Woman Survives Collision with Train

A close call for a 36 year old Kenora woman.

The OPP say two people were walking along the C.P. train
tracks last night around 7:00 near the intersection of
Railway Street and the 16th Avenue Rail Crossing.

One of the pedestrians was struck by a westbound train.

The woman was taken to Lake of the Woods District
Hospital with what police are describing as non-life
threatening injuries.

DSAB Looking at Budget Increase in 2013

Another potential hit to the pocketbook of local taxpayers.

The Kenora District Services Board is recommending a 2.2 percent increase in its budget in 2013.

The finance committee met last week and is asking for an additional 331 thousand dollars next year.

That will put the municipal share of the budget at just over 15.3 million dollars.

Spending, which includes funding from the province will be almost 37 million dollars.

Health Unit Confirms Flu in the Region

The Northwestern Health Unit is suggesting that anyone who hasn't received their flu shot do so.

There has been evidence of the flu in the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Manger of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says that some people experience gastrointestinal problems, and think it's the flu shot that's causing them.

Flu shots are still available at the Northwestern Health Unit and through your family doctor.

Council Swears in Youth Representitive

Kenora City Council has a new member.

A youth councillor has been sworn in this week.

Jarrod McLean was a member of the original youth council created last year.

McLean will sit in on council meetings and act a liason for local youth.

Council decided it might be more effective if local youth had their own voice at the council table, instead of having a separate committee of their own.

OPP to Launch RIDE Program this Weekend

The O.P.P plan to ramp up their festive RIDE campaign on Saturday in an effort to take impaired drivers off roads between now and the new year.

Provincial police say 61 people have died in alcohol-related collisions within O-P-P jurisdiction so far this year, that's up from 52 at the same time last year.

Last year, O-P-P officers charged 682 motorists with impaired driving and issued a warn range suspension to 583 drivers during the festive RIDE program.

Police suggest, if you're going to drink, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi,  or stay overnight.

Sweetgrass Film Festival this Weekend

A world premiere film will be shown during the Sweetgrass Film Festival.

Harmony Redsky with Grand Council Treay 3 says one of the films will feature residents from Northwestern Ontario.

The festival runs from November 23rd to November 27th.

More information is available by calling 548-4214 or 468-9095.

Saints in Belleville for OFSAA Volleyball

The All-Ontario Single "a" boys volleyball championships open this morning in Belleville.

The Thomas Aquinas Saints will be playing four round robin games today.

Coach Bob Kowal feels this team has a chance to medal this year.

The Saints play their first game at 8:00 this morning against King's Christian from Halton.

Midget Thistles Lose on the Road

Close but no cigar.

The Kenora Triple "a" Midgets came up just short in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Wild last night.

Brent Aiken had a goal and an assist and Eric Sinclair added a pair of assists for the Thistles.

In the shoootout, the Wild scored on both their opportunities while the Thistles missed on both of theirs.

Despite the loss, the Kenora Midgets earned a single point to solidify their hold on third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Thistles are back home Friday night to take on the Eastman selects.

Randy Nickle Seeks Nomination for PC party in Kenora-Rainy River

The Provincial Conservative party might have a new face representing the Kenora-Rainy River riding.

Randy Nickle has declared his intentions to get nominated for the next provincial election.

Nickle says his motivation is past failures by the other parties, and the ability for Northwestern Ontario to take advantage of it's Natural Resources.

The PC nomination vote for the Kenora-Rainy River riding takes place December 1st.

Ontario NDP Leader Launched New Health Survey

The Ontario N.D.P. want to hear your concerns about the healthcare system.

The party has launched a new survey aimed at finding solutions to health care in the province.

Party Leader Andrea Horwath says it's a major issue moving forward.

Horwath says she and her MPP's will be hosting a series of town hall meetings in the coming weeks across the province.

http://ontariondp.com/en/horwath-launches-consultation-on-improving-health-care-in-ontario

Resolute to Idle Fort Frances Mill

Resolute Forest Products says it intends to idle indefinitely the kraft mill and paper machine # 5 at its Fort Frances mill.

The company expects to curtail operations by the end of this month affecting nearly 240 employees.

Resolute blames the decision on market conditions, but is holding out the possibility of a restart at a later date.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis says company officials indicated they're studying potential uses of the number five paper machine that will take at least 12 to 18 months to complete.

Avis calls the news shocking and depressing.

Visitor Ban Expanded at Hospital

A visitor ban is being expanded at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Head of Patient Care Kathy Dawe says they've added the 3rd Flood ICU inpatient unit to the ban.

Earlier this week, the Second East Unit was closed to visitors due to a gastro-intestinal outbreak.

In the meantime, the Northwestern Health Unit says they have confirmed lab results that show the flu is now officially in the region.

While the community flu clinics have now wrapped up for the year, the Health Unit says you can still get the vaccine until the spring, but the earlier you get a flu shot the better.

Diabetes Workshop Today

The Northwestern Health Unit is celebrating Diabetes Awareness Month with a special Workshop this week.

The Diabetes Fair will take place today at the Jubilee Church.

Health Promoter, Megan Shewfelt says they want to give local residents some ideas on how to combat the disease.

The workshop is free of charge and will take place from 10 til 2:00 at the Jubilee Church on 1st Street South.

Gravelle Gets Support From Opposition

Michael Gravelle is getting some support in his battle against cancer from some unexpected quarters.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell has issued a statement wishing the Natural Resources Minister a speedy recovery.

Campbell says she's worked closely with Gravelle over the past year in her capacity as the NDP's Natural Resources Critic and hopes he can return to his cabinet duties quickly.

Gravelle announced yesterday that he was being treated for an agressive form of lymphoma.

NAN Raises Concerns About Generic Oxy

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation isn't happy with Health Canada's decision to allow manufacturers to create generic, less expensive OxyContin.

NAN feels the move is a blow to northern First Nations who are currently fighting a drug epidemic.

Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is urging the Health Minster to delay the decision until more research is done.

Festival of Trees Almost Ready

Christmas around the world.

That is the theme for this years annual festival of trees.

Linda Wideman is one of the organizers and says they have plenty of great events planned.

The Festival of Trees will run at the Lake of the Woods Museum from November 29th to December 1st

with Seniors Night next Thursday, followed by the Gala on November 30th, followed by family

day on Saturday. 

The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community

Foundation. 

Bronco Hockey Teams Split Against Fort Frances

A split for Beaver Brae's hockey teams.

The Bronco boys lost an 8-7 nail-biter to the Fort Frances Muskies last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Beaver Brae trailed 8-4 heading into the last period, but scored three unanswered goals in the final frame in a late come back attempt.

Easton Gauthier and Ryse Mandamin each had a pair of goals in a losing cause.

Meanwhile, the Bronco girls had an impressive outing on the Road, blanking Fort Frances 4-0 yesterday afternoon.

Becca Mahon earned the shutout for the Broncos.

It was an offensive showcase for the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team, as they romped to a 14-0 win over the Red Lake Rams.

Eric Davidson led all scorers with four goals, while Tanner Kapera recorded a hat trick.

Champion curlers offer clininc in Kenora

Two world class curlers are in Kenora today.

Reid Carruthers and Kaitlyn Lawes are at the Keewatin Curling Club offering curling clinics to registered curlers.

Carruthers said earlier in the day they had clinics with 15 curlers in grade 6 and the afternoon they hosted a clinic with 15 junior curlers.

Lawes mentioned that tonight they are also hosting an adult clinic this evening.

The pair were brought to Kenora as part of Curl Manitoba's Road Show.

Broncos and Saints Hockey Teams Back in Action

Both the Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas boys hockey teams are looking to continue their early winning ways tonight.

The Broncos play their first home game this evening when they take on the Fort Frances Muskies.

Game time is 7:30 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Meanwhile, the Saints boys hockey team is on the road tonight.

T.A. will travel to Red Lake to face the Rams.

Beaver Brae's girls team is also in action tonight.

 The Broncos head to Fort Frances to face the Muskies.

All three teams won their league openers last week. 

Kenora to Play Host to Renwick Cup

Kenora will be playing host to a couple of major regional hockey championships next spring.

The Telus Mid-West Regional Midget Championships will take place in early April and will be preceded by the Renwick Cup at the end of March.

Captain of the Kenora Senior Thistles, Sean Hughes says a victory in the Renwick Cup will send them back to the Allan Cup for the third straight year.

The organizing committee for the Renwick Cup is currently seeking corporate sponsors and has announced that REMR Roofing has come on as their title sponsor this year.