Kenora Martial Artists Perform Well at International Event

Local martial arts competitors are showing off their medals from the World Sikaran-Arnis tournament in Winnipeg.

8 competitors took part in the tournament that included teams from the US, New Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines.

Miguel De Costa and Jewel Henry both took a gold medals in the hands and weapons events.

Other first place finishes include Jaylen Green, Jay Green and Decara McDonald in sparring.

Local instructor Marianne King also won 2 gold medals at the event along with earning her 4th degree blackbelt.

The team returned home with 23 total medals.

Sudden Death Investigated in Kenora

The OPP are investigating a sudden death in the north end of town.

Police say they received a report of a deceased man around 7:00 this morning.

The Kenora Crime Unit and the Forensic Identification Unit are looking into the incident.

The OPP say they won't release his name until next of kin have been notified.

Red Lake Officer Arrested For Impaired Driving

A Red Lake OPP officer is in some hot water.

The OPP say they were conducting a RIDE Check stop Saturday night
on Highway 125 in the community.

They pulled over a vehicle and discovered the driver had been drinking.

She gave a breath sample to officers and registered a fail.

Constable Caitlyn Van Straalen, a six year member of the police force, was arrested.

The OPP say she will be restricted to non-operational duties until her first
court appearance on June 5th.

Good Response To Day of Action on Climate Change

The Energy East Pipeline dominated discussions during a day of action against climate change.

Event organizer says Teika Newton said the process does have it flaws.

Newton also noted the deadline to apply for a chanc
e to speak at the next OEB consultation is Thursday.

Guest Speaker Mark Calzavara recommended that apart from consultations people should continue to make the Energy East Pipeline a priority in the upcoming provincial election.

Slow Start Expected to Tourism Season

This summer could be a mixed bag for tourist outfitters across the region.

The Kenora District Camp Owners says the long winter and slow start to spring won't help visitor numbers.

President Jacqui Hawkness says over the past 15 years they've noticed a steady decline in the number of
American anglers heading north.

She hopes that a lower Canadian dollar might be enough to encourage more traffic north this summer.

Hawkness adds the Fort Frances border is doing a better job processing American visitors with prior minor convictions through but notes more needs to be done.

Kasechewan Evacuating Again

Flooding in Kaschewan First Nation has become a major problem once again.

A state of emergency is in effect and more than 600-people have been evacuated to Thunder Bay and Greenstone.

The remaining residents of the community of 2-thousand people are expected to be relocated today.

The Canadian Red Cross is working closely with provincial and municipal officials to support the needs of evacuees.

Volunteers are registering evacuees and providing for personal needs such as baby supplies and hygiene items.

Local Candidates Hit The Campaign Trail

Election signs are starting to pop up like blades of grass across the
Kenora-Rainy River Riding.

All four declared candidates have hit the campaign trail.

Incumbant NDP candidate Sarah Campbell says she's concerned about the rampant spending of the Kathleen Wynne Government.

Elsewhere, Conservative Candidate Randy Nickle says he will be opening his Kenora campaign office this Thursday at Central Community club.

Concern Raised About e-cigarettes

The Northwestern Health Unit recognizes that e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kit Young-Hoon says there is research that suggests it may be beneficial in helping people quit.

But she says that research is not conclusive.

She says there is concern that people may still be using cigarettes at home, while employing e-cigarettes at
work.

The e-cigarettes have already been banned in New York and Chicago.

Another Call For Inquiry Into Murdered and Missing Aboriginal Women

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Women's Council is at Parliament Hill today.

The Council is in Ottawa to honour missing and murdered aboriginal women in a day long ceremony.

The ceremony started on Mother's Day and wraps up tonight.

Morwood Wins Mother's Day Road Race

A new name atop the leader board this year at the annual Mother's Day Road Race.

Dan Morwood took top honors in the 10k event finishing in a time of 37 minutes and 51 seconds.

Janet Findlay was the top female, finishing eight mintues back.

In the five kilometer race, Jason Bruce completed the race in 20 minutes and 40 seconds.

Charlotte Rosewarne was four minutes back, as the top female finisher.

A total of 216 people signed up for this year's road race along Lakeview Drive.

NorWOSSA Soccer Action Underway

A couple of close games this morning at Thomas Aquinas.

Beaver Brae battled the Saints in boys and girls soccer action.

The elements kept scoring down in the first game of the day as
the Bronco boys played to a 0-0 draw with T.A. in a driving rain.

In the second game of the day, Thomas Aquinas blanked Beaver
Brae 1-0.

The round-robin exhibition series will wrap up at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon with the Saints boys taking on Dryden.

KDSB Offers Funding for Non-Profit Housing

Some social housing units in the Kenora District are getting a facelift

The Services Board has approved an extra 30 thousand dollars in funding to carry out the upgrades.

Director of Finance and Asset Management Corrine Owen says they originally set aside 310-thousand  dollars for capital work, but stresses more was needed to ensure tenant safety.

Aamikkowish Non Profit Housing in Kenora will get 15 thousand dollars to replace a failed furnace and remove water damaged/mouldy drywall.

Kenora Non Profit Housing is also getting 90 thousand dollars for various upgrades.

Fire Fighters Applaud New Cancer Regulations

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department is applauding a decision by the
provincial government to expand cancer coverage for fire fighters.

The regulation change was made last week just before the provincial election was
called.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says cancer is just one of their on-the-job hazards.

The province is adding breast, testicular and multiple melanoma to the list of cancers
fire fighters can get coverage for immediately.

Prostate, lung and skin cancers will be phased in by 2017.

Red Cross Concerned About New Osnaburgh

New Osnaburgh First Nation remains in a state of emergency as the community has difficulty dealing with a February 13th fatal fire.

A mother, her two young daughters and her nephew perished in the blaze.

A team from the Canadian Red Cross is in the community this week to assess the situation and Spokesperson Tracey Browne says this is a groundbreaking visit.

Browne says the ultimate goal is developing a plan to improve the quality of life in New Osnaburgh and determining what services various agencies should be offering.

Aboriginal Leaders Continue To Discuss First Nation Education

First Nations leaders are in Thunder Bay this week to discuss the First Nations Education Act.

NAN leaders, as well as members from the Chiefs of Ontario continue to express their opposition to the piece of legislation.

Bill C-33 was introduced on April 10th by the federal government, but has remained on hold since the resignation of National Chief Shaun Atleo.

Fort Coming To Grips With Resolute Closure

The town of Fort Frances says its ready to move ahead without the existence of its major employer for the past 100 years.

Resolute Forest Products announced Wednesday it will permanently shutdown its pulp and paper mill.

Mayor Roy Avis says it has lifted a cloud of uncertainty that existed for months.

Avis says the focus now will be on initiatives that help offset the economic loss.

National Day of Honor

The Royal Canadian Legion is perplexed about why the federal government gave them so little time to prepare commemoration ceremonies across the region for today’s National Day of Honour.

The day is to mark the end of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, however little notice was given.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says several branches didn't have time to put something together.

No ceremony is planned locally, though residents are encourage to take two minutes of silence at 12:30 to honor our soldiers who died in the Afghan mission.

Sioux Lookout OPP Make Trafficking Arrest

A tip from someone has resulted in a bust for Provincial Police in Sioux Lookout.

Officers received information about a man travelling through the community who was believed to be carrying a large amount of cash.

Police nabbed the inidividual and found nearly 18-thousand dollars worth of what is believed to be drug money in his possession.

The accused was also in possession of a controlled substance.

OPP say 38-year-old Dean Bluecoat of Thunder Bay faces two charges.

Mother's Day Road Race Set to Go

Another edition of the mother's day road race is ready to go.

The annual 5 and 10 kilometre event goes Sunday at the Whitecap Pavilion.

Jennifer Findlay says the proceeds are going to the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

There will also be a fundraising pasta supper tomorrow night at Borelli's.

For registration details visit the Kenora Borealis Page here.

Muskies Ready To Make Their Home on Main

A community project.

That's how Irene McQuaig with the Lake of the Woods Arts Community feels about the Muskies on main project.

LOWAC gave a sneak peek of some the Muskies during an event on Wednesday.

They will be put for display on Main Street June 27th.