A familiar face is returning to the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board as Director of Education.
Jack McMaster was hired to replace Larry Hope, who signed last month.
McMaster has been a principal and Superintendant of Education with the public school board for a number of years.
He was hired away from the Rainy River District School Board where he has been the Director of Education for the past five years.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Med School Benefits
A study shows the Northern Ontario School of Medicine is providing big economic and social boosts to the region.
The study was commissioned by the school which has campuses at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Laurentian University in Sudbury.
The study shows about 37 (m) million dollars is spent by the school and its medical students annually.
And recirculation of the funds generates up to 82 (m) million dollars in communities which are involved in N-O-S-M programs.
Sudbury and Thunder Bay get most of the money but Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Timmins, Kenora and Sioux Lookout also benefit.
Board chairman Fred Gilbert notes one of the biggest benefits is that more doctors will stay in the region either as graduates or simply as doctors interested in teaching.
The study was commissioned by the school which has campuses at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Laurentian University in Sudbury.
The study shows about 37 (m) million dollars is spent by the school and its medical students annually.
And recirculation of the funds generates up to 82 (m) million dollars in communities which are involved in N-O-S-M programs.
Sudbury and Thunder Bay get most of the money but Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Timmins, Kenora and Sioux Lookout also benefit.
Board chairman Fred Gilbert notes one of the biggest benefits is that more doctors will stay in the region either as graduates or simply as doctors interested in teaching.
Rezoning Meeting
The City of Kenora's Property and Planning Committee will be holding a public meeting on a rezoning application for a proposed land ambulance base.
The meeting will take place this Tuesday and deals with rezoning a piece of property that lies near a CPR line from highway commercial to institutional.
Assistant City Planner Tara Rickaby says the property owners Degagne Brothers are applying for the rezoning application.
Councillor Rory McMillan says members of the Kenora District Services Board could be speaking in favour of the rezoning application at the meeting on Tuesday.
The meeting will take place this Tuesday and deals with rezoning a piece of property that lies near a CPR line from highway commercial to institutional.
Assistant City Planner Tara Rickaby says the property owners Degagne Brothers are applying for the rezoning application.
Councillor Rory McMillan says members of the Kenora District Services Board could be speaking in favour of the rezoning application at the meeting on Tuesday.
Ring of Fire Protest
A First Nations blockade of mining activity at the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario could end as early as nextweek.
That's if a new memorandum of agreement is accepted by the Ontario government and the mining companies.
Marten Falls First Nation Chief Elijah Moonias met with government and industry representatives yesterday and outlined their concerns.
They include speeding up construction of a new airport, more environmental accountability for the mining companies, and the end to the use of frozen lakes as landing strips due to environmental concerns.
A group of First Nations set up blockades on the landing strips at Koper and McFaulds lakes in the Ring of Fire, a potentially massive chromite deposit 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
The blockade is effectively preventing planes used by mining companies from landing in the area.
The First Nations say the blockade could end by February 18th if all parties agree to address their concerns within the next six months.
That's if a new memorandum of agreement is accepted by the Ontario government and the mining companies.
Marten Falls First Nation Chief Elijah Moonias met with government and industry representatives yesterday and outlined their concerns.
They include speeding up construction of a new airport, more environmental accountability for the mining companies, and the end to the use of frozen lakes as landing strips due to environmental concerns.
A group of First Nations set up blockades on the landing strips at Koper and McFaulds lakes in the Ring of Fire, a potentially massive chromite deposit 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.
The blockade is effectively preventing planes used by mining companies from landing in the area.
The First Nations say the blockade could end by February 18th if all parties agree to address their concerns within the next six months.
Confederation College Applications
Confederation College is getting its fair share of applications for this fall's programs and courses.
Applications for full time studies are up 20 percent.
President Pat Lang says there are a number of reasons for the increase in applications.
Lang adds they've seen an increase in older student applications.
Applications for full time studies are up 20 percent.
President Pat Lang says there are a number of reasons for the increase in applications.
Lang adds they've seen an increase in older student applications.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Snow Excuse Tourism Campaign
The Snow Excuse Winter Getaway advertising campaign seems tobe hit with Manitoba residents.
The campaign is a partnership between Tourism Kenora and theKenora Hospitality Alliance.
Heather Paterson is Kenora's Tourism Development Officer and saysthey are promoting all kinds of winter activities.
Paterson says the stay-in-kenora website has seen over 15 hundredhits over the past three days after the final phase of the ad campaign was launched in southern Manitoba and Winnipeg.
The campaign is a partnership between Tourism Kenora and theKenora Hospitality Alliance.
Heather Paterson is Kenora's Tourism Development Officer and saysthey are promoting all kinds of winter activities.
Paterson says the stay-in-kenora website has seen over 15 hundredhits over the past three days after the final phase of the ad campaign was launched in southern Manitoba and Winnipeg.
Sewer and Water Rates
While city taxes won't be going up a lot this year, you can expect a big hike in your utility bills.
City Council has approved a 5 percent increase in sewer and waterrates as of April 1st.
Finance Manager Karen Brown says they needed to increase ratesto help pay for much needed upgrades to the system.
Increases of five percent are also recommended in each of the nextfour years, but it will be up to the next council to decide whether to implement the higher rates.
City Council has approved a 5 percent increase in sewer and waterrates as of April 1st.
Finance Manager Karen Brown says they needed to increase ratesto help pay for much needed upgrades to the system.
Increases of five percent are also recommended in each of the nextfour years, but it will be up to the next council to decide whether to implement the higher rates.
Capital Budget
The City of Kenora's capital budget will come in at a whopping24.1 million dollars in 2010.
Most of the major projects on the books have already beenapproved.
That includes the new Kenora Fire Hall on Barsky's Hill,the redevelopment of Highway 17 east, the Norman Discovery Center and Phase Two of the DowntownRevitalization project.
Next year, the city's capital budget is supposed todropped to just 2.7 million dollars.
58 percent of those projects are being funded through grants from the federal and provincial levels of government.
Most of the major projects on the books have already beenapproved.
That includes the new Kenora Fire Hall on Barsky's Hill,the redevelopment of Highway 17 east, the Norman Discovery Center and Phase Two of the DowntownRevitalization project.
Next year, the city's capital budget is supposed todropped to just 2.7 million dollars.
58 percent of those projects are being funded through grants from the federal and provincial levels of government.
Kenora Taxes Going Up
Property taxes will be going up slightly in the City of Kenora this year.
City Council approved a 0.43 percent increase in the millrate at last night's special meeting.
Councillor Dave McCann delivered the budget and says the city benefitted from a higher assessment base in 2010.
McCann says the city also managed to save 251 thousand dollarson policing in the 2010 budget over last year, and saw increased funding from the province through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund.
City Council approved a 0.43 percent increase in the millrate at last night's special meeting.
Councillor Dave McCann delivered the budget and says the city benefitted from a higher assessment base in 2010.
McCann says the city also managed to save 251 thousand dollarson policing in the 2010 budget over last year, and saw increased funding from the province through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Municipal Budget set for today
Kenora residents should find later today much more they will have to pay in property taxes.
The 2010 municipal budget is going to be presented to council this afternoon at a special meeting starting at 3:00.
In addition to the municipal budget, new rates for sewer and water are also expected to be set.
While there should only be a modest increase in property taxes this year, sewer and water rates are scheduled to rise by about five percent this year.
The municipal budget is ready for passage almost three months earlier than normal.
The 2010 municipal budget is going to be presented to council this afternoon at a special meeting starting at 3:00.
In addition to the municipal budget, new rates for sewer and water are also expected to be set.
While there should only be a modest increase in property taxes this year, sewer and water rates are scheduled to rise by about five percent this year.
The municipal budget is ready for passage almost three months earlier than normal.
Monopoly Wildcard Race
The race is on, and here comes Kenora in the backstretch.
The next round of voting for one of two wildcard spots on the Canadian Edition of the Monopoly board starts today.
A rally and voting station was set up at the Kenora Recreation Centre this morning where a special guest made some opening comments.
Kenora Mayor Len Compton played the role of Mr. Monopoly.
To vote log onto http://www.monopolyvote.ca/
To vote log onto http://www.monopolyvote.ca/
Alzheimer Society Looks for Members
The Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River continues its search for more members.
The group is striving for 300 members.
Executive Director Margaret Schoenville says members can have a say in the direction of the organization.
Schoenville says a membership of 300 will also give the group three votes into the decisions at the provincial level.
The group is striving for 300 members.
Executive Director Margaret Schoenville says members can have a say in the direction of the organization.
Schoenville says a membership of 300 will also give the group three votes into the decisions at the provincial level.
Kenora By-Pass Open again
Highway 17A is open to traffic once again following an accident yesterday near the Meadows Lake bridge.
There were no injuries but the highway was closed for over 5 hours due to the size and number of vehicles involved.
The Kenora OPP are reminding the motoring public to drive safely on area roads after fresh snowfall and during slippery conditions.
There were no injuries but the highway was closed for over 5 hours due to the size and number of vehicles involved.
The Kenora OPP are reminding the motoring public to drive safely on area roads after fresh snowfall and during slippery conditions.
Highway Safety Northwest
Highways across northwestern Ontario are safer today than they were two years ago.
That's according to statistics released by the OPP.
Constable Shelley Garr says since 2007, they have seen a dramatic decrease in the number of accidents, fatalities and injuries on local roads.
The OPP says its traffic safety program, which has been cracking down on unsafe and aggressive drivers is paying dividends right across the province.
That's according to statistics released by the OPP.
Constable Shelley Garr says since 2007, they have seen a dramatic decrease in the number of accidents, fatalities and injuries on local roads.
The OPP says its traffic safety program, which has been cracking down on unsafe and aggressive drivers is paying dividends right across the province.
Hospital Survey
The Lake of the Woods Hospital continues to gather community input.
The hospital board has embarked on a 2010 community engagement questionnaire.
Board Member Betty Anderson says they want to hear from hospital users.
Members of the hospital board have been meeting with a variety of community groups for over 3 years now and continue to do so into the coming months.
The hospital board has embarked on a 2010 community engagement questionnaire.
Board Member Betty Anderson says they want to hear from hospital users.
Members of the hospital board have been meeting with a variety of community groups for over 3 years now and continue to do so into the coming months.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Hospital Board and Foundation Members
There will be a new face on the Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation Board.
The Hospital board nominated both Nicole Brown and Claudette Edie at its monthly meeting last night.
Edie has been a member of the hospital foundation before.
The openings became available after several directors steped down.
Meanwhile, Reed Thompson resigned from the hospital board and provided a letter of resignation to the hospital board last night.
The Hospital board nominated both Nicole Brown and Claudette Edie at its monthly meeting last night.
Edie has been a member of the hospital foundation before.
The openings became available after several directors steped down.
Meanwhile, Reed Thompson resigned from the hospital board and provided a letter of resignation to the hospital board last night.
Lake of the Woods Hospital Surplus
The Lake of the Woods Hospital is reporting a small surplus.
Vice President of Corporate Services Cindy Gasparini revealed last night the hospital is sitting on a 436-thousand dollar surplus.
Gasparini says they're going to be using some of that money to deal with renovations they've put off.
Gasparini says there is only 3 months left in their fiscal year and are confident they'll end the year with a small surplus.
Vice President of Corporate Services Cindy Gasparini revealed last night the hospital is sitting on a 436-thousand dollar surplus.
Gasparini says they're going to be using some of that money to deal with renovations they've put off.
Gasparini says there is only 3 months left in their fiscal year and are confident they'll end the year with a small surplus.
KDMA Continues in Ear Falls
The speed limit on area highways, lack of rest stops, and tourism areas will dominate discussion at this weekend's Kenora District Muncipal Association conference.
The regional meeting is being held in Ear Falls this year, and President Garry Parkes says driving conditions and the speed limit is one of the main resolutions up for debate.
Resolutions and the Executive election will take place on the final day of KDMA.
Meanwhile, Kenora is sending its newest city councillor to the Kenora District Municipal Association conference.
Parson adds he's looking forward to mingling with fellow municipal councillors.
The regional meeting is being held in Ear Falls this year, and President Garry Parkes says driving conditions and the speed limit is one of the main resolutions up for debate.
Resolutions and the Executive election will take place on the final day of KDMA.
Meanwhile, Kenora is sending its newest city councillor to the Kenora District Municipal Association conference.
Parson adds he's looking forward to mingling with fellow municipal councillors.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
OPP Olympic Security
The Winter Olympics in Vancouver get under way next week, and there will be a Kenora presence at the games.
In addition to having Mike Richards on the National Men'sHockey team, three members of the Kenora Detachment ofthe OPP will be in attendance.
The three officers are part of a contigent of 150 OPPofficers providing security at the games.
Constables Heidi Britton, Peloso and Karen Rustigewill be working at different venues in and around Vancouver and Whistler over the next three weeks.
In addition to having Mike Richards on the National Men'sHockey team, three members of the Kenora Detachment ofthe OPP will be in attendance.
The three officers are part of a contigent of 150 OPPofficers providing security at the games.
Constables Heidi Britton, Peloso and Karen Rustigewill be working at different venues in and around Vancouver and Whistler over the next three weeks.
Sioux Lookout Charges
3-people have been charged and police are looking for a fourth stemming from 4-separate incidents in Sioux Lookout over the past 24-hours.
OPP were called to a local hotel to deal with an intoxicated man in the lobby.Police charged 37-year-old Christopher Mezzetay of Cat Lake First Nation with failing to comply with an undertaking.
The accused remains in custody.
Earlier in the day, another intoxicated male was arrested at a local business for breach of probation.
OPP say the third case relates to a domestic dispute and an 18-year-old man faces 1-count of assault.
The unsolved case involves a 19-year-old Sioux Lookout woman who is now wanted for not complying with her release conditions.No other names have been released.
OPP were called to a local hotel to deal with an intoxicated man in the lobby.Police charged 37-year-old Christopher Mezzetay of Cat Lake First Nation with failing to comply with an undertaking.
The accused remains in custody.
Earlier in the day, another intoxicated male was arrested at a local business for breach of probation.
OPP say the third case relates to a domestic dispute and an 18-year-old man faces 1-count of assault.
The unsolved case involves a 19-year-old Sioux Lookout woman who is now wanted for not complying with her release conditions.No other names have been released.
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