Extension Granted to Fix Up Municipal Wharves

The City of Kenora is being given a one year extension to use up funding to fix up a number of municipally owned docks and wharfs.

Ten years ago, the federal government provided 1.5 million dollars to fix up the infrastructure on the lake.

The work concluded last year with the refurbishment of the Matheson Street Wharf.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says there's still about two or three thousand dollars left in that account and now they have until March of next year to use up the funds

Council Worried about Growing Deer Population

A warmer than normal winter is expected to result in the deer population in the City of Kenora.

City Council is taking steps to try and deal with the problem.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says they've tightened up their Feeding of Wild Animals by-law to make it more enforcible.

Councillor Louis Roussin has suggested that a deer cull is in order to deal with the rampant deer population in the city.

Public School Board looks at Transitional Home for Northern Students

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board confirms it's working with the Northern Chiefs Council on estabilishing a transitional home and learning centrer.

The center would be located in the old Pinewood school in Dryden.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says the initiative is geared towards students who are making the jump to High School.

McMaster says the facility will allow aboriginal students to work on literacy and numeracy skills on-site, with an opportunity to enroll in some high school classes.

Fort Hunter Fined for Illegally Killing Moose

A Fort Frances area man has been fined 25-hundred dollars for illegal moose hunting.

Court heard that Myron Huber was hunting at the Turtle Tank cut, east of Mine Centre last October.

He shot a bull moose but he didn't have a seal.

An investigation found that a friend, who wasn't hunting at the time, met Huber and attached his seal to the animal.

Huber has been banned from hunting in Ontario for one year.

Northwestern Ontario's Only Immigration Office to Close

The Northwestern Ontario immigration office in Thunder Bay is closing it's doors next month.

The Public Service Alliance Union represents the two permanent and four part time workers at that office and Judith Monteith-Farrell says it will close to the public on May 31st.

Our immigration support will now come out of Toronto and Ottawa.

OPP Launch Spring Seatbelt Campaign this Weekend

Remember to buckle up!

The Ontario Provincial Police Spring Seatbelt campaign starts on Saturday and runs until Aprill 22nd.

OPP across Northwestern Ontario will be out in full force to ensure motorists are strapped in and child restraints are working properly.

The penalty for not buckling up is 240-dollars and 2-demerit points.

Gravelle Supports local Fire Ranger Crews

The Minister of Natural Resources says a visit to the Northwest Region Forest Fire Management Centre has re-inforced the importance of MNR fire crews.

Michael Gravelle toured the Regional base earlier this week and he admitted that no one is immune from Government belt-tightening.

However, Gravelle stressed that public safety is his top priority.

Gravelle says its shaping up to be a busy forest fire season, with over 40-fires already reported.

Committee shoots down electronic sign board

Just say no to electronic signs.

That continues to be the mantra of the city's property and planning committee.

The committee is pulling the plug on an electronic reader board installed by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce to publicize the upcoming Home and Liesure Show.

The sign was located in front of a Park Street Business, but its just on the edge of the Harbortown Center, an area where electronic billboards are banned.

The committee also suggests its a potential distraction to motorists. 
Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says the Home Show is a big event and he'd like the Chamber to find an alternative location for their electronic reader board.

Senior Thistles Prepare for the Allan Cup

The Kenora Senior Thistles are proudly displaying the Renwick Cup this week.

The Thistles won the Ontario Triple "a" senior championship this past weekend in Dundas.

Thistles Head Coach John Tresoor says the victory will give them a good springboard into the Allan Cup, which begins on Monday.

The Thistles will practice one more time tonight before leaving for Lloydminster, Saskatchewan Sunday morning for the Allan Cup.

Their first game will be Monday night against the host team from Lloydminister.

OPP in Fort Frances Searching for Safeway Gas Bar Robber

Ontario Provincial Police are looking for a suspect in an armed robbery in Fort Frances.

Police say someone held up the Safeway Gas Bar around 10:30 Tuesday night.

OPP say a man entered the store pointing a handgun and he demanded money from the teller.

The suspect receieved an undisclosed amount of cash and he fled the store.

He was wearing a white hooded jacket, blue jeans and white running shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or Fort Frances OPP.

Edmonton Man charged with Trafficking

A 31 year old Edmonton man faces drug charges after being pulled over on the Kenora By-Pass.

The OPP stopped a Ford pick-up truck near the intersection of the Jones Road on Tuesday.

The driver was found to be in possession of a quantity of drugs, including 1.3 pounds of marijuana and just over a half a pound of hashish.

The drugs have a street value of 18 thousand dollars.

Jason Nitsche has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Policing costs down

Policing the city of Kenora is costing less than forecast.

For the second year in a row, the OPP is coming well under budget.

Inspector Dave Lucas says their actual budget in 2011 was 6.1 million dollars, less than the 6.6 million dollars than had initially been forecast. 

Lucas says over the past few years, they have been budgeting about 9 percent for overtime purposes, but this year, they'll drop that figure down to about  eight percent to get closer to their targeted budget figure.

Development Commission Ready to Move on Lakewood

The dream of a new adult education center is closer to reality.

The Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission is working on plans to purchase Lakewood School after the public schooo board declared the facility suplus earlier this week.

Chair of the Training and Educatin Committee Geordie McEwan says there's already been a lot of interest expressed in the training center.

The commission now has 90 days to work up a bid for the property and will be working with the City of Kenora to initially help fund the purchase.

Rickford cheers the Demise of the Long Gun Registry

Local gun owners are not impacted by a court injunction in Quebec questioning the Federal Government's ability of destroying information contained in the long gun registry.

The registry has officially been abolished and Police no longer have the power to check the registry for any verification purposes.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he will be following the situation in Quebec closely.

Rickford stresses local residents no longer have to register their long guns.

Council asked to Support Muskies on Main

Forget Bears on Broadway. How about Muskies on Main.

That's the concept being promoted by the Lake of the Woods Arts Collective.

Irene McQuaig made her pitch to city council yesterday and says they hope to make a number of fish as a fundraiser.

McQuaig says the muskies would sell for about 15 hundred to two thousand dollars.

She estimates they would be able to raise about 25 thousand dollars for a local charity, which still has to be selected.

Richards has three point night in Playoff Opener

Mike Richards had a goal and two assists to lead the Los Angeles Kings to a surprise 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks in game one of their first round play-off series.

Richards says while it was nice to contribute, he believes the team can play better.

The series resumes Friday night in Vancover witht he Kings leading one game to none.

High School Badminton Players advance to NWOSSA

Kenora badminton stars claimed five gold medals at the NorWOSSA championships in Dryden yesterday.

Patrick Van Bellingham from Thomas Aquinas placed first in the boys seniors division, while Alexis Lesperance from Beaver Brae won the senior girls crown.

Tyler Neil took the junior boys title, while the Broncos junior boys tandem of Rogers and Smith won the junior boys double division.

In the junior mixed event, Beaver Brae's Iverson and Sparkman also won gold.

The top two finishers in each division now move on to the NWOSSA finals next week in Thunder Bay.

Small Earthquake registered north of Kenora

Residents of the Dalles might have felt the earth move under their feet.

The National Research Council says there was a small earthquake located about 12 kilometers north of Kenora early yesterday morning.

According the government agency, the quake registered 1.7 on the Richter scale at 12:08 in the morning.

There has been no reports of anyone even noticing the mild tremblor.

Smoking Restrictions in Store at Lake of the Woods District Hospital

Lake of the Woods District Hospital is going ahead with plans to make their facilities smoke-free places.

Starting April 22nd, each of the hospital four buildings will have only one smoking area.

Hospital CEO Marc Belcaen says they are actually going above and beyond what's contained in Ontario's Smoke-Free Act.

The hospital has also set up a Tobacco Usage Review Group, that will work towards making the hospital a completely smoke-free zone in the next year or so.

Joyride causes Extensive Damage

Who knew a teenaged girl could cause this much damage.

The OPP say a female youth has been charged following a destructive joyride in Keewatin.

Police say the teen took a pick-up truck that was left idling in a driveway Monday night.

She sped away and struck several parked cars before losing control of the vehicle.

She eventually ran into a house, causing extensive damage to the residence.

The girl fled the scene, but was picked up by officers a short time later.

She's been charged with theft over five thousand dollars and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Lakewood School Declared Surplus

It's official. Lakewood School is going on the auction block.

Trustees voted unamimously to declare the elementary school surplus to the board's needs last night.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says just because they've decided to start the process, doesn't mean there's no turning back.

In conjuction with the Lakewood decision, the board has also agreed to start consulting with parents about the concept of moving grade seven and eight students in Kenora up to Beaver Brae.

Superintendant of Education, Sean Monteith says they will be starting that process in the next couple of weeks.

Canfield Questions Tourist Center Closures

Its a mistake.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield believes the provincial government made a math error when it decided to close down the three Tourist Information centers at the border crossings in the Kenora-Rainy River area.

Canfield says its clear, the border crossings locally are busier than elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.

Canfield adds that municipal officials have been in talks with the Ministry of Tourism to provide Ontario Travel Information year round at the Discovery Center, but they still haven't taken the city up on that offer.

Northwest Business Center Hits the Road

The Manager of the Northwest Business Centre is hitting the road in a bid to raise the profile of the Dryden and Kenora based organization.

Diane Schwartz-Williams is taking her road show to Sioux Lookout this week.

She will be meeting with Economic Development offiicials from across the Kenora and Rainy River District to discuss cultural and art opportunities.

Two men charged in downtown Robbery

Two Fort France men has been arrested following a robbery in downtown Kenora.

The OPP say the incident took place Saturday night around 11:00 when two men accosted a man at a downtown insta-teller.

They initially asked the man for a light, but then struck him, knocking him to the ground.

They took the victims wallet, and left the scene.

Both suspects were arrested about an hour later with the help of an OPP canine unit.

28 year old Cote McGinnis and 30 year old John George have both been charged with robbery.

They appeared yesterday in Kenora Court on the charges.

NorWOSSA Badminton Finals On Tap in Dryden

Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas badminton players will be going for gold today.

The NorWOSSA finals will be taking place in Dryden.

The top six ranked players and teams in each division will do battle starting at 9:30 this morning.

Medals for boys and girls singles, doubles and mixed doubles will be handed out this afternoon.

Mayors seeking meeting over Tourism Center Closures

Local municipal officials are seeking a meeting with Ontario's tourism minister to talk about the pending closure of the region's tourist information centres.

The cash-strapped province has said in its budget it plans to shut down centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River at the end of this month.

Fort Frances mayor Roy Avis says he understands the government's need to save money, but wants to know if there are other options to keep the centres open.

He'd also like the government to delay the closures until at least the end of the busy summer season.

Several other tourism and municipal groups in the area are also looking for an audience with Tourism Minister Michael Chan.

The Future of Lakewood School Up for Discussion tonight

The fate of Lakewood School will be finally decided tonight.

Trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board will be meeting tonight in Sioux Lookout.

One of the items on the agenda is Lakewood.

Over the past few months administration at the public school board has been gathering feedback about whether the school should be sold off so it can be transformed into an adult education center.

Should the school board elect to close Lakewood, Evergreen School, which was scheduled to close later this year, would remain open.

Gravelle Asks for Review of Northern Health Travel Grant

The Ministry of Health is being urged to review Northern Ontario Travel Grant applications on a case by case basis.

Thunder Bay-Superior Liberal M.P.P. Michael Gravelle made that request on the behalf of one of his consituents.

The northwestern Ontario woman recently had to travel to Calgary for a special cancer surgery, but was unable to collect the travel grant.

Gravelle wrote his letter last year and hopes to hear back soon.

Electoral Boundaries Commission Seeking Input

Input is now being sought on possible changes to Ontario's federal ridings.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says its important area residents tell the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission of Ontario to keep northern ridings as they are.

Rafferty says if anything, the north should have at least one more seat in Ottawa.

He doesn't expect a decision on the new riding boundaries until at least next year.

Festival of the Arts gets underway today

An annual cultural tradition in Kenora gets underway today.

The Festival of the Arts will run for the next two and a half weeks at venues throughout the city.

Len Mark is one of the organizers and says the festival gives people of all ages a platform to showcase their talents.

Mark adds that the Highlights concert will wrap up the festival on April 28th at Knox United

Church. 

Local Young Drivers Office Wins National Award

National recognition for Young Drivers of Canada in Kenora-Dryden.

The organization has received the Centre of the Year award.

President of Young Drivers Canada Peter Christianson says Maria Bagdonas and her staff have worked hard at providing customer service and high quality education in the District.

He adds she managed to grow her business in a challenging economic climate.

Treaty Three Lashes out at new Mining Group

Grand Council Treaty #3 is taking a hard line against a group of junior mining companies called "Miners United".

The mining group spoke out at a recent conference in Toronto.

They said a revolt was taking place against first nations that were requesting revenue benefit sharing agreements.

Treaty Three Chief Diane Kelly says the comments of the group are unacceptible.

While she agrees the crown must do more under the Mining Act, she disagrees strongly with the tactics of Miners United.

She says in many instances Treaty Three has developed strong partnerships with mining companies because of their committment to talk.

Health Unit warns of Water-borne illness

The presence of a water-borne bug at two water parks in Minnesota has the Northwestern Health Unit issuing an advisory.

Cryptosproidum was recently identified at Edgewater Water Park in Duluth and the Paul Bunyan Water Park in Brainaird.

The Northwestern Health Unit says there have been three known related illnesses in this area, all occurring around the recent March break.

Old Man Winter Returns

Old man winter isn't done with us yet.

A blast of arctic air is going to keep things chilly for at least the next two days.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says the good news is the snow won't stick around for long.

The normal highs for this time of year is 8 degrees.

Trek from Kingfisher Lake Completed

Fundraising efforts continue for a new building to house a treatment program in Kingfisher Lake First Nation.

The campaign has hit a high note with the completion of a 500-kilometre walk from the remote Northern community to Sioux Lookout.

37-year-old William Mekanak and 16-year-old Bryan Sainnawap embarked on the journey to raise money for the prescription drug detox program.

The two walkers say a new centre to run the program is needed to combat the problem.

The goal is to raise 150-thousand dollars.

School Board's Worried About Possible Amalgamations

Is a merger forthcoming involving the Rainy River District School Board and the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board?

That's a possibility if the Provincial budget passes.

Mike Lewis is Chair of the Rainy River Board and he says it may help the province reduce the deficit but stresses there's more to consider than just money.

Lewis is encouraging residents and communities to speak up in opposition.

Fraser Institute releases latest report on Secondary School's

The Fraser Institute is out with is annual evaluation of secondary schools in Ontario.

Its mixed news in Kenora, where Thomas Aquinas saw its rating increase, while Beaver Brae slipped a few notches.

Study author, Michael Thomas says while some educators don't like their report, he thinks its still valid.

Thomas Aquinas was rated 84th out of the 718 schools ranked in the yearly report.

Beaver Brae was 623rd overall.

Saints, Sinners and Spirits at the Museum

Lake of the Woods Museum is looking into the dark underbelly of Kenora's past.

A new exhibit opened last week up called Saints, Sinners and Spirits.

Museum spokesperson Braden Murray says there's a long history of rum-running on Lake of the Woods.

The exhibit, developed by staff at the museum, will run until June 9th.

New Forest Fires Reported over the Long Weekend

The forest fire season in northwestern Ontario is only a week old, but there's already been 13 fires reported in the Kenora District.

Over the weekend, two more fires were reported.

One grew to 6 hectares in size before being brought under control.

The other was just a small 0.1 hectare blaze north of the city.

Both are listed as human-caused.

Fires were also reported in the Dryden and Fort Frances Districts as well this Easter Long weekend.

NOMA Supports Local Tourist Centers

There's more support for keeping tourist information centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River open.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is the latest to voice its opposition to the planned closures.

NOMA President Ron Nelson wants Tourism Minister Michael Chan to meet with area tourism officials and hold off hold off on the closures until then.

OCN Penguins with 5th Consecutive NAFN Title

Manitoba teams once again dominated the North American First Nations tournament of Champions.

For the 5th year in a row, the OCN Penguins took the A-side champioship winning the 20 thousand dollar first prize beating the Sandy Bay Feathermen 5-3.

In the battle for 3rd place, Eagle Lake shut out the OCN Blues 2-0.
In the B-side final, Grassy Narrows beat up on Shoal Lake 7-2.

In the Oldtimers division, Shoal Lake eked out a 2-1 win over the Whitefish Bay Rangers.

Senior Thistles Advance to Allan Cup

The Kenora Triple "a" Senior Thistles will be playing for Allan Cup for the second year in a row.

The Thistles hosted the tournament last year, but this year they played their way in by winning the Renwick Cup, and will be the Ontario representitives.

The Kenora squad beat Dundas in two straight games in the best-of-three series over the weekend.

The Thistles capped the series Saturday night with a convincing 6-1 win.

Jeff Richards had a three goal game.

Friday night, Kenora beat Dundas 5-2.

The Allan Cup starts one week from today in Lloydminster.

Beaver Brae dominates NorWOSSA Badminton Qualifier

Beaver Brae Badminton players dominated the NorWOSSA qualifying tournament yesterday.

A total of 13 Broncos placed either first, second or third in their respective divisions.

Thomas Aquinas had seven top three finishes.

The NorWOSSA Championships will take place in Dryden next Wednesday in the boys and girls singles, doubles and mixed doubles divisions.

NAFN Tournament Returns this Weekend

An Easter Weekend sporting tradition returns to Kenora.

The North American First Nations Tournament of Hockey gets underway this evening at the Kenora Rec. Center.

As many as 16 teams will be vying for the guaranteed first prize money of 20 thousand dollars.

OCN is back to defend its title in the open division this year.

There will be an Oldtimers tournament this year as well, with eight teams looking to win five thousand dollars.

Action gets underway at the Thistle Rink at 6:00 this evening and wraps up Sunday afternoon.

The Oldtimers final is 3:00 followed by the A-Side final at 5:45.

OPP Launch Easter Weekend Traffic Bliz

The long weekend has begun, and so has the holiday safety blitz by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Sgt. Shelley Garr says officers are on the lookout for impaired and aggressive drivers, unfastened seat belts and drivers talking on cell phones that aren't hands-free.

Garr says long weekend's usually bring extra traffic onto the roadways with people travelling to get to Easter celebrations.

Dryden looking at selling its Municipal Telephone Service

The City of Dryden is speaking with TBay Tel about a possible deal to purchase DMTS.

Mayor Craig Nuttall has confirmed that the two have been in discussions.

However, Nuttall notes that they are keeping an open mind.

Nuttall says they are looking at the best possible deal for the citizens of Dryden and they want to make sure their telephone service is still operating.

The City has previously stated that forming partnerships is also an option.

Seniors Group to meet with Resolute over Pensions

A group of seniors concerned over the pensions of former Abitibi-Bowater employees is being given an audience with the company.

Allan Bedard, chair of the group, Seniors and Retirees Against Pension and Elder Abuse, says company officials asked for the meeting to take place later this month.

The meeting comes after the group just made its self public.

The group is concerned over a recent reduction in pension payouts and the future of the fund.

Pellatt Fire Crews Deal with grass fire

The fire hazard is starting to inch up across northwstern Ontario with the recent, warm, dry weather.

Yesterday, about 18 volunteers from the Pellatt United Fire Department were called to deal with a grass fire near Lac Lu that grew to about two hectares in size.

MNR Fire information officer Debbie McLean says crews will be on alert this Easter Long weekend.

Yesterday's blaze also destroyed an old abandoned log home.

Its estimate the log cabin was about 138 years old, but had been lived in over over 25 years.

Gas Prices Jump in Kenora

Just in time for the Easter Long weekend.

The price of gas took a big jump in Kenora.

The price at most service stations this morning is 131.9, an increase of six cents in 24 hours.

That's far from the most expensive gas in the province.

In Sioux Lookout, gas is selling at 1.40 a liter.

The average price of gas in Ontario is 1.37.

Tourism Officials kick up Campaign to Save Tourist Centers

Local tourism officials say they haven't heard anything yet from the Ministry of Tourism about why its closing down three tourist information centers in northwestern Ontario.

Gerry Cariou from Ontario Sunset Country says the the only communication they have came from the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership announcing the closures last week.

He suggests the only way the centers will stay open is if local municialities take them over.

Carious says tourist organizations in the region have started a letter writing campaign to try and convince the government to reverse its decision to close the Tourist Information Centers.