Save ELA Releases new Video

The Coalition to Save the Experimental Lakes Area has released an online video.

It features interviews with members of the coalition, scientists and researchers.

It calls on the Harper government to stop it's "war on science".

The video was launched yesterday at a special luncheon in Winnipeg.

The federal government is currently in the process of finding a buyer for the 58 lakes between Kenora and Vermillion Bay.

Provincial Policy Statement Panned

The provincial government has drawn the ire of some northern Ontario municialities with its latest planning review.

The Provincial Policy Statement looks are where future development will be able to take place.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says the revised policy basically allows unlimited development in southern Ontario, while putting shackles on the north.

Canfield says ideally, northern municipalities should have more say where development can take place, rather than bureaucrats from Toronto.

November 23rd was the final day to make comment on the Policy Statement and Canfield is

hopeful provincial bureaucrats will pay attention to their concerns.

STR Prepares for another Sled Season

Sunset Trail Riders will have their trails open as soon as mother nature will let them.

Director Bruce McGregor says they are hard at work to get people on the trails.

This year the early bird cost for a trail permit is 210 dollars.

If you purchase a trail permit after December 1st, it increases to 260 dollars.

You can visit sunsettrail riders.ca for more information on the trails and to purchase your snow mobile permits.

Copenace Appointed to LHIN's Board

There is now a voice for the Kenora area on the board of the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

Tina Copenace from the Dalles First Nation has been appointed to the LHIN's for a three year term.

Her appointment was confirmed recently by Health Minister Deb Matthews.

Copenace will take over from Gary Phillips, whose term expired last week.

Deadline to Renew Outdoor Cards Approaching

The provincial government is Ontario is reminding anglers and hunters to renew their Outdoors Cards.

An Outdoors Card, along with a hunting or fishing licence tag, allows hunting or fishing in the province.

The card is valid for three years and all cards expire on the same date at the end of the three-year term -- December 31st.

Outdoors Cards can be renewed online, or in person at a Service Ontario centre or private issuer at a cost $9.68 for three years.

Bronco Hockey Teams Win Tuesday Night

Both of Beaver Brae's hockey teams were victorious last night.

The Bronco Girls upended Red Lake 7-3 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Kait Sparkman had a pair of goals to lead the offense, while Eve Charlebois scored the game winner midway through the third period.

The Broncos next game is against their cross-town rivals from Thomas Aquinas on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the Beaver Brae boys needed overtime and a shootout, but the managed to eke out a 3-2 win over the Dryden Eagles.

Jed Rattai had a goal in regulation and also scored the game winner in the shootout.

It was the Broncos second win of the season.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas Boys Hockey team suffered its first loss of the season.

The Saints were in Fort Frances last night and dropped a 2-0 decision to the Muskies.

NorWOSSA court sports

The second season of NorWOSSA court sports saw Thomas Aquinas start off on the right foot.

T.A. hosted Whitefish Bay Tuesday afternoon in junior boys basketball along with junior and senior girls volleyball.

The junior boys basketball team cruised to a 62-9 victory.

The junior girls volleyball team swept their game in 3 straight sets.

The TA senior girls volleyball also won in three straight set. 

The season continues tomorrow with all four Saints teams facing Rainy River.

Beaver Brae starts the double "A" season against Fort Francis next Wednesday.

Whitecap Pavillion Skating Rink Starting to Take Shape

Crews are starting to build the Whitecap Pavillion skating rink.

The work began today with the installation of the boards and the liner the ice will sit on.

Special events coordinator Mark Duggan says that flooding will begin later this week and the target of opening in mid-december is right on schedule.

Catholic Board Wins Award

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is showing off some new hardware.

The separate school board has received the Bette Stephenson Award from the Education Quality and Accountability Office.

The award recognizes the work of the board in its EQAO test scores and use of the data to improve their results.

Staff from Thomas Aquinas School and board administration were presented the award earlier this month.

Visitor Restrictions Lifted at Hospital

Visitors are once again being allowed into a couple of wards on the second and third floors of Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The hospital yesterday lifted its visitor restrictions on the Second East Ward and the Third floor ICU inpatient Unit.

Some staff and patients had been experiencing a gastro-intestinal illness.

But vice-president of patient care Kathy Dawe says there haven't been any new outbreaks in the past five days.

Dryden Man Faces Luring Charges

A 19 year old Dryden man is facing charges after he tried to lure a minor online.

Dryden Police say that the investigation invovles incidents from 2010 and 2011, which were recently reported.

The man is charged with contacting a person under 14 years old with regards to luring, and one count of invitation to sexual touching.

Local Elementary Teachers Could Take Job Action

Elementary teachers with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board could start a new job action next month.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario met with a conciliator earlier this month and a no-board report was issued on November 19th.

That's means that they could take jobs action as early as December 10th.

While new provincial legislation prevents any teacher strikes, the union is looking at its options.

Local president Anne Saltel says they will be meeting with their stewards on Friday to decide what actions they might take.

Canfield Not Sympathetic with Toronto Mayor

Mayor Dave Canfield says Kenora City Councillors won't make the same mistakes that Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has.

Ford was removed by a judge ruling over a conflict of interest case.

Canfield says city council is firm on following the rules.

Ford is appealing the decision that has removed him as Mayor and prevents him from running for 2 years.

Noront Committed to Ring of Fire Project

Noront Resources remains confident production of its Ring of Fire mining project in northern Ontario will begin on time.

President Wes Hanson says even though Cliffs Natural Resources has delayed the start up date for its own mining project by a year, Noront still has its sights set on starting production in 2016 or 2017.

While not mentioning a possible financial partner, Hanson said they're optimistic they can put together a package which will meet their start up target

Liberals to Hold One All-Candidates Forum in NWO

The Ontario Liberal Leadership debates will be making a stop in northwestern Ontario next month.

Thunder Bay Liberals will get their chance to ask questions to the candidates on Sunday, December 9th at 1 in the afternoon.

A location for the debate has yet to be selected.

NorWOSSA Second Season Begins Today

The second season in NorWOSSA Court sports begins today.

Thomas Aquinas will be playing host to Whitefish Bay today in junior boys basketball and junior and senior girls volleyball action.

Games begin at 11:00 this morning at the T.A. gym.

Tomorrow, Rainy River is in town and all four Saints teams will be playing.

The NorWOSSA Double A season begins next Wednesday with Beaver Brae playing host to Fort Frances.

Keewatin-Patricia DSB and OSSTF Hold Contract Talks

Two days of contract talks are scheduled this week between the public school board and its high school teachers.

Negotiators with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board are meeting today and tomorrow with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.

Union vice-president, Paul Elliott says this round of talks will determine whether teachers will take any job action this week.

The OSSTF also represents local occasional teachers, educational support staff as well as clerical, office and library workers.

OPP Lay Two More Impaired Driving Charges

Another weekend, another couple of impaired driving charges in the Kenora area.

The OPP say they stopped two vehicles in the Lakeside area.

In once case, the driver, a 35 year old Rat Portage man was not only charged with impaired driving, but also Uttering Threats causing bodily harm.

The OPP began its Festive RIDE program over the weekend to try curb the incidence of impaired driving over the holiday season.

Three Charged in McMunn Break-In

Three Winnipeg men have been arrested following a break-in to a gas station at McMunn on Highway 1 in Manitoba.

Falcon Lake RCMP say they were called to investigate an alarm at the McMunn Motor Inn around 4:00 Friday morning.

With help from an RCMP Canine Unit, three suspects were located.

Police say the men were aged 33, 31 and 21 year old and face several charges in connection to the break-in.

Treaty Three Concerned with Generic Oxy

Another First Nation Organization is weighing in on the federal government's decision to allow production of generic Oxycontin.

Harmony Redsky is a Health Policy Analyst with Treaty # 3 and says this decision will undo the work they have been carrying out to fight addictions to prescription pills.

Redsky adds that Treaty #3 will be bringing up their concerns with other first nations organization to try change the federal's government mind about licencing the generic drug.