Busy Weekend for OPP In Kenora

Another busy weekend for OPP officers in Kenora.

A number break and enters, and thefts were reported over the weekend.

Two vehicles were stolen.

Police say a 2004 Chevy Silverado was stolen from a home on Valley Drive on Saturday.

In another incident, a 1995 Honda ATV was stolen from a residence on Canfield Road.

Its believed the quad was stolen late last week.

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

Habitat For Humanity Training Session Tonight

Habitat for Humanity in Kenora is gearing up for actual construction work its first ever build.

A training session will be held tonight at Firefly, or the former Cameron Bay Children's Center.

The training session will include basic safety instruction for anyone who wants to swing a hammer on the project.

The session will begin at 7:00 this evening and last about an hour and a half.

Government seeking Operator for ELA

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says it's their preference to transfer the Experimental Lakes Area to a third party.

Rickford isn't commenting on a report that the area is up for sale for only 1-dollar.

Rickford says they want to see the important work at the facility to continue.

He says he's been in discussions with some local groups and he believes those talks are morphing into what will be a new begining.

Native Literacy Program Launched this week

Nisnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief will welcome more than 80 students this morning as they begin training to become Literacy Camp Counsellors.

The training will take place starting at Lakehead University.

This is the 7th year for the Lieutenant Governor's Aboriginal Summer Reading Camps program, which works to improve literacy skills among youth in NAN First Nations.

This year, the program will be providing 38 camps in 29 northern Aboriginal communities.

Health Unit Warns about Deer Ticks

With the warm summer weather upon us, it's time to be on the lookout for a certain nuisence.

Wood ticks are common in the area, but deer ticks are becoming an increasing menace, and can cause Lyme Disease

Northwestern Unit health public health inspector Kurtis Casey says Lyme Disease can initially present itself with flu-like symptoms, and be accompanies by sore muscles and joints. 

If you find yourself bit by a deer tick, the Health Unit encourages you to take it out and drop it off at the one of its local offices in the region for testing. 

Northwest LHIN's Offers More Supports for Seniors

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is introducing a new behavioral project for seniors.

A total of 1.2 million dollars has been approved for the project.

Spokesperson Susan Pilatzke says it fills a need in the region and will be spearheaded by the
St. Joseph Care Group in Thunder Bay. 

The new project will also mean new staff will be hired to develop the plan.

Mischief Complaints on the Rise

The number of mischief incidents in Kenora is on the rise.

This past week, there have been at least six incidents reported to the OPP.

In one incident, a 5th Avenue South resident complained that some one had dumped oil on his truck.

During their investigation, police discovered that a nearby garage had also been covered in oil.

Fire Hazard starts to Rise in the region

The recent wet weather helped keep forest fire activity to a minimum this weekend.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting 7 active fires in the Northwest Region.

One in the far North of the Nipigon District and six in the Sioux Lookout District.

There are no problems being reported with these fires. They are all classed as Being Observed.

The weather forecast is calling for another sunny day today and the fire hazard is rising.

It is "Moderate" to "High" in the West and "Moderate" across the remainder of the region.

Kirby Earns Provincial Recognition

Helping those in need has landed a Kenora District lawyer a major award.

Peter Kirby is the recipient of the Legal Aid Ontario Sidney B. Linden Award.

The honour is in recognition of his tireless advocacy for those in need.

Officials say Kirby dedicates his time to ensure access to justice for those who don't have a voice.

They add he has helped the most vulnerable and marginalised members of society.

Kirby has practiced family and criminal law in the Kenora District for 34-years and was a driving force behind the development of the Kenora Community Legal Clinic.

Vandals hit the Kenora Golf Club

The OPP continue to investigate a rash of mischief complaints in Kenora.

The most recent incident took place at the Kenora Golf and Country Club.

Police were called out yesterday after a golf cart was stolen.

The OPP say the cart was used to rip up some of the greens and damage a number of pieces of equipment.

A total damage estimate still hasn't been determined.

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

Sioux Narrows Opens Sports Fishing Center

There was a big surge in visitor numbers in Sioux Narrows yesterday.

A couple of hundred people turned out for the grand opening of the Northern Ontario Sports Fishing Center.

Jeff Port was one of the people who sat on a committe that helped program the new visitor center and says sports fishing really has become the community's brand.

The Sports Fishing Center cost 2.2 million dollars to build, with 900 thousand dollars in infrastructure funding from both the federal and provincial governments.

Hello Summer Fundraiser Returns

Its a busy week for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

After handing out 107 thousand dollars in grants on Wednesday, the Foundation will try to make some of that money back tomorrow night.

Executive Director Darlene MacGillivray says they will be holding their 5th Hello Summer fundraiser.

McGillvary says tickets are still available for tomorrow night's dinner and dance.

Campbell has mixed feelings about the Provincial Budget

Sarah Cambell says she has mixed feelings about the passage of the provincial budget this week.

The Ontario budget was passed Wednesday, and aims to eliminate the deficit by 2017-2018.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP admits she's concerned how the budget will impact the riding, including the closure of three tourist information centers. 

On the other hand, she says 20 million dollar has been allocated for Northern and rural health care.

Rickford Announces Funding for Aboriginal Health Research

A 25-million dollar research program is being launched to improve the long term health of aboriginals.

Minister of Aboriginal Affairs John Duncan and Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcement in Ottawa this morning.

Rickford says a couple of prominent doctors will tackle the best ways to combat suicide, tuberculosis, obesity and oral health.

Rickford also laid a wreath in Ottawa to honour the contributions aboriginal veterans made in the great wars that Canada has been involved in.

Thunder Bay Sued by Flood Victims

The City of Thunder Bay is being sued.

A class action suit has been filed in Superior Court alleging negligence on various levels in connection with the May 28th flood.

Those allegations still need to be proven in court.

Lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff says all his clients want is to get their lives back.

The suit, on behalf of flood victims, is asking for general and special damages in the amount of 300 million dollars.

The city says it will not comment on the lawsuit. 

OPP Investigate Cases of Animal Cruelty

Provincial Police are looking for answers after a case of animal cruelty.

OPP say 4-dogs were poisoned near Dryden in Wainwright Township.

Two of the dogs have died as a result.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Graduation Ceremonies tonight followed by Safe Grad

Its a big night for students at Thomas Aquinas and Beaver Brae.

Graduation ceremonies will be taking place this evening.

For the first time ever, Beaver Brae will be moving out of its gym and holding its grad under the new Harborfront Tent.

About 130 students are expected to don their caps and gowns this evening.

Meanwhile, over at Thomas Aquinas, as many as 90 students will graduate from grade 12.

Following the graduation ceremonies, the Safe Grad will start up at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Things are expected to get rolling around 11:00, and run till about 4:00 in the morning.

Community Foundation Hands out $107,000

(Circus Kids accept $1,000 cheque)

It was an expensive night for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

The Foundation handed out over 107 thousand dollars worth of grants to about two dozen local community groups.

The biggest share of the funding came from the Moffatt Family Foundation with over 42 thousand dollars handed out.

Randy Moffatt says it's been a great pleasure to be able to give back to the local community.

Triple Play was one of the big winners of the night, collecting a couple of cheques totalling over 12 thousand dollars, while the Minto Parent Child Resource Center collected over 11 thousand dollars in funding.

New Sioux Narrows Tourist Center Opens Today

A big celebration in Sioux Narrows today as the long-awaited opening of the Northern Ontario Sports Fishing Center takes place.

The Center will act as the community's tourism center and the grand opening will take place this afternoon.

Mayor Bill Thompson believes people will be impressed.

Activities will be taking place all day today leading up to the official opening ceremonies at 2:00 this afternoon.

Changes in Store for Cigarette Packaging

New smoking packages may leave people thinking twice.

The new lables feature disturbing images of the effects of smoking.

Roberta Lappage at the Northwestern Health Unit says the messages are bigger and bolder then before.

A "quitline" and websites will also be featured on the packs to help people quit.