Kenora City Council remains split over the issue of whether to give medical students workingin the community free access to the gym at the Kenora Rec. Center.
Councillor Rory McMillan raised the issue once again this week, trying to gain support for the free passes.
However, Mayor Len Compton, and Councillors Chris Van Wallenghem, and Dave McCann votesd against providing the freebies.
Compton says he's been complaining about the deficit at the Rec. Center for months now, and doesn't feel it would be appropriate to ask the facility to foot the bill for free gym access.
It has been suggested that the city provide a couple of free passes in packages handed out to medical school students when they arrive in the city.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
OPP Recruitment
The Ontario Provincial Police are holding an information session on the hiring process for new officers.
Two sessions will be held on Thursday, September 17th at the local detachment on
Highway 17-A.
O.P.P. Constable Dave Cain says there are a couple of prerequisites that need to be met before applying.
The first session will be held at 3 and the second at 7 at the OPP detachment.
Two sessions will be held on Thursday, September 17th at the local detachment on
Highway 17-A.
O.P.P. Constable Dave Cain says there are a couple of prerequisites that need to be met before applying.
The first session will be held at 3 and the second at 7 at the OPP detachment.
Jones Road Landfill back in use?
It looks as if the City of Kenora is ready to start using the Jones Road Landfill site for municipal garbage.
Council received a report outlining the increasing costs of sending garbage to the Brady Road Landfill in Winnipeg.
Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says the local landfill site is currrently used only for construction and demolition waste.
Perchuck says the cost of sending garbage to Winnipeg is will almost double this year and suggeststhe city could save about 200 thousand dollars a year by using the Jones Road site.
Council received a report outlining the increasing costs of sending garbage to the Brady Road Landfill in Winnipeg.
Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says the local landfill site is currrently used only for construction and demolition waste.
Perchuck says the cost of sending garbage to Winnipeg is will almost double this year and suggeststhe city could save about 200 thousand dollars a year by using the Jones Road site.
Hampton at Queen's Park
The harmonized sales tax and the on-going spending scandal at OLG and E-Health Ontario dominated disuccsions on the opening two days at Queen's Park.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton also raised the issue of bus service in Northwestern Ontario, stating the Liberals must take immediate action.
Hampton says there are currently 2-Government owned bus lines in Northeastern Ontario and the Toronto area, so the McGuinty Liberal should strongly consider bus service in our area.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton also raised the issue of bus service in Northwestern Ontario, stating the Liberals must take immediate action.
Hampton says there are currently 2-Government owned bus lines in Northeastern Ontario and the Toronto area, so the McGuinty Liberal should strongly consider bus service in our area.
Opposition to Via Cuts
First it was Greyhound, now its looks as if Via Rail is looking to reduce service in northern Ontario.
Thunder Bay Councillor Iain Angus is asking municipalities across the region to support a resolution opposing any cuts in rail service.
Angus says Via has been told to cut its budget by five percent, which could result in the loss of at least one cross-country train a week.
Via currently operates its passenger trains on the CN mainline, which has stops in Redditt, Sioux Lookout and Armstrong in northwestern Ontario.
Thunder Bay Councillor Iain Angus is asking municipalities across the region to support a resolution opposing any cuts in rail service.
Angus says Via has been told to cut its budget by five percent, which could result in the loss of at least one cross-country train a week.
Via currently operates its passenger trains on the CN mainline, which has stops in Redditt, Sioux Lookout and Armstrong in northwestern Ontario.
Union Gas Rates Decrease 11 Percent
Local residents can expect to pay less for natural gas this fall.
Union Gas has confirmed that rates in northwestern Ontario will be going down by 11 percent starting October 1st.
Last month, the utility confirmed that natural gas prices would be decreasing, but was waiting for the Ontario Energy Board to approve the new rates.
Union Gas says the price of natural gas is now at its lowest level in ten years and has gone down 45 percent since January of 2009.
Union Gas has confirmed that rates in northwestern Ontario will be going down by 11 percent starting October 1st.
Last month, the utility confirmed that natural gas prices would be decreasing, but was waiting for the Ontario Energy Board to approve the new rates.
Union Gas says the price of natural gas is now at its lowest level in ten years and has gone down 45 percent since January of 2009.
Fire Rangers Return Home
Most of the fire ranger crews from Ontario battling blazes out west in British Columbia are expected to be home by the end of the day.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says 99 fire fighters were flown back yesterday and the remaining 59 are due to return sometime today.
Ontario has had fire ranger crews out in B.C. for nine weeks, battling wildfires in that province.
Things remain quiet on the home front in terms of forest fire activity, with just one new blaze reported in the Sioux Lookout District.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says 99 fire fighters were flown back yesterday and the remaining 59 are due to return sometime today.
Ontario has had fire ranger crews out in B.C. for nine weeks, battling wildfires in that province.
Things remain quiet on the home front in terms of forest fire activity, with just one new blaze reported in the Sioux Lookout District.
Pikangikum Training Center
Aboriginal workers in Northwestern Ontario will soon be able to train for jobs in forestry, tourism and mining at a new educational facility in Pikangikum.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing over 600 thousand dollars towards the project.
The facility will have three classrooms, and a residence for instructors.
Five people will be employed at the facility.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing over 600 thousand dollars towards the project.
The facility will have three classrooms, and a residence for instructors.
Five people will be employed at the facility.
Catholic School Board Enrolment
Not a big change in the student population at the Kenora Catholic DistrictSchool Board this year.
Enrolment in the Kenora schools decreased by just one student, to 1,379 compared to 1,380 last year.
Director of Education, Phylis Aikre says the good news is that their funding should remain stable from the Ministry of Education, as a result.
The only big change for the separate school board is the addition of St. John's Catholic School in
Red Lake.
The merger was announced by the provincial government this past spring and adds another
114 students to the separate school system.
Enrolment in the Kenora schools decreased by just one student, to 1,379 compared to 1,380 last year.
Director of Education, Phylis Aikre says the good news is that their funding should remain stable from the Ministry of Education, as a result.
The only big change for the separate school board is the addition of St. John's Catholic School in
Red Lake.
The merger was announced by the provincial government this past spring and adds another
114 students to the separate school system.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Downtown Revitalization
The second phase of the downtown revitalization project has begun in the City of Kenora.
Titan Contractors is removing the bridge beside Scotia bank.
The construction company is is preparing the site for further work in the area.
On Monday, crews will begin to dig on First Street South between Main Street and Bernier.
Pedestrian access will be closed in that area.
Construction is expected to wrap up by November 30th.
CBS Clinic Day One Results
Some 152-donors gave the gift of life yesterday at the Canadian Blood Donor Clinic at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
The 118-units of blood collected will help some 354-patients.
Spokesperson Harvey Heather says to make an appointment call 1-888-2-donate.
Today's blood donor clinic runs from 9:30 until 12:30.
The 118-units of blood collected will help some 354-patients.
Spokesperson Harvey Heather says to make an appointment call 1-888-2-donate.
Today's blood donor clinic runs from 9:30 until 12:30.
Boating Deadline
If you want to enjoy the warm weather out on the lake, you will need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card starting today.
Boaters can complete the online exam at boatsmartexam.com.
Cameron Taylor is the president of the company and says taking the exam is cheaper than thefine for not having a licence.
You can take the test at any time, however starting today you will need the new boating license.
Failing to have an operators card will cost you 250-dollars.
Officials say 8-million Canadian boaters still need to be certified.
Boaters can complete the online exam at boatsmartexam.com.
Cameron Taylor is the president of the company and says taking the exam is cheaper than thefine for not having a licence.
You can take the test at any time, however starting today you will need the new boating license.
Failing to have an operators card will cost you 250-dollars.
Officials say 8-million Canadian boaters still need to be certified.
Rafferty on Fall Session of Parliment
The fall session of the House of Commons got under way yesterday but just how long Parliament will sit is anyone's guess.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says he want to see parliament make it through the session as long as it can.
Rafferty says his party is also reviewing a proposal for E-I reform which on the surface has some benefit for many unemployed workers.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says he want to see parliament make it through the session as long as it can.
Rafferty says his party is also reviewing a proposal for E-I reform which on the surface has some benefit for many unemployed workers.
Council Position
The manager of the CP Rail station in Kenora could have a new job next week.
Jim Parson was one of eight people who submitted applications to fill avacancy on council created by the resignation of Andrew Poirier earlier this summer.
Each councillor was asked to vote secretly for the candidate of theirchoice, and Parson was the overall winner.
If he agrees to sit on council, he will be sworn in at the end of next Monday's open meeting.
Initially, nine people submitted applications, but one person with drew due to a conflict of interest.
Jim Parson was one of eight people who submitted applications to fill avacancy on council created by the resignation of Andrew Poirier earlier this summer.
Each councillor was asked to vote secretly for the candidate of theirchoice, and Parson was the overall winner.
If he agrees to sit on council, he will be sworn in at the end of next Monday's open meeting.
Initially, nine people submitted applications, but one person with drew due to a conflict of interest.
Abitibi Bowater Cuts
About 400 workers who supply logs and chips to AbitibiBowater's Thunder Bay pulp, newsprint and lumber operations have agreed to a pay cut.
The workers hope the move will help keep their employer in business.
A new three-year contract, to take effect November 1st, will shave hourly wages by a-dollar-50 and reduce overtime and benefits.
Workers currently earn around 27 dollars per hour.
The workers hope the move will help keep their employer in business.
A new three-year contract, to take effect November 1st, will shave hourly wages by a-dollar-50 and reduce overtime and benefits.
Workers currently earn around 27 dollars per hour.
Firehall Tender
Kenora City Council is leaning towards approving a 5.9 million dollar tender to build a new firehall on Barsky's Hill, despite the inflated cost of the project.
Council spent a lot of time debating whether it is willing fund the project without federal or provincial assistance.
David Nelson is the Architect on the project and says they have already scaled back the original cost of the project.
The lowest initial bid came in at 6.3 million dollars, which is about 1.3 million higher than initially budgeted.
Council will vote on whether to approve the tender on Monday night.
Council spent a lot of time debating whether it is willing fund the project without federal or provincial assistance.
David Nelson is the Architect on the project and says they have already scaled back the original cost of the project.
The lowest initial bid came in at 6.3 million dollars, which is about 1.3 million higher than initially budgeted.
Council will vote on whether to approve the tender on Monday night.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Broncos Footbal
A good start to the regular season for Beaver Brae's football team.
The Broncos blanked the Fort Frances Muskies 44-0 Friday afternoon at Pete Fair Memorial Field.
Mark Gramenz was Beaver Brae's player of the game with 165 yards receiving and a touchdown.
He says the team made big strides in the past week to get ready for the regular season.
Billy Kitt had a pair of touchdowns for the Broncos and over 100 yards rushing.
Scott Morgan, and Michael Menzies also scored majors for Beaver Brae.
The Broncos next game is on Friday at home against the River East Kodiaksfrom Winnipeg.
The Broncos blanked the Fort Frances Muskies 44-0 Friday afternoon at Pete Fair Memorial Field.
Mark Gramenz was Beaver Brae's player of the game with 165 yards receiving and a touchdown.
He says the team made big strides in the past week to get ready for the regular season.
Billy Kitt had a pair of touchdowns for the Broncos and over 100 yards rushing.
Scott Morgan, and Michael Menzies also scored majors for Beaver Brae.
The Broncos next game is on Friday at home against the River East Kodiaksfrom Winnipeg.
Blood Donor Clinic
Canadian Blood Services needs your help.
A two day blood donor clinic will be held today and tomorrow at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Spokesperson Harvey Heather says their goal for the fall clinic is 300 donors.
The clinic runs from 4:30 until 9 today and 9 until noon tomorrow.
Anyone wanting to make an appointment to donate can call 1-888-2-DONATE.
A two day blood donor clinic will be held today and tomorrow at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Spokesperson Harvey Heather says their goal for the fall clinic is 300 donors.
The clinic runs from 4:30 until 9 today and 9 until noon tomorrow.
Anyone wanting to make an appointment to donate can call 1-888-2-DONATE.
Kenora Aging Forum
A forum on how to make local communities more age-friendly is being heldin Kenora next week.
Jennifer Rasmussen is helping organize the one day session and says theyare working with the province on the initiative.
Rasmussen says there is still space available for last minute registrations.
The forum will take place at the Minis Hall at the Super 8 Motel on Tuesday, September 15th.
Jennifer Rasmussen is helping organize the one day session and says theyare working with the province on the initiative.
Rasmussen says there is still space available for last minute registrations.
The forum will take place at the Minis Hall at the Super 8 Motel on Tuesday, September 15th.
Experimental Lakes Funding
The Experimental Lakes Area east of Kenora is getting 850 thousand dollars in funding from the federal government to build a new laboratory.
The money will be used to erect as new fish research facility.
Dr. Mike Paterson works out at the E.L.A. and says their current lab is about 40 years old and in desperate need of replacement.
The funding will be spread out over the next two years and is part of the federal governments 250 million dollar initiative to upgrade laboratory facilities across Canada.
The money will be used to erect as new fish research facility.
Dr. Mike Paterson works out at the E.L.A. and says their current lab is about 40 years old and in desperate need of replacement.
The funding will be spread out over the next two years and is part of the federal governments 250 million dollar initiative to upgrade laboratory facilities across Canada.
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