OPP investigates Break-ins on Treaty Island

The OPP is investigating a number of break-ins to camps on Treaty Island.

Scenes of crime officer were called out last Thursday and Friday after the break and enters were discovered.

Police are still compiling a list of items stolen, which includes a large screen T.V. and two all-terrain vehicles.

The OPP say the ATV's were later recovered after they had been abandoned.

Anyone who might have information about the break-ins is asked to contact the Kenora OPP or Crimestoppers.

Council getting ready to look at 2012 budget

Kenora city council is expected to sit down this week and start work on the 2012 budget.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says they want to keep any increase as low as possible.

Chair of the finance committee Ron Lunny expects council will be able to pass the budget in the next couple of weeks.

M.P's head back to work today

It's back to work for area Member's of Parliment.

thunder Bay-Rainy River M.P. John Rafferty says the Government's first day back is going to be focused on the economy and changes to pensions.

The Finance Minister has stated he doesn't plan a ``slash and burn'' budget but adds some departments may be asked to find more savings than first thought.

Kenora Curling Club Bullish on Big Events

The Kenora Curling Club says its looking forward to doing some more high profile events in the future.

Over the weekend, the 2012 Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts wrapped up.

Gord St. Dennis was one of the organizers and says the reviews were very positive.

St. Dennis says they'll look bidding on other curling events in the future, including the National Seniors.

Horgan heading to Red Deer for National Scotties

There's a new Ladies curling champion in Ontario.

Tracy Horgan's Sudbury foursome knocked off defending champion Rachel

Homan Sunday afternoon at the Kenora Curling Club in the final of the 2012 Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Homan went into the game without a loss and had beaten Horgan twice during the week.

Horgan says they just wanted to keep it close.

Homan had the hammer and a one point lead heading into the 10th end, but was heavy on her final shot, allowing Horgan to steal two points.

Horgan now heads to the National Scotties Tournament of Hearts next month in Red Deer, Alberta.

Broncos Girls win Gold in Pilot Mound

Beaver Brae's girls hockey team is home with a gold medal from a tournament in Pilot Mound Manitoba.

The Broncos advanced to the A-Side Final on Sunday with a perfect 4-0 record.

In the gold medal game, Beaver Brae handed Dryden its first loss of the season, beating the Eagles 2-1.

Ainsley Lindquist was the tournament MVP, scoring in the final along with Hannah Rose.

Meanwhile, the Broncos boys hockey team continues to struggle against the Eagles.

On Friday, Beaver Brae lost its second in a row to Dryden, losing a 2-1 decision in a shootout.

Thomas Aquinas wins big in Red Lake

Tanner Kapera had a big night for the Thomas Aquinas Boys hockey team.

He scored four goals and added two assists as the Saints came back to beat the Red Lake Rams yesterday 7-4.

It was T.A.'s first game back after the two week exam break.

Thistles lose two on the road in Stonewall

The Kenora Triple A midget Thistles weren't able to make up any ground against the Interlake Lightning.

Yesterday, the Thistles dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime against the Lightning.

On Saturday it was the same result with Interlake edging the Kenora Midgets 2-1.

Horgan upsets Homan to win Ontario Scotties

A big upset at the 2012 Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Tracy Horgan from Sudbury toppled the previously unbeaten Rachel Homan foursome from Ottawa 7-6 in Sunday afternoon's final at the Kenora Curling Club.

Homan had the hammer in the 10th end, but was short on her final draw, allowing Horgan to steal two, and the surprise victory.

Homan went through the round robin with a perfect 9-0 record and beat Horgan the day before 5-3 in the 1 versus 2 page play-off game.

Horgan now advances to the 2012 National Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Red Deer, Alberta

next month.

Fiecek Seeks to Defend Northern Wheelchair Curling Crown this weekend

The Wayne Fiecek rink is looking to book another berth to the National Wheelchair Curling championships.

Fiecek is in action at the Northern Ontario Wheelchair Curling playdowns in Sudbury.

He lost 10-1 this morning in the first draw to Rick Prudhomme from Sudbury, and plays again at 2:00 this afternoon.

Play continues tomorrow.

Resolute meets with regional mayors

Few details are being leaked about a meeting this week between

Resolute Forest Products and the mayors of four communties in northwestern Ontario.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield was joined by municipal leaders from Thunder Bay, Ignace and Fort Frances.

They met with company president Richard Garneau on Tuesday.

Canfield describes the discussion as very positive.

He says Resolute re-iterated its committment to its existing mills in this region.

However, the company also stressed the need to reduce costs.

Liberals Form New Riding Association

Provincial Liberals in the Kenora-Rainy River riding are looking to increase its membership base.

A newly formed riding Association set its objectives following a recent meeting in Dryden.

It's president, Anthony Leek of Emo, says the main goal is to provide a link between the Riding and government.

Leek says the Association also wants to be better prepared for the next provincial election.

City Secures more Funding from Province

The City of Kenora's finances should become a little clearer over the next few weeks.

The province has announced funding towns and cities will receive from the Ontario Municipal Partnership fund.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says they will be getting just under 5.9 million dollars this year.

Canfield says the provincial government gave the city extra funding last year to help cover the disbandment costs of the Kenora Police Service.

Hudak Calls for More Trades training

Tim Hudak says skilled trades people need a better apprenticeship program.

The Leader of the Provincial Opposition was in Thunder Bay yesterday to talk with students at Confederation College and says we are still living in the 70's when it comes to the apprenticeship program.

Hudak says we could see around a million vacancies by 2021 if things don't change now.

Woman killed in Red Lake House Fire

One person is dead following a house fire in Red Lake.

OPP and the Red Lake Fire Department were dispatched yesterday morning to a blaze on Forestry Road.

The home was completely engulfed in flames and was destroyed.

Police 49-year-old Virginia Keesic of Red Lake died on scene.

The cause is still under investigation but OPP say the fire isn't suspicious.

Ice Conditions Variable

If you're planning to go out ice-fishing this weekend, you might want to check conditions on the lake first.

There have been reports of large ice ridges opening up on Lake of the Woods on the ice road.

One large ridge has been reported near St. Helena's by Holmstrom's Marsh.

The warmer weather in recent days has created some fairly changable conditions and caution is advised.

Drug Bust in Cat Lake

Nishnawbe-Aski Police have arrested an individual who has strong ties to the Native Syndicate gang.

Police executed a search warrant on a Cat Lake First Nation residence and officers found about 400-dollars worth of oxycodone and 18-hundred dollars cash.

Three firearms were also found at the scene, including one, which has been linked to an on-going investigation.

Police say Paul Mezzetay faces 3-counts of careless storage of a firearm, possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime charges.

Sarah Mezzetay faces similar charges and Knobby Wesley has been charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Broncos and Saints in Action after Exam Break

Local high school hockey teams are back in action this weekend after a two week exam break.

The Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas girls hockey teams are heading to Pilot Mound, Manitoba today for a tournament.

Both teams are in action this afternoon at the Pembina Lady Tigers Tournament.

Meanwhile, the Bronco Boys start the stretch run in the NorWOSSA regular season on the road.

Beaver Brae is in Dryden tonight to face the Eagles.

Homan Continues to Roll at Ontario Scotties

The Rachel Homan Rink continues to lead the way at the 2012 Ontario Scotties at theKenora Curling Club.

Homan improved to 7-0 yesterday with wins over Sherry Middaugh and Cathy Auld.

Andrea Ronnebeck is Homan's coach and says the team can be tough to beat when they get on a roll.

Missisauga's Cathy Auld is tied with Tracy Horgan from Sudbury for second with a 5-2 record.

Middaugh improved to 4-3 and is tied with Krista McCarville from Thunder Bay.

Middaugh beat McCarvilled 7-5 in last night's late draw.

Today is the final day of the round robin with draws at 2:00 and 7:00.

Survivor of North Spirit Lake Plane Crash talks about Ordeal

The lone survivor of a deadly plane crash in northwestern Ontario says he tried in vain to pull fellow passengers from the wreckage and snuff the fire that eventually destroyed the small aircraft.

Brian Shead says the crash near the tiny native community of North Spirit Lake happened in a flash.

He says one second he was reading a book, and the next second he was on the ground fighting for his life.

He says the impact of the crash knocked him and the four other people on the plane out and when he came to everyone was still strapped in their seats.

With a crushed foot and a smashed face, he managed to get out of the plane and tried to put out a fire that was burning on a wing.

When her realized that wasn't working, he managed to free the pilot, but he didn't survive.