PC Candidate Unhappy With Bear Hunt Pilot Project

Another government stall tactic.

That the feeling of Kenora Rainy River PC Candidate Randy Nickle follow the governments announcement spring bear hunt pilot project in the Northeast.

Nickle says the government is missing out on a huge opportunity to supply a much needed economic boost for tourists camps, as well as help solve the nuisance bear problem.

He adds that the government should re-open the hunt across the province and allow local municipalities decided what actions to take.

The pilot project, which is only open to Ontario residents, will allow hunting in the areas of Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and North Bay for the next 2 years.

Kenora OPP Work on 3 Year Strategy

Policing is taking on a new look in Kenora.

Yesterday, OPP Detachment Commander Dave Lucas held a public consultation.

Lucas says controlling situations is no longer about using hand cuffs and force, but instead partnering with community agencies and dissecting the root causes of crime.

He says that substance abuse is the leading cause of crime in the community.

Since 2010 when the Kenora OPP made their current strategy plan they have seen an annual decline in calls for service.

Councillor Suggests Need for Updated Emergency Plan

A rash of train derailments across Canada shows the need for a new Emergency Plan for the City of Kenora.

That's the feeling of councilor Sharon Smith.

Smith says more and more dangerous goods are being transported by rail, and that should be a cause for alarm for all municipalities.

Smith suggests the Emergency Plan should include evacuation routes out of the city, should any dangerous goods spill along the C.P. main line.

Dryden Hires New CAO

The search for a new Chief Administrative Officer in Dryden is over.

The City has hired Andre Larabie, effective November 18th.

Mayor Craig Nuttall says he was impressed with Larabie during the interview process.

Larabie was born in Ottawa and served as the Senior Administrative Officer for the Nunavut Territory for four years.

Public School Board Plans for Closer Relationship with Con College

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says it plans to work more closely
with Confederation College in the future.

The board says there are opportunities, such as the potential construction of a new high school in Sioux Lookout, where they might be able to partner with the college.

Director of Education Sean Monteith says the partnership could include leasing classrooms at some of their more under-utilized schools.

Monteith says they've talked about leasing classroom space at their schools in Pickle Lake and Ignace,
which not only benefits the college, but potentially opens up more course opportunities for high school
students.

Busy Fall For Fort Frances Drug Team

A busy and successful couple of months for the OPP and the Fort Frances Community Drug Action team.

Four men, a woman and a youth were charged while officers seized quantities of prescription medications and marijuana in five separate drug investigations in September and October.

Constable Anne McCoy says the arrests highlight the drug problem in the area.

McCoy says many of the cases were cracked because of tips from the public.

Atikokan Hospital Employee Faces Charges

An Atikokan hospital employee is facing charges in connection with the theft of prescription medication from the hospital's pharmacy.

39-year-old Cynthia Carolyn King will appear in Atikokan Court December 12 on charges of theft and breach of trust.

The charges stem from an OPP investigation that began in April when hospital administration notified police of missing medication from the pharmacy.

Summer Air Show Posts Sizable Profit

This summer's Kenora Airshow was an unqualified success.

The numbers are just being finalized, but it looks as if the event
will turn a profit of just over 14 thousand dollars.

City council was told this week that proceeds from the event will be used
as seed money for future air shows, but will also go towards hosting other
special events, such as Canada Day.

Thousands of people took in the air show, which featured a performance by the Snow Birds, as well as other aerobatic airplanes in early July.

Gas Prices Drop Again

Today might be a good day to fill up.

The price at the pump has dropped yet again.

A liter of gas at most service stations in town has dropped by
two cents.

Unleaded is now going for 1.29.9 cents, down from 131.9 yesterday.

That's still about 7.5 cents a liter higher than the provincial average this morning.

Victims of Red Lake Crash Identified

The Town of Red Lake continues to mourn the loss of three residents killed in Sunday's Bearskin Airlines crash near their Airport.

Sources confirm that 64-year-old Sharon Taylor, 53-year-old Peter Struk and 53-year-old Anna Johannesson all died in the fiery crash.

Memorial services are planned for this weekend.

A service for Taylor will be held Friday at 2 o'clock at the Funeral Home.

The service for Johannesson is scheduled for Saturday at 1 at the same location.

A memorial service for Struk is slated for Sunday at 2 o'clock at the Royal Canadian Legion.

Two pilots, who are believed to be residents of Winnipeg, also died in the crash.