Another Large Drug Bust in Kenora

Another large drug bust in the city.

Yesterday, Provincial Police stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 17A in the area of Redditt Road.

Officers located 40-pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $188,000.

OPP say a 23-year-old Calgary man has been charged with trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime.

This follows a $750,000 cocaine bust two weeks ago.

Prescription Drug Abuse Rate on the Rise

Parents need to talk to their kids.

More teenagers then ever are using prescription drugs to get high and only 14 per cent are talking to their parents about the risks involved.

Patti Dryden-Holmstrom from the youth addiction program says more parents need to initiate talks with their children.

Although it's believed that Prescription drug abuse is safer, they can be just as deadly as illegal drugs.

For more information visit any of these area addiction and prevention services.

http://www.lwdh.on.ca/index.php/Programs-and-Services/addictions-services-kenora.html

http://substanceabuse.kenora.ca/

http://www.drugandalcoholhelpline.ca/Directory/Organization/1612

Mayor Canfield Selected as NOMA President

Mayor Dave Canfield has been elected the president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

Canfield says he hopes to do a lot of work with the government and that there is no time to be politically correct with the mining and forestry sectors expanding.

Canfield was selected as president last week at the NOMA Annual General Meeting in Dryden.

Mixed Local Reactions to Budget

The Provincial budget is getting some mixed reactions.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says it is a bit concerning.

Campbell says the Liberal's are fine with spending five times the amount the NDP suggested for home care, but there is still no commitment to service.

She adds there was also no mention of the Ring of Fire and mining opportunities in Northwestern Ontario.


Meanwhile, Nishnawbe Aski Grand Chief Harvey Yesno is giving the provincial budget a thumbs down.

Chief Yesno says he's disappointed there is nothing new about building transmission lines for the Ring of Fire project or all weather roads.

Chief Yesno says he will take a closer look at the budget and form his opinion on the Liberals from there.


And, despite the negative comments about the Ontario Budget, the Minister of Northern Development and Mines says the North will benefit.

Michael Gravelle says keeping industrial electricity rates down in the north remains a priority

Gravelle further emphasized the government's commitment to the 100 million dollar fund for roads and bridges.

Hertiage Fund Makes Money Available for the Region

The province is out with new funding opportunities for northwestern Ontario.

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Executive Director Bruce Strapp is hoping to hand out 30-million dollars this year for various projects.

The Heritage Fund had a budget of 291-million dollars last year and Strapp says 681 jobs were created or retained.

For more information on Heritage Fund programs go to www.nohfc.ca.

New Cell Tower to go up in Keewatin

Calling it a cell tower may be a little misleading.

A new T-Bay Tel tower going on top of the water tower in Keewatin will just be a minor extension.

Mayor Dave Canfield says unless you look at a before and after picture you won't notice a difference.

He added that the tower will just be some new metal infrastructure that looks like railing.

PC Leader Annoucned Plans for the North

Progressive Conservatives are out promoting their plan for northern Ontario.

Leader Tim Hudak says it includes bringing back more decisions about the north by northerners

Hudak says Conservatives would work to permitting at least 10 new mines and introduce initiatives that strengthen the mining and forestry sectors.

Treaty 3 Police Vote for Provincial Jurisdicition

The Treaty Three Police is challenging the Federal Jurisdiction in a fight for better rights.

All employees with the service will take part in a union vote today on whether the officers should be represented under provincial jurisdiction.

Public Service Alliance of Canada Spokesperson Sandra Goodick says it's only a matter of time.

Goodick says if passed, she doesn't think the workers will see a significant difference.

Voting will be held at the Couchicing Detachment between 3-4 and 6-8 and the General Headquarters in Kenora between 3-4  and 6-8.

Tree Canada Mulches Tree in City

A new tree outside the Discovery Centre will have to wait to be planted.

This year Tree Canada held their annual general meeting in Kenora at the Discovery Centre and president Mike Rosen said the cold weather changed their plans of planting a new tree in every city the meet in.

Rosen adds that once the ground allows it TD bank will plant a tree for them.

Endless Opportunities for Youth in the Region

The options are endless in Northwestern Ontario.

Andy Scribilo is the past president of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce, and says the jobs are out there, but it's a matter of finding people to fill them.

Scribilo says schools need to let students know what is out there and let them try it.

Spay and Neuter Program at White Dog

White dog is starting a new spay and neuter program to help control the dog population in the community.

Project Manager Waylon Scott says it's a 5 year program and is more humane than the dog shoots they had used previously.

Scott says there are more dogs than houses in the community.

A team to help with the initial spaying and neutering will arrive on May 2nd. and will start the program on the 3rd.

Rail Safety Week

Some tips for anyone caught hanging around the tracks.

CN Police Constable Cynthia Stotz says it's Rail Safety Week and is reminding people that walking along the tracks is illegal.

Stotz says people should contact the railway if they see continually crossing the tracks.

An identifier at each cross-way that will tell you the name and number of the railway.

Stotz adds that ATV's and snowmobiles can damage the tracks and are at risk of being hit because it can be difficult to hear an oncoming train over the sound of the engine.

Victory For Shoal Lake in Water Dispute

It's a big victory for the Shoal Lake First Nations.

The International Joint Commission has ruled against the City of Winnipeg's plan to sell water to surrounding communities.

The first nations argued that the city would break the agreement in place by making a profit off the water.

In a letter, the IJC supported the argument and informed Winnipeg that it could not sell the water.

The decision put a dent into the city's CentrePort project.

MPP Speaks Up for Remote First Nations

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River is calling on the premier to address the social conditions in First Nation communities.

Speaking at Queens Park, Sarah Campbell says it's unfair that these communities have to declare a state of emergency to get some attention from the government.

A remote Northern First Nation declared a state of emergency last week due to recent suicides and the issue of prescription drug abuse.

Update for LOWBIC Annual General Meeting

The chair of the board at the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation is stepping down.

last week at the annual general meeting Executive Director Ryan Reynard says Anita Webb did a lot of great work and will be missed.

Reynard says last year LOWBIC did a great job helping to diversify the economy by creating 31 full time jobs and handing out 15 loans to small businesses.

He also announced a surplus of over 7 million dollars.

Health Fair in Machin

Promoting health services available to residents in Machin.

That's the focus of a Health Fair being put on by the Northwestern Health Unit on May 1st at Lillian Berg School in Vermilion Bay.

Public Health Nurse Sue Wood says it runs from 2 till 6pm, with two evening sessions to follow.

The sessions including speakers from the Dryden OPP, Dryden Regional Health Center,
and Firefly.

MPP States Demands for Upcoming Budget

Home health care and auto insurance premiums are Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell's main concerns.

And she hopes that the provincial government will address them when they reveal the budget on May 2nd.

Campbell says she's heard from local residents who can't afford their car insurance because it's too high.

Campbell adds that she would also like to see the government close some of the corporate tax loopholes.

New Infrastructure Funds for Smaller Communtiies

The Provincial Government is investing in small communities across Northwestern Ontario.

Provincial Infrastructure Minister Glen Murray says they are going to benefit from a new 100-million dollar infrastructure fund that will go to bridge and road repairs.

Murray says the new fund would be available by October 1st.

New NOACC President Selected

Times are changing for the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce.

Michael Nitz, who comes from Thunder Bay was announced as the new president at the spring Annual General Meeting this past weekend in Dryden.

Nitz says a big focus for him is getting more people involved.

Nitz says another priority for him is connecting all Chambers in the Northwest and making sure they are coming to the table and providing input.

Health Unit Offers Needle Safety Tips

Now that the warmer temperatures are finally here, more people are hitting the outdoors.

However, the Northwestern Health Unit wants to remind the public to be careful if you see needles laying around.

Manager of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says it's important to use gloves and tongs to pick one up and the place it in a hard-sided plastic container..

Stanley says don't forget to wash your hands after, and needles can be dropped off at the health unit.