Boutwell Named BU's Male Athlete of the Year

More accolades for a former Thomas Aquinas Saints volleyball star.

Dan Boutwell has been named Brandon University's Male Athlete of the Year.

Boutwell has just wrapped up his five year career at Brandon and was also
named the Bobcats volleyball MVP at the Athletic Awards Banquet last night.

Last month, he was also named second team all-star in the Canada West University Athletics Association.

Taxi Rate Increase Delayed Until May 1st

Local taxi drivers will have to wait a few more weeks for a proposed rate increase to go into effect.

Taxi rates were supposed to go up three percent on April 1st.

But city council still hasn't passed the by-law authorizing the change.

That won't be done until next week.

The new rates are scheduled to take effect on May 1st.

School Board Approves Move Into Former Lakewood School

Office space pretty much costs the same whichever way you cut it.

That's the feeling of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board as it
has approved a move into the Seven Generations Building.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says the space on the fourth floor of the building has it's advantages.

Carrie does says that there has been one major change made to the lease agreement.

The public school board has agreed to pay 150 thousand dollars up front to help cover any costs associated with renovating the fourth floor of the former Lakewood School.

Funding Sought for Water Quality Study on Lake of the Woods

The International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board is hoping to
secure funding for more water quality research.

The Board is submitting a draft plan of study this week to the
International Joint Commission.

Kelly Saunders says they held a workshop last month to identify some of the key
issues.

Saunders says algae blooms, invasive species and climate change have are just
some of the issues that will be focused on.

Ontarians Support Public Health Care

A provincial health lobby group says there's strong support in keeping health care services in Ontario hospitals.

The Ontario Health Coalition says it attracted more than 56-thousand people to a voluntary province-wide referendum over the weekend supporting hospitals and stopping private clinics from being set up to take over those services.

About 99 percent of the people who voted were in favour of supporting local public hospitals and stopping the private clinics.

Charges Stem From Deer Attack in Dryden

A man is facing a charge under the Fish and Wildlife Act after a dog attacked a deer in Dryden.

OPP says the dog was running-at-large and incident last Thursday was witnessed by a number of people.

One of the individuals was forced to put the deer down because of it's injuries.

Attawapiskat Co-Manager Faces Fraud Charges

The former co-manager of Attawapiskat First Nation has been charged with fraud over 5-thousand dollars and theft over 5-thousand dollars.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Sergeant Jackie George says the charges stem for an 13 month long police investigation.

62-year-old Clayton Kennedy was co-manager of the northern Ontario band's finances from July 2010 until the end of the summer of 2012.

Kennedy will appear in court on May 28th.

In his private life, Kennedy is also the partner of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence.

NOSM Recognized for Supporting Rural Health

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is receiving a Rural Medical Education Award.

NOSM is getting the award because they excelled at matching the most graduates to rural family medicine programs.

In 2013, 64% of NOSM’s graduating MD class were matched to a rural family medicine residency program.

Conservatives Slam Ontario College of Trades

The Ontario PC's are slamming the Ontario College of Trades on this, its first anniversary.

Leader Tim Hudak says the college is nothing more than a money grab for the Wynne government.  

Hudak claims it creates more red tape for companies and stands in the way of creating jobs for young people and must go

The college charges a yearly fee of 120 dollars in order for a trade to be certified.

Legislation Governing Teacher Contract Talks Passes

Legislation to be used in future contract talks with the province's educators is now law.

Final approval of Bill 122 came today at Queen's Park with New Democrat support.

The Liberals says it allows for associations representing school boards to be at the bargaining table with government and unions reps on province-wide issues.

Local bargaining will still continue on all other issues.

Almost all existing collective agreements are to expire at the end of this August.

Hockey For Health Begins Tomorrow

Hockey teams are collecting donations as they prepare for the 6th annual hockey for health tournament.

The puck drops this Thursday for the yearly event in support of the hospital foundation.

Organizer Jess Rheault says if you can't donate before hand you can donate at the rink.

The teams which raise the most in each division will in the finals on Sunday.

Kenora Hosts NorWOSSA Badminton Finals Today

NorWOSSA badminton champions will be crowned today in ten different
categories.

Thomas Aquinas and Beaver Brae are hosting the NorWOSSA finals.

Medals will be handed out in junior boys and girls singles, doubles and mixed doubles
as well as senior boys and girls singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

The birdies will start flying around 10:00 this morning in all three gyms.

Winners in the senior divisions will advance to the NWOSSA championships next Wednesday.

OPP Arrest Robbery Suspect

A 27 year old Grassy Narrows man is in custody for a robbery in Kenora.

On Saturday afternoon police were called out after a man was assaulted and robbed in the downtown area.

As a result Sheldon Land has been charged with robbery with violence and remains in custody while he awaits a bail hearing.

The victim was transported to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital with serious but non life threatening injuries.

March Unusually Cold and Snowy

The month of March was like a microcosm of our winter in northwestern Ontario.

Environment Canada has issued a summary for the province of Ontario.

In Kenora, last month was both snowier and colder than normal.

While no records were set, we had more than twice as much snow than normal, with 48 centimeters.

The average daily mean temperature was -11.1, which is 5.5 degrees colder
than ususal.

Seven Generations Ready To Launch Mining Programs

You should start seeing some new vehicles on the grounds of the Seven Generations Institute in Kenora shortly.

The trailers are part of a mining preparedness program offered through the school.

CEO Delbert Hortons says it's all part of the 5.2 million dollar funding announced by the federal government last week.

Horton says they currently have 260 students in their programs throughout the region with a 94 percent retention rate in all their training programs.

Health Unit Says Region Measle-Free So Far

The Northwestern Health Unit wants to inform people about Measles.

There is an outbreak of measles happening nation wide.

Manager of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says it's easy to contract the airborne virus.

Stanley is happy to note that no cases have been reported in the region.

That's thanks to a 95 percent vaccination rate.

Public Inquiry Demanded for Missing Aboriginal Women

There are renewed calls for the federal government to launch a public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

The demand comes from a member of the Grand Council Treaty #3 Women's Executive Council.

Karen Kejick doesn't stop there.

She is also asking the government to increase awareness and funding to combat some of the social determinents behind the violence against aboriginal women.

Kejick says the Council is displeased with the government's lack of support on the issue.

Goldcorp Expanding Operations

Goldcorp is expanding its operations while creating eight new jobs through the province's Industrial Electricity Incentive.

The Musselwhite Mine has another projected decade worth of mine life.

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says that the incentive is a big part of supporting investment in the north.

Still Time To Register for Worst Roads

Just in time for pot hole season.

The Canadian Automobile Association has once again launched its Worst Roads campaign.

Amy Orfanakos says the last northern road to make the list was in 2010 when Pelican Falls Road in Sioux Lookout reached number 1.

She notes that 90 percent of the roads that make the top 10 actually do get fixed.

Countdown to Allen Cup is On

The schedule has been released for next week's Allen Cup in
Dundas.

The Kenora Triple A Senior Thistles will play their first game on
Monday at 2:30 in the afternoon against the Ontario champions,
the Brantford Blast.

The Thistles second round robin game is one week from today against
the Clarenville Caribous fro Newfoundland.

The Thistles will leave for Dundas this Sunday morning.