Man Charged Following Police Chase

The Kenora Provincial Police have laid charges against a 30 year Kenora man following an early morning police chase.

The pursuit began when police arrived on Second Street North around 5:00 this morning to investigate a stolen car and the suspect drove off.

The chase led into the Pinecrest area where the man then ran by foot into the Minto area.

Police say a K9 unit and the Emergency Response Team located the man around 8:00.

As a result Mark Fontaine has been charged with driving while disqualified, flight while pursued by a peace office, dangerous operation of motor vehicle, theft over 5 thousand, possession of a weapon, and trespassing at night.

Non-Profit Housing Boards Re-Appointed

It looks like things will be status-quo for the Non-Profit Housing Corporations in Kenora and Keewatin for at least another year.

Kenora City Council agreed to re-appoint the boards of both organizations at it's open meeting yesterday afternoon.

The city has been talking about merging the two boards for several months, but neither Non-profit Housing agency has been in favour of the move.

Until the city decides how it wants to proceed, members of both boards have been asked it they would be willing to remain in their respective positions.

Man Arrested After Police Chase Through Kenora

A 30 year old man is in custody after a police chase in the Pinecrest area of town.

Provincial Police say they were called about a stolen car on Second Street North early this morning.

Upon arrival the suspect drove off and police followed suit.

The man ran off by foot in the Minto area before a police K9 unit and the Emergency Response Team were able to locate him around 8:00.

The investigation is continuing and there has been no word on possible charges.

Canfield Heads to Ottawa for Throne Speech

An interested by-stander for today's throne speech in the House of Commons.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield has been invited to attend today's opening session.

Canfield says there are some other perks for the junket as well.

Canfield says he will have about two hours today to meet with the federal cabinet and talk about those issues.

LOWAC Asks Council for Performing Arts Center

Kenora City Council is being asked to include a performing arts center to its plans for the expansion of the Kenora Rec. Center.

Plans are currently being developed for an Events Center.

Dean Carrie is with the Lake of the Woods Arts Collective and says a performing arts space would be a natural fit for any new construction.

City Council is expected to have a final proposal for the Events Center by August of 2014.

Jarnel Wins Contract to Build SMB Expansion

A local construction company has won the bid to build a 10 thousand square foot extension to Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys.

Jarnel Contracting was given the contract last night by the Kenora Catholic District School board.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says work on the project has already
started.

The tender came in  at just under four million dollars.

Numbers Down in Operation Impact

Provincial Police in Northwestern Ontario have officially wrapped up their Operation Impact Campaign.

Constable Dave Shaw says all of their statistics were down from last year.

There were 244 speeding charges, one stunt driving charge, 34 for seat belt violations and 4 distracted driving charges.

Shaw adds they laid one impaired driving charge, compared with one from last year.

They also laid only one warn-range suspension.

Shaw says no matter what time of year, it's important to keep your hands on the wheel and stay focused on the road.

Drug Bust On Highway 17

Two Fort Frances men are in some hot water following a drug bust in Kenora.

Provincial Police stopped a vehicle along Highway 17 Monday night, and learned that the two people inside had marijuana on them.

Officers seized 12-pounds of pot, worth roughly 36-thousand-dollars.

Police say 20-year-old Dylan pattison and 26-year-old Jason Thomson have been charged with possession of a controlled substance.

They're both expected to appear in court in December.

American Hunter Dies Near Fort Frances

Provincial Police are investigating a sudden death in the Rainy River District.

On Monday evening, police were called about a body that was found about 30-kilometres north of the junction of Highway 11 and Highway 611 North in an unorganized township.

Police say the man had been hunting with a group of friends, but didn't return to camp.

Police add a hunting party came across the body, and the death is not considered suspicious.

The man is reportedly from the United States.

Northwest Business Center Hosts Workshop tonight

A workshop geared towards area businesses and entrepreneurs is being held this afternoon in Kenora.

The Creating and Communicating Your Brand Story workshop is aimed at helping area businesses work towards a face lift.

Northwest Business Center Manager Diane Schwartz-Williams says they want to help achieve a fresh look.

The session runs from 5 until 9 at the Best Western Lakeside Inn and includes a dinner.

Girls Retreat Seeks Aviva Funding

It will be next week before we know if a local proposal has reached the second round of a national wide contest.

The I Am Awesome and I Know it conference is vying for funding in the Aviva Community Fund.

Organizer Renee Martin-Brown says the first ever event last month in Nestor Falls attracted 19 girls and proved to be highly successful.

Martin-Brown says funding will help pay for presenters to attend future events.

Broncos Snap Five Game Winning Streak

A tough loss for Beaver Brae's football team.

The Broncos were trounced 49-0 by the West Kildonan Wolverines yesterday afternoon in Winnipeg.

The loss ends Beaver Brae's five game winning streak, as the Broncos fall to 5-2 on the season.

Beaver Brae is back in action again on Friday to wrap up the
regular season with a game against the winless St. John Tigers.

The Broncos have already guaranteed themselves a play-off berth.

Police Release Name of Deceased Man on Villeneuve Road

The OPP say foul play is not suspected in the death of a 77 year old
man.

Police were called out to a Villeneuve Road residence last Thurday morning and a man was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital in critical condition.

The OPP say the man died as a result of his injuries on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as King Cromwell.

The OPP says their investigation into the fatality is continuing.

CP Releases Holiday Train Schedule

Mark Monday, December 2nd on your calendar.

The CP Holiday Train will be making its way across northwestern
Ontario on that day.

The brightly lit locomotive will start the day in Ignace, with stops planned
in Dryden, Vermillion Bay and Kenora.

While the entertainment  hasn't been finalized for the northwestern Ontario
tour, CP says Jim Cuddy, Melanie Doane and Doc Walker are some of the
featured performers this year.

Path of the Paddle Progressing

A canoe route right across northwestern Ontario could be a reality in a
couple of more years.

Work on Path of the Paddle is continuing.

Melissa Pomeroy is a spokesperson for the Trans-Canada Trail in Ontario and says some areas a little further ahead than others.

She says the Quetico portion is complete, while Rusing River and Turtle
River and White Otter areas should be finalized by next spring.

Pomeroy says Path of the Paddle has now been incorporated and a committee has been set up to try and secure funding to work on things such as signage and clearing portages.

She says the goal is to complete the trail route by 2017, in time for the national celebration of
the completion of the Trans-Canada Trail.

Local Agencies Applaud Tanning Bed Legislation

The Northwestern Health Unit and the regional Canadian Cancer Society are both applauding a provincial move to ban tanning beds to anyone aged 18 and under.

The Ontario Legislature has unanimously passed the Skin Cancer Prevention Act.

The act also prohibits marketing of tanning services to teens and requires tanning bed operators to ID anyone who looks under the age of 35.

Local Cancer Society officials say they have been working on this issue for 7-years and it's a long time coming.

ONA Speaks Out Against Job Cuts

The Ontario Nurses' Association wants a immediate moratorium on nursing cuts in the province.

The ONA says this year alone has seen more than 11-hundred front line nurses cut across Ontario.

President Linda Haslam-Stroud says as the number of registered nurses declines, so does the quality of care.

A report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows Ontario with the second-lowest ratio of registered nurses to population in the country.

Snowmobile Permits Now Available On-Line

A sign winter is just around the corner.

Ontario snowmobilers can get a huge break if they purchase a trail permit now.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club is offering permits at 180-dollars if purchase before November 1st and on-line through the Federation's website.

The regular price is 260-dollars.

The federation is hoping the reduce rate will be an incentive for newcomers and former riders to return to the trails.

Canada Post Diverting Mail to Thunder Bay

Canada Post is now working with a new system for sorting mail from northwestern Ontario.  

Spokesperson John Caines says mail from area communities is now being sent to the Thunder Bay station for sorting and distribution

Caines says the change will affect mail being sent from local communities such as Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances..

He says the move is being made to make the system more effi
cient.

First Nations Education Act Under Fire

The Grand Chief of the Anishinbek Nation in northern Ontario says the federal government must stop experimenting with the lives of First Nations children.

Patrick Madahbee is upset with the Feds and their plan to push ahead with the First Nations Education Act.

Madahbee says the government is trying to control the destiny of First Nations people.

Madahbee says Indian Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt has stated that there will be no additional funding for First Nations education until he sees reform of the current system.