Community Improvement Plan for Sioux Narrows

The Town of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls is borrowing a page from the City of Kenora's playbook.

A Community Improvement Plan has been launched this month to encourage businesses to fix up their faades along Highway 71.

Town planner, Jeff Port says they've identified a couple of areas for the work.

Port says business owners are eligible for up to 25 hundred dollars for facade improvement, 25 hundred dollars for landscaping and two thousand dollars for new signage.

Wallace Steps down from Development Commission

A changing of the guard at the Lake of the Woods Development Commission.

Long-time chair Dennis Wallace is stepping down after seven years at the helm.

Wallace says he's encouraged by the progress they've seen over the past five years especially.

At their Annual General Meeting last night, Wallace says 78 new jobs were created in the service industry alone last year in Kenora, and he finds that's encouraging.

Beardy Elected Ontario Regional Chief

The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation will be searching for a new Grand Chief.

Stan Beardy has been elected Regional Chief of the Chiefs of Ontario.

Beardy beat out Angus Toulouse in traditional voting at the 38th Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference in Toronto yesterday.

Beardy received 59-votes, 6-more than the incumbent.

Via Rail Announces Service Cuts

The daily run east and west from Sioux Lookout isn't impacted by cuts at Via Rail.

Trip frequencies are being cut on some of the big routes, including the Montreal to Halifax route ``The Ocean'' which will be cut from six to three round trips per week.

In the West, ``The Canadian'' , a Toronto to Vancouver route, will be reduced from three to two round trips per week in the off-season.

There will also be a number reductions in southwestern Ontario.

Via Rail says it expects to cut 200 unionized jobs, or about 9-percent of its positions, as the government-owned passenger rail service deals with federal budget cuts.

Fire Hazard Starting to Rise Across the Northwest

The Ministry of Natural Resources is saying the forest fire rating could move to "Extreme" by the weekend.

Currently the rating is "High" across the entire northwest region.

Official says Fire Rangers from the Sioux Lookout Headquarters are investigating the possibility of two new fires in that region, but not been confirmed by personnel.

The MNR is urging the public to use caution with all outdoor fires.

One Person Hospitalized following Accident on Highway 71

The OPP are continuing to investigate a single vehicle accident on Highway 71 south of Kenora.

The crash took place yesterday afternoon around 2:00 near Bunny Lake.

Police say the lone occupant of the vehicle had to be taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The highway was closed for about two hours as a result of the collision.

Catholic School Board Hires a new Superintendant

A familiar name is moving over to the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

Judi Green has been hired to take over as Superintendant of Administrative Services.

She's replacing Erica Baily, who is taking a similar position with a school board in British Columbia.

Green is taking the job on a one year contract.

She had been the general manager of the Northwest Student Services Consortium.

Health Unit Encourages Meningitus Vaccinations

Declining vaccination rates are leaving health unit staff concerned of a possible outbreak.

The meningitus vaccine, which is provided in grade 7, protects against the disease which can be fatal.

Manager of Infectous Diseases at the Northwestern Health Unit Donna Stanley says the number of youth being immunized for meningitus has dropped in recent years.

Families with children who haven't gotten the vaccination are asked to make an appointment with their local health unit.

Campbell Defends Budget Vote

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is refuting comments that passing of the provincial budget solidified the closing of the area's tourist information centres.

Last week, Conservative M.P.P. Vic Fedeli said there was no effort by the NDP in committee to overturn the closure decision.

Campbell says there wasn't that opportunity.

Campbell claims she was also denied a chance to comment on the budget and the tourism centres because of the antics of Conservatives in the legislature

Dog Owner Speaks Out

The owner of four dogs poisoned last week in Wainwright Township near Dryden is seeking the public's help.

The rottwillers wee fed meatballs which contained strychnine, and two of them died as a result.

Garry Morand is asking that the person or persons responcible come forward.

Anyone with information, please contact OPP or crime stoppers.

Red Lake gets 2.7 Million Dollars from FedNor

Promising developments in the Red Lake Area.

Minister of FedNor Tony Clement and Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced earlier this week that the federal government will be contributing 2.7 million dollars towards a natural gas pipeline project.

The FedNor funding will help bring natural gas services to over 180 local bussinesses within the next 5 years.

The development is estimated to create 120 jobs.

Wray receives provincial honor

A special honour for two area residents.

Seven year-old Red Lake resident Brody Macumber and Al Wray received Fire Safety Awards yesterday at a ceremony in Toronto.

The two were recognized by the Ontario Fire Marshal.

Macumber is credited with helping save the life of his family when a kitchen fire broke out in their home last November.

Wray was thanked for implementing fire safety initiatives in public schools in the Keewatin-Patricia School District.

Ride For Hope Passes Through NWO

All you need is hope.

This is the main message for a group of people from Sandy Lake First Nations.

Ida Fiddler and Megan Anicinabie are two women who are riding to Ottawa to raise awareness about drug abuse and to raise funds for an after-care center.

Fiddler, who is riding for her sister, says they've made a lot of sacrifices but it is all worth it.

Fiddler encourages people to follow them on facebook at Ride For Hope 211, for updates on their journey.

NAN Presents Invoice to Province

The provionce of Ontario is getting a bill today from Nishnawbe-Aski Nation.

The invoice is for 127-million dollars.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy is in Toronto today to present the invoice saying it's for benfits derived from resource development for the past 100 years in the far north.

OPP Recover Stolen Vehicle

A routine traffic stop has netted the OPP a stolen vehicle.

Officers says they stopped a 2008 Toyota Tundra on Veteran's Drive around 1:00 this morning in the area of Lakewood School.

After speaking with the occupants it was discovered the pick-up had been taken from a home in the 3rd Avenue South area.

Police say the culprits broke into the home and located the keys to the vehicle.

18 year old Randel Beacham from Rat Portage has been charged with break and enter, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime.

He's scheduled to appear in Kenora Court in August to face the charges.

Energy Minister Meets with NOMA

Municipal and First Nations leaders have the latest update from the provincial government on the energy situation in the Northwest.

Energy Minister Chris Bentley had a chance to sit down yesterday to talk about the opportunities available and what he would like to see happen in this region.

In the Meantime, Bentley says the Atikokan Generating Station is still online to convert to biomass.

Reward Offered to Find dog poisoner

A local paralegal is working with CrimeStoppers to find the culprits of a sick case of animal cruelty.

Four dogs in the Wainwright Township near Dryden were poisioned, and two of them died as a result.

Ritchie Noel of Sunset Country Law Firm has personally offered 300 dollars along side Crime Stopper's reward for any tips that will lead to the arrest of those involved.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP police or Crime stoppers.

Public School Board Gets Funding For Kindergarten programs

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is getting some capital funding from the province for its full-day kindergarten programs.

The Ministry of Education has promised 1.1 million dollars to add classroom space at Valleyview and King George.

The public school board says it will be building an addition to Valleyview, which should be ready by the 2013/2014 school year.

Director of Education, Jack McMaster says the extra space will help with their planning as they get ready to launch a French Immersion program at Valleyview as well.

The money will also help refurbish classroom space at King George.

Catholic School Board Passes Workwell Audit

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has seen a big improvement in its most recent Workwell Audit.

The audit is conducted by the WSIB and evaluates health and safety practices of local businesses.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says improved from 22.5 percent up to 86.6 percent in the most recent audit conducted last month.

Most other local agencies also saw a big improvement the second time around in the Workwell Audit.

The City of Kenora went from 35 percent to 85 percent, while the hospital topped out at 97.9 percent.

Eviction Notices Sent Out in Ring of Fire

Evacuation preperations for the Ring of Fire are in full-swing.

Six Northern Ontario first nations are in the final stages of issuing a 30 day notice to all mining companies in the area.

This is in preperation for a new mining developement in the Ring, which is exceedingly rich in chromite.

However the first nations are concerned that by the way the project is going so far, it could damage the land, river systems and change their way of life forever.