Changes for Pharmacists

Ontario pharmacists can now adminster flu shots, write new prescriptions for stop smoking products, and will soon be able to renew existing prescriptions, except for narcotics.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the government changed regulations to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to make it more convenient for patients.

Electoral Boundaries Commission Responds to Riding Changes

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is having a change of heart.

Public hearings on riding changes in northwestern Ontario were held in Kenora yesterday, and there was a lot of feedback from residents in Lake of the Woods Township.

George Valin is chairman of the Commission and says they understand their concerns about being moved out of the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.

Valin says they will likely recommend that Lake of the Woods Township stay put and not be moved into the Kenora Riding.

NOSM Holds Major Medical Conference

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a beehive of activity this week.

A major 6-day conference looking at opportunities and challenges in the health care system.

Roger Strasser is the dean of the Medical School and says it's like 5 world conferences in 1.

Strasser says groups will be able to tour Northern Ontario, including communities such as Sioux Lookout.

Path of the Paddle Gets Additional Funding

More funding to help make the Path of the Paddle a reality.

The proposed route would be part of the Trans-Canada Trail and connect waterways in the Kenora and Thunder Bay Districts.

Vicki Kurz is the project manager and says they still need to do more route planning and consultation before the Path of the Paddle becomes a reality.

Kurz says they will be receiving 68 thousand dollars from the Ontario Tourism Development Fund to carry out the second year of route planning.

KACL Takes Over After School Program

More good news for parents needing after school care for their kids.

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has announced that it has reached an agreement with the Kenora Association for Community Living to provide the service at Pope John Paul School.

The City of Kenora announced this past summer that it was getting out of the child care business.

KACL will be taking over the after school program following the Christmas break on January 7th.

Working Smart Workshops next week

A workshop on how to better use your Blackberrys, i-phones and i-pads is coming to the area.

Small Business Advisor Stefanie Armstrong says the purpose is so people can access everything their gadget has to offer.

The Northwest Business Center is presenting the workshops.

The Kenora sessions will take place on October 15th.

Operation Impaqct Stats Released

The results from the Ontario Provincial Police 'Operation Impact' long weekend blitz are in.

Sergeant Ann McCoy says they charged 361 people in the Northwest region with speeding, 41 with hazardous moving violations and 25 seatbelt charges.

Only one speeding charge in the Kenora area and one seatbelt violation.

Four people died in a two vehicle collision near Pic River First Nation and four people were injured in a single vehicle crash north of Savant Lake.

Cocaine Charges at Sioux Lookout Airport

A routine walkthrough at the Sioux Lookout Airport has resulted in the seizure of drugs.

Officers located an intoxicated man and police found he was in possession of cocaine.

Provincial Police say the accused provided a false name during his arrest.

27-year-old Gilbert Chief of Sachigo Lake First Nation faces counts of possession of a controlled substance and obstructing a police officer.

Tourist Lodge Fined

A tourist lodge Northeast of Sioux Lookout has been fined three
thousand dollars.

In September, the Old Post & Villiage served angler caught walleye to 10 guests who just happened to work for the MInistry of Natural Resources.

The MNR wants to remind the public that it is illegal to list angler caught fish on a menu and to charge for them without permission.

More charges facing kidnapper

The man accused of sexually assaulting and confining a 16-year-old boy in Nova Scotia made a brief appearance at an arraignment hearing in Bridgewater this morning.

Before his court appearance, David James Leblanc had charges of sexual assault causing bodily harm, uttering a death threat, administering a noxious substance with intent to cause bodily harm, kidnapping and breach of conditions added to those he was already facing.

As Leblanc was escorted out of the courtroom, two boys yelled profanities from the gallery, calling him a ``goof'' and saying they hope he dies.

Leblanc was arrested in northwestern Ontario last week, and was suffering from hypothermia when

police finally caught up to him on a logging road near Longlac. 

OPP Searching for Two Suspects in Manhunt

The search is continuing for two suspects who stole a vehicle in Thunder Bay and abandoned it in Kenora.

The OPP say they were called out Saturday afternoon around 1:00 after receiving a report of a black Chevy Impala being operated in an agressive manner in the Cambrian area of town.

A short time later, the vehicle was found on Houghton Road.

A Canine Unit was brought in along with the Emergency Response Team, but so far the male and female suspect have not been located.

Both people are said to be in their 20's, with the male suspect described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, wearing a red had and a white jacket.

He also may have had scratches on his face.

Police say the car had been reported stolen in Thunder Bay this past Friday.

Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission Holds Hearings In Kenora

The MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding will be among those expected to speak out against proposed changes to federal riding boundaries in northwestern Ontario.

John Rafferty intends to make a submission today to the panel proposing to take Lake of the Woods township out of his riding and attach it to the Kenora riding.

Rafferty is worried the area will not be adequately served.

He agrees with the Commission the area has more "community interest" with Kenora than Thunder Bay, but it's not taking into account the interest it has with the Rainy River district.

The first public hearing will take place this afternoon at 2:00 at the Lakeside Inn.

Good Results for Safe Communities Kenora

Safe Communities Kenora is excited by its latest report card.

It received a grade of 19 out of 20 in its annual assessment.

Co-chair Judy Underwood says one of the areas they have improved is their community partnerships.

Underwood says many events are scheduled for the upcomming year including their annual trivia challenge, the share the road campaign and supporting the spring home show in Kenora.

OPP Use Taser at LCBO

A 50 year old man is recovering after being tasered by the OPP over the weekend.

Officers say they were called to the Kenora Liquor Store Saturday afternoon around 4:30 to deal with a suspect who was acting in an irrational manner.

When police arrived, the man standing on a counter in the LCBO holding a number of bottles.

The OPP say he was unstable and acting in agressive manner to people inside the store and the officers, so they used a taser to subdue him.

He wasn't harmed, but was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment of mental health issues.

More Ambulence Woes for DSAB

The land ambulance saga has been compounded for the Kenora District Services Board.

Ontario's Air Ambulance service has gone back to a requirement to have land ambulance support on every single call.

Dennis Leney says he's seen cases of an air ambulance call and three other units were dispatched to the same call.

Leney says the heartattack patient referenced endured a lengthy wait because there were no land ambulances in the area.

Kidnapping Suspect Due to Make First Court Appearance

A man accused of confining and sexually assaulting a teenage boy is expected to make his first court appearance today in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

Forty-seven-year-old David James Leblanc was returned to the province last week after being captured in northern Ontario.

His co-accused,31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham, was found dead in some nearby woods.

Warrants were issued for the two men after a 16-year-old boy turned up on a woman's doorstep, barefoot and chained at his wrists and ankles.

RCMP Warn of Human Trafficking

We might not see it on the streets, but an ex-RCMP officer says human trafficking is likely happening in northern Ontario.

Marty Van Doren, who coordinates a RCMP human trafficking awareness program, says many young girls and boys involved in the sex trade industry come from remote First Nations looking for a better way of life.

Van Doren was speaking to members of area police services boards gathered in Fort Frances.

Midget Thistles off to slow Start

Not the start the Kenora Triple A Midget Thistles were hoping for to start the new season.

The Thistles dropped both of their weekend games in Morden to the Pembina Valley Hawks.

On Saturday, the Kenora Midgets were edged 3-2 by the Hawks.

They followed that up with a 7-1 loss on Sunday.

The Thistles play their home opener Friday night against the Southwest Cougars.

RCMP Confinement case

RCMP have gotten medical clearance to send David Leblanc back to Nova Scotia tonight.

Leblanc is a suspect in an unlawful confinement case in Nova Scotia and has been in hospital since his arrest Sunday.

Walk For Hope Tomorrow

The Kenora Fellowship Center wants local residents to give thanks for having a roof over their head.

The emergency drop-in center is holding its third annual Walk for Hope this weekend.

Spokesperson Nikki Spencer says the fundraiser will take place tomorrow morning.

The walk will start at 9:00 and will be followed by a community breakfast afterwards.