Equipment Donation

Youth at four area First Nations around Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls are benefiting from a large donation of sports equipment from residents of Ottawa.

The U-Hall truck load of equipment was distributed to children at Whitefish Bay, Northwest Angle #33 and #37 and Onigaming yesterday.

Peter White, an elder at Whitefish Bay, says it's a great gift.

Former Metis Nation of Ontario president, Tony Belcourt, who lives in Ottawa, helped organize the drive.

Immunization

The Northwestern Health Unit is encouraging area residents to get immunized against pertussis or whooping cough.


The respiratory infection comes with severe spells of coughing followed a whoop sound before the next breath.

The Health Unit says its noticed a slight increase in the number of cases, effecting both young infants to adults.

Ontario Budget

MPP's head back to work in a months time.

Michael Gravelle says they'll start straight in on the province's budget.

“We know that we’re going to be facing a daunting year in terms of the fiscal situation in the province of Ontario. We’re all conscious that the upcoming spring budget will be a very important one in terms of the decisions that are made by our government”


The Ontario legislature resumes in February.

REACH Health Facility

Confederation College's Dean of Health and Community Services says they'll be reaching out to the regional campuses in 2012.


Kathleen Lynch says they're going to hit the ground running in the New Year.

"We'll be full steam ahead with all of our new equipment and our ability to do simulation, adding more of that to the curriculum so it’s very exciting for us”

Lynch also adds that they look forward to using their video conferencing capabilities to touch base with those who are using distance education.

The REACH building in Thunder Bay welcomed students in September.

NDP Leadership Debate

Issues pertaining to Northern Ontario will get all the attention of the federal NDP leadership hopefuls.


All eight candidates will be duking it out in Sudbury for an all candidates debate early next year.

Organizer Richard Eberhardt says they want to hear from each candidate on their position for Northern Ontario.

The event is scheduled for February 5th 2012.

CJRL's Sister Changes

There's a fresh new look and name for CFOB-FM, better known as B-93 - CJRL's sister station in Fort Frances.


93-1, The Border, took to the airwaves in Fort Frances and the Rainy River district this week.

Station Manager Leo Melanson says there's also a fresh new sound for area listeners.

Melanson says 93.1 The Border will continue to build on its reputation of community involvement and complete local news coverage.

2011: Bill Mauro

2012 should be an interesting one at Queens Park as the McGuinty government tries to work in a minority situation. Looking ahead MPP Bill Mauro says the upcoming budget will be one to watch.
As for 2011, Mauro says it was a year of growth and investment in the northwest by the McGuinty government

Rainy River Strategic Plan

Municipal reps are aiming to have a memorandum of understanding in place next spring that helps pave the way toward a strategic plan for the Rainy River district.

Rainy River town councillor Gord Armstrong there have been talks about the plan this year.

He says getting municipalities to formally agree to the concept keeps progress moving.

He's hoping more concrete plans will be in place by the end of 2012.

Impaired Driving

If your having a few drinks this holiday season, don't get behind the wheel.


Constable Dave Cain says despite our best efforts impaired driving number in Kenora are still on the rise.

"We had 66 total impaired drivers charged in 2010 and this year we're at 81, it's really not a good statistic to be bragging about”

The Northwest Region of Ontario had the highest number of impaired drivers convicted, 9 of which came from Kenora.

If you suspect someone to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol:  call 9-1-1

Donor Clinic

It takes less then an hour of your time and in the process you can help save a life.

Canadian Blood Services will be back at St. Thomas Aquinas on January 16th and 17th and they're looking to book over 140 appointments.

Adrienne Silver, Communications Specialist for Northwestern Ontario says blood units from Kenora alone would be enough to help 28 cancer patients or 2 people seriously injured in a collision.

The basic criteria to donate is simple: if your over 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs and your in general good health your good to go

For more information or to book your appointment visit www.blood.ca

Thunder Bay Murder

A northwestern Ontario man faces a second-degree murder charge after initially being accused of aggravated assault.

Thunder Bay Police upgraded the charge four days after 53-year-old Barney Beaver of Webequie First Nation died of his injuries in hospital.

Police say Beaver was found unconscious in his room at Thunder Bay's Victoria Inn December 17th by cleaning staff.

Thirty-three-year-old Summer Beaver First Nation resident Kelsey Lance Charles Jacob is in custody and will appear in Thunder Bay court on January 5th.

A memorial service for Beaver is to take place at Webequie today

John Rafferty 2011-2012

MP John Rafferty says 2012 looks to be a struggle for the NDP. Looking to the new year, Rafferty says that the Harper majority will be hard to crack, if not impossible.

2011 will go down as an interesting one for MP John Rafferty.  He and his fellow NPRer Bruce Hyer were sanctioned for voting against their party on the Long Gun Registry

Rafferty says 2011 proved to be full of highs and lows for the NDP

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Even without any major tax hikes, Canadians' take-home pay will get a little lighter starting Jan.1.


The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says premium hikes for employment insurance and the Canada Pension Plan will take about $306 out of the pockets of both workers and employers in 2012.

The maximum pensionable earnings rise to $50,100 from $48,300.

That will take about $142 from employees who qualify for the maximum over the year.

The hit on employers is slightly more, $164.

Border Travel

The U-S Customs and Border Protection is offering some tips to travellers planning visits across the border during the holiday season.


If bringing presents across the border, ensure that any festive wrappings do not obstruct inspection of the items.

Most fresh fruits and vegetables grown outside of the U.S. or Canada are prohibited.

And because this is usually a busy time at the border, travellers may want to consider avoid peak crossing times.

Thin ice on Lake of the Woods

A conservation officer for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has escaped injury after breaking through thin ice on Lake of the Woods over the weekend.


The officer was checking fishing north of Warroad Saturday when his ATV broke through and sank to the bottom of the lake.

He was able to swim to the edge of the ice and pull himself out of the water to safety with ice picks.

He then used his radio to call a state trooper for a ride

Greg Rickford 2011-2012

2012 is going to be the year the Harper government will be wrestling with the nations debt according to MP Greg Rickford.

Looking ahead to the new year Rickford says there will also be a committment to helping out the infrastructure needs of the country


2011 helped put Rickford in the national spotlight as the Attawapiskat crisis was exposed.

New Year's Eve in Kenora

The Kenora Rec. Center will be a hopping place once again this New Year's Eve.


The Kenora Rotary Club will be holding its 3rd annual Family night.

There will be free skating and swimming from 4:00 until 7:00 for everyone.

There will also be free sleigh rides from 4:00 until 6:00 outside the Rec. Center.

Kenora Lions Club

$67,000, that’s what this year’s annual Lions Club Christmas draw brought in.


Don Brown of the Lions Club says the tickets have been sold out for the last 5 consecutive years and he hopes 2012 will be no different.

Winners for the 2011 season include:

1st prize: Robert Gray (Dodge Journey or $28,000)

2nd prize: Murray MacDonald ($500 gift card to Safeway)

3rd prize: Dianne Little ($500 gift card for Canadian Tire)

The draw was held on Christmas day.

Healthy Smiles

There are plenty of Healthy Smiles in the Rainy River district.

Northwestern Health Unit has concluded a lengthy visit to the district of its mobile dental office.

The Health Unit's Dental Health Program Manager Dawn Sauve says its aimed at bring dental services to children in need.

Funding for the van came from the Ministry of Health.

Legislative Agenda

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he's proud of his government's track record this fall.

Rickford says while the opposition spent a lot of time talking about the conditions on the Attiwapiskatt First Nation, the government stayed focused on its legislative agenda.

Rickford says a couple of important bills were passed including Electoral Reform and the Safe Streets and Communities act.