KMTS Prosperity Trust Fund sees Slow Growth

Its been a tough year for investments.

The City has released the most recent results for its KMTS Citizan's Prosperity Fund.

The city's treasurer, Charlotte Edie reported to city council yesterday that they will be able to meet their target of three percent earnings on the Trust Fund this year, but admits its been a tougher year than last year.

The city's aim is to earn at least three percent on its investments and loans in order to generate at least 1.1 million dollars in revenue, to help offset taxes.

Thomas Aquinas wins first game At NWOSSA Finals

The Thomas Aquinas Saints are off to a quick start at the NWOSSA playoffs.

The team started the playoffs today against Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School from Thunder Bay.

The Saints dominated the match from the opening serve winning in straight sets.

TA plays again at 2:00 against Manitouwadge High School.

The finals will be played tomorrow morning at 10:00 with the winner moving on to the OFSAA playoffs.

Murray Brings Leadership Campaign North

A liberal leadership canidate has Northern Ontario on his mind.

Glen Murray is heading to Thunder Bay today to speak with party faithful about his plans for the North if elected premier.

Murray, who was minister of training,colleges and universities, says that the north "needs it's own voice."

His campaign is built on tax cuts for the middle class and small businesses, no-money-down college or university tuition, cities and towns that work, and a smart government that listens.

Stewardship Group Proposed for Laurenson's Creek

A group of concerned citizans living along Laurenson's Creek have indicated they would like to set up a Stewardship group.

The interest group would look at both the protection of the Laurenson Creek wetlands and navigation.

Councillor Sharon Smith feels the city should support their efforts.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the city just doesn't have the funds to support another community group financially, but says council can endorse their goals.

City Urged to Create Stanley Cup Replica

The campaign to create a giant replica of the Stanley Cup is being revived.

Bob McMillin made the pitch to city council this week, suggesting a fiberglass trophy be made to show off Kenora's hockey heritage.

McMillin says the concept has been kicked about for years, but feels the Stanley Cup Replica could be placed at the Discovery Center as a tourist attraction.

Castle of Learning Parents Reminded to Re-register

A reminder for parents with kids at the Castle of Learning Day care center.

You must re-register for the day care program before Firefly takes over in the new year.

Caryl Hron from the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says they are working with Firefly for a seemless transition for parents.

Hron says they will be continuing before and after school day care programs as well in the new year, once the city gives up the Castle of Learning.

Treaty Three Agrees to Work with Anishinabek Nation

Two First Nations organizations are working together to tackle some common issues.

The Grand Council Treaty 3 and Anishinabek Nation have formed a unity protocal, where they will look at child welfare, lands and resources, and protection of treaty and Aboriginal rights.

Treaty 3 spokesperson Dale Morrisseau says it makes sense that they would form this partnership.

A traditional ceremony was held last week.

Kenora Airport Receives Government Funding

The Kenora Airport is getting almost 99 thousand dollars for the federal government.

The funding was announced today to replace the Airfield Electrical Generator.

MP Greg Rickford says funding is essential to support the growth of the airport.

Rickford adds the government has provided around 1.3 million dollars to the airport in the last few years including a new snobblowing machine and a perimeter fence.

Doctors Reach Deal with the Province

Ontario's doctors are to vote next month on a tentative deal reached between the Ontario Medical Association and the cash-strapped provincial government.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the government reversed some earlier fee cuts that were supposed to save 340 million dollars a year to reach the agreement with the doctors.

The O.M.A., which had launched a court challenge of the fee cuts, says it's pleased the government agreed to reverse some of the cuts.

The Progressive Conservatives lashed out at the Liberals for not sticking to the announced fee cuts, and complained they can't ask questions about the deal in the legislature.

The New Democrats say the Liberals are sending the wrong message to other public sector workers who started negotiations with the government on a wage freeze yesterday.

Council Promises More Openess

Kenora City council is promising to be more open in the future.

Council has received a report from the Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator.

Mayor Dave Canfield says even though the complaint wasn't directed at this edition of council and there was no wrong-dorin the investigator did have some useful suggestions.

Former mayor Joyce Chevrier had asked the Closed Meeting investigator to look into the decision by the previous council to remove the covenant on Norman Park in an in-camera session.

Kenora's Mayor for the Day Completes Duties

Kenora's mayor for the day says she has a new appreciation for municipal workers.

Maya Boivin has wrapped her tour of duty as mayor.

She says she even found last nights two hour committee of the whole meeting interesting.

The grade 12 Thomas Aquinas student had a whirlwind tour of several of the city's facilities during yesterday's stint as Mayor for the Day.

ELA Being Sold?

The Coalition to save the ELA says the government is working to privatize the Experimental Lakes Area.

Coalition Director Diane Orihel says negotiations are underway to sell the ELA.

Orihel adds that the buyer does not want to be named during the negotiations.

In the meantime, she says the possible sale of the Experimental Lakes Area has scientists guessing about the future.

Coalition to save the ELA says the scientists working in the ELA have not be informed about any changes the sale might bring.

OPSEU Opens Talks with Province

The possible privatization of the some government services is on the table as the government employees union in Ontario begins contract talks with the province today.

Neil MacDonald represents workers in northwestern Ontario and says they want to make sure such services are protected.

MacDonald also hopes the needs of the north will be looked after during this round of bargaining,.

Kenora High School Hockey Teams Open Season with Wins

The NorWOSSA Hockey Season is now underway and it was a good start for all three Kenora high school teams in action last night.

Thomas Aquinas teams swept Sioux Lookout in their season openers.

The T.A. boys got by the Warriors 8-2 at the Kenora Rec. Center last night.

Tanner Kapera and Rory Keith had a pair of goals in the victory.

In Sioux Lookout, the Saints girls cruised to an 11-0 win over Queen Elizabeth High School.

Kylee Neniska, Lexi Williams, and Tess Derouard each finished the game with 2 goals and an assist.

The Beaver Brae Boys hockey team was in Red Lake and romped to an 8-1 win over Red Lake.

Easton Gautier scored a pair of goals for the Broncos in the victory.

T.A. Student Mayor for the Day

There will be a new face at the council table this afternoon.

Kenora's latest mayor for the day will preside over today's Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Maya Boivin is a student at Thomas Aquinas and feels job-shadowing the mayor is a great opportunity.

Boivin adds that she will also be taking a number of tours of city run facilities, including the Operations Building, the Waste Transfer Center and City Hall.

Two Killed in Collision on Highway 17 East

Two Kenora residents are dead as a result of a collision on Highway 17 east.

The OPP say the accident took place around 7:00 last night in the area of Little Joe Lake, about 50 kilometers east of town.

75 year old John Marsholok and 71 year old Irene Marshalok were killed in the crash.

Police say a 2003 Buick lost control and drove into the path of an on-coming Dodge Carvan.

The 60 year old driver of the Caravan was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment and later released.

The Trans-Canada was closed for several hours while the wreckage was cleared and OPP Technical Traffic Investigators looked into the cause of the crash.

Wabigoon Water Tops in NWO

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation has claimed first place in the 18th Annual Drinking Water Taste Test.

Water Plant Operator Marcel Shabaquay represented the community, who was presented with a trophy and an iPad 3.

Second place went to Red Lake and Fort Frances came in Third.

The water was judged on taste, colour, odour, and chlorine residue.

Campbell Welcomes Bone Bike to Queen's Park

A prop used by the Canadian comedy troupe Kids in the Hall now sits in the Queen's Park office of Sarah Campbell.

A gas-powered bike with fake bones, used in the 2010 series "Death Comes to Town," was given to the Kenora-Rainy River MPP after the Kids went looking for places to store it.

Campbell, a fan of the Kids, considers the Bike a piece of Canadian history.

Northwest Women's Business Awards this Week

Calling all female business owners.

The Enterprising Women Business Awards is being held this week in Thunder Bay.

PARO is behind the event and Spokesperson Stacia Kean says they want to inspire others to start their own company.

Paro is an organization that helps women become their own bosses.

The Awards Ceremony will take place November 15th.

Concern Raised about Methadone Programs

A social worker from Toronto says the overuse of Methadone is doing serious harm to First Nations people across Northwestern Ontario.

Bridget Perrier says the use of the drug, which helps addicts kick drugs like oxycontin, is only causing a more serious problems because it's simply transfering one addiction for another

Perrier claims doctors are over prescribing the drug and no one is supervising the patients.