New Fall Tourism Campaign Draws Campbell's Ire

The fight over tourism is once again hitting the battlefield called Queen's Park.

During question period, Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell was sceptical about a new travel guide released by the province.

Campbell says the guide doesn't include the North and highlights the shortcomings of the government's tourism strategy.

Campbell also referred to the six provincial parks in the region that have already been closed for the season, along with 7 others that have been closed permanently in the North.

Author Crusades for Lyme Disease

The facts about Lyme Disease.

That's been the five year challenge for author Vanessa Farnsworth.

She talked about her new book Rain on A Distant Roof yesterday at
a Word on the Water sponsored event last night in Kenora.

Farnsworth was diagnosed with the illness in 2007 and says there's still too much mis-information about Lyme Disease.

Farnsworth believes part of the problem is that very little research has been
done on Lyme Disease in Canada, and that needs to change.

Trillium Foundation Holds Info Session Today

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is holding a few information sessions across Northwestern Ontario.

Local Program Manager Maureen Brophy says people will be able to learn about their new strategic framework and more.

Brophy says the session is open to any and all local community groups.

Today's innformation session will take place at 1:30 at the Kenora Rec Centre.

Single Vehicle Accident Closes Highway 17 East

Some excitement on the Trans-Canada Highway between Kenora and
Vermillion Bay.

An air ambulence made a landing yesterday morning to airlift a Dryden
man to Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The OPP say a SUV drove off the highway in the Stewart Lake area and hit a tree.

The driver, a 60 year old man, was the lone occupant of the vehicle and was transported to hospital for treatment of his injuries.

He has since been released.

Passport Clinic Returns to Kenora

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is bringing his Passport Clinic back to Kenora.

Rickford says it's a one-stop shop for anyone needing a new passport, or wanting to renew their exisiting one.

Rickford says now in addition to a five year passport, you can apply for a 10 year one as well.

The passport clinic will take place at the Legion in Kenora on October 4th.

BSC in Nursing Program Seeking Students

Another information session is coming up for anyone interested in a nursing career!

Lakehead University and Confederation College have teamed up to provide more information about the collaborative Bachelor of Science Nursing Program.

If you're interested, you can attend a video conference on October 8th from 4-5pm at the Lake of the Woods Campus in Kenora.

Intake for the program is expected in the fall of 2014.

TransCanada Wraps up Northwestern Pipeline Open Houses

Trans Canada Pipeline has wrapped up the last of it's open houses in northwestern Ontario on its proposed Energy East project.

The pipeline would see Alberta's oil sent to the East Coast.

Spokesperson Phillip Cannon says they've heard concerns across Northwestern Ontario.

He says most people seem concerned about the safety of the project.

The public information sessions have taken place over the past week in Kenora, Dryden,  and Thunder Bay.

Kenora Student Promotes new Initiative at LU

Lakehead University's Outpost bar is the first in Canada to offer pregnancy tests in their bathroom dispensers.

Kenora's Charmaine Romaniuk is the Student Union vice-president and says the initiative will start up this week and tests will cost 3 dollars.

The Outpost Bar hopes this will prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and want other local bars to follow suit.

PJP Hosts Carnival/Open House

It's a parents/teachers meeting with a twist.

Pope John Paul School is holding a carnival in connection with tonight's
open house.

In addition to games, bingo, a photo booth and face painting, there will be a  lollipop tree, cotton candy, and a concession featuring hot dogs and hamburgers.

The carnival is a fundraiser for school projects and will run from 5:00 to 6:30.

Interim Chief for Treaty Three Police Hired

The Treaty Three Police Service is dipping into the ranks of the OPP for its next chief of police.

OPP Detective Inspector Dan Davidson has been named the interim chief, to take over from Conrad Delarond.

Delaronde announced his retirement last month.

His last day on the job will be October 18th, and Davidson will start his new
duties on October 7th.

Davidson is currently posted with the Sioux Lookout Detachment, and has also
worked in Red Lake and Thunder Bay.

He grew up in Morson on Lake of the Woods.

Grade 7 and 8's Settling In At Beaver Brae

The new school year is just four weeks old, but grade 7 and 8 students
up at Beaver Brae seem to be settling in just fine.

Sean Monteith is the director of education at the Keewatin-Patricia District
School Board and says all reports back from the high school have been
positive.

The grade seven and eights were moved up to Beaver Brae this year,
from the elementary school system as part of the fall out from the closure
of Lakewood school.

Former Ontario Rangers to Lobby MPP's

Alumni with the former Ontario Rangers program are hoping to get the ears of MPP's at Queen's Park today.

They'll holding a lobby day as part of their fight to restore the program.

Spokesperson Martin Dubec say they've yet to talk to Natural Resources Minister David Oriazetti.

Dubec says they've set up a luncheon for MPP's to hear from alumni who've benefited from the program cut last fall.

Cliffs Threatens Pull-Out in Ring of Fire

A vice president with Cliffs Natural Resources confirms the mining giant's future in the Ring of Fire is in real danger.

Bill Boor says the company can't operate without an all weather road and a recent mining commission road ruling against that proposal make the company's pull out a continuing reality.

Boor says the company has not set a deadline for a possible pullout, hoping instead there can be a solution worked out.

Crimestoppers Crime of the Week

Crimestoppers in Northwestern Ontario is looking to the public to
help solve an assault and break-in in the Rideout area of town.

The incident took place back on September 4th around 2:00 in
the morning after two people forced their way into a home.

The male suspects demanded the occupants give them money and valuables,
while assaulting them.

One of the men had dark hair, with a short flat-top haircut, with the sides of his head shaved.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Crimestoppers.

Saints Split in Atikokan

The Voyageurs seem to be the team to beat this year in NorWOSSA Single "A" volleyball.

Thomas Aquinas court sport teams traveled to Atikokan yesterday and
split their four games.

The Saints senior boys lost in three straight sets to the Voyageurs, while
the T.A. junior boys were beaten in a five set marathon.

In girls basketball, Thomas Aquinas senior girls edged Atikokan 28-25,
while the Saints junior squad upended the Voyageurs 32-15.

T.A. concludes it's two day road trip in Rainy River this morning.

Candidates prepare for fall election?

Still lots of chatter of a possible fall election campaign in Ontario.

The Conservatives held their policy convention over the weekend in
London.

Kenora-Rainy River Tory candidate Randy Nickle says they've been on
alert for a while now.

The NDP and Liberals also have their candidates in place for the next provincial election, with Sarah Campbell holding the New Democratic banner
and Anthony Leek ready to run again for the Grits.

Council Puts Off on Planning Decision

Kenora City Council has put off a decision to award a contract for the Planning department.

City staff want to hire FoTenn Consulting out of Ottawa for any external planning advice.

Property and Planning Manager Charlotte Caron feels the company will provide better service to the department.

Mayor Dave Canfield says he prefers one of the other tenders and raised  some concerns about the work FoTenn did on Kenora's last Official plan.

Council has agreed to re-visit the issue at next month's Committee of the Whole meeting.

Public School Board Nears Full Implementation of All-Day Kindergarten

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is one step closer to having all elementary schools offer full-day kindergarten.

Superintendent of Education Caryl Hron says they are in their fourth year of the program, and so far it's been a huge success.

Hron says their goal is to have every student reading by the time they finish kindergarten.

She adds 92-percent of students can, and the other 8-percent were identified as needing additional assistance.

She says next year they will have full implementation in the 16 elementary schools across the board.

Con College Eyes New Locations for Float Plane School

Confederation College is hoping to decide where to locate its float plane
training classes in the next couple of months.

The college agreed to move the course from its current location on Eva
Lake near Atikokan after receiving numerous complaints from cottagers.

College president, Jim Madder says they've received a lot of interest from
communities interested in hosting the school from Kenora all the way to
Manitouadge.

September 5th was the deadline to submit proposals for the flight school.

Job Seekers Coming to Kenora

The Kenora District Services Board is holding a "Job Seekers" event at the Seven Generations Education Institute in Kenora.

Coordinator Josee Mantle says it's a great way for folks to learn about educational and job opportunities in the community.

The Job Seekers Forum will take place this Wednesday, September 25th from 10 AM until 1 PM at the
former Lakewood School.

Meetings will also be held in Dryden and Sioux Lookout this week.