ELA Gets Big Boost by Province

The Experimental Lakes Area has gotten a big boost from the province.

Ontario is working hand in hand with the federal government, Manitoba government, and other partners to sustain long term operations at the facility East of Kenora.

Premiere Kathleen Wynne says they have had numerous meeting with the scientific and academic communities and that investing in science and research is a wise choice for the people of Ontario.

The province will provide the operating support needed as an agreement is worked on with International Institute for Sustainable Development.

NOMA Gathers in Thunder Bay

Municipal leaders from across the region are in Thunder Bay for the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Annual General meeting.

The highlight of the 3 day conference, which starts today, is a forum with 8 Ontario Ministers.

Conservative Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath will also address delegates.

There will also be an appointment of a new President.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield is widely expected to replace Ron Nelson who has indicated he won't seek another term.

Kenora Man Fined by MNR

A reminder to be careful where you shoot.

A Kenora man has been fiend two-thousand-dollars for shooting a deer from a roadway.

Conservation officers with the Ministry of Natural Resources came across Steven Burke with an antler-less deer in the back of his truck, and saw him again returning to the site where the deer was apparently killed.

Officers spoke to Burke, and learned that he had shot the deer on the side of the road and was returning to the site to cover his tracks.

The MNR would like to remind the public that it's illegal to discharge a firearm from, down or across a roadway.

Sunset Area Victims Services Holds Open House

Sunset Area Victims Services is reaching out to the community in a bid to raise its profile.

An open house is being held from 11 until 2 today and tomorrow at 136 Main Street South.

Executive Director Monika Huminuk says they provide immediate emotional and practical support and referral services to victims of crime or other tragic circumstances.

"Vickers" partners with police and emergency services in the Kenora and Dryden areas as well as northern First Nations.

Next Step in Re-banding City

Changing the perception of available docking spaces in the city.

The Brand Leadership Team is asking for public input as they venture into the next phase of re-branding the city as the premiere boating destination.

Chair of the Team Randy Nickle says they were at the boat show in Winnipeg and docking spaces was the main question they faced.

The Leadership team is also looking at available docks, waiting lists, day spots, and parking.

An public survey has been posted online at www.kenoradocking.ca.

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.