Awards Presented to Members of Treaty 3 Police Service

13 members of the Treaty 3 Police Service were honored today during a ceremony at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Diamond Jubilee Medals were presented to Constable Justin Booth, Constable Mitchell Boulette, Retired Chief of Police Brian Rupert, and Mr. Joe Red Thunderboy (posthumously).

Long Service Medals were presented to Constable Melvin Blackhawk, Constable Kenneth Gardner, Sergeant David Skead, Sergeant Joseph Pahpasay, Sergeant Fred Jack, and Staff Sergeant Richard Darling.

OPP Commissioner's Letter of Appreciation awards were presented to Constable Lana-Rae Ponton, Constable Patricia McKay, and Detective Constable Scott Phillips.

OPP Investigate Break-ins

The OPP is investigating a rash of break-ins to camps on
Lake of the Woods.

Over the weekend, police say they investigated several break and
enters in the Holmstrom's Marsh area.

The OPP says while the break-ins have been reported over the past few
days, it appears the incidents took place over the past few weeks.

At this point, police say they don't know what property might have been
stolen.

Anyone with information about these break-ins is asked to contact the
OPP or Crimestoppers.

Rickford Heads back to Parliament Hill

It's time to get back to work.

The House of Commons returned from its Christmas break today, and the MP of the Kenora riding says they will begin to tackle a number of issues.

Greg Rickford says one of their priorities stems from talks between the Prime Minister and First Nations Leaders.

Rickford adds another big ticket item is the Ring of Fire.

Parts of Northwestern Ontario Get Blasted by Snow

Environment Canada has issued a weather statement for areas
in the eastern part of northwestern Ontario.

A snowfall warning remains in place in Ignace.

Up to 15 to 20 centimetres of snow may fall by lunch time.

Communities east of Ignace are in the middle of a winter storm.

Thunder Bay is expecting heavy wet snow mixed with ice pellets and travel on the Trans-Canada and other highways could be treacherous.

Kenora Resident New Head of Health Unit Board

A Fort Frances councillor is no longer chair of the Northwestern Health Unit Board of directors.

John Albanese has opted not to seek another term.

He's been the chair for the past eight years

Julie Roy of Kenora takes over the position.

Albanese remains as a board member.

Murder Trial Delayed for Another Week

The second degree murder trial of Angela Duchesne and Kenneth Ivall has
been delayed for another week.

The Jury was called yesterday morning and then quickly dismissed.

Justice Terrance Platana says the appointment of David Gibson as an
Ontario Court Judge continues to present some issues in the trial.

Gibson was Angela Duchesne's lawyer and she has since obtain new
legal counsel.

But Justice Platana says counsel will need a larger opportunity to examine
their position to ensure the trial will resume fairly.

He says the crown and the prosecution will continue to meet this week, working in the jury's absence.

The jury has been asked to return to the Kenora Court House next Monday
morning.

Local Liberals Pleased with Wynne's Selection

The president of the Kenora-Rainy River Liberal Riding Association says the selection of Kathleen Wynne as Ontario's next premier could bode well for northwestern Ontario.

Anthony Leek says Wynne took great interest in the riding even before the conference.

He supported her in her leadership bid as well.

Leek noted Wynne's interest in the northwest was well-documented with her mention of the Rainy River district in her weekend speeches.

Conference Board Predicts Big Things for Mining

A report by the Conference Board of Canada predicts mining production from Canada's North will nearly double by 2020.

However, the report says a lack of transportation, energy and other infrastructure are biggest obstacles to northern mining development.

The Conference Board forecasts mining output from the North will grow by 91 per cent from 2011 to 2020.
Northern Ontario's mining output will expand by 66-percent during that period.

An additional seven thousand northerners will be needed by 2020 to handle the increase in development.

Canfield Supports Beyak's Senate Appointment

It's time for the Federal government to listen to the concerns of Northwestern Ontario.

Especially now that Lynn Beyak, a resident of Dryden, is going to sit in the Senate of Canada.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield has never been a big fan of the senate, but suggests the appointment of a northwest residents should mean good things for the region.

Canfield says he is looking forward to contacting her on regional issues.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford Announces Funding

Kenora MP Greg Rickford presented city council with a funding proposal today.

The funding from FEDNOR is going towards replacing the roof of city hall and a wheelchair access ramp at the Kenora Rainy River District Child and Family Services group home.

Rickford says thet are offering 206 thousand dollars in funding.

City council held a special council meeting after the presentation to accept the funding proposal.

OPP Seeking Witnesses in Assault

The Kenora Detachment of the OPP is looking for witnesses of an
assault in the downtown area.

Police say the incident took place in the 200 block of Lakeview Drive
at around 6:30 last Thursday evening.

The OPP say two people were involved in the altercation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Campbell Expresses Reservations about new Premier

Kathleen Wynne has her work cut out for her.

Wynne was selected to lead the Ontario Liberal party over the
weekend and automatically becomes the province's next premier.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says its going to be important for
Wynne to reach out and work with the opposition at Queen's Park.


Campbell adds that Wynne has a lot of baggage from the McGuinty government as a
former cabinet minister and feels it will be hard to put a number of scandals that plagued the
party behind her.


Campbell is pleased that Wynne has agreed to bring the Legislature back
sooner than later.

The new session is slated to begin the third week of February.

Joe Morrison Receives Diamond Jubilee Medal

A fitting tribute to a Kenora elder.

Joseph Morrison, a former justice of the peace in Kenora, was presented a Diamond
Jubilee medal posthumously yesterday at the Lake of the Woods Museum.

Morrison's wife, Mary Alice Smith says it was special to be able to share the medal
with members of the family and friends.

During the ceremony, it was also announced that the Joseph Morrison Legacy fund had been
established through the Good Life For Young Peoples Foundation.

The Fund will be used to award and annual bursary to aboriginal students in the Kenora aarea.

Fishing Regs Changing for Border Waters

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking at a change to fishing regulations on its side of some lakes bordering Ontario.

Area Fisheries Supervisor Edie Everts says the proposal is to mirror them with the rules for their inland lakes.

Many of the lakes impacted border with Quetico Provincial Park.

Rainy Lake, which already has special regulations, is not effected.

Lynn Beyak Appointed to Senate

A Dryden resident has been appointed to the Canadian Senate.

On Friday Lynn Beyak was appointed as a senator of Canada to by the Prime Minister.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says it's a great thing for our region.

Beyak is the first Senator to respresent the Kenora Rainy River districts since 1985.

Midget Thistles score 3 of 4 Points

A strong weekend for the Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles.

The Thistles took three of a possible four points from the two top teams in the
league over the weekend.

Saturday afternoon, the Kenora Midgets dropped a 2-1 decision to the Winnipeg Wild in a shootout.

Friday night, the Thistles upended the Winnipeg Thrashers 4-2 at the Rec. Center.

The Thistles next game is against the Central Plains Capitals on February 2nd and 3rd at the Thistle Arena.

Senior Thistles Sweep Williston State

The Kenora Senior Thistles have put together a five game winning streak
as it prepares to host the Renwick Cup.

Over the weekend, the Thistles swept the Williston State Tetons in a pair of
games at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Yesterday, the Thistles doubled up the Tetons 4-2.

It was the same situation Saturday night at the Thistles got by Williston State
by the same 4-2 margin.

Extracurricular High School Sports Start Back Up

Extra-curricular activities resumed for local high school teams over the
weekend.

Beaver Brae hosted stage one of the Northland Cup for junior boys basketball.

Both the Broncos and Thomas Aquinas Saints registered a pair of wins.

Beaver Brae got by Atikokan 36-31, and then edged Fort Frances 29-21.

It was also a good outing for T.A. as the Saints beat Sioux Lookout 49-44 and
came back with a 44-31 win over Ignace.

Stage two of the Northland Cup will take place in Sioux Lookout.

Traffic Re-opens After Idle No More Flash Mob

The flash mob has dispensed and traffic is back to normal on Main street this afternoon.

Organizer of the flash mob Autumn Kakeway says she is happy with the turn out at the youth led Idle No More demonstration.

Kakeway adds that it's important for the younger generations to support the movement.

She says the Idle No More movement has to continue in order to protect the environment for all Canadians.

Local Liberal Says Anyone Can Win Leadership Convention

The president on the Kenora-Rainy River Riding Association is excited for the new premiere to be selected this weekend.

Anthony Leek is at the convention and says even though Sandra Pupatelo and Kathleen Wynne emerged as the pre-convention favorites at this point anyone can still win the delegate vote.

Leek says we will have a better idea of who the front runners after are the first round of voting.