Monday, March 17, 2014

Kenora Racer Wins Gold

Kenora has a new national champion.

Over the weekend Tim Wehner won a gold medal at the Canadian Biathlon Championship.

Wehner posted a time of 23:54 in the 6 kilometer master men's event.

Green light Initiative Seeks to End Violence

A new stragegy in is place to prevent violence in Treaty 3 communities.

The Green Light initiative was launched in Onigaming First Nation last night.

Karen Kejick says they need the support of the provincial and federal governments as well as others to put an end to violence.

The green light is a symbol of a community safe house for individuals who are in need of safety in the event of a domestic violence situation.

Kenora Dispatches Water Trucks

The city is offering water to those in need.

Starting today a water truck will be made available everyday to fill jugs.

Residents can find the trucks at the Rec Centre boat launch from 9-12.

In the afternoon it will move to the Keewatin Memorial Arena boat launch from 1-4.

The city notes the water will still need to be boiled if used for consumption.

OFIA Opposes Bill 83

Working to stop Bill 83.

President of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Jamie Lim fears the bill will "shield" groups who slander industry.

Lim says the whole bill is pointless.

The bill seeks to allow opposition activity without fear of a SLAPP lawsuit.

Lim is worries that it'll allow groups to spread malicious information with no penalty.

Red Lake Mayor Preaches Mining

The Mayor of Red Lake says the future looks bright for the mining industry in northwestern Ontario.

Phil Vinet is making the comment following positive talks with officials at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada International Convention in Toronto.

Vinet says he was able to make some headway with several junior mining companies.

He notes market confidence in the sector is on the rise.

Key Tags in the Mail

War Amps key tags are being mailed out to people in Ontario.  

Spokesperson Jamie Lunn says that 3.7 million of them are being distributed throughout the province.

As for northwestern Ontario, we won't receive them until next month.

Money from donations is used to help war amputees in Canada.

Union Gas Annoucnes Increases

Union Gas customers users could be in line for an increase in their natural gas costs.

An application before the Ontario Energy Board proposes a rate increase that see Union Gas northern Ontario customers pay about 190-dollars more over a 12 month period.

Forecasted increases for Union Gas' purchase and transporting costs cites as the reasons.

If approved, new rates would take effect April 1st.
     

Ontario Pushes Against Paird Blood Donations

The Liberal government intends put a stop to donors from being paid for blood and plasma in Ontario.

Health Minister Deb Matthew says new legislation will be introduced in the near future.

Health Canada has received a licence application from at least one private, for-profit company wanting to open plasma collection sites in Ontario that would pay donors.

Matthews says she's taking action so ensure the voluntary donor system is not compromised and has written to her provincial and territorial counterparts asking to do the same.

UFO Sighting on the Rise

It's a war of the worlds.

That may be a little extreme but UFO sightings are on the rise in Canada.

UFO report author Chris Rutkowski says the increase is easily explained by the fact more people are curious of wha tthey see in the sky and there are so channels to report sightings.

Rutkowski notes that 15 percent of sightings are considered unexplained.

He notes there was one sighting in Thunder Bay last week.

In the 2013 report 2 sightings took place in Kenora and 3rd was spotted in the Whiteshell.