Rainy River Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Smuggling

A man from the Rainy River area has been sentenced to three years in prison for trying to smuggle guns across the Manitoba-U.S. border.

The Canada Border Services Agency says Dorion Larry Ozykowski arrived at the entry point of Sprague last December.

He told border officers he didn't have any guns, but when they searched his vehicle they found a prohibited 9-mm handgun and magazine clip.

They also found ammunition.

The 67-year-old pleaded guilty in Winnipeg provincial court to one Criminal Code offence and one Customs Act offence.

Shaw KBI Underway

Fishing is officially underway at the 25th annual Shaw Kenora Bass International.

Over 130 boats are entered into this years event.

Mark Libitka and Dave Bennett are the defending champions and are the captains of Team Canada this year.

Libitka suggests the weather forecast will play a big role in their success.

First Day weigh-ins will start at 4:00 this afternoon. CJRL will have live updates from the White Cap Pavillion.

Parents Protest Daycare Closure

It was standing room only in Kenora Council Chambers last night, in fact it was an overflow audience for the Committee of the whole meeting.

Over 100 parents and children wanted to find out if council was going ahead with plans to close the Castle of Learning Day Care Center and its after school programs.

Carol Bruneau is vice-president of CUPE Local 191 and says as many as 17 jobs will be affected.

She adds the city is creating an unnecessary crisis.

Only Councillor Rory McMillan indicated he would vote against the closure of the daycare.

The city report says daycare is running a deficit and with the province ready to provide all-day kindergarten programs, the city doesn't need to provide the service any longer.

Milestone for SKBI

A major milestone for one of Kenora's signature events.

The Shaw Kenora Bass Internation turns 25 years old this year.

Duncan McEwan is chair of SKBI and says there's no secret to their success.

Fishing begins tomorrow morning and final day weigh-ins will take place Saturday afternoon.

Over 100 thousand dollars in prize money is up for grabs.

Indoor Soccer Complex Proposed for JM Arena

The Jaffray Melick Arena could find new life, not as a hockey rink, but as an indoor soccer facility.

The Lake of the Woods Soccer Association has submitted a proposal to turn the facility into the Kenora Indoor Soccer Complex.

Councillor Ron Lunny says he's all for the change.

Under the proposal, the soccer association would partner with the city to transform the Arena into a year round facility.

The cost to install indoor turf is estimated at about 126 thousand dollars.

OPP Release Long Weekend Stats

A sad statistic for Ontario.

This past long weekend was a busy one for Ontario Provincial Police.

Sergeant Shelly Garr of the Northwestern Division says five people died in road and waterway incidents in the province.

She adds that there were more charges laid this year for speeding and dangerous driving that last

year during the same weekend. 

Fortunately there were no fatalities reported in Northwestern Ontario.

Fire Hazard Continues to Drop

The forest fire hazard has dropped to low to moderate in Northwestern Ontario.

There are currently 58 active fires in the region.

Two new fires have been reported, one near Dryden and one in Nipigon.

Fire crews were called out to deal with a grass fire along highway 17 about 30km west of Vermillion Bay.

Additional Charges Laid in Boating Accident

The OPP have charged a second person in connection with a boat accident on Lake of the Woods last week.

Police say 40 year old Kristin Hansen of Winnipeg was the operator of a 19 foot crownline, which was involved in a collision with a 15 foot Bayline last Sunday morning.

She's been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

The 25 year old operator of the Bayliner was charged with impaired operation of a vesssel causing bodily harm.

Hansen is due to appear in Kenora Court in October on the charge.

TSB Not Investigating Sioux Lookout Plane Crash

No more details are being revelaed about the plane crash in Sioux Lookout on Sunday.

The transportation safety board says there will be no full investigation, however Slate Falls Airways is continuing their own investigation.

The Cessna aircraft occupied by a pilot and 4 passengers crashed around 2pm, shortly after take off from Pelican Lake.

All 5 occupants recieved minor injuries and have been released from Meno Ya Win Health Center.

Shaw KBI Gears up for 25th Anniversary

After three days of fun on the Harborfront, Harborfest is getting ready to make way for the 25th annual Shaw KBI.

This year, things will kick off with a boat parade.

Kristie Cavenaugh is organizing the event and says they will be making their way through downtown Kenora early this evening.

The parade is scheduled to start at 6:00 this evening.

Fire Crews Heading Home

M.N.R. officials are letting fire crews from out of province head home after the forest fire sitation eased over the weekend.

The Ministry of Natural Resources say one new fire started on Sunday near Lake of the Woods near Kenora.

Out of province resources from Saskatchewan and New Brunswick were released from the Northwest Region assignment over the weekend.

Contract crews are also being released from fires. These resources provided support to the Northwest Region during the peak of fire activity.

Busy Long Weekend for the OPP in Kenora

The August Long Weekend proved to be a busy one for the Kenora OPP.

They arrested a number of people for drinking and driving offenses and are investigating one hit and run accident on Valley Drive.

Police were also called to a boat fire on Lake of the Woods near Devil's Gap.

A 1997, 22 foot Sea Ray caught fire around 2:00 Sunday afternoon.

Police say the two occupants were rescued by passing boaters, but their vessel was completely destroyed and sank to the bottom of the lake.

The OPP say they blocked that area of the lake off for about an hour as the boat burned.

Local Groups Applaud Lake Announcement's

Several groups which work on Lake of the Woods are pleased the federal government has finally announced its intentions for a water management plan.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird made the announcement in Kenora over the weekend.

Todd Sellars from the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation says one of the key recommendations is the creation of a new board out of two existing entitities.

Plans are also in the works for a water quality summit for Lake of the Woods.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford expects that will take place sometime in the next year or so.

Harborfest a Box Office and Artistic Success

(Photo Courtesy Colleen Serban Photography)

Harborfest directors are basking in the glow of one of their best ever events.

There were three sold out evening concerts and huge crowds all weekend long on the Kenora Harborfront.

Entertainment Director Dave Blake says they also had rave reviews from the performers.

Blake says they will be hard pressed to improve on this year's entertainment line-up, they they will start that task in the next couple of weeks.

Health Unit Issues Blue-Green Algae Advisory

While local residents have been enjoying one of the warmer summers in recent years, it can come at a price.

The Northwestern Health Unit has issued an advisory about blue-green algae blooms on some of the shallower lakes in the area.

In particular, the Health Unit has singled out Sandy Lake in Pellatt Township.

Blue Green Algae can contain toxins that are harmful if swallowed, and can cause skin rashes.

The Health Unit says kids, pets and livestock should not swim in any water where you notice blue-green algae.

Campbell Continues to Fight Tourism Center Closures

It's not going to happen this year, but the fight to get the region's tourism centres re-opened isn't stopping.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is again refuting Tourism Ministry's reasons behind closing the centres, including those Fort Frances and Rainy River.

Campbell says the government's now pointing to the use of GPS units.

Campbell admits its been frustrating, but isn't giving up hope the centres can be reopened next year.

Sandy Lake Residents Back Home

Residents of Sandy Lake, evacuated because of smoke near their community last week, are back home.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says fires that were a concern to the remote community remained quiet, allowing the 650 residents housed in hotels in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay to return.

Out of province crews from Saskatchewan and New Brunswick were also sent home with the forest fires threat diminishing due to rain and cooler temperatures.

TSB Investigates Sioux Lookout Plane Crash

Five people are coutning their blessings following a plane crash near Sioux Lookout over the weekend.

O.P.P. say a Slate Falls Airways plane with the pilot and four passengers were on a sight seeing tour whent eh plane crashed shortly after take-off from Pelican Lake.

Emergency Services, Slate Falls Airways and by-standers were on hand to get them to safety.

All five people suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital and then released.

O.P.P. and the Transportation Safety Board are looking into what happened.

Sunset Country's Got an App For That

Travellers in Northwestern Ontario will have a new way to find out what's hot and happening.

Sunset Country Travel has developed a smart phone app to provide information on places to stay, where to eat, and things to do and see.

Sunset is aiming for a September launch, which will be available at I-Tunes and android apps.

Baird Makes Announcement for Lake of the Woods

The federal government will be working with the American government to develop a new management board for Lake of the Woods.

Foreign Affairs minister John Baird made the announcement this morning in Kenora on board the Grace Anne II.

The creation of the joint management board was one of the recommendations of the International Joint Commission.

The federal government was supposed to make its intentions known a month ago, but Baird says he was the reason behind the delay.

Baird adds that a summit will also be held in the next couple of years to compile and discuss some of the scientific data available for the lake.

Foreign Affairs Mininister to Visit Kenora

A high profile visitor is expected to be in Kenora this August Long Weekend.

Foreign Affairs minister John Baird is tentatively scheduled to hold a news conference tomorrow morning.

While no details about his visit have been released, its believed Baird will discuss the federal government's response to the International Joint Commissions report on Lake of the Woods.

The federal government was supposed to announce its plans at the end of June along with the government of the United States.

Parents Concerned about Future of Day Care Program

Kenora City council could get an earful next week about proposed plans to close the Castle of Learning Daycare center.

Parents are up in arms about the proposal and have started up a petition.

A number of parents are also planning to make a deputation to council on Tuesday during the Committee of the Whole meeting.

The proposal calls for the closure of the Castle of Learning and its after schools program at the end of this year, due to an operating deficit.

Petitions have been set up at the Barehart Boutique, the Beer Store and Cameron Bay.

OPP Preparing for Long Weekend

The Ontario Provincial Police will be out in full force this long weekend.

They will be on the roads, trails and waterways.

They will be on the lookout for speeders, those not wearing their seatbelts, and impaired drivers.

According to the Highway Safety Divison, road fatalities are up nearly 25 percent this year.

NOSM Gains re-newed Accreditation

The Northern Ontario School Of Medicine is celebrating full accreditation.

The medical school was put through the ringer by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools back in May but made it through with shining colours according to Associate Dean Dr. Bill McCready

N.O.S.M. received full accreditation for the maximum alloted time of 8 years.

Charge laid in Traffic Fatality

A 25 year old British Columbia man is now charged in connection with a fatal traffic accident near Thunder Bay on July 4th that claimed the life of a Kenora woman.

Deborah Schneider was killed in the collision near Sistonen's Corners.

OPP Constable Diana Cole says officers have completed their investigation and have charged Paul McHale with careless driving.

Sturgeon Study Continuing

Sturgeon in Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake are continuing to get a lot of attention from researchers.

They're tracking the movements of fish implanted with transmitters.

Lakehead University associate professor Brian McLaren says they've already gained some interesting data about spawning habits.

The study has been funded for another two years.

KMTS Loses Cell Service in Sioux Narrows

Some frustrated cell phone users in the Sioux Narrows area.

KMTS says its tower was damaged by a severe thunderstorm earlier this week affecting service.

The company says technicians are working to repair the mobility tower.

KMTS isn't giving any timeline for service to be restored.

Harborfest Ready to Roll

It looks as if Harborfest is going to be a big success even before the doors open on the first concert tomorrow night.

The tickets for all three evening shows have been sold out.

Director of Entertainment Dave Blake says this is the first time they've ever managed that achievement.

Blake says despite selling out their concerts, they expect to only break even or post a modest surplus this year.

Two TSB Investigators Looking into Trout Lake Crash

The Transportation Safety Board says its too early to say what might have caused a float plane to crash north of Kenora.

A Cessna 180 went down yesterday morning near Trout Lake.

John Cottreau from the TSB says it will be a few days before they have any more information about the accident.

Cottreau says the invetigators will also want to talk to the people on board the plane.

Two remain in hospital in serious condition.

Kenora Agricultural Fair Turns 101

The Kenora Agricultural Fair begins a new century.

This year the Ag Fair turns 101 years old.

Chris Madison is one of the organizers and says things will get under way this evening at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The Agricultural Fair will continue tomorrow and wrap up on Saturday night.

Trout Lake Plane Crash Under Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board is looking into a plane crash in the bush north of Kenora.

The OPP say that three people were injured, two of them seriously, after a small plane crashed near Trout Lake around 9:30 yesterday morning.

David Ross of the Transportation Safety Board says all three people on board were from Minnesota.

Ross says the pilot was taking off from Trout Lake at the time.

The pilot was taken to Thunder Bay for treatment, while a female passenger was airlifted to Duluth.

School Board Under the Gun to Negotiate Contracts

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says its unlikely it will be able to negotiate new contracts with its unions before the start of the school year.

Earlier this week, the Minister of Education, Laurel Broten gave boards one month to negotiate the contracts.

Superindentant of Business, Dean Carrie says that doesn't give them a  lot of time.

Carrie says they have seven bargaining units to deal with.

He says right now, talks are scheduled to begin at the end of this month.

Support for Lac Seul Agreement

The interm forestry licence for Lac Seul is gaining lots of support.

The signing was made official this week by Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle and Chief Clifford Bull.

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says she'd like to see similar agreement's reached across the region.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford also thinks this is a good step for the first nation.

Chief Bull announced they will be working with the Domtar Mill in Dryden on the forestry plan.

Kenora Gets Trillium Grant

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is awarding community grants to 16 local, not-for-profit and charitable organizations across Northwestern Ontario.

The grant money for the region totals more than 650 thousand dollars.

The City of Kenora is getting 15 thousand dollars to help pay for new signage.

The Share the Road signs are part of a campaign to make the city a more bike friendly community.

The Northwest Angle #33 First Nation is also getting over 12 thousand dollars towards the purchase of chair and tables for special events in the community.

Girls Sentenced in Thunder Bay Manslaughter

Three years is the sentence for two teenage girls who plead guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of a 16-year-old Sachigo Lake First Nation girl two years ago.

The girl was found dead near a trail in Thunder Bay.

Defence Lawyer Chris Watkins says the judge took his clients sad background into consideration.

The sentence will only involve one year of secured custody.

Court Ruling on Attawapiskatt

The federal government says it's disappointed with a Federal Court ruling that Ottawa acted unreasonably in appointing a third-party manager for financially troubled Attawapiskat.

University of Ottawa constitutional lawyer Joseph Magnet says the ruling verifies what many experts have already concluded, that the relationship between the federal bureaucracy and some aboriginal communities is seriously flawed.

The court says the decision in November, 2011 to send in Jacques Marion to take over the band's finances was the wrong way to deal with the housing crisis on the northern Ontario First Nations community.

Cross Canada Tours Cross Paths in Kenora

Not one, but two cross country bike tours in support of organ donation are passing through Kenora.

Quinn Thomas is heading east on his Organ Donation Heros campaign.

Meanwhile, Damon Milsom and Kibby Evans cycling west as part of their Trekking for Transplants tour.

Evans says they've raised almost half of their 50 thousand dollar target.

All three cyclists met with Kenora mayor Dave Canfield on the Kenora Harborfront this morning.

OPP on Scene of a Plane Crash North of Kenora

Few details have been released about an airplane crash north of Kenora.

The OPP say a small plane went down in the bush near Trout Lake around 9:30 this morning.

The area is about 40 kilometers northwest of town.

An ambulence crews has been dispatched to the scene along with a number of OPP officers.

Local residents say a section of Highway 596 has been blocked off as rescue efforts continue.

Its not known if anyone was hurt in the crash.

Fletcher Defends Decision to Close ELA

The federal government doesn't seem to have any interest in re-visiting its decision to close the Experimental Lakes Area east of Kenora.

Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Fletcher says he supports the decision to close the facility.

He suggests that universities are probably in a better position to manage the ELA.

The federal government expects to save about two million dollars a year by closing the ELA.

Mobile Dental Clinic Ready to Hit the Road

A healthy smile is coming to your community!

Healthy Smiles Ontario has launched their mobile dental office, which provides free services to children 17 and under who don't have dental coverage.

The "smile mobile" will be coming to Kenora, Dryden, Ear Falls and Sioux Lookout from August 7-10.

650 People Evacuated from Sandy Lake

Some 650 residents from Sandy Lake First Nation are now settled into hotels in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.

They have been forced from their homes because of forest fire smoke that is affecting their community.

Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Debbie MacLean says fires to the south and west of Sandy Lake are not directly threatening the community but they are keeping a close eye on them.

MacLean says anticipated rain is expected to knock the fire hazard down to low in the south.

Motorcycle Accident in Rainy River District

Motorcycle enthusiasts are again being reminded of the importance of wearing a helmet.

Rainy River Provincial Police say an Edson, Alberta man is in Winnipeg Hospital in serious condition following a crash on a rural road.

OPP say the crash occurred in Dawson Township when the 24-year-old driver lost control and entered a ditch.

The cause is under investigation.

Border Crossing Stats Rise in Fort Frances

There's an increase in traffic being seen at the Fort Frances border.

Canada Border Services Agency says more than 108-thousand people in 50-thousand vehicles passed in June.

That's a 4.3 per cent increase from the number of in June of last year.

By contrast, the number of travellers through the border at Pigeon River was down 3 per cent.

Sharks Enjoy Success at National Championships

Six members of the Kenora Sharks Swim Club are back home after competing at the National Age Group Championships in Calgary.

All six swimmers recorded top ten finishes, but didn's manage to medal.

Michelle Belcaen, who competed for the final time as a member of the Sharks, and Bryce Jones had seventh place finishes.

12 year old Winnie Boucha was swimming in her first national championship and had two top ten finishes, including 8th in the 400 individual medley.

More Evacuations from Sandy Lake today

An additional 250 residents from Sandy Lake First nation are being evacuated to Thunder Bay and Fort Frances today.

They've been forced from their homes because of forest fire smoke that is affecting their community.

M.N.R. Information Officer Deb MacLean says the number of fires to the South and West of Sandy Lake are not directly threatening the community but they are keeping a close eye on them.

MacLean says the smoke that has displaced the residents is difficult to predict because it's totally dependant on the wind.

RCMP Rescue Canoer

An Ontario woman is recovering from injuries after she was struck by lightning while canoeing with six other people in wilderness northwest of Kenora.

RCMP say a group of seven girls was paddling on the Bloodvein River near Lake Winnipeg on Sunday when the 23-year-old woman was hit by lightning.

A 15-year-old girl also suffered an electric shock while holding on to a canoe as they were pulling the craft ashore during the storm.

The group sent out a GPS distress signal and a helicopter with two Mounties aboard managed to track down the group.

The woman was sent to Winnipeg for treatment of minor injuries, but the 15-year-old girl told police she was not hurt and remained with the group to carry on with the trip.

Highway Dedicated in Honor of Leo Bernier

Long time Kenora M.P.P. Leo Bernier has a road named after him in Kenora, now he has a highway named after him near Sioux Lookout.

Bernier was a Hudson native and the provincial government has announced that it is dedicating Highway 664 in his honor.

The 17 kilometer stretch of road runs from Hudson to Highway 72 near Sioux Lookout and is now called the Leo Bernier Memorial Highway.

The dedication was made this morning.

Second Youth Charged in Whitefish Bay Murder

Treaty Three Police and Ontario Provincal Police have made a second arrest in relation to the death of Charles Minshall.

61-year-old Minshall was found dead at a store in Whitefish Bay on July 22.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on Friday and charged with First Degree Murder.

He is expected to appear in Kenora Court later today.

A 16-year-old suspect was arrested and charged on July 24.

Police say that due to the ages of the suspects, their names cannot be released.

OHIP Hoax Revealed

Be aware of an internet hoax involving alleged OHIP changes.

Several local residents have reported reading about Provincial Government changes coming to Ontario OHIP coverage in 2013.

They have been told that no emergency medical procedures will be given to anyone over the age of 75 unless permission is given by a review board.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says its an internet hoax and never been mentioned in the Legislature.

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is also denying the report.

Province Announces More Funding for Energy Program

The provincial government is expanding the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program to encourage First Nation and Métis participation in creating energy projects.

Energy Minister Chris Bentley announced details of the program expansion yesterday.

Bentley says the program is being expanded because it has been very successful so far.