Take Back the Night March Tonight

You might have noticed some black cardboard cutouts of female images around town in the last day or so.

The campaign is part of Take Back the Night, which takes place this evening.

Jen Dennis is with the Kenora Women's Action Network and says this has been an annual event in Kenora for over 20 years.

Take Back the Night will start at 5:30 this evening from the Loonie Bear.

Northwest Mining Study to Be Released

An extensive mining study will be released next week.

It was commissioned by a group called Ambassadors Northwest.

Spokesperson Merv Detweiler says the study was conducted by Lakehead University professor Dr. Bahram Dadgostar.

The study will come out next Thursday morning at a news conference.

Health Unit Holds Workshop on Smoking and Pregnancy

Toboacco use and pregnancy don't mix.

That was the message of the Northwestern Health Unit in a workshop conducted yesterday in Dryden.

Health Promoter Christine McLeod says they met with local health care professionals who work with pregnant mothers who smoke.

McLeod says support services directly for mothers and their families are also available, such as Smokers hotline.

Boundaries Commission Announces Hearing Schedule

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission in Ontario will begin its cross-province hearings in Kenora next month.

The Commission released its tour schedule for public hearings on the newly released federal riding boundaries.

The Kenora Riding has only one slight change, which is the addition of Lake of the Woods Township.

Anyone wishing to comment on the changes is asked to contact the commission by October 1st.

The public hearing will be taking place at the Best Western Lakeside Inn on October 9th.

Gravelle Responds to Environmental Commissions Report

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says he's taking the words of the province's Environment Commissioner to heart.

The commissioner blasted Gravelle's ministry for not being open about decisions it makes relating to the environment specifically a program that monitors the population of wildlife in the province.

Gravelle says his ministry is always working to be transparent and will look at the recommendations to see if there is action that needs to be taken.

Dryden Selling Phone services

Bell Aliant continues to expand its holdings in northwestern Ontario.

Yesterday, the company, which owns KMTS, announced plans to purchase land line and internet services in Dryden.

Public Affairs Manager for Bell Norma Hughes thinks it's a step in the right directon.

There is a seperate proposal from TBaytel for the purchase of Dryden's mobile service, but no details are known at this time.

World Alzheimer Day Marked Locally

The Alzheimer Society of the Kenora and Rainy River Districts is celebrating World Alzheimer Day by conducting a number of workshops on dementia.

The Virtual Dementia tour simulates what its like to have an illness like Alzheimers.

Ashley Trent is a spokesperson for the local Alzheimer Society and says the virtual dementia tour is a real eye-opener.

The Virtual Dementia tour takes about 15 minutes to complete and will be offered from 10 to 3 today at the Comfort Inn.

Broncos Win Homecoming Game

A big confidence boost for Beaver Brae's Football team.

The Broncos ran roughshod over the Dryden Eagles in their Homecoming game, romping to a convincing 44-13 win at Pete Fair Memorial Field yesterday afternoon.

Dylan Pykerman led the offense with four touchdowns.

Coach Chris Penner says the o-line did a great job creating holes for the running backs.

Hudson Boucha and Rian Wilwand also scored majors for the Broncos.

They don't have a lot of time to rest.

Beaver Brae heads to Winnipeg on Monday for a game against St. John's.

Tainted Beef Recalled from More Stores in NWO

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expanding it's recall of tainted beef originating from Alberta's XL foods.

That beef is believed to be contaminated with E.coli.

The new stores that were added to the recall include the Real Canadian Wholesale Club and the Real Canadian Superstore outlets in northwestern Ontario. 

It also includes No Frills and the Wholesale Club in Kenora, Extra Foods in Dryden, Marathon and Geraldton.

Superstore says they've pulled the meat off the shelf already.

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.