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.