Boutwell Named BU's Male Athlete of the Year

More accolades for a former Thomas Aquinas Saints volleyball star.

Dan Boutwell has been named Brandon University's Male Athlete of the Year.

Boutwell has just wrapped up his five year career at Brandon and was also
named the Bobcats volleyball MVP at the Athletic Awards Banquet last night.

Last month, he was also named second team all-star in the Canada West University Athletics Association.

Taxi Rate Increase Delayed Until May 1st

Local taxi drivers will have to wait a few more weeks for a proposed rate increase to go into effect.

Taxi rates were supposed to go up three percent on April 1st.

But city council still hasn't passed the by-law authorizing the change.

That won't be done until next week.

The new rates are scheduled to take effect on May 1st.

School Board Approves Move Into Former Lakewood School

Office space pretty much costs the same whichever way you cut it.

That's the feeling of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board as it
has approved a move into the Seven Generations Building.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says the space on the fourth floor of the building has it's advantages.

Carrie does says that there has been one major change made to the lease agreement.

The public school board has agreed to pay 150 thousand dollars up front to help cover any costs associated with renovating the fourth floor of the former Lakewood School.

Funding Sought for Water Quality Study on Lake of the Woods

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board is hoping to
secure funding for more water quality research.

The Board is submitting a draft plan of study this week to the
International Joint Commission.

Kelly Saunders says they held a workshop last month to identify some of the key
issues.

Saunders says algae blooms, invasive species and climate change have are just
some of the issues that will be focused on.

Ontarians Support Public Health Care

A provincial health lobby group says there's strong support in keeping health care services in Ontario hospitals.

The Ontario Health Coalition says it attracted more than 56-thousand people to a voluntary province-wide referendum over the weekend supporting hospitals and stopping private clinics from being set up to take over those services.

About 99 percent of the people who voted were in favour of supporting local public hospitals and stopping the private clinics.

Charges Stem From Deer Attack in Dryden

A man is facing a charge under the Fish and Wildlife Act after a dog attacked a deer in Dryden.

OPP says the dog was running-at-large and incident last Thursday was witnessed by a number of people.

One of the individuals was forced to put the deer down because of it's injuries.

Attawapiskat Co-Manager Faces Fraud Charges

The former co-manager of Attawapiskat First Nation has been charged with fraud over 5-thousand dollars and theft over 5-thousand dollars.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Sergeant Jackie George says the charges stem for an 13 month long police investigation.

62-year-old Clayton Kennedy was co-manager of the northern Ontario band's finances from July 2010 until the end of the summer of 2012.

Kennedy will appear in court on May 28th.

In his private life, Kennedy is also the partner of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence.

NOSM Recognized for Supporting Rural Health

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is receiving a Rural Medical Education Award.

NOSM is getting the award because they excelled at matching the most graduates to rural family medicine programs.

In 2013, 64% of NOSM’s graduating MD class were matched to a rural family medicine residency program.

Conservatives Slam Ontario College of Trades

The Ontario PC's are slamming the Ontario College of Trades on this, its first anniversary.

Leader Tim Hudak says the college is nothing more than a money grab for the Wynne government.  

Hudak claims it creates more red tape for companies and stands in the way of creating jobs for young people and must go

The college charges a yearly fee of 120 dollars in order for a trade to be certified.

Legislation Governing Teacher Contract Talks Passes

Legislation to be used in future contract talks with the province's educators is now law.

Final approval of Bill 122 came today at Queen's Park with New Democrat support.

The Liberals says it allows for associations representing school boards to be at the bargaining table with government and unions reps on province-wide issues.

Local bargaining will still continue on all other issues.

Almost all existing collective agreements are to expire at the end of this August.

Hockey For Health Begins Tomorrow

Hockey teams are collecting donations as they prepare for the 6th annual hockey for health tournament.

The puck drops this Thursday for the yearly event in support of the hospital foundation.

Organizer Jess Rheault says if you can't donate before hand you can donate at the rink.

The teams which raise the most in each division will in the finals on Sunday.

Kenora Hosts NorWOSSA Badminton Finals Today

NorWOSSA badminton champions will be crowned today in ten different
categories.

Thomas Aquinas and Beaver Brae are hosting the NorWOSSA finals.

Medals will be handed out in junior boys and girls singles, doubles and mixed doubles
as well as senior boys and girls singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

The birdies will start flying around 10:00 this morning in all three gyms.

Winners in the senior divisions will advance to the NWOSSA championships next Wednesday.