It doesn't really feel like winter, but organizers are hoping local residents get in the spirit of the season with this weekend's Winter Carnival.
Heather Paterson is Kenora's Tourism Development officer and says if its too warm outside, there will still be lots to do inside this weekend.
Tempertures are expected to be five to seven degrees above this weekend, and Paterson says events like the snow sculpture competition could be affected by unseasonable conditions.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thomas Aquinas hosts OFSAA next week
Some of the top high school girls volleyball teams in the province will be arriving in town this weekend.
Thomas Aquinas is playing host to the All-Ontario championships starting Tuesday morning.
Saints Head Coach, Bob Kowal says got a very experienced team organizing this year's event.
The tournament will be played at T.A., Pope John Paul and BeaverBrae Tuesday and Wednesday.
The OFSAA banquet will take place Monday night.
Thomas Aquinas is playing host to the All-Ontario championships starting Tuesday morning.
Saints Head Coach, Bob Kowal says got a very experienced team organizing this year's event.
The tournament will be played at T.A., Pope John Paul and BeaverBrae Tuesday and Wednesday.
The OFSAA banquet will take place Monday night.
Hospital still in a surplus situation
With one month left in the fiscal year, Lake of the Woods District Hospital remains in the black.
President and CEO, Marc Belcaen says through the end of January,the hospital was running a surplus of more than 359 thousand dollars.
He says thats less than the month before, but still is ahead of their pace from last year.
Belcaen says they are seeing an increase in their overtime costsbecause all their beds are full right now, and that's starting to eat into their budget surplus.
President and CEO, Marc Belcaen says through the end of January,the hospital was running a surplus of more than 359 thousand dollars.
He says thats less than the month before, but still is ahead of their pace from last year.
Belcaen says they are seeing an increase in their overtime costsbecause all their beds are full right now, and that's starting to eat into their budget surplus.
Changes in store for Hospital Board
Lake of the Woods District Hospital is planning to reduce the size of its board of directors.
Currently there are 20 board members, 10 of which are elected in the municipal elections every four years.
However, at last night's board meeting, members voted to do away from the current model, and move to a corporate model, where only people who have a membership can be elected.
The new board would have just 13 members, nine elected and four from the hospital administration or representing the medical community.
Chair of the board, Debbie Baldwin says a smaller board will be more manageble and easier to get quorums for their meetings.
Currently there are 20 board members, 10 of which are elected in the municipal elections every four years.
However, at last night's board meeting, members voted to do away from the current model, and move to a corporate model, where only people who have a membership can be elected.
The new board would have just 13 members, nine elected and four from the hospital administration or representing the medical community.
Chair of the board, Debbie Baldwin says a smaller board will be more manageble and easier to get quorums for their meetings.
Rickford on Federal Budget
Despite a no frills budget, the federal government is still going to provide stimulus funding this year.
Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford admits the government has reined inspending to deal with its 54 billion dollar deficit, but there are still some positives for the riding.
He says there is money for the struggling forest sector.
Rickford says funding was increased for FedNor last year, and will be continued through this year.
Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford admits the government has reined inspending to deal with its 54 billion dollar deficit, but there are still some positives for the riding.
He says there is money for the struggling forest sector.
Rickford says funding was increased for FedNor last year, and will be continued through this year.
Fewer people using cellphones while driving
It appears motorists in Northwestern Ontario are abiding by the cell phone ban while behind the wheel.
During the first month of Ontario's new distracted driver law, Provincial police issued
22 charges to people caught breaking the rules.
470-charges were laid Province-wide, with the Greater Toronto Area registering the most at 155.
The law banning drivers from using hand-held devices such as cellphones and looking at display screens such as laptops came into effect last October.
But there was a three-month grace period.
During the first month of Ontario's new distracted driver law, Provincial police issued
22 charges to people caught breaking the rules.
470-charges were laid Province-wide, with the Greater Toronto Area registering the most at 155.
The law banning drivers from using hand-held devices such as cellphones and looking at display screens such as laptops came into effect last October.
But there was a three-month grace period.
Puget Ventures at Werner Lake
A B.C. based mining company has completed the first phase of drilling on its Werner Lake property north of Kenora.
Puget Ventures is looking for cobalt deposits.
The first phase of the program was designed to confirm the historic mineral resource.
Over a thousand metres of drilling were completed in 17 diamond drill holes.
Drill results will be released as they become available.
Puget Ventures is looking for cobalt deposits.
The first phase of the program was designed to confirm the historic mineral resource.
Over a thousand metres of drilling were completed in 17 diamond drill holes.
Drill results will be released as they become available.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Local Hockey Playoffs
St. Thomas Aquinas Girls hockey team fell to Dryden last night 5 to 2.
The Eagles now advance to the finals against Beaver Brae.
Their first game will be in Dryden on Thursday.
Puck drops at 6:30.
The Eagles now advance to the finals against Beaver Brae.
Their first game will be in Dryden on Thursday.
Puck drops at 6:30.
NOMA Provincial Ministers
Local issues took centre stage in Toronto as the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association spoke with Provincial Leaders.
NOMA President Anne Krassilowsky says delegates spent considerable time discussing social service concerns.
Krassilowsky also requested for an increase in the Northern Communities Grant as well as an affordable, long term industrial energy rate.
NOMA President Anne Krassilowsky says delegates spent considerable time discussing social service concerns.
Krassilowsky also requested for an increase in the Northern Communities Grant as well as an affordable, long term industrial energy rate.
Help Chile
The Canadian Red Cross in northwestern Ontario is preparing for another burst of support this time for Chilean Earth Quake aid.
Fund Development Manager Rob Zuback says the situation has been marked as an appeal level white.
To help out and donate to the local Red Cross call toll free 1-888-277-9089.
Fund Development Manager Rob Zuback says the situation has been marked as an appeal level white.
To help out and donate to the local Red Cross call toll free 1-888-277-9089.
Weather Kenora
Not a lot to complain about this winter.
The El Nino effect means temperatures were above normal forthe third month in a row.
Chantelle Serney is a meteorologist with EnvironmentCanada and says on the other hand there was slightly more snowthan normal in February.
The average temperature in February was -10.8 celcius,which is about two degrees warmer than normal.
The El Nino effect means temperatures were above normal forthe third month in a row.
Chantelle Serney is a meteorologist with EnvironmentCanada and says on the other hand there was slightly more snowthan normal in February.
The average temperature in February was -10.8 celcius,which is about two degrees warmer than normal.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Truck Fire
The OPP says a tractor-trailor unit sustained extensive damage after catching fire while driving between Kenora and Vermillion Bay.
The incident took place last Thursday about 20 kilometers west of Vermillion Bay.
Police say when officers and personnel from the Machin Volunteer Fire Department showed up at the scene, the cab was completely engulfed in flames.
The trailor itself sustained only minimal damage.
No-one was injured and foul play is not suspected in the incident.
The OPP say the Trans-Canada was closed for about an hour while fire fighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
The incident took place last Thursday about 20 kilometers west of Vermillion Bay.
Police say when officers and personnel from the Machin Volunteer Fire Department showed up at the scene, the cab was completely engulfed in flames.
The trailor itself sustained only minimal damage.
No-one was injured and foul play is not suspected in the incident.
The OPP say the Trans-Canada was closed for about an hour while fire fighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
Treaty Three Forestry
Grand Council Treaty #3 says it needs to be consulted before any new forestry management deals are made in northwestern Ontario.
Treaty Three Grand Chief, Diane Kelly says the Ministry of Natural Resources is not listending to the owners of the forest.
She says traditional governments in this region pre-date the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada, and maintains they have the right to authorize development.
Kelly says she supports efforts by individual communities to define their economic interests in the region, but the decision maker is Grand Council Treaty #3.
Chiefs from Treaty Three have been meeting on the Rat Portage First Nation over issues ofresource benefit sharing.
Treaty Three Grand Chief, Diane Kelly says the Ministry of Natural Resources is not listending to the owners of the forest.
She says traditional governments in this region pre-date the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada, and maintains they have the right to authorize development.
Kelly says she supports efforts by individual communities to define their economic interests in the region, but the decision maker is Grand Council Treaty #3.
Chiefs from Treaty Three have been meeting on the Rat Portage First Nation over issues ofresource benefit sharing.
Hampton Prorogation
Now that the Federal Government is getting back to work, the Provincial government will be taking a couple of days off.
Premier McGuinty plans to prorogue parliment this Thursday.
Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says not much work will get done this week.
The Provincial Legislature will be shut down for four days and will return with a throne speech on Monday, March 8th.
Premier McGuinty plans to prorogue parliment this Thursday.
Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says not much work will get done this week.
The Provincial Legislature will be shut down for four days and will return with a throne speech on Monday, March 8th.
American Passports Cost More
More bad news for Northwestern Ontario's tourism industry.
The US State Department is planning to hike passport fees by as much as 35 per cent.
Ontario's Sunset Country Executive Director Gerry Cariou says the move could have an impact on bookings this summer.
Cariou says families of five will not be able to afford a more expensive passport, on top of higher gas prices and increased taxes on accomodation.
The US State Department is planning to hike passport fees by as much as 35 per cent.
Ontario's Sunset Country Executive Director Gerry Cariou says the move could have an impact on bookings this summer.
Cariou says families of five will not be able to afford a more expensive passport, on top of higher gas prices and increased taxes on accomodation.
Violent Weekend Kenora
A violent weekend in Kenora, with police investigating at least three assaults.
In two of the incidents, OPP officers were also attacked.
On Saturday, police were called to a fight on 1st Street South.
While officers were investigating, they were confronted by a man, who tried to obstruct them.
The suspect became agitated and pulled a knife on the officers.
He was disarmed, but then tried to attack police with a broken bottle.
He then barricaded himself in a room.
The OPP were finally able to talk the man out and place him under arrest.
Aaron McDonald has been charged with obstructing police, escaping lawful custody, assaulting police and assault with a weapon.
In two of the incidents, OPP officers were also attacked.
On Saturday, police were called to a fight on 1st Street South.
While officers were investigating, they were confronted by a man, who tried to obstruct them.
The suspect became agitated and pulled a knife on the officers.
He was disarmed, but then tried to attack police with a broken bottle.
He then barricaded himself in a room.
The OPP were finally able to talk the man out and place him under arrest.
Aaron McDonald has been charged with obstructing police, escaping lawful custody, assaulting police and assault with a weapon.
Nice Weather
It appears that March is coming in like a lamb across northwestern Ontario.
Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulsen says the rest of the week will be the nicest we've seen in some time.
Thursday and Friday we can expect a high of 5, while Saturday is promising a high of 7.
Coulsen credits a high pressure system from the west for giving us the unseasonable temperatures.
Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulsen says the rest of the week will be the nicest we've seen in some time.
Thursday and Friday we can expect a high of 5, while Saturday is promising a high of 7.
Coulsen credits a high pressure system from the west for giving us the unseasonable temperatures.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Local Hockey Results
The St. Thomas Aquinas Saints girls have evened their best of 3 series with a 3-1 win over the Dryden Eagles at the Keewatin arena last night.
Robyn Houle scored a hat trick to lead the Saints to the win.
The deciding game is in Dryden Tuesday night with the puck dropping at 6:30.
Meanwhile, the Beaver Brae Boys team fell to the Dryden Eagles 2 to 1 last night.
The Beaver Brae Girls hockey team beat Fort Frances 6 to 5 last night in overtime.
They'll play the winner of the Dryden/T.A. series.
Robyn Houle scored a hat trick to lead the Saints to the win.
The deciding game is in Dryden Tuesday night with the puck dropping at 6:30.
Meanwhile, the Beaver Brae Boys team fell to the Dryden Eagles 2 to 1 last night.
The Beaver Brae Girls hockey team beat Fort Frances 6 to 5 last night in overtime.
They'll play the winner of the Dryden/T.A. series.
Parliment Resumes Wednesday
The Member of Parliament for Kenora Riding isn't making any apologies for the government's decision to prorogue parliament.
A new session of the House of Commons is expected to begin this week.
Greg Rickford says he was able to spend his time wisely and visit most communities in the riding.
Rickford says he was able to make a number of funding announcements in remote communities in the far north.
The speech from the Throne is scheduled to take place Wednesday with the budget slated for Thursday.
A new session of the House of Commons is expected to begin this week.
Greg Rickford says he was able to spend his time wisely and visit most communities in the riding.
Rickford says he was able to make a number of funding announcements in remote communities in the far north.
The speech from the Throne is scheduled to take place Wednesday with the budget slated for Thursday.
Montague Update
Former Dryden gunsmith, Bruce Montague is starting to run out of appeals.
The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld his conviction on 26 firearm related charges last week in Toronto.
The three member panel also upheld his 18 month jail term.
The judges ruled that unlike Americans, Canadians do not have a constitutional right to bear arms and possession of firearms is not something that is guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Montague has indicated that he will take his case to the Supreme Court of Canada if he has to.
The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld his conviction on 26 firearm related charges last week in Toronto.
The three member panel also upheld his 18 month jail term.
The judges ruled that unlike Americans, Canadians do not have a constitutional right to bear arms and possession of firearms is not something that is guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Montague has indicated that he will take his case to the Supreme Court of Canada if he has to.
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