Kenora city council has given tentative approval of severance packages for former member of the Kenora Police Service.
A report was prepared for council outlining the total cost to the city.
Councillor Rory McMillan says the total payout is close to 1.5 million dollars.
The City estimates that it will be able to pay off the cost of the severances in one and a half years because savings from the OPP contract.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Fire Chief Chats To Council
It could be a while before the Kenricia Hotel is opened to the public again.
The City's Fire and Emergency Services Department is seeking a Section 15order to close the historic building.
Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says they conducted an inspection of the vacant hotel on Friday afternoon after pipes feeding the sprinkler system burst and flooded out one of the businesses located in the building.
Brinkman says the heat had been turned off inside the hotel, and water managed to seep into a number of electrical panels.
He says a number of fire code violations were identified during their inspection, and now he's seeking an order to close the building because itis a fire hazard.
The City's Fire and Emergency Services Department is seeking a Section 15order to close the historic building.
Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says they conducted an inspection of the vacant hotel on Friday afternoon after pipes feeding the sprinkler system burst and flooded out one of the businesses located in the building.
Brinkman says the heat had been turned off inside the hotel, and water managed to seep into a number of electrical panels.
He says a number of fire code violations were identified during their inspection, and now he's seeking an order to close the building because itis a fire hazard.
November Weather Review
It was warmer and dryer than normal last month.
Environment Canada released its monthly weather statistics for the Kenora and data shows the average temperature coming in at plus 1.4 degrees.
Climatologist Sandy Radecki says we saw less snow and rain as well.
Radecki notes the normal temperature for November is in the minus range, and Kenora saw pleasant above zero temperatures.
Environment Canada released its monthly weather statistics for the Kenora and data shows the average temperature coming in at plus 1.4 degrees.
Climatologist Sandy Radecki says we saw less snow and rain as well.
Radecki notes the normal temperature for November is in the minus range, and Kenora saw pleasant above zero temperatures.
Drug Bust
Drug traffickers continue to feel the pinch from Nishnawbe-Aski Police.This time, officers seized 19-thousand dollars worth of percocet and Oxycontin prescription pills.
The drugs were seized at the Thunder Bay Airport and were destined for the remote community of Webequie First Nation.
Police say 30-year-old Florence Spence and 24-year-old Darcy Shewaybick both face trafficking charges.
The drugs were seized at the Thunder Bay Airport and were destined for the remote community of Webequie First Nation.
Police say 30-year-old Florence Spence and 24-year-old Darcy Shewaybick both face trafficking charges.
CN Pellets
An increase in the use of wood pellets to generate energy is good business for CN Rail.
CN says it expects to ship more than 800-thousand tonnes of pellets this year alone.
Spokesperson Mark Hallman says its a commodity that could rival its shipments of other forest-related products in the future.
Hallman says much of the material could find itself rolling through the Rainy River district as Ontario Power Generation converts its coal-fired generating station in Atikokan to burn biomass.
CN says it expects to ship more than 800-thousand tonnes of pellets this year alone.
Spokesperson Mark Hallman says its a commodity that could rival its shipments of other forest-related products in the future.
Hallman says much of the material could find itself rolling through the Rainy River district as Ontario Power Generation converts its coal-fired generating station in Atikokan to burn biomass.
Bridge Arson
Provincial police have charged a man with arson after the Moose River rail crossing in northern Ontario was damaged by a fire.
Cochrane O-P-P say several railway ties on the as well as a nearby building damaged by fire.
A man was arrested at the scene yesterday.
Charged is 56-year-old Roy McCauley of Moosenee.
He's due in court tomorrow for a bail hearing.
Cochrane O-P-P say several railway ties on the as well as a nearby building damaged by fire.
A man was arrested at the scene yesterday.
Charged is 56-year-old Roy McCauley of Moosenee.
He's due in court tomorrow for a bail hearing.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Kenricia Hotel
Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department is seeking a Section 15 order to close the Kenricia Hotel.
Kenora Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says they encountered a number fire code violations over the weekend during an inspection of the building.
Fire crews were called out Friday afternoon after a number of pipes in the historic building burst including the fire sprinkler system.
One business was flooded out, and the other has been closed afterFire Chief Warren Brinkman decided to cut power to the building.
He says all the water compromised the electrical system and created a fire hazard.
He adds that the fire alarm system for the building had also been shut off at the main breaker.
Under Section 15 Brinkman says he has the authority to close any building that is deemed a fire hazard.
He plans to update City council on the matter this afternoon.
Kenora Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says they encountered a number fire code violations over the weekend during an inspection of the building.
Fire crews were called out Friday afternoon after a number of pipes in the historic building burst including the fire sprinkler system.
One business was flooded out, and the other has been closed afterFire Chief Warren Brinkman decided to cut power to the building.
He says all the water compromised the electrical system and created a fire hazard.
He adds that the fire alarm system for the building had also been shut off at the main breaker.
Under Section 15 Brinkman says he has the authority to close any building that is deemed a fire hazard.
He plans to update City council on the matter this afternoon.
KDSB Budget
The Kenora District Services Board is going back to the drawing board after voting down its 45 million dollar budget by a vote of 6 to 4.
Kenora Councillor and Board Chair Rory McMillan voted against the proposed budget stating Kenora Council had concerns.
Some board members are concerned with the hiring of 5 new staff members and want the provincial assesments to come out before they make any futher moves.
The budget will be back up for a vote in January.
Kenora Councillor and Board Chair Rory McMillan voted against the proposed budget stating Kenora Council had concerns.
Some board members are concerned with the hiring of 5 new staff members and want the provincial assesments to come out before they make any futher moves.
The budget will be back up for a vote in January.
Lake of the Woods Foundation
The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Foundation has asked city council for a sizable donation.
The foundation made a special deputatation to council on Friday for a one time grant of 3.5 million dollars.
Andrew Paterson is one of the directors of the foundation and says the money would help a lot of groups in the area.
Currently, the foundation has just over two million dollars in assets.
Council says it will consider the request, but hasn't given time line for a response back to the foundation.
The foundation made a special deputatation to council on Friday for a one time grant of 3.5 million dollars.
Andrew Paterson is one of the directors of the foundation and says the money would help a lot of groups in the area.
Currently, the foundation has just over two million dollars in assets.
Council says it will consider the request, but hasn't given time line for a response back to the foundation.
Abitibi Green Peace
AbitibiBowater is under fire for some of its logging practices in northwestern Ontario.
Greenpeace has just released a report on clearcut logging activities in the English River Forest between Ignace and Thunder Bay.
Author of the report, Kim Fry says they have a number of recommendations in the report.
Fry says they are concerned with Abitibi's logging practices, becausethe company has already failed a number of audits, but the province has allowed the company to continue to mismanage the English RiverForest.
Greenpeace has just released a report on clearcut logging activities in the English River Forest between Ignace and Thunder Bay.
Author of the report, Kim Fry says they have a number of recommendations in the report.
Fry says they are concerned with Abitibi's logging practices, becausethe company has already failed a number of audits, but the province has allowed the company to continue to mismanage the English RiverForest.
Ice Candles Deadline
You can help light up the Lake of the Woods Cemetery this Christmas Eve.
5-thousand ice candles are expected to be lit this year, and volunteers are needed to help set the cemetery a glow.
Parks Supervisor Barb Manson says its their 11th annual festival of lights.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to light ice candles can call the Cemetery office at 467-2067.
The deadline to order ice candles is December 11th.
5-thousand ice candles are expected to be lit this year, and volunteers are needed to help set the cemetery a glow.
Parks Supervisor Barb Manson says its their 11th annual festival of lights.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to light ice candles can call the Cemetery office at 467-2067.
The deadline to order ice candles is December 11th.
New Sioux Lookout Manager
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout has selected Neil Carbone for the position of Manager of Community Service.
Carbone will be responsible for determining the facility, program and service needs for the community.
The ultimate goal, according to Town officials, is making Sioux Lookout a prime recreation and tourism destination.
Carbone started his municipal career in Sioux Lookout over 2-years ago.
His initial top priority will be the new Multi-Cultural Community Development Centre on Front Street, which includes the Youth Centre.
Carbone will be responsible for determining the facility, program and service needs for the community.
The ultimate goal, according to Town officials, is making Sioux Lookout a prime recreation and tourism destination.
Carbone started his municipal career in Sioux Lookout over 2-years ago.
His initial top priority will be the new Multi-Cultural Community Development Centre on Front Street, which includes the Youth Centre.
Marathon Chemicals
Municipal officials in Marathon are upset with the approval of a plan to transfer 3-million litres of chemicals from the bankrupt Tembec pulp mill.
Mayor Rick Dumas says there is no guarantee the chemicals won't leak into the ground water or Lake Superior.
But under a plan hammered out in Toronto the chemicals will be moved to the mill's outdoor basin from storage tanks.
Mayor Rick Dumas says there is no guarantee the chemicals won't leak into the ground water or Lake Superior.
But under a plan hammered out in Toronto the chemicals will be moved to the mill's outdoor basin from storage tanks.
Swine Flu Update
The number of cases of the swine flu in northwestern Ontario has dropped considerably over the past couple of weeks.
Figures released by the Ontario Ministry of Health show there were just two new cases of the H1N1 virus this past week.
That brings the number of cases in the region to 72 since the start of the fall flu season.
Across there province there has been a noticible drop in the number of H1N1 cases over the past two weeks.
Figures released by the Ontario Ministry of Health show there were just two new cases of the H1N1 virus this past week.
That brings the number of cases in the region to 72 since the start of the fall flu season.
Across there province there has been a noticible drop in the number of H1N1 cases over the past two weeks.
Transit Bus Schedule
The City of Kenora is having a tough time finding a new bus for the municipal transit system that fits its budget.
So far, the City has received just one tender for the bus, but it came in way over budget.
Chief Administrative Officer Bill Presentanz says they had only budgeted about 300 thousand dollars for a new bus, but the only estimate they have now is for 420 thousand dollars.
Presentanz says they are still waiting to see if they get a more competitive bid from New Flyer Industries out of Winnipeg, or they could look at purchasing a smaller bus for the transit system.
So far, the City has received just one tender for the bus, but it came in way over budget.
Chief Administrative Officer Bill Presentanz says they had only budgeted about 300 thousand dollars for a new bus, but the only estimate they have now is for 420 thousand dollars.
Presentanz says they are still waiting to see if they get a more competitive bid from New Flyer Industries out of Winnipeg, or they could look at purchasing a smaller bus for the transit system.
New Garbage Truck
Kenora City Council is debating whether to purchase a new garbage truck.
The city currrently has two trucks in use, but Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says both have been plagued by mechanical problems.
He adds the new truck would be a combination garbage truck and recycling pick-up vehicle.
He says ideally they would like to have at least three trucks in their fleet, so if one goes down with mechanical problems, they still have two on the road.
The city currrently has two trucks in use, but Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says both have been plagued by mechanical problems.
He adds the new truck would be a combination garbage truck and recycling pick-up vehicle.
He says ideally they would like to have at least three trucks in their fleet, so if one goes down with mechanical problems, they still have two on the road.
Parks Upgrades
The City of Kenora is looking to spend almost 400 thousand dollars fixing up a couple of popular parks next year.
Operations manager Rick Perchuck says it will cost about 30 thousand dollars to repair damage caused by vandals at the Garrow Park change rooms.
Another 350 thousand dollars has been proposed to build new a newbathroom facility at Anicinabe Park.
Perchuck says the new building would replace the two existing bathroom structures.
He adds that the new washroom facility would be built in a central location at the park.
Operations manager Rick Perchuck says it will cost about 30 thousand dollars to repair damage caused by vandals at the Garrow Park change rooms.
Another 350 thousand dollars has been proposed to build new a newbathroom facility at Anicinabe Park.
Perchuck says the new building would replace the two existing bathroom structures.
He adds that the new washroom facility would be built in a central location at the park.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Hospital Board Executive
The Lake of the Woods District Hospital board spent its last meeting before the holiday season electing its executive.
The hospital board re-elected Debboie Baldwin as Chair.
Fred Richardson will act as the Vice Chair.
Both Baldwin and Richardson will serve a one year term.
The hospital board re-elected Debboie Baldwin as Chair.
Fred Richardson will act as the Vice Chair.
Both Baldwin and Richardson will serve a one year term.
Accreditation Hospital
Accreditation Canada has released the results from its on site review of the Lake of the Woods Hospital.
The hospital has met 30 out 33 of the review's practices, and Manager of Education Kathy Dawe says that's not a bad thing.
One of the areas the hospital has corrected is the locking of medication carts and getting more information from patients about what prescriptions they are taking.
The hospital has met 30 out 33 of the review's practices, and Manager of Education Kathy Dawe says that's not a bad thing.
One of the areas the hospital has corrected is the locking of medication carts and getting more information from patients about what prescriptions they are taking.
NDP on HST
The Federal NDP are taking a stand against the proposed harmonized sales tax in Ontario and British Columbia.
Kenora Riding NDP Canadite Tanya Cameron says the HST will hurt Northwestern Ontario.
Cameron adds they plan to start a door to door campaign against the HST in the riding in the new year.
The house of commons passed the HST legislation yesterday.
Kenora Riding NDP Canadite Tanya Cameron says the HST will hurt Northwestern Ontario.
Cameron adds they plan to start a door to door campaign against the HST in the riding in the new year.
The house of commons passed the HST legislation yesterday.
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