncos Lose Football Semi-final

Beaver Brae's football team won't be playing into November.

The Broncos were eliminated from the Play-offs yesterday with a 25-3
loss to West Kildonan in the semi-finals.

Broncos coach Chris Penner says despite the loss, it was far from a disappointing season and feels his players performed better than expected.

Logan Ginn scored the only points for the Broncos on a field goal.

Beaver Brae finishes the season with a 6-3 win/loss record.

NorWOSSA Regular Season Wraps Up

A tough day to be a Bronco fan.

Beaver Brae's court sport teams were winless on the road in their
final regular season games in Fort Frances.

The Bronco senior girls were beaten 45-11 by the Muskies, while the
Junior squad was upended 42-26.

Not any better on the volleyball court, as the Bronco seniors were beaten three sets to one, while the junior team lost in three straight sets to Fort Frances.

Over at the Thomas Aquinas gym, the Saints took three of four games from Red Lake.

The T.A. junior girls suffered the lone loss of the day, dropping a close 26-24 decision to the Rams.

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls finished the regular season with a win, but it was too little too late, as they failed to make the play-offs.

The T.A. junior boys also won, but won't make the NorWOSSA play-offs either.

The Saints senior boys managed to beat Red Lake, and will advance to next week's play-offs.