House Fire on Second Street South

A chilly wake-up call for Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department.

A fire broke out to a multi-unit home on Second Street South in the 500
block just before 8:00 this morning.

It appears the fire started in the basement and then spread to the back of
the building.

Fire crews have the blaze under control and everyone inside the house managed to make it out unharmed.

Because of the fire, Second Street South has been blocked off all the way from 8th Avenue South to 5th Avenue.

Auditor's Report Critical of MNR and OPG

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the Auditor's Report shows the Liberal government isn't respecting people's priorities or taxpayer dollars.

Auditor Bonnie Lysyk's first report found there is little to no enforcement of regulations on hunting and fishing in provincial parks or on prohibited activities such as commercial timber harvesting and mining.

Horwath says the Ontario Government was too busy promoting themselves and not paying enough attention to the day to day operations of the province.

The Auditor's Report also shows that the number of executives at Ontario Power Generation has increased by 74 per cent since 2005.

That led to the firing of two Vice Presidents and the OPG's Chief Operating Officer yesterday.

Motion to Expand CPP Voted Down

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MPP John Rafferty is expressing disappointment in the Conservative government for failing to accept an NDP motion to expand the Canadian Pension Plan.

In Ottawa, Rafferty told the House of Commons that the government has made it clear retirement security is not its priority.

Finance Minister's Parliamentary Assistant Andrew Saxton says the NDP's proposal would eliminate up to 70 thousand jobs across the country.

City Looks At Electronic Voting

Voting in the next municipal election may be just a mouse click away.

The city is looking at an internet voting option for the 2014 municipal elections.

Heather Kasprick is the city's deputy clerk and says electronic voting has a number of advantages.

Kasprick says the internet voting option may also be cheaper.

The city spent about 50 thousand dollars three years ago to conduct the last election via mail-in ballot.  

Council has agreed to seek a request for proposals for electronic voting.

Council Agrees to Look at Floating Bogs

Kenora City council has agreed to form a special committee to look at navigation issues on Laurenson's Creek.

The Laurenson Creek Property Owners Association made a deputation to council yesterday morning raising concerns about floating bogs in the water way.

Dave Schwartz is a spokesperson for the group and says its a good first step.

Schwartz says no level of government has agreed to take responsibility for the floating bogs, so he feels ultimately it's up to the city to try and deal with the problem.

FedNor Commits Funding for Manufacturing

Businesses throughout the region could get some much needed help by the Federal government.

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford has announced the Advanced Manufacturing Fund, which will spend 200 million dollars over the next 5 years.

Rickford says he's focused on an industry close to home.

He says two local companies are taking a serious look at the program.

Ignace Man Faces Fine for Illegal Camp

An Ignace man is 400 dollars lighter in the pocket-book for leaving his
camper on Crown Land too long.

The MNR says it responded to complaints of a number of campers parked
on Sturgeon Lake north of Ignace this past summer.

Conservation officers posted notices that camping on crown land is limited
to just 21 days.

All of the campers were removed except for one.

The MNR managed to track down the owner eventually and Leon Ray was
charged.

Windchill Warning in Effect

It's a bitterly cold morning across northwestern Ontario
.
A wind chill warning is in effect.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says temperatures with the wind are hovering around minus 40.

Environment Canada says exposed skin will freeze in under 5 minutes and you are reminded that if you have to spend time outside you should bundle up.

Broncos and Saints Boys Hockey Teams Split at Home

A win and a loss for Kenora's boys high school hockey teams.

Beaver Brae skated to an impressive 15-5 win over the Red Lake Rams
last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Adam Withers had an eight point night with four goals and four assists.

With the win, the Broncos improve to 5-2 on the season.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas boys were doubled up 4-2 by Fort Frances.

Dan Bishop and Rory Keith scored for the Saints.

The Broncos and Saints will meet up tomorrow night at the Kenora Rec. Center for
local bragging rights.  

Health Unit Promotes Healthy Pregnancy

Bringing new life into the world is no easy task.

That's why the Northwestern Health Unit is promoting healthy conception throughout the month.

Public Health Nurse Kathy Bryck says there are some simple messages for mothers-to-be including making
sure they are taking a folic acid supplement, eating well and making healthy life-style choices.

Bryk says people can book one on one appointments to discuss conception by calling any of the health units offices.

Bastone and Landry Acclaimed in Catholic School Board Elections

No change at the top of the Kenora Catholic District School board.

The separate school board held its inaugural meeting of the year last night and acclaimed both it's chair and vice-chair.

Frank Bastone is back again as chair and says he's looking forward to working with his vice-chair Paul Landry once again.

Bastone says they are looking forward to the completion of the expansion at Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys this year.

Construction on the four million dollar project is now underway.

Students At Catholic Board Raise Money for Typhoon Survivors

Students at the Catholic School Board have opened their hearts and
wallets for the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Phillipines.

A total of over 43 hundred dollars has been raised in a variety of
fundraisers over the past month.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says their donations will now be matched by the federal government.

Eikre says donations continue to trickle in so they still don't have a final figure yet for their fundraising efforts.

Harborfest Ticket Sales Brisk

The temperatures may be cold, but Harborfest tickets are proving to
be a hot commodity.

Last week, the Harborfest committee announced its concert line up for
the Saturday evening concert:  The Sheep Dogs and Three Days Grace.

Director of Entertainment, Dave Blake says since then tickets have been
flying off the shelves at a record pace.

He says they've sold several hundred of tickets in just four days.

Harborfest is also hoping to announce details of its Sunday concert in
the next week or so.

Police Re-Open Highway 502

Provincial Police have reopened Highway 502.

The road between Dryden and Fort Frances was closed for about an hour early this morning due to a jack-knifed transport.

No injuries are reported.

The state of the highway has become a topic of conversation as of late.

There are reports that Iron Range Bus Lines is refusing to use the road until it is properly maintained.

The bus company is using Highway 71 as an alternative to 502, even though
that's makes a longer bus trip.

Province Promising Solution to Non-Urgent Patient Transfers

A solution to the problem of non-urgent medical transfers in
northwestern Ontario may be at hand.

In the Ontario Legislature yesterday morning, Health Minister Deb Matthews says they are working on a possible solution.

She says they have been meeting with the Northwest Local Health Integration Network, but wouldn't say what exactly the solution might be.

Tory MPP Christine Elliott says the province has received a proposal from Pacific Western Transportation from B.C. which will not only save money but improve service in this region.

NAN Grand Chief Calls for Repeal of Far North Act

There are renewed calls to repeal the Far North Act.

At the Northern Leaders Forum, NAN Grand Chief, Harvey Yesno
told Premier Kathleen Wynne the legislation is hampering economic
development.

Natural Resources minister David Orazietti says first nations are buying
into the planning provisions of the Far North Act, with more than 30 communities already participating.

NAPS Gift Wraps Toys for Christmas

This Christmas will be a lot brighter for aboriginal children in the far north.

Members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service have been wrapping Christmas presents and all of the toys and gifts will be delivered to various First Nations communities.

The toys being shipped to Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Goose Bay have an estimated value of 110-thousand dollars and were collected throughout the year by the Canadian Toy Association.

It's expected that more than 7-thousand children will benefit this year from the program.

Province Promoting Apprenticeship Opportunities in Northern First Nations

Transportation minister Glenn Murray says there are opportunities for
aboriginal communities in future infrastructure projects.

Murray says proposed new legislation would require any company that wins a government contract to implement an apprenticeship program.

He suggests such an agreement would benefit communities such as Shoal Lake #39 and #40, once
work on twinning the Trans-Canada highway west of Kenora
gets underway.

Murray says he would also like to see cabinet ministers meet with the Northern
Growth Panel on a quarterly basis to update them on projects and priorities in the region.

Province Promises Help for Lumber Companies

The provincial government is promising to work with local lumber companies to
get them back in operation.

At the Northern Leader's Forum, Natural Resources Minister David Orazietti
talked about the opportunities facing mills like Kenora Forest Products.

Orazietti says the government is just part of the equation for getting the mills operational.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says the government does see the urgency in getting the mills up and running and is willing to do what it can to make that happen.

They were responding to a question from mayor Dave Canfield about emerging new opportunities for forest companies, and the future of the Kenora Forest Products mill.

Weechi-it-te-win Signs Agreement for Off-Reserve Children

Some additional workload for Weechi-it-te-win Family Services.

For the first time, the native-based agency can now
provide child welfare services to aboriginals living off reserve within the Kenora and Rainy River district.

Executive Director Laurie Rose says an agreement with Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services allows that to happen.

Rose says they had been asking for the expanded mandate from the province for many years without much success.

The two agencies sign the agreement in a ceremony Friday.