OPP Lay Charges for Distracted Driving

Some folks still aren't understanding the importance of keeping their eye on the road.

Provincial Police in Northwestern Ontario laid 21-charges during the recent "Distracted Driver" campaign.

Tickets were issued for driving and using a cell phone, watching an entertainment device and careless driving.

OPP officers across the Province charged nearly 25-hundred drivers during the one week initiative.

Campbell Makes Inaugural Speech at Queen's Park

You can strike another item off Sarah Campbell's to do list.

Four months after being sworn in as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora-Rainy River, Campbell has made her inaugural speech.

Campbell spoke out yesterday against the government's proposed Healthy Home Renovation Tax Credit.

Campbell says if the government actually wants to help northern residents it could start by lowering electricity rates.

Step by Step Organ Donor Campaign Launches Next Week in Kenora

The drive to sign up one million organ donors in Ontario will begin next week in Kenora.

The campaign is called Step By Step and will travel through 75 communities.

George Marcello is spear-heading the campaign and says they are trying to get as many youth as possible involved.

This is the 8th Torch of Life relay, which will also pass through Dryden on March 5th and Fort Frances on March 7th.

The Thomas Aquinas Saints

The Thomas Aquinas senior boys basketball team will try to book its ticket to the All-Ontario Single "a" championships today.


The Saints are taking on Lake Superior High School today in the best-of-three NWOSSA championship.

Game one will be played at the T.A. gym at 9:30 this morning with game two set for 2:00 this afternoon.

Game three if necessary will be played Friday morning.

Meanwhile, the Saints senior girls volleyball team has an automatic bye into the OFSAA championships next week in Toronto.

Grassy Narrows gets Funding for Economic Development

Grassy Narrows has started the process of trying to expand its economic base.

The First Nation is identifying investment opportunities that will create new jobs and grow the local economy.

The community will promote itself on a new on-line community profile.

An extensive marketing strategy is also being developed.

The First Nation is being supported by the Provincial Northern Communities Investment Readiness program.

NorOnt Holds Hearings on Eagle's Nest Project

An update on the Eagle's Nest project in the Ring of Fire will be provided today in Ignace.

An open house is being held at the Ignace Silver Tops Seniors Centre from 3 until 7.

Officials from Noront Resources will be on hand to discuss the Mine project and the environmental assessment.

Plans include hauling concentrate to Savant Lake to be loaded on railway cars for transport to the underground mine in the Far North.

(For more information go to www.eaglesnestmine.com)

Ring of Fire projects being explored

The Federal Liberal Aboriginal Affairs critic says she has a better feel on the Ring of Fire project in Northern Ontario.

Dr. Carolyn Bennett met with various advisors from this region yesterday.

Bennett says a more regional approach is needed to move the Ring of Fire project forward.

Bennett adds there's also a lack of communication amongst the Federal Ministries.

School Board promotes Environmental Education

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is working to expand its environmental footprint.

Along with conservation programs, the public school board is working to extend the environmental curriculum.

Kathy Boone is the Environmental Education Co-ordinator and says instead of adding new courses they want to make students and teachers more aware of the resources available.

Boone says they have been able to expand the Conservation Camp in Dryden to include high school students from other area of the board and have been actively involved in the annual Envirothon.

Fire Marshall Investigates School Fire in Sandy Lake

The office of the Fire Marshall is expected to arrive in Sandy Lake First Nation today to survey the damage caused by a large fire at Thomas Fiddler Memorial School.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police received an anonymous report of a fire on Sunday afternoon.

The fire caused extensive fire, smoke and water damage.

No one was injured.

An initial investigation shows that the fire started in the storage and supply room area.

The school serves Sandy Lake students from Kindergarten to Grade 6.

Catholic School Board Hires Mental Health Leader

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has introduced its new Mental Health Leader.

Ashley Hendy was hired last month to work with the board and its teachers on mental health issues involving their students.

The separate school board was one of 15 across the province to receive funding to hire a Mental Health Leader.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board introduced Lisa Doerksen last week as its mental health lead.

OPP Investigate Sioux Narrows Break-Ins

The OPP are looking into a number of break-ins reported to camps in the Sioux Narrows area.

Yesterday, at least three camps were entered in the Mayburn subdivision.

Police say the culprits had time to search for property and alcohol.

At this point an exact list of the stolen items has not been compiled.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Sharks gain experience at Western Canadian Championships

No medals for the Kenora Sharks Swim Club at the Speedo Western Canada Championships this past weekend in Winnipeg.

Michelle Belcaen advance to two finals and finished 5th in the 50 meter butterfly.

Alex Olson, Kira Kuzemchuk and Bryce Jones were all competing in their first major meet against some of the top swimmers from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and B.C.

OPP Urge Motorists to Slow Down

The OPP are reminding local motorists to slow down with the recent snowfall.

In a 12 hour period, local police had to deal with 16 motor vehicle accidents.

The OPP suggest that driving too fast for the conditions was as big an issue as the snow itself.

Meanwhile, Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says old man winter is going to be with us all week long.

Main highways in the Kenora area are now listed as bare and wet with some slushy sections.

Snow wipes out NorWOSSA Hockey Play-off games

All the snow in northwestern Ontario is playing havoc with high school sport schedules.

The weather has wiped out the entire hockey schedule this evening.

The Boys Quarter-Finals have been postponed.

Red Lake was supposed to go up against the Beaver Brae Broncos tonight, but that game

will have to be re-scheduled.

No make-up date for that play-off game has been scheduled yet.

Campbell Calls for provincial strategy on Prescription Pill Addiction

More needs to be done to help people addicted to prescription pills.

That was the challenge this today from Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell in the Ontario Legislature.

Campbell says even though Oxycontin will no longer be manufactured, the addiction will still exhist for hundreds of local residents.

Campbell says a strategy needs to be created by the McGuinty Governent to deal with prescription drug addiction.

Police Charge Grassy Narrows Man following stand-off

A Grassy Narrows man is due to appear in Kenora Court today following a prolonged stand-off with police.

Treaty Three Police say they were called to a home in the community north of Kenora last Thursday.

Police says the man barricaded himself in the house for 24 hours before an OPP Tactical Response Unit was able to remove him.

Vince Loon has been charged with assault, and uttering threats.

CBS Looking for New Donors

The Canadian Blood Services is putting out a call for new donors from Northwestern Ontario.


Spokesperson Harvey Heather says they're looking for at least 100,000 new donors across the country each year for the next 5-years.

Heather says the need for new donors is precipitated by an increase demand for blood of all types across the country.

Heather notes an aging donor base is problematic right now.

Service Ontario

Ontario's Government workers union is sounding the alarm over a Liberal plan to privatize Service Ontario.


Melissa Pearson, a rep for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, says such a move could lead to a consolidation of services and a potential closure of small Northern Ontario offices.

Pearson says area residents rely on SeviceOntario offices to renew health cards and drivers licences.

School Buses Cancelled

It's a 4 day weekend for the kids.

School Buses aren't running for a good chunk of Northwestern Ontario today.

School buses have been cancelled for Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Ear Falls and Red Lake today.

Heavy snow is to blame.

Schools remain open today.

Ontario Legislature

Its back to work at Queen's Park..

They've been off for over two months.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says she's spent that time talking to her constituents about the issues they want raised in the Ontario Legislature.

Campbell expects the Drummond Report will dominate debate in the weeks ahead, as the McGuinty Government gets ready to deliver its next budget.

Solid Waste Collection

You won’t have to run after the garbage truck today.


The City of Kenora’s Solid Waste Department has cancelled residential garbage and recycling collection.

Solid Waste Supervisor, Mike Mostow says today’s regular pick ups for Lakeside and Jaffray Mellick is cancelled but will resume on schedule next Tuesday.

Andre Wareham: Not Guilty

Andre Wareham is a free man. A jury found him not guilty in the death of William Atkins in 2009.

Wareham calls the verdict overwhelming and just wants to put it all behind him saying it's been hard but "you have to walk through it all..stand strong, and just see it to the end".

When the verdict was read Wareham  had  an expression of great relief.

Fort Frances Shooting

A Fort Frances teenager is facing several charges including attempted murder following an incident last night at a Trailer Park in that community.

 OPP were initially called to the area around 6 last night about a missing boy. Family members later informed police he had been located, but was in possession of a gun.

 It was later determined that a family member was shot at, but was not injured.

The 14-year-old was eventually located inside a home at the park and taken into custody without incident.

Stan Beardy Calling For Help

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says a catastrophe is looming with the decision to stop manufacturing the drug OxyContin.


Beardy says thousands of residents of Northern Ontario reserves are addicted to the drug, which is up to twice as strong as morphine.

Health Canada says when the pill is chewed or crushed, then injected or inhaled, it produces a ``heroin-like euphoria.''

The company that produces OxyContin will stop manufacturing the drug in Canada at the end of the month.

Purdue Pharma Canada will replace OxyContin with a new formulation called OxyNEO, which is formulated to make abuse more difficult.

Beardy says addicts will go into withdrawal, and says it's something that scares him.

He says without treatment to help deal with the addiction, a public health catastrophe is imminent.

Aboriginal Education

The Harper Government is signalling its intention to pour more money into aboriginal education, even as it prepares to slash spending on almost everything else.


The governing Conservatives have thrown their support behind an NDP motion calling on the government to provide the necessary funding to ensure First Nations children receive an education of equal quality to that received by kids in provincial school systems.

Moreover, the NDP says Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has indicated a personal interest in the issue during private pre-budget consultations.

The Feds currently spends $1.4-billion annually on aboriginal education; the Assembly of First Nations has calculated that an additional $500-million a year is needed.

Conservative MP Thanking Two NDP Members

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is condeming NDP Interm leader Nycole Turmel for punishing two Thunder Bay MP's for breaking party ranks and joining the Conservatives to scrap the long gun registry.


Rickford says Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty were voting for their constituents.

He says appreciates and respects the two for standing their ground.

The Kenora Midget Triple "A" Thistles

The Kenora Midget Triple "A" Thistles kick off their best of three playoff series with the Nor-Man Northstars tonight.  All three games of the series will be played in Thompson.  Game 2 is tomorrow night with Kenora acting as the home team and game three if necessary will be held Sunday.  The Thistles finished the regular season with 32 points, good for 5th spot in the Eastern Conference.

Aboriginal Student Success

The principal at Beaver Brae says he's noticing a better atmosphere at his school for aboriginal students.

Clinton Bruetsch made a presentation on aboriginal student success to trustees this week.

He says he's been working with the Aboriginal Advisor on strategies to help engage aboriginal students in their day to day classes.

Bruetsch says overall aboriginal students have lower marks, higher absentee rates and lower graduation rates.

He says they are working to change that, but its not going to happen overnight.

Affordable Housing in Kenora

Affordable housing support is on its way for the Kenora District Services Board.


The Board has inked an agreement to access 1.4-million dollars over 10-years in Federal and Provincial dollars.

CAO Dan McNeil says the money will go towards projects which include a rent supplement program for the working poor and Ontario Works clients.

$50,000 is being earmarked for Habitat for Humanity in Kenora

Break & Enter: St. Thomas Aquinas High School

A 15 year old male from Kenora was caught red handed yesterday.


Ontario Provincial Police charged the youth with break and enter after responding to an alarm at St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Further investigation revealed that earlier last night the same 15 year old was responsible for a theft from a vehicle.

Break & Enter: Jaffray-Melick Community Centre

Over $20,000 worth of damage has been reported at the Jaffray-Melick Community Centre.


Ontario Provincial Police were called out to a break and enter at the building on February 13th after staff members came in to find a significant amount of damage to windows, doors, the concession stand and a number of lights used to illuminate the ice surface.

Two male youth from Kenora ages 15 and 17 have been arrested and charged with mischief over $5,000 and break and enter

Mental Health

Mental health issues have been identified as a growing problem for local educators.


The Keewatin-Patricia District School Boards used Provincial funding to hire a Mental Health Leader.

Lisa Doerksen started her job last month and says one of her jobs is to work with teachers and raise awareness of mental health issues.

Doerksen says one in five students have a mental health or emotional disorder, but only 50 percent will talk to anyone about their depression or anxiety.

Ambulance Services

A comprehensive review of the land ambulance service in the Kenora District is now underway.


The Services Board is looking at the entire operation to ensure staff and resources are being used in an efficient and effective manner.

CAO Dan McNeil outlines one area they are looking at.
 
McNeil says the study will also look into a call for a land ambulance base in the Vermilion Bay area.

KDSB Changes

The Kenora District Services Board has finally found a replacement for a vacant seat.

Ray Leray has been appointed the member for Oxdrift.

He replaces Sarah Campbell, who was forced to step down when she was elected in the last Provincial election.

The Board says Leray was the only candidate to submit an application before the deadline.

The Board is also dealing with the loss of its Director of Housing Services.

Adrian De Porto announced his retirement at a KDSB meeting this morning.

Poverty Challenge

Twelve local residents learnt this week that $52 doesn’t go a long way.

Making Kenora Home has officially wrapped up the 2nd Annual Poverty Challenge.

 It’s one of many initiatives taken to raise awareness during the Week of Action Against Poverty.

Participants from Kenora spent the last week blogging about their experiences while on social assistance.

Making Kenora Home Website

Adam Beach

You might recognize him from the CBC Show "Arctic Air" .


Adam Beach is visiting The White Dog First Nations today to meet with community elders, community members and students.

His visit is encouragement to the community and is focused on suicide prevention.

Long-Gun Registry

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has finally got his wish!

The Conservatives used their majority Wednesday night to put the national long-gun registry out of its misery.

The Commons vote was 159-to-130.

Thunder Bay NDP MP's Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty broke party ranks and sided with the Government.

The bill now goes on to the Senate, where a Tory majority ensures passage.

Kin Carnival

Tis' the season for Winter Carnivals.

This weekend, Vermillion Bay is the place to be.

The community is hosting the annual Kin Carnival and one of the highlights is the 'Kids Carnival'.

Organizer Sarah Wilson says they will have lots of activities.

The Carnival is Saturday from 10 to 3 at Lillian Berg School.

Drummond Report

There's a lot to take in!

That's the feeling of Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle following the release of the Drummond report.

The Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP says the Government must go through the 362-recommendations with a fine tooth comb.

Gravelle admits there are some recommendations on cutting back on health care and education which he believes are not feasible.

Couchiching First Nation

Residents of Couchiching First Nation go to the polls today in elections for a new band council.


As many as eight people, including incumbent Chuck McPherson, are on the ballot for chief.

Thirty-one candidates were nominated for six council positions.

KDCC Executive Directors

It's a new year for the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce but some things will stay the same.


Andrew Scribilo was re-elected president at last nights annual general meeting and says its good to know that we're all on the same page

“Initiatives for 2012: we’re really pressing on the business community for resolutions to take down to NOACC. We really want resolutions to make changes and improvements to the communities, not only Kenora but across the Northwest.”

Wes Romaniuk of the lake of the woods hotel is back on the board as 1st Vice President and Kathleen Novack from the Royal bank of Canada has stepped in the 2nd Vice Presidents position for for the 2012 season

Drummond Report

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the Drummond Report gives Ontario a chance to move forward.

The NDP member says it’s now up to all parties to ensure that the report is used to lead the Province in the right direction.

Campbell is supporting recommendations to revisit the delivery of health care services, the creation of regional hydro utilities and a push to provide fair funding for First Nations' education.

She adds that not all recommendations should be acted on, such as scrapping full-day kindergarten.

Energy Consumption

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is being recognized for its work to reduce energy consumption at its schools.

Kim Carlson is the Operations Manager and says they've upgraded almost all of their schools in recent years and its paying dividends.

Carlson says they've seen significant energy savings in all their schools, including about 80 thousand a year at Beaver Brae due to recent renovations.

National Panel on Aboriginal Education

Grand Council Treaty #3 says its unwilling to buy into the recommendations released by a National Panel on Aboriginal Education.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says while they agree with the principals of the panel, they don't want to see a National Education Act.

She says they would prefer to see a distinct education system for Treaty Three.

Last November, Treaty Three launched a 100 million dollar lawsuit against the Federal Government for violating their treaty rights to education.

Murder Trial Underway in Kenora Court

The second degree murder trial for a 26 year old Deer Lake man is underway in Kenora Court.

Jason Miller has been charged in the death of 27 year-old Joey Crow.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police were called to the nursing station in Deer Lake on July 10th, 2010 and officers found Crow's body.

27-year-old Neilson Meekis was transported to Hospital in Thunder Bay for treatment.

Meekis took the stand Wednesday.

Miller is represented by Winnipeg lawyer Greg Brodsky.

Broncos lose in NorWOSSA semis

Not a good day for Beaver Brae at the NorWOSSA championships taking place in Fort Frances.

All four Bronco teams were eliminated in semi-final action earlier today.

The Beaver Brae Junior Boys basketball team was upended 43-23 by Dryden this morning, while the Bronco senior boys dropped a 61-40 decision.

Things weren't any better for the Beaver girls volleyball teams.

The Broncos junior squad lost in three straight sets to Fort Frances, while Beaver Brae's senior girls were also ousted in three straight by the Muskies.

Tomorrow, the NorWOSSA single "a" championships take place at Thomas Aquinas, with both the Saints senior boys basketball and senior girls volleyball teams earning byes into Friday's gold medal games.

NorWOSSA "AA" Championships Today in Fort Frances

Beaver Brae's boys basketball and girls volleyball teams have their work cut out for them.

All four teams will see action in the semi-finals taking place in Fort Frances today at the  NorWOSSA Double "a" championships.

Up first at 10:00 are the junior semis.

Beaver Brae is taking on Dryden in basketball, while the Broncos will face Fort Frances in volleyball.

At 11:30 the Bronco senior boys basketball team will take on Dryden, while the senior girls will see

Beaver Brae battle the Muskies for the right to play Dryden in the volleyball final tonight.

Drummond Report

The highly anticipated final report from economist Don Drummond is out today.

It's expected show how the provincial government can cut its $16-billion deficit.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is worried that the Liberals have taken upon themselves to listen to one expert than hold traditional pre-budget consultations.

Campbell says the government has essentially shut out the opposition and the public from the budget process.

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care is trying to empower area First Nation leaders with knowledge on how to help their residents deal with addictions.

A two day conference on drug addiction kicked off this morning (Tuesday) in Thunder Bay and Spokesperson Rose Pittis says they've provided conference goers with takeaway tools.

Pittis says the emphasis is trying to heal internally.

Northwestern Ontario Man Killed in Winnipeg

A Northwestern Ontario man who was only months away from becoming a father is Winnipeg's fourth homicide victim of 2012.

18-year-old Wahb Mandamin was stabbed early Tuesday near the Canad Inns Polo Park hotel.

Mandamin was in Winnipeg from the Shoal Lake First Nation for his girlfriend's ultrasound appointment.

Those close to Mandamin said he was staying at the hotel when a fight broke out.

Mandamin's father, the chief of Shoal Lake First Nation, has come to Winnipeg searching for answers to what happened.