First Rider Program proves Successful

The Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium says its First Rider program was a big success this year.

Over the weekend over 43 young students showed up at Pope John Paul School for the school bus orientation session.

Manager of Transportation services, Judy Green says traditionally they've had a hard time getting kids out for the Kenora First Rider sessions, but this year, they set a record for attendance.

Another 39 junior kindergarten-aged students attended the Dryden session.

Kids taking part in the First Rider program get a crash course in school bus safety and a graduation certificate for their participation.

Man charged for Impaired operation of Personal Watercraft

Just because you're on the water doesn't mean you can't be charged for

impaired driving.

The OPP Marine Unit says it stopped a personal water craft in Safety Bay Saturday night.

After speaking to the operator, officers determined he had been drinking.

The Winnipeg man was taken to the Kenora Detachment for a breathylizer and charged.

The 25 year old will appear in Kenora court next month.

OPP Crack Down on Security Firms and Bouncers

The OPP has just completed a crackdown on Secuity companies and people working as security guards in northern Ontario.

Police say they have laid 34 charges in Kenora, including eight for working as an unlicenced security guard.

Detective Sergeant Rick LePage says a number of the incidents deal with bouncers working at local bars.

There were also charges for failing to wear a uniform on the job, 16 charges for employing an unlicenced

security guard and failing to register a business that employs in-house security.

Le Page says the maximum fine is 25 thousand dollars if found guilty of the charges.

Drug Bust in Sioux Narrows

Two 43 year old men face drug trafficking charges after being arrested in Sioux Narrows.

The OPP's Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau along with the Kenora Joint Forces Drug Unit stopped the two men on Highway 71 last Friday.

Police say they had a quantity of crack cocaine, marijuana and a number of illegal prescription drugs in their possession.

Chesterfield Jordan of Winnipeg and Cameron Holder, a resident of Barbados have been charged  with possession of a controlled substance.

They are due to appear in Kenora Court in October to face the charges.

 The OPP say the charges were laid as a result of an on-going investigation.

Kenora NDP Supporters to say Farewell to Jack Layton

A chance to get together and remember the late Jack Layton.

The NDP in the Kenora Riding are putting together a book of condolences and are encouraging people to drop by the Metis Council Offices on Park Street from 3:30 to 6:30 this evening.

Tania Cameron was the NDP candidate in the last election and says she's saddened by the news of Layton's passing.

Kenora Conservative M.P. Greg Rickford says Layton's commitment and contribution to public life were exceptional and will be sorely missed.

Conservatives Targeting Northern Ontario Ridings

The Tories are optimistic they will be able to steal a few ridings from the NDP and the Liberals in northern Ontario in the upcoming provinical election.

Ken Zeise is the party president and is touring the region this week.

Zeise says winning seats in northern Ontario is just as important as winning ridings in the voter rich Toronto area.

The Conservatives traditionally finish a dismal third in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding, but Zeise is hopeful they will be able to reverse that trend this fall.

Slo-Pitch results

Days Inn Ladies Slowpitch action last night

Black Sturgeon Ball Snatchers bet The bimose Angels 23-14

Roen Rednex blanked the Neniska Crushers 14-0

My place Martini's over the E&G Blades 12-3, while Northern Harbour defeated Riverview Wildfire 19-6.

In Mens Playoff action last night

In A-Side action: the Astros downed Just 4 Fun and the Beauty Bay Cubs beat the Degagne Construction Materials Voodoo

In B-Side play:

Pioneer Construction got the win over Kroppy's Hawks

Men's Soccer and Ball Hockey Seasons winding down

The finals are set in the Hap's Men's soccer league.

The Gunners will meet up with the Centuries tomorrow night in the Challeng Cup Final at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

The Gunners got by the Playaz 1-0 in the second Semi-final Friday night.

The Challenge Cup will be up for grabs starting at 6:00 tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, the Aces drew first blood in the finals of the Casey's men's ball hockey

league.

The Aces got by the Jets last night in game one.

Game two goes tonight at 8:00 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

More hot weather on the way

Summer isn't ready to leave northwestern Ontario just yet.

Hot, humid conditions are expected to prevail in the Kenora area early this week.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says we may even see some record-setting temperatures.

Things are expected cool off Wednesday, before warming back up for the last couple of days of the week.

Jack Layton Remembered

Tributes are rolling in for Jack Layton today.

Layton, the NDP leader passed away early this morning, losing his battle with cancer.

NDP candidate in the Kenora Riding last election, Tania Cameron says she was shocked to learn of his death.

Layton made numerous trips to the Kenora Riding as leader.

He was 61 years old.

McKay ready to hit the Campaign Trail

All the major parties now have their candidates in place for the October 6th provincial election.

The Conservatives are the latest party to select their candidate.

Kenora City Councillor Rod McKay beat out Louis Roussin for the Tory nomination.

McKay says his biggest job now is getting his name out in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding.

The party did not release the final results of the nomination vote, but did say over 200 people cast ballots in Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances on Saturday.

Broncos open another football training camp

Another football season is about to begin for the Beaver Brae Broncos.

Their two week training camp began bright and early this morning at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

Head Coach Chris Penner says even though this will be a young squad, he believes they will be well prepared for the upcoming season.

The Broncos play their first and only exhibition game on September 1st in Dryden.

They open the season against the Steinbach Sabres on September 9th.

More Forest Fires in Northwestern Ontario

Despite rain and cooler conditions, forest fires continue to pop up across northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says there were a dozen new blazes reported over the weekend including three in the Kenora District.

There are currently 78 active wild fires in the region.

A total of 433 fire crews and support staff from out of province are continuing to lend a hand in the fire fighting effort.

Good Turn out for IJC Hearings in Kenora

A lot of people seem to care about the future health of Lake of the Woods.

About 200 people turned out on Saturday morning for the final meeting by the Internation Joint Commission on the final task force Report on the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake Watersheds.

Todd Sellars is the Executive Director of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation and feels the final recommendations of the Task Force were well received.

A total of six hearings were held in northwestern Ontario and Northern Minnesota this past week, and the feedback will be used by the IJC to come up with a plan for the two lakes.

Mining Company Fined for Building on Crown land

Premier Gold Mines has been fined 25-thousand dollars for constructing water crossings on Crown land without a permit.

Court heard that last October a company representative spoke with the Ministry of Natural Resources about a planned project in the Fly Lake area, northeast of Ear Falls.

The MNR advised the company that it would need a permit before conducting the work, however officials soon discovered that work had started prior to the permit being issued.

The Company voluntarily conducted remediation work in the areas where the stream crossings were built.

Canfield Attends AMO Conference

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario annual conference begins today in London and the City of Kenora will be well-represented.

Three members of council are in attendance, including mayor Dave Canfield.

Canfield says they have a package they will be presenting to all the cabinet ministers they meet with, and their biggest issue will be funding to fix up our aging bridges.

Canfield says they have meetings confirmed with four cabinet ministers this week, including the minister of Finance and the minister of Infrastructure.

Man Fined for Illegally Killing Moose

A Southern Ontario man has been fined 7-thousand dollars for illegal hunting.

Raffaele Franconeri of Woodbridge pleaded guilty to moose hunting without a licence west of Ignace.

The man was with 6-others and the party had a licence to harvest one adult bull and 1 adult cow moose.

The group killed 2-moose but Franconeri shot and killed another bull moose and left it behind.

The incident occurred last October.

McKay wins Conservative Nomination

The Conservatives finally have their man in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding.

Manager of the Kenora Forest Products Mill, Rod McKay beat out Louie Roussin for the nomination.

McKay says he's not a big fan of the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty and feels its time for change.

The party did not release the final tally, but did say that over 200 people

cast ballots in Fort Frances, Dryden and Kenora on Saturday.

Hampton weighs in on Grassy Narrows Court ruling

The provincial government doesn't have a good track record when it comes to aboriginal affairs.

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

He was responding to a decision by the Ontario Superior Court this week in favour of Grassy Narrows in its battle against clear cut logging.

Hampton says the Far North Act and the decision to jail the leaders of Big Trout Lake two more examples ofthe McGuinty government failing to listen to the concerns of aboriginal communities.

Impaired Driver has vehicle impounded

An impaired driver is going to lose more than his license.

The OPP they stopped a vehicle on the Kenora By-Pass yesterday afternoon around 1:30 travelling at more than 50 kilometers faster than the posted speed limit.

After talking to the driver, officers noticed he had been drinking.

A 39 year old Steinbach man was arrested and taken to the Kenora Detachment.

Isaak Buehler-Buerkert has been charged with impaired driving and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

His vehicle has also been impounded for seven days under the provisions of the province's stunt driving legislation.