The OPP says it has developed five priority areas for reducing
crime in the City of Kenora.
Inspector Dave Lucas presented his 2009 report to council this
week and it shows a 10 percent decrease in the number of calls
for service last year.
Lucas says one area they have been concentrating on is youth
crime.
Lucas says their overall budget came in about 300 thousand dollars
less last year than projected.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
NOMA Conference
Municipal leaders from across northwestern Ontario are gathering in Marathon this week.
They're attending the annual Municipal Association convention.
Lynn Peterson is NOMA member and says the gathering will be attended by several high level provincial cabinet ministers.
Councillors Chris Van Wallenghem and Jim Parsons are the only two members of Kenora city council attending the three day conference.
They're attending the annual Municipal Association convention.
Lynn Peterson is NOMA member and says the gathering will be attended by several high level provincial cabinet ministers.
Councillors Chris Van Wallenghem and Jim Parsons are the only two members of Kenora city council attending the three day conference.
Forestry Fund
Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle is disputing suggestions the province is not helping the forest sector as well as it should.
Yesterday, New Democrats revealed much of a fund set up to help the forestry sector remains unused.
But Gravelle says its one program of many Ontario has provided to the industry.
Gravelle says a recent competition for the province's wood supply is also to make the industry more sustainable in the long term.
Yesterday, New Democrats revealed much of a fund set up to help the forestry sector remains unused.
But Gravelle says its one program of many Ontario has provided to the industry.
Gravelle says a recent competition for the province's wood supply is also to make the industry more sustainable in the long term.
NWO Fire Risk
The Ministry of Natural Resources says northwestern Ontario is under a -- high to extreme -- forest fire hazard.
New fires are being reported daily across the entire region, keeping fire crews and waterbombers busy.
The fires are generally caused by people although high winds late last week caused numerous fires from trees landing on hydro lines.
There is no rain in the forecast so fire managers are urging people not to burn.
New fires are being reported daily across the entire region, keeping fire crews and waterbombers busy.
The fires are generally caused by people although high winds late last week caused numerous fires from trees landing on hydro lines.
There is no rain in the forecast so fire managers are urging people not to burn.
First Nations HST
First Nations groups plan to gather at Queen's Park today to protest the new harmonized sales tax to take effect on July 1st.
They say the H-S-T will remove a point-of-sale exemption they receive on the provincial portion of the merged tax.
A report commissioned by the Chiefs of Ontario suggests this will cost First Nations up to 120 (m) million dollars in the first year
of the H-S-T.
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse says this will punish many communities already living in poverty.
They say the H-S-T will remove a point-of-sale exemption they receive on the provincial portion of the merged tax.
A report commissioned by the Chiefs of Ontario suggests this will cost First Nations up to 120 (m) million dollars in the first year
of the H-S-T.
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse says this will punish many communities already living in poverty.
Diamonds for Sale
Some of the first diamonds to be mined in Ontario will go on sale at Birks' flagship store in downtown Toronto next Monday.
The 100 gems are of extremely high-quality, with a retail value 10 to 15 per cent higher than other diamonds because they are processed in one place.
These sparkling rocks are the first batch available from DeBeers Canada's Victor Mine, near Attawapiskat in northern Ontario.
The mine began operations in 2008.
The 100 gems are of extremely high-quality, with a retail value 10 to 15 per cent higher than other diamonds because they are processed in one place.
These sparkling rocks are the first batch available from DeBeers Canada's Victor Mine, near Attawapiskat in northern Ontario.
The mine began operations in 2008.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Electricity Rate
Expect to pay a little bit more for your electricity starting in May.
Kenora Hydro has received permission from the Ontario EnergyBoard to increase its rates.
President and CEO of Kenora Hydro Dave Sinclair adds they are working on a more comprehensive rate schedule which will go into effect nextyear.
Sinclair says for the average homeowner, rates will be going up about 66 cents a month.
Of that amount, Kenora Hydro will be getting just 22 cents.
Kenora Hydro has received permission from the Ontario EnergyBoard to increase its rates.
President and CEO of Kenora Hydro Dave Sinclair adds they are working on a more comprehensive rate schedule which will go into effect nextyear.
Sinclair says for the average homeowner, rates will be going up about 66 cents a month.
Of that amount, Kenora Hydro will be getting just 22 cents.
Paterson Medical Clinic
A modern new wing is now open at the Paterson Medical Clinic on Tunnel Island.
The expansion has been in the works for a couple of years.
Chair of the medical center board, Don Parfitt says the newbuilding has two floors with the possibility of further expansion.
Parfitt says the medical center is also the recipient of anothergrant from the Paterson Foundation.
The Thunder Bay based organization has matched its original500 thousand dollar contribution to help build the new wing.
The expansion has been in the works for a couple of years.
Chair of the medical center board, Don Parfitt says the newbuilding has two floors with the possibility of further expansion.
Parfitt says the medical center is also the recipient of anothergrant from the Paterson Foundation.
The Thunder Bay based organization has matched its original500 thousand dollar contribution to help build the new wing.
Northern Ontario Party
North Bay resident Edward Deibel believes Northern Ontario should have its own political party.
A petition is being distributed to register the Northern Ontario Hertiage Party to get on the ballot for the next provincial election.
Deibel outlines what policies will be enacted if the party is registered.
The website is www.nohp.ca
The goal is to get 1 thousand signatures from communities all across the province.
A petition is being distributed to register the Northern Ontario Hertiage Party to get on the ballot for the next provincial election.
Deibel outlines what policies will be enacted if the party is registered.
The website is www.nohp.ca
The goal is to get 1 thousand signatures from communities all across the province.
Thunder Bay Mill Sold
Any slim hope of reopening the former Abitibi Mission Mill in Thunder Bay has disappeared.
It comes with the news that a scrap dealer in the United States has been found to purchase the mills' assets.
Marvin Pupeza of the Canadian Paperworkers Union says it's disappointing no buyer could be found to produce a product
The company needs money from the sale of it's mills to help its get out of bankrupcy protection.
It comes with the news that a scrap dealer in the United States has been found to purchase the mills' assets.
Marvin Pupeza of the Canadian Paperworkers Union says it's disappointing no buyer could be found to produce a product
The company needs money from the sale of it's mills to help its get out of bankrupcy protection.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Budget
Sioux Narrows/Nestor Fall residents are going to have to wait a little bit longer to find out how much they'll be paying in muncipal taxes.
The community's budget has yet to be brought before Council for vote, and Mayor Bill
Thompson says that's because they're waiting to hear from the District Service Board.
Thompson says last year they were surprised by the DSSAB's amended budget and they don't want have a repeat of that this year.
The community's budget has yet to be brought before Council for vote, and Mayor Bill
Thompson says that's because they're waiting to hear from the District Service Board.
Thompson says last year they were surprised by the DSSAB's amended budget and they don't want have a repeat of that this year.
Power Pledge Kenora
Local residents are being asked to try and cut down on their power use over the nextfive months.
Kenora will be taking part in the 2010 Power Pledge Challenge, which is a province-wide campaign to reduce energy consumption.
Councillor Jim Parson is spear-heading the campaign and says it will begin on April 20th.
Council has agreed to spend some money publicizing the campaign and getting local residents to sign up.
Kenora will be taking part in the 2010 Power Pledge Challenge, which is a province-wide campaign to reduce energy consumption.
Councillor Jim Parson is spear-heading the campaign and says it will begin on April 20th.
Council has agreed to spend some money publicizing the campaign and getting local residents to sign up.
CUPE Hospital Meeting
Major hospital health issues are being discussed in Thunder Bay this week.
The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions is meeting there.
President Michael Hurley says one major topic is the provinces plan to tender some services like knee replacements.
He says smaller northern hospitals will be defenseless because of it and could close
About 200 delegates are attending the gathering.
The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions is meeting there.
President Michael Hurley says one major topic is the provinces plan to tender some services like knee replacements.
He says smaller northern hospitals will be defenseless because of it and could close
About 200 delegates are attending the gathering.
Tourism Kenora
Tourism is Kenora's largest industry.
That's the message Tourism Kenora is trying to get outprior to the summer season.
Heather Paterson is the city's Tourism Development Officerand says they will start promoting the new campaign this week.
Paterson says tourism is a 200 million dollar industry in Kenora,employing more than 25
hundred people.
The campaign will wrap up on May 15th with the "Be a Touristin your Town" event.
That's the message Tourism Kenora is trying to get outprior to the summer season.
Heather Paterson is the city's Tourism Development Officerand says they will start promoting the new campaign this week.
Paterson says tourism is a 200 million dollar industry in Kenora,employing more than 25
hundred people.
The campaign will wrap up on May 15th with the "Be a Touristin your Town" event.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Busy weekend for MNR Fire Crews
Another busy weekend for Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews in northwestern Ontario.
Fire information officer Heather Pridham says they had seven new fires yesterday across the region alone.
She adds that fire crews and equipment are now ready when needed.
Pridham suggests local residents not to burn if they don't have to.
A number of communities have put fire bans in place due to the dry conditions.
Fire information officer Heather Pridham says they had seven new fires yesterday across the region alone.
She adds that fire crews and equipment are now ready when needed.
Pridham suggests local residents not to burn if they don't have to.
A number of communities have put fire bans in place due to the dry conditions.
Body of missing American found
A month long search for a missing American on Lake of the Woods has ended.
The OPP say the body of 68 year old Fred Bisel of Eagle Bend, Minnesotawas located Sunday afternoon in the area of Goose Neck Narrows.
Bisel was travelling on a snowmachine about 13 kilometers north of Morson on March 21st when his sled went through thin ice.
Due to poor conditions, an immediate search was not possible.
The OPP's Underwater Search and Rescue Unit as well as family members have been searching the area in recent days.
Police say Bisel's body was recovered in the general area it went through the ice.
The OPP say the body of 68 year old Fred Bisel of Eagle Bend, Minnesotawas located Sunday afternoon in the area of Goose Neck Narrows.
Bisel was travelling on a snowmachine about 13 kilometers north of Morson on March 21st when his sled went through thin ice.
Due to poor conditions, an immediate search was not possible.
The OPP's Underwater Search and Rescue Unit as well as family members have been searching the area in recent days.
Police say Bisel's body was recovered in the general area it went through the ice.
Hennepen Lane
There's a lot of history on Hennepen Lane in downtown Kenora anda committee has been set up to try and make the back alley a tourist attraction.
A meeting was held on Friday to get some feedback on what to dowith the laneway.
Dennis Wallace is chair of the Economic Development Commission andsays there seems to be a lot of interest in fixing up the alleyway.
Wallace says it wouldn't take a lot of money to refurbish HennepenLane and suggests a couple of events could take place there thissummer to help revitalize that part of downtown Kenora.
A meeting was held on Friday to get some feedback on what to dowith the laneway.
Dennis Wallace is chair of the Economic Development Commission andsays there seems to be a lot of interest in fixing up the alleyway.
Wallace says it wouldn't take a lot of money to refurbish HennepenLane and suggests a couple of events could take place there thissummer to help revitalize that part of downtown Kenora.
Full Day Kindergarten
The Provincial Government has indicated that May 21st will be the day a third school in the
Keewatin-Patricia School District is selected to offer full-day, every-day kindergarten
programs.
Carol Hron is the Assistant to the Director of Education and she lists the top 5-priority schools.
Evergreen school in Kenora is already set to offer the program.
Keewatin-Patricia School District is selected to offer full-day, every-day kindergarten
programs.
Carol Hron is the Assistant to the Director of Education and she lists the top 5-priority schools.
Evergreen school in Kenora is already set to offer the program.
MNR Whiskey Jack Forest
The Ministry of Natural Resources will be holding four information sessions next monthabout proposed changes to the Whisky Jack Forest work plan.
John Sills is a spokesperson for the MNR and says changes were needed tothe contingency plan because it was incomplete.
Information Centers will be set up in Kenora, Sioux Narrows, Red Lake and Ear Falls between May 3rd and 6th.
John Sills is a spokesperson for the MNR and says changes were needed tothe contingency plan because it was incomplete.
Information Centers will be set up in Kenora, Sioux Narrows, Red Lake and Ear Falls between May 3rd and 6th.
Show us your colours
A number of fundraisers for Cancer patients and Cancer Research aregoing to be held in Kenora over the next five months.
One of the newest events is called "Show Us Your Colors".
Irma Milko is one of the organizers of the event and says itwill take place in June at Norman Park.
So far over 65 hundred dollars has already been raised bylocal groups.
The Lions Club and Beaver Brae Secondary School have contributedfive thousand dollars towards the fundraiser.
One of the newest events is called "Show Us Your Colors".
Irma Milko is one of the organizers of the event and says itwill take place in June at Norman Park.
So far over 65 hundred dollars has already been raised bylocal groups.
The Lions Club and Beaver Brae Secondary School have contributedfive thousand dollars towards the fundraiser.
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