Kenora OPP Make Numerous Arrests

The Kenora OPP have arrested 5 people following numerous incidents last weekend.

Provincial police say the investigation and subsequent search warrant began when a firearm was reported stolen from the vehicle in the Rideout area on Saturday morning.

At the same time police were called about a black GMC Sierra being stolen in the same area.

Afterward OPP got flooded with reports about break ins up Highway 671.

A road block allowed police to seize the stolen vehicle and arrest 3 suspects.

On Monday a search warrant at a residence on Mascott Avenue saw police seize the stolen firearm along with other property.

All 5 suspects are being held in custody and will appear in Kenora court tomorrow.

21 year old Edward Kersch from Kenora:

• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Theft from a Motor Vehicle
• Mischief Under $5,000
• Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime
• Break, Enter Dwelling Commit an Indictable Offence
• Break, Enter Place Commit an Indictable Offence

19 year old Tristen Futros from Winnipeg:

• Theft Under $5,000
• Mischief Under $5,000
• Break, Enter Dwelling Commit an Indictable Offence x2
• Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Theft of a Motor Vehicle

40 year old Timothy Elliot from Kenora:

• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
• Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime

20 year old Bryan Fehr from Winnipeg:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

19 year old Mikhayla Mann from Winnipeg:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

TBayTel Launches New Campaign

TBaytel's latest "Tbaytel for Good" campaign is now underway.

The telecommunication's company is offering up a total of 15-thousand dollars to organizations with the focus this time on the environment.

Groups across northwestern Ontario can register their idea and lobby for votes until June 20th.

The Border Skating Club in Fort Frances was the winner of the company's winter contest.

TransCanada Defends Energy East

A spokesperson for TransCanada Pipeline says they have a strong working relationship with First Nations regarding the proposed Energy East Pipeline.

Concerns about treaty rights have been raised at Ontario Energy Board consultations over the past month across Ontario

Philippe Cannon says they have an open dialogue with aboriginal leaders.

Cannon says several letters of agreement have been reached.

Ontario Court To Hear Appeal of Spring Bear Hunt

An Ontario court is to hear arguments today against the province’s planned spring bear hunt.

Animal Alliance of Canada and Zoocheck Canada are challenging the hunt, saying mother bears will be killed and their orphaned cubs left to starve or be killed by predators.

The new spring hunt is scheduled to begin in selected northern communities on Thursday and ends on June 15th.

The animal rights groups have filed an application for a judicial review, and say they hope the court will at least delay the start of the hunt until it can issue a ruling.

Their lawyer has said the hunt would be contrary to animal cruelty provisions in the Criminal Code.

The hunt was cancelled in 1999.

City Releases Boating Sector Profile

Business opportunties in boating.

That's the thrust of a  new economic development profile
developed for the City of Kenora.

Don Denver is chair of the Economic Development Commission and says the Boating Sector Profile fits in nicely with Kenora's brand promise.

The Boating sector profile outlines a number of business opportunities including boat maintenance and repairs, storage, as well as docking and rentals.

It's the most recent of the City's business profiles, which also includes mining, forestry and tourism.

Gravelle Promise One Billion For Ring of Fire

The provincial government is making a huge financial promise to the Ring of Fire mining development.

Northern Development and Mines minister Michael Gravelle says they will commit one billion dollars for infrastructure projects to the Ring.

Gravelle is challenging the federal government to pony up the same amount.  

The money will go towards building access to the project through either roads or railways.  

The funding will be included in this weeks provincial budget.

FedNor Promotes Export Opportunities

FedNor would like to see more companies in northwestern Ontario get into the export business.

The regional economic development agency is out offering specific financial assistance programs.

Director Aime Dimatteo says since announcing them last fall, thirty companies have made application.

Dimatteo says of the 67 hundred business with available products or services, just 6 per cent are now in the export business.

Tories Complain About Fake Deficit Numbers

The Progressive Conservatives claim the Liberal government has been using fake deficit numbers as part of its budget process.

They say the numbers are contained in documents obtained.

Tory leader Tim Hudak says its only hurts future investment.

The Tory says documents first identify a fake deficit number of 24.7 billion for the the 2009/
10 fiscal year.

Unifor Begins Contract Talks With Resolute

Contract talks between Resolute Forest Products and Unifor are underway.

The results of the negotiations, impacting nineteen collective agreements are intended to serve as a pattern for talks with other pulp and paper companies in eastern Canada.

The talks are scheduled to continued all this week in Montreal.

Local Fighter To Compete in Jiu Jitsu Competition

A local Jiu Jitsu fighter is competing in an international event.

Amanda Kowalik is heading to Brampton for the Ontario Opens.

Kowalik says she'll be fighting in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition.

She will be fighting in the white belt middle
weight class.

The tournament runs Saturday and Sunday.