Do One Thing Conference Underway

The CEO of the Northwestern Health Unit has officially opened the Do On Thing Conference.

In his opening remarks Mark Perrault says health is not accomplished by 1 single entity.

Perrault notes the 3 themes of the conference are healthy communities, healthy workplaces, and the importance of partnerships.

Board of Health Chair Julie Roy noted that health is the culmination of environment, lifestyle choices, policies, and systems.

She also noted her excitement to build on partnerships during the 3 days conference.

Moncrief Getting Ready To Start Downtown Revitalization

You might start noticing some new street signs around Kenora today.

The city is preparing to direct traffic around downtown with Phase III of Downtown Revitalization set to begin next week.

This morning crews were out erecting road closure and detours signs around the city.

Parts of Second Street South, which is part of the main Trans-Canada route through the city, will be closed during construction.

The 4.7 million dollar project is scheduled to start on Monday.

Canfield Pleased With Northern Leaders Debate

Not alot of content, but words the president of Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association wanted to hear.

That from Dave Canfield after the debate.

In an interview with Net Newsledger, Canfield says there was a willingness from both leaders to work with northern Ontario.

Canfield says he will also hold the leaders to their word after the election.

Northern Heritage To Run Three Candidates for June 12th Vote

The party pushing for northern Ontario become it's own province is running three candidates in the provincial election.

Leader and founder of the Northern Ontario Heritage Party Edward Deibel is running in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

Association president Paul Sloan is running in Thunder Bay-Superior North.

The party says it has a registered riding association for Kenora-Rainy River, but no candidate for this election.

KWG Suggests Help For Ring of Fire

KWG Resources is demanding a new provincial government should turn Ontario Northland into a transporation authority, similar to port and airport authorities in the province.

Spokesperson Frank Smeenk says it would help to raise money for capital projects in the Ring Of Fire, in which his company has a stake.

Smeenk says the new role for Ontario Northland would only require a change in the legislation.

Treaty Three Holds Spring Assembly This Week

The Grand Chief of Treaty 3 is preparing for the annual spring assembly.

Warren White says they assembly covers topics such as health care and child welfare.

White says unfortunately they won't have any provincial representatives attending.

He notes Kenora MP Greg Rickford and Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt have not responded to their invitations.

Dryden City Council Finally Ready To Release Budget Details

The City of Dryden will take the wraps off the 2014 capital and operating budget tonight.

A public meeting is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion at 7 o'clock.

Chief Administrative Officer Andre Larabie says they didn't move forward with all of the cuts suggested by consulting firm KPMG.

He says the cost of the severance packages would have just been too high.

Larabie notes details on severance packages issued to impacted staff will also be released.

Unifor Ratifies Deal with Resolute

The first collective agreement between Unifor and Resolute Forest Products has been ratified.

The new four-year agreement covers approximately two thousand
unionized workers at eleven of the company's mills in Ontario and Quebec.

The deal sets the pattern for negotiations with as many as eight thousand workers with other forest companies in eastern Canada.

Kowalik/Carpenter Bronco Athletes of the Year

Beaver Brae honored it's top athletes last night at the annual Bronco Athletic Awards Banquet.

Kyle Kowalik was named the male athlete of the year and says it's the culmination of years of hard work and fun.

Kowalik was also named boys curling MVP and won the Pete Fair Award for football.

Tyanna Carpenter was named the Broncos female athlete of the year.

Carpenter was also named the senior girls basketball MVP.

Other award winners last night were Halle Stasiuk with the Pete Fair Spirit Award, Lisa Ressing with the Diana Clark Award and Taylor Alcock with the Riel Tucker Award.

Saints Advance to NorWOSSA Soccer Finals

Both Thomas Aquinas boys and girls soccer teams are easily into today's NorWOSSA finals.

Yesterday, the Saints girls cruised to a 9-1 win over Red Lake to advance to the final.

Kiera Riel led the offense with four goals.

T.A. will now face Rainy River in the today's gold medal game at noon.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas boys earned a 3-1 win over the Rams setting up
a final against Sioux Lookout.

Aiden Tayor scored a pair of goals for T.A. in the victory.

The boys gold medal game goes at 10 this morning in Red Lake.