Catholic School Board Concerned with Putting Students First Act

The Kenora Catholic District School board is giving the thumbs down to the Putting Students First Act.

The bill is currently being debated in the Ontario Legislature and includes a salary freeze for public school teachers.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre also believes the legislation will create an uneven playing field between Catholic and Public school boards.

Eikre says if the bill is passed, hiring practices and student assessments will be different between Catholic and Public School boards.

No West Nile in Northwestern Ontario

No concerns in northwestern Ontario, but the West Nile virus is hitting southern Ontario hard.

Health officials say 82 people, all in southern Ontario, have been infected.

Public Health Ontario says the virus has been identified in northwestern Ontario, but no-one here has yet contracted the mosquito-borne disease.

Concern Raised about Riding Changes

A possible redraw of federal ridings in northwestern Ontario has the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River scratching his head.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario proposes Lake of the Woods township be a part of the Kenora riding.

John Rafferty is confused why it has to be moved out of his riding.

Rafferty intends to voice his opposition at upcoming meetings this fall.

More Problems for Ornge in the north

Ornge's helicopter air ambulance service is once again operating out of Thunder Bay.

Earlier in the week the service was operated out of Moosonee and Kenora due to a pilot shortage.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says staffing has been an ongoing issue for Ornge.

Mauro says Ornge was able to find some pilots to operate the helicopter service back at the Thunder Bay base.

One Temperature Record in NWO

It was a warm one yesterday but only one record high was set.

Fort Frances was the only community to set a new record, reaching 32.5, beating the old mark of 31.5.

Red Lake tied its record high of 29.7.

The thermometer hit 31.7 in Kenora yesterday, just shy of a record for August 29th.

Bronco Football Team Plays Exhibition Game

Beaver Brae's football team will get a good chance to evaluate this year's talent today.

The Broncos are playing an exhibition game against the Dryden Eagles at Pete Fair Memorial Field this afternoon.

This year, Beaver Brae has dropped down to the single "A" Currie Division of the Winnipeg High School Football League.

That will put them in the same division as their traditional rivals from Fort Frances and Dryden.

Kick-off this afternoon is at 3:00.

Ladies Slo-Pitch Results

The play-off picture is a little clearer this morning in the Days Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch league.

Northern Harbor has advanced to the A-Side finals with a win over Dunit Contracting last night.

In the B-side play-offs, Kenora Truck Service is moving on after a convincing 22-1 win over Roen Rednex.

In the c-side play-offs, Riverview Industries advanced to the finals with a 13-12 victory over Neniska.

Highway 17 East Closed to One Lane

Traffic might be moving a little slower on Highway 17 east of Kenora this afternoon.

The OPP say the Trans-Canada is closed to one lane of traffic just west of the Highway 71 junction.

Police say there was a collision involving two tractor trailor units and a passenger van.

The accident took place shortly after 11:00, but there were no injuries reported.

The OPP say motorists should expect some delays in the area.

College Faculty Reach a Two Year Deal

Good news for students attending Confederation College or any other college in Ontario.

A tentative agreement has been reached with 10-thousand college faculty at 24 Ontario colleges.

The two deal freezes teacher salaries but eligible faculty would still move through the pay grid.

All benefits remain untouched and the deal asks for no concessions from faculty.

The deal avoids any threat of a strike.

Two Arrested in By-Pass Drug Bust

The OPP say they seized about 10 thousand dollars worth of illegal drugs during a bust along the Kenora By-Pass.

Members of the Organized Crime and Enforcement Bureau and Drug Enforcement Unit pulled over a vehicle on Highway 17-A on Monday.

Police say they found about a half a pound of marijuana, 55 hydro-morphone capsules and a small amount of Oxycodone.

Two men have been arrested.

25 year old Jeffray Bragg from Devlin and and 23 year old Jamie BRAGG of Fort Frances have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

They appeared in Kenora Court yesterday.

Rickford Pleased with Riding Changes

Some minor changes are being proposed for the Kenora Riding.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is recommending Lake of the Woods Township be added and taken out of the Thunder Bay-Atikokan Riding.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he has no problem with the changes and is relieved that northern Ontario will be keeping its 10 ridings in the House of Commons.

Local residents can comment on the proposed boundary changes at public hearings slated for October 9th in Kenora.

Numbers Finalized for Ride for Memories

The numbers keep growing for the Alzheimer's Society.

This year's Ride for Memories brought in over 40 thousand dollars.

Lynn Moffatt of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora and Rainy River Districts says it's amazing the number of people who come out.

Moffatt says the ride next year will be centered around Dryden.

Con College Hoping Faculty Reach Agreement

Ontario's College Faculty Collective Agreement is set to expire on Friday.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Province are in negotiations over the new contract but if one isn't reached a strike vote is set for September 10th.

Confederation College President Jim Madder says he hopes the two sides continue to talk.

Madder says if a faculty strike occurs the school will stay open but classes won't resume.

OPP Signs Agreement with NAPS

The OPP and Nishnawbe Aski Police Services are teaming up for a 3 year operating agreement.

They signed the formal document yesterday at the local NAPS police station.

Superintendent Ron van Straalen says it sets out protocols.

It also provides guidelines on culturally appropriate policing for First Nations.

Teachers Upset With Contract Legislation

Upset teachers have sent a message to Queen's Park.

Teacher unions held rallies in Thunder Bay and Toronto yesterday.

Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Regional spokesperson Ellen Chambers says they're upset with both the liberal and conservative governments.

Chambers says people need to know that it's not the wage freeze that's bothersome to teachers but the unwillingness to negotiate that has them upset.

Lightning Results in new Forest Fires

The recent spell of warm, dry weather has resulted in a new spate of forest fires across northwestern Ontario.

The MNR reported six new blazes yesterday, including two in the Kenora area.

One was found smouldering on Scott Island about 25 kilometers southwest of Minaki.

The other about 10 kilometers south of Kenora.

That blaze was located by an MNR helicopter and doused by the Longbow Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

The MNR is expecting more fire activity over the next few days due to lightning strikes from thunder storms over the weekend.

Two More Teams Eliminated in Ladies Slo-Pitch

A couple of teams have been eliminated from the play-offs in the Days-Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch League.

In the b-side of the draw, Roen Rednex ousted D Smith Contracting with a 16-5  victory, while KTS upended the Renegades.

Those two teams will meet up tonight in another single elimination game.

In the c-side of the play-offs, Print Gear edged Murray's Upholstery 11-9, to move on.

In men's slo-pitch action last night, the Voodoo staved off elimination in the B-side final with a win over Kenora Truck Service.

That best-of-three series will be decided tonight at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Teachers Union Plan Rally Against Back to Work Bill

Union leaders say thousands of teachers are expected to rally today at Queen's Park to protest legislation that would freeze teachers' wages and cut benefits.

The unions have vowed to challenge the Liberal legislation all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada if it is passed.

The bill introduced yesterday will likely become law, as the Progressive Conservative have agreed to support the legislation.

It would not only rein in compensation, but also give the government the power to ban strikes and lockouts.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario says the legislation will take away the collective bargaining rights of teachers and educators.

No Changes Proposed for Northern Ontario Ridings

Some good news for politicians and voters in northern Ontario.

No changes are being proposed for the 10 federal ridings in the region by the federal electoral boundaries commission.

However, due to an increase in population, Ontario could be getting 15 new federal electoral districts.

The Commission for Ontario is to hold public meetings this fall on a proposed new electoral map with stops planned in Kenora and Thunder Bay in early October.

School Boards ready for First Day of Classes

There may be some bitter feelings headed into the new school year but the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is staying the course.

The province remains locked in a bitter dispute with its teachers.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says staff are focused on learning and student achievement.

All kids from grade 4 to 12 will have netbooks and kids from junior kindergarten to grade 3 will have I-Pad pods in each classroom at a 4 to 1 ratio.

Mass Registration Begins this Evening

A busy day for both parents and kids alike.

After their first day of school, it will be time to head down to mass registration.

Over the next two nights, over 30 groups will have booths set up at the Kenora Rec. Center.

A wide range of activities will be featured so you can ask questions and sign up for fall and winter activities.

Mass registration runs from 6:00 to 8:00 this evening.

Alarmed for Life Hits the North End

Don't be alarmed if you see fire trucks rolling through your neighborhood this evening.

Kenora Fire and Emergency Services Department will be carrying out its Alarmed for Life campaign this evening in the north end of town.

Fire fighters will be going door to door in the 3rd Street, 4th Street and 5th Street North areas starting at 6:30 this evening.

They'll be checking to make sure each home has a working smoke alarm on each level, and that they are properly installed.

Fire chief Warren Brinkman says he wants to ensure each home in Kenora has a working smoke alarm.

New School Year Begins at NOSM

It's an early start for students at Lakehead University's Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Potential doctors begin classes today both at L.U. and in Sudbury.

Acting Dean Dr. Bill McCready says this program is garnering national and international attention because of its success rate.

Dr. McCready says 64 students will begin this year's 4-year undergraduate course, with just under half at the campus at Lakehead University.

Men's Slo-Pitch Season Winding Down

The Beauty Bay Cubs and Kenora Truck Service have drawn first blood in their best-of-three finals in the Kenora Men's Slo-Pitch League.

In the A-Side final, Beauty Bay got by D Smith Contracting last night in game one.

In the B-Side final, KTS earned a 19-14 win over the Voodoo.

Game two in both series go tonight at the Kenora Rec. Center.

In the Days Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch league play-offs last night, it was the Martini's over KTS.

Crime Stats down so far in 2012

The OPP say they've been trying to crack down on drug related crime in Kenora and that effort seems to be paying off.

Through the first six months of 2012, the amount of crime in the city is down slightly compared to the same period last year, with a significant drop seen in the number of break and enters, mischief complaints and minor thefts.

On the other hand there have already been six thefts over five thousand dollars this year, compared to none for the first half of last year.

The OPP have also noticed an increase in the number of sexual assaults and Inspector Dave Lucas says they are looking into why those incidents have gone up this year.

Waiting list for Social Housing in Kenora District lengthens

There was a slight increase in the Kenora District for social housing last year.

That's a trend that's pretty similar to the rest of the province.

Shared Karur of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association says there has been some help from the provincial and federal governments to decrease that list.

The Association says there was an increase of 69 families waiting for social housing in the Kenora District in the past year.

Funding Continued for Aboriginal Youth

A key initiative for aboriginal youth is being continued by the Federal Government.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan is renewing the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth program.

The program encourages youth to get involved in cultural development, community engagement and leadership programs.

Duncan says the programming helps aboriginal youth with job readiness skills and prepares them to enter the labour market.

The program is run through Friendship Centres across Canada.

Canfield Appointed to AMO Board

Dave Canfield's daytimer is starting to get filled up.

The Kenora mayor has returned from the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa with some new duties.

Canfield is now a member of the AMO board.

He will sit on the northern caucus.

AMO is responsible advocating on behalf of towns and cities across Ontario to both the federal and provincial government's.

Federal Government begins Pre-Budget Consulations

The Federal Government is already working on the 2013 budget.

Parliamentary Secretary to Finance Shelly Glover toured northwestern Ontario last week for pre-budget consultations.

Glover says they still want to hear from local residents.

Glover says the budget will focus of maintaining and creating jobs as well as growing the economy.

Fire Crews Heading Home from B.C.

Forest Firefighters are coming back today from British Columbia.

All personnel that went to British Columbia on August 19th will be back in Ontario by the end of today.

British Columbia has had a chance to recycle their staff and the fire situation has decreased.

Typically, FireRangers and other fire response personnel can be out of province on deployment for up to 19 days.

OPP Investigate Ignace Break-Ins

A rash of thefts in Ignace has Provincial Police searching for answers.

Seven reports of break, enter and thefts have been reported in the past few days.

Someone entered a Pine Street home and stole 4-thousand dollars, while someone entered an unlocked garage on Davy Lake Road and stole 5 jerry cans of gasoline and loose change.

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

A Good Turn-Out for Ride For Memories

A big weekend for the Alzheimer Society for Kenora and Rainy River.

Initial estimates show that over 36 thousand dollars was raised in the 10th annual Ride for Memories.

This year, the ride ended up in Sioux Lookout, with a total of 160 motorcyclists taking part in the fundraiser.

Next year, the Ride For Memories will head to Dryden.

Ontario AMBER Alert

The Peel Police Service has issued an AMBER ALERT for two abducted children in the Peel Region. Here are the details:

Vehicle Information: 2006 Dodge Caravan silver




Victim’s name: Louis GALLEGO-HAMMADIEH
Date of Birth: 13 OCT 2002 (Age 9)
Physical Description:
Height- 4’10”
Weight- 85lbs
Hair color- black short hair above ear
Eye color- brown
Clothing: T shirt and jeans, Round eye glasses with metal frames

Victim’s name: Benny GALLEGO-HAMMADIEH
Date of Birth: 01 Jan 2004 (Age 8)
Physical Description:
Height- 4’
Weight- 60lbs
Hair color- black short curly hair above ear
Eye color- brown
Clothing: T shirt and jeans



Both are believed to be in the company of: Randa HAMMADIEH (female)

Date of Birth: 27 NOV 1978 (Age 33)
Physical Description:
Height- 5’5”
Weight- heavy build
Hair color- black hair
Eye color- brown eyes
Tanned complexion – white dress

Details of Incident:

At 11:20am, Biological Mother abducted two children from foster home, in the company of 2 unknown males driving the vehicle used in the abduction. Headed towards highway 410 in Brampton.

Unions Warn Of Possible Work-To-Rule

Three powerful unions fighting government efforts to impose new contracts on Ontario teachers say school will start uninterrupted in September.


But they aren't ruling out labour disruptions later in the school year.

The unions say it will be up to their 191,000 members to

decide whether there will be strikes or work-to-rule campaigns.

The unions also say there was never any threat of strikes at the start of the school year, despite what the government is telling parents.

They say the minority Liberals are simply creating a crisis to win two September 6th byelections that give them a shot at a majority government.

(Photo: Sam Hammond; President of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario)

Possible College Strike Looming

School and union officials are warning Ontario's 24 colleges, including Confederation College, could be closed by labour strife as early as the middle of next month.

The colleges say the Ontario Public Service Employees Union could trigger a strike by 10,000 college faculty as early as

September 15th if a strike vote goes ahead on September 10th.

And OPSEU says the colleges will be in a position to lock out faculty on the same date.

A strike would disrupt the start of the school year for hundreds of thousands of students across the province.

Issues are a wage freeze demanded by the colleges, academic

freedom, the treatment of partial-load faculty, increased workload from online courses and other staffing requirements.

Stolen Banners

Members of the Kenora OPP detachment have recovered all of the stolen banners and flags from the Whitecap Pavillion on the Kenora Harbourfront.

The Banner commemorating the 1907 Stanley Cup win by the Kenora Thistles had been taken sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning prior to the Mike Richards Stanley Cup celebration.

The Kenora Thistles 1907 Stanley Cup banner has been returned to the City of Kenora and the Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup flag which was also missing will be returned it's original owner.

Uniform officers and members of the street crime unit were assisted by the Forensic Identification Unit. All three teams continue to investigate the circumstances.

10th Annual Ride For Memories Tomorrow

This Saturday marks the Alzheimer Society's 10th annual Ride For Memories.

Riders will leave Kenora and will hit Dryden, Ignace and finish off in Sioux Lookout with a dinner and awards ceremony

Executive Director Lynn Moffatt encourages the public to come out and support the cause.

Moffatt says they are hoping to raise $40,000 and all money raised supports 1,000 people living with the disease in the Kenora and Rainy River District.

Riders will also participate in a poker derby.

Members Of KI Embark On Canoe Trip

Another campaign to protect traditional land is being launched by the KI First Nation in northern Ontario.

14-paddlers, including several youth, embark on a 300-plus kilometre trip today on an ancient trading route.

Richard Anderson is the Watershed Coordinator for KI and he says mining companies continue to threaten their way of life.

The paddlers are calling on Ontario to respect their land before it gets poisoned by the companies.

Anderson says elders still use the water and the land.

The journey is expected to conclude on September 7th in Fort Severn.

Complete List Not Being Released

Privacy concerns are preventing the RCMP from gaining full access to a list of murdered and missing women compiled by the Native Women's Association of Canada.

It lists about 600 unsolved cases, some of which include women from northwestern Ontario.

RCMP were given about 100 names, but the Association says confidentiality guarantees given to family members who provided much of the information prevent it from giving up the full list.

Cruisin' For A Cause At A&W

Staff at A&W in Kenora are Cruisin' for a Cause today.


It's a Canada-wide campaign to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

$1 from every Teen Burger sold will be donated to support people with M.S. as well as research.

Classic cars will also be on site later in the day.

Three People Injured In Boat Crash

Three women have been injured in a boating crash on Rainy Lake.


Provincial Police say eight people were on a jet boat when it struck an island near Twin Falls just before midnight Sunday.

Two people had to be airlifted to hospital.

None of the injuries are said to be life-threatening.

The cause is under investigation.

Welfare Cases On The Decline In Kenora District

The number of people relying on welfare in the Kenora District is dropping.


The Kenora District Services Board says its seen a decrease in its Ontario Works caseload over the past couple of years.

At of the end of June, there were 576 cases compared to 660 at the same time two years earlier.

The KDSB says so far in 2012, they have seen 104 Ontario Works recipients leave to pursue employment opportunties.

2013 KDSB Budget

Municipalities in the Kenora District could be looking at another increase in the amount it pays for social services.

The Kenora District Services Board says its initial draft budget for 2013 shows an increase of 1.2% in the municipal levy.

The Board says it is committed to reducing that number.

A final budget is expected to be tabled by December.

The District Services Board pays for such things as land ambulance, social housing, and Ontario Works.

NOTO Reporting Strong 2012

The Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association is reporting a slightly better tourism season this summer.


Executive Director Doug Reynolds says camp owners are seeing better turnout than in previous years.

Reynolds says there's still challenges but notes there's also more optimism.

Reynolds says it seems American anglers are less nervous about their economy and are coming back to vacation in Northwestern Ontario.

The warm summer has also helped efforts.

Fraser Institute Releases Border Report

The cost of increased security measures at the border and its impact on Canadians is coming in at a hefty price.


A Fraser Institute study pegs it at $19-billion annually.

Co-author Alexander Moens says it's hard to say if we're getting value for that money.

Moens does note that the newly signed Beyond the Border initiative has the opportunity to reduce inefficiencies.

Bear Hunting Tips

The Ministry of Natural Resources wants the public to be safe when bear hunting, especially for beginners.


The season is now underway.

Regional Enforcement Operations Manager Kevin Elliott says hunters need to have a bear hunting licence and must follow gear restrictions.

Hunters are also reminded to wear hunting orange and follow the time restrictions.

Bear hunting season runs until October 31st.

Emma Lang Reaches National Final

All the hard work has paid off for Vermilion Bay's Emma Lang.


Lang's history project on Red Lake's Ken Leishman, otherwise known as the Flying Bandit, has been named a finalist for the Canada's History Young Citizens award.

A national panel of judges will now review the videos of 30-finalists and announce six winners.

The winners receive a trip to Ottawa to participate in the Governor General's History Awards.

Lang is only one of three to make the final cut from Ontario.

One Month Old Found Dead In Dryden

A post mortem examination is being held today in Toronto following the death of a 1-month old baby boy from Dryden.


Dryden Police were notified Monday about the death of Christian Desgagne.

City Police have brought in the OPP North West Region Crime Unit and the Criminal Investigation Branch to help investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

New Website for Sioux Lookout Museum

The Sioux Lookout Museum has taken on new look in the form of a website.

The site was launched yesterday, and features various artifacts and pictures from the permanent collection.

Community Development and Communications Manager Brian MacKinnon says while the actual museum is relocating, the website will provide the same information.

“This is a way for the community to get a glimpse of the artifacts while they wait for the museum to be identified.”

The website is www.siouxlookoutmuseum.ca.

Plans for Mining Infastructure

A promising future for Northwestern Ontario.

Representatives of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are in Ottawa to meet with provincial leaders regarding issues and opportunities in the mining sector.

NOMA, along with other associations, is pushing the government to move forward with the initiative.

Vice President Dave Canfield says it would boost the local economy.

“Over the next 5-10 years, we could have about 10 mines in operation. They’re in the early stages now, so as long as the economy needs the metals, we can make this happen.”

NOMA is working with the province and first nations groups to make sure the issue gets addressed.