Bearskin Staff Devastated By Airline Tragedy

The vice president of Bearskin Airlines is expressing his condolences to the family of the 5 people who died in Sunday's plane crash in Red Lake.   Cliff Friesen says the tragedy is a tough time for staff within the company.  He says many are very devastated by what happened and it's very difficult for them.  Counselling is being provided for those who wish it. Friesen says while the exact cause of the crash isn't known, there have not been any mechanical problems with the plane that was involved, a Fairchild Metroliner.

Rafferty Calls Treatment Of Vets A Shame

It's Remembrance Day a time to honour our veterans. Thunder Bay MP John Rafferty says its an extra sombre day because the Federal Government still insists on closing Thunder Bay's veteran affairs office in 2014. Rafferty says he's not going to give up the fight to keep the local office open. The Thunder Bay office serves most of Northwestern Ontario.

Fort Frances Train Derailment

Officials with the Transportation Safety Board are investigating a train derailment in Fort Frances. They're deploying a team of investigators to look at why 40 carloads of grain came off the track over the weekend.

Christmas Hamper Applications Available

The Salvation Army in Kenora is hoping to include something a little extra in this year's Christmas Hampers. Sandra Poole is their business manager and says they would like to include some cold weather gear like mitts and toques this year. Poole says applications for the Christmas Hampers are now available at their office on Matheson Street.  Last year, the Salvation Army handed out over 400 Christmas Hampers to families in need in the Kenora area.

Bearskin Crash Kills Five

More information is being released by the OPP about who was on the Bearskin Airlines plane that crashed Sunday night in Red Lake. Deceased is the two pilots, a 25 year old man from Mississauga and a 34 year old man from Winnipeg.  The three passengers who died are a 53 year old woman, 53 year old man and a 64 year old woman from Red Lake.  Sgt. Shelley Garr says they're continuing to investigate the scene of the accident alongside the Transportation Safety Board.  The deceased identities have yet to be confirmed.

Local Shelter Box to Support Philippine Typhoon Victims

Two Kenora residents may be going to the Philippines to support people affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Ron Nelson and his wife are volunteers with Shelter Box who are trained to go assist in disaster locations and hand out box to victims of disasters.

Their previous efforts include deployments in the Japan Tsunami, and the Haiti Earthquake.

Nelson says they will be reaching out the to Philippine community in Kenora for support along with community groups, and hosting fundraising events.

Typhoon Haiyan is the largest storm ever recorded, with winds speed over 315 kilometers an hour.

By comparison Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans in 2005 saw winds speed maxing out at 280 kilometers an hour.

For more information on Shelter Box visit www.shelterboxcanada.org

Development Corporation to be Set Up for Ring of Fire

The province is looking to take a big step forward in the Ring of Fire project.

A Development Corporation will bring all parties involved in the project together to manage issues.

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says it's a significant move.

He says the corporation would bring the groups involved together, manage finances and address issues surrounding infrastructure.

Premier Kathleen Wynne has written to Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking for the Federal Government to partner with the province.

Traffic Moving Again On Highway 17 East

The OPP say it could take days for the wreckage to be cleared away from a
multi-vehicle accident between Kenora and Dryden.

Last night, police closed both lanes again for about an hour in order to clean
up some debris.

Today however, traffic is moving normally again.

The Trans-Canada was closed for almost nine hours yesterday following an
early morning accident near Nelson Granite.

A total of 14 transports were involved in the collision.

Hospital Patients Satisfied

Some room for improvement.

Lake of the Wood District Hospital has released the results of it's latest patient satisfaction survey.

Mark Balcaen is the CEO of the Hospital and says for the most part the result are very good, however one areas needs some work.

Balcaen says the hospital will be hanging up more posters up throughout the hospital to help inform patients of their aboriginal services.

He adds that apart from that one exception the hospital has a 97 percent approval rating.

NAN Adopts Education Treaty

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is again calling for the right to control their own education on NAN territory.

Over two hundred delegates met to create the Right to Education treaty.

Grand Chief Harvey Yesno explains the importance of this treaty for aboriginal youth.

Yesno says for the treaty to be effective, communities must work together.

Beyak Supports Senator Suspensions

Northwestern Ontario senator Lynn Beyak believes the senators who were suspended from the upper chamber got what they deserved.

Beyak voted in favour of suspending the three because she says it was the right thing to do.

Beyak adds that she has mixed feelings about the senators keeping their benefits.

She would have preferred their benefits being removed but notes at least one of the senators that was suspended had some health concerns.

Forestry Bill Passes Second Reading

A bill that will help the forestry industry and Northern Ontario has passed second reading.

Bill 13, also known as the  Ontario Forestry Industry Revitalization Act, was brought forward by Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli.

Fedeli says this is a huge step towards providing a much needed boost to the Northern Ontario economy, however he notes more work still lies ahead.

The bill will focus on amending the Ontario Building Code to allow mid-rise wood frame construction up to six stories, instead of the current four
.

Nominations Ready for Chamber Business Awards

Time to nominate your favorite business.

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its annual business awards.

Some of the categories include business improvement, entrepreneur of the year, youth entrepreneur, aboriginal business, and customer service.

The deadline for submissions is December 15th.

The Awards Ceremony will take place on February 12th.

Fundraising Dinner for Bechard's Tonight

A community effort to help a local family in need will take place tonight.

A fundraising dinner will be held tonight at Thomas Aquinas for
the Bechard family, who lost their home earlier this week to fire.

The Railway Street fire caused extensive damage to the house, as well as
a business and a garage.

Financial donations to the family can be made through Copperfin Credit Union, but Lake of the Woods District Hospital says it is no longer accepting any
clothing, as they have been overwhelmed by donations.

The spaghetti dinner will run from 6 until 8:00 this evening.

Horwath Says Economic Statement Has Nothing for the North

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is less than impressed with the Provincial Government's Fall Economic Statement.

The speech was made Thursday by Finance Minister Charles Sousa.

Horwath says what's really disappointing is how Northern Ontario is neglected.

Horwath adds the bad policies in the economic statement will be felt first in the North.

Broncos Head to Dryden For NorWOSSA Finals

Beaver Brae court sport teams will have to take the long way into the NorWOSSA finals if they want to win gold today.

The Broncos are in Dryden for the Double A boys basketball and girls volleyball championships.

First up are the junior semi-finals at 10:00.

In girls basketball, Beaver Brae will tip-off against Dryden for the right to face Fort Frances in the final this afternoon.

The Broncos junior boys volleyball team will face the Muskies in their semi this morning.

In the senior semis, The Bronco girls will take on Dryden once again, while Beaver Brae's boys volleyball squad will meet up with Fort Frances at 11:30.

Grassy's Clear Cut Logging Concerns Raised at Queen's Park

The Grassy Narrows First Nation claims the Minister of Natural Resources is making false
statements about plans for clear cut logging in the Whiskey Jack Forest.

This morning in the Ontario Legislature, David Orazietti says there are no wood harvesting blocks
in Grassy's Traditional Land Use Territory.

However, Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. urged the government continues to interfere.

Grassy maintains that the government has plans to carry out clear cut logging activity within
the next decade.

Highway 17 East Now Open to One Lane

Traffic is moving slowly today on Highway 17 east of Kenora.

One lane of the Trans-Canada has been opened following a multi-vehicle accident just west of Vermillion Bay early this morning.

The OPP say a number of vehicles ended up in the ditch near the Nelson Granite pit, creating a chain reaction involving at least 14 vehicles.

The accident took place around 1:00 this morning and the highway was shutdown for about nine
hours.

Wynn Government to Deliver Fall Economic Statement Today

When  the government delivers its Fall Economic Statement today it will be promoting capital investment.

That's the message from Finance Minister Charles Sousa.

The government wants to help small and medium-sized businesses grow, so they are able attract larger companies to invest. which would create good jobs in Ontario.

These ideas include a "pay or play" tax incentive for new spending in equipment, technology and training, as well as research and development tax credits to reward additional spending.

Salvation Army to Expand Christmas Hampers

The Salvation Army is hoping to include something a little extra
in this year's Christmas Hampers.

Sandra Poole is their business manager and says they would like to
include some cold weather gear like mitts and to
ques this year.

Poole says applications for the Christmas Hampers are now available
at their office on Matheson Street.

Last year, the Salvation Army handed out over 400 Christmas Hampers to
families in need in the Kenora area.