Drinkwalter Running Again for Council

There's almost sure to be a race for Kenora City Council this fall.


A seventh person has entered the race for one of six seats on council.

Charito Drinkwalter filed her nomination papers on Monday.

She is a rookie member of council, and joins Dave McCann, Jim Parsons,
Wendy Cuthbert and Rory McMillan as councillors seeking re-election.

The deadline to file nomination papers is September 10th.

Highway 17 West Open to One Lane

Still no indication when Highway 17 west of Kenora near the Manitoba Border will be
re-opened to two lanes of traffic.

The Trans-Canada was closed by an accident involving two tractor-trailor units
early this morning.

The OPP say a westbound rig with a lone male driver collided with an eastbound semi.

The westbound transport caught fire and was completely destroyed.

The there were two people in the eastbound truck, and they were rescued by fire crews that
were on the scene.

All three were taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for Treatment of injuries sustained
in the collision.

The OPP says Charges are still pending.

NOMA reflects on AMO conference

Members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are recapping their recent meetings with provincial ministers.


NOMA met with 8 ministers on a variety of topics.

President Anne Krassilowski says she spoke with the Minister of Natural Resources about the forest tenure process.

Meanwhile, Krassilowski was elected to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario board alongside Thunder Bay Mayor Lynn Peterson.

Another Blockade At Grassy Narrows

Yet another blockade has gone up on the Grassy Narrows First Nation north of Kenora.

This time the blockade is aimed at the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Roberta Keesick is one of the people at the blockade and says it was started up on Friday
after MNR officials tried to shut down repair work being done by community members on
the Slant Lake Road.

Keesick says the MNR wants the community to get proper permits before its begins any
roadwork in the community.

She says there are no plans to take down the blockade any time soon.

Highway 17 West of Kenora Closed

It could be a while before Highway 17 west of Kenora is open to two way traffic again.

Highway 17, just east of the Ontario/Manitoba border is still closed due to a motor vehicle accident.

The OPP says two tractor trailor units collide just after 5:00 this morning about three kilometers west of the Shoal Lake turn-off.

Three people were injured, but no other details about the accident have been released.

Police now says the highway could be closed until at least 10:00 this morning while the wreckage is cleared and officers complete their investigation.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Announces Funding

The provincial government is supporting Northwestern Ontario's aboriginal and metis victims.


The Ontario Native Women's Association has developed workshops designed to foster healthy relationships.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley says they've adopted a "for us by us" strategy.

Another first nations group is offering a healing arts program designed to remember those first nation women who are missing.

House fire on Mascott Avenue

Its been a busy couple of days for Kenora's Fire and Emergency Service crews.


Fire fighters were called out to a house fire on Mascott Avenue early this morning.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says the call came in just before 3:00 this morning.

He says due to quick work by fire crews, they were able to contain the blaze to the room of origin.

He says there was extensive damage to the room and some water damage to the home as well.

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Brinkman says they are still investigating how the fire started.

Doer Visits International Falls

Canada's Ambassador to the United States has agreed to looking into how Canada can make it easier for Americans with minor convictions to cross the border.


Gary Doer was questioned about the policies now carried out at Canada's borders during his visit Friday to International Falls.

He agrees it's vital to growing Canada's tourism industry to resolve the problem.

Area tourism officials says millions of dollars have been lost because of American being turned back at the border for minor convictions, some decades old.

New Principal for Pope John Paul

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has decided to hire from within to fill a key leadership vacancy.

Maureen Carlin-Frankcom has been chosen to be the new principal at Pope John Paul II School.

Carlin-Frankcom was promoted from the vice-principal's position at the elementary school.

She takes over from Andy Graham, who resigned last week to take a job with the Bimose Tribal Council.

The board has not indicated who will take over the vice-principal's position at
Pope John Paul.

OPP Aboriginal Awareness Course

24 OPP officers from across northwestern Ontario are spending the week on the Washagamis Bay First Nation near Kenora.

The officers are taking part in the OPP's annual aborignal awareness course which is being held at the Health Center.

Inspector Dave Lucas from the Kenora Detachment says they will cover a number of topics over the next few days.

Lucas says the course is usually held in northeastern Ontario, but last year the course was held in Sioux Lookout, and this year is Kenora's turn to host.

Fatal Fire Update

An autopsy will be conducted in Toronto today on a 47 year old man who died in a house fire in Kenora over the weekend.

Allan John Mosher was pulled out of a house on 5th Street North Saturday evening around 6:00.

Mosher was initially treated at the scene, and was transported to Lake of the Woods District Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office and the OPP's Northwest Region Crime Unit.

The OPP says the single story home sustained significant damage.

Men's Soccer Final Set

The final for Thursday night's Kenora Men's Soccer Final is all set.

The Centuries will meet up with the Stingers at 6:00.

The Centuries advanced with a 3-1 over the Playaz in semi-final action
last night.

Meantime, the Stingers romped to a 6-1 victory over the Fury.

Second Youth charged in Connection Bearskin Lake Murder

A second person faces murder charges in connection to the death of a
20 year old Bearskin Lake area man.

The OPP say another 15 year old youth has been charged with second degree murder.

Neil Fiddler was pronounced dead at the nursing station in Bearskin Lake back on August 14th.

Initially, a 15 year old youth was charged with second degree murder and also attempted murder in connection to injuries sustained by a 19 year old man.

The second youth is scheduled to appear in Kenora court today on murder charges, attempted
murder, assault with a weapon and breach of probation.

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act the names of both youth cannot be released.

One Person dies in north end Fire

The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office has been called in to investigate a fatal fire in Kenora over the weekend.

The blaze broke out Saturday evening around 6:00 in the 5th Street North area.

Kenora Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says while crews were on the scene quickly, one person still succumbed to his injuries.

The name of the deceased has not been released.

Brinkman says investigators from the Fire Marshall's office will look into the cause and origin of the blaze.

The OPP is also investigating the incident.

Hampton concerned about possible sale of northern dams

The McGuinty Government is being asked to do something to prevent the sale of hydro dams in Northern Ontario owned by AbitibiBowater.


The dams are located in Kenora, Fort Frances and Iroquois Falls.

Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the government should to something to block the sale.

Hampton says the dams are vital to the future of the mills in Iroquois Falls and Fort Frances.

Extra Funding for New Fire Hall

The City of Kenora is getting some support from the provincial government to help cover part of
the costs of building a new fire hall on Barsky's Hill.

Construction of the 17 hundred square meter facility is nearing an end, and the Northern Ontario
Heritage Fund is pledging one million dollars towards the five million dollar project.

The new facility will not only have more space for fire fighting equipment, it will also include
two classrooms.

The new building is supposed to be ready to move into by the end of September.

Bronco football players open training camp

Another high school football season is just around the corner.
Players and coaches are showing up this morning at Pete Fair Memorial
field for the start of a two week training camp.

The Broncos play their first game in the Winnipeg High School Football
league on September 10th against their rivals from Dryden.

Beaver Brae will once again be competing in Division Two of the football league.

Their first and only exhibition game will be played at home against the Eagles on September 2nd.

Construction on New Group Home Begins

Construction has begun on a new group home on Brinkman Road.


The facility will replace the aging Birchcliff Group Home on the Coker Road.

Bill Leonard is the executive director of Kenora Patricia Child and Family Services and expects construction will be complete before the end of next March.

The 2.2 million dollar project is located on the site of the playground of the old Our Lady of the Valley School.

Municipal Election Deadline Looming

The deadline to run in the municipal elections is jut three weeks from today.


So far only six people have signed up to run for one of six seats on city council.

Veteran Councillor Rory McMillan is the latest person to file his nomination papers.

He suggests the four year term of office may be too big a committment for some people.

There are also two people entered in the race for three trustee positions on the public
school board and two people running for one of five seats on the Kenora Catholic District
School Board.

The deadline for nominations is September 10th.

Foul Play not Suspected in Ignace Fatality

The OPP says foul play is not suspected in the death of a person found in the bush near Ignace earlier this week.

Some people picking blueberries about 25 kilometers east of Ignace on Tuesday
discovered the human remains.

More information is expected to be released next week after a post-mortem exam is conducted in Toronto.

In the meatime, the OPP's NorthWest Region Forensic Identification Unit, the OPP Crime Unit and a forensic anthropoligist are continuing to investigate the incident.

Ride for Memories looking for riders

The Alzheimer's Society for Kenora-Rainy River district is looking for more participants for this year's Ride for Memories.


It will take place on August 28th.

Executive director Lynn Moffitt says it's an important fundraiser for the society.

Registration can be done on-line or calling the Society's office in Kenora.

Rainy River Resources increases exploration

Rainy River Resources will be spending almost 25-million dollars over the next year on exploration activities in northern Ontario.


That's an increase of over 6-million from the last fiscal year.

Most of the money will be spent at its gold-bearing properties north of Barwick.

Three million will be used to explore of an area, 470 kilometres north of Pickle Lake, a project with Sudbury-based Northern Superior Resources

Rabbit Lake Beach re-opened

With warmer weather on the way, some good news for people heading to the beach this weekend.

The Northwestern Health Health unit has re-opened Rabbit Lake Beach after shutting it down earlier this month due to high bacterial levels.

Earlier this week, Anicinabe and Garrow Park Beaches were also re-opened after water tests showed acceptible levels of e-coli bacteria.

More Fire Crews heading to B.C.

Ontario is sending more forest fire fighting personnel to British Columbia.


The Ministry of Natural Resources says it will be sending another 222 firefighters and support personnel to B-C in the coming days.

A 19-person Incident Management team and three helicopter coordinators will leave tomorrow.

The rest will depart August 26th.

There are currentlt 334 MNR personnel working in B-C.

Gravelle stays put in Cabinet Shuffle

Minister for Northern Developmen, Mines and Forestry is happy to be keeping his portfolio.

Michael Gravelle says he thinks this week's cabinet shuffle was well planned.

Gravelle also says he's thrilled to be sitting on the Priorities and Planning committee of cabinet.


Gravelle says his ministry has a lot of issues to tackle over the next while and looks forward to continuing his work.

Human Remains found near Ignace

The OPP are investigating the discovery of some human remains near Ignace.

The body was found earlier this week in an area just off Highway 17, about 25 kilometers
east of Ignace.

The Northwest Regional Forensic Identification Unit, the Crime unit and a forensic
anthropologist have been brought in to help identify the body.

The OPP say no other details are being released at this time.

Two Northwestern Children Aid Agencies to Amalgamate

Two northwestern Ontario children's aid agencies are planning to join forces.

Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services and Family and Children Services of Rainy River
District announced their plans today to amalgamate.

Bill Leonard will be the executive director of the new child care agency and says they are still
waiting for guarantees from the province that it will cover the million dollar price tag of the
merger.

The two agencies have been talking since last September about amalgamating.

Bob McGreavy is the chair of the Family and Children's Services of Rainy River and says
they expect to be able to save about 500 thousand dollars a year with the merger.

McGreavy says no jobs will be lost due to the amalgamation.

The two agencies are expected to formally merge on April 1st, 2011.

KDSB announces funding

The Kenora District Services Board has handed out 153-thousand dollars in funding for several area children's groups.


Nearly 70-grand is going to children of Ontario Works clients for backpacks, school supplies, footwear and clothing.

Twenty thousand dollars has also been promised to Triple PLAY in Kenora to ensure that local children in need have the opportunity to participate in arts, cultural and recreational activities.

KDSB debates voting issues

The Kenora District Services Board has defeated a motion to allow alternate members to vote on key issues.

The resolution was presented by members of the unincorporated area who feel that their attendance at Board meetings without a vote is a waste of time.

One member says the unincorporated area pays 45-percent of the operations for the KDSB.

The resolution also goes on to say Municipal alternates are also frustrated with the current policy.

The KDSB is the only Services Board in Ontario that uses alternates.

Kenora Man charged with starting Forest Fire

A Kenora man has been ordered to pay the 24-hundred dollar cost of putting out a fire he started.


Court heard that back in April the man removed burned debris from a camp and dumped it into Dogtooth Lake.

However, some of the hot ash landed along the shore and a fire quickly spread due to dry conditions.

The Longbow Lake Fire Department and Ministry of Natural Resources ground and air team were forced to extinguish the blaze.

William Renner was fined an additional 250-dollars.

Ainsworth Employees to vote on tentative contract

There's a tentative deal for unionized workers at the Ainsworth oriented strandboard mill in Barwick.


It was reached yesterday afternoon following 27-hours of non-stop bargaining between the company and the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union.

No details are being released pending the outcome of a ratification vote by workers scheduled for tonight in Emo.

But C-E-P rep Steven Boon says the deal does address key language and monetary improvements and there are no concessions.

Hampton Reacts to Cabinet Shuffle

Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says yesterday's cabinet shuffle by premier Dalton McGuinty could cost liberals votes in northwestern Ontario.


Hampton says the addition of two ministers from Toronto and Ottawa MPPs sends another message that the Liberal Government focus is on big cities rather than northern Ontario

Hampton says the move could hurt the Liberals in the next election.

New Principal Sought for Pope John Paul II

Local school boards are getting ready for another school year, but the Kenora Catholic District School Board is going to have to do a last minute hiring exercise to fill a key vacancy.

The principal of Pope John Paul II School announced his resignation this week.

Andy Graham has taken a job with the Bimose Tribal Council.

Kevin Debnam is the acting Director of Education and says they will be interview potential
candidates for the job at PJP this weekend.

Debnam says they put out an ad in last weekend's paper advertising for principals and vice-principals
and they hope to create a pool of qualified candidates through the process.

Children's Aid Merger to be announced

A major change is in the offing for Children's Aid services in the Kenora and Rainy River

Districts.

Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services and Family and Children's Services of the District
of Rainy River are expected to announce details of their merger today.

The two agencies have been discussing the possibility of amalgamating for a number of months,
but had to wait for the province to approve their plans.

A press conference is scheduled this morning to outline the details of the merger.

While there are expected to be some administrative cost savings, there is not supposed to
be any reduction in frontline services or frontline staff.

Ontario Fire Rangers Heading Home

Some of Ontario fire fighting resources in British Columbia are coming home.


A total of 168 Ministry of Natural Resources fireRangers and support personnel are scheduled back today following a two-week deployment in the west coast.

Sunday, the province sent 206 personnel, including some from northwestern Ontario, to replace those returning.

Kenora District Services Board loses CAO

The Kenora District Services Board is losing it's top gun.


Cheif Administrative Officer Sten Lif has announced his retirement effective March 2011.

Lif says the Board has turned into a 50-million dollar organization in just 12-years.

The District Services Board hopes to have a replacement for Lif in place
before his departure next year.

Bearskin Lake youth faces Murder Charge

A 15 year old youth from the Bearskin Lake First Nation is due to appear in Kenora Court this morning on murder charges.

The Nishinaski-Aski Police says they were called to the nursing station in the remote community early Sunday morning.

Police say one man had been pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was taken to hospital in Sioux Lookout for treatment.

The deceased has been identified as 20 year old Neil Fiddler from Bearskin Lake.

An autopsy will take place in Toronto today to determine the cause of death.

In the meantime, the OPP's Northwest Crime Unit has been brought in to help out
with the investigation.

The 15 year old suspect, has been charged with second degree murder and also
attempted murder.

Ignace man charged in cold case

OPP have laid charges against an Ignace man in a cold case investigation that dates back to the mid 80's.


Between 1985 and 1987, Thunder Bay OPP looked into a number of cases where a man wearing a disguise and at times brandishing a weapon entered homes and sexually assaulted women.

A man was arrested and charged in 1987 but the charges were dismissed 2-years later.

Police reopened the case in 2007 and today arrested 62-year-old Donald Milani.

Milani has been charged with 19-offences including break and enter, sexual assault, wearing a disguise while committing an indictable offence, forcible confinement and robbery.

He has been released and scheduled in Court on August 30th.

Airport looking to increase traffic

The Kenora Airport Authority is looking for ways of increasing traffic at their facility.

Members of the Airport Authority met with Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford yesterday to discuss how the federal government might be able to help
out.

Rick Lovelace is chair of the airport authority and says they have big plans, which will require a lot of financial support.

Lovelace says they'd also like to build a new airport terminal, but all those plans will require funding from both the federal and provincial levels of government.

New Service Ontario Site Open

For the second time in less than a year the location to re-new your driver's licence in Kenora has moved.

A new Service Ontario office has opened up on Main Street South in the old Land Titles Office.

The site will offer both Ontario Health card and driver and vehicle licencing services.

The new Service Ontario office opened yesterday to the public and replaces the former site at the provincial building on Robertson Street.

Kenora Airport Gets Funding

The Kenora Airport is getting over three-quarters of a million dollars to improve the safety of the facility.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford announced 775 thousand dollars to install a fence to keep wildlife out of the airport compound.

Rickford says the funding comes out of the federal/provincial infrastructure program.

Airport manager Mike Zroback says they plan to install a 12 foot high fence around the airport to keep deer out.

He says there have been a number of near misses in recent years between aircraft
landing and taking off and wandering wildlife.

Highway fatality near Oxdrift

A woman from Kitchener, Ontario has been killed in a two-vehicle accident between Kenora and Dryden on the Trans-Canada Highway.

The OPP say the collision took place shortly after 10:00 yesterday morning near the intersection of Eton-Rugby Road and Highway 17.

Police say a west-bound car collided with an eastbound pick-up truck.

The driver of the car, 35 year old Rosanne O'Brien was killed, while the operator of the half-ton was taken to hospital in Dryden for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The highway was closed for over five hours as a result of the collision.

Ultimate Fishing Town Contest

Nestor Falls is getting a lot of support for its bid to be the Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada.

The northwestern Ontario community is second among all towns and cities nominated, with 142 submissions to the World Fishing Television contest.

Kenora has 40 votes and is fifth overall.
Nominator Maureen Hanson of Hanson's Hideaway Lodge says it's an important contest to win.

The winning town gets 25-thousand in prizes.

Voting begins today on the World Fishing Network website.

Angler Young Angler Winners

The founder of the Angler Young Angler Fishing tournament now has official
bragging rights.

Andrew Klopak teamed up with two other youngsters to win the one day
walleye fishing derby on Lake of the Woods over the weekend.

Klopak, Stephen Duynisveld, and Jordan Boychuck from Lac Du Bonnet weighed in more than
30 pounds of walleye to take this year's title, which featured 28 teams
from across Canada and the United States.

City and Health Unit meet over Beach Signage

The Northwestern Health Unit says its willing to work with the City of Kenora over Beach Warning notices.

Health Unit administration met with council at a special meeting last week to discuss the issue.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. James Arthurs says they are governed by very specific legislation, but are willing to look at suggestions on how to better present information about beach closures.

Members of council have suggested sending beach water samples to labs in Winnipeg to get quicker information about bacteria levels at local beaches.

Moncrief United Ladies Soccer Champs

Moncrief United were two for three in Kenora Women's Soccer this season.

United edged out Hap's Hurricanes for the overall league title.
The two teams also met up last night in the League Championship game,
and United prevailed 4-0.

Hap's won the Ladies Tournament title last month.

Treaty Three Police lay Murder Charges

Treaty Three Police Service have made an arrest in connection with stabbing death of a man on the Onigaming First Nation back in April.
22-year-old Thomas Ryan Indian appeared in a Kenora court on Friday on a charge of second degree murder in the death of 45-year-old William Kelly.

Kelly's body was found in a home in the reserve near Nestor Falls April 8.

Police say he died as a result of a single stab wound.

Rafferty wants investigation of Cross Border Complaints

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty wants to know if the enforcement of border crossings in northwestern Ontario is stiffer than elsewhere in Canada.

Rafferty says recent media reports of an Illinois man, denied entry at the Fort Frances border because of a criminal report dating back to his high school days, highlights the need for a review.

Rafferty understands the difficult role customs officers must perform, but is concerned with the number of complaints he's heard.

CAA launches annual Worst Roads Contest

Now is your chance to nominate the worst roads in the Kenora area.


The Canadian Automobile Association has launched its annual worst road contest.

CAA spokesperson Kory Kennedy says its easy to cast a vote.  You can log onto the CAA website
with your nomination.

Kennedy says 90 percent of the roads nominated to the yearly list have been either repaired or are slated to be repaired.

NOMA Opposed to Bill 68

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association says the so-called "Open for Business Act" will do nothing to help the struggling forest sector.


Bill 68 proposes changes to the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, giving the Endangered Species Act higher authority on forestry practices.

NOMA President Anne Krassilowsky says the move will have a devastating effect on local economy's.

Krassilowsky notes they have asked for the past 3-years to make Forest Management Plans the be-all, end-all.

More Border Crossing Complaints

Border crossings in Fort Frances and Rainy River continue to be a bone of contention for the area's tourism officials.


Executive Director of Ontario Sunset Country Gerry Cariou says area lodges are reporting large declines in American visitors, and point to the area's border as a contributing factors.

Cariou believes millions of dollars in revenue has been lost by enforcement of rules that restrict Americans with prior drunk driving convictions from entering Canada.

Wood Supply Announcement expected in the fall

The Ontario Government could announce the winners of the wood supply competition by the fall.


115 applications came forward for the 11 million cubic metres of wood up for grabs.

Minister Michael Gravelle says he's working as fast as he can on the process.

Those individuals with successful proposals will be able to use logs, branches and other wood in Crown forests for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.

Ignatieff Cancels Kenora Visit

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff's Northwestern Ontario's tour has been cancelled.


It has been cancelled following the death of fellow party member Mario Lague in Ottawa last week.

Lague was killed in a accident yesterday on his way to work, when the Motorcycle he was driving collided with an S-U-V.

Ignatieff is flying back to Ottawa for thew funeral, but insists on continueing the tour later on, sometime in the fall.

He was scheduled to be in Kenora and Dryden on Saturday.

OPP looking into Pikangikum Policing Issues

Very little information is being released about members of the Pikangikum OPP being escorted out of the community.


Superintendent Ron Van Straalen says the 11 officers were asked to leave and were sent to the airport
earlier this summer.

Von Straalen calls the OPP's relationship with the Pikangikum community good.

The incident happened on June 30th and is still under investigation.