Broncos Football Prepare for Packed Schedule

Getting ahead of the curve.

Beaver Brae head football coach Chris Penner says lots of work has to be done in a short period of time as they prepare for 3 games in the next week.

Penner says preparation has never been more important.

The Bronco's take on Lorette Thursday before meeting West Kildonan and St. John's next week.

In the meantime, the Junior Varsity team escaped Dryden on Saturday with a 6-6 tie.

The Broncos only had 14 players make the trip.

Kenora Thistles Search for First Win

The Kenora Triple "A" Midget Thistles continue to look for their first win of the season.

The Thistles opened their home season yesterday against the Winnipeg Thrashers.

Kenora took a 1st period lead on a goal by Tristan Salesse.

However that's all they would score as the Thrashers took the game 5-1.

Next up for the Kenora Midgets are the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday at the Thistles Arena.

Kenora MP Optimistic for Highway 17 Twinning

Some hope that the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway might begin in the next 12 months or so.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford was asked a couple of times Friday morning about where the project stood by members of the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce.

Rickford feels there is some movement now with Shoal Lake #39 on the project.

Rickford says he had expected work on the project to begin this fall, but that's not going to happen.

OPP Offers up ATV Safety Reminders

Not everyone can operate an off-road vehicle in Kenora.

Kenora OPP constable Ronni Grosenick says their are laws in place just like there is for any vehicle.

Grosenick also says that there are road restrictions for ATV's including a total ban on Highway 17.

Visit the city portal for a map of all restricted areas.

New Treaty 3 Police Chief Starts Today

The interim chief for Treaty 3 Police Services begins his first day today.

Dan Davidson is taking over the retiring Conrad Delorande.

Davidson originally from the Morson area, has been with the OPP and stationed in Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, and Thunder Bay.

Canadian Cancer Society Launches Women to Women Campaign

Attention women in Northwestern Ontario, it's time to talk about boobies.

That's the focus of the Canadian Cancer Society's Women to Women campaign.

Northwest Spokesperson Maria Cabral says the goal is to get more women talking about breast cancer screening.

Cabral says the recommendation is that women age 50 to 69 get a mammogram every two years.

Shipwreck Discovered Near Sleeping Giant

A shipwreck from sixty-years ago has been found.

The Scotiadoc collided with another ship in 1954 and sank near the Sleeping Giant in Lake Superior.

Jerry Eliason is one of the members that found the ship and describes some of the steps involved in making the discovery.

The Scotiadoc, found at 750 feet, is the deepest shipwreck ever found in the great lakes.

KDSB Releases Homelessness Plan

The Kenora District Services Board is out with a 10-year homelessness and housing plan.

The issue sparked considerable debate yesterday at the KDSB table, with Sioux Lookout Mayor Dennis

Leney suggesting that a majority of the homeless in his community have homes in northern communities.

Manager of Integrated Social Services Diane
Apland says the homeless problem is a major issue across the district.

One recommendation to curb the problem is the creation of a Managed Alcohol program.

Leney says that's not the way to go and suggests the province must step up and notes there are 21 beds at the Kenora District Jail that aren't being used.

Harborfest Projecting Deficit in 2013

The final Harbourfest results aren't as low as initially projected.

Harbourfest chair Randy Nickle says they are still expecting a substantial deficit but the numbers are getting better.

Nickle says the biggest factor to the debt is the cost of the bands.

The final numbers should be known later this month.

National Youth Suicide Prevention Plan Needed

Partners for Mental Health have launched a national campaign to shine the light on youth suicide.

Michael Kirby is chair of the group and says there isn't a band-aid solution to the problem.

He says a number of first nation communities have been dealing with suicide epidemics.

Kirby says their campaign called Right By You urges the federal and provincial levels of government to work together to tackle the issue.

Military Veterans Protest Closure of Thunder Bay Office

Military veterans are standing up against the planned closure of some Veterans Affairs Offices in Canada.

The office in Thunder Bay is the only one in north
western Ontario.

Second world war vet Roy Lamore says refocusing some the government's current spending could help keep the office open.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says closure of the Thunder Bay office will force veterans from northwestern Ontario having to access services in Kirkland Lake which has experienced its own staff cuts.

Province Announces More Money for Breakfast Programs

The provincial government is adding another three million dollars to a student nutrition fund.

Health Minster Deb Matthews made the announcement this week.

The funding will ensure more first nation students get access to healthy, nutritious food and snacks.

Until now, student nutrition programs in First Nations schools have been solely funded
by charitable organizations.

The new provincial money will support 200 new breakfast, snack and lunch programs.

Broncos Faces Muskies in High School Football

An all-northwestern Ontario match-up in the Winnipeg High School Football League.

Beaver Brae will host Fort Frances this afternoon at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

The teams are tied in the standings, both with six points.

This will be the Muskies second game this week and third in seven days.

The Broncos are working on extending their three game winning streak.

Game time is 3:00 this afternoon.

We will have live updates from the game on Twinnter @CJRLnews or twitter.com/CJRLnews

Treaty Three Commemorates 140 Years

First Nations leaders with Treaty 3 aren't calling it a celebration.

It's been 140 years since chiefs with Treaty 3 signed the treaty with the Canadian government.

Grand Chief Warren White says there's been a lot of frustration with the Treaty since.

This afternoon, Treaty 3 will honour the chiefs and Grand Chiefs for their roles in the Treaty.

Vigil for Missing Aboriginal Women This Afternoon

Communities across Northwestern Ontario will come together this Friday and honour the lives of missing and murdered Aboriginal Women.

Vigils are being held in Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake,
and Thunder Bay.

A spokesperson for the Ontario Native Women's Association says
their vigil will start at 1:00 this afternoon at the Whitecap Pavillion, and
then make its way over to the Jubilee Church on 1st Street South.

Fog Delays Some School Bus Runs

Some school buses in the Kenora area may be a little late getting
to their destination this morning.

Fog has slowed buses in the Minaki Highway area.

Northwest Student Services Consortium says the vehicles have been having
difficulty with visibili
ty in the area of the Kenora By-Pass and Highway 596.

Buses are being delayed and will resume picking up students when its
safe to do so.

Stops on Beryl Winder will be delayed as will student pick ups south of the By-Pass on Darlington Drive, Duffus, Petersen Drive and Station Hill in Keewatin.

Tourism Kenora Set to Bring Back Winter Markets

The Farmer's Market may be gone, but its not forgotten.

Tourism Kenora will be bringing back the popular markets four
times during the winter months.

Tourism Services manager Mark Duggan says they will all be held at
the Discovery Center.

Duggan says the winter markets will be timed to co-incide with Christmas,
Valentine's Day, and Easter.

OPP Charge Driver In Accident Near Beaver Brae

It's a graphic reminder to drive carefully in school zones.

Yesterday morning a 17 year old student was hit by a vehicle in the area of
Beaver Brae Secondary School.

The OPP say the victim was taken by ambulance to Lake of the Woods
District Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle, a 16 year old youth has been charged
with failing to yield to a pedestrian.

Treaty Three Police Launch Firearm Amnesty

The Treaty Three Police will be trying to collect old, unlicensed firearms next month.

A firearms amnesty program is being launched in November.

The aboriginal police service says the program allows community members to surrender any unwanted, damaged, or illegally possessed firearms without being charged.

There is also an incentive.

Anyone who turns in a gun or rifle will receive a gift card from a local business.

Rickford Defends His Expenses

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is defending his parliamentary expenses.

He says he's middle of the pack when it comes to spending by members of Parliament.

MP expenses on travel and operations were released this week and
Rickford says he claimed 480-thousand dollars.

Rickford says he fully supports the reporting system and stresses its important that MP's are held accountable.

Ontario Food Bank Association Looks At Northern Issues

Kenora's food bank is getting low on supplies.

Yesterday, the food bank got a boost with a van full of donations from the Farmer's Market.

Bill Laidlaw is the director of the the Ontario Association of Food Banks and  says there are some very specific issues in trying to get supplies to the North.

Laidlaw has been touring the region this week and says he'll be taking everything he's heard back to his board in Southern Ontario.

Health Unit Gives Thumbs Up to Pregnacy Tests In Bars

The Northwestern Health Unit is applauding a Thunder Bay university bar for putting pregnancy tests in the bathroom dispensers.

Manager of Sexual Health Programs Gillian Lunny says they will no doubt prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Meantime, Lunny says the Northwestern Health Unit offers a Health Babies, Healthy Children Program.

For more information, contact your local Northwestern Health Unit.

Youth Cross Country Race Results

The results are in from the Youth Cross Country races that took place
yesterday behind the Tom Nabb Soccer complex.

It was a clean sweep for Beaver Brae in the Intermediate Boys division,
with Justin Heath finishing first in the 2.1 kilometer course.

Thomas Aquinas swept the girls intermediate division with Rebecca Huisman
finishing first.

In the junior division, Gabe Mastromateo from SMB won the boys event, and Divena Katcheconias from Evergreen took the girls title.

Thistles Lose First of the Season

A power outage for the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles.

The Thistles were beaten in their season opener 4-2 last night
in Winnipeg by the Wild.

The Thistles went 0-4 on the power play, while the Wild netted two
with a man advantage.

Josh Brunton and Eric Sinclair scored for Kenora.

The Thistles are back in action this Sunday with their home opener against
the Winnipeg Thrashers.

Person in Hospital after Accident Outside Beaver Brae

One person is in hospital following an accident outside Beaver Brae Secondary School this morning.

Principal Clinton Breutsch confirmed a person was struck by a vehicle and transported to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Other reports say the injured person was a student and they were transported to hospital as a precaution.

We will have more details as they are made available.

Final Farmer's Market of the Season

A sure sign that summer is really over.

Today is the final farmer's market of the season under the
Whitecap Pavilion.

To celebrate another exceptional year, patrons of the farmers
market will be treated to a chili lunch served by members of Kenora
City Council.

The Salvation Army will also be on hand collecting donations for the food bank, which is running low on staples such as canned goods, cereal, rice and cookies.

The Matiowski Farmer's Market will run from 8:30 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon.

High Winds Knock Power Out to Dozens of Homes

A blustery day turned into a black night for a number of Hydro One
customers north of Kenora.

High winds knocked trees onto power lines in the Minaki and Redditt
areas.

While some areas experienced a brown out, others were without power all evening.

Hydro One crews were able to restore electricity to most homes overnight, but about 20 customers in the Minaki area are still in the dark.

Power is expected to be restored around 11:00 this morning.

Accelerator Program Launched in NWO

The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Center is offering a three month accelerator program for local businesses.

Spokesperson Terry Smith says applications for the program open today.

Five companies will get 15-thousand dollars each to further develop their idea or prototype for market readiness.

The three month program starts in January.

Tbaytel Hires New President

The new president at Tbaytel is the same person who has been doing it on an interim basis for almost a year.
Dan Topatigh has been given the job full time by the board of the city run phone company.  

Topatigh says he's going to focus on growing Tbaytel's wireless services.

Topatigh comes to the utility from the forestry sector where he held executive positions with several local paper mills.

Search Underway for Shooting Suspect

A search is underway for a man wanted in connection with a shooting incident in the small northwestern Ontario community of Caramat. near Longlac.

OPP says another man is recovering after being shot in the leg during a confrontation last night.

Police says the suspect showed up at the victim's home last night, wearing a ski mask and carrying a long run, firing a single shot before fleeing.

MP Expenses Released

Northwestern Ontario Members of Parliament are not the most frugal in the country.

The three M.P.'s spent a little more than average to run their constituency offices and to travel to and from Ottawa last year.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford had the highest expense total at 480 thousand dollars.

The average M.P. spent 399 thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending March 31st.

Rickford's expenses were slightly higher than Thunder Bay-Atikokan M.P. John Rafferty, who spent 459 thousand, and Thunder Bay-Superior North M.P. Bruce Hyer who came in at 428 thousand.

Broncos Struggle With Home Court Advantage

A tough day on the courts at Beaver Brae.

The Broncos lost three of four games played yesterday against the Dryden Eagles.

The lone win of the day came from Beaver Brae senior girls basketball team, which got by the Eagles 28-21.

In junior girls action, the Broncos were upended 39-23.

In boys volleyball, Beaver Brae's senior squads lost in three straight sets, while
the Bronco junior boys lost three sets to one.

Man Injured in Collision with Deer

A 44 year old Vermillion Bay man is in stable condition after his motorcycle collided with a deer.

The OPP say the man was riding his Harley westbound on Highway 17 in Sandford Township around 7:00 last night when he collided with the animal.

Police say there was also extensive damage done to the motorcycle.

OPP Career Information Session in Kenora

A chance to learn about career opportunities with the OPP.

The Kenora detachment is holding an information session on Thursday.

The session is free to attend and is at the detachment at 7:00 Thursday evening.

Ffor more career information with the OPP visit www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=86

NAPS Hands Out Awards

The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation is extending its gratitude towards NAN and Provincial Police officers.

An awards ceremony was held last week in Thunder Bay, honouring a number of officers for their bravery in the line of duty.

NAPS Constable Waylon Linklater was recognized for saving a man from a burning building while off duty in Moosonee last year.

Weagamow Lake Constables Stacey Gordon and David Laviolette, OPP Constable Jean Duguay, and
Pikangikum Constables Jonathan Schmidt and Louis Taylor were also honoured.

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler congratulates all of the officers for their outstanding performance.

Rickford Says Feds Are Moving on Ring of Fire

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford is defending his government's handling of the Ring of Fire.

A number of mayors have been critical of how little appears to be done in the development of the Chromite project.

Rickford stressed negotiations take time and it should be soon that local municipalities will be involved in shaping the project.

The issue popped up repeatedly at last week's Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference.

Liberals Encourage Feedback on New Policies

Area residents are being encouraged to get involved in sharing ideas with Ontario Liberals.

A new website has been set up to gather input.

President of the Kenora-Rainy River Liberal Riding Association Anthony Leek says Premier Kathleen Wynne is sincere turning to the public.

Leek says the website is a good way for people who can't get to meetings to have a say.

Northwest Business Center Launches New Program

The Northwest Business Center has lost one of its offices in the region, but still working to reach out to more local entrepreneurs.

The Business Center had to close its Dryden office this year, due to a lack of Funding.

But manager Diane Schwartz-Williams says they planning to use the internet for a program
called the "virtual adviser".

Schwartz-Williams says they hope to launch their virtual adviser program later this
month.

Health Unit Celebrates World Breast Feeding Week

Breastfeeding can be one of the best things for your baby.

The message from the Northwestern Health Unit as today marks the start of World Breastfeeding Week.

Public Health Nurse Donna Mior says it's good for both baby and mom.

Mior says breastfeeding can help mothers lose weight they gain during pregnancy as well as prevent ovarian and breast cancer.

Two Men Fined for Harassing Moose

Two men have been fined 25-hundred-dollars for harassing a moose on Eagle Lake.

Andrew Weiers of Dryden and Matthew Weiers from Alberta were spotted circling a moose in their boat back in July.

The Ministry of Natural Resources received a number of complaints, including video footage of the incident.

After repeatedly circling the moose, Matthew jumped on the back of it.

Record Rain over the Weekend

Noah's Arc can't be far behind.

The City of Kenora endured more than a month's worth of rain over the weekend.

Figures from Environment Canada show 90 millimeters of precipitation between Friday and Saturday.

Friday set a record for rainfall for September 27th, with over 48 millimeters, shattering
the previous record by more than 25 millimeters.

The average amount of rain in the month of September in Kenora is just 70 millimeters.

Kenora got more rain this past weekend than any other community in northwestern Ontario.

Only Minor Boundary Changes for Kenora Riding

No major changes for the Kenora Riding in the final report from the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission.

The report was presented to parliament yesterday.

Last year, the Commission had proposed moving Lake of the Woods Township into the Kenora Riding.

But a number of residents of the community complained when public hearings were held last year.

Instead, the Township will remain in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.

The Commission did agree to move Sabaskong Bay into the Kenora Riding from Rainy River to unite it with the Onigaming First Nation. 

Cross-Canada Marathon Runner Due in Kenora

An English marathon runner is expected to pass through Kenora this week.

Jamie McDonald is on a five thousand kilometer run across Canada for the Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto.

McDonald has been stopping at schools along the way and says he has a message
for the students he meets.

He encourages them to stay positive and not to get mired down in the negativity of some of the messages out there in social media.

McDonald has raised about 30 thousand dollars so far during his cross-country marathon.

For more information you can check out:  www.jamiemcdonald.org

Northern Policy Institute Up and Running

The Northern Policy Institute is alive and well and getting up to speed.

The Policy Institute was created by the provincial government to look at
economic development issues and opportunities for northern Ontario.

They've been up and running for 13 months and CEO Charles Cirtwell says they're trying to create an online community consultation tool that will gather public feedback on Provincial Government policies.

Cirtwell addressed members of the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference in Thunder Bay last week.

Campbell Applauds Bill To Create Accountability Officer

The Provincial Government is one step closer to having a financial accountability office.

The bill has passed third reading in the legislature, and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says it's great news.

Campbell says it will make sure instances like the scandal with the gas plants in southern Ontario, never happens again.

The creation of an accountability office was a key demand from the NDP in the 2013 budget.

Fire Season Quickly Winding Down

All is quiet on the forest fire front across northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is dealing with no active fires.

Information Officer Heather Pridham says this allows them to concentrate their efforts elsewhere and get ready for winter.

The final fires in the region were declared out last Monday.

The forest fire season officially ends on October 31st in northwe
stern Ontario.

OFAH Urges Hunters to Be Safe

The Ontario Federation Hunters of Anglers is reminding all hunters to be cautious this season.

Spokesperson Shannon Gutoskie says it's a popular activity, especially here in Northwestern Ontario and is reminding everyone to be safe and use caution.

Gutoskie says it's important to know the current regulations before hitting the bush, water or field.

For more information visit  http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en

Gravelle Says He'll Support Bill to Expand Bear Hunt

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says he's going to back his fellow Thunder Bay area MPP's private members bill.

Bill Mauro's proposed legislation looks at reducing the number of nuiscance bears in the region, even if it means bringing back the spring bear hunt.

Gravelle says he's got Bill's back and says he'll support the bill.

Mauro's bill also looks at expanding the hunt as well.

Gas Prices Continue to Fall

A good time to fill up your tank.

Gas prices dropped in Kenora over the weekend by three cents a liter.

This morning, the price at the pump is 1.33.9 cents a liter at most service stations in town.

That's down from 1.36.9 on Friday.

Kenora's price is still about 10 cents a liter higher than the national average this morning.

Thistles Drop Pair of Exhibition Games

Still a work in progress.

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles played their first and only exhibition games of
the pre-season over the weekend and lost both to the Eastman Selects.

Yesterday, the Selects skated to a 3-1 win over the Thistles in Beausejour.

On Saturday night, the Kenora Midgets were doubled up 4-2 by Eastman.

The Thistles open the regular season on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Wild.

Broncos win third in a row in WHSFL

Another statement game by the Beaver Brae Broncos football team.

The Broncos improved to 3-1 on the season with a dominating 35-9 win over the Maples Mauraders.

Defensively Jackson Penner led the way with 3 interceptions one of which was brought back for a touchdown.

Also finding the end zone for Beaver Brae was Tyler Neil, Aiden Farrell, and Eric Melillo.

The Broncos next game is Friday at Pete Fair Memorial Field against the Fort Frances Muskies.