Thursday, November 7, 2013

Grassy's Clear Cut Logging Concerns Raised at Queen's Park

The Grassy Narrows First Nation claims the Minister of Natural Resources is making false
statements about plans for clear cut logging in the Whiskey Jack Forest.

This morning in the Ontario Legislature, David Orazietti says there are no wood harvesting blocks
in Grassy's Traditional Land Use Territory.

However, Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. urged the government continues to interfere.

Grassy maintains that the government has plans to carry out clear cut logging activity within
the next decade.

Highway 17 East Now Open to One Lane

Traffic is moving slowly today on Highway 17 east of Kenora.

One lane of the Trans-Canada has been opened following a multi-vehicle accident just west of Vermillion Bay early this morning.

The OPP say a number of vehicles ended up in the ditch near the Nelson Granite pit, creating a chain reaction involving at least 14 vehicles.

The accident took place around 1:00 this morning and the highway was shutdown for about nine
hours.


Wynn Government to Deliver Fall Economic Statement Today

When  the government delivers its Fall Economic Statement today it will be promoting capital investment.

That's the message from Finance Minister Charles Sousa.

The government wants to help small and medium-sized businesses grow, so they are able attract larger companies to invest. which would create good jobs in Ontario.

These ideas include a "pay or play" tax incentive for new spending in equipment, technology and training, as well as research and development tax credits to reward additional spending.

Salvation Army to Expand Christmas Hampers

The Salvation Army is hoping to include something a little extra
in this year's Christmas Hampers.

Sandra Poole is their business manager and says they would like to
include some cold weather gear like mitts and to
ques this year.

Poole says applications for the Christmas Hampers are now available
at their office on Matheson Street.

Last year, the Salvation Army handed out over 400 Christmas Hampers to
families in need in the Kenora area.

School Buses Delayed but Not Cancelled by Accident

School bus service in the Vermilion Bay area is running this morning despite the collision.

The Northwest Student Services Consortium says due to the volume of track traffic stopped on Highway 17, buses will experience delays but they have not been cancelled.

Two buses serve the impacted area.

Highway 17 East Still Closed

The OPP stress all efforts are being made to reopen Highway 17 between Vermilion Bay and Kenora.

OPP say the highway was closed just before 1 o'clock this morning due to a pileup involving 14 transports.

Police say icy road conditions caused the crash and several tractor trailer units were sent into the ditch near Nelson Granite.

Officers from Dryden and Kenora as well as ambulance and Machin Fire personnel are on scene assisting in the clean-up.

Amazingly no major injuries are reported.

The OPP Communications Center in Thunder Bay suggest the Trans-Canada could be closed for a couple of more hours to allow for the wreckage to be cleared from the roadway.

Community Foundation Hands Out 85 Thousand Dollars

A big night for a number of community groups.

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Foundation presented cheques totalling more than 85 thousand dollars.

The Lake of the Woods Arts Community received a five thousand dollar cheque for their Muskies on Main public art project.

The Town of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls was a big recipient receiving almost ten thousand dollars for various community programs.

Mayor Bill Thompson says he's particularly excited by the little free library program.

The Sioux Narrows Arts group also received 13 hundred dollars in funding, while the
Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Softball league will collect 25 hundred dollars.

Other recipients last night included Mount Evergreen, Habitat for Humanity, the Kenora
Road Safety Committee and the Hospital Foundation.

Knights of Columbus Set Up Endowment Fund

The Knights of Columbus in Kenora is giving back to the community.

The group is setting aside 50 thousand dollars to create a new endowment fund through the community foundation.

Paul Landry is a spokesperson for the group and says its their way of giving back to the community.

Landry says the endowment fund will be used for scholarships at Thomas Aquinas
High School and also other social needs in the community.

He says the proceeds from the sale of their building on First Street South provided the seed money
for their endowment fund.

Moonias Inquest Wraps Up

The death of Bruce Moonias of Lansdowne House First Nation is being ruled a suicide.

A coronors jury announced the verdict today which included 23-three recommendations aimed at improving support for pyschiatric health in aboriginal communities, improved communications, and weapons storage.

Leonard Kim is on the coroners council and says some of the recommendations should be strongly considered.

Moonias died of a gunshot wound in the winter of 2006 after an involvment with police.

Environment Commissioner Concerned With Species At Risk

Ontario's gold-standard Species At Risk legislation is being tarnished.

So says Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller.

Miller released a report yesterday which says government regulations that went into effect this summer, are making it easier for companies to by-pass the legislation.

Miller says companies involved in activities such as mining or forestry no longer have to
post their permits on the Environmental Registry, meaning there is less accountability
to the MNR and the public.

Saints Fail To Medal at NorWOSSA

For the first time in recent memory, the Thomas Aquinas senior boys volleyball team is leaving the NorWOSSA championships without a medal.

The Saints were beaten in three straight sets by Sioux Lookout in the semi-finals yesterday afternoon in Rainy River.

The Warriors will now advance to today's gold medal game against Atikokan.

The Saints junior girls basketball team also fell short.

Thomas Aquinas lost 25-20 to Red Lake.

The Rams will now play Rainy River this afternoon in the final.

The NorWOSSA ``AA`` championships will take place tomorrow in Dryden.

Highway 17 East Closed Due to Multi-Vehicle Accident

Highway 17 is closed between Vermillion Bay and Kenora following a major pileup.

Provincial Police say 14 tractor trailer units were involved in the crash just before 2 o'clock this morning.

Police are reporting only minor injuries.

Motorists can take Highway 71 and Highway 11 as an alternate route.

There is no word on when the Trans Canada Highway will be reopened.

Witnesses say roads were icy at the time of the crash.