Mixed Results for local students in OSSLT

The Grade 10 literacy test results for area Schools are out.

Students wrote the test back in March.

Jack McMaster is the Director of Education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and says he's pleased with the results.

67 percent of Beaver Brae students who wrote the literacy test were  successful, compared to the provincial average of 83 percent.

At Thomas Aquinas, the pass rate was 90 percent.

MNR Bringing Fire Crews Back Home

Forest fighting efforts in Western Canada for the Ministry of Natural Resources are being scaled back.

Because of an increasing fire hazard here at home, a planned dispatch of fire rangers to Alberta this week has been cancelled.

The MNR adds when the remaining 374 Ontario fire staff return from Alberta, they will not be replaced.

There are 10-active fires in the District including a fire that's been burning on an island on Lake of the Woods since the weekend.

The hazard is high to extreme across Northwestern Ontario.

Con College's new President getting to take over

Confederation College will have a new President starting Canada Day.

Jim Madder says it's important for him to speak with staff and students.

Madder is currently the Vice President of Alberta's Red Deer College.

Council seeks support from the NOHFC for Harborfront Tent

The City of Kenora isn't giving up its fight to secure funding for the new Harborfront Tent.

Council says it will be appealing a decision by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund not to provide any money for the tent.

Council says it wants at least 800 thousand dollars from the Heritage Fund, which is about 50 percent of the cost.

Councillor Ron Lunny says because the tent is more of a permanent structure, he's hoping that will change they way the NOHFC looks at their application.

Beach Boys play sold out concert

The Beach Boys played to a sold out crowd on the Kenora Harborfront last night.

Over 15 hundred people attended the concert, which was the first event planned and

organized by Tourism Kenora.

The concert sold out in a matter of days after tickets went on sale last fall. 

Local Postal Workers Locked Out!

Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in Kenora are on the picket line today.

Pickets were set up after Canada Post decided to lock-out its employees.

Chuck Cadger is the local union respresentive and says they are willing to fight to maintain the wages and benefits they have.

The head of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Denis Lemelin held a press conference this morning and is calling the lockout a completely unacceptable situation.

City Daycare Rates going Up

Its soon going to cost more to send your kid to a city-run daycare facility.

The city is looking at imposing a dollar a day increase at the Castle of Learning Daycare Center starting next week.

The daycare rate will go up to 31 dollars a day.

Recreational Services manager, Colleen Neil says there's still lots of demand for the service and says they are full.

Police Continue to Investigate Fatal Accident on Highway 17

Police still haven't released the names of the young family who perished in a fatal collision near Upsala.

OPP Staff Sergeant Dan Peters says the family died after there vehicle crossed the centre line on Highway 17 and hit a transport head on Sunday evening.

Peters says once the bodies are identified the names will be released.

Public School Board approves Budget

Declining enrolment is starting to cut into the budget of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

This year, the public school board is projecting a shortfall of 1.5 million dollars in the 2011/2012 school year.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says they hope to be able to balance their books within three years.

The overall budget for the school board is 84.7 million dollars, which is

down almost two million dollars from last year.

Community Improvement Plan Coming together for Abitibi Lands

A number of tax incentives are being promised to companies which decided to locate on the former Abitibi property in Kenora.

Details of a community improvement plan were unveiled this morning at a public meeting.

Councillor Ron Lunny says they will also be providing incentives to fix up the buildings on the mill site.

Lunny says tax incentives include no taxes after the first year of setting up shop on the mill property on 9th Street North.

There will be a five year phase-in of the industrial taxes.

First Nations Get Funding for Training

The Provincial Government is doling out millions of dollars to Northwestern Ontario communities.


Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says 8.6 million dollars is being put towards training programs for first nations.

Shoal Lake #39 First Nation has been promised 566 thousand dollars of that funding, while the Bimose Tribal Council will be getting 540 thousand.

Gravelle says they're also putting 16.6 million dollars towards cell service upgrades in the far north.

Beach Boys Headline Harborfront Tonight

The first major event of the summer season gets underway this evening in Kenora when the Beach Boys come to town.

Over 15 hundred people are expected to crowd under the big tent on the Harborfront.

Kenora's Tourism Development Officer Heather Paterson says parking could be at premium.

Tonight's concert is scheduled to get underway at 7:30 this evening.

Library Seeking more money from the City

Kenora Public Library is warning of service cuts if it doesn't get an increase in funding from the City of Kenora.

The Library Board made a deputation to council yesterday, asking for a hike in their 2011 budget.

Marg Curtis-Poirier is the chair of the library board and says even though they did receive a 33 thousand dollar increase in their budget this year, it will still leave them with a lot of red ink.

The library presented three proposals to council, one of which included  the closure of the Keewatin Branch of the library, if there was no increase in funding.

Weyerhaeuser Questions Earthroots Report

Weyerhaueser is questioning the accuracy of a report from an environmental group which raises concerns about the operations of the ILevel Timberstrand Mill in Kenora.

Earthroots claims formaldehyde-based resins are used in the manufacturing process.

Formaldehyde was listed last week by the U.S. government as a cancer causing agent.

But spokesperson for the company, Wayne Roznowsky says contrary to the claims in the Earthroots report, formaldehyde is not used to produce timberstrand.

Roznowsky admits they do have air emissions that contain formaldehyde, but says those are naturally produced while wood fiber is drying.

Think North Summit Opens Today

The Think North Summit will open today with an infrastructure and training announcement.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the summit is the next stage of the province's Northern Growth Plan

The summitt will focus on the future of Northern Ontario's economy.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield is in attendance.

Body of Missing Angler Found on Lake of the Woods

The body of a missing american angler has been found on Lake of the Woods.

The OPP's Marine Unit located the body of 69 year old Richard Herman on the shore of the lake in the Morson area on Sunday.

Herman, from Peoria, Illinois went missing three weeks ago, when he was fishing in a 16 foot boat, with 73 year old James Wealther.

The body of Wealther was found on May 24th.

Three People Dead in Accident near Upsala

Three people are dead following a two vehicle collision on the Trans-Canada Highway near Upsala.

The OPP say the accident took place last night around 6:10 when a semi tractor trailor unit and another vehicle collided just east of the community.

Police say a man, a woman and a child in the vehicle were killed, while the driver of the transport was not injured.

So far the names of the deceased have not been released.

Forest Fire Hazard High in NWO

The forest fire hazard has jumped to high across Northwestern Ontario.

6-new fires were reported yesterday, three in the Thunder Bay District.

All of the new starts are classed as out or under control, with the exception of one on an island in Wabakimi Provincial Park.

The small fire is burning near an outpost camp, but the Ministry of Natural Resources has kept the flames away from the camp.

The MNR stresses that all campfires must be attended and put dead out before leaving.

Relay for Life Raises 88 Thousand Dollars

A big weekend for the Canadian Cancer Society in Kenora.

The annual Relay for Life took in over 88 thousand dollars unofficially.

A final tally is expected to be available later today.

The total topped last year's figures.

The top team was the Graychums, which collected just over eight thousand dollars, followed by Scotiabank at 79 hundred.

A record number of luminaries were also sold, with 800 set up around the track at Lakewood Field Friday night.

Two Feather Gets More Provincial Funding

The Province is investing 3.6-million dollars in the Two Feathers Forest Products project.


The funding will allow 240-people in Dryden receive training this year that will prepare them for forestry sector jobs.

The project will provide both apprenticeship training and on-the-job technical training for prepare them for jobs in the Two Feathers initiative or other forestry jobs.

Wabigoon Lake First Nation, Wood Tech Group in Finland, Seven Generations Institute and Confederation College are involved in the project.

Operation Corridor Launches Tuesday morning

Transport drivers will have to be extra attentive on the road as Operation Corridor is about to be rolled out.

The 24-hour blitz starts Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock.

Sergeant Shelley Garr is the OPP Northwest Region Spokesperson and says a number of groups are involved in the intiiative.

Garr says they will also be watching for seatbelt infractions and distracted drivers.

OPP Investigate Fatal Accident near Upsala

OPP are on scene investigating a fatal 2-vehicle collision on Highway 17, just east of Upsala.

Emergency crews were dispatched just after 6 o'clock last night.

OPP say an eastbound vehicle collided head on with a westbound transport.

The Trans-Canada is open to one lane of traffic.

Police will only say that the driver of the tractor trailer was not injured.

Con College releases Environmental Plan

Confederation College is launching a five year environmental action plan.

Con College president Pat Lang says they've already started several "green" initiatives.

The action plan includes promoting the use of public transportation, cutting down on e-waste and recycling.

The environmental plan was released on Friday. 

Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser Cleans Up

The 8th annual CARSTAR fundraising car wash is taking place tomorrow in Kenora.

Spokesperson Jackynn Tregunno says they are raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

The event is from 10 until 2 o'clock at Crystal Clean Carwash on

Railway Street. 

Harborfront Ready for Special Event Season

Kenora is gearing up for another summer of special events.

The big tent is now up on the Harborfront in preparations for the Beach Boys concert next Wednesday.

The first event of the season under the tent takes place tomorrow with the Swingin' Seniors.

People will be coming in from Fort Frances, Vermillion Bay and Sioux Lookout for the event.

The opening ceremonies will take place at 10:45 Saturday morning and things will wrap up at 4:00.

Former Jaffray Melick Mayor Passes Away

One of the longest serving politicians in the Kenora area has passed away.


Ed Alcock was involved in municipal politics for 45 years with the Town of Jaffray Melick.

He served as both reeve and mayor of the community until he retired in 1995.

Alcock passed away at Lake of the Woods District Hospital early this morning.

He was 84 years old.

Youth Workshop in Kenora Saturday

Local youth are being given a chance talk about some of the issues that are near and dear to their heart.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is hosting a Youth Dialogue Workshop in Kenora tomorrow.

Anyone between the ages of 12 and 25 are encouraged to come out and give their feedback for a Youth Policy Framework, being drafted by the government.

The forum will ask local youth "what's important to them" and what they need in order to succeed.

The Kenora session is the only one taking place in northwestern Ontario.

It will be held at the Days Inn from noon to 4:30 tomorrow.

Hospital Foundation holds AGM

The Lake of Woods Hospital Foundation is saying farewell to its long-time chair.

Thelma Wilkens-Page is stepping down after a number of years at the helm of the fundraising organization.

The Foundation held its Annual General Meeting last night and announced that it had transferred over 550 thousand dollars to the Hospital for capital improvements in the past year.

In addition to that funding, the Boobie Night's Fundraiser this past weekend made 30 thousand dollars, which will go towards the purchase of a digital mammography and digital x-ray unit for the hospital.

CUPE Campaigns against Hospital Overcrowding

The union representing hospital workers in Ontario wants the provincial government to open more beds not close them.

That was one of the suggestions made during a tour of northwestern Ontario by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Sharon Richer is the northern representative for the union and says over-crowding is leading to poor sanitary conditions in some hospitals.

The tour made a stop in Kenora yesterday and will be in Fort Frances later today.

More Medical Professionals Working in Kenora

The City of Kenora now has record number of medical professionals working in the community.

A report by the Chief of Medical Staff at Lake of the Woods District Hospital shows that there are currently 28 general practitioners and family doctors working in Kenora.

Depite that fact, Dr. Kerry McDonald says a large number of people in the community still have to go to the ER to see a doctor.

He says number of the physicans do not work full-time, or have a restricted practice.

In all, there are 81 medical professionals that have credentials at the hospital.

That includes visiting specialists, dentitists and nurse practitioners.

Relay for Life At Lakewood tonight

The Canadian Cancer Society has already raised 250 thousand dollars across northwestern Ontario this month through Relays for Life in a  number of communities and is expected to get another boost this weekend.

Kenora's Relay is taking place starting tonight at Lakewood School.

Amanda Witta is the co-chair of the event and says one of the highlights of the event is the lighting of the luminaries.

Organizers of this year's relay are hoping to match or exceed last year's fundraising total of over 75 thousand dollars.

The Relay for Life gets underway at 7:00 this evening.

NDP call for Gas Regulation

Andrea Horwath doesn't like how high gas prices in northwestern Ontario are compared to Southern Ontario, so she's promising price caps if elected premier.

The NDP leader also think the sytem should be regionalized.

Horwath believes transporation costs shouldn't be used as an excuse to gouge drivers

Anglican Archbishop speaks out against Kenora's Deer

Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources has received a strongly worded letter from a local religious leader.

Anglican Archbishop of Keewatin, David Ashdown has written a letter complaining about the deer population in Kenora.

Ashdown the deer have lost their fear of humans and are becoming unpredictable and agressive.

He suggests the crown has the responsibility of protecting local residents, but nothing has

been done to control the local deer population.

He goes on to say the minister has a moral obligation to take all steps necessary, including

"if necessary" a cull of the urban deer population.

Facilitator agrees with School Board's Decision to close Evergreen

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board followed its own policies when it decided to close Evergreen School.

That's the finding of a facilitator hired by the provincial government to look into the closure of the elementary school.

Joan Green was appointed by the Ministry of Education this past winter after parents at Evergreen complained about the process.

But in a report by the former head of the Education Quality and Accountability office, Green says the school board was thorough and compliant wih its school accommodation policy.

The board had initially decided to close Evergreen at the end of this school year, but has agreed to delay the closure for another year.

Snow in Pickle Lake?

While Southern Ontario perspired through a day of temperatures in the low-to mid-30s on Wednesday, Pickle Lake residents almost had to grab their snow shovels.

Mayor Roy Hoffman, who works at the airport weather station, says snow was falling at about 10 a.m.

Hoffman says the temperature was down to about 2 C,and big flakes were falling.

In other areas of the Northwest, people donned fall jackets to cut a biting wind and rain early in the day.

The forecast for today is a lot better with sunny skies and 18-degree temeratures.

CUPE Brings Health Care Tour to Kenora

The union representing health care workers is speaking out against overcrowding in local hospitals.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees has launched a tour of northwestern Ontario talking about some of the problems that are cropping up due to overcrowded conditions.

It says infections like C-difficile are the the result of too many patients and not enough beds.

CUPE is bringing its campaign to Kenora today.

Fire Hazard low in NWO

Despite the wet weather six forest fires remain active in Northwestern Ontario.

The most recent fire was sparked by lightning in the Sioux Lookout area.

The 2.5-hectare fire is being observed north of Wabakimi Provincial Park.

The fire isn't threatening any property.

5 of the fires currently burning are in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon District and don't pose any problem.

Canada Post to reduce delivery service

Expect to see less mail delivered to your doors.

Canada Post is trimming staff levels at mail sorting plants. And, starting next week, it's ordering letter carriers to deliver letters only three days a week - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Spokesman Jon Hamilton says it's because mail volumes have dropped by half since last Thursday, when postal workers began a series of rotating strikes.

Rotating walkouts hit 13 communities today, including Thunder Bay and Hearst in Northwestern Ontario.

Farmer's Market returns June 22nd

Despite continued construction on the Kenora Harborfront, the Farmer's Market will be back in its usual place under the big tent this summer.

The Farmer's Market will start up the day after the first day of summer, June 22nd.

Buck Matiowski says they expect to have more vendors this year.

This year, the city has decided to allow parking along the south side of Lakeview Drive along the greenbelt, to increase the amount of parking available for the farmer's market.

Rickford defends federal budget

The federal government is going to have to make some tough choices in the months ahead if it plans to balance its budget by 2014.

Billions of dollars worth of spending is going to have to be cut, but Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford is promising that services will not be affected.

Rickford says overall this week's federal budget provides help for the forest sector, as well as enhancements for the health care system in this region.

Opawica begin drill program near Kenora

A junior mining company says it will be conducting a drilling program in the Kenora area this summer.

Opawica Explorations says it will be drilling three holes on a gold and copper project in the Atikwa Lake area, southeast of town.

The company says it will be carrying out the drilling over the next 45 days, and depending on the results of exploration program, it may expand and do more drilling in the area.

The holes will range anywhere from 300 to one thousand meters in depth.

FedNor Subject of Private Members Bill

A New Democrat is asking Kenora MP Greg Rickford to support a private members bill that makes FedNor an independent economic agency for Northern Ontario.

Claude Gravelle is expected to table the bill in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Gravelle says an independent agency would speed up the application process.

Gravelle notes right now FedNor is in the hands of a "meddling Minister".

Provincial Liberals Expected to Face an Uphill Battle in Northern Ontario

The Federation of Northern Municipalities says it's tired of not having a say at Queen's Park and is warning government to start listening to their needs in the lead up to the provincial election this fall.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle acknowledges there's work to do in northern Ontario, but is proud of his government's record.

The federation says misguided wood allocation policies, high hydro rates and unpredictable infrastructure funding are all hurting the northern economy.

Buster's Barbeque Sauce A real Winner

For the third year in a row, Busters BBQ Sauce has taken home the 'Peoples Choice' Award at the Great American Royal BBQ Contest.

The Vermilion Bay based company is the only one to win the award in three consecutive years.

Busters beat out over 80-other sauces.

The company has also announced its launching a new flavour, Busters Chipotle Blueberry Sauce.

NAPS officer under investigation

A Nishnawbe-Aski Police officer is facing a number of charges after a May 1st incident.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police received a report that a Muskrat Dam First Nation man was assaulted and threatened during an incident at the detachment.

After a thorough investigation James Remus has been charged with two counts of Assault with a Weapon, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Utter Threats and Unlawful Confinement.

Remus has been released on conditions and will appear in court on September 13.

Three Minnesota Hunters face hefty fine

Three men from Minnesota have been fined a total of 10-thousand dollars for shooting aat a moose decoy from a motorboat on Cooper Lake, about 160-kilometres north of Red Lake.

Geary Padden, Timothy Peterson and Christopher Freeman pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting moose and have been banned from hunting for 2-years.

The men were caught taking shots at the fake moose last October.

Court heard that once the trio realized they were shooting at a decoy, they attempted to flea.

They were arrested by conservation officers.

Con College Celebrates local Graduates

The Kenora Campus of Confederation College has graduated 51 students.

Graduation Ceremonies took place last night at Thomas Aquinas School.

Meanwhile, Confederation College is now up and running in Red Lake.

A grand opening was held for the new campus on Howey Street yesterday afternoon.

Vice President Academic Judi Maundrell says its an exciting time for both Confederation College and the community of Red Lake.

A number of programs will be offered at the School including business, native child and family services and mining.

Lake of the Woods Task Force and Control Board to hold local meetings

The Lake of the Woods Control Board says its not going to be providing any feedback on a final draft report by the Task Force looking at water quality on the lake.

One of the recommendations of the Task Force is to review the regulations by which water levels are controlled on Lake of the Woods.

There hasn't been any changes in those regulations in almost 100 years.

Executive Engineer of the Control Board Rick Cousins says while he doesn't feel a review is necessary, they are also not opposed.

Both the Control Board and the Task Force will be in Kenora next week to hear from local residents.

Another Profitable year for Hospital Foundation

The Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation still is a big contributor to the fortunes of the medical facility.

At the Hospital's annual general meeting last night it was revealed that the foundation was able to turn over 550 thousan dollars to purchase capital equipment and help out with infrastructure programs.

Some of the major purchases this year included a harmomic scalpel and a tissue processor lab, cost over 100 thousand dollars.

The foundation is also planning another major fundraiser this year, an Octoberfest in the fall.

Search continues for missing angler near Morson

The OPP say they still have not located an angler who has been missing on Lake of the Woods for the past two weeks.

69 year old Richard Herman from Peoria, Illinois was reported missing on evening of Monday, May 23rd.

He and 73 year old James Wealther, also of Illinois, had been fishing in a 16 foot boat near Morson.

Wealther's body was found the next day, where it had washed up on shore, but so far there has been no sign of Herman.

The OPP's Underwater Search and Recovery Unit had been brought in, with no success.

Only the Marine Unit is still actively looking for his body.

Health Unit offers Prenatal Progams

The Northwestern Health Unit is asking expecting mothers to sign up for a prenatal education program.

Spokesperson Kathy Bryck says the classes are offered 2 to 3 months before someone' due date.

Bryck says the program is a valuable tool.

For more information go to the Health Unit website at http://www.nwhu.on.ca/

Federal Government Launches Nutrition North Program

The federal government has launched a program to help bring food costs down in communities in the far north.

Subsidies are now available under the government's Nutrition North program.

David Stezenko is one of the people who is helping to co-ordinate the program in this region and hopes it will help bring healthy affordable food to remote communities.

The federal subsidy is expected to reduce transporation costs.

Kenora girls Soccer Team wins gold in Winnipeg

A golden finish for a local girls soccer team.

The Kenora Athletic Soccer Club's Under 14 squad went undefeated at the Children's Hospital Tournament in Winnipeg over the weekend.

The team won their division with a 2-1 win over Niakwa in the final.

 
The team gave up only two goals in five games.