CJRL News

Friday, August 26, 2011

Voting by Mail

For the first time in Ontario's history voters will get a chance to vote by mail. Chief Electoral Officer Greg Essensa says there will be 10 advanced voting days, 15 days of assited voting and the October 6th election day. Essensa says he thinks the changes will give voters more opportunities to choose when they want to vote.

First Nation Infrastructure

Ontario's First Nations need 8 billion dollars to close an infrastructure gap. That figure comes from the Ontario First Nation Technical Services Corporation. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Angus Tolouse says living conditions are some times atrocious. The Ring of Fire will dominate tomorrow's discussion at the first nation technical service conference.

confederation college strike

The President of Confederation College Jim Madder says they're prepared for a potential strike by support staff. The local OPSEU union gave strike notice that if negotiations fail they'll walk out September 1st. Contract talks are continuing between OPSEU and the Province

Mustangs Reunion

The 1967 Lakewood Mustangs high school football team is reuniting this weekend in Kenora. The reunion began this morning with a golf outing and continues through saturday. Saturday's events include a presentation at Beaver Brae School to salute the current Beaver Brae Broncos, and in the evening is an elvis show and 60's dance fundraiser. Proceeds from the nights events go towards purchasing new multi-purpose goal posts at Beaver Brae.

NOMA returns from London Ontario

Members of NOMA have returned from London from the annual conference of municipalities of Ontario. The Members had the opportunity to meet with four provincial ministers to discuss a variety of topics. The need for expanded funding through the ontario municipal partnership fund and a new fund for roads and bridges were discussed as well as other topics. NOMA President Ron Nelson says the Conference was very positive. NOMA Represents the interests of Municipalities from Kenora and Rainy River in the west to Horsepayne in the east.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Residential schools

Two First Nations schools in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are now on a formal list of residential schools which makes former students eligible for government compensation. NAN Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says it opens the door to more such claims. Metatawabin calls it a landmark ruling.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Green Party

Northwestern Ontario is being targeted by the Green party. Leader of the Green Party Mike Schreiner is touring the North and says his party's platform has what it takes to help the region. In the Kenora-Rainy River Riding, JoJo Holiday will be carry the Green Party Banner in the October 6th election.

Power Outage

Kenora Hydro is investigating a power outage that occured. Both Coney Island and the Lakeside area were without power as of 11:30 last night. Power was restored to the lakeside area at 1:30 this morning. Kenora Hydro says the cause is still under investigation but says it may have been due to high winds last night.

Journalists released

More than 30 international journalists have been freed from a Tripoli hotel where they had been held by armed men loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. CNN correspondent Matthew Chance tweeted that he and journalists left the hotel in a car. They had been held at gunpoint by two nervous Kalashnikov-wielding guards who refused to give up their posts despite rebel victories elsewhere in the city.

Jack Layton

A lone piper played as Mounties in red serge carried Jack Layton's casket into the foyer of the House of Commons this morning. Layton's widow, MP Olivia Chow, his two children and grand-daughter and other family members followed behind. The NDP leader will lie in state in Ottawa today and tomorrow. Already, crowds of people have gathered to pay their respects. Layton will lie in repose at Toronto City Hall on Friday and on Saturday morning before a state funeral Saturday afternoon.

West Nile Virus

A Burlington senior who died last week appears to have been infected with the West Nile virus carried by a mosquito. Halton Region's medical officer of health says it is the first human infection case this year. The identity of the woman, who was in her 70s, has not been released. The Ontario public health laboratory completed a preliminary report but it is likely West Nile will be confirmed with further testing.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

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.