O.P.P Re-open Highway 17 West of Kenroa

O.P.P have re-opened Highway 17 West of Kenora.

The highway was closed just before 12:00 do to multiple accidents int he area.

Constable Dave Cain is advising drivers to avoid highway travel if possible and to use caution on all area roads.

Fort Frances Looks at Town's Economic Future

The mayor of Fort Frances says his town is working diligently to minimize the impact felt by the indefinite idling of the kraft mill and a paper machine at Resolute Forest Products.

Roy Avis says it includes forming a council sub-committee that look at the town's economic future under his direction.

Avis says council's also had talks already with Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle; Northern Development Parliamentary Assistant Bill Mauro and company officials.

12 Days of Fire Safety

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department is counting down the 12 days of Christmas.

A new safety campaign is being launched, reminding local residents to be fire smart.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says each day of the campaign they will have a new safety tip.

Brinkman says a house fire last week in the Lakeside area is a good reminder to have your chimney inspected, and ensure its clear of any hazards like creosote build-up.

School Board Approves Lakewood Sale

The dream of turning Lakewood School into an adult education center is still alive.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board approved the sale of the elementary school to Seven Generations at last night's inaugural board meeting for 1.4 million dollars.

Director of Education, Jack McMaster says he's glad the sale is finally going through.

With the sale of Lakewood, the public school board officially rescinded the closure of Evergreen School.

Instead, Lakewood will close as an elementary school at the end of this school year.

One Day Walk-out by Elementary Teachers Over

Things should almost return back to normal today at local elementary schools.

Members of the EFTO within the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board gathered yesterday at the Government Building in Dryden to protest bill 115, which allows the government to impose a contract.

Local union president Anne Saltel says their message is loud and clear.

A number of students from the Dryden High School skipped class and  were also at the government building supporting the teachers.

Harbortown Biz Ice Rink Officially Opens

The Harbortown Biz Ice Rink recieved the approval of local residents today.

The rink was opened with an official snow spray of memebers of the development committee.

Councillor Sharon Smith laced up her skates and said "the rink is in great shape and brings back memories from her childhood."

The rink is now open 24/7 throughout the winter months.

Lake of the Woods Brewing Seeks Zoning Change

The beer could be flowing in the old Kenora Fire Hall in three months or less.

The owner of the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company is seeking a zoning change to allow brewing in the heritage building.

Taras Manzies updated city council on his plans this morning and says the good news is they don't need a permit from the Ministry of the Environment.

Manzies says his brewing equipment will be shipped from South Korea tomorrow and is expected to be in Kenora by the end of the month.

OPP Lay Trafficking Charges

A 50 year old Kenora man faces drug charges after being arrested in the downtown area.

The OPP say they noticed a man engaged in suspicious activity yesterday afternoon in Hennepen Lane.

He was taken to the Kenora Detachment and officers seized about 120 dollars in cash as well as eight morphine pills.

Kevin Billard has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

School Buses Operating Today

All school buses will be running as usual this morning despite the one-day walkout by elementary teachers.

The buses will be picking up secondary school students and also students who attend the catholic schools.

The Northwest Student Services Consortium says that bus schedules and timing may fluctuate due to the reduced numbers of riders, however drivers will do their best to maintain the regular schedule.

EFTO Holds One Day Strike In Kenora Today

Lights will remain off in elementary schools operated by the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board today.

A one-day strike is taking place today by members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario.

Local Union president, Ann Saltel says their members will be gathering in Dryden today for a mass rally.

The one-day strike is against Bill 115, which imposes contracts on the teachers, and is supposed to take away their right to strike.

The rally will take place from 11 till 2:00 this afternoon.

Canfield Optimistic Funding Coming For Bridge Repairs

A glimpse of daylight in the battle to get funding for Kenora's crumbling bridges.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield is optimistic a new 51 million dollar fund will be able to help the city pay for repairs to the Winnipeg River West Branch Bridge.

Canfield says there is funding set aside for emergency situations.

Canfield says the city is also applying for funding to begin Phase Three work on the Downtown Revitalization Project, which includes sewer and water replacement along 2nd Street South.

Liberal Leadership Hopefuls Gathering Support

Liberal leadership hopefuls have been picking up some support in northwestern Ontario.

Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle is throwing his support behind Sandra Pupatello.

Gravelle believes she will be a dynamic leader of the Liberals if elected.

Meanwhile, former Liberal leader Lyn McLeod has given her endorsement to Kathleen Wynne, who is also seen as a front-runner in the race to become Ontario's next Premier.

First Nations Rally in Protest of Bill C-45

Aboriginals across Northwestern Ontario rallied today against Bill C-45.

Rallies were held in Kenora outside MP Greg Rickfords office and in Dryden outside the Government buildings.

Onigaming Chief Norman Copenance spoke during the rally in Kenora, and says its time for chiefs to come together and stand up for their self governance.

While Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister says the government did not speak with First Nations about possible changes affecting their communities.

The Rallies were held in part of a national day of action names "Idle No More!"

Sioux Lookout Man Arrested on Prostitution Charges

A Sioux Lookout man has been charged with two counts of juvenile prostitution.

Last month, Provincial Police went to a home after receiving information that there illegal activities going on inside.

Police confirmed that prostitution was taking place, and all of the victims involved were under 18 years old.

Police say the accused is 30 year old Steven Robertson.

He remains in custody and will appear in court on Friday.

Kenora's First Electric Car Charging Station

Kenora now has it's first ever electric car charging station.

The station has been set up at the Best Western Lakeside Inn by Sun Country Highway.

Vice President Chris Misch says the project came together pretty quick.

Misch adds over 80 charging stations are being set up coast to coast along the Trans-Canada Highway to commemorate the highways 50th anniversary and create the world longest green highway.

Both OSSTF and EFTO Begin Job Actions This Week

Both elementary and secondary school teachers will begin their job action today.

Elementary teachers within the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board will be staging a one day strike tomorrow.

As a result, all elementary schools within the board will be closed.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says that it was a unanimous decision.

Elementary Schools will re-open on Wednesday.

Teachers Job Action to Affect NorWOSSA Leagues

The job action at the public school board is creating some confusion for parents at Kenora Catholic District School board.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says it will be business as usual at all their schools this week.

But she admits the job action is having an impact on their sports teams.

Eikre says the job actions will affect their high school sports teams, because the NorWOSSA season has been put on hold due to the withdrawal of the Secondary School Teachers from extra curricular activities.

Eikre adds that school buses will be running tomorrow, even though all elementary schools will be closed.

Rickford Impatient for Highway Twinning to Begin

The Ministry of Transportation is taking some heat for failing start work to twin the Trans-Canada highway west of Kenora.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says the project was ready to roll over a year ago.

He blames the province's inability to negotiate a deal with area first nations.

Rickford says the federal government is still committed to the project but he wants the province to confirm funding for twinning the entire length of highway from the Manitoba Border right to the City of Kenora.

Ontario Liberals Debate Northern Autonomy

Ontario's Liberal leadership hopefuls don't all agree on whether northern Ontario needs its own regional government.

Glen Murray wants full autonomy for the north so it can forge its own path. Speaking at the leadership debate in Thunder Bay, Murray says the north should make its own decisions.

But not everyone agrees. Kathleen Wynne is warning that it sounds like separation, and that's not where she wants to go.

Meanwhile, Gerard Kennedy told the audience more needs to be done for Aboriginal students.

Other topics of discussion included the Ring of Fire and Economic Development in Northern Ontario.

Hospitals to Study Non-Emergency Transfers

Area hospitals are going to study the management of non-emergency patient transfers.

Lake of the Woods District Hospital CEO Mark Balcaen says hospitals and services boards West of Thunder Bay are taking part in the study.

Belcaen adds the goal of the study is to find financial solutions for payment of the transfers after the Kenora District Services Board announced it will no longer fund the program.