Campbell Questions MNR Outsourcing

The provincial government is being criticized again for its decision to contract out big game licencing to an American Company.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is demanding to know why hunters have to call a Tennessee company to get a licence to hunt in Ontario.

Natural Resources minister Michael Gravelle assured the legislature that any personal information given over the phone or on-line will be protected, and the system is working well.

The Shape of the Modern Family Changing

The institution of marriage is on the decline in Kenora.

That's according to new census data that offers fresh insight into the complex composition of modern-day Canadian families.

The latest information from the 2011 census, released this morning by Statistics Canada, reveals the many different ways Canadians live together as a family unit.

When the census was taken in May 2011, there were 4,390 families in Kenora.

Married couples - those with and without children - make up 65.9 per cent of families in Kenora.

That's a decrease from the last census taken in 2006 when 68 per cent of couples were married.

Whooping Cough Vaccinations Encouraged

The Northwestern Health Unit is encouraging everyone to get their whooping cough vaccine.

The cough is highly contagious and can be quite dangerous in babies.

Manager of Infectous Diseases Donna Stanley says you can get the vaccine at any age.

In the past couple of weeks, there have been at least four cases of whooping cough diagnosed in the Thunder Bay area.

Two Rescued from Wabigoon River

Three officers from the Dryden Police Service put their life on the line last night to save two intoxicated individuals from drowning.

Off-duty officer Denise Szachury was walking near Wabigoon River when she noticed a man who had just emerged from the water.

A second person was still in the river and was in distress and the man went back in to get him.

The two both wound up in the middle of the river and became distressed.

Constable Jon Allen and Constable Terry Menard arrived and all three officers dove into the frigid water to save the two.

A 22-year-old woman and 18-year-old man were rescued and transported to hospital with hypothermia.

Charges are pending.

Mounties Search for Stolen Generator

The RCMP are looking for some very determined, or very strong theives in the Falcon Lake area.

The Mounties were called to a remote camp on Falcon Lake this week to investigate the theft of a Honda generator.

Police say the camp had no road access and the culprits would have needed a boat to steal the 300 pound generator.

The generator is valued at about five thousand dollars.

Its believed it was stolen sometime this past summer between the last week of July and August 23rd.

Restorative Justice Program Expanded

Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services has entered into a new protocal with the Ontario Provincial Police.

As a part of the Restorative Justice Program, there are services availalbe to help the accused get back on track before facing a charge.

Executive Director Celina Reitberger says this will hopefully take the load off the police, and the justice system.

Reitberger says this protocol is simillar to one they have with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.

Eagles Sweep Broncos in NorWOSSA Opener

A tough start to the NorWOSSA regular season for Beaver Brae's court sport teams.

The Broncos were swept in all four games played in Dryden yesterday.

In girls basketball, Beaver Brae's seniors were upended 36-25, while the Bronco junior squad were edged 40-36.

In boys volleyball action, Dryden's senior team beat Beaver Brae three sets to one, while the Broncos junior squad lost in three straight sets.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's football team is still looking for its first win of the season in the Winnipeg High School Football League.

The Broncos play their first of four home games this afternoon against Dryden at 3:00 at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

The Eagles come into the game with a 1-1 record.

Rat Portage Says It Wants Kenora Casino Licence

The Waushusk Onigum First Nation says it wants to be one of the proponants of a new casino.

Eric Luke is a consultant working with the band and says they have spent the past six years meeting with the OLG trying to get their casino licence back for the Golden Eagle Charitable Casino.

Luke says they have ambitious plans, if they get the green light.

Luke says the first phase of the Casino Development would cost about 23 million dollars and employ as many as 120 people.

Casino Meeting Well Attended

The casino debate continues to generate a lot of interest in Kenora.

Over 100 people attended the final public meeting on the casino issue last night.

Andy Scribilo is president of the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce and says his organization strongly supports the concept.

The Kenora Ministerial Association was one of the few groups to speak out against a casino.

Frank Kowal says gambling can cause serious financial hardship for some.

Kenora City council is expected to make a final decision on the casino at a special meeting on October 4th.

Dryden's Finances A Mess

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says his city is in rough shape and can no longer spend money.

Nuttall says Dryden's debt and overdraft limits are so high that banks are telling them ``enough is enough'' and he's calling on city departments to find cost savings.

Acting treasurer Adrienne Bodnarchuk says Dryden is carrying more than 27-million dollars in debt and has only has 163-thousand dollars in reserves.

Nuttall says if residents aren't using city facilities such as rinks and ball diamonds they may be shuttered to save money.

OPP Recover Stolen Van

The OPP say they have recovered a van reported stolen in the City of Kenora.

Police received the report Monday morning, and later in the day, officers spotted the stolen vehicle near a hotel on Lakeview Drive.

A male and a female occupant were arrested.

Reannah Muckle and Elliot Hyacinthe has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime.

Hyacinthe has also been charged with impaired driving.

NAN Issues Complaint Against Thunder Bay Police

The decision by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation to take the legal route over a fake police news release is disappointing for Thunder Bay Police Chief J.P. Levesque.

Levesque had hoped that the issue could have been settled in another way.

He says they have already admitted the release was innapproprioate for suggesting that The Fresh Breath Killer had been captured in Kenora.

Levesque the incident overshadows efforts to build bridges with the Aboriginal community.

Aboriginal Trades Symposium A Success

The first ever Aboriginal Trades and Employment Symposium is being described as a success.

The one day event was held in Dryden and attracted aboriginal students from across the region.

There were displays by 15 different trade unions across Northwestern Ontario, as well as educational opportunities.

Coordinator Bob Bruyere says it was a great opportunity to see what's out there.

Bruyere says the symposium also encourages those who haven't, to get their grade 12 diploma.

OPP Issue Warning about another Scam

Yet another scam is being reported in northwestern Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police want to warn the public about a letter that has been circulating.

It involves the fraudster sending a document, saying they have a large amount of money and then asks for help, including personal information, name, birthday and of course, banking information.

Police are reminding people to never give personal and banking information freely over the phone when not sure it is a legitimate business.

Broncos Hit the Road for NorWOSSA Court Sports

The NorWOSSA "AA" court sport season tips off today.

Beaver Braes girls basketball teams and boys volleyball teams are travelling to Dryden to take on the Eagles.

The junior boys are coming off their first action of the season, at  the Kenora Invitational Tournament this past weekend.

Final Casino Meeting Tonight

The public will finally get a chance to voice its opinion on whether the City of Kenora should express an interest in having a casino.

Tonight the final public meeting on the Casino issue will be held.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says so far people who favour a casino seem to be in the majority.

A request to make a deputation can be made through city hall.

The meeting will take place at 7:00 in the Rotary Room at the Kenora Rec. Center.

More Blood Donors Needed

Canadian Blood Services says it fell a little bit short of its goal on day one of the blood donor clinic in Kenora.

Yesterday, 154 people showed up at Thomas Aquinas to give the gift of life, with a total of 130 units of blood collected.

That was 14 shy of their target.

Today, there are still 48 appointment times available, and Canadian Blood Services is hoping to collect another 86 units of blood.

The blood donor clinic will run from 9:30 to 12:30 at the T.A. Gym.

OPP Identify Body of Youth Found in Sioux Lookout

The body of a woman found dead behind a church in Sioux Lookout has been identified as 15 year old Regina Kakekaspan.

The young girl was found in a wooded area yesterday morning.

A post mortem examination is scheduled today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
Provincial Police are asking anyone with information on her death to contact the Detachment or Crime Stoppers.

Council to Review Non-Profit Housing Options

Its going to be another year or more before Kenora City council makes a decision about whether the local non-profit housing corporations should be merged.

Council decided last night to set up a review committee to look at the issue.

Jack Pearson is the chair of the Keewatin Non-Profit Housing Corporation and says there is no real reason to force a merger of the two boards.

Pearson says the city has suggested it can save about 20 thousand dollars a year by amalgamating the two boards, but he doesn't see where those savings can be made.

Water Delivery Rates Going Up

Its going to cost more to have water delivered to your door.

Kenora City Council has approved a rate increase for water delivery.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says there hasn't been any increase in the rates for at least 10 years, and the current system isn't financially sustaining itself.

The new rates will go into effect starting in the new year.