Remembrance Day Service At Beaver Brae

Remembrance Day is this Sunday, but students at Beaver Brae Secondary School got a chance to pay tribute to our veteran's at a special assembly today.

The Kenora Scottish, an aboriginal drummer and singer, and the Beaver Brae Drama Club were all part of the Remembrance day service.

The classic poem, "In Flanders Field" was also recited in the morning assembly.

This is just one of many remembrance day services that will be takin place in the Kenora area.

On Sunday, the Royal Canadian Legions in Kenora, Keewatin and Redditt will also be holding services.

Each service is scheduled to start at 10:30, followed by a moments silence.

Afterwards veterans will also be moving onto local cenotaths, to lay wreaths in memory of soldiers who died in action.

Colorado Low on the Way

Another major storm is heading our way.

A Colorado low is expected to dump between 10 and 15 centimeters on northwestern Ontario.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says its looking like a pretty snowy weekend.

Laidlaw says much of the precipitation will fall as either ice pellets or snow pellets, or possibly even freezing rain.

Forest Industry on the Rebound?

The Forestry Products of Canada Association is calling on the government to support a resurgent forestry industry.

Executive Vice President Catherine Cobden says that the forestry sector is changing, and they are preparing to hire 60,000 people by 2020.

Cobden adds the forest industry is developing new products. 

Cobden says they are also looking to improve their environemental performance by 35 percent.

Youth Engagement Grants Available

An opportunity for local youth to raise awareness about the dangers of tobaccoo use.

The Northwest Tobacco Control area network is encouraging high schools and community groups to apply for the 2012/2013 youth engagement grant, worth up to one thousand dollars.

Coordinator Jennifer McFarlane says the grant is for projects that promote a tobacco-free lifestyle.

McFarlane says things done in the past are health fairs, tobacco-free sports tournaments and much more.

OPP Officer Charged in Connection to Fatal Accident

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit is charging a Kenora police officer in connection with a fatal collision back in September.

Constable Troy Bender has been charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death.

Back on September 23rd around 2:00 in the morning, a marked OPP cruiser was involved in a collision with the semi tractor trailor unit at the intersection of the Redditt Road and the Kenora By-Pass.

The female prisoner in the cruiser, 42 year old Gloria Assin was killed as a result of the accident.

The director of the SIU Ian Scott has laid the charge and the officer will make a first court appearance on December 20th.

Bronco Junior Girls win NorWOSSA Gold

Just one gold medal for Beaver Brae at the NorWOSSA Double

"A" championships.

 

The Broncos played in all four semi-final matches yesterday against teams from Fort Frances and Dryden.

Beaver Brae's junior girls baketball team played a close semi against Dryden coming out with a 30-26 win in the morning before going on to win the NorWossa title with a 35-31 win over Fort Francis.


The senior Bronco teams were not very lucky in the semis against Fort Francis.

Beaver Brae's senior girls basketball team was upset 30-18 and the boys volleyball team got swept in 3 striaght sets by the Muskies.

However the junior teams were a different story.

The junior boys volleyball team defeated Fort Francis in the morning semi final, however a valiant effort fell short in the final losing to Dryden 3 sets to 1.

OPP Call Fort Frances fatality a Homocide

Provincial police are now treating a recent death in Fort Frances as a homicide.

The victim is identified as 45 year old Leo Whitecrow of Seine River First Nation.

He died in a motel late last week.

A post-mortem exam was conducted this week at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, but so far the cause of death has not been released.

Workshop on Water Resource Center Taking Place Today

A workshop is taking place today to look at the feasibility of establishing a water recource center on Lake of the Woods.

The Lake of the Woods Development Commission is hosting the one day forum.

Kelly Saunders is helping organize the event and says they have attracted delegates from both sides of the border.

Today's guest speaker is Dr. Shannon Fisher from Minnesota State University in Mankato.

The workshop will run until 4:00 at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

A snowy Weekend being Forecast

Environment Canada is issueing a special weather statement for much of northwestern Ontario.

A low pressure system developing over the American rockies is forecast to track towards lake superior over the next couple of days.

An area of snow ahead of the low is expected to spread into northwestern ontario beginning early saturday.

Snow may be heavy at times with total amounts of 10 to 15 cm possible.

We will keep you posted on any new developments as they happen.

Community Foundation Donates One Million Dollars

A major milestone for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

The Foundation handed out its one millionth dollar at a granting ceremony last night.

The Hockey For Health Hockey tournament received a 25 hundred dollar cheque, putting the foundation over the million dollar mark.

Jess Rheault received the grant on behalf of the tournament and says she was excited to be part of the event.

A total of 63 thousand dollars was handed out last night during the granting ceremony.

Kenora to Become A Smart and Caring Community

A campaign is being launched to create community foundations in every town and city across Canada.

Community Foundations Canada says its goal is to have foundations set up everywhere by 2017.

Ian Bird is president and CEO of the CFC and says this is a legacy project to celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday.

Bird is in Kenora to launch the Smart and Caring Community Campaign.

Rainy River Resources Holding Open Houses

Another open house today on Rainy River Resources gold project south of Kenora.


It happens this afternoon in Emo.

Last night, the company held an open house in Nestor Falls.

Company vice-president Kyle Stanfield says it gives residents a change to learn more about the project and the environmental assessments now underway.

MNR Working on New Fishing Regulations

Changes are in the works for local anglers.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is working on a new Fisheries Management plan for northwestern Ontario.

While there are some new regulations being proposed, lead Biologist Brian Jackson says things won't be set in stone for a while.

Jackson says they plan on having a final plan by spring of next year, and any final changes would come in effect by January 2014.

Obesity new Health Care target

Being overweight isn't being taken too "lightly".

As a way to battle the obesity epidemic, the Ontario Medical Association is considering putting graphic images on junk food packaging, simillar to those on cigarettes.

Julie Slack is a registered dietician with the Northwestern Health Unit says little steps can be taken on the local level, by choosing healthier food and exercising more. 

Slack adds that we are in a time where families are busier, and fast food becomes an often choice.

Province Offers Help to Wawa

The Community of Wawa is receiving word from the province that it is eligible to receive funds from the Province's Disaster Relief Fund.

Part of the Trans-Canada Highway were washed out two weeks ago thanks to a monstrous rainstorm that made its way through the area.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Bob Chiarelli toured the area yesterday and says a price tag for the damage is still far away.

Chiarelli toured the flodd damaged area with Mayor Linda Nowicki and promptly offered the province's help.

Saints Boys win NorWOSSA Gold

A golden day for Thomas Aquinas volleyball teams.

The Saints boys won two NorWOSSA championships yesterday.

The Senior boys overpowered Sioux Lookout in three straight sets.

Despite the win, coach Bob Kowal feels they can play better

In the junior boys final the Saints were down 2 sets to 1 but rallied back to win in a desicive 5th set.

Thomas Aquinas senior boys will play host to the NWOSSA finals next week.

Meanwhile, it was different story on the basketball court, where Rainy River dominated the girls finals.

The Owls junior girl got by T.A. 28-13, while the Rainy River senior squad held on for a close 34-31 victory.

Today, NorWOSSA play-off action moves to Beaver Brae for the double "a" finals.

Obama wins Re-election

A triumphant U-S President Barack Obama looked ahead to another divided Congress and told supporters problems stir controversy but the arguments are a mark of liberty.

Obama accepted victory this morning in Chicago, telling supporters the ``best is yet to come.''

The next four years could be a tall order.

Among Obama's challenges: slowing global growth, U-S companies still too anxious to expand much and improving an economy burdened by high unemployment.

Murray Offers Support to Northwestern Ontario

A Champion for the North.

That's the promise from Glen Murray as he launches his campaign to lead the provincial government.

Murray feels this region needs a bigger say at Queen's Park.

Murray adds he feels Southern Ontario has given Northwestern Ontario a raw deal for far too long.

He's one of two candidates in the running to replace Dalton McGuinty as premier of Ontario. 

Planning Starts for 2013 Winter Carnival

Back by popular demand: the Kenora Winter Carnival.

Organizers met for the first time yesterday to start putting together plans for 2013.

Mark Duggan is Kenora's acting special events co-ordinator and says  the Harborfront will be the focal point once again for the March festival.

Events such as the Friday night fireworks, the Great Canadian Canoe Race and lumberjack games will also be brought back, along with the skating rink under the White Cap Pavillion.

Flu Vaccine Cleared for Use by Health Unit

All is back to normal regarding flu shots within the Northwestern Health Unit.

Health Canada has lifted the temporary suspension on distribution and use of two flu vaccine products.

Manager of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says it all started with some white flakes in the product.

The problem started in Europe, so Health Canada decided to hold on and make sure everything was okay before distributing the vaccine.