Solid Waste Continues to make money for City

Garbage is big business in the City of Kenora.

This week, council went through the solid waste and sewer and water budgets.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says their solid waste department should post a surplus of about 550 thousand dollars this year.

Perchuck says any surplus will go into reserves, which will eventually go towards funding a new landfill site.

Missing man found on Lake of the Woods

The OPP say they have located a man who was reported missing earlier this week on Lake of the Woods.

Police say 28 year old Steven Suche from Winnipeg was found in the area of Clearwater Bay yesterday afternoon.

He was last seen Wednesday night riding a snowmachine near Deception Bay.

The OPP say he is in good health and his family has been notified.

Kenora District Municipal Association

Municipal leaders from across the Kenora District are gathering the next couple of days for a lively discussion.


Kenora District Municipal Association President Phil Vinet says the meat and potatoes of their annual conference starts this morning in Sioux Lookout.

The Red Lake Mayor says Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell, Lieutinent-Coloniel Dan Drew and Medical Officer of Health Dr. James Arthurs are among the guest speakers.

Kenora Rec. Center

The twinning of the Kenora Rec. Center rink has appeared on the five year capital plan for the city of Kenora.

Chair of the finance Committee Ron Lunny says that includes engineering drawings and actual construction.

Lunny says the project would be contingent on getting funding from
the upper levels of government or a partner from the private sector.

The city has set aside four million dollars as its share of the proposed
twinning project.

Terrace Bay Pulp

Potential buyers of Terrace Bay Pulp have until February 15th to file a letter of intent.

Officials at CCAA monitor Ernst and Young say the company owes almost 40 million dollars to creditors and proceeds of a sale would go to them.

If no buyers can be found its a possibility the mill could be sold for scrap.

ORNGE

The highly-paid C-E-O of Ontario's air ambulance service is now out of work.

ORNGE says in a statement that it has fired C-E-O Chris Mazza along with the service's chief operating officer Maria Renzella.

Mazza has been on indefinite medical leave since December when his 1.4-million-dollar salary, paid for by taxpayers, was made public.

ORNGE says neither Mazza nor Renzella will get a severance

Distracted Driving

Ontario Provincial Police are warning motorists about the dangers of distracted driving.


Police are asking folks to not talk or text on their phone while driving.

Police say distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatal collisions.

It could also net you a 155-dollar fine.

Police have laid 3-charges over the past few days.

Dragon Boats

The Rainy River could be the site of Dragon Boats this summer.


Jenny Greenhalgh of NCDS as secured a boat from Dragon Boat Canada with the intent of establishing an event in Fort Frances.

She says several groups are interested.

Greenhalgh is exploring the idea of having the event tied to Canada Day.

FEDNOR

Northern Ontario's New Democrats want to see FEDNOR used to help fund municipal infrastructure projects.


Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says a separate pot of money could be set aside through the regional development agency for northern Ontario municipalities to access.

Rafferty says financial help for infrastructure upgrades is a major need among municipalities, but doubts there could be any coming in the upcoming budget.

Search for Missing Man on Lake of the Woods

The OPP is trying to find a man who has been reported missing on Lake of the Woods.

28 year old Steven Suche of Winnipeg was last seen last night leaving his camp on Deception Bay.

Family members are trying to locate him and confirm his well-being.

Police say he was riding an Arctic Cat snowmachine at the time.

Anyone who may have seen or heard from him is asked to contact the Kenora Detachment of the OPP.

Travel Advisory issued due to Fog

The ground hog wasn't able to see his shadow today, but in Kenora it wasn't because it was cloudy, instead heavy fog has descended  across the area.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement due to the fog.

Visibility is greatly reduced and at the airport its has reached zero at times.

Travellers are being told to be ready for poor driving conditions in the Kenora and Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls areas.

Raven's cause problems for City's Operations Building

The City's operation's department is dealing with a pesky pecking problem.

One of the items cut from the capital budget is a new roof for the Operations Building on Barsky's Hill.

Even though the building is only about five year's old some problems with the roof have developed.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says for some reason ravens have been pecking holes in the rubberized roofing.

That's led to some leakage.

Perchuck says he's reluctant to spent any money on roof replacement until they can find a solution to the black birds.

Council extends Condolences to Mayor Canfield

Mayor Dave Canfield was a no-show at yesterday's budget deliberations.

His father Charlie passed away earlier this week and the mayor has cancelled all his municipal appointment's.

He had been scheduled to attend the Kenora District Municipal Association Convention in Sioux Lookout this weekend, but will be sending his regrets.

The funeral for Charlie Canfield is scheduled for Saturday.

Council looks at Capital Budget

Kenora City council is trying to keep spending down this year.

Yesterday, council met to go over its five year capital plan, and the municipal levy is going to be capped a 1.7 million dollars a year.

Chair of the Finance Committee Ron Lunny admits that keeping spending down will put pressure on the city's infrastructure deficit.

The city will be spending about four million dollars on capital projects in 2012, which includes drawing about two million dollars from reserves.

The roads department will eat up a majority of that spending.

Ring of Fire Co-ordinator defends her work

The McGuinty government's Ring of Fire coordinator is facing criticism for not visiting camps in the mining zone.

Christine Kaszycki says she's felt it was more important to know the communities around the area

Kaszycki says she has flown over the camps during her visits to the area.

New Regional Economic Agency Proposed for the Northwest

A new regional economic development agency for Northern Ontario is being pitched to area communities.

Consultant Patricia Forrest says the group can bring many benefits to the area.

Forrest says they'll be seeking approval in March from the Province to work on implementing the new organization by the end of this year.

Rafferty Worried about Riding Changes

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is worried what redistricting may mean for northwestern Ontario.

A change in riding boundaries is expected as government determines how to include fifteen new federal ridings for Ontario.

Rafferty says it's possible the western portion of his riding could be merged with the Kenora riding.

Thistles Extend Losing Skid

The new year hasn't been kind to the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles.

The Thistles losing streak is now nine games after a 5-0 loss last night to the Winnipeg Thrashers.

The Kenora Midgets have a 1-10 record so far in 2012.

The Thistles have just three games left in the regular season to try and turn things around.

Their last home game is Sunday afternoon against the Eastman Selects.

Fisher Sets Canadian Record

A record breaking performance from Kenora's Edie Fisher.

She set a new Canadian record for her age group at the

Catherine Kerr Masters swim meet at the Pan Am Pool in Wpg.

She swam the 400 Individual Medley in 6 minutes, 3 seconds, smashing the previous Canadian record in the female 55-59 age group by 17 seconds.

Council gets to work on 2012 budget today

Councillors say they will be keeping an eye on the bottom line when they begin the budget process today.

Council has a pair of budget meetings scheduled at City Hall.

The first will deal with the 2012 capital budget.

That will be followed by a look at the solid waste and Sewer and Water budgets this afternoon.

Council has already decided that it will have to raise sewer and water rates by at least 10 percent this year to start to address an infrastructure deficit in the department.

Clarification provided on Eco Energy program

Some clarification about the Eco-Energy efficiency program.

Reaction was swift after a Sunday announcement that the retrofit program would not continue until March.

The Office for Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the program has ended because it has reached its original target of 250-thousand registered homeowners.

Officials add that the Conservative Government is spending an additional 117-million dollars on grants for successful applicants.

People already signed up for the program have until June 30th to have their follow up home evaluation.

IJC Submits final report to the federal government

It took about a month longer than expected to complete, but the

International Joint Commission has submitted its final report on the management of the Lake of the Woods Watershed to the government's of Canada and the United States.

Kelly Saunders was on the initial Task Force and she like a number of the recommendations that have been made in the report.

The report calls for a joint management board for the Lake of the Woods Watershed, as well as a summit meeting by 2015.

The final report still has to be approved by both the government's of Canada and the U.S.

Three people fined for Illegal moose hunting

Three Dryden residents have been fined a total of 42-hundred dollars for illegal moose hunting.

Court heard that the three were hunting southwest of Dryden in December 2010 when they came upon a bull moose.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says Edward Smith left the vehicle and shot the moose while standing on the road.

The animal ran into the surrounding bush and was retrieved by the hunting party.

Edward Smith has been banned from hunting in Ontario for 2-years.

Lisa and Russell Smith are both banned from hunting for 1-year.

Ignace Mayor resigns

A major vacancy to fill in Ignace.

Mayor Lee Kennard has announced his resignation.

Kennard was elected as a first term Mayor in 2010.

He adds it won't be easy leaving the community where he's lived for 35-years.

Saints lose in Overtime to the Muskies

A heart-breaking loss for the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team.

The Saints skated into Fort Frances last night and tied the league leading Muskies 6-6 after 60 minutes.

Overtime didn't settle anything, and Fort finally won in a shootout, which went to seven shooters.

Tanner Kapera had a pair of goals for the Saints, while Duncan McGilvary added a goal and two assists.

T.A. is back in action tomorrow night against the Sioux Lookout Warriors.

Beaver Brae splits with Fort

Beaver Brae earned a split of its games against the Fort Frances Muskies in their first NorWOSSA Court sports activity since the exam break.

The Broncos senior girls volleyball team swept Fort yesterday at home, while the Beaver Brae junior girls needed five sets to subdue the Muskies.

It was a different story on the basketball courts as the Musky boys domintaed.

Beaver Brae's senior boys trailed by just one a the half, but ended up losing 40-26 to Fort.

The Bronco junior boys were able to keep it close, but dropped a 35-32 decision to the Muskies.

Increase in Fishing Violations South of the Border

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeing a jump in fishing violations on Lake of the Woods this winter.

The DNR recently seized 234 walleyes and sauger for various violations on the Minnesota side of the lake.

Conservation officers investigated over 50 incidents last week ranging from over-fishing, to anglers fishing without a license.

NAN holds Conference on Energy

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is hosting a three day conference on First Nation energy needs.

Area Chiefs will talk about energy issues, and what needs to be done to improve the energy distribution.

Speakers at the conference will include reps from the Federal and Provincial Governments and First Nations.

Northwest LHINs ready fro expanded role

Ontario's Liberal government will give more power to local health agencies as it looks to overhaul the health system to lower costs.

Local health integration networks, or LHINs, will be given responsibility for family doctors.

Laura Kokocinski is CEO of the Northwest LHINs and says they are will to take on an

expanded role. 

Kokocinski, says the organization is prepared to make it work.

Relay for Life Town Hall Wednesday night

Wanted: volunteers for the annual Relay for Life in Kenora.

Tomorrow night a town hall style meeting will take place for anyone interested in helping out.

Lois Bailey is one of the co-chairs and says they have a number of positions that need to be filled.

The meeting will take place in the Kenora Rec. Center starting  tomorrow night at 6:30.

Comfort Inn re-opens following flood

The Comfort Inn in Kenora is getting an unexpected makeover.

The Sunset Strip motel sustained extensive water damage over the weekend after a water main broke causing extensive flooding.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department was called out around 5:00 Sunday morning to help deal with the situation.

In the meantime, crews have been called in to replace damaged drywall and carpeting.

The motel has since re-opened its doors. 

Kenora Residents Digging out from overnight snowfall

It took a while, but Old Man winter has finally hit northwestern Ontario.

The Kenora area has received about 10 centimeters of snow since last night.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says the good news is the winter weather will be short-lived with warmer weather on the way. 

Local highways are described as snow-covered with some slippery sections.

Crews are out this morning clearing local roads and sanding.

Caution is still advised, especially on secondary roads and side streets which haven't been plowed yet.

Feds pull the Plug on the EcoEnergy Program

Environmental groups in northwestern Ontario say they are surprised that the Federal Government has cut short its registration period for the ecoEnergy for Houses program.

The program provides money to homeowners who make improvements to their home that will save energy.

Ellen Mortfield of EcoSuperior says the program was supposed to end in March.

People already signed up for the program have until June 30th to have their follow up home evaluation.

Tourism Kenora gets new sign

Tourism Kenora now has a little higher visibility outside the city.

A large sign was erected at the Ontario Tourism bureau at the Manitoba border last week advising motorists that they can get visitor information at the Discovery Center in Kenora.

The sign was jointly funded by Tourism Kenora and the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership.

Its hoped the new sign will bring visitors into town, who would normally just stay on the by-pass and sell them on the local attractions.

New Federal Riding Boundaries Expected this year

New boundaries for federal ridings could be re-drawn later this year.

The federal government passed third reading of legislation to increase the number of ridings across Canada just before the Christmas break.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says its too early to say how the riding re-alignment will affect northwestern Ontario.

The Federal Riding Boundaries Commission is expected to begin the process of riding redistribution in February following the release of the Census.

Fort Club Wins Sunset Country Figure Skating Competition

A good weekend for local figure skaters.

Kenora hosted the Sunset Country Regional Interclub Figure Skating competition.

The host Kenora Skating Club won 14 individual gold medals, five silver, six bronze, while the Keewatin Figure Skating Club earned 9 gold medals, 14 silver, nine bronze.

The Border Figure Skating Club from Fort Frances won the high point total trophy.

Broncos and Saints in Action tonight

The Beaver Brae Girls hockey team will be looking to carry some momentum into their  game tonight against Dryden.

The Broncos beat the Eagles in a tournament final over the weekend.

It was the Eagles first loss this season.

The two teams will play at the Thistle rink starting at 7:30 this evening.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team has a tall order tonight.

The Saints travel to Fort Frances to take on the league-leading Muskies.

 Game time is 7:00.

Broncos finish 2nd at Junior KIT

A silver medal for the Beaver Brae Junior boys basketball team at the Annual Junior K.I.T. over the weekend.

The Broncos finished with a 2-2 record after dropping a 56-23 decision to Kildonan East in the tournament final.

The Thomas Aquinas Saints placed fifth overall, losing all five of the games they played.

JM Judo Club wins five medals in Selkirk

Five medals for the Jaffray Melick Judo Club at the Selkirk Open.

Kerwin Klywak won gold in his U11, 29 kilo divison.

Lyndon Hensrud won the U13, 34 kilo division, while Thomas Hertz rounded out  the Gold medals winning the U15, 38 kilo pool.

Daniel Gordon and Luke Heatherington each brought back silver medals from the one-day competition.

Dennis injured in Belgium Competition

Kaitie Dennis was stymied in her battle for a medal at the Belgium Ladies Judo Open over the weekend.

Dennis opened with a win against a Swiss Judoka, but was injured in her second round match against a German fighter.

Dennis compiled a record of three wins and two losses this past week at two international judo completitions.

OPP investigates Break-ins on Treaty Island

The OPP is investigating a number of break-ins to camps on Treaty Island.

Scenes of crime officer were called out last Thursday and Friday after the break and enters were discovered.

Police are still compiling a list of items stolen, which includes a large screen T.V. and two all-terrain vehicles.

The OPP say the ATV's were later recovered after they had been abandoned.

Anyone who might have information about the break-ins is asked to contact the Kenora OPP or Crimestoppers.

Council getting ready to look at 2012 budget

Kenora city council is expected to sit down this week and start work on the 2012 budget.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says they want to keep any increase as low as possible.

Chair of the finance committee Ron Lunny expects council will be able to pass the budget in the next couple of weeks.

M.P's head back to work today

It's back to work for area Member's of Parliment.

thunder Bay-Rainy River M.P. John Rafferty says the Government's first day back is going to be focused on the economy and changes to pensions.

The Finance Minister has stated he doesn't plan a ``slash and burn'' budget but adds some departments may be asked to find more savings than first thought.

Kenora Curling Club Bullish on Big Events

The Kenora Curling Club says its looking forward to doing some more high profile events in the future.

Over the weekend, the 2012 Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts wrapped up.

Gord St. Dennis was one of the organizers and says the reviews were very positive.

St. Dennis says they'll look bidding on other curling events in the future, including the National Seniors.

Horgan heading to Red Deer for National Scotties

There's a new Ladies curling champion in Ontario.

Tracy Horgan's Sudbury foursome knocked off defending champion Rachel

Homan Sunday afternoon at the Kenora Curling Club in the final of the 2012 Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Homan went into the game without a loss and had beaten Horgan twice during the week.

Horgan says they just wanted to keep it close.

Homan had the hammer and a one point lead heading into the 10th end, but was heavy on her final shot, allowing Horgan to steal two points.

Horgan now heads to the National Scotties Tournament of Hearts next month in Red Deer, Alberta.

Broncos Girls win Gold in Pilot Mound

Beaver Brae's girls hockey team is home with a gold medal from a tournament in Pilot Mound Manitoba.

The Broncos advanced to the A-Side Final on Sunday with a perfect 4-0 record.

In the gold medal game, Beaver Brae handed Dryden its first loss of the season, beating the Eagles 2-1.

Ainsley Lindquist was the tournament MVP, scoring in the final along with Hannah Rose.

Meanwhile, the Broncos boys hockey team continues to struggle against the Eagles.

On Friday, Beaver Brae lost its second in a row to Dryden, losing a 2-1 decision in a shootout.

Thomas Aquinas wins big in Red Lake

Tanner Kapera had a big night for the Thomas Aquinas Boys hockey team.

He scored four goals and added two assists as the Saints came back to beat the Red Lake Rams yesterday 7-4.

It was T.A.'s first game back after the two week exam break.

Thistles lose two on the road in Stonewall

The Kenora Triple A midget Thistles weren't able to make up any ground against the Interlake Lightning.

Yesterday, the Thistles dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime against the Lightning.

On Saturday it was the same result with Interlake edging the Kenora Midgets 2-1.

Horgan upsets Homan to win Ontario Scotties

A big upset at the 2012 Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Tracy Horgan from Sudbury toppled the previously unbeaten Rachel Homan foursome from Ottawa 7-6 in Sunday afternoon's final at the Kenora Curling Club.

Homan had the hammer in the 10th end, but was short on her final draw, allowing Horgan to steal two, and the surprise victory.

Homan went through the round robin with a perfect 9-0 record and beat Horgan the day before 5-3 in the 1 versus 2 page play-off game.

Horgan now advances to the 2012 National Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Red Deer, Alberta

next month.