Passport Clinic This Weekend

A one-stop shop for all your passport needs.

A passport clinic will take place this Saturday at the Kenora Legion.

You will be able to get your photo taken, as well as fill out and submit all the necessary paperwork.

Just bring your birth certificate, a second piece of ID and cash for the photo.

Public School Board Releases Special Education Plan

Greater support for children's mental health.

Just one of the highlights in the Public School Board's 2012-2013 Special Education Plan.

Superintendent of Education Sean Monteith says their priorities include:  dealing with behavour, mental health and the use of technology in the classroom.

Monteith says the plan also outlines strategies to deal with beaviour and student and teacher interaction.

Unlucky Kenora Deer Gets Provincial support

A deer that's been wandering around Kenora with a wire around its neck is getting some provincial exposure.

A couple of animal rights groups are demanding that local agencies help out the animal.

Barry Mackay with Born Free USA says leaving the deer alone is inhumane.

Mackay says they want the MNR, the OPP and Animal Control to work together to help remove the wire from around the neck of the deer.

Campbell Warns of High Medical Costs

A local MPP is reminding people to think twice when travelling out of province.

Sarah Campbell of the Kenora Rainy River Riding says it's important to remember that OHIP is limited outside of Ontario.

She adds ambulance rides can be quite costly.

Campbell encourages getting some form travel insurance, even if it's for a day trip.

OPP Lay Charges in Savant Lake Car Accident

Provincial Police have laid charges in relation to a single vehicle crash on Highway 599 north of Savant Lake.

OPP say 22-year-old Laurel Annie Keetash of New Osnaburgh faces 6-charges, including 3-counts of impaired operation causing bodily harm.

Four people were injured in the Sunday afternoon crash.

One person is in hospital in Sioux Lookout with serious injuries.

Another person has been airlifted to hospital in Thunder Bay with life threatening injuries.

Mixed Results for Broncos and Saints in NorWOSSA

Beaver Brae's senior Girls basketball team extended its winning streak to three games with a 35-19 win over the Fort Frances Muskies.

That was the lone bright spot for the Broncos yesterday in Fort Frances.

Beaver Brae junior girls basketball team and junior boys volleyball team lost their games against the Muskies.

The Broncos senior boys volleyball squad lost in straight sets to Fort.

At Thomas Aquinas yesterday, the Saints rolled over Red Lake with the T.A. senior boys volleyball team keeping its perfect record intact winning in three straight sets.

Both girls basketball teams also won yesterday.

Bronco Football Team Back in Action Today

It should be a well-rested Beaver Brae squad today as the Broncos play their first game in two weeks.

The Broncos face the 4-1 Neelin Spartans at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

Coach Chris Penner says they will likely have to win their final two games in order to secure a play-off berth.

This was supposed to be Beaver Brae's final home game of the year, but last week's game was cancelled by a snowstorm, meaning the Broncos will have one final game on Monday.

Game time is 3:00 this afternoon.

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.