Wynne Hosts Northern Media in Conference Call

Premier-designate Kathleen Wynne is promising to set up a northern Cabinet Committee after she is sworn in.  

Wynne says it's purpose would be to have ministers across goverments to look at the policies, issues and decisions though a northern lens.

Wynne held a conference call with northern media yesterday taking questions ranging from the forest industry to mining to the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kenora.

Wynne is also promising to have a meeting of the full cabinet in northern Ontario within a month after she is sworn in.

Forensic Evidence Presented At Murder Trial

Some graphic evidence has been presented at the second degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall.

Some of the crime scene photos of Ed Wilson's body were presented to the jury today.

Wilson was run over by a CP train around 3:30 on the morning of March 21st, 2009.

The photos shows the dismembered head and left arm of the victim lying beside the train tracks in Norman.

About 17 meters to the west, his right forearm and hand were located.

Constable Marc Sharpe was one of three forensic identification officers on the scene that day and says they found a number of areas where Wilson's blood was found, both on a trail leading up to the train tracks and on A Street West.

Sharpe says the only other blood they found in the area belonged to Kenneth Ivall.

DNA tests found his blood in an area about 44 meters west of the Tower Motel, and also directly in front and to the side of the front entrance of the building.

The crown estimates that it will be able to present the balance of its evidence over the next two weeks.

MPAC Hammers Dryden's Assessment of Domtar

A major blow for the City of Dryden.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has reassessed the value of Domtar's operations in Dryden and the new figure has come in at 14-million dollars.

That's a 72-percent drop in assessed value from the previous 50-million.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says they will have to go back to the drawing board with the 2013 municipal budget.

The city had been hoping for an assessment in the range of 36-million dollars.

Attawapiskat Blockade DeBeers Ice Road

De Beers Canada says a group of residents in Attawapiskat are blockading an ice road used to move heavy equipment and supplies to its Victor diamond mine.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has called a band council meeting for tomorrow to discuss a blockade of the winter road.

De Beers and Attawapiskat band officials met with the blockaders yesterday afternoon.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network says one of the band officials involved in talks is Danny Metatawabin, who was Spence's spokesman during her recent hunger protest in Ottawa.

De Beers spokesman Tom Ormsby says the blockade has not yet impacted the mine's operations, but has forced De Beers to cease operations on the road.

Some officials in Attawapiskat believe the blockade was launched over specific and personal reasons, primarily over things like employment.

Kenora Continues to Excel At Organ Donation

Forty-three percent of Kenora residents are registered organ donors.

The Trillium Gift of Life Network says last year, there were one thousand-fifty-three organ transplants, which is an 11 per cent increase from 2011.

President and CEO Ronnie Gavsie says you can donate organs, even when you're alive.

On the larger scale, only 22 per cent of Ontario residents are donors.
Visit beadonor.ca to register.

Count Down to Kenora Winter Carnival Is On

Showing your colors and promoting local charities.

The Winter Carnival Charity Challenge is starting to heat up.

Special Events coordinator Mark Duggan says there is some incentive to wear all 4 charity buttons.

Charity buttons are on sale at multiple locations throughout the city.

Locations will soon be posted on the winter carnival website.

Red Lake Wins Drive Away Hunger Challenge

The Red Lake BDO office now has a fancy new trophy to display.

The employees were presented with the BDO Cup for their participation in the Drive Away Hunger Campaign.

Ken Ficocelli from BDO says this is the first year of the cup and that the trophy resembles a well known professional championship.

Red Lake collected over 4400 pounds of food per employee that all stays within their local foodbank.

Broncos lose to Eagles

Beaver Brae's boys hockey team has fallen to 5-3 on the season.

The Broncos were edged 3-1 last night by the Dryden Eagles at the
Thistle Rink.

The Eagles are undefeated since the high school hockey season resumed
in the new year.

Beaver Brae's next game is at home against the Sioux Lookout Warriors next
Monday.

Ministry of Labor Looking Into Couchiching Fatal

The Ministry of Labour has issued two orders in connection with that fatal accident at Couchiching First Nation last week.

A 61-year-old woman died Wednesday after being struck by a truck that was plowing snow around the Health Access Centre.

The Ministry says the truck was going in reverse at the time.

No charges have been laid

But Ministry spokesperson Matt Blejar says both the contractor, Tom Veert Contracting and the Centre, have been instructed to come up with plans that protect people from the hazards of vehicles operating in reverse.

Union Gas Provides Winter Warmth Program

Low-income families can get some help paying their natural gas bills.

Union Gas is kicking off their Winter Warmth program.

Andrea Stass says the program offers up to 5-hundred dollars to low-income families.

Stass says families and individuals who might qualify for the program in Kenora can apply through the Thunder Bay Social Planning Council.

More program information is available online at union gas.com.

Federal Liberal Candidate Visits Kenora

Building Canada's skilled labor force.

That's a priority of federal Liberal leadership hopeful David Bertschi.

Bertschi was in town yesterday and says it's important to open up trade positions to keep up with the growing mining industry in Northwestern Ontario.

Bertschi says other industries are already bringing workers in from over seas to work in some trades that are seeing a lack of qualified workers in Canada.

OPP Investigate Death of 23 Year old Woman

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service have asked the O.P.P to investigate a suspicious death.

Police say that a 23-year-old female from Kasabonika Lake First Nation had died on Friday while in police custody.

No other details are available at this time.

Week of Action Against Poverty Launched

It's no ordinary book of advice.

Making Kenora Home is hosting a book launch during the Week of Action Against Poverty.

And Nan Normand says there is one major difference about the advice offered in the booklet.

She says its written by people on a limited budget and gives suggestions on how to live frugally.

Along with the book launch Making Kenora Home is also holding a flash song and the annual poverty challenge.

More information is available at:  makingkenorahome.ca.

A Strong Showing for the Sharks in Thunder Bay

 A good outing for the Kenora Sharks Swim Club.

The Sharks placed second overall at the Northwestern Ontario Regional
Championships in Thunder Bay over the weekend.

Despite their second place showing, the Sharks were actually named the
Best Performing Team at the swim meet.

Six of its members earned the highest point score for their age group.

Transport Driver Charged After 2 Vehicle Collision

One transport driver is being charged with failing to drive in a marked lane.

Ontario Provincial Police were forced to shut down Highway 17 west of Marathon last night around 10:30.

One big rig failed to make the turn at the end of a steep hill and overturned, while another following behind was unable to avoid a collision and wound up striking the first transport and ending up in the ditch.

Two people were transported to hospital, treated and released.

O.P.P. had to call the Ministry of Environment after diesel fuel from one of the big rigs was leaking into a nearby creek.

O.P.P Investigate Break and Enter

Kenora O.P.P are investigating a break and enter into a residence on the Jones road.

The incident happened on Friday between 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

The suspects were able to steal a 36" Sony TV, a Play Station 2, a Nintendo Wii, and a Nintendo DS.

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the O.P.P or Crimestoppers.

Duchesne Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

A dramatic turn in the second degree murder trial of Angela Duchesne and Kenneth Ivall.

Angela Duchesne has pleaded guilty manslaughter in connection to the
death of Ed Wilson behind the Tower Motel on March 21st, 2009.

That revelation was made to the jury this morning, after they were brought back after a week off.

Justice Terrance Platana says Duchesne pleaded not guilty to a second degree murder charge on January 28th, but guilty to a charge of manslaughter that same days.

Her plea comes just days after her lawyer David Gibson had to remove himself from the case, because he had been appointed an Ontario Court judge.

The details of her actual plea agreement remain under a publication ban.

Justice Platana made it clear to the jury that Duchense guilty plea to manslaughter has no bearing on the case that continues before the court.

Kenneth Ivall remains on trial in connection to Ed Wilson's death.

The trial resumed this morning and will run for at least another four to five weeks at the Kenora Court House.

Elliott Seeks Top Job in OSSTF

A northwestern Ontario High School teacher is looking to become the new head of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.

Paul Elliott of Fort Frances, who's currently on a leave of absence, has been a vice-president for the past four years.

Elliott feels he's got the skills to shape new relations with the province.

Elections will be held at Federation's annual convention in March.

Jury Returns in Second Degree Murder Trial

The jury will be back this morning at the second degree murder trial
taking place at the Kenora Court House.

The Jury was dismissed last week while the judge and the lawyers involved
in the trial Angela Duchesne and Kenneth Ivall continued to meet.

The trial was thrown off-course by the announcement that Duchesne's lawyer, David Gibson has been named an Ontario Court judge.

Duchesne has since found new legal representation and a decision will
be made as to how to proceed with the trial.

Justice Terrance Platana indicated last week, that he felt the trial could
stick to its original eight week timeline initially laid out by the crown and the defense.

OPP Offers Tips for Staying Warm in Cold Weather

Looking cool or staying warm.

That is a question being asked by the Kenora O.P.P after a recent cold wether spell hit the city.

Constable Dave Cain wants to remind people that looking cool is one thing but it's not worth risking frost-bite and hypothermia.

Cain also wants to remind people who take in outdoor activities such as snowmobiling or skating to dress for the day and to keep your skin covered.