Highway re-opened

Traffic is flowing once again on Highway 17A at the Reddit Road.

OPP closed the intersection due to a jack knifed tractor-trailor shortly after 2:00.

The road is now open in all directions.

Caution while driving is still advised has blowing snow is causing white out conditions.

Tractor Trailor Closes Highway

The Kenora OPP are working to clear the Kenora by-pass at the Reddit Road.

Shortly after 2 a semi trailer jack-knifed at the intersection

Police have closed Highway 17A and one lane of traffic is open to the Reddit Road.

As a result the Northwest Student Services Consortium is advising of bus delays North of the city.

Affected buses include KN14, KN16, KN31, and KN97

Winter Bites Garners Rave Reviews

Taking a bite out of winter.

Special Events Coordinator Crystal Stokes says with only a few days left, the Winter Bites campaign has received gotten great feedback in the city.

Stokes says both local restaurants and patrons have enjoy the month long culinary event highlighting Kenora's eateries.

She notes that the event also saw reviews from numerous food critics including Kenora's very own Masterchef Mike Green.

Stokes says plans are already underway to make Winter Bites bigger and better for next year.

Record Cold Coming Our Way

It's a not a record to be proud of.

Kenora is in danger of breaking a record cold temperature tonight.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says we could hit -36 overnight.

He adds that the cold is going to continue for the rest of the week and into March.

The record low for this time of year is about -30.

The average low for this time of year is about -15.

Two Now in City Council Race

Then there were two.

A second person has thrown his hat into the ring for the Kenora City Council
race.

Gregory Potvin filed his nomination papers earlier this month.

He joins Kelvin Chicago-Boucher as the only two people to file nomination
papers for the October 27th vote.

School Board elections will also be held at the same time, and vice-chair of
the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, Cecile Marcino was first off the mark.

September 12th is the deadline to file.

Campbell Renews Invitation to Transportation Minister

Ontario's Transportation minister is being reminded of his promise to visit northwestern Ontario this winter.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says Glen Murray promised to take a first hand look at road conditions in the region back in the fall, but so far he has managed to stay away.

Murray says he spoke with several mayor yesterday at the Ontario Good Roads Conference and they are much happier with road conditions ever since more plows were put on the road.

Murray is also promising to reform winter road standards next year for further improvements.

Health Unit Pleased With Healthier Choices Act

The Northwestern Health Unit is calling it a great first step to making healthier choices.

Yesterday, the provincial government introduced legislation requiring larger eateries and restaurants to post calories on their menus.

The Healthier Choices Act, if passed, would only target restaurants that have 20 or more outlets.

But Northwestern Health Unit Dietician, Chelsea Socholotuk says it can give smaller cafes and restaurants motivation.

Socholotuk says in turn it could prompt restaurants owners to change their recipes to making them healthier.

Fines for Distracted Driving Are Going Up

Provincial Police in northwestern Ontario say distracted driving isn't acceptable and a new fine imposed by the province should make that perfectly clear.

Talking on your phone, looking at your computer screen or even grabbing a bite to eat while behind the wheel will soon cost you 280-dollars.

Sergeant Shelly Garr says that's up from 155-dollars.

The fines will not apply to GPS screens.

The new fines will go in place on March 18th.

OFAH Asking For Support Of Spring Bear Hunt

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is worried that opponents of the Spring Bear Hunt will try to convince the provincial government to cancel a pilot project this year.

The government has proposed a modified spring hunt in eight wildlife areas in northern Ontario this spring.

Yesterday former Price Is Right host Bob Barker called the hunt barbaric claiming cubs are starved to death after their mothers are lured from their den.

The OFAH is asking northerners to log onto the Environmental bill of rights and register their support for
the hunt.

Federal Government Asked To Investigate Propane Prices

Questions are being raised about the price of propane in northwestern Ontario .

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says an Atikokan resident was quite shocked when she filled up her tank recently to find the price has skyrocketed over the past year.

Rafferty says while the Canadian Propane Association insists there is no shortage in Canada, he wonders if it's a case of price gouging and wants the Minister of Finance to investigate.

Minnesota has been experiencing propane shortages this winter and increased costs as a result.

Good Results for Local Skiers at OFSAA

A strong showing from local skiers at the All-Ontario Cross-Country Ski Championships in Timmins.

Lisle Compton from Thomas Aquinas finished just outside the medals placing 5th in the junior girls four kilometer race.

Karly Lockhart and Claire Hensrud from Beaver Brae were 22nd and 29th respectively in the field of 130 racers.

In the senior girls event, Katie Lockhart from Beaver Brae had a 17th place finish, while Rowan Schott from Thomas
Aquinas was 63rd.

In the junior boys five kilometer race, Ted O'Flaherty from T.A. was 117th overall, while Sheldon Hissa from Beaver Brae was 130th.

Beaver Brae Wrestler Qualifies for OFSAA

Beaver Brae is sending one wrestler to the OFSAA Championships next week.

Tyanna Carpenter earned a berth in the all-Ontario championships after going undefeated at NWOSSA last week.

The gold medal adds to a strong season where she won a tournament in Dryden and came second in a Winnipeg tournament.

Carpenter will look to improve on her 2-2 record at OFSAA last year.

The tournament runs March 5th and 6th in Brampton.