Key Tags in the Mail

War Amps key tags are being mailed out to people in Ontario.  

Spokesperson Jamie Lunn says that 3.7 million of them are being distributed throughout the province.

As for northwestern Ontario, we won't receive them until next month.

Money from donations is used to help war amputees in Canada.

Union Gas Annoucnes Increases

Union Gas customers users could be in line for an increase in their natural gas costs.

An application before the Ontario Energy Board proposes a rate increase that see Union Gas northern Ontario customers pay about 190-dollars more over a 12 month period.

Forecasted increases for Union Gas' purchase and transporting costs cites as the reasons.

If approved, new rates would take effect April 1st.
     

Ontario Pushes Against Paird Blood Donations

The Liberal government intends put a stop to donors from being paid for blood and plasma in Ontario.

Health Minister Deb Matthew says new legislation will be introduced in the near future.

Health Canada has received a licence application from at least one private, for-profit company wanting to open plasma collection sites in Ontario that would pay donors.

Matthews says she's taking action so ensure the voluntary donor system is not compromised and has written to her provincial and territorial counterparts asking to do the same.

UFO Sighting on the Rise

It's a war of the worlds.

That may be a little extreme but UFO sightings are on the rise in Canada.

UFO report author Chris Rutkowski says the increase is easily explained by the fact more people are curious of wha tthey see in the sky and there are so channels to report sightings.

Rutkowski notes that 15 percent of sightings are considered unexplained.

He notes there was one sighting in Thunder Bay last week.

In the 2013 report 2 sightings took place in Kenora and 3rd was spotted in the Whiteshell.

Acadia Broadcasting Adds to Radio Family

The parent company of CJRL - 89.5 The Lake has received approval from the Canadian Radio - Television - and - Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton, New Brunswick radio station CKNI-FM from Rogers Broadcasting.

Acadia plans to move the station to newly constructed studios and launch its new music and information format later this year.

The purchase increases the number of Acadia stations to 13 spanning New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - and - Ontario.

Local Festivals Receive Provincial Funds

Northwestern Ontario is going to be lively this spring and summer thanks to new money from the Provincial Government.

Through the Celebrate Ontario 2014 program, the province is helping 229 festivals and events.

In Kenora the Muskies on Main Summer Arts Festival is receving $22,631.

Elsewhere in the reigon Thunder Bay's May long weekend Franco-Festival, celebration of pop culture, and Hunter jump show have gotten funding..

Fort Frances will get 73-thousand dollars for a music festival.

City Changing Highway 17E Speed Limit

It's time to slow down.

The City of Kenora is working to drop the speed limit on Highway 17 East.

Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says it's about safety following a complaint about school bus pick up.

The move is supported by the Kenora OPP.

Perchuck says \tThe affected highway is from Whitehead road to the Kenora sign at the city limits.

HST and Gas Tax Won't Fund Metrolinx

The Liberal government says it will not increase gas taxes, HST or personal income taxes to help pay for an expansion of rapid transit services in southern Ontario.

But it's not saying immediately how they're cover the billions of dollars needed.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says that will come in the upcoming budget.

PC Critic Vic Fedeli calls it a pre-election mirage intended solely to get the Liberals past the next vote.

Terrace Bay Mill Tests New Technology

The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy, or CRIBE, are announcing an extension in their partnership with Greenfield Specialty Alcohols.

Greenfield is currently working on making pulp mills more efficient and will be testing new technology at the Terrace Bay Mill.

CRIBE CEO Lorne Morrow says if successful it would mean less waste for mills.

The project has two phases, the first of which saw CRIBE invest 1.5-million dollars, this most recent phase included an investment of 1.3-million dollars.

Kenora Teams Head to Thunder Bay

Lots of hockey hitting the ice in Thunder Bay.

The branch championship are at the Fort Williams Arena today through Sunday.

The Kenora Triple "A" Midgets will look to keep it's dominance over the Thunder Bay Kings to earn a berth into the Telus Cup Western Playdowns.

In Bantam and Peewee action the NWO All-stars made of players from Kenora, Dryden, and Fort Frances will also face off with the Kings.

Winter Fish Off Tomorrow

The 11th annual Winter Fish Off takes over Falcon Lake this weekend.

Organizer Andrew Klassen says they have some huge prizes up for grabs with $40,000 guaranteed.

Klassen says there is also 50 thousand dollar hidden weight prize.

Registrations are still being
accepted until the tournament gets under way tomorrow.

Visit the Winter Fish Off page for more details.

Another Drug Bust in Kenora

The drugs busts continue in Kenora.

On Tuesday Kenora OPP executed a search warrant in the North end of the city.

Police seized a pound of pot valued at 3 thousand dollars along with cash, cash, and a rifle.

As a result 48 year old Patrick Savoyard, 45 year old Gloria Savoyard, and 18 year old Shane Savoyard are facing multiple drug related charges.

All 3 will make court appearances at a later date.

Dryden Fire Continues Move to Kenora

The Dryden Fire Service is on schedule for a switch-over to a new provider at the Kenora Ambulance and Fire Dispatch Service.

Chief Ken Kurz says new equipment is being installed this week and testing will start next week.

He notes the move will mean all emergency service providers will be on the same network and it will allow for greater communication.

Kurz anticipates the move will be completed before the end of March.

Boil Water Necessary

The city's operations manager is supporting the action of the city wide boil water advisory.

Rick Perchuck says recent water main breaks affected the entire water system.

Perchuck says that they are working on 2 major leaks on 8th Avenue North and 1St Street South.

He is hopeful repairs could be complete next week.

Adding that if no other issues arise, they can then start testing water to lift the advisory.

Council Talks Rec Centre Expansion

Kenora city council continues to focus on expanding the Recreation Centre.

Councillor Rory McMillan says talks are planned between the city and the events centre committee.

McMillan says some topics in the business case will include required fundraising and what's realistic for the project.

Councillor Sharon Smith wants to see concrete figures related to community support and financial challenges.

Canfield Calls PDAC A Success

An overwhelming experience.

That's what mayor Dave Canfield says about his first trip the prospectors and developers meeting in Toronto last week.

Canfield says he had some help taking in the world's largest mining conference.

He notes that Red Lake Mayor Phil Vinet introsuced him to all the movers and shakers.

Canfield says the event opened his eyes to opportunities he didn't know the city had.

Rickford Supports Seniors Centre

The Federal Government is assisting the Happy-Go-Lucky Seniors Centre in Vermilion Bay with $25,000.

The money is being used to help in construction of an addition to their office space.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcement earlier this week, stating the centre will now be able to offer more services and training.

Garry Parkes is the President of the Centre and says they have money in reserves to match the grant.

He says the office will be established at the back of the centre.

PC's Call for Hydro One's CEO

Progressive Conservatives are calling for the firing of the Hydro One's chief executive officer.

MPP Jeff Yurek says it's prompted by complaints the party's received over billing problems.

Yurek cites one business in his London-area riding received a bill for 233-thousand dollars when it bill normally runs at about 45-hundred a month.

Yurek says if Hydro One were any other business, the people responsible would be fired and a new team put in place.

Microbeads Show up in Great Lakes

A new study is revealing high levels of small plastic beads found in many facial products in water samples from the Great Lakes.

Stiv Wilson with Five Gyres Institute says the microbeads aren't being adequately captured by sewage treatment and could pose a threat to wildlife and fish.

Several Great Lakes states, including Minnesota, are looking at legislation to address the issue.

Busy Time For Swim Sharks

A busy week starts today for the Kenora Swim Sharks.

24 swimmers are at the Pan Am Pool in Winnipeg for the ManSask Short Course Provincial Championships.

The meet runs through Sunday.

Next week the swimmers start the spring session with the annual swim-a-thon.

During the event all the Sharks will swim as far as the can in 60 or 90 minutes.

Peewee Thistles Extend Semi-finals

The Kenora Double A Peewee Thistles have staved off elimination.

Last night the Thistles took down Ile Des Chene 3-1 to tie the Eastman semi-final series at 1 game a piece.

Jacob Frankcom was the star last night scoring all three goals for Kenora.

Game three is now set for next Tuesday in Kenora.

City Updates Frozen Water lines

The city's operations manager is asking for patience.

That's the plea by Rick Perchuck as crews work around the clock to thaw frozen water lines.

Perchuck says all the issues have occurred because frost levels are well below the city's water infrastructure and leaves pipes susceptible to freezing.

He notes they have received over 300 calls this winter and that 89 homes are on the wait list to have lines unthawed.

Kenora MP Hosts Passport Clinic

If you're travelling out of country you'll want to stop here first.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is holding a passport clinic in the city today.

Rickford says the clinic is a one stop shop to re-new a passport or if you're starting from scratch.

The clinic runs from 12 to 6 at the Kenora Legion.

Watershed Forum Underway

Focusing on water quality in the region.

That's the goal as the 11th Annual International Rainy lake of the Woods Watershed Forum gets underway in Intentional Falls today.

Todd Sellers is one of the organizers and says he's looking forward to a presentation calling for multi-jurisdictional action on invasive species.

Other topic being discussed over the next 2 days include Nutrients, Climate Change, and groundwater contamination.

Kenora Contractor Fined

A Kenora contractor is 5 thousand dollars lighter in the pocket.

Michael Klassen was issued the fine for illegally building a garage on a property in Clearwater Bay last March.

In court the MNR said the garage was built without permits and that it violated the Public Lands Act to protect water quality and trout populations in the lake.

It's the second time Klassen has been fined for violating the act.

In April last year he built a cottage without a permit.

Family Re-calls Fire in Waldhof

A major house fire in Waldhof is impacting the family that owns Kokom's Banock Shack in Dryden.

Owners, Josie Racicot and Bruce Dowswell, as well as, their daughter Kayla and grand-daughter Kaizly were able to escape only with what they were wearing.

The Sunday morning blaze destroyed the home within a half hour recalls sister-in-law Tammy Hourie.

The Machin Fire Service are investigating and at this point the cause is unknown.

Health Coalltion Pushes Against Privitization

The Ontario Health Coalition wants to bring people to the ballot box next month.

It plans to hold a voluntary referendum April 5 as part of a campaign denouncing the privatization of hospital services.

Executive Director Natalie Mehra says they are in the process of getting organized in northwestern Ontario.

Mehra says if certain medical procedures are shift from hospitals to private clinics, patients in northern Ontario would likely be forced to travel out of town more often for access.

Kenora OPP Seize Percocet Pills

The OPP have charged 2 Manitoba men with drug charges.

57 year old Dean Fagnan and 68 year old Abie Parenteau were arrested on Friday last week after police pulled their vehicle over on Highway 17.

Police found 452 Percocet pills valued at 45 hundred dollars.

Both have been charged with trafficking a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

They will answer to the charges in May.

Police ID Man Found in Washagamis Bay

Police have identified the body of a man found dead inside a Washagamis Bay First Nation residence last weekend.

Treaty 3 Police confirm that 39 year old Matthew Cherry of Washagamis Bay was found Saturday afternoon.

A post mortem was performed yesterday at the Lake of the Wood District Hospital.

Police say the death is not suspicious.

The investigation is continuing with assistance from the OPP's Northwest Region Crime Unit and Forensic Identification unit.

Boil Water Advisory Not Going Away

Despite some warm weather water issues continue to be problem number 1 for the city of Kenora.

However no new water main breaks have been reported since Friday on Tenth street in Keewatin.

Crews are continuing to repair breaks on 5th Avenue North, 1st Street South, 2nd Street South, and River Drive.

Along with the water mains there is still a large water list waiting list of frozen water lines to thaw.

The boil water advisory remains in effect for the entire city.

Nominations Sought for Influential Women Awards

A unique awards program for woman is accepting nominations.

The Influential Women of Northern Ontario awards will be presented in June.

Spokesperson Kimberley Wahamaa says along with six awards to be given out, they're also offering up a scholarship.

The awards have also been expand to include new categories in aboriginal leadership, tradeswoman and community trailblazer.

To more information visit www.influentialwomen.ca

KPDSB Downplays Fraser Report

The Director of Education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is firing back at the Fraser Institute and its lastest report on student achievement.

The right-wing think tanked ranked area High Schools near the bottom of the list in student achievement.

Sean Monteith is inviting Author Peter Cowley to a visit of our schools.

Monteith notes the graduation rate is well above the provincial average.

Thunder bay Tackles Dementia

Thunder Bay will be one of the many communities to push for the Federal Government to create a national dementia strategy.

Councillor Andrew Foulds says the cause is gaining traction with 102 communities in Ontario passing a resolution on the issue.

Canada is currently the only G8 country to not have a strategy in place.

Winter Carnival Wraps Up

Another Winter Carnival has come and gone in Kenora.

The Great Canadian Canoe race wrapped up festivities of Sunday.

Jacob Jeswiet of the winning 4-some says it was quite the challenge.

Meanwhile the Brooms for beds funspiel hosted by CJRL raised just over $3500 for the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

Police Investigate Washagamis Death

A death on Washagamis Bay First Nation is under investigation by the Treaty 3 Police.

A 39 year old man was pronounced dead inside a residence on Saturday after police were called.

A post mortem exam is taking place today at the lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The investigation is being assisted by the OPP's Northwest Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Unit.

The man's name has not been released at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP or Crimestoppers.

City Supports Private Member's Bill

City Council is trying to lower property taxes by changing the rules surrounding joint and several liability.

Current rules can see municipalities held fiscally responsible for traffic accidents such as hitting a pothole while speeding.

Mayor Dave Canfield says a resolution passed last month is calling for a level playing field.

The Private members bill tabled by MPP randy Pettapiece is currently before the legislature.

Elk Not Affected by Weather

The harsh winter conditions aren't expected to affect the elk population in northwestern Ontario.

Elk were released into the Cameron Lake area southeast of Kenora about 15 years ago.

Murray English is the co-chair of the Elk Restoration Committee and says the animals are pretty well adapted to surviving deep snow.

English says the elk population ranges between 40 to 50 animals, but they do see more calves every year.

KDSB Upgrading Homelessness Plan

The Kenora District Services Board says it's continuing to work on it's Homelessness Plan.

The Board recently submitted it's 10 year plan to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Dan McNeil is the Chief Administrative Officer and admits ministry officials found their plan waning.

McNeil says they are working to fill out the plan, providing time lines for certain goals to be completed.

Ministry Focused on All Mining Projects

The Ring of Fire may be get all of the attention, but Ontario's Mine's Minister says he has a good sense of the other mining projects that could be in production well before that in the remote north.

Among them, New Gold's project north of Barwick which the company says is prepared to start construction next year.

Michael Gravelle says the Ministry's not ignoring those other projects.

Gravelle adds his Ministry is working well with New Gold and shares in the excitement of the economic opportunities.

Broncos Win Bronze in Boys Hokcey

Another medal for the Beaver Brae boys hockey team.

This weekend the Broncos took bronze at the tournament of champions.

Cole Forsyth and Adam Withers each had a pair of goals as the team doubled up Thunder Bay's Westend Bruins 4-2 for the medal.

It was another mark to end a strong season for Beaver brae after winning silver in NorWOSSA league play.

Kenora Wrestler Wins Bronze

A Beaver Brae wrestler is coming home from OFSAA with a medal.

Tyanna Carpenter used the momentum of a great season to finish with a bronze medal in her weight class.

In her second provincial championship Carpenter fought her way to a 6-1 record.

Her only loss came to the eventual gold meadlist.

Water Main Break Strikes West Side of City

Another water main break in the city.

This time it's affecting the communities of Keewatin and Norman.

The sewer and water department has confirmed the break in the area of Tenth Street.

As a result Firefly Child Care at Cameron bay will be closed for the day.

Reports have come in that water is returning to the affected areas.

The city wide boil water advisory remains in effect.

KDSB Takes Government to Task Over Patient Transfers

Pressure is being put on the provincial Government once again to address the issue of land ambulance non-emergency patient transfers.

Kenora District Services Board Chair Barry Baltessen says they are sending strongly worded letters to both the Ministry of Health and the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

Baltessen says the LHIN has received 5-separate reports on the financial impact of transfers but stresses nothing has been done about it.

Rickford Angry at Rifle Changes

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he's doing everything in his power to overturn an RCMP decision to reclassify a sporting gun that is common in northwestern Ontario.

The Swiss Arm SG550 and SG551 have been deemed prohibited.

Rickford says local residents are outraged with the decision.

The Minister of State says the RCMP hasn't announced what gun owners should do with the rifles after purchasing them in good faith.

More Power to be Given to Ombudsman

The provincial Liberals says they want to bring more accountability and oversight to government and the broader public sector.

The Liberals intend to introduce legislation that includes new powers for Ontario Ombudsman and more oversight of spending of provincially-funded agencies.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says it's been a commitment of her's since taking office.

The legislation also calls for the creation of a new patient Ombudsman to investigate complaints specific to hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Conservatives Focus on Math Scores

Back to basics.

That's the Conservatives plan for improving math scores in Ontario.

Tory Critic Rob Leone says the Conservatives have come out with a Math Achievement Action Plan to address falling test scores.

Recent EQAO test results show math scores across the province have dropped in the past couple of years.

Time to Spring the Clocks Forward

It's a sure sign spring is coming.

Daylight savings time begins on Sunday.

It means you will have to push your clock ahead an hour when you go to bed Saturday night.

Cell phones, laptops, computers will automatically update.

However, don't forget to change your oven, microwave, automatic timer light or car clocks.

Kenora Skiiers Bring Home More Medals

Kenora Nordic Skiiers are continuing to rack up the medals at the Manitoba Winter Games.

6 more skiiers took home medals yesterday.

Christopher Moose and Jaicey Myer topped the podium with gold.

Breeze Boucha and Elise Hummelbrunner both took home silver.

Tyson Silvestor and Dustin Scheiblier also found success with bronze medal performances.

Multi Vehicle Collision on Highway 17

Traffic remains slow moving on Highway 17 just east of the 71 junction.

Emergency crews are on scene following a reported 4 vehicle collision.

The accident took place in the Westbound lane.

Police are directing one lane of traffic at a time.

Earlier today a two vehicle collision held up traffic on Highway 17 East infront of McDonald's.

Caution is advised on all area roadways.