More Vandalism reported in Kenora

The OPP have been dealing with a rash of vandalism complaints over the past few days.

Yesterday, police were contacted about incidents of grafitti to a business on Second Street South and also on Valley Drive.

A number of vehicles have also been entered and property has been stolen.

In one instance a car had its window smashed in.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the Kenora OPP or Crimestoppers.

STR gets approval for Cross-Town Corridor

With snowflakes in the air, the Sunset Trail Riders can now start thinking about reviving its cross-town snowmobile corridor.

Kenora City council gave the green light to the trail at last night's open meeting.

Shawn Clifford is a spokesperson for STR and says the trail will benefit the community.

Council voted in favour of the trail by a 5-2 margin.

The two dissenting councillors indicated they wanted the trail permit issue addressed before supporting the cross-town corridor.

City Council Celebrates local heroes

Kenora city council has paid tribute to a couple local heroes.

Murray Ross was presented the Governor General's life-saving award, for helping to elderly anglers survive a vicious storm on Bolton Lake in northern Manitoba.

Constable Bob Bernie of the local OPP was also given a commendation by the mayor for being honored as the Officer of the Year.

Both men recieved standing ovations from the gallery and city council.

Campbell Getting Ready for new sitting at Queen's Park

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P.-elect Sarah Campbell will find out today where she fits into the provincial NDP caucus.

Leader Andrea Horwath is expected to announce her shadow cabinet.

Campbell is keeping close to her chest what critic portfolio she's like to assume.

Campbell is also planning to maintain all the staff and offices both in the riding and Toronto used by outgoing MPP Howard Hampton.

Public School Board hires Mental Health Specialist

Mental health issues in local schools will be getting a higher priority in the months ahead.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is in the process of hiring a Children's Mental Health Leader.

Superintendant of Education Sean Monteith says they've known for a long time that mental health issues can affect student success.

Monteith says the job posting closes today and they will hopefully have a candidate in place by the end of the month.

Two men fined for Night Hunting

A costly reminder to not hunt during the evening.

Two Kenora men have been fined a total of 35-hundred dollars for hunting at night off Highway 105.

Court heard that Philip and Norman Mineault were hunting on Deer Lake Road when a moose was shot and killed about 45-minutes after the close of legal hunting.

The incident occurred in September, 2009.

Philip Mineault has been suspended from hunting for one year.

Railway Street Fire called "suspicious"

A fire to a small four unit apartment complex on Railway Street is being described as suspicious.

The OPP and the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office have wrapped up their investigation of the building where the blaze broke out.

While the cause hasn't been determined, the investigation is continuing.

The fire broke out last Wednesday night around 8:00 and caused extensive damage.

No one was hurt in the blaze.

Impaired Driving Charges up in Kenora in 2011

The message about not drinking and driving doesn't seem to be getting through to all motorists.

The Kenora OPP say they have seen an increase in the number of impaired driving charges so far this year.

As of this past weekend, 67 charges have been laid, which is an increase from 58 at the same time last year.

Over the weekend, there were three more impaired driving charges laid, including one against a 32 year old Rat Portage woman

She was arrested following a single vehicle accident early Saturday morning at the intersection of 9th Street North and Houghton Road.

SIU releases name of man killed at Kakabecka Falls

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has released the name of a man who died at Kakabecka Falls Provincial Park.

23 year old Kurtis McVittie of Huntsville was at the park last Wednesday afternoon.

The SIU is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has video or audio recordings relating to his death to come forward.

Investigators have identified four police officers who may have witnessed the incident and a number of civilian witnesses have also been identified.

Healthy Kenora Together

For the second time in two weeks a local community group is out with a plan to make Kenora a healthier place to live.

The Northwestern Health Unit has come out with a document called "Creating a Healthy Kenora Together.

Judy Underwood says some of the ideas are a little different than past studies.

Underwood says a number of community groups were invited to provide their input on the plan.

C.O.'s ready for Hunting Season

The Ontario Conservation Officers Association is urging hunters to put safety first as they head out this fall.

The association says tens of thousands of Ontario residents participate in a wide variety of hunting activities.

The association says even the most experienced outdoors enthusiasts often forget to adequately plan before heading out.

Hunters are advised to tell someone where they're going, dress appropriately and carry basic survival equipment at all times.

Ministry of Health Trying to clear backlog of Travel Grant Applications

The Ministry of Health is working to clear up a backlog of Northern Health Travel Grant applications .

Spokesperson Andrew Morrison says they'll be moving work between Thunder Bay and Sudbury

Morrison blames the backlog on the postal walkout over the summer.

He says there are about 20 thousand applications that have to be cleared. 

Optimism for northwestern Ontario's Mining Industry

The mining industry has a bright future in northwestern Ontario.

So says Craig Ravnus, a District Geologist with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.

Ravnus says the rock types in this area are expectional, but notes continued exploration is needed.

Ravnus says most exploration companies are in the early stages of work.

Writers Festival this weekend

Writers across northwestern Ontario are being invited to the Word on the Water Writers' Festival next weekend in Kenora.

The three-day festival is hosted by the Kenora Writers Group.

The festival begins Friday evening with Writing in Four Directions with members of the Aboriginal Writers Collective of Winnipeg.

Organizers say the group has some great stories to tell.

Weekend sports re-cap

The Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys volleyball team's winning streak came to a halt this weekend in Dryden.

An undermanned Saints squad finished third at the Pumpkin Smash tournament after beating Fort Frances in the Bronze medal game, two sets to one.

The Saints had cruised into the semi-finals, but lost to Manitouadge in two straight.

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles earned three of a possible four points over the weekend.

The Thistles hosted the Parkland Rangers for a pair of games at the Rec. Center.

The Kenora Midgets won the opener Friday night 6-1, but dropped a 4-3 shootout decision Saturday night.

Beaver Brae's football team will wrap up the regular season in the Winnipeg High School Football League at Home on Thursday.

The Broncos dropped their fourth in a row, a 42-13 decision to Kildonan East on Friday.

Kids for Cancer Tournament hopes for City Support

Organizers of the annual Kids for Cancer Tournament have an ambitious fundraising target this year.

The Tournament is coming up on its fourth year.

Dean Caron says so far they have seen a 50 percent increase in the amount of money raised for the Canadian Cancer Society every year. 

Caron is asking the City of Kenora to become a major sponsor of the tournament this year.

The tournament will run from March 26th to April 1st. 

Good Turn out on a cool day for fall feast

The weather conditions were less than ideal, but that didn't stop a couple of hundred people from showing up for the second annual fall community feast.

Wild rice soup, bannock, hamburgers, chips, coffee and tea were being served up by members of the military and volunteers from the Kenora Fellowship Center.

A drum group also entertained guests as they chowed down in the Harborfront Tent this afternoon.

Families apply for Habitat for Humanity home in Kenora

The Kenora chapter of Habitat For Humanity is looking to provide "safe, affordable and decent housing" for one lucky family who fits the criteria.

A handfull of people turned out to Wednesdays meeting at the Kenora Métis Centre to learn more about the selection process

Considerations for eligibility include those who are financially able to cover monthly expenses associated with mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs and other costs typically associated with home ownership

The deadline for the applications is October 26th - families interested will find out if they'll be proud homeowners by November 10th

Campbell visits Queen's Park as newly elected MPP

The newly elected MPP for the Kenora-Rainy River Riding, Sarah Campbell is keeping a busy schedule.

Campbell was in Toronto yesterday to attend her first caucus meeting.

 

She says they're focused on their promise to remove the HST from home heating and hydro bills in an effort to reduce the cost of living across the province, particularly in the north.

 

Campbell's swearing in ceremony is scheduled for Oct 27 in Toronto.

OPP seize marijuana in routine traffic stop

The OPP say they have seized about 90 thousand dollars worth of marijuana during a routine traffic stop in Kenora.

Early this morning around 2:00, officers pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation.

The officer noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and decided conduct a search.

About 10 pounds of marijuana was seized.

Three Winnipeg men and a Kenora resident have been charged with  possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

They are due to appear in Kenora Court on December 1st.