Kenora OPP Officer Faces Theft Charges

A Kenora OPP officer has been charged with theft.

The Kenora detachment began an investigation back on December 28th.

As a result constable Steve Tetrault was charged with theft under 5 thousand dollars.

Tetreault was off duty at the time of the alleged incident and has been placed on leave from the force.

He will answer to the charges next month.

Fire Scare at Blue Heron

It could have been a very difficult start to 2015 for 2 businesses in Kenora.

This morning the Blue heron had a bit of a scare when a small plug in heater caught fire.

The employee working at the time was able to put out the small fire before calling the Fire and Emergency Services Department.

Yesterday morning Kinger Fiberglass on highway 17 East was destroyed when the Furnace caught fire.

Operations Trying to Keep Roads Open

The city of Kenora is doing all it can to keep the roads drive-able as the snow continues to fall.

Operations Manager Rick Perchuk says in weather like there is only so much they can do as the weather would eliminate most plowing and sanding operations throughout the day.

Perchuk says once the snow comes to an end they will have the full plowing and sanding fleet out to clear the roads.

He says the weather has been very tiring on the operations crew this winter.

1st Impaired Driving Chagred Laid in 2014

A new year and the same old result.

In the early morning January 1st the Provincial Police laid their first impaired driving charge of 2014.

The charges were laid after the Treaty 3 Police stopped a vehicle on Ninth Street North and handed the suspect over to the OPP.

As a result 24 year old Melissa Skead from Rat Portage First Nation was charged with impaired driving, and driving without a licence.

She will appear in court in February.

MNR Fines 2 Windsor Residents

Two southern Ontario hunters are facing a combined total of two-thousand dollars in fines for illegaly hunting deer just south of Red Lake.

Terenzio Angelini has been fined fifteen-hundred dollars for hunting deer without a license and is not allowed to hunt in Ontario for one-year.

Michele Pecoraro was fined five-hundred dollars for possessing illegally killed wildlife.

Housing Needs Addressed

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield say the city must focus on building affordable houses.

Canfield says we're building homes above our needs and that has left slim pickings for new families.

He notes the city is looking at building subdivisions with homes in the low $200,000 range.

He notes that they hope to have more hosing in place with in the next 3-4 years as projections forecast a population increase of a few thousand people.

Harbourfest Expects Announcement This Month

The holiday season put a damper on plans plans to announce another night for Harbourfest.

Director of Entertainment Dave Blake says they were planning on having 2 nights booked for the August long weekend festival by the time Christmas rolled around.

However Blake says most agents have gone on hiatus until the middle of January.

He is hoping to finalize another act by the end of the month.

So far The Sheepdogs and Three Days grace will take the stage for the Saturday night show.

Alberta Clipper Hits the Region

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the area but we are going to get a small reprieve from the deep freeze.

Meterologist Geoff Coulson says we have a high of -12 today and we can expect the warmer weather to stick around for a short time.

With the warmer weather today comes snowfall with up to 10 centimeters expected and up to 20 centimeters possibly by tomorrow.

With strong winds also expected to pick up visibility will be reduced on area highways making for poor driving conditions.

Mill Start-up Expected in Ear Falls

EACOM Timber is planning on re-opening the Ear Falls Sawmill sooner rather than later.

Company Spokesperson Gwen Webster says the company's goal is to take advantage with what they believe will be a strong market for lumber in 2014.

Currently the company is testing existing equipment that has sat idle at the mill for nearly five years.

Fire Claims Local Business

The Kenora Fire and Emergency Services department have the fire at Kinger Fiberglass under control.

The blaze started early in the morning before 7:00.

Owner Don Kinger say reports indicate the blaze started in the furnace.

He confirms that he had been having issues with the furnace and that a scheduled repair was postponed during the holiday season.

Kinger says the biggest loss is the tools he's collected over the last 35 years.

It is the 3rd fire in the area in the last 3 days and 7th since later October.

Kinger said it was to early to discuss the idea of re-opening his shop.

Fire Chief Offers Safety Tips

Install working smoke alarms.

Kenora Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says he can't issue that warning enough.

Brinkman says it's an easy process and will help keep you safe if a fire does start in your home.

He notes that alarms must be installed on every floor of a home and recommends one outside everything bedroom.

Brinkman also recommends a chimney and furnace inspection during this cold spell hitting the region.

He issued the warning after 2 more properties were destroyed in the area just before new year's and a business was lost early this morning.

Forestry Key for Canfield

Making sure forestry is not forgotten in favor of mining.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield is continuing to fight for more mills to become operational in the region.

Canfield says the province has to seize the opportunity with BC mills suffering due to the Mountain Pine Beetle.

Local leaders recently discussed the issue with the premiere and cabinet ministers at a meeting in Timmins.

Canfield notes the prices in commodities like gold continue to drop in price and that makes forestry the strongest option in the here and now.

Study Addresses Hydro Line to Pickle Lake

A recent study finds that of six proposed transmission routes that would be used to supply energy from Ignace and Dryden to Pickle Lake only one would pose minimum risk to caribou.

The Crossing Caribou Country study found that having a route following Highway 599 would be the best option because it is an existing, permanent road.

Spokesperson Anna Baggio says the other proposals would interfere with lands that have been described as some of the best for caribou populations.

Rickford Stands Against Pension Reform

Minister of State and Kenora MP Greg Rickford says now is not the time to revamp the Canada Pension Plan.

Some province's are upset with the Finance Minister over his unwillingness right now to work with province's on a new plan.

Rickford says they have to be very sensitive to the burdens of small and medium sized businesses.

Rickford acknowledges that individual province's are looking at their own pension plan and states the government will have to see how that will play out.

Group's Discuss Future of Ring Of Fire's

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle wants to see some movement on the Ring of Fire in the New Year.

Gravelle says they've made a good start with the establishment of the development corporation but notes more needs to be done.

2013 saw Cliffs' Natural Resources pull out of their mining project in the Ring of Fire.

He notes that they will continue to work with all the other partners involved in the giant mining development.

Inn the meantime, several key initiatives could be wrapped up in 2014 according to Bob Rae the Matawa First Nations Chief Negotiator.

Rae says they're are several areas he'll focus on including infrastructure and construction.

Rae also wants to see the environmental practices in place in respect to
any mining activity in the Ring.

OPP Investigate Break & Enter

The Kenora Provincial Police are investigating a break and enter at Wincrief Forest Products.

Police say the break in happened between Monday December 21st and December 30th.

An unknown number of suspects made off with a portable 12/24 volt battery charger  and a Miller Trailblazer Welder.

The total cost of the stolen products is over 12 thousand dollars.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP at 548-5534 or Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477.

Fires Destroy 2 Properties in the Area

The number of house fires in the Kenora area continue to rise.

Yesterday the Kenora Fire and Emergency Services Department attended a fire on Easy Street north of the city.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says the road to the cabin made it impossible for them the access the site resulting in a total loss.

Also last night the Longbow Lake Fire Department responded to a chimney fire on Boulton Road.

Chief Baker says the house was a total loss as well as cold weather kept freezing their pumps and hoses.

Brinkman and Baker confirm that no injuries were reported in either fire.

With the 2 blazes there have now been 6 in the area since October including 4 since December 11th.

Police Investigate Assault

The Kenora Provincial Police are seeking assistance in locating the suspect of an assault on December 20th.

The assault occured when a 41 year old man was attacked leaving a bar near second street south.

He was attack by 2-4 other men who knocked him unconscious.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt Jeff DUGGAN of the Kenora Crime Unit at 807-548-5534 extension 3740.

Meanwhile, Impaired driving continues to be an issue in Kenora.

2 more drivers have been charged in the past week.

On the evening of the 27th police stopped 21 year old Tanner Lindstrom of Rat Portage First Nation on Golf Course Road.

Lindstrom was charged with impaired driving and driving without a licence and will answer to the charge next month.

Yesterday morning the OPP also stopped 42 year old mark Hignell of Kenora on Highway 17 East.

Hignell was also charged with impaired driving and answered to the charges yesterday.

New Year's Eve Events

 There are multiple ways to finish off 2013 tonight.

Mount Evergreen will be hosting the annual snowflake shake.

The night includes a prime rib dinner, music, skiing, and fireworks.

The club opens at 5 and runs until 9.

Also taking place tonight the Rotary Club is hosting their new years eve event at the kenora Rec Centre.

The evening includes free access to the skating rink, swimming pool, and fitness centre, and also includes hay rides.

The event runs from 4-7.

Rickford Speaks on First Nations Education Act

The Federal Government is encouraging First Nations to develop their own education framework.

So says Kenora MP Greg Rickford who is responding to the recent tension between the government and aboriginal groups over the First Nations Education Act.

Rickford notes it's important to work together.

He adds another priority is ensuring aboriginal children have a proper place to learn in.