SIU KENORA

A Kenora O-P-P officer has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the June shooting of a woman in that city.

But the Special Investigation's Unit is questioning why it took Provincial Police almost two hours to report the incident.

39-year-old Helen Proulx was shot twice in the torso after brandishing a knife at an officer.

Director Ian Scott found no reasonable grounds to believe the female officer acted inappropriately.

Witnesses told the S-I-U, Proulx was intoxicated and in a despondent emotional state at the time and failed to comply with the officer's repeated requests to drop the knife

But in his report, Scott expressed concerned with the delay in reporting the shooting to the S-I-U, a contravention under the act, and that some officers at the scene were told by an association lawyer not to make notes.

He's asked the OPP Commissioner to investigate.

Rise in traffic fatalities over the past two years

With the dissapointing rise in traffic fatalities this year the OPP will be cracking down on irresponsible drivers over the next little while.

This year up until July 25th, there has been 163 deaths commpared to 154 in 2009 in the same period for an increase of 6 percent.

OPP commissioner Julian Fantino, was quoted as "It is very disturbing to see the carnage on our highways start to creep back up again, and any loss of life due to irresponsible driving is unnaceptable."

Harbourfest is just around the corner

This years Harbourfest is almost upon us.

The festival Kicks off this year with Collective soul on Friday night, with a local band "Random Acts" opening for them. Tickets cost $65.00. Show starts at 9 pm.

Tickets for the opening night are still availible, but you can't get them online any more, they can be picked up at: Two Bear's Marine, Donny B's and Nibblers Nook.

Saturdays line up includes: Kim Mitchell with special guests Starship starring Mickey Thomas and Asia featuring John Payne. Tickets are $55.00 Show starts at 7:30.

And Sunday it's country time with Emerson Drive Jessie Farrell & Marc Ekins, tickets are only $40.00 and show starts at 7:30.

Followed by a fantastic fireworks display at 10:30 pm.

Helicopter Crash Victims Identified

A local man has been named as one the two men who died in a helicopter crash late last week.

19 year old, Ethan Boucha from Rat Portage First Nation and John Tumchewics, origionally from Yellowknife but was living in North Bay, both died in the crash.

The crash happened 200 km south of Timmins, between the Elk Lake and Gowganda areas.

They were flying a Bell 206 helicopter that belonged to Essential Helicopters of North Bay.

No one at the company would comment and the investigation by the Transpotation Safety board continues.

Long weekend crack down

With good weather on the way for the long weekend, expect increased travel on the highways, trail and water ways.
The OPP would like to remind the publicthat they will be out patrolling to keep the community safe.

Officers will be targeting aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and people who aren't wearing their seatbelt.

And if you are planning on being on the lake, remember to waer your life jacket. And cary your operators card with you, if you are operating a vessel with a motor.

Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship

Dorian Lindholm of Fort Frances and Bill Wilcox of Burleson, Texas are your 2010 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Champions.

The pair had a 3 day total of 56.45 pounds of bass to take the 25 thousand dollar top prize.

Kenora's Jeff Gustafson and Partner Jon Peterson of Bemidji, Minnesota finished 3rd just over 4 pounds back of the winners.

Another local angler had a strong showing. Frank McClymont and partner Albert Trudeau of Ile-Des Chenes were 4th.

Thunder Bay OPP continue to investigate arson

Thunder Bay OPP continue to investigate an arson in Neebing Township.

The OPP have charged a 45 year old Female from Thunder Baywith arson, Assault and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

Police were called to a building fire that occured throughout the night on July 23rd, at a residence located on Jarvis Bay Rd. in the Neebing township.

Further investigation resulted with the other two charges. The female has been released and the investigation contiues.

Bronzeback Results

Adam Bachinski and Andrew Beernart are your 2010 bronzeback classic champions.

The pair won with a two day total of 31.58 pounds of bass. Jim Picha and Bill Low came second with a two day total of 29.54.

The top male/female team with Mary-Anne Rench and Wayne Early with 27.57 pounds of fish.

Brandon Scott and Curtis Scott were the top Adult/Child team with a two day total of 29.41.

For those with a motor of 50 horsepower or less, Brad and Jayden Symonds topped the list with a catch of 28.31.

Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship

A couple of Kenora-led teams are in the hunt for the Fort Frances Canadian Bass championship after the first day of fishing.

Frank McClymount and his fishing partner Albert Trudeau are in a tie for fifth, two-and-a-half pounds out of first place.

Jamie Bruce, who's teamed with Bryan Gustafson is also fifth while Trevor Guderyan and Dean Tackynk sit back in seventh.

Fatal Collision on Highway 17A

Two people are in hospital with life threatening injuries and two otther people are dead, following a crash yesterday morning.

For an undetermined reason a west bound Dodge Caravan left the roadway and struck a rock cut on Highway 17A near Jones road.

After hitting the rock cut the van caught fire and because of the damagethe occupants were trapped inside the vehicle.

OPP say there were 4 occupants in the vehicle, a 46 year old female and a 19 year old male were fatally injured. Another 18 year old male and a 46 year old male driver has been transported to Thunder Bay with life threatening injuries.

The investigation is continuing into the collision.

Keewatin Beach Closed

People who use Keewatin Public Beach will have to find another place to cool off over the next few days.

The Northwestern Health Unit has posted the beach as unsafe for swimming.

The Health Unit says recent tests has found high bacterial counts in the water.

The beach will remain closed until satisfactory test results come back.

The Health Unit tests local beaches on a regular basis and Keewatin Beach was found to have unacceptible levels of e-coli.

Kenora By-Pass Closed by Fatal Accident

A fatal motor vehicle accident has closed down a section of the Kenora By-Pass this
morning.

The OPP say there was a single motor vehicle accident shortly after 8:00 this morning
near the intersection of the Jones Road.

The vehicle burst into flames and fire crews and the OPP are at the scene dealing with
the situation.

As a result of the accident, the Highway 17-A has been closed down from the
east entrance to the By-Pass right to the Redditt Road.

Traffic is being detoured through the City of Kenora.

Busy weekend for sports ahead

Its shaping up to be a busy sports weekend in Kenora.

Four major events will be taking place over the next three days.

First up is the annual Lake of the Woods Men's Soccer Tournament at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

Eight local teams will be doing battle with eight out-of-town teams from Manitoba, Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

Action begins Friday evening and will wrap up Sunday afternoon with the

finals.

Just across the road, the Kenora Rowing Club will be holding its annual Tops and Bottoms

Regatta Saturday on Rabbit Lake. 

The Bronzeback Classic will start Saturday and finish with last day weigh-ins Sunday.

100 teams are entered in the sold out fishing tournament.

And finally on Sunday, the Kenora Borealis Triathlon/Duathlon will take place at Garrow Park.

The race is scheduled to start at 9:00.

Moose Tag Changes Proposed

Today is the last day Ontario residents have to comment on a proposed change that could impact the transfer of moose tags among hunters.


The Ministry of Natural Resources is looking to prohibit hunters from passing their tags onto another person in consecutive years.

Wildlife Management Coordinator Tosh Gierek says the recommendation based on input received at public meetings last year.

The new regulation could be in place for the 2011 hunting season.

Washed out Redditt road repaired

Residents on the north side of Redditt can now travel to the south side of the tiny hamlet without taking a lengthy detour.

A couple of weeks ago, the main road in the community north of Kenora washed out after a

beaver dam burst.

It took a couple of weeks for the repairs to be carried out, but a new culvert and gravel

were put in place late last week.

The Redditt Local Roads Board is appealing to the provincial government for emergency                      funding to cover the cost of repairs.

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More Money for Northern Highways

The McGuinty Government has increased the funding for the Northern Highway program.

An extra 125 million dollars was added to this year's budget.

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says four laning the highway will help our economy and our safety.

Included in the 775 million dollar funding includes twinning the first 15 kilometers of the

Trans-Canada Highway from the Manitoba Border towards Rush Bay and the re-surfacing of
10 kilometers of Highway 17 from the Kenora City limits east to the Kenora By-Pass.

Jack Irwing Passes Away at 78

A sad note to pass on about the parent company of Northwoods Broadcasting, its chairman Jack Irving passed away in Saint John New Brunswick after a short illness.

He was 78.

Among other accomplishments, Jack Irving was a member of the Order of Canada.

In 1952 he joined his father's businesses and worked all his life, along-side his brother Arthur in Irving Oil.

In addition, he was a Director of all Irving businesses and was responsible for and managed a number of the companies within the varied Irving enterprises.

Funeral services will take place Saturday in Saint John.

Round-About Etiquette urged

The OPP say local motorists need a refresher course on how to properly use the round-about by the Subway.
A recent survey by local summer students hired by the OPP show that about 61 percent of drivers exit the round-about without using their turn signals.

The students observed 151 vehicles recently and found that 93 didn't use their turning lights.

The OPP says using signals while exiting the round about helps with the continuous flow of traffic.

Donations Sought for Family

Making Kenora Home is looking for household items for a family of five displaced by a fire a couple of weeks ago.

The family lost all their possessions in the fire, but have managed to find a new place to live at the end of this month.

However, the mother and four kids are in need of a number of items including beds, dishes
and dish cloths, cutlery, clothing and toys.

The children include a 5 year old girl, a two year old and a four year old boy and a six
week old baby girl.

Donations can be dropped off at the Ontario Works Office at 120 Matheson Street South.

PUSH NWO Searching for Volunteers

People living with disabilities continue to work towards creating a more accessible society.


The group persons united for self help in Northwestern Ontario is holding an information session looking for volunteers.

Spokesperson Justin Miller says volunteers will help fight for equality in a number of areas.

 The Volunteer meeting will take place in August, but anyone who wants more information can contact  http://www.pushnwo.ca/