Guilty Verdict Delivered at Murder Trial

The verdict has been delivered in the 2nd degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall.

The jury found that Ivall was guilty in the beating death of Ed Wilson in the early morning hours of March 21, 2009.

Defense Lawyer Chris Watkins says they accept the verdict as the the jury has done a professional job during the over 6 week trial.

Watkins is advising Ivall to appeal the decision, which he says is a standard procedure in a case of this caliber.

Justice Terrence Platana will hand down his sentencing on June 14th after a pre-sentencing report is completed.

Ivall faces life in prison.

Jury continues to Deliberate in Ivall Trial

The jury in the second degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall will resume their
deliberations this morning.

The jury was sequested yesterday afternoon after hearing a long series of closing instructions from Justice Terrance Platana.

He spent almost three and a half hours going over the charge.

Justice Platana told the jury they have three options when it comes to
a verdict for Ken Ivall.

He can be either found guilty or not guilty of second degree murder, and
he also offered up the option of a guilty verdict of manslaughter.

He also says if the crown did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
Ken Ivall killed Ed Wilson the early morning hours of March 21st, 2009,
they would have to find him not guilty.

Justice Platana did indicate that the jury would have to be unanimous in
its decision.

Murray Supportive of Funding for Kenora's Bridges

It's starting to look like the city of Kenora will get some provincial help to repair the Winnipeg River West Branch Bridge.

New Infrastructure and Transportation minister Glen Murray says the city has presented a very good argument for funding.

The city made their presentations this week at the Ontario Good Roads Conference in Toronto.

Murray says he also engaged in very positive meetings with the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association about aging bridges and the twinning of Highway 17.

OFIA Paints Rosy Picture of Forest Industry

The Ontario Forest Industries Association is feeling bullish heading into
its annual general meeting.

The OFIA will be introducing three new members today, all from northwestern
Ontario.

Jamie Lim is president of the OFIA and says things are really starting to
look up for the forest sector.

Kenora Forest Products, Manitou Forest Products and AV Terrace Bay are
the newest members of the OFIA.

Lim adds that they are also looking forward to meeting with the new Natural Resources
Minister David Orazietti.

Campbell Looking for Budget Goodies

The N-D-P are looking to keep the government alive in hopes of having their demands met in the provincial budget.

Kenora MPP Sarah Campbell says one important demand is youth employment.

Other demands include a 5 day home care guarantee, and changes to Ontario Works and Disability program.


Campbell says their demands come out of consultations with constituents across the province.

More Complaints about Snow Clearing

Complaints about winter road maintenance of northern Ontario highways have reached Queen's Park.

NDP critic Gilles Bisson told the legislature yesterday the condition of many roads is atrocious.


 Progressive Conservative Vic Fedeli, a former mayor of North Bay, says he's worried highway clearing standards are not being met.


Transportation Minister Glen Murray says the province's standards for clearing snow off highways have not changed and are being met.

Saints Tie Muskies in Game One of Northland Cup

The Northland Cup boys hockey final has become a one game showdown.

Last night the Thomas Aquinas Saints played to a 4-4 draw against Fort Frances in game one of the two game total goal championships series.

Justis Kennedy scored the game winner with less than a minute on the
clock.  Dan Thomson added a pair of goals for the Saints.

That sets up a second and deciding game Friday night in Fort Frances.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae Girls hockey team will travel to Fort Frances tonight
to face the Muskies in game one of their Northland Cup final.

The Muskies advanced by beating Dryden Monday night.

Recommended Changes to Jury Rolls

A report on getting more First Nations involved in provincial juries is out.

Former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Frank Iacobucci released his report in Thunder Bay this morning.

Iacobucci says the first step is establishing an implementation committee with First Nation membership.

Other recommendations include considering a procedure where on-reserve residents could volunteer for jury duty and creating an Assistant Deputy Attorney General responsible for aboriginal issues such as implementing the recommendations in the report.

Boil Water Advisory in Place

The water is back on, but the city of Kenora says several businesses in
the downtown area shouldn't drink from the tap.

A boil water advisory has been issued for Shoppers Drug Mart, the Bannister Center and the Blue Heron.

The advisory was issued yesterday afternoon following a water main break on First Avenue South.

Water was finally restored shortly before 5:00 yesterday afternoon, but the boil water advisory is expected to remain in place for at least the next two days.

Second Degree Murder Trial Coming to and End

The second degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall could come to an end
soon.

Today, the jury will begin its deliberations.

Justice Terrance Platana will be making his final charge to the jury this
morning.

He's been working on his final instructions for the past couple of days.

Ivall's trial has been going on for the past eight weeks at the Kenora Court
House.

He's been charged in connection to the beating death of Ed Wilson on
March 21st, 2009.

Ivall's co-accused, Angela Duchesne has already pled guilty to the lesser
charge of manslaughter.

Federal Ridings to Remain Status Quo in NWO

No changes to the federal ridings of Kenora and Thunder Bay-Rainy River are being recommended in the final report of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission.

The report was tabled in the House of Commons yesterday.

The Commission had proposed moving Lake of the Woods township from Thunder Bay-Rainy River to Kenora.

But its report, the Commission states that after public hearings, it's assumption the area had stronger ties to Kenora than Thunder Bay or Fort Frances was mistaken.

NOMA Pleased with Meetings At ROMA/OGRA

The president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is pleased with how the Good Roads Conference is going.

Ron Nelson, along with other officials in the region, are in Toronto to meet with the provincial government and discuss issues being faced in the North.

Nelson says they had the privilege to meet with Kathleen Wynne yesterday morning, and describes the meeting as very positive.

Nelson says they will be meeting with Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak yesterday afternoon and NDP Leader Andrea Horvath later today.

The conference goes until Wednesday.

OHA Concerned with Health Cuts

Hospitals in Northwestern Ontario are among many in the province that will be affected by recent cuts
The provincial government is cutting health spending by more than three-billion-dollars.

Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, Natalie Mehra, says the region will no doubt see changes.

Mehra says hospitals in northwestern Ontario have already seen a huge decrease in long term care beds.
To protest this action, the coalition has declared March 4th as a day of action.

Report on Jury Rolls to Be Released Today

A former Supreme Court of Canada justice today delivers a report on whether on-reserve aboriginals have been systematically excluded from Ontario's juries.

First Nations leaders hope Frank Iacobucci comes up with recommendations to fix a broken system.
   
Alvin Fiddler, Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, says aboriginals have known for years the problem needed to be dealt with.
 
Fiddler says native accused seldom see a member of their own
community on the jury.
 

Saints host Game One of Northland Cup Final

The finals of the Northland Cup high school hockey championships begin
tonight.

The Thomas Aquinas Saints will host the Fort Frances Muskies in a
home and home total goal series.

Game one is tonight at 7:30 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's girls team will play the winner of last night's
game between Dryden and Fort Frances.

Rock and Roll Beach Party a Success

The Rotary Club's Rock and Roll Beach Party has helped raise some much needed funds for polio.

The Beach Party was held at the Ballroom Blitz on Friday and raised about 240 dollars.

A spokesperson for Rotary says combined with matching contributions from the government, the money will allow over 100 polio vaccinations.

The fundraising will continue until the end of March.

2 People Charged for Drug Possession

Dryden O.P.P have charged two people following a search warrant at a home in Wainwright Township.

Provincial Police, along with members of the Kenora detachment and Dryden Police Service found drugs in the home, and have charged 22-year-old Kelsie Kelly and 24-year-old Derek Palermo.

The charges include unauthorized possession of a prohibited device and possession of marijuana, oxycodone and cocaine.

Police say the two have been released from custody on a Promise to Appear, and have a court date of March 25.

Boil Water Advisory on First Avenue South

Their is a boil water advisory in affect for the Blue Heron, the Banister Centre, and Shoppers Drug Mart.

The advisory was issued as a result of an early morning water main break on First Avenue South.

Anyone using water from these locations for consumption is advised to boil water for at least a minute.

Consumption includes brushing teeth, adding to food, washing fruits and vegetables, and making ice cubes.

The advisory will remain in affect until further notice.

Northern Ontario Cabinet Meeting Scheduled

The new Ontario government has selected Sault Ste. Marie to be the location of their cabinet meeting on March 1st.

Outlined in the Throne Speech, the government says they will discuss issues in Northern Ontario, including transportation needs for the Ring of Fire.

In addition, the government will focus on employment opportunities for young people and Aboriginal communities.

Water Main Break Closes Road

A water main break has forced a detour this morning for some
motorists.

About a foot of water has pooled in the middle of a section of
1st Avenue South this morning in front of the Bannister Center.

City work crews has blocked off the section of road from Consumer
Frosted Foods and the Safeway intersection.

No word as to when the street might be re-opened again.