By: Sheri Leviski
2009-05-13
09:33:10
You won't be able to visit any of the residents at Birchwood Terrace Nursing Home this week.
A respiratory outbreak has been declared at the long term care facility in Kenora.
The Northwestern Health Unit and home staff are working together to control and prevent the spread of the illness.
A visitor ban has been put in place to help manage the spread of the illness to residents and staff.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-05-13
09:28:49
It's not even summer yet, and the OPP's Marine Unit has already seen its first collision on Lake of the Woods.
Yesterday, a vessel struck a reef in the area of Canoe Channel near the Keewatin Channel.
8 people were travelling in the 21 foot Doral when they came in contact with the reef.
The occupants were able to paddle to a near by island before the boat sunk.
The boat was destroyed but thankfully no one was injured.
OPP are reminding boaters to proceed with caution when you are in unfamiliar waters.
By: Mike Ebbeling
2009-05-04
06:23:45
Construction on safety improvements on the Trans-Canada Highway just east of Thunder Bay are to begin next year.
But the timing on the entire four-laning of Highway 11-17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon remains a big question mark.
Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says the government is committed to four-laning the entire 100-kilometre stretch.
By: Mike Ebbeling
2009-05-04
06:23:10
Rainy River District will be getting a new OPP Detachment commander this month.
Staff Sergeant John Kendrick will take over the job from Inspector Dave Lucas, who relocated to Kenora in January.
Kendrick is currently the O-P-P's regional traffic manager in Thunder Bay.
By: Mike Ebbeling
2009-05-04
06:22:35
Done Deal!
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has now secured contract's with all of its staff.
The final deal was ratified with the Union representing Elementary Occasional Teachers.
The 4-year agreement includes a 10-percent wage hike over the life of the contract.
Officials say an additional 3.5-percent increase in the 2009-2010 school year has been applied to bring the rates into parity with High School Occasional Teachers.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-05-04
06:21:33
The City of Kenora has taken the next step in revitalizing Norman Park.
Council recently applied for funding under the Building Canada Fund.
Jeff Port is the city planner and says the project is expected to come in at 5 million dollars.
The project includes improvements to the Norman Community Club, the Railway Museum, Norman Beach and the development of new walking trails in the area.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-05-04
06:20:53
Property Owners Meeting
"Going green at the lake" is this year's theme for the Lake of the Woods Property Owners cottage show.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to improve your cottage in an environmentally friendly way.
Other seminars will be on being green on the lake and toxic algae in the Lake of the Woods district.
The Property Owners Association annual general meeting will be held in the evening on Monday and the cottage show will run from 3 to 9pm.
The annual event is being held once again at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg.
By: Mike Ebbeling
2009-05-04
06:19:49
The Provincial Director of the Canadian Red Cross says the determination and commitment of the Mayor may pay off in the very near future.
Dryden is trying to become a "host" community for evacuated centres across Northern Ontario.
John Saunders says the Mayor has done a great job forming partners, especially with area First Nations.
Thunder Bay and Sudbury are also said to be vying for the "host" designation.
By: Mike Ebbeling
2009-05-04
06:19:06
Animal lovers in the North will want to check out this new website.
The Dryden and Kenora Branch of the OSPCA is on-line with updated content and a fresh new design.
Public Relations Manager Kristin Williams says the site offers a wealth of information.
Williams adds the website includes lists of adoption centre in Northern Ontario and resources for reporting animal cruelty and identifying abuse.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-05-01
07:57:03
Kenora OPP are reminding the public that new drinking and driving legislation takes effect today.
Drivers found with a blood alcohol level between point-0-5 and point 0-8 will lose their licence for three days.
A second offence brings a seven-day licence suspension and a visit to an alcohol education program.
Three-time offenders lose their licence for 30 days and their vehicle will be fitted with an ignition interlock.
The licence suspensions cannot be appealed.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-05-01
07:44:48
The McGuinty Government is making significant strides in Aboriginal consultation in its proposed changes to the mining act.
Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle unveilled the new legislation Thursday.
Gravelle says the act will provide clear rules for industry and reduce the impact of mineral exploration on the environment.
If the legislation is passed, Ontario will begin putting new rules in place later this year.
By: Mike Ebbeling
2009-05-01
07:43:40
The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation is pleased the Provincial Government is starting to address aboriginal concerns but notes the proposed Mining Act doesn't meet all of their needs.
Grand Chief Stan Beardy says they are concerned that First Nations still don't have to be notified before a claim is staked.
Beardy adds the Legislation falls short of giving aboriginals a share of mining revenues.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-05-01
07:41:44
Kenora City Council has awarded the tender for the remaining landscape work in the areas of the roundabout, City Hall, and Main Street.
Wilco Contracting had the winning bid, coming in at almost 574 thousand dollars.
Councillor Dave McCann says the landscaping will have a minimal impact on traffic.
That work is expected to be complete by June 30th.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-05-01
07:40:46
Kenora City Council is applying for Federal and Provincial funding for a number of infrastructure projects.
One of the applications is for 7 million dollars from the Canada-Ontario Stimulus Fund.
Operations Committee Chair and Councillor Dave McCann says they want to put the funding towards repaving parts of Highway 17 east and west.
Council is also applying for money to fix up sections of Lakeview Drive as part of the Downtown Revitalization Project.
By: Canadian Press
2009-04-30
06:38:27
Toronto's contract to spend a (b) billion dollars on streetcars to be made in Thunder Bay has hit a problem.
Premier Dalton McGuinty says they haven't budgeted for their one-third share of Toronto's 1.2 billion dollar deal for Bombardier streetcars.
Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman says he was surprised by Toronto's commitment.
The premier says they also have to talk with Ottawa about their one-third share. Toronto Mayor David Miller could not be reached for comment yesterday.
By: Canadian Press
2009-04-30
06:27:05
About 100 years after it was first enacted, Ontario's Mining Act will receive an update today.
There have been complaints over provisions in the Act that allow prospectors to stake and explore on private lands.
The Canadian Press has learned the changes will modernize the way companies stake claims to be more respectful of private land.
Sources also say the legislation will clarify the rules on how mining companies deal with First Nations' communities.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-04-30
06:26:19
Area hunters who were unable to attend a series of public meetings on the Province's Moose Tag allocation system still have a chance to voice their concerns.
Outdoors enthusiasts have until the end of today to send in their thoughts via the Ministry of Natural Resources website.
Spokesperson Brad Allison says they hope to have a draft report available before the end of the year.
Some Northwestern Ontario moose hunters blame the group tag allocation system for the lack of adult tags available to local hunters.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-04-30
06:25:36
Lodge owners, City Representatives and Tourism Officials piled into the Super 8 on Wednesday to discuss the future of Sunset Country.
Ontario's Ministry of Tourism plans to create a super tourist region for Northern Ontario that would encompass Sault Ste. Marie to the Manitoba border.
Sunset Country Travel Association Executive Director Gerry Cariou says its about time the Ministry understands that people don't like their proposal.
Cariou adds they would like the Ministry to continue with its 11 proposed regions, but leave Sunset Country as its own seperate region.
By: Mike Ebbeling
2009-04-30
06:14:03
The threat of a large scale fire in the Kenora area is starting to worry the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Aviation and Forest Fire Program Officer Terry Popowich says the escalating problem of storm and insect damage has led to volatile conditions.
Popowich says the consequences of lightning or human-caused fires is quite dangerous in that area and they are taking steps to prepare for any blaze.
Popowich adds the area is of special concern because of the number of rural and recreational properties.
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-04-29
09:08:15
Kenora OPP have charged several people with impaired driving.
Over the weekend, police came across a vehicle and discovered the driver had been drinking.
28 year old Mike Rogers failed a roadside test and was charged with drinking and driving.
On the west highway officers stopped a vehicle for excessive speed.
35 year old Wayne Henry of Dalles First Nation was charged with impaired driving.
Henry will appear in Kenora court on June 15th to answer the charge.
