Suspect in Mandamin murder Arrested in Alberta

A suspect wanted in the killing of an 18 year old Northwestern Ontario man outside the Canad Inns Polo Park hotel in Winnipeg has been arrested in Alberta.

A warrant for manslaughter was previously issued for the arrest of 19 year old Raymond Gerald Baker.

Arrangements are being made to return Baker to Winnipeg from Alberta.

Wahb Mandamin was assaulted outside the hotel on February 14th and rushed to hospital, where he died from injuries.

Wahb is the son of Shoal Lake #39 First Nation Chief Eli Mandamin.

A 17 year old man has already been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Tom Cochrane to Headline Harborfest Friday

The entertainment line-up for this year's Harborfest is starting to fall into place.

Friday night will be 80's night once again with April Wine, Saga and Tom Cochrane slated to perform.

Dave Blake is the director of Entertainment and says they are looking forward to having Red Rider back in Kenora.

Tickets for the Friday night show are expected to go on sale early in April.

Hospital Looks at E-Health Records

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says its taking it slow and steady when it comes to electronic health records.

Many hospitals across the region have already gone to an e-health system.

Hospital CEO Marc Belcaen says they are currently consulting staff and trying to find the best system out there.

Belcaen says they don't want to proceed with electronic health records until they can get a guarantee the province will help cover some of the costs.

Hospital Searching for New Board Members

Wanted: a couple of good candidates to run for a position on the Lake of the Woods Hospital Board.

The board is gearing up for its annual general meeting in June, and needs to fill at least four positions.

Chair, Fred Richardson says they know they will need at least two new board members.

In order to run for a position on the board, you have to purchase a corporate membersship at least 60 days before the Board AGM.

Domestic Violence Conference warns of OXY Withdrawal

A dire warning about the impact of removing Oxycontin from the market in Ontario. Peggy Shaugnessy is one of the speakers at a Domestic Violence Conference taking place in Dryden. She says Police and domestic violence agency's may be busier as a result of the move.

Shaugnessy says she's already seeing more cases of violence from those who are trying to cope with the withdrawal.

Big Trout Chief Takes to YouTube

The Big Trout Lake First Nation is actively guarding Sherman Lake against mining company God's Lake Resources. Chief Donny Morris is staying at the lake saying he's guarding against the company that insists on drilling on leases and claims that are known sacred burial grounds.

Morris released a video on youtube this morning asking Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci to hold negotiations between God's Lake and the First Nation.

Broomball Semi-Finals Underway

The Flying V's and Dunit Contracting are in the drivers seat of their semi-finals in the Kenora Broomball league. Last night, Dunnit shut out regular season champs the Pink Pirates 1-0. In the other semi- the Flying V's needed seven rounds of a shootout to get by the Blizzard 4-3. Game two of the semi-final series go tomorrow night at the Rideout Rink.

Beware of Changing Ice Conditions

The OPP are warning local residents to check ice conditions before
they head out on local lakes and rivers.

Recent warm weather has created variable ice conditions.

Police say you should be cautious when heading out on snowmobile
trails or ice roads over the next few days, as temperatures continue to
yo-yo.

Oxycontin replacement blamed for death in NWO

One Oxycontin user in Northwestern Ontario is dead as the result of a possible overdose of a replacement prescription drug.

Regional Coroner Dr. Michael Wilson says the man was prescribed a higher dose of the substitute drug than he should have received.

Dr. Wilson wouldn't say where in the region the incident occured.

Alzheimer Society looking for new Volunteers

The Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River is looking to add to its volunteer base.

The organization is recruting for various positions including fundraising and raising pubilc awareness.

Executive Director Lynn Moffatt outlines how you can get involved.

Moffatt says they work one-on-one with volunteers to ensure they are matched with an enjoyable and appropriate position.

Domestic Violence Conference underway

Domestic violence agency workers from across the Kenora and Rainy River Districts are learning new skills this week on how to treat female trauma victims.

The 3-day Conference is taking place in Dryden.

Lori Beyer is a trauma specialist from Washington, D.C. and she says workers need to use positive renforcement to help victims move on.

Beyer says the key is helping those impacted by domestic violence take the initiative to make accurate judgments and decisions.

Dewar picks up support in Kenora

Paul Dewar has a vision for Northwestern Ontario.

The Federal NDP leadership hopeful says that vision includes affordable power and job training.

Speaking in Kenora Tuesday afternoon, Dewar outline one other priority for the North.

Dewar has received the endorsement of Kenora NDP candidate Tania Cameron.

Hospital Continues to wait for future planning approvals

Lake of the Woods District Hospital is still waiting from the Ministry of Health to find out if they will support their plans of building a new health care facility in Kenora.

The Hospital has submitted an application for funding to begin planning for a new hospital.

CEO Marc Belcaen says they know the Ministry of Health has looked at their application because they've had a few calls asking for clarification on some points.

Belcaen is hoping they make the Ministry's short-list so they can resume the long process of planning for a new hospital.

New School For Attawapiskat

Finally some good news for the troubled Attawapiskat First Nation.

The Federal Government has awarded the construction tender for a new school on the Northern reserve to Penn-Co Construction.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence says area children and parents are rejoicing with the announcement.

Spence says it proves that you should never give up, calling it a great accomplishment for the First Nation.

Attawapiskat First Nation was forced to close its elementary school in May 2000 and since that time students have been receiving their elementary education in a series of portables.

The Feds promised action to resolve the problem in 2000.

Saints bow out at OFSAA

It wasn't a good day on the courts for Thomas Aquinas teams at the All-Ontario Single "a" championships.

The Saints senior girls are heading home from the OFSAA volleyball finals without a medal.

T.A. advanced to the quarter-final round yesterday, but were upended by the fourth ranked team in the tournament, Ridley College from St. Catharines, three sets to one.

The loss eliminated the Saints from any further play.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas senior boys basketball team lost its third straight game at the OFSAA championships in St. Catharines.

Last night, T.A. was beaten 66-54 by Runnymede in quarter-final action on the consolation side of the draw.

Patrick Van Bellingham led the Saints in scoring with 22 points.

Water Quality Forum this week

The International Joint Commission is getting kudos for supporting a report on water quality on Lake of the Woods.

The report was submitted to the federal government's in Canada and the United States at the end of January.

Todd Sellars is the executive director of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation and says the report is the culmination of years of work.

The Foundation is hosting its annual water quality forum later this week in International Falls, Minnesota.

Hospital going smoke-free

It's soon going to be hard to find a place to smoke on the grounds of Lake of the Woods District  Hospital.

Starting next month, the hospital will have just one smoking area on its campus.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says their goal is to eliminate all smoking in the next year or so.

Belcaen says all hospitals across the region are reducing the number of smoking areas on their property.

Clement defends closure of summer student job centers

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is standing by his government's decision to cut the funding for summer student job centres.

Clement was in Thunder Bay yesterday and says they're offering the same services online.

Clement says they don't need the overhead costs of operating an actual office during the summer months.

Impaired Driver Crashes on Ice Road

A police chase on the ice road on Lake of the Woods was cut short by a snow bank.

The OPP say they were contacted about a possible drunk driver while doing the rounds of the bars in downtown Kenora early Sunday morning.

Police tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver fled to the ice road and started driving towards Treaty Island.

A short time later officers were contacted about a vehicle that had gone off the ice road south of Treaty Island.

Officers arrested a 54 year old Kenora man.

He has been charged with impaired driving and flight from police.

Big Trout Lake to Protest in Toronto

A northwestern Ontario First Nation is holding a protest early this afternoon in Toronto in its fight against mining exploration on what it says are sacred burial grounds.

Big Trout Lake says God's Lake Resources plans to mine for gold on its territory, about 600 kilometres northeast of Kenora.

They plan to rally in downtown Toronto at the Metro Convention Centre to oppose the project.

The First Nation gained national attention in 2008 when six of its leaders were jailed for opposing the Platinex mining company.

Highway 105 due for upgrades

Upgrades are expected to begin shortly on a stretch of Highway near Ear Falls.

The Province is reconstructing 27-kilometres of Highway 105, north of Highway 657.

The project will create about 65-jobs.

Miller Northwest has been awarded the 8.9-million dollar contract.

Saints complete round robin at OFSAA

A bit of a setback for the Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball team at the All-Ontario Championships in Toronto.

The Saints finished the round robin yesterday with a 3-1 record.

Their lone blemish of the day came against Chippewa Secondary School from North Bay.

They lost in straight sets, suffering their first defeat of the season.

T.A. bounced back with a win over Acton High School in their final game last night.

The Saints will advance to the quarter-finals this afternoon.

A win will put them into the medal round once again, a loss will send them home.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys basketball team started strong, but faded down the stretch losing a 64-47 decision to Ecole Secondaire Lajeunesse from Windsor.

Alex Gamboa led the Saints in scoring with 16 points, while Jake Boutwell added 9 in a losing cause.

T.A.'s next game is this afternoon at 12:45 against Deslauriers from Ottawa.

Igance Re-Instates Kennerd as Mayor

Ignace Council is going back to a familiar face as Mayor.

Council has agreed to appoint Lee Kennard as Mayor, citing the significant cost of a by-election as one of the reasons behind the decision.

A delegation asked Council to put Kennard back in the top position, citing his huge electoral win last October and his strong performance as Mayor.

Kennard resigned on January 27th, but had a change of heart 5-days later.

Council legally deemed the position open, prompting a debate on what should happen next.

He will be sworn back in as Mayor on March 13th.

Province withdraws land from exploration near Big Trout Lake

The Provincial Government is withdrawing over 23-thousand square kilometers of land around the Big Trout Lake First Nation from any new mining activity.

The First Nation recently asked for a moratorium on mineral exploration and

Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci says they have taken action.

Bartollucci says God's Lake Resources mining lease and claim are not affected by the withdrawl.

Saints win first two games at OFSAA

The Thomas Aquinas Girls volleyball team is off to a good start at the All-Ontario Single A championships taking place in downtown Toronto.

The Saints have won their first two games of the round robin, beating two of the host teams.

T.A. just finished off a two set sweep over University of Toronto Schools by scores of 25-22 and 25-17.

Earlier in the day, the Saints started off with a straight sets win over Toronto District Christian School.

Up next for the Saints is the 5th ranked team in the tournament, Chippewa Secondary School from North Bay.

Tonight, T.A. wraps up the round robin against Acton.

OPP Investigate Hit and Run in Lakeside

The OPP are investigating a hit and run collision in the 3rd Street South area of town.

Police say the incident took place around 8:30 Friday night after an older model white pick-up truck lost control and struck a GMC Sierra that was parked on the street.

The white truck left the scene without stopping.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contract the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Winter Carnival Called a Big Success

Organizers of Kenora's Winter Carnival are hoping to build on this year's event.

Tourism Development Officer, Heather Paterson says they were pleased with the turn-out, but would like to expand in the years to come.

Paterson suggests that attendance was up at most events this past weekend and wants to Winter Carnival to be a feature event in the city in the years to come.

Winter Carnival Winners announced

The Kenora Winter Carnival Charity Challenge is going to the dogs.

Its a Dog's Life ran away with the fundraiser for the second year in a row.

It's A Dog's Life sold over 25 hundred of the two dollar buttons.

Triple Play was well back with 800 buttons sold.

In the snow sculpture contest, Laura Cotton's team from KACL won best overall with their Tobagganers, while Lori and Lyn Grey had the best theme with their ice fishing sculpture.

Polar Paddlers win Great Canadian Canoe Race

The Polar Paddlers are return champions of the Great Canadian Canoe Race.

The team braved deep snow, slush and lots of broken ice en route to victory yesterday.

Jordan Charlebois says this year's race was definitely a challenge.

The Flying Trappers finished second.

Only three of the four boats entered actually finished the gruelling race.

Fraser Institute released annual report on Elementary Schools

Mixed results for elementary schools in the Kenora District in terms of academic achievement.

The Fraser Institute is out with its yearly rankings.

Spokesperson Michael Thomas says there are some low with Lakewood and Pope John Paul II getting 3.5 out of 10. 

At the other end of the scale, Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys topped the list in this region with a score of eight out of ten, and King George saw the biggest gain, moving up to 7.2 out of ten, from 4.7 last year.

Bronco Girls beats Dryden to advance to OFSAA Hockey Finals

Beaver Brae's Girls hockey team seems to be peaking at just the right time.

The Broncos knocked off the Dryden Eagles in the best-of-three NorWOSSA final last night at the Kenora Rec. Center 3-0.

Beaver Brae wins the series two games to none.

Rylee Smith, Hannah Rose and Kaitlyn Sparkman each scored for the Broncos, while Aryn Puls was named player of the game with the shutout.

Beaver Brae now travels to Belleville for the OFSAA championships starting March 21st.

Meanwhile, the Bronco boys hockey team were unable to solve the Fort Frances Muskies.

Saints head to OFSAA Volleyball and Basketball championships

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball and senior boys basketball teams are in southern Ontario today for the start of the All-Ontario Single A championships.

The Saints girls squad has won silver the last two years at OFSAA and are gunning for gold this year.

They are the second ranked team in the tournament and take on the host team, Toronto District Christian School at 8:00 this morning in their first round robin game.

The Saints boys meanwhile are down the QEW in St. Catharines.

T.A. is ranked 13th at the OFSAA basketball championships and play their first game at 7:00 tonight against Ecole Secondaire Lejeunesse.

Torch Relay for Life comes to town

An ambitious campaign to sign up one million organ donors in Ontario hit the ground running in Kenora today.

The Torch Relay for Life started at Beaver Brae before heading to City Hall.

George Marcello is spearheading the campaign and says they've been working a long time on increasing organ donations across the country.

The campaign moves to Dryden on Monday and then Fort Frances and Thunder Bay later next week.

Changes in Store for Land Ambulence Service

Some changes to the way land ambulence service is provided in the region.

Chief executive at Lake of the Woods District Hospital says non-emergent ambulence transfers could become a thing of the past.

He says its an issue the District Services Board is currently looking at.

Belcaen says they currently have about 300 non-emergent transfers to hospitals in Winnipeg each year, and that doesn't include local transfers between the hospital and local long term care facilities.

He says northwestern Ontario isn't like southern Ontario and a different solution is needed.

Bronco Boys and Girls aim for NORWOSSA Gold

Two long-time rivals meet again for the Girls High School Hockey title.

The Dryden Eagles entertain the Beaver Brae Broncos tonight in Game 1 of the Best of 3 Final.

The Eagles finished just ahead of the Broncos for first place in the standings.

The two teams have met in every single NorWOSSA Final.

Puck-drop is 6:30 at the Memorial Arena in Dryden.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's boys team travels to Fort Frances tonight for game one of their best-of-three final against the Muskies.

Torch of Life Relay Begins this Morning

A cross-province campaign to sign up one million organ donors gets underway in Kenora today.

The Torch of Life Relay will begin this morning with an assembly at Beaver Brae Secondary School.

The Torch will then make its way to city hall, where the Torch will be passed to Kenora mayor Dave Canfield.

The relay will visit 75 communities across Ontario over the next four months.

Hospital Worried About Impact of Drummond Report

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says it doesn't know how much more it can cut without affecting services.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says they are worried about the impact the Drummond Report will have on their finances this year.

The Drummond Report recommends a wide array of cost-cutting measures for the provincial government, including capping health spending at one percent.

Canfield returns from ROMA/OGRA Conferences

Still no guarantee of funding for Kenora's aging bridges.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield has returned from the Ontario Good Roads Conference in Toronto with out any promise from the provincial government.

Canfield says while they received mixed messages on the infrastructure front, they did have a very positive meeting with Glen Murray, the Minister of Colleges, Training and Universities.

Canfield is hoping to get more government ministers to come to Kenora in April, when the city hosts the annual Northwstern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Youth arrested in Sandy Lake School Fire

Nishnawbe-Aski Police have arrested a 13-year-old boy for allegedly starting a large fire at the Sandy Lake First Nation elementary school.

The February 19th fire caused extensive damage to Thomas Fiddler Memorial School.

Police arrested the young teen on Wednesday.

The boy has been charged with break and enter as well as arson.

He has been released on conditions and is due in Court on April 17th.

The school will be closed for the remainder of the school year due to the damage it sustained.

Kenora Winter Carnival Begins this evening

Just in time for the Winter Carnival, its starting to look like a winter wonderland in Kenora.

The carnival kicks off tonight with a fireworks display at 7:00.

Crystal Stokes is one of the organizers and says over the weekend, most of the activities will be in or around the big tent on the Harborfront.

There are also other activities throughout the community, including the Blues Fest, which starts tonight at the Lake of the Woods Hotel.

Premier Vague on Future of the NOHF

The Premier is not saying if the Drummond Report will have any effect on funding levels for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Speaking in Thunder Bay today Dalton McGuinty would only commit to keeping it in existence

The fund currently has an annual budget of 100 million dollars.

ORNGE Scandal Expands

The former President of Confederation College is getting a rough ride over her appointment to the board at the province's scandal plagued air ambulance service.

Progressive Conservative critic Frank Klees says Pat Lang should never have been put on the board because of her past connections to ORNGE CAO Rick Potter, who was working for her at Confederation College.

Potter is coming under fire after he admitted he lied about his university credentials

Hope and the City Sells Out in Minutes

It was the hottest ticket in town, now Hope and the City is already sold out.

Tickets went on sale this morning and all 208 were sold in a matter of minutes.

People started lining up before 9:00 this morning to try and get tickets for the fundraiser for Cancer research.

Ashley Hoffmeister is the co-chair of the event and says its a fun evening for a good cause.

Hope and the City takes place April 28th at the Lakeside Inn.

Sharks hit the road for two swim meets

Members of the Kenora Sharks swim club are heading both east and west for a pair of competitions.

Five swimmers are in Nepean for the Ontario Junior Provincial Championships.

14 of the clubs younger swimmers will be in Winnipeg for Manitoba Junior and 10 and under championships.

The Ontario Junior Championships get underway today.

Police Confirm fatality in Rideout Fire

The OPP have confirmed that one person was killed in a fire in the Rideout area of town early yesterday morning.

Police say 56 year old James Rutherford was killed in a blaze at a two story home on Rupert Road.

A post-mortem exam is expected to be conducted later today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

An investigator from the Ontario fire Marshall's office is expected to arrive at the scene today and look for a possible cause in the fatal fire.

Push the Button Campaign Launched

Area kids are being encouraged to "push the button".

That's the name of a new fire safety campaign launched by the Office of the Fire Marshal and TVO Kids.

TVO Spokesperson Marnie Malabar says kids should ask parents permission to do one thing.

The initiative runs until March 11th.

Rideout Fire still under investigation

The OPP and the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office are continuing to investigate a blaze in the Rideout area of town.

There have been some reports that someone may have been in the house on Rupert Road early Wednesday morning.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says more information will become available as the investigation continues.

The fire destroyed the two-story house but the cause still hasn't been determined.

Regional Economic Development Agency Proposed

Local residents are being asked what they think about a proposed regional economic development agency for northwestern Ontario.

Ian Angus was in Kenora yesterday to talk about the new initiative.

Angus says this won't be just another level of bureaucracy.

Angus says they want some feedback on the kind of board the new agency should have and who should sit on the board.

The federal and provincial levels of government are expected to foot part of the bill for the new agency.

Hunting Tags now available on-line

The Ministry of Natural Resources hopes they can teach old dog's new tricks.

Hunters can now apply for big game draws for moose, deer and elk online.

Spokesperson John Cooper says mostly the MNR's new automated and online systems for licensing have proven popular.

Draws can be entered online on the Ministry website, through the telephone lincensing hotline, and at Service Ontario sites.

Election Results Finalized

The provincial election was five months ago, but Elections Ontario has just finally released the official results.

While Conservative Candidate Rod McKay finished second overall, he polled very well in his hometown of Kenora.

McKay won most of the polls in Kenora and the Sioux Narrows Area.

Sarah Campbell meanwhile, picked up more votes in Dryden, Fort Frances, the Rainy River area as well as in the far north.

There were no changes to the final results in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding.

Local Judokas prepare for Ontario Winter Games

Four members of the Jaffray Melick Judo Club will be heading to Collingwood next week for the Ontario Winter Games.

This past weekend, three of the fighters got a tune-up by competing in the Inner City Judo Tournament in Winnipeg.

Karley Lockhart won gold in her under 15, 44 kilo division, while Thomas Hertz also won his under 15, 34 kilo grouping.

Daniel Gordon was fighting up a weight class, and finished out of the medals.

Taylor Tom will also be traveling to southern Ontario for the Winter Games next week.