Monday, April 28, 2014

OPP Investigate breaks Ins and Robbery

The Kenora OPP are investigating a number of break and enters in the community.

On Thursday last week police say a home in the North End was broken into and numerous electronics were stolen

At the same time police are investigating multiple break ins to cabins and a business on Coney Island.

The incidents occurred between the 22nd and the 25th.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents are asked to call the OPP or crimestoppers.

Meanwhile provincial police have charged 2 youth for robbery.

Early this afternoon a youth in the 9th Street North area was confronted by 2 16 year old boys, one of whom was carrying a knife.

Both youth suspects are being held in custody as they await a bail hearing tomorrow.

Green Party Concerned With Fair Elections Act

After a two-week break, the House of Commons and Senate return to work today.

Expect talk and debate among MP's and Senators as the session resumes about the Supreme Court's decision on Friday which claimed provincial consent is needed before the Senate can be eliminated.

Meanwhile, proposed amendments to the federal government's Fair Elections Act are not sitting well with the Green Party

Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says there is nothing fair about the Fair Elections Act.

He says he would rather see a system of proportional representational.

Hyer adds that the entire elections system needs to be overhauled.

Green Party Announces Candidate for Kenora-Rainy River

The Kenora-Rainy River Riding now has a Green party candidate for the next provincial election.

Tim McKillop of Pickle Lake has been selected to carry the green colours.

McKillop is a High School teacher with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

He joins Sarah Campbell, Anthony Leek of the Liberals and Randy Nickle of the Progressive Conservatives.

Campbell Acclaimed as NDP Candidate in Kenora-Rainy River

Sarah Campbell will once again represent the NDP in the Kenora-Rainy River riding in the next provincial election.

Campbell was acclaimed on the weekend at a nomination meeting in Dryden.

Campbell says she's ready to hit the campaign trail whenever the writ is dropped.

She says she knows the issues and has a lot of projects that she wants to see through.

Heritage Fund Dollars Announced

Several communities will share in funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

The Stanjikoming First Nation near Fort Frances is receiving 569 thousand dollars to upgrade a road for a quarry development project.

It's also getting 280 thousand to build a multi-use centre.

Lake of the Woods Township will use 125
thousand to install a geothermal heating system at the Bergland Hall.

Grassy Narrows Arena Destroyed by Fire

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office has been contacted about a fire to
the arena on the Grassy Narrows First Nation.

The arena was gutted by a blaze early Sunday morning.

It's believed the fire was caused by youth who may have broken into the
building late Saturday night.

The building was completely engulfed in flames by the time members of the  local volunteer fire department showed up at the scene.

No dollar figure has been given for the amount of the damage.

Province Wants Feds To Contribute to Highway Maintenance

Ontario says the federal government needs to ante up when it comes to road improvements.

The province is proposing to spend 14 billion dollars in northern Ontario alone.

Transportation Minister Glenn Murray says the federal commitment is well below that, closer to 73
million a year.

He says they are seeking at least three billion a year in Federal support for highways.

Some smaller municipalities also say a federal program for upgrades excludes them because of their size.

Federal Government Promises to Pursue Senate Reform

Minister of Natural Resources and Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the federal government is hoping to gain support from the provinces for Senate reform.

The Supreme Court of Canada says the government doesn't have the power to enact most of the changes it has proposed for the Senate without the support of the provinces.

Rickford says they will review the decision.

Rickford says they can always improve on regional representation.

Mental Health Agreement for Treaty Three

Tackling mental health in the Treaty 3 territory.

Members of the Minobimaadiziwin project have signed a relationship agreement with support providers to tackle issues of mental health.

Project manager Melanie Hyatt says it's a long time coming.

Hyatt says one big part of the agreement is to ensure patients aren't forgotten when they leave care an re-enter their communities.

Plane Problems on Sachigo Lake

The Chief of Sachigo Lake First Nation is confirming an incident involving a Wasaya Airways plane.

Alvin Beardy says the community is in shock after the doors of a Wasaya Airways plane flew open shortly after take-off early Friday morning

Beardy says the aircraft had finished dropping off passengers when it took off.

He says passengers on the ground heard something different and knew right away that something was very wrong.

The aircraft came back to the airport and landed safely.

Beardy says the door above the propellor had opened during mid-flight.

He says it was a full load with members of his community as well as others.

Beardy stresses the incident needs to be seriously looked at.

The Transportation Safety Board is looking into the incident.

Calls to Wasaya haven't been returned.

CUP-W Protesting Postal Changes

Nearly 50 municipalities across the country are rallying behind Canada Post amid drastic cuts planned within the Crown corportation.

Communities from Victoria, British Columbia to St. Johns Newfoundland are worried about the planned reductions in door to door mail delivery.

Municipalities have passed resolutions urging the federal government to reconder their decision to introduce more community mailboxes - instead of home delivery of mail.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers spokesperson Jeff Callaghan says they are urging people concerned about the changes to contact their MP.

Callaghan says they want to see Ottawa consult with communities before making sweeping changes to mail deliver in Canada.

Sharks Excel on the West Coast

A successful weekend for the Kenora Sharks Swim Club out in Victoria, B.C.

Ten members of the Sharks competed in the 11th Annual Pacific Wavemaker Long course Invitational.

12 year old swimmers, JC Drygasuk and Joe Morrison both set meet records in the backstroke.

Drygasuk in the 50 meter and Morrison in the 100 and 200 meter events.

12 year old Natalie Peterson qualified for more three races at the National Age Group championships taking
place in Winnipeg this summer, while Alex Illman is also close to qualifiying after her results in the 200
meter butterfly over the weekend.