Enjoy the spring-like conditions while they last.
Three days of above normal temperatures will come to a crashing halt later today.
Yesterday was a record days for a number of communties across northwestern Ontario.
In Kenora, the thermometer at the airport topped out at 7.6 celcius, which broke the previous high for February 16th by almost two degrees.
The previous record was 5.9 back in 1981.
Kenora wasn't the hot spot in the region.
Atikokan hit a sizzling 15.1 celcius, breaking the previous high of 9.8 degrees.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
No Rebates for Local Municipalities from DSSAB
Local municipalities shouldn't expect to see any money returned back to them from the Kenora District Services Board this year.
Council says if the provincial government is paying the cost of more services, those savings should be passed back to towns and cities in the Kenora District.
Louis Roussin is the City representitive on the District Services board and says instead for returning money back to municalities, the extra money is being put into reserves.
He says the District Services Board then uses that money for capital expenditures, such as replacing ambulences.
Council says if the provincial government is paying the cost of more services, those savings should be passed back to towns and cities in the Kenora District.
Louis Roussin is the City representitive on the District Services board and says instead for returning money back to municalities, the extra money is being put into reserves.
He says the District Services Board then uses that money for capital expenditures, such as replacing ambulences.
Kasabonika Signs Mining Agreement
MacDonald Mines Exploration has signed a three-year agreement with a northwestern Ontario first nation that gives it unrestricted access to explore properties on band territory.
The value of the deal was not released, but the Toronto-based miner says it will issue shares to Kasabonika Lake First Nation, as well as make both a lump sum and ongoing payments.
MacDonald's property on the First Nation's territory has been reviewed by nickel experts, and diamond drilling will begin later this year.
Kasabonika Lake First Nation is 575 kilometres northeast of Kenora and currently has a strategy to develop mineral exploration in the community.
The value of the deal was not released, but the Toronto-based miner says it will issue shares to Kasabonika Lake First Nation, as well as make both a lump sum and ongoing payments.
MacDonald's property on the First Nation's territory has been reviewed by nickel experts, and diamond drilling will begin later this year.
Kasabonika Lake First Nation is 575 kilometres northeast of Kenora and currently has a strategy to develop mineral exploration in the community.
Community Clubs to get Grants
The four community clubs in Kenora will be getting much needed funding
to help make it through the winter.
Kenora City Council has approved grants of six thousand dollars each
for Pinecrest, Rideout, Central and Evergreen.
Recreational Services Manager Colleen Neil says the money is really to
help off-set the cost of utilities, such as water, which is needed to flood
the rinks during the winter month, and to heat the buildings.
She adds that Rideout Community Club was able to access a reserve fund
this year to help fix up the floor of the building.
to help make it through the winter.
Kenora City Council has approved grants of six thousand dollars each
for Pinecrest, Rideout, Central and Evergreen.
Recreational Services Manager Colleen Neil says the money is really to
help off-set the cost of utilities, such as water, which is needed to flood
the rinks during the winter month, and to heat the buildings.
She adds that Rideout Community Club was able to access a reserve fund
this year to help fix up the floor of the building.
Government Continues Negotiations over Ring of Fire
The Ontario government is confident that it will reach an agreement with First Nations communities over the Ring of Fire mining project in northern Ontario.
Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says he is working closely with the Matawa First Nations, who have threatened to block access to the chromite deposit located on their lands.
Gravelle says the government will ensure that the Matawa First Nations will benefit from the project.
Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says he is working closely with the Matawa First Nations, who have threatened to block access to the chromite deposit located on their lands.
Gravelle says the government will ensure that the Matawa First Nations will benefit from the project.
Tourist Outfitters want meeting with Minister of Natural Resources
Angry Northwestern Ontario tourist outfitters are hoping for action from the Natural Resources Minister.
They've fired off a letter to Linda Jeffery demanding that a 700 per cent increase in land fee permits be reversed.
Their point man is Paul Boucher of the Ogoki lodge who says the message to Jeffery is "talk to us".
Boucher says these are desperate times form outfitters and they don't need such a hefty increase.
They've fired off a letter to Linda Jeffery demanding that a 700 per cent increase in land fee permits be reversed.
Their point man is Paul Boucher of the Ogoki lodge who says the message to Jeffery is "talk to us".
Boucher says these are desperate times form outfitters and they don't need such a hefty increase.
Concerns Raised about the Sale of Abitibi Hydro Assets
The NDP says it wants the provincial government to take a close look at the sale of Abitibi's hydro
dams in Ontario.
MPP Gilles Bisson says any decision that allows Abitibibowater to sell hydro assets
must be carefully scrutinized and involve local community leaders.
Last week, Abitibi announced the sale of eight Hydro dams, including those in Iroquois Falls, Fort Frances and Kenora to an unnamed buyer.
The sale is still subject to approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Historically the dams have provided low-cost electricity to mills in these communities.
dams in Ontario.
MPP Gilles Bisson says any decision that allows Abitibibowater to sell hydro assets
must be carefully scrutinized and involve local community leaders.
Last week, Abitibi announced the sale of eight Hydro dams, including those in Iroquois Falls, Fort Frances and Kenora to an unnamed buyer.
The sale is still subject to approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Historically the dams have provided low-cost electricity to mills in these communities.
Federal Funding for Aboriginal Housing
A number of first nation communities in northwestern Ontario will benefitfrom a 14 million dollar housing program announced by the federal government.
Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford announced the infrastrucuture project at the Northern Housing Conference taking place in Thunder Bay.
The Rat Portage and Couchiching First Nations will get the largest share of the money in this region.
Both communities have been promised 400 thousand dollars.
Rickford says the money will be used for social housing projects and also to help repair aging homes in the communities.
NorWOSSA Court Sport Finals in Kenora starting today
Both Thomas Aquinas and Beaver Brae are hosting NorWOSSA play-offs
this week.
Action begins today up at T.A. were the semi-finals of the single "a" boys basketball and girls volleyball take place.
The finals are scheduled to start at 9:00 tomorrow morning.
The Double "a" semis and finals will take place tomorrow at Beaver Brae.
this week.
Action begins today up at T.A. were the semi-finals of the single "a" boys basketball and girls volleyball take place.
The finals are scheduled to start at 9:00 tomorrow morning.
The Double "a" semis and finals will take place tomorrow at Beaver Brae.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Second Career Program Deemed a Success
The McGuinty Government is celebrating the success of the Second Career program in the North.
Just over 32 hundred Northern Ontario workers have particapated in the program, which offers financial assistance to laid off workers to retrain for a second career.
A recent survey shows 74 percent of Second Career students have found employment in less than a year after completeing the program.
The Second Career program was launched in 2008 by Employment Ontario.
Just over 32 hundred Northern Ontario workers have particapated in the program, which offers financial assistance to laid off workers to retrain for a second career.
A recent survey shows 74 percent of Second Career students have found employment in less than a year after completeing the program.
The Second Career program was launched in 2008 by Employment Ontario.
Woman fined for Illegal Deer Hunting
A Terrace Bay woman found out shooting deer can be expensive.
She was fined one-thousand dollars after pleading guilty to
shooting a deer from a roadway near Kenora last October.
Donna Parise was met by conservation officers on the Villeneuve Road after
they'd received a report of a high powered rifle been discharged in the area.
Parise said she fired a single shot at a deer from the centre of the road but believed she had missed.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds hunters it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road.
She was fined one-thousand dollars after pleading guilty to
shooting a deer from a roadway near Kenora last October.
Donna Parise was met by conservation officers on the Villeneuve Road after
they'd received a report of a high powered rifle been discharged in the area.
Parise said she fired a single shot at a deer from the centre of the road but believed she had missed.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds hunters it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road.
New Electronic Billboard Proposed for Harborfront
Its a sign of the times.
A national advertising company wants to put an electronic billboard up on
the Kenora Harborfront along the C.P. right of way.
Pattison Signs made a pitch to city council to replace the five conventional
billboards along the harborfront, with one electronic one.
Rob Sedgewick is a spokesperson for the company and says the concept is
a good one for the Harbortown area.
The only fly in the ointment, is that Kenora's new sign by-law prohibit any
new billboards from being erected in the Harbortown area.
Council has decided to set up an ad-hoc committee to look at the issue to
decide whether to allow the electronic billboard or not.
A national advertising company wants to put an electronic billboard up on
the Kenora Harborfront along the C.P. right of way.
Pattison Signs made a pitch to city council to replace the five conventional
billboards along the harborfront, with one electronic one.
Rob Sedgewick is a spokesperson for the company and says the concept is
a good one for the Harbortown area.
The only fly in the ointment, is that Kenora's new sign by-law prohibit any
new billboards from being erected in the Harbortown area.
Council has decided to set up an ad-hoc committee to look at the issue to
decide whether to allow the electronic billboard or not.
Free Parking for Veterans?
There may be no such thing as a free ride, but there is such a thing as
free parking, at lease if you are a military veteran in Kenora.
City council has re-visited a by-law allowing free parking for vets only
on certain days, such as Remembrance Day and D-Day.
Councillor Rod McKay feels anyone who fought for out country should be eligible for free parking.
He says it won't cost the city a lot of money.
There was some concern about people abusing the privaledge, but
Councillor Ron Lunny says the number would be so small, that it
shouldn't be a real issue.
free parking, at lease if you are a military veteran in Kenora.
City council has re-visited a by-law allowing free parking for vets only
on certain days, such as Remembrance Day and D-Day.
Councillor Rod McKay feels anyone who fought for out country should be eligible for free parking.
He says it won't cost the city a lot of money.
There was some concern about people abusing the privaledge, but
Councillor Ron Lunny says the number would be so small, that it
shouldn't be a real issue.
LU closer to getting a Law School
Lakehead University is taking the next step towards getting a law school.
The proposed school's curriculum has received approval from the Law Societies of Canada.
University President Brian Stevenson says the curriculum focuses on aboriginal and resource based economy law.
The final law school decision rests with the Ontario government.
The proposed school's curriculum has received approval from the Law Societies of Canada.
University President Brian Stevenson says the curriculum focuses on aboriginal and resource based economy law.
The final law school decision rests with the Ontario government.
Healthy Food Basket comes to council
The Northwestern Health Unit says there are things City Council can do
to help people live more comfortably on a fixed income.
Health Unit dietician Chelsea Lecain made a presentation to council to
coincide with the Week of Action Against Poverty.
She says their healthy food basket program shows prices have
gone up higher in the Kenora area than anywhere else in Ontario.
Lecain says its costs about 918 dollars to feed a family of four, based on
the healthy food basket.
to help people live more comfortably on a fixed income.
Health Unit dietician Chelsea Lecain made a presentation to council to
coincide with the Week of Action Against Poverty.
She says their healthy food basket program shows prices have
gone up higher in the Kenora area than anywhere else in Ontario.
Lecain says its costs about 918 dollars to feed a family of four, based on
the healthy food basket.
Plans for new land ambulence base coming together
Still no firm decision from the Kenora District Services Board when construction on
a new land ambulence base in Kenora will begin.
The city has given some land beside the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill to the Services
board to build the new facility.
Louis Roussin is the new council representitive on the board and says they still haven't
decided whether to begin construction this year, or next year.
He says the estimated cost of the project is about 2.8 million dollars.
Roussin says the District Services board may go ahead with the design portion of
the project this year, and wait til 2012 to begin construction.
a new land ambulence base in Kenora will begin.
The city has given some land beside the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill to the Services
board to build the new facility.
Louis Roussin is the new council representitive on the board and says they still haven't
decided whether to begin construction this year, or next year.
He says the estimated cost of the project is about 2.8 million dollars.
Roussin says the District Services board may go ahead with the design portion of
the project this year, and wait til 2012 to begin construction.
Bronco hockey teams finish the regular season with a split
Beaver Brae's boys hockey team put a big exclamation mark on their season.The Broncos beat the league leading Fort Frances Muskies 3-2 last night in
a shootout.
With the win Beaver Brae finishes second overall in the Double "A" standings
and now faces Dryden in the First round next week.
Meanwhile, the Bronco Girls dropped a 3-2 decision to the Dryden Eagles in
a shootout. Beaver Brae had already clinched first overall.
In Sioux Lookout, the Warriors edged the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team 6-5 last night to wrap up the regular season.
The two teams tied for first in the single "a" division, but the Saints will have home ice advantage in the play-offs thanks to a better goals against average.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Council Unwilling to float loan for Paterson Medical Clinic
Kenora city council says its not willing to be the banker for the Paterson Medical Clinic.
The clinic owes the city about 6.8 million dollars for the renovation and expansion of the
medical facility on Tunnel Island.
Councillor Ron Lunny says they want the Kenora Medical Clinic to seek an outside financial
institution to pay the loan off to the city.
Councillor Louis Roussin says while he supports the resolution, he thinks the medical clinic
will find it difficult to find any financial institution which would be willing to foot the entire
loan amount.
The clinic owes the city about 6.8 million dollars for the renovation and expansion of the
medical facility on Tunnel Island.
Councillor Ron Lunny says they want the Kenora Medical Clinic to seek an outside financial
institution to pay the loan off to the city.
Councillor Louis Roussin says while he supports the resolution, he thinks the medical clinic
will find it difficult to find any financial institution which would be willing to foot the entire
loan amount.
Province to Appoint Facilitator to look into Evergreen Closure
Parents at Evergreen School haven't won the war yet, but they have scored
a minor victory.
The Ministry of Education has agreed to appoint a facilitator to look into
the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board's decision to close Evergreen
at the end of this school year.
Patti Letourneau is a member of the parents committee they really don't know
how the process is going to unfold.
The Ministry of Education says it can't overturn the school board's decision, but
it can determine if the public board followed its own processes in closing the
school.
a minor victory.
The Ministry of Education has agreed to appoint a facilitator to look into
the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board's decision to close Evergreen
at the end of this school year.
Patti Letourneau is a member of the parents committee they really don't know
how the process is going to unfold.
The Ministry of Education says it can't overturn the school board's decision, but
it can determine if the public board followed its own processes in closing the
school.
Don't feed the Deer
Problems with deer experienced by some residents in the area over the past few years could be minimized by this winter's snowfall.
Melissa Mosley, a biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources, says the full impact won't be known for a while, but this year's heavy snowfall will help in keep deer in the bush.
The snow, though, is not impacting on the animal's ability to feed, and area residents should avoid setting up feeding areas.
Melissa Mosley, a biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources, says the full impact won't be known for a while, but this year's heavy snowfall will help in keep deer in the bush.
The snow, though, is not impacting on the animal's ability to feed, and area residents should avoid setting up feeding areas.
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