Vermont Hunters Fined

Two men from Vermont have been fined a total of 1-thousand dollars for shooting a deer on private land near Kenora.

Court heard that in November of 2009, conservation officers investigated a deer that had been shot on private property and dragged onto Crown Land off Highway 596.

The following year, officers came in contact with 2-hunters in the same area.

While questioning the men, the officers learned they were involved in the 2009 incident.

Peter Flood had shot the deer and Ronald Comette helped move the animal onto Crown Land.

Police Investigate Shoal Lake #40 Fatality

The Treaty Three Police and the OPP are continuing their investigation into the death of a  21 year old Shoal Lake #40 man.

Daniel Green was found lying on a road in the island community the morning of April 30th.

He was airlifted to Lake of the Woods District Hospital but succumbed to his injuries there.

A post-mortem exam was conducted last week, but the cause of death has still not been released.

Anyone with information about the fatality is asked to contact the Kenora's Criminal Investigations Unit,

or the Treaty Three Police.

PC's Critical of Forest Tenure Amendments

The Progressive Critic for Northern Development is condeming the McGuinty Liberals for voting against crucial amendments to the Forest Tenure Reform Bill.

Randy Hillier says the PC and NDP amendments were turned down after 45-minutes of discussion on Wednesday.

Hillier says if Northerners want to have a voice with this Government, they had better join Greenpeace or the World Wildlife Fund.

He notes Bill 151 could come for third and final reading at any time now.

MNR releases new on-line database

It may not make catching fish any easier, but the Ministry of Natural Resources is putting all its resources at the finger tips of local anglers.

A vast data base of fishing information in Ontario has been posted on-line.

Matt Garvin says its a pretty extensive data-base.

Garvin says the Ontario Fishing data-base also includes, maps, directions to lakes, the guide to eating sports

fish in Ontario and fishing regulations.

LHIN's Announces a new Board of Directors

The Northwestern Local Health Integration Unit has a new board of directors.

Joy Warkentin of Thunder Bay is the new chair of the LHIN's.

She takes over from Jan Beasley of Fort Frances, who has been chair of the LHIN's board since its inception.

A familiar name has been appointed as vice-chair of the board.

Anne Krassilowsky says she's looking forward to taking on the challenge.

JM Judo Club win 12 medals at their own Tournament

The Jaffrey Melick Judo Club earned an even dozen medals at its annual Lake of the Woods Judo Tournament at Beaver Brae.

Over 100 fighters, representing 14 judo clubs across northwestern Ontario and Manitoba took part in the
day long event up at Beaver Brae on Saturday.

The local club won five gold, five silver and two bronze medals, with Lyndon Hensrud leading the way with a pair of medals, a gold and a silver.

Three members of the JM Judo Club will continue to train for the National Junior Judo, which will be held
in July in Sept-Iles, Quebec.

Northern Groups still upset with Forest Tenure Legislation

Groups across northwestern Ontario are speaking out against the provincial government's decision to move forward with its Forest Tenure Reform legislation.

The Standing Committee on General Government met Wednesday to make its final amendments to Bill-151.

The Ontario Forest Industries Association says the act is still flawed and will create uncertainty in the forest sector.

Despite recent assurances from the Minster of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, the OFIA says the government hasn't really addressed its concerns.

The Northwestern Associated Chambers of Commerce and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association have expressed similar concerns. 

Sioux Narrows to get a new municipal building

The Town of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls is expected to begin work soon on a new municipal building.

The federal and provincial governments promised 165 thousand dollars towards construction of the half million dollar building.

Bill Thompson is mayor of the community and says it will really be a multi-purpose facility.

The federal government has extended the deadline for completion of all infrastructure projects until October of this year.

Bronco Soccer Teams Struggle in the Fort

Not a good start to the season for Beaver Brae's soccer teams.

Both the Bronco Boys and girls teams were in Fort Frances yesterday.

Beaver Brae's boys lost 3-1 decisions to both the Muskies and the Dryden Eagles.

The Bronco girls were upended 2-0 by the Eagles.

Their next action is in Kenora next Wednesday at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

Council agrees to more money for Harborfront Tent

Its going to cost 100 thousand dollars more than expected to put up a new tent on the Kenora Harborfront.

Council held a special meeting yesterday to decide whether to spend the extra money to install permanant, retractable sidewalls on the tent, rather that the seasonal, removable ones, which had been proposed in the original tender.

Councillor Ron Lunny says in the end, it made sense to spend the extra money.

The extra 100 thousand dollars will be taken from the city's contingency reserve fund.

Only councillor Louis Roussin voted against the decision to install the permanent sidewalls.

Firearms Seizure on Kasabonika Lake

The Northwest Regional Guns and Gangs Unit has charged a 45-year-old man in Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

Police executed a search warrant last Friday and seized 10-firearms and 4-prohibited devices.

Officers found semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and 4 high-capacity rifle magazines.

Police say John Winter faces 3-charges including weapons trafficking and careless storage.

Winter will appear in court on June 16th.

OFAH Happy with Majority Consevative Government

The Vice-President of the  Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters sees a Majority Conservative Government as a good thing for the future of the long gun registry.

Glenn Rivard says the PM has promised them he'll scrap it and the OFAH will hold him to that

promise.

Rivard notes the Harper Government has also promised to form a National Advisory Panel on Fish and Wildlife Management.

NAN Chief Weigh In on Federal Election Results

The Grand Chief of Nishanawbie-Aski Nation is congratulating the Conservative and NDP parties for their successes in the Federal election.

However, Stan Beardy is concerned that NAN issues may get lost in the shuffle.

Beardy is hoping that between the two parties; NAN will have some of their issues adressed.

Like most Canadians, Beardy says he was surprised at the final results from Monday's vote.

Council to hold special meeting on Harborfront Tent

The Harborfront Tent is still posing some financial challenges for Kenora City Council.

A special meeting is being held this morning to approve an increase in the budget for the project.

Initially, council approved 1.4 million dollars for the festival site covering.

Now, its looks like the price tag is going to slightly higher.

Council is being asked to approve 1.6 million dollars in funding for the tent, so that side panels can be included on the structure.

Council is scheduled to meet at 10:00 this morning.

Health Unit Launches a mobile dental clinic

The Northwestern Health Unit has a new vehicle at its disposal.

Yesterday, a mobile dental clinic was unveiled.

Dawn Sauve is the Health Unit's manager of Dental Health and says they will be doing a pilot project with the van, which will allow them to help out residents in underserviced communities across the region.

The van has the logo, Miles of Smiles etched on the side.

Funding for the van was made available through the Ministry of Health.

Classes set to Resume at Beaver Brae following Fire

It will be classes as usual at Beaver Brae Secondary School this morning.

Yesterday students were sent home early, after fires were reported in two of the school's washrooms.

The blazes were quickly extinguished and damage was minimal, but students were given the rest of the day off to allow the building to be properly ventillated of the smoke.

Its believed the fires were deliberately set.

Valley Sad to See Iggy Leave

The Liberal candidate in the Kenora Riding is backing the work done by Leader Michael Ignatieff.

Ignatieff announced yesterday he is stepping down following his party's rout at the polls on Monday night.

Roger Valley, who finished third in this Riding, says Ignatieff can leave with his head held high.

Valley believes the leadership will be between Bob Rae and Ralph Goodale.

Hampton reacts to federal election results

This week's federal election results should be a warning for the Liberals in Ontario.

That's the feeling of Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton.

The NDP member of the Ontario Legislature says its clear voters are trying to send a message.

Hampton believes the Liberals will be hard-pressed to win any seats in northern Ontario in the upcoming provincial election.

Health Unit Opens New Offices in Market Square

The Northwestern Health Unit has opened its new offices in Market Square.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place yesterday morning on the second floor of the building.

Dr. Jim Arthurs says one of the programs they have located in the new office space is a dental program for children.

Health Unit Holds All-Staff Conference in Kenora

About 150 employees of the Northwestern Health Unit are in Kenora today for a two day retreat.

The All-Staff Conference brings together staff from all the Health Unit offices in the region.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jim Arthurs says they try to bring everyone together at least every 18 months.

The conference is being held today and tomorrow at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.