The governing Liberals are under fire for agreeing to a 5-percent pay hike for the OPP while demanding a wage freeze from public sector workers.
Municipal leaders across the region have called the increase`irresponsible'' and putting towns and cities, which have to pay for policing, in a tight spot.
Premier Dalton McGuinty is insisting his plan to curb salaries is still on track.
Last spring's budget called for a 2-year freeze on wages for more than a million public sector workers to help fight a record Provincial deficit of about 20-billion dollars.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Hospitals get more funding for joint replacement
The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is promising more money for knee and hip replacement surgeries in Kenora, Fort Frances and Dryden.However, Lake of the Woods District Hospital doesn't think it will be able to take advantage of the of the extra funding.
Chief Executive Officer, Marc Belcaen says they don't have the same demand for the surgeries as other hospitals in the region.
The LHIN's is providing 275 thousand dollars to carry out 40 more knee and hip replacement surgeries in the region.
Local Nurses train in Smoking Cessation Techniques
A valuable day of information for health care professionals across the region.
Roughly 50 people participated in a Nurses Association of Ontario 'Smoke Free' Workshop this week.
Public Health Nurse Sue Wood says their goal was to train nurses so they can improve their smoking cessation and brief intervention techniques.
The Nurses Association stresses when nurses intervene, smokers quit.
Roughly 50 people participated in a Nurses Association of Ontario 'Smoke Free' Workshop this week.
Public Health Nurse Sue Wood says their goal was to train nurses so they can improve their smoking cessation and brief intervention techniques.
The Nurses Association stresses when nurses intervene, smokers quit.
OHA head meets with local hospital CEO's
The Ontario Hospital Association is touring Northwestern Ontario this week.
President Tom Closson met with hospital CEO's from across the region yesterday.
Closson says hospitals continue to struggle with patients taking up beds because
they don't have anywhere else to go.
Closson is also asking for a freeze in salaries for unionized hospital workers.
President Tom Closson met with hospital CEO's from across the region yesterday.
Closson says hospitals continue to struggle with patients taking up beds because
they don't have anywhere else to go.
Closson is also asking for a freeze in salaries for unionized hospital workers.
Camp owner upset with NOTO
It looks like it's a war of words between the Northwestern Ontario Tourist Outfitters and some camp owners in northwestern Ontario.
Paul Boucher of Ogoki Frontier Outpost says many resorts feel betrayed by the outfitters association after their land use permit fees went up 800 percent.
Boucher says NOTO had a choice and they chose wrong.
NOTO was responsible for negotiating the rental fee system with the Provincial government.
Paul Boucher of Ogoki Frontier Outpost says many resorts feel betrayed by the outfitters association after their land use permit fees went up 800 percent.
Boucher says NOTO had a choice and they chose wrong.
NOTO was responsible for negotiating the rental fee system with the Provincial government.
Search continues for missing man Southeast of Kenora
A Fort Frances man is the subject of a search at a lake southeast of Kenora.
Provincial police are releasing few details, but Manitou Gold, a mining exploration company doing work in the Manitou chain of lakes, says a vehicle broke through the ice near its exploration project early Wednesday morning.
The company says the man working on its behalf.
His name has not been officially released.
Ontario's Ministry of Labour has also been called to investigate.
Provincial police are releasing few details, but Manitou Gold, a mining exploration company doing work in the Manitou chain of lakes, says a vehicle broke through the ice near its exploration project early Wednesday morning.
The company says the man working on its behalf.
His name has not been officially released.
Ontario's Ministry of Labour has also been called to investigate.
KDMA conference begins today in Red Lake
The 70th annual Kenora District Municipal Association Convention gets underway
today in Red Lake.
Unlike in past years, the City of Kenora is sending a full delegation this year.
Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says these conferences are important and would
like to see the city take a more active role in the future.
Canfield says councillors will be bringing an emergency resolution to KDMA, asking
the federal and provincial government's to proceed with the twinning of the Trans-Canada
Highway between the Manitoba Border and the Kenora By-Pass.
today in Red Lake.
Unlike in past years, the City of Kenora is sending a full delegation this year.
Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says these conferences are important and would
like to see the city take a more active role in the future.
Canfield says councillors will be bringing an emergency resolution to KDMA, asking
the federal and provincial government's to proceed with the twinning of the Trans-Canada
Highway between the Manitoba Border and the Kenora By-Pass.
Broncos split with Muskies
Beaver Brae's Court Sport teams managed a split in their games against 
Fort Frances on home court yesterday.
Fort Frances on home court yesterday.The Bronco junior boys earned a 32-16 victory over the Muskies.
Adam Chartrand led the way with 16 points.
The Beaver Brae senior boys dropped a 62-36 decision.
In girls volleyball, the Broncos junior girls got by Fort three games to two,
while the Muskies blanked the senior squad three sets to none.
Today, the annual Kenora Invitational Senior Boys basketball tournament
gets underway up at Beaver Brae.
The Thomas Aquinas Saints hockey team extracted a measure of revenge against
Sioux Lookout last night.
T.A. edged the Warriors 6-5 last night at the Thistle Rink.
The win gives the Saints a 3-2 edged in the season series between the two teams with just one game left in the regular season.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Schools Building Schools Holds Virtual Ground Breaking Ceremony
A virtual ground breaking ceremony has taken place for the Schools Building Schools
project.
Five high schools in Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Ignace have raised 17 thousand
dollars to help build a new school in a tiny community in Guatamaula.
Gord LeMaistre is a member of the Kenora Rotary Club and says he was impressed with
the students fundraising efforts.
Amanda Wiebe is the chair of the Schools Building Schools committee at Thomas Aquinas
and says they managed to raise six thousand dollars for the project.
The money helped build a new two room school in the central american country along with
new washroom facilities.
project.
Five high schools in Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Ignace have raised 17 thousand
dollars to help build a new school in a tiny community in Guatamaula.
Gord LeMaistre is a member of the Kenora Rotary Club and says he was impressed with
the students fundraising efforts.
Amanda Wiebe is the chair of the Schools Building Schools committee at Thomas Aquinas
and says they managed to raise six thousand dollars for the project.
The money helped build a new two room school in the central american country along with
new washroom facilities.
Questions Raised about new Internet Rates
A northwestern Ontario politician is raising alarm bells about a CRTC decision about
internet rates.
The broadcast regulator says it's okay for internet service providers to put a cap on data downloads.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says there is a move to get the government
to reverse the policy
Rafferty says such a policy will be disastrous for people in northern Ontario who rely on the Internet
internet rates.
The broadcast regulator says it's okay for internet service providers to put a cap on data downloads.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says there is a move to get the government
to reverse the policy
Rafferty says such a policy will be disastrous for people in northern Ontario who rely on the Internet
Sioux Lookout Hunters Fined
Tag sharing and providing false information has proved costly for 2-Sioux Lookout men.
The hunters have been fined 45-hundred dollars for various offences.
Court heard that Conservation officers responded to a complaint last November of shots heard in Sioux Lookout.
Officers investigated and found Gregory Marino loading an antlered deer into the back of his pick-up truck.
The animal was tagged with a seal belonging to Carl Bober, who was at work at the time.
Despite having a valid deer seal himself, Marino called Bober and asked for his seal.
Both men made numerous false statements to officers.
The hunters have been fined 45-hundred dollars for various offences.
Court heard that Conservation officers responded to a complaint last November of shots heard in Sioux Lookout.
Officers investigated and found Gregory Marino loading an antlered deer into the back of his pick-up truck.
The animal was tagged with a seal belonging to Carl Bober, who was at work at the time.
Despite having a valid deer seal himself, Marino called Bober and asked for his seal.
Both men made numerous false statements to officers.
Fort Frances Man Survives Trip to Egypt
A northwestern Ontario man is back from Cairo where he says he saw humanity at its worst.
Tristin Hutton says it was chaos on the streets.
The 44-year-old from Fort Frances says he watched rolling battles between police and protesters from his hotel window.
Police used water cannons and tear gas on the protesters who set fire to police vehicles, and fought back with rocks and bats.
He says he didn't see anyone killed but talked to people who did and saw pictures of people being crushed by police vehicles.
The bush pilot was in Egypt on holiday and was visiting his sister who works at the Canadian Embassy.
Tristin Hutton says it was chaos on the streets.
The 44-year-old from Fort Frances says he watched rolling battles between police and protesters from his hotel window.
Police used water cannons and tear gas on the protesters who set fire to police vehicles, and fought back with rocks and bats.
He says he didn't see anyone killed but talked to people who did and saw pictures of people being crushed by police vehicles.
The bush pilot was in Egypt on holiday and was visiting his sister who works at the Canadian Embassy.
Rat Portage Charges Non Residents for Ice Road Access
The Rat Portage First Nation says its now charging non-band members for use of the
ice road through their community.
As of February 1st, the band has set up manned check points at the Gap Road and the Matheson Bay
entrances to the First Nation.
A toll of 25 dollars a day is being charged to drive on the ice road.
A monthly permit of 50 dollars, or a seasonal pass for 75 dollars are also available.
The access passes can be purchased at the Rat Portage Band office.
ice road through their community.
As of February 1st, the band has set up manned check points at the Gap Road and the Matheson Bay
entrances to the First Nation.
A toll of 25 dollars a day is being charged to drive on the ice road.
A monthly permit of 50 dollars, or a seasonal pass for 75 dollars are also available.
The access passes can be purchased at the Rat Portage Band office.
NOTO Defends new Land Use Permit costs
There are a lot of unhappy campers in Northwestern Ontario.
Several area outfitters have written to the Premier upset about an increase to their land use permit fees.
NOTO Executive Director Doug Reynolds says his organization has been listening to the concerns of tourist outfitters from this region.
Reynolds says the industry knew the fees were coming for over three years and he negotiated the best deal he could.
Several area outfitters have written to the Premier upset about an increase to their land use permit fees.
NOTO Executive Director Doug Reynolds says his organization has been listening to the concerns of tourist outfitters from this region.
Reynolds says the industry knew the fees were coming for over three years and he negotiated the best deal he could.
Stand Off Ends Peacefully near Pickle Lake
An 18-year-old man is in custody following an armed stand-off at the Band Office in New Osnaburgh First Nation.
Nishnawbe-Aski Police received a call of an armed suspect at the Security office around 3:30 yesterday morning.
The OPP Crisis Negotiation Team and OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit were called in to assist officers.
The incident was resolved peacefully 8-hours later, with no shots fired.
No formal charges have yet to be laid.
Nishnawbe-Aski Police received a call of an armed suspect at the Security office around 3:30 yesterday morning.
The OPP Crisis Negotiation Team and OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit were called in to assist officers.
The incident was resolved peacefully 8-hours later, with no shots fired.
No formal charges have yet to be laid.
Broncos lose four on the road
It wasn't a good day on the court for Beaver Brae's boys basketball
and girls volleyball teams.
The Broncos were in Dryden yesterday and came away without a win.
In senior boys basketball, The Eagles edged Beaver Brae 32-26.
The Bronco junior boys were upeneded 60-38.
In volleyball action, the Dryden senior girls won in three straight set,
while the Beaver Brae junior girls lost three sets to one.
The Broncos don't have a lot of time to lick their wounds.
All four teams are back in action today with Fort Frances in town.
and girls volleyball teams.
The Broncos were in Dryden yesterday and came away without a win.
In senior boys basketball, The Eagles edged Beaver Brae 32-26.
The Bronco junior boys were upeneded 60-38.
In volleyball action, the Dryden senior girls won in three straight set,
while the Beaver Brae junior girls lost three sets to one.
The Broncos don't have a lot of time to lick their wounds.
All four teams are back in action today with Fort Frances in town.
Thistles lose in Winnipeg
The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles will be happy to play at home
again.
The Thistles wrapped up a seven game road swing last night with a
4-1 lost to the Winnipeg Thrashers.
Bowen Alcock scored the lone goal for the Kenora Midgets.
The Thistles are back home this weekend with a pair of games
against the Interlake Lightning.
again.
The Thistles wrapped up a seven game road swing last night with a
4-1 lost to the Winnipeg Thrashers.
Bowen Alcock scored the lone goal for the Kenora Midgets.
The Thistles are back home this weekend with a pair of games
against the Interlake Lightning.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Morning accident on the Redditt Road
Traffic has been moving slower than usual on the Redditt Road this morning.
A two vehicle collision closed Highway 658 down for about an hour.
The road has since been re-opened to two lane traffic.
No other details about the collision have been released.
Meanwhile, the accident has caused some delays for school bus service
along the Redditt Road.
Excel Coachlines says its number 13, 14 and 16 buses are running about
30 minutes behind schedule.
A two vehicle collision closed Highway 658 down for about an hour.
The road has since been re-opened to two lane traffic.
No other details about the collision have been released.
Meanwhile, the accident has caused some delays for school bus service
along the Redditt Road.
Excel Coachlines says its number 13, 14 and 16 buses are running about
30 minutes behind schedule.
Broncos win Battle of Kenora
Beaver Brae's girls hockey team won the battle of Kenora.
The Broncos met the Saints last night at the Kenora Rec. Center and
skated away with a 4-2 victory.
Ainsley Lindquist, Jess Ricklefs, and Sam Smith each scored for Beaver Brae,
while Jody Melillo added an empty netter.
The Broncos are back in action this weekend at home with a pair of games against
the Lake of the Woods Bears from Beaudette, Minnesota.
The Broncos met the Saints last night at the Kenora Rec. Center and
skated away with a 4-2 victory.
Ainsley Lindquist, Jess Ricklefs, and Sam Smith each scored for Beaver Brae,
while Jody Melillo added an empty netter.
The Broncos are back in action this weekend at home with a pair of games against
the Lake of the Woods Bears from Beaudette, Minnesota.
No Increase in Health Unit Levies
The levy charged to municipalities to help fund the Northwestern Health Unit will remain the same as last year.
Chief Administrative Officer of the Health Unit, Mark Perreault says the per capita rate, combined with declines in population, will mean area town and cities will pay less this year than they did in 2010.
Perreault says staff reductions through attrition has allowed the Health Unit to work with less money from municipalities.
Chief Administrative Officer of the Health Unit, Mark Perreault says the per capita rate, combined with declines in population, will mean area town and cities will pay less this year than they did in 2010.
Perreault says staff reductions through attrition has allowed the Health Unit to work with less money from municipalities.
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