5 Men Fined by MNR

5 men have been fined by the Ministry of Natural Resources for illegally killing a bull moose near Lily Lake, West of Thunder Bay.

The MNR say that 5 men were fined $9,000 after conservation officers received a tip about a bull moose being shot.

The officers found the group of hunters near by where they denied any involvement.

However, ballistic evidence did prove their claims to be false.

The fines are for possession of an illegally killed bull moose, abandoning the flesh and allowing it to spoil, and obstructing an MNR officer.

Mining Exploration Companies Upset

Junior mining exploration companies in Northwestern Ontario have a bone to pick with MP Michael Gravelle.

They say government policies are stopping them from exploring for minerals and driving them out of the country.

The Minister of Natural Resources doesn't see the doom and gloom.

Gravelle believes the industry runs in cycles and that the companies realize the opportunities remain here.

Event Centre Committee Wants Public Opinion

The City of Kenora is researching what should be included in an events centre.

Mike Dietsch is the vice chair of the vice chair of the event centre committee and says the city has given them specific goals.

Dietsch says one big part of their discussions will be the twinning of the ice at the Rec Centre.

He adds the committee will hold a public meeting in mid-May.

Northern Bands Hockey Tournament in Dryden

There's something for everyone this week at the Dryden Memorial Arena.

24-teams from remote First Nations communities are competing in the Northern Bands Hockey Tournament.

Max Kakepetum is one of the organizers, and says everyone is invited to participate in the festivities.

Kakepetum says Dryden has been a great host.

MPAC Won't Appeal Dryden Mill Assessment

The ball is back in the City of Dryden's court regarding the on-going mill assessment issue.

Municipal Property Assessment Corporation President Antoni Wisniowski says they have no plans to appeal the 14-million dollar assessment of the Domtar Mill.

He notes he understands the impact on the community and will continue to work with Dryden officials to find a solution.

Revera Staff Join CEP

25 Revera employees are joining the Communication, Energy and Paper-workers Union.

CEP Spokesperson Marvin Pupeza says in a vote last week, 60 percent of the staff from Thunder Bay and Kenora voted in favor of joining the CEP.

Revera home health care provides service across Northwestern Ontario and the CEP already represents 40 personal support workers in the Dryden area.

OFL wants to hear from People in Northern Ontario

The Ontario Federation of Labour wants to hear from northerners.

The group is holding province-wide pre-budget consultations.

There are no stops in the Kenora District but Vice-President Irwin Nanda says they still want to hear from the "people".

The only northwestern Ontario stop was last Thursday in Thunder Bay.

Winter Fish Off This Saturday

The 10th annual Falcon Lake Winter Fish Off takes to the ice this Saturday.

Andrew Klassen with the event says their is plenty of opportunities to walk away a winner with over $90,000 in prize money.

Klassen says they are expecting 14-hundred people to compete in the fish off and tickets are still on sale.

Adult tickets are $70 while second hole and child tickets are $30.

Visit www.winterfishoff.com for more information.

Kenora Family Involved in Accident on Trans-Canada

A family from Kenora has been involved in an accident on Highway 1 near Steinbach, Manitoba.

R-C-M-P say the accident took place yesterday afternoon around 12:30 when a Westbound car turning off the highway collided with an SUV heading East.

the 45 year old Kenora woman driving the SUV and her 2 children were treated with non life-threatening injuries.

The male driver of the car has been airlifted to a Winnipeg Hospital and is listed in critical condition.

Police say that alcohol is not a factor in the collision and that they are continuing to investigate.

More Concerns Over Patient Transfers

The Lake of the Woods district hospital has brought up new concerns over ambulance transfers with the Kenora District Services Board.

The Hospital says that their staff faces the risk of being stranded in Winnipeg now that ambulances only wait for one hour before heading back to the district.

Director of EMS Andrew Tickner says the decision is based on the need of keeping response times down with having the ambulance available to the district.

Talks are on going between the Hospital and the KDSB.

Bob Rae Talks About Forest Industry

Federal Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae says there's still major challenges facing the forest sector.

Rae stresses the importance of getting the government involved in moving the industry forward.

He says that he wants more aboriginal gets involved in the industry.

Rae adds the Feds have also cut back on forestry research and notes more attention must be put on new products and product development.

Anthony Leek Supports Trudeau

The front runner in the federal Liberal leadership race has the support of some in northwestern Ontario.

Anthony Leek, president of the Kenora-Rainy River provincial Liberal Riding Association, believes Justin Trudeau has what the party and Canada needs.

The federal Liberals will select a new leader April 14th.

Post-Mortem Conducted After Incident at Norman Dam

Some more details have been released about the body that was recovered at the Norman Dam last week.

O.P.P confirmed that a male body was found and that a post-mortem was conducted at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The post-mortem did not discover the cause of death but has ruled out foul play in the death.

Police say they are hoping more answers will come from the the results of a toxicology report.

O.P.P say that they have not be able to identify the man but do not believe that he is from the Kenora area.

No Injuries in Oxdrift Fire

No one was injured in an overnight fire in Oxdrift on Sunday.

Last night, Oxdrift Firefighters responded to the blaze on Coates Road.

Captain Andrew Trudgen says the first responders found the home and garage to be completely engulfed.

Firefighters spent the next three-hours putting out the fire.

The cause is unknown at this time.

Local Agencies Form Aboriginal Training Alliance

Employment preparations are being made for the Ring of Fire.

Confederation College, Noront Resources and Matawa First Nations Employment and Training Services have developed an Aboriginal Training Alliance.

Program Manager Morris Wapoose says they hope to encourage more Aboriginal people to get involved in the mining sector.

The three groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will remain in place for a minimum of five-years.

City Set to Approve 2013 Budget

A decrease in the municipal tax rate is being used to combat the increased MPAC assessments in the city.

Councillor Ron Lunny says the city has worked hard in order to lower the municipal tax rate by 1 percent.

When the rate is combined with the education tax decrease it works out to a reduction of 1.41 percent.

However, Lunny says that because of the increase in MPAC assessments homeowners will see an increase in their taxes.

Lunny says the city has also included a 10 percent rate increase for sewer and water.

Health Unit Releases Drug Action Study

The Northwestern Health Unit has released the results of their Youth Action on Drugs Survey.

Over 2000 students from across the Kenora-Rainy River Districts participated in the study.

Health Promoter Saralyn Semeniuk says one major finding was that majority of them underestimate drug use among their peers.

Semeniuk says more then half of students reported that there aren't enough activities in the community that they can get involved in.

Bob Rae Visits Kenora and Dryden

Interim Federal Liberal Leader Bob Rae is in Kenora and Dryden today as he continues his northern tour.

Rae will start his day in Dryden at a luncheon for local Liberals at the Riverview Lodge at 1 o'clock.

He will then tour the Dryden Native Friendship Centre at 2 o'clock.

Later this afternoon he will be in Kenora for the "Thanks a Million, Bob" fundraiser and reception.

Rae is in the last stretch of his term as the Liberal interim leader.

The party's new leader will be chosen in April.

Impaired Driving Charges in Kenora

Impaired driving continues to be an ongoing issue in the city.

O.P.P say 2 people were charged in separate incidents in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police say 42 year old Hassan Mohamed of Kenora was charged with exceeding the legal limit, while 50 year old Dennis Halverson of Rat Portage was charged with impaired driving.

Both will answer to the charges on April 11.

MNR Issue Fines for Fishing Violations

A Winnipeg man has been fined for fishing violations on Shoal Lake.

In court last week, the Ministry of Natural Resources say they found Ryan Jeron Smith using live bait which is prohibited on the lake, and that he was in possession of a walleye which is in a closed season.

Smith was also found to be fishing without a licence.

The MNR has fined Smith a total of 950 dollars.