Rat Portage First Nation is looking at opening a new gang saw granite fabrication plant.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing the first nation with money to conduct a feasibility study.
A new plant would create up to 50 jobs, encourage off reserve members to return to the community for work, and provide a general boost to the economy.
The feasibility study is expected to be complete by next month.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Swine Flu Northwestern Ontario
The swine flu virus has completely disappeared yet in northwestern Ontario.
The Ministry of Health says there were three confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus this past week in the region.
Only one of the cases was reported in the Northwestern Health Unit's cachment area, the other two were in the Thunder Bay area.
The number of cases of the swine flu in this region has now reached 74, but the province says the rate of spread is definitely slowing down.
The Ministry of Health says there were three confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus this past week in the region.
Only one of the cases was reported in the Northwestern Health Unit's cachment area, the other two were in the Thunder Bay area.
The number of cases of the swine flu in this region has now reached 74, but the province says the rate of spread is definitely slowing down.
Water Levels Lake of the Woods
A big jump in water levels on the Lake of the Woods this week due toall the rain.
The Lake of the Woods Control Board says levels have risen two inches and are expected to go up another two to four inches in the next week.
Executive Engineer, Rick Walden says its been a challenging year to try to maintain stable water levels.
Outflow from the Norman Dam into the Winnipeg River has also risenslightly this week, up to 420 cubic meters per second.
The Lake of the Woods Control Board says levels have risen two inches and are expected to go up another two to four inches in the next week.
Executive Engineer, Rick Walden says its been a challenging year to try to maintain stable water levels.
Outflow from the Norman Dam into the Winnipeg River has also risenslightly this week, up to 420 cubic meters per second.
Lottery Winners Kenora
Its been a good week for local residents who play scratch cards.
Two men have won several thousands of dollars playing Bingo and Crossword.
Brian Leroux is the latest winner.
He collected 25 thousand dollars playing Instant Crossword.
He purchased his ticket at the Loaf and Jug Food Mart.
Bruce Kitt also won 50 thousand dollars playing Instant Bingo this week.
Two men have won several thousands of dollars playing Bingo and Crossword.
Brian Leroux is the latest winner.
He collected 25 thousand dollars playing Instant Crossword.
He purchased his ticket at the Loaf and Jug Food Mart.
Bruce Kitt also won 50 thousand dollars playing Instant Bingo this week.
Tori Stafford's Dad Cycling Cross Canada
The father of slain Woodstock girl Tori Staffordis scheduled to be in Kenora later this week on his cycling tour to Edmonton.
Rodney Stafford says he's making the 34-hundred-kilometre bikeride in honour of his slain daughter and to raise awareness andfunds for Child Find Ontario.
Stafford plans to collect donations in Kenora at the Walmart Store this coming Friday.
Tori Stafford was abducted April 8th after leaving her school inWoodstock and her remains were found on July 19th in Mount Forest.
Rodney Stafford says he's making the 34-hundred-kilometre bikeride in honour of his slain daughter and to raise awareness andfunds for Child Find Ontario.
Stafford plans to collect donations in Kenora at the Walmart Store this coming Friday.
Tori Stafford was abducted April 8th after leaving her school inWoodstock and her remains were found on July 19th in Mount Forest.
Thunder Bay Bad Driver
Ottawa police have laid charges against a Thunder Bay man after a father and son were struck while cycling on a busy road.
The father suffered a badly broken leg and a head injury after being struck by the pickup truck.
His 10-year-old son broke his arm.Police say the driver of the truck was merging into traffic and didn't notice the father and son in the bike lane.
21-year-old Erin Chezik has been charged with failing to yield.
The father suffered a badly broken leg and a head injury after being struck by the pickup truck.
His 10-year-old son broke his arm.Police say the driver of the truck was merging into traffic and didn't notice the father and son in the bike lane.
21-year-old Erin Chezik has been charged with failing to yield.
Dryden Crash
Transport Canada is gradually implementing a safety management system in the aviation industry.
However, there are many critics.The former commissioner who investigated the 1989 crash that killed 24 people in Dryden is among them.
Virgil Moshansky says he sees similarities between now and events before the 1989 crash.
Transport Canada says the system offers an extra layer of safety.However, inspections have been cut and the unions say inspectors are being lost.
However, there are many critics.The former commissioner who investigated the 1989 crash that killed 24 people in Dryden is among them.
Virgil Moshansky says he sees similarities between now and events before the 1989 crash.
Transport Canada says the system offers an extra layer of safety.However, inspections have been cut and the unions say inspectors are being lost.
Cheaper Natural Gas this Fall
Natural gas rates in Ontario are going down yet again this year.
The price has fallen to a seven year low, just under three dollars US per thousand cubic feet.
Union Gas Spokesperson Andrea Stass says Northwestern Ontario residents can expect to see
their bills decrease in October.
Stass notes prices are down because the recession has seen a drop in the demand for natural gas.
The price has fallen to a seven year low, just under three dollars US per thousand cubic feet.
Union Gas Spokesperson Andrea Stass says Northwestern Ontario residents can expect to see
their bills decrease in October.
Stass notes prices are down because the recession has seen a drop in the demand for natural gas.
Service Ontario Changes
The provincial government says it will be establishing 10 Service Ontario centers in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts in the next year.
The government announced the re-organization earlier this summer and says under the initiative, you will be able to apply for a new health card,a drivers licence, and hunting and fishing permits out of one office.
In Kenora, the Service Ontario office will be located on Robertson Street.
As a result of the changes however, the Licensing and Vehicle Registration Office, which is located in Keewatin is being closed this fall.
A spokesperson for that office says their last day in business will be October 13th.
The government announced the re-organization earlier this summer and says under the initiative, you will be able to apply for a new health card,a drivers licence, and hunting and fishing permits out of one office.
In Kenora, the Service Ontario office will be located on Robertson Street.
As a result of the changes however, the Licensing and Vehicle Registration Office, which is located in Keewatin is being closed this fall.
A spokesperson for that office says their last day in business will be October 13th.
Compton on AMO
Kenora Mayor Len Compton says he's pleased with the responsethey recieved while in Ottawa from provincial cabinet ministers at theannual Association of Municipalities of Ontario convention.
Compton says they met a total of nine ministers including the ministerof the Environment, John Gerritson.
He says they raised issues about the cost of providing clean drinking water for the City of Kenora.
Compton says they also had a very positive meeting with the Ministerof Aboriginal Affairs about the city's Common Ground initiative onTunnel Island.
Compton says they met a total of nine ministers including the ministerof the Environment, John Gerritson.
He says they raised issues about the cost of providing clean drinking water for the City of Kenora.
Compton says they also had a very positive meeting with the Ministerof Aboriginal Affairs about the city's Common Ground initiative onTunnel Island.
KFP Severance to be paid
Kenora Forest Products and its laid off employees have reached a settlement.
The agreement will ensure the payout of severance and termination pay for about 35 workers that had been denied payment 2½ months ago.
The remaining workforce will continue to retain negotiated recall rights until June 1, 2010.
The final settlement will be mailed out to all affected workers in the next few days and severance and termination pay will be made in September, December and in June.
The agreement will ensure the payout of severance and termination pay for about 35 workers that had been denied payment 2½ months ago.
The remaining workforce will continue to retain negotiated recall rights until June 1, 2010.
The final settlement will be mailed out to all affected workers in the next few days and severance and termination pay will be made in September, December and in June.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Hampton Forestry
Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton feels the McGuinty Government needs to immediately adress the growing number of layoffs in the forest industry.
This past summer has been full of companies laying off employees across Northwestern Ontario.
Hampton says the Liberal Government has been a sleep at the wheel.
The most recent layoffs were announced by Domtar's Ear Falls mill.
This past summer has been full of companies laying off employees across Northwestern Ontario.
Hampton says the Liberal Government has been a sleep at the wheel.
The most recent layoffs were announced by Domtar's Ear Falls mill.
First Rider Program
The newly formed Northwestern Ontario Student Services Co-Operative is hosting the 'First
Rider Program in Dryden and Kenora on Saturday.
Transportation Manager Judi Green says the initiative helps teach kids about bus safety.
The program has been running in Dryden for 10-years and is being held in Kenora for the first time.
Rider Program in Dryden and Kenora on Saturday.
Transportation Manager Judi Green says the initiative helps teach kids about bus safety.
The program has been running in Dryden for 10-years and is being held in Kenora for the first time.
Rest Stop AMO
Three members of Kenora City Council are back in town after spending the past week hob-knobbing with provincial cabinet ministers in thenations capital.
Rory McMillan, Charito Drinkwalter and mayor Len Compton attended the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa.
McMillan says they had generally positive meetings with most ministers, but was disappointed with the response they got from the Minister of Transportation about the development of a rest stop on the Kenora By-Pass.
Earlier this year at the Ontario Good Roads Conference, the province indicated that it would begin a study on the feasitibity of building a rest stop on Highway 17-A.
Rory McMillan, Charito Drinkwalter and mayor Len Compton attended the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa.
McMillan says they had generally positive meetings with most ministers, but was disappointed with the response they got from the Minister of Transportation about the development of a rest stop on the Kenora By-Pass.
Earlier this year at the Ontario Good Roads Conference, the province indicated that it would begin a study on the feasitibity of building a rest stop on Highway 17-A.
Keewatin Beach Open
Clear skies, warmer weather and a newly re-opened beach.
The Northwestern Health Unit has rescinded its closure of Keewatin Beach.
The beach was closed last week due to high levels of e-coli found in the water.
Recent water quality tests have come back clean.
Weekly sampling will be carried out during the swimming season as a way to ensure the water quality does not pose a risk for swimmers.
The Northwestern Health Unit has rescinded its closure of Keewatin Beach.
The beach was closed last week due to high levels of e-coli found in the water.
Recent water quality tests have come back clean.
Weekly sampling will be carried out during the swimming season as a way to ensure the water quality does not pose a risk for swimmers.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Hunting Fine Levied
A North Carolina man has been fined two thousand dollars for lying to a Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officer.
Court heard that Jonathan Morrison met up with a CO while hunting in the Kenora area.
The officer questioned him about his deer hunting activities.
Morrison made several conflicting statements regarding his part in killing a white tailed deer.
Upon investigation, his statements were found to be false.
Morrison will have his hunting priveles in Ontario reinstated and his rifle returned once he pays his fine.
Court heard that Jonathan Morrison met up with a CO while hunting in the Kenora area.
The officer questioned him about his deer hunting activities.
Morrison made several conflicting statements regarding his part in killing a white tailed deer.
Upon investigation, his statements were found to be false.
Morrison will have his hunting priveles in Ontario reinstated and his rifle returned once he pays his fine.
Slow Summer for Tourism
Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association is reflecting on the summer tourism season that way and gearing up for the fall hunting season.
Executive Director Gerry Cariou says this summer wasn't the best for tourism.
Cariou says the dedicated hunters from the United States and Canada will still be visiting their favourite tourist outfitters, but notes there may a slight decrease in the number of hunters visiting because of the economic recession.
Executive Director Gerry Cariou says this summer wasn't the best for tourism.
Cariou says the dedicated hunters from the United States and Canada will still be visiting their favourite tourist outfitters, but notes there may a slight decrease in the number of hunters visiting because of the economic recession.
Boating Regulations deadline approaching
September 15th marks the day all operators of powered recreational vessels need to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
The Federal law was passed in 1999 but will be enforced starting this fall.
Boat Smart Canada President Cameron Taylor says to date 1.5 million Canadians have obtained the card.
An estimated 6.5 million still need to get their cards before September 15th.
A number of local businesses also offer courses to qualify for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
The Federal law was passed in 1999 but will be enforced starting this fall.
Boat Smart Canada President Cameron Taylor says to date 1.5 million Canadians have obtained the card.
An estimated 6.5 million still need to get their cards before September 15th.
A number of local businesses also offer courses to qualify for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
MNR Enforcement on Winnipeg River
Kenora District Conservation Officers laid 13 charges and issued 39 warnings during an enforcement blitz from August 2nd to 10th on the Winnipeg River.
Conservation officers checked 264 anglers for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and Ontario Fisheries Regulations.
Several charges were laid for having an overlimit of walleye, fishing without a license, and transporting fish that could not be measured and identified.
Officers also laid two charges and issued three warnings against individuals under the Liquor Licence Act, for having open liquor in a boat.
Conservation officers checked 264 anglers for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and Ontario Fisheries Regulations.
Several charges were laid for having an overlimit of walleye, fishing without a license, and transporting fish that could not be measured and identified.
Officers also laid two charges and issued three warnings against individuals under the Liquor Licence Act, for having open liquor in a boat.
Attiwapiskat Rally
Roughly 50-members of the remote Northern community of Attawapiskat First Nation staged a peaceful protest outside the DeBeers Canada Office in Toronto Wednesday.
Chief Theresa Hall says they are concerned that the wealth generated by diamond exploration and mining on their traditional land is not being shared.
Hall says they have tried to address the issue with the Mining Company and both levels of Government but stresses their patience is running out.
She says Attawapiskat residents are living in poverty, while living next door to one of the richest mining operations in the world.
Chief Theresa Hall says they are concerned that the wealth generated by diamond exploration and mining on their traditional land is not being shared.
Hall says they have tried to address the issue with the Mining Company and both levels of Government but stresses their patience is running out.
She says Attawapiskat residents are living in poverty, while living next door to one of the richest mining operations in the world.
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