More Traffic Delays West of Kenora

For the second weekend in a row, motorists experienced long line-ups trying to get in and out of the city.

Highway 17 west was closed several hours yesterday afternoon west of the Kenricia Road and into the evening due to a tractor-trailor fire.

Traffic was backed up all the way from the west entrance to the by-pass.

Some motorists reported they waited in line for over three and a half
hours.

Both lanes weren't open until after 9:00 last night.

AMO Conference Underway in Ottawa

The annual provincial municipalities conference is underway in Ottawa.  

Ron Nelson is the past president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and says tomorrow is when the local delegates will meet with provincial cabinet ministers.

Nelson says the Northern Growth Plan and infrastructure funding for municipal roads and bridges and
the Ring of Fire are just a couple of items on their agenda.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield is also in attendance as NOMA president.

Aboriginal Employment Service Up and Running

An employment service for aboriginal job seekers is now up and
running.

Shooniyaa Job Connect went live on-line back in April.

Dana Bridgeman-Cross says they offer services to both employers and employees.

Bridgeman-Cross says they also help job seekers out with resumes, writing cover letters and with job interviews.

Four New Forest Fires This Weekend

The Ministry of Natural Resources is preparing for new forest fires the next couple of days.

Warm and sometimes stormy conditions are in the forecast and the MNR says the fire hazard will likely increase.

It was a fairly quiet weekend for crews with 4
new fires across the region.

New starts were reported in Dryden, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay.

15 fires continue to burn and cause no concern.

Big Pink Bus Comes to Town

You might notice a large pink bus in Kenora this week.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is bringing its Pink Tour to the community.

Foundation director Beth Easton says it bringing vital information to women and men.

The bus will open its doors on Wednesday with a stop at Shopper's Drug Mart in the morning, followed by a visit to the CIBC on Main Street in the
afternoon.

Bronco Football Team Opens Training Camp

Beaver Brae's football team is gearing up for another season in
the Winnipeg High School League.

The Broncos open their two-week training camp this morning at
Pete Fair Memorial Field.

About 40 players are expected to compete for jobs this season.

The Broncos open the season September 4th on the road against
the Elmwood Giants.

New Telephone Fraud in Kenora

A free trip this is not.

Kenora O.P.P say a telephone fraud in the city is claiming to give away a free trip from a local business.

Police say the call will display a local number and requests your credit card information.

Police say you have the right to check out any caller by requesting written information, a call back number, references and that any legitimate business will give you the information.

City Council Ready for AMO Meeting

Making our voices heard.

5 members of city council will be attending next weeks Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting.

Mayor Dave Canfield says he joining area leaders in the stand against Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Canfield also plans to discuss infrastructure, tourism, forestry, and policing.

Council has requested meetings with 7 ministers.

Mike Richards Donates $17,000

Another huge success at the Mike Richards Charity Golf Tournament.

A cheque presentation was held where Mike Richards donated over $17,000 to the Kenora and Lake of the Wood Regional Community Foundation.

Richards says giving back is a key goal of his no matter how big or small.

Richards' charity events have raised over $100,000 overall for the community foundation.

MP Rickford Responds to R.O.F Concerns

Greg Rickford isn't saying if the Harper Government will join the province and First Nations at the Ring of Fire bargaining table.  

As the federal minister responsible for the proposed mining project, the Kenora MP says he has a date with First Nations negotiator Bob Rae.

In the meantime, Rickford says the government plans to wait out a court challenge on the federal environmental process.

Red Lake Teacher Receives ETFO Award

An honour for Jeff Holmes, who spent many years teaching in Red Lake.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario has presented him with the Honorary Life Member Award.

Holmes is now retired, but says he became a teacher after getting his Master's degree in music.

Holmes says he's not the first from Northwestern Ontario to win this award.
Dryden's Peter Andrusco received it a couple of years ago.

Nishinawbe-Aski Police Appoint New Chief

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is welcoming their new chief.

Terry Armstrong will take over effective September 3rd, replacing Robert Herman who held the position of Acting Chief of Police since January 2013.

He will lead the service alongside Deputy Chief Roland Morrison.

Health Unit Offers Up Septic System Advice

Regular maintenance can help save your septic system.

Doug Vergunst is the Chief Building Official with the Northwestern Health Unit, and recommends installing an effluent filter.

He says the system can save you money in the long run by removing particles.

Vergunst says it's also important to maintain the field portion of the septic system, and advises residents to avoid changing draining patterns near it.

Treaty 3 Commemorates CJ Residential School

 A milestone day for residential school survivors in Treaty 3.

A commemoration ceremony was held at the site of the Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora.

Peter Bush spoke on behalf of the Presbyterian Church and offered his apologizes for the actions of abuse performed at the school.

Elder Stephen Kejick said the ceremony did not offer closure but instead a new beginning.

6 residential schools were once operated with in Treaty 3.

New Safety Initiative in School Buses

The Northwest Student Services Consortium is making sure no kid is left behind.

The Consortium has adopted the empty/checked safety initiative.

A checked sign is placed in the back window after the bus driver has checked the bus for any remaining students.

The empty goes up after the driver confirms nobody is left on the bus.

Manager Judy Green says this is another new way for the consortium to improve safety.

Campbell Demands MNR's Long Term Plan

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River says the Province needs to fully disclose its plans for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

This week the government announced layoff plans across the region and Ontario.

Sarah Campbell says its vital that the Minister come forward with its long-term plan.

The NDP member says the Ministry has already botched cuts, such as those to the Bearwise program and the decision to outsource MNR jobs to the United States.

MNR Offers Black Bear Hunting Safety Tips

The Black bear hunting season in Northwestern Ontario is officially underway.

And Ministry of Natural Resources Spokesperson Debbie MacLean says it's important to be cautious of what's around you.

MacLean says firefighters usually work in groups, and wear highly visible clothing.

She adds that the forest fire season runs until October 31st.

FedNor Invests in Ring of Fire

The Harper government is providing more Ring of Fire related funding in the area.  

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford says 4.4-million dollars is going to the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund to help First Nations businesses create jobs in preparation for the giant mining development.

The funding will be spread over 3 years.

Minimum Wage Campaign Growing in Ontario

A coalition of groups across the province want to see Ontario's minimum wage hit 14-dollars an hour.

Demonstrations in several cities are planned today in hopes convincing government to up the current rate of 10.25.

Most rallies are in southern Ontario, but organizer Sonia Singh says their campaign is growing with people taking a larger role in Thunder Bay and Kenora.

Singh says a wage of 14-dollars would bring many people now struggling over the poverty line.

See says the protests the protests will take place every month on the 14th until the wage is increased.

Northwest LHIN Reappoints 2 Members

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network has reappointed 2 members to it's board of directors.

Dennis Gushalak of Ear Falls and Diane Loubier of Ignace will remain with the LHIN for the next three years.

The LHIN oversees regional health care planning and funding.