Wednesday, December 4, 2013

OPP Nab Impaired Drivers in Festive RIDE Program

The first week of the OPP's festive RIDE program has netted impaired driving charges against eight drivers, including one in the Kenora area.

Four other drivers, had their license's suspended for either 3, 7 or 30 days for registered in the warning range.

The Festive RIDE enforcement program continues until January 2.


Impaired charges by districts:

Rainy River 1
Kenora 1
Marathon 1
Nipigon 2
Thunder Bay 2
Sioux Lookout 1

Another Blast of Winter Heading Our Way

A snowfall warning is in effect today for areas to the west of Kenora.

We could see about 10 centimeters by the time the system moves through by tomorrow.

Meteorologist Dayshanelle Matthews with Environment Canada says the storm is a large low pressure system coming up from Colorado.

A snowfall warning has also been issued for the Whiteshell, Lac Du Bonnet, Pinewa and the City of Winnipeg.

Areas to the east of Kenora towards Thunder Bay are also expected to get between 15 and 20 centimeters of snow in the next 24 to 36 hours.

OPP Release Name of People Killed in Crash Near Fort Frances

Provincial Police have released the names of the two people killed in a collision on Highway 11 Monday afternoon.

Police say a westbound PT Cruiser struck an unloaded logging truck around 4:40, roughly 15-kilometers east of Fort Frances.

The driver of the car has been identified as 82-year-old David Chambers and the passenger has been identified as 75-year-old Louise Chambers.

Both of the victims were from Fort Frances.

The driver of the logging truck wasn't injured.

Police continue to investigate.

Murray Defends Winter Road Maintenance in the North

Ontario's Transportation Minister is defending winter road maintenance service in northern Ontario.

Glen Murray was asked about a recent spate of fatalities across northern Ontario on Highway 17.

Murray says they have increased the number of plows on the road and believes that will make a difference.

In the past week, there have been three fatalities on highways in the Sudbury area, one just east of Kenora on Trans-Canada and two yesterday east of Fort Frances.

Province's New Energy Plan Gets Mixed Reviews

Some good programs are coming out of the provinces new long term energy plan.

Northwest Energy Task Force Co-chair Ian Angus says the northwest will see upgrades.

Angus also points out the creation of an aboriginal transmission fund starting next year.

He feels the plan will go a long way in allowing communities to receive new transmission.

Angus adds that all the conservation programs announced in the plan likely won't have much
of an impact here compared to southern Ontario, because we just don't have the population
base to make much of a difference in our overall electricity consumption.

Women Being Encouraged to Enter Politics

Women politicians from across the region are showing support for future female community leaders.

The new organization "Women In Politics" is holding a forum on on January 22nd to promote women getting involved in all levels of government.

Thunder Bay City Councillor Rebecca Johnson is behind the initiative and says they'll be teaching women hands on what it takes to run for office.

The forum will welcome former Ontario Liberal Party Leader Lyn McLeod as the guest speaker.

Broncos, Saints Boys Hockey Teams Post Wins

A good night for Kenora's boys high school hockey teams.

Noah Witzke was the first star of the game in Beaver Brae's 5-0 win
over Fort Frances.

Jed Rattai led the short-handed Broncos in scoring with a pair of goals.

Beaver Braae was minus seven regulars due to suspension or injury.

It was the Muskies first loss of the season.

Meanwhile, Thomas Aquinas is now tied with Beaver Brae, Dryden and Fort Frances for first in the
NorWOSSA league standings after a 4-1 win over Red Lake last night.

The Broncos, Saints, Eagles and Muskies are now 3-1 on the season.

Saints Take Two of Three from Ignace

The NorWOSSA court sport season is back in action.

Thomas Aquinas played its first road games of the year yesterday
taking two of three games from Ignace.

The T.A. senior boys basketball team romped to a 52-20 win over the
Falcons.

In girls basketball, the Saints senior squad won in straight sets, while the
Thomas Aquinas junior girls lost to Ignace three sets to two.