Public School Trustees Disappointed with OSSLT results

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board didn't beat around the bush last night in stressing that last year's High School literacy test results are real cause for concern.

31-percent of the 530-students writing the test for the first time failed the exam, while roughly 61-percent of the 293-students writing for a second time couldn't get the job done.

While Trustees were upset to see those numbers, they were shocked to learn that 36-percent of first time and second time writers didn't bother to show up for the test.

The results have been showing a steady downward trend the past 5-years.

Trustees stated that the Board may have to revisit their game plan to see what needs to be done.

While the numbers are sobering, a few bright spots came out of the report, primarily that the 4-year graduation rate of 78-percent and 5-year rate of 89-percent is right on line with other Provincial Boards.

Thomas Aquinas Opens NorWOSSA Season

A good start to the NorWossa Boys Volleyball and girls basketball season for the Thomas

Aquinas Saints.

All four teams are on the road this week.

Yesterday, the Saints were in Atikokan and swept the Voyaguers in all four games played.

Both the T.A. Senior and junior Boys upended Atikokan three sets to one.

In girls basketball, the Thomas Aquinas senior girls cruised to a 57-24 win.
Zoe Yeomans led the offense with 15 points.

The Saints junior girls also prevailed, 23-13 over the Voyageurs. Sami Burkhart
had 8 points for T.A.

Today, Thomas Aquinas court teams are in Rainy River.

Nestor Falls Second in Ultimate Fishing Town contest

The community of Nestor Falls is appealing to residents across northwestern Ontario to help it become Canada's Ultimate Fishing Town.

Nestor's Falls is second in the World Fishing Television network's contest behind Port Alberni, British Columbia.

Maureen Hanson of Hanson's Hideaway Lodge says they're want the entire district to vote for their bid.

WFN is handing out 25-thousand dollars to the winning community.

McGuinty Defends Far North Act

 Premier Dalton McGuinty is defending his decision to move ahead with northern land development legislation over the objections of First Nations leaders.

He says there's been``extensive consultation'' over the Far North Act, which is slated for a final vote later this week.

N-D-P critic Gilles Bisson says the dispute over Bill 191 could jeopardize McGuinty's plans to develop the Ring of Fire chromite deposit near James Bay.

Several First Nations chiefs say McGuinty failed to keep his promise not to pass the legislation without their approval and are warning that they'll use ``any means necessary'' to protect their treaty rights.

Green Light expected soon for New Forensics Lab

Work on a new OPP forensics lab in Kenora is expected to begin sometime this fall.

The lab is one of 14 the Government of Ontario is planning to build across the province.

Councillor Dave McCann say the project has been fast-tracked.

McCann says they are expecting confirmation from the provincial government sometime in the next week when construction might begin.

Respite Care Program Offered in Kenora

Thunder Bay based Wesway is expanding into the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

The group has rolled out a Respite program that provides funding for caregivers who need a break from taking care of Seniors living at home.

Spokesperson Carol Neff says the program has been very successful over the past three years.

To find out more information call 1-888-623-2353.

OPP Investigate Break-Ins

The OPP are investigating a rash of break-ins that took place during the day on Monday.

A number of homes have been entered and searched.

Some cash and other miscelleaneous items were stolen.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

OPP investigate armed robbery

The Kenora Detachment of the OPP is investigating an armed robbery this

took place early this morning on Lakeview Drive.

Police say the culprits entered a restaurant around 1 A.M. and forced their

way into the office.

They were able to get away with an undisclosed amount of

cash before the police could be called.

Members of the OPP's Criminal Investigations Branch and Street Crimes

Unit have been called in to assist.

Hampton Opposes Far North Act

The Ontario Legislature has resumed sitting and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton has a number of items on his agenda he wants to see addressed.

The NDP member says the key issue is the Government's proposed Far North Act.

Hampton accuses the Liberals of trying to convince Ontarians that First Nations are on side with the Legislation.

The Far North Act is due for third and final reading on Thursday.

Councillors say their farewells

Members of the current edition of Kenora City council have officially said their goodbyes.

Last night was the final regularly scheduled meeting of council befor the October 25th municipal elections.

Chris Van Wallenghem and mayor Len Compton are the only two members not seeking  re-election.

Van Wallenghem says its no easy task being a city councillor.

Council released a report last night, outlining their accomplishment's over the past four years.

It includes phase one and phase two of downtown revitalization, retro-fitting the Kenora Rec. Center and the rehabilitation of Highway 17 east and west into the City of Kenora.

Canoer Drowns in Quetico Park

The body of a Duluth man has been pulled from the waters of McAree Lake in Quetico Provincial Park.

Rainy River OPP had been searching for Darrell Cellers who had gone missing in the area since September 9th.

Investigation revealed that Cellers had been travelling through the park when hs canoe overtuned during windy conditions.

A post mortem exam showed that Cellers had drowned.

Far North Act Under Attack

First Nations leaders are warning of a showdown with the Ontario government over the Far North Act, which is slated for a third and final reading Thursday in the legislature.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy says the bill robs aboriginals of their treaty rights and doesn't give them a say in how their lands will be developed.

The Far North Act would block up to 42 per cent of Ontario's land mass from development, protecting 225-thousand square
kilometres of boreal forest.

Good Turn-out for Day One of Blood Donor Clinic

A good first day, but more donors are still going to be needed today at day two of the Canadian Blood Service Blood Donor Clinic in Kenora.

A total of 146 people came out yesterday and donated 123 units of blood.

CBS spokesperson Harvey Heather says that was about 12 people more than they had

expected.

However, he adds they still have about 50 appointments available today.

The Blood Donor Clinic will run from 9:30 to 12:30 today at St. Thomas Aquinas School.

Four Walk Away from Plane Crash

Four people are lucky to be alive after a plane crash in the bush near Pickle Lake.

The OPP say they were contacted Friday afternoon around 1:30, after receiving reports from the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Center of an airplane that went down about 27 kilometers east of Pickle Lake.

Police say the plane, owned by Northern Waterworks Sales and Consulting in Red Lake, had just taken off from the Pickle Lake Airport, when it began experiencing engine problems.

The pilot decided to return to Pickle Lake, but ended up making an unscheduled landing in the bush.

The pilot and three passengers on board managed to walk away from the wreckage.

They were rescued by a helicopter that was dispatched to the scene.

Only two of the four occupants sustained minor injuries.

They were later flown back to Red Lake.

Thompson Acclaimed Mayor in Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls

Bill Thompson will be back for another four year term as mayor of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls.

Thompson was the only person to file his nomination papers for the top position on the town council.

There will be elections for all other seats on the Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls town council.

Four people are in the race for two councillor at large positions.

Incumbants Norbert Dufresne, Lou Kabel and Chan Motlong will be challenged by former
mayor Jerry O'Leary.

In the Sioux Narrows ward, incumbant Gale Black will be up against John Stuhldreier.

In the Nestor Falls ward, Randy Hanson and Wayne Hellier will face off against eachother.

Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls will be using a vote-by-mail system for the October 25th vote.

New Scam Launched in Northwestern Ontario

Ontario Provincial Police are warning local residents and retailers about a new telephone scam that has hit the area.


The scam involves a call from a fictitous company stating there are new Government health regulations in place requiring workplaces have special first-aid kits.

The caller goes on to state that any violation could lead to closure or fines.

OPP say the caller may identify themself as being with a representative of the Health Unit or a company identified as Canadian Safety Supplies.

They offer to sell the kits at a steep price and will go as far as sending companies and invoice.

Highway 17 Speed Limit Going Up

It should soon take a little less time to get around some areas of the city.

The Operations department is recommending the speed limits be increased in a couple of
areas of town.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says now that the east highway to the city limits has
been paved, he'd like to see the speed limit increased from 80 kilometers an hour.

Perchuck says they are also proposing to increase the speed limit on Highway 596, from the Darlington Bridge to Highway 17-A from 60 kilometers an hour up to 80 klicks.

Winnipeg Couple Win Bassin For Bucks

A husband and wife team has taken top spot in the 14th annual Bassin for Bucks.

Ted and Louise Stewner from Winnpeg were the big winners over the weekend, reeling in 54.85 pounds of bass over three days.

They edged out Jeff Gustafson and Mike Reid, who weighed in 53.6 pounds.

Gustafson and Reid had a huge first day weight of 24.55 pounds, but were unable to
match that performance over the next two days.

Hiram Archibald and Joe Pritchett took third place with 52.32 pounds of bass.

Kenora Gears Up for 2011 Allan Cup

The 2011 Allan Cup is still more than eight months away, but organizers are already putting plans in place for the week long senior hockey championships.

An official launch for the Allan Cup will take place later this week.

Judy Bain is one of the organizers and they just want to let people know what will be going on in Kenora next April.

The official launch for the 2011 Allan Cup will take place at the Minnis Hall in the Super 8 motel this Thursday at 6:30PM.

Police Investigate Cat Lake Fatality

The Ontario Provincial Police and the Northwest Region Forensic team have been asked to review the circumstances surround the sudden death of a man in Cat Lake First Nation.


Nishnawbe-Aski Police were called to assist staff with a man who was being examined at the nursing station on Thursday.

The man suddenly stopped breathing and efforts to revive him failed.

The deceased has been identified as 34-year-old Romeo Gerald Wesley of Cat Lake First Nation.