Big Drug Bust by Kenora OPP

A 26 year old from Pickering is facing numerous possession charges in Kenora.

Kenora OPP say they stopped a vehicle driven by Bulchan Sukhedo yesterday for speeding.

During the stop police found 7 kilograms of cocaine, cell phones, and money inside the vehicle.

Opp say the street value is $750,000.

Sukhedo has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

Health Unit Talks About Immunization Week

It's time to roll up your sleeves as a part of Immunization Awareness Week.

Judy Hovi is a nurse with the Northwestern Health Unit, and says it's important that children receive all of their vaccinations.

Hovi recommends that adults need to keep to up to date with tetanus and diphtheria shots every 10-years.

Northern Leaders to Meet with Finance Minister

Several municipal leaders will bend the ear of the province next week regarding the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

They're concerned with how MPAC has greatly reduced the assessment of pulp and paper mills.

Fort Frances Councillor Ken Perry says it's an issue that growing.

Meanwahile Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis is joining with other mayors for a meeting in Toronto on Monday with the province's Deputy Finance Minister

Resolute Temporarily Stops Production in Thunder Bay

There's time off coming for some workers at Resolute Forest Products in Thunder Bay.  

Marvin Pupeza of the Paperworkers Union says the newsprint operations are down for two weeks because he says there is too much paper on the market and hopes it's not part of a bigger plan

About 100 workers are affected by the shutdown.

Earth Day Walk-A-Bout In Kenora

A group of Kenora residents are showing their support for Earth Day and climate change this year.

Ashley Bennett organized a walk-about that took place yesterday in an effort to raise awareness
 on environmental issues.

Bennett talked about how climate change can affect people around the world.

Bennett says that we must come together as a community to sustain a healthy future for the planet.

Hockey for Health Exceeds Fundraising Goal

The 5th Annual Hockey for Health Tournament is a roaring success.

Organizer Dean Caron says he has been blown away by the support, as they surpassed their fundraising goal by 11 thousand dollars.

Caron says everything was simply amazing.

Caron congratulated the community after the final game.

A total of over $66,000 was raised.

The money is all in support of the District Hospital Foundation, twinning the ice at the Rec Centre, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Treaty 3 Happy with Health Funding

Aboriginal Health Access Centres in Kenora are having a positive affect on the aboriginal community.

Treaty 3 Grand Chief Warren White says the centres are very welcoming to aboriginal people who practice traditional medicine.

White added that  the centres benefit elders who prefer to stay in their communities to receive health care.

Last Week Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer Announced over $2.3 million in funding to the Aboriginal Health Access Centres in Kenora and Fort Frances.

Sunset Travels Responds to Northern Tourism Remarks

The Executive Director of Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association is reacting to tourism discussions in Queens Park.

Last week Tourism Minister Michael Chan responded to questions in Queens Park saying we need to modernize our tourism information.

However, Gerry Cariou says Sunset Travel is all over the internet.

Cariou adds that websites can only do so much and don't offer the services that can be provided at travel centres.

Senior Thistles Lose Semi-Final

Close but no cigar for the Kenora Triple "A" Senior Thistles.

On Friday the Thistles faced off with the Bentley Generals in the Allan Cup Semi Finals.

Bentley started the scoring and took a 2-0 lead midway through the 2nd before Kenora answered with a goal of their own.

After another goal by the general the Thistles continued to fight and potted a goal in the last 30 seconds.

Unfortunately, they were unable to find the equalizing 3rd goal and lost 3-2.

the Generals went on to win the championship on Saturday over the Clarenville Caribous.

Senior Thistles Advance at Allan Cup

It's just what the doctors ordered for the Kenora Triple "A" Senior Thistles.

Kenora came out flying in their quarter final against Fort St John and pummeled them 8-2.

Alternate Captain Jeff Richards had a hat trick in the victory.

The Thistles will now have a rematch with the host Bentley Generals in the semi finals tonight.

Bentley beat Kenora 5-2 in the round robin on Tuesday

The puck is scheduled to drop at 9:00.

Aboriginal Affairs Looking at Education Funding

Ontario's new Aboriginal Affairs minister hopes to balance education budgets.

David Zimmer, was in Kenora this week, and said the funding for off-reserve schools is much higher than it is in schools on-reserves.

Zimmer adds that they are focusing on closing that gap and offering better education to students living on reserves.

Other priorities for the minister are health concerns and land claim disputes.

OSSTF Votes in Favor of New Contract

Public high school teachers and support staff have endorsed the recently-negotiated contract changes with the provincial government.

The government says there won't be any additional costs to the deal.

However, Tory education critic Lisa MacLeod disagrees.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation says members voted 84 per cent in favor of the revision to the contract imposed in January under Bill 115.

Emergency Management Ontario Looking at Host Communities

The Chief of Emergency Management Ontario is asking local communities to be "host ready".

Allison Stuart stressed that area leaders must be prepared in the event of evacuations this summer.

Stuart says the province looks at services such as spiritual services, recreation, and accommodations when looking at a community to host evacuees.

In 2011, some 44-hundred people from several northern First Nations were forced to live elsewhere because of raging forest fires near their homes.

First Championship at Hockey for Health

The Hockey for health tournament is in full swing and the Bantam Division has a champion.

The Penalty BoX Heros with tournament organizer Dean Caron as coach won the division with a 8-5 victory over the Penalty Box Heroes.

Caron says the tournament has been a huge success so far and has raised $22,000 towards their goal in only 18 of 82 games.

The tournament continues this afternoon and straight through till Sunday.

All the funds raised support the District Hospital Foundation, twinning the ice at the Rec Center, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Foul Play Ruled Out in Death at Vernon Trails

Foul play has been ruled out after the death a man near the Vernon Nature Trails yesterday.

Police say foul play was ruled out as a result of a post mortem.

Constable Bob Bernie confirmed the victim is a 61 year old man from Kenora but is not releasing the name

The incident occurred yesterday morning just after 8:00 when the body was found by a passer-by.

Success so far at Hockey for Health

The Hockey for Health Tournament has gotten off to a great start.

The tournament got underway on Monday and has raised almost $21,000.

They organizer are continuing to push for their goal of $55,000 to support the Hospital Foundation, twinning the ice at the Rec Centre, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Today at noon the Bantam division comes to an end with the final between the Penalty Box Heros and the Keewatin Kanucks at the Rec Centre.

Senior Thistles Struggle at Allan Cup

More disappointment for the Kenora Triple "A" Senior Thistles at the Allan Cup.

The Thistles took a major set back last night dropping a 8-0 decision to the Rosetown Red Wings.

Scoring came early and often for Rosetown who scored on almost half their shots.

The loss puts Kenora at 0 and 2 through the round robin and will have them cross over to play Fort St. John in the Quarter Finals.

That game will go tonight at 5:00 local time.

Province Says Tourism is a Priority

Tourism in Northwestern Ontario is a top priority for Michael Chan.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport says since 2010, they have funded 18-million dollars into a Regional Tourism Strategy, which represents the entire region.

Chan adds that since 2007, they have invested in more then 130 festivals in the North.

YPN Hosting Leadercast in Kenora

The Young Professionals Network of Kenora is hosting a Leadercast Event in the city.

Leadercast is a large event being held in Atlanta on May 10th and is being simulcasted at the Super 8 Minis Hall.

YPN Committee co-Chair Lindsay Wenaas says the event features many high profile presenters.

For information email ypnkenora@gmail.com.

KPDSB Seeks Public Input

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has started the task of drafting a new 5-year strategic plan.

Outgoing Director of Education Jack McMaster says they are seeking feedback from community members, teachers, students, staff and school councils.

McMaster says a survey is now available on-line.

He notes trustees will meet May 3rd and 4th to go through the survey results and make changes to the current plan.

The plan will include new goals, a review of the board mission statement and indicators of success.

The survey can be found by visiting www.kpdsb.on.ca