Catholic School Board Hires Spec. Ed. Coordinator

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has filled a key vacancy.

The separate school board has announced that it has hired Chris Moorley as their Special Education Coordinator.

She replaces Estelle Cantera, who retired this past spring.

Moorley is currently a special education teacher at Pope John Paul School, and has worked for the Catholic School Board for the past 26 years.

She'll start her new position once staffing is worked out at PJP.

Sand Mandala Created at the Discovery Centre

A Tibetan artist is in Kenora working on a sign of peace for the community.

Ven Lama Losang Samten is creating a sand mandala at the Discovery Centre.

Samten says the mandala tradition dates back over 2600 years to India where it where then became a Tibetan tradition.

The Mandala being created is a sign of healing for the community.

The project is on display until next Monday.

Family Safety Night tonight

Family Safety Night is taking over the Haboufront tonight.

The event is aimed at teaching people about risks they encounter everyday.

Maria Bagdonis with Safe Communities Kenora says they will have some great displays taking place.

Bagdonis says the highlight will be a vehicle extraction involving the Jaws of Life at 5:30.

Family safety night runs from 4 until 7 under the Whitecap Pavilion.

Hudak Releases Northern Policy

Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak says his northern vision will give more decision making power to people in this part of the province.

Hudak released details of his Northern Platform yesterday.

He says its about time northerners had a say in how their natural resources are utilized.

As an example Hudak says under a PC government northerners will have more of a say over wildlife and hunting management and cottage development

Minister of Natural Resources Defends Transformation

The Minister of Natural Resources says the NDP is misleading Northerners on MNR transformation.

Minister David Orazietti is responding to a recent media release from an NDP member that MNR internal reorganization will hurt Northern Ontario by downsizing staff.

He notes the province returned 40-million dollars to the MNR base funding.

He notes that during the 1990's the NDP government hacked more than 107-million dollars from the MNR budget and 23-projects and offices were closed across the province.

Boise Inc. Sold for 2 Billion

New owners for the mill in International Falls.

Packaging Corporation of America says its acquiring Boise Inc. in a deal valued at nearly 2-billion dollars.

PCA says the acquisition of Boise's operations, which include four mills and 26 converting facilities, is an excellent fit for them,  both geographically and strategically.

The announcement comes just four months after Boise had announced plans to shut down two of its paper machines and eliminate 265 jobs at its International Falls mill by October.

Good Response for Terry Fox Run in Kenora

Cool, clear weather helped boost this years numbers for the 33rd Annual Terry Fox Run.

Laurine Goertzen is one of the organizers and says they had more than 300 people show up and participate this year.

Over 13 thousand dollars was raised locally, which was two thousand dollars better than last year.

Since the Terry Fox Run began, local residents have contributed almost 400 thousand dollars to cancer research.

Council Set to Re-Appoint Non-Profit Housing Board Members

The fate of the non-profit housing boards in Keewatin and Kenora are still up in the air.

The terms of the board members is coming up for renewal and instead of appointing new members, the existing members are going to be asked to continue on for at least another year.

The city has been talking about merging the two non-profit housing agencies but both boards have been balking at the suggestion.

Kenora City Council will be voting on the recommendation at tomorrow's open meeting.

Soccer Association Seeks Volunteers for Work Party

The former Jaffray Melick Arena is slowly being transformed into an indoor soccer complex.

The transformation will continue today as the rink boards in the arena are removed.

Heather Kasprick from the Lake of the Woods Soccer Association says the work is progressing mostly with the help of local volunteers.

Kasprick says they are looking for more volunteers to help out with the removal of the rink boards this
week.

A work party will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 9:00.

Cordless screwdrivers, work gloves and pry bars are also needed.

Search Continues for Missing Red Lake Man

The search is continuing today for a missing 22 year old Red Lake man on the English River.

The OPP Marine Units from Red Lake and Ear Falls are being assisted by a police helicopter today.

Police say two men were out duck hunting last Wednesday evening, when they fell out of the boat they were in.

One man managed to make it to shore and spent in the night in the bush before being rescued the next day
by a group of fishermen.

Health Unit Losing It's MOH

The Northwestern Health Unit is losing its Medical Officer of Health.

Dr. James Arthurs will be retiring next March.

Dr. Arthurs came to the Health Unit in 2009, after working in the U.S. as a family and emergency room physician and Medical Director.

The Board of Health has already started the recruitment process.

Board Chair Julie Roy says Dr. Arthurs is leaving their programs strong and thriving.

Rickford Readies for Throne Speech

A new session of Parliament will begin in another month.

Last week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially asked the Governor General
to prorogue the House of Commons until October 16th.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says in the meantime, the Conservative Caucus will be working on the new agenda for the fall session.

Rickford says the government will also start work soon on the spring budget and working on a consultation schedule.

Parking Concerns Raised At Medical Clinic

Parking continues to be a sore point on Tunnel Island.

The Kenora Medical Clinic is asking city council to approve a crackdown on people who park illegally in the tow away zone in front of their building.

The city has been reluctant to ticket people who park illegally, because the medical clinic is private property and doesn't belong to the municipality.

Council is suggesting that a tow away zone be set up in front of the clinic, and will also request that its by-law enforcement officers, ticket anyone who parks in the fire lane.

More Issues for Ring of Fire

The latest snag in the Ring of Fire mining development isn't worrying Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle.

A government commission ruled against Cliffs Natural Resource's road proposal for the area.  

The Gravelle says he doesn't consider it a deal-breaker for Cliffs Natural Resources.

Gravelle says the provincial government and his ministry also remain committed to working with all companies to move the project forward

OTF Info Session this Month

Charities and Not-For-Profit groups can learn about the Ontario Trillium Foundation this month.

The foundation is holding an information session in Kenora on September 25th.

Spokesperson Loida Igancio says you can register online at:

otfinfosessionkenora.eventbrite.ca or contact Loida Ignacio lignacio@otf.ca or 1-800-263-2887.

Quiet Forest Fire Season in NWO

A relatively quiet fire season in northwestern Ontario.

Updated statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources shows the
number of fires was about half the number as last year.

At this time in 2012, there were 617 fires, compared to jus t 347 this year.

The amount of forest land burned is also a lot less.

Last year  94 thousand hectares of forest went up in flames, compared to
just over 41 thousand this year.

No new fires were reported over the weekend in this region.

Kelly and Joseph Win Crow Lake Bass Classic

The Dan's did it.

The team of Dan Kelly and Dan Joseph took top honors at the Crow Lake Bass Classic in Nestor Falls over the weekend.

The tandem reeled in almost 31 pounds of fish over the two-day tournament collecting the first place prize of about 44 hundred dollars.

Thatcher Haggberg and Jim Ducharme finished in second.

Bronco JV Squad Wins First Ever Game

A new football program is starting up at Beaver Brae.

The Bronco Junior Varsity program features students from Grades 7 and 8, and the team earned its first ever win this weekend.

Beaver Brae blanked the Dryden Falcons 32-0 Saturday afternoon at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

The next game for the Bronco JV squad is this Saturday in Fort Frances.

OPP Search For Missing Hunter in Ear Falls

A Provincial Police Dive Team will arrive in Ear Falls this afternoon to search for a missing man.

Police say two men were duck hunting in a boat on English River Wednesday night when both of the men lost their balance and fell into the water.

One of the men was able to make it to shore and take shelter in the bush for the night.

The man was able to flag down a group of fishermen the next day.

Police aren't releasing the name and age of the missing man.

reports say that the young man is from Red Lake.

Terry Fox Run Goes this Sunday

The Terry Fox Run turns 33 years old this year.

The annual fundraiser for cancer research takes place this
Sunday starting at Valleyview School.

Laurine Goertzen is one of the organizers and says there are different ways to participate, including cycling, jogging, walking, or rollerblading.

You can still register the morning of the run at Valleyview School from 9:00 until noon.