Thursday, March 6, 2014

Multi Vehicle Collision on Highway 17

Traffic remains slow moving on Highway 17 just east of the 71 junction.

Emergency crews are on scene following a reported 4 vehicle collision.

The accident took place in the Westbound lane.

Police are directing one lane of traffic at a time.

Earlier today a two vehicle collision held up traffic on Highway 17 East infront of McDonald's.

Caution is advised on all area roadways.

Charges Laid in Shovelling Scam

Provincial Police have laid charges following a theft last month.

OPP say 25 year Mitchell Bryant of Kenora was charged for theft under 5 thousand after items were stolen from the bathroom of a home.

Bryant and a woman were going door to door offering their services to shovel snow

At one house he asked to use the washroom and that's when the resident noticed items were taken.

He will answer to the charge later this month.

Slippery Road Conditions Cause Accident on 8th Avenue South

8th Avenue South might be a good area to avoid today.

A couple of accidents have already been reported in the area of the 8th Avenue Bridge, where the road is very slippery.

That's the area where there was a water main break last week, and today's snow has made matters worse.

Right now, police, rescue crews and an abulence is on the scene of a two vehicle collision in the area of McDonald's Restaurant.

No indication if there were any injuries.

Van Wallenghem Enters Council Race

A Kenora realtor says he plans to run for a seat on city council.

Jeff Van Wallenghem has set up a Facebook page and says he filed
his nomination papers yesterday.

That would make him the third person to enter the council race.

He joins Gregory Potvin and Kelvin-Chicago Boucher as the only candidates so far.

However there is still six more months to enter the municipal election race.

The deadline to file nomination papers is September 12th.

OPP Warn of New Scam

OPP are warning area residents of a phone scam that asks those being called to support an initiative to combat cyber-bullying.

Recently a Fort Frances resident was contact and asked to make a donation of  one, two or three hundred dollars.

OPP are warning people to remain cautious if an unfamiliar organization calls asking for donations.

New Osnaburgh Declares State of Emergency

A call for support for the community of New Osnaburgh First Nation as it continues to deal with a tragic house fire.

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation says a woman, her two daughters and her nephew died in the February 13th fire.

Chief and Council have declared a state of emergency, stating that widespread trauma has burdened their ability to provide assistance.

NAN's Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is urging the federal and provincial governments to deploy all appropriate resources to ease the burden.

Resolute Still Looking Into Cause of Bio-Mass Explosion

The cause of an explosion at the Resolute Forest Products Mill in Fort Frances is still under investigation.

One worker was seriously injured in the blast at the biomass boiler and he remains in hospital.

Resolute says both the Ministry of Labour and the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service have conducted investigations.

The company is also looking at what corrective measures can be put in place.

Light Snow Poses No Problems So Far

Despite some light now overnight, it's all systems go this morning.

The snow has created some slick driving conditions, especially in the
area of 2nd Street South and 8th Avenue, where there was water main break last week.

The road is very slick and at least one accident has been reported in that area this morning.

Most roads in the region are described as snow covered to partly snow covered with poor visibility.

Highway 1 in Manitoba to Winnipeg is now listed as partially ice or snow covered with fair visibility.

Bottled Water Companies Busy With Boil Water Advisory

The boil water advisory has meant more business for companies that bottle water.

Worlframes World of Water is all hands on deck.

President Darcy Wolframe says the store is facing more and more questions these days about treatment systems.

He says previous work in the city has eased some of the pressure.

Wolframe notes the store has treatment systems that can work on single taps for an entire house.

NDP Offer Up Hydro Plan

The provincial NDP are unveiling a plan to help Ontarian's save on Hydro costs.

Leader Andrea Horwath says the plan includes stopping energy subsidies to the U.S, capping pay for executives and a stop to private power giveaways.

Horwath says the plan was an easy one to support.

Should the plan go through the NDP are promising a 100 dollar hydro rebate to customers.

OFIA Pushes Province for Building Code Changes

Kenora stands to prosper if the Ontario Forest Industries Association gets their way.

President Jamie Lim says they continue to push for building code changes to allow for six level wood frame construction in the province.

Lim says Kenora is in great position once it happens.

Lim adds a design of the world's largest wood construction building in B.C. used Weyerhaeuser products.

Con College Tight-lipped About Student Excursion

Confederation College says it will not confirm a report that some students in a winter survival training course on the weekend suffered from frostbite.  

The course is supervised by the Lakehead Search and Rescue Unit.  

The College will only say that the staff along with members of  Lakehead Search and Rescue will review current protocols-ensuring that the health and safety of students and instructors will continue to be a priority.

Roller Derby League Looking to Expand

Looking to expand the Kenora Roller Derby League.

That is the goal on Thursday according to Spokesperson Bayley Zilinski when the league hosts the Fresh Meat Recruitment event.

Zilinski says they are hoping for more players before the host a bout later this year.

She invites any interested players out to the meeting at 7 at the OLV Gym on valley Drive.

More Medals For Kenora Skiers At Manitoba Winter Games

More medals for members of the Kenora Nordic and Biathlon Club at the Manitoba Winter Games.

August Hummelbrunner, Sadie McCallum and Jesse Bachinski all medalled in cross-country  ski events for a second day in a row.

They each won silver medals in their respective events.

Meanwhile, Shayna Hensrud, Dustin Scheibler and Elise Hummelbrunner won bronze medals in
their races on Tuesday.

Galusha Wins Second Medal At OFSAA Swimming Championships

A Thomas Aquinas student has medalled at the All-Ontario High School Swimming championships
for a second day in a row.

Socorro Galusha picked up a silver medal yesterday in the girls 14 and under 100 meter Individual medley.

A day earlier, Galusha won bronze in the 50 meter breast stroke.

Thomas Aquinas finished the OFSAA championships in 97th place in the team standings.