Kenora OPP Reviews Expansion of Tasers

The Kenora OPP are looking into expanding the use of tasers.

The province announced this week that all front line officers will be permitted to use the weapons.

Constable Bob Bernie says it's not just a matter of issuing a taser to officers.

Bernie says that the OPP has to review and possibly change policies and procedures regarding use of force protocol, and certify officers.

Bernie adds that tasers can be a very effective tool when used in the proper situations and with the proper training.

TransCanada to Hold Pipeline Info Sessions in NWO

TransCanada Pipeline is kicking off a series of consultations in Northwestern Ontario.

The public information session's on the Energy East Pipeline project will start in Kenora on September 16th.

There will also be stops in Vermillion Bay, Dryden, Ignace and ending in Thunder Bay on September 24th.

Officials with the project say it would see Alberta's oil pumped across this region to the East coast.

Vehicle Registration Fees Going Up

Its going to cost you more to register your vehicle this year.

As of September 1st, the cost of a validation tag will go up from 41 to 45 dollars.

The provincial government says it will be increasing the cost of the validation tags for the next two years after as well.

In September of 2014, the tags will cost 49 dollars and increase to 54 dollars by 2015.

Big Changes at KPDSB

Some big changes in store this fall for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

This is the first day back to school for elementary and secondary school students.

The biggest change is the introduction of grade seven and eight classes to Beaver Brae.

Clinton Breutsch is the principal at Beaver Brae and says the 7 and 8's will have their own area of the school to themselves.

Work is also on-going at Valleyview School.

The one million dollar expansion isn't expected to be complete until Christmas.

Catholic School Board Ready for New School Year

Over at the Kenora Catholic District School Board they have been hard a work preparing for the new school year.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says that includes the hiring of new teachers.

Eikre says as far as programming goes, Pope John Paul is launching a therapy and academic program, while St. John's in Red Lake will continue the Leader in me Program.

Eikre estimates that student numbers will be up just slightly this school year.

Model Shoreline Funding Announced

The Federal government is helping two local
groups create the model shoreline.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has announced over 24-thousand dollars for the Lake of the Wood Development Commission and the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association.

Rickford says action is needed to protect water quality.

The Discovery Center will be the home of the project and will teach residents about how they can protect their own shorelines.

Ride For Memories Nears Goal

Another successful Ride For Memories!

Rosanna Tomashowski is the Acting Executive Director with the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River, and says they raised over 46 thousand dollars during Saturday's ride.

She adds that more than more than 200 people from Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances
supported the cause.

Tomashowski says you can still help the society reach its 50 thousand-dollar goal by contacting
their Kenora office with a donation.

Centuries Win Challenge Cup

The Sure Thing Centuries proved they are the real thing.

The Centuries captured the Challenge Cup last night with a 3-2 victory over the Pro-Auto Glass Fury.

The Centuries needed overtime to secure the win.

They also captured two of three trophies up for grabs in the Kenora Men's Soccer League after winning the regular season title.

Police Continue Search for Escaped Prisoner

The search continues for an prisoner who escaped custody last Tuesday.

53 Harvey Smith from White Dog First Nation escaped while being transferred last week from the Kenora Court House.

Constable Bob Bernie says they are searching a large area.

Bernie says the Smith is not considered dangerous and is now facing the charge of escaping lawful custody.

Smith's described as being six feet tall, wearing a black t-shirt, jeans, glasses and blue and white jail issued shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

New Era of Education at Lakewood Tomorrow

Elementary and secondary schools aren't the only one's getting ready to open their doors tomorrow.

Seven Generations Education Institute will be welcoming a new class of students at its new facilities at Lakewood School.

Delbert Horton is the executive director of Seven Generations and says they will be holding an orientation
session tomorrow.

He says in addition to offering adult education courses, they will be working with a number of community
colleges and universities to offer more specialized courses for local students.

Horton says they have agreements in place with Sault College, Canadore College, Wilfred Laurier
and Queen's Universities.

He estimates they'll have anywhere between 100 and 200 students enrolled in their classes this fall.

MNR Fire Rangers Heading West

Widespread rain on Saturday has helped put a damper on the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.

That has allowed the Ministry of Natural Resources to lend a helping hand to crews in Montana.

Spokesperson Debbie McLean says they are sending 109 staff.

A large group is left from the Dryden Regional Airport today.

Back home the forest fire hazard is low across the northwest region, with 20-active fires burning.

Borderland Rage Wrap Up Summer Schedule

A final four appearance for the Borderland Rage Under-10 Girls Hockey team at a weekend tournament in the United States.

The Rage breezed through the round robin and earned three wins in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota.

The Girls made it to the semi-final but dropped a thrilling 5-4 decision.

The team is made up of players from Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances.

Winnipeg Team Wins Angler Young Angler

A team from Winnipeg took this year's Angler Young Angler title.

Danny and Eden Toth and Grace Cudmore reeled in 42.91 pounds of walleye in the one-day fish-off on Lake of the Woods.

The Dryden team of Shane Baker, Jacob Bilous and Kris Bilous placed third, about six pounds back.

Gussy/Dingwall Place Second in IFalls Bass Clasic

It's been a good summer for Jeff Gustafson on the local bass circuit.

Gustafson and his partner Scott Dingwall finished second this weekend at the International Falls Bass Championship.

Nathan Brigham and Brett Meyers of Emo captured this year's title with a two-day combined weight of just under 34-pounds

That was more than a pound and a half better the runner ups Dingwall and Gustafson.

Gustafson teamed up with John Peterson to win the Canadian Bass Championship last month in
Fort Frances.  

Concern Raised About Minaki On the River

Concerns are growing over the Minaki on the River Development.

President of the Minaki Cottagers Association David Hewlett says they brought in independent consultants to research environmental issues.

Hewlett says they found some majors concerns with the sewage system.

 He says there is no way to control how much phosphorus is deposited into the Winnipeg River.

Hewlett says a copy of the consultants report has been made available for the developers.

Grassy Protesters Hit Toronto

Protesters from northwestern Ontario marched to the front door of Kathleen Wynne's Toronto home to complain about a water problem, but the premier was out of town.

More than 100 people, including a marching band, descended on Wynne's home yesterday to protest the level of mercury in the drinking water in Grassy Narrow First Nation.

The water was contaminated by the Dryden paper mill between 1962 and 1970.

While the protesters claimed Wynne hasn't honoured a promise to address the issue, Wynne's office says progress is being made on the file.

Watershed Board Looking At New Lake Studies

The new International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board has hit
the ground running.

Todd Sellars is a local rep with the newly Board and says they will be the voice that speaks to all the governments involved.

The watershed covers an area over 70 thousand square kilometers.

Sellars says the board will create a water quality plan of study focusing on nutrients, harmful algae blooms, invasive species, and ground water contamination.

Heavy Rain Helps Local Fire Crews

Three new fires in the Kenora District over the weekend.

The MNR says all the new blazes were small and have been brought
under control.

Heavy rain Saturday night helped put a damper on the fire situation
across the region.

There were 11 new fires reported on Friday, but the MNR says the rain helped them declare a number of forest fires out.

Public Board Not Concerned About Cell Phone Use

Cell phones will still be allowed in area classrooms.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario has passed a resolution calling for an end of cell phones in classrooms.

Sean Monteith is the Director of Education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and he answers the question on whether the Board will take a look at its current policy.

Monteith says if cell phone use in the classroom becomes an area of concern, than they will revisit the issue.

Kraft Celebration Tour Wraps up in Fort Frances

A huge turnout as the Kraft Celebration Tour closed its journey across Canada in Fort Frances

Hundreds of people gathered at the Sorting Gap Marina yesterday to take in festivities.

Fort Frances Curling Club Ron Silver was overwhelmed.

The Club was also presented with its cheque for 25 thousand dollar to be used towards paying off its geothermal energy project.