Library Seeking more money from the City

Kenora Public Library is warning of service cuts if it doesn't get an increase in funding from the City of Kenora.

The Library Board made a deputation to council yesterday, asking for a hike in their 2011 budget.

Marg Curtis-Poirier is the chair of the library board and says even though they did receive a 33 thousand dollar increase in their budget this year, it will still leave them with a lot of red ink.

The library presented three proposals to council, one of which included  the closure of the Keewatin Branch of the library, if there was no increase in funding.

Weyerhaeuser Questions Earthroots Report

Weyerhaueser is questioning the accuracy of a report from an environmental group which raises concerns about the operations of the ILevel Timberstrand Mill in Kenora.

Earthroots claims formaldehyde-based resins are used in the manufacturing process.

Formaldehyde was listed last week by the U.S. government as a cancer causing agent.

But spokesperson for the company, Wayne Roznowsky says contrary to the claims in the Earthroots report, formaldehyde is not used to produce timberstrand.

Roznowsky admits they do have air emissions that contain formaldehyde, but says those are naturally produced while wood fiber is drying.

Think North Summit Opens Today

The Think North Summit will open today with an infrastructure and training announcement.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the summit is the next stage of the province's Northern Growth Plan

The summitt will focus on the future of Northern Ontario's economy.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield is in attendance.

Body of Missing Angler Found on Lake of the Woods

The body of a missing american angler has been found on Lake of the Woods.

The OPP's Marine Unit located the body of 69 year old Richard Herman on the shore of the lake in the Morson area on Sunday.

Herman, from Peoria, Illinois went missing three weeks ago, when he was fishing in a 16 foot boat, with 73 year old James Wealther.

The body of Wealther was found on May 24th.

Three People Dead in Accident near Upsala

Three people are dead following a two vehicle collision on the Trans-Canada Highway near Upsala.

The OPP say the accident took place last night around 6:10 when a semi tractor trailor unit and another vehicle collided just east of the community.

Police say a man, a woman and a child in the vehicle were killed, while the driver of the transport was not injured.

So far the names of the deceased have not been released.

Forest Fire Hazard High in NWO

The forest fire hazard has jumped to high across Northwestern Ontario.

6-new fires were reported yesterday, three in the Thunder Bay District.

All of the new starts are classed as out or under control, with the exception of one on an island in Wabakimi Provincial Park.

The small fire is burning near an outpost camp, but the Ministry of Natural Resources has kept the flames away from the camp.

The MNR stresses that all campfires must be attended and put dead out before leaving.

Relay for Life Raises 88 Thousand Dollars

A big weekend for the Canadian Cancer Society in Kenora.

The annual Relay for Life took in over 88 thousand dollars unofficially.

A final tally is expected to be available later today.

The total topped last year's figures.

The top team was the Graychums, which collected just over eight thousand dollars, followed by Scotiabank at 79 hundred.

A record number of luminaries were also sold, with 800 set up around the track at Lakewood Field Friday night.

Two Feather Gets More Provincial Funding

The Province is investing 3.6-million dollars in the Two Feathers Forest Products project.


The funding will allow 240-people in Dryden receive training this year that will prepare them for forestry sector jobs.

The project will provide both apprenticeship training and on-the-job technical training for prepare them for jobs in the Two Feathers initiative or other forestry jobs.

Wabigoon Lake First Nation, Wood Tech Group in Finland, Seven Generations Institute and Confederation College are involved in the project.

Operation Corridor Launches Tuesday morning

Transport drivers will have to be extra attentive on the road as Operation Corridor is about to be rolled out.

The 24-hour blitz starts Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock.

Sergeant Shelley Garr is the OPP Northwest Region Spokesperson and says a number of groups are involved in the intiiative.

Garr says they will also be watching for seatbelt infractions and distracted drivers.

OPP Investigate Fatal Accident near Upsala

OPP are on scene investigating a fatal 2-vehicle collision on Highway 17, just east of Upsala.

Emergency crews were dispatched just after 6 o'clock last night.

OPP say an eastbound vehicle collided head on with a westbound transport.

The Trans-Canada is open to one lane of traffic.

Police will only say that the driver of the tractor trailer was not injured.

Con College releases Environmental Plan

Confederation College is launching a five year environmental action plan.

Con College president Pat Lang says they've already started several "green" initiatives.

The action plan includes promoting the use of public transportation, cutting down on e-waste and recycling.

The environmental plan was released on Friday. 

Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser Cleans Up

The 8th annual CARSTAR fundraising car wash is taking place tomorrow in Kenora.

Spokesperson Jackynn Tregunno says they are raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

The event is from 10 until 2 o'clock at Crystal Clean Carwash on

Railway Street. 

Harborfront Ready for Special Event Season

Kenora is gearing up for another summer of special events.

The big tent is now up on the Harborfront in preparations for the Beach Boys concert next Wednesday.

The first event of the season under the tent takes place tomorrow with the Swingin' Seniors.

People will be coming in from Fort Frances, Vermillion Bay and Sioux Lookout for the event.

The opening ceremonies will take place at 10:45 Saturday morning and things will wrap up at 4:00.

Former Jaffray Melick Mayor Passes Away

One of the longest serving politicians in the Kenora area has passed away.


Ed Alcock was involved in municipal politics for 45 years with the Town of Jaffray Melick.

He served as both reeve and mayor of the community until he retired in 1995.

Alcock passed away at Lake of the Woods District Hospital early this morning.

He was 84 years old.

Youth Workshop in Kenora Saturday

Local youth are being given a chance talk about some of the issues that are near and dear to their heart.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is hosting a Youth Dialogue Workshop in Kenora tomorrow.

Anyone between the ages of 12 and 25 are encouraged to come out and give their feedback for a Youth Policy Framework, being drafted by the government.

The forum will ask local youth "what's important to them" and what they need in order to succeed.

The Kenora session is the only one taking place in northwestern Ontario.

It will be held at the Days Inn from noon to 4:30 tomorrow.

Hospital Foundation holds AGM

The Lake of Woods Hospital Foundation is saying farewell to its long-time chair.

Thelma Wilkens-Page is stepping down after a number of years at the helm of the fundraising organization.

The Foundation held its Annual General Meeting last night and announced that it had transferred over 550 thousand dollars to the Hospital for capital improvements in the past year.

In addition to that funding, the Boobie Night's Fundraiser this past weekend made 30 thousand dollars, which will go towards the purchase of a digital mammography and digital x-ray unit for the hospital.

CUPE Campaigns against Hospital Overcrowding

The union representing hospital workers in Ontario wants the provincial government to open more beds not close them.

That was one of the suggestions made during a tour of northwestern Ontario by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Sharon Richer is the northern representative for the union and says over-crowding is leading to poor sanitary conditions in some hospitals.

The tour made a stop in Kenora yesterday and will be in Fort Frances later today.

More Medical Professionals Working in Kenora

The City of Kenora now has record number of medical professionals working in the community.

A report by the Chief of Medical Staff at Lake of the Woods District Hospital shows that there are currently 28 general practitioners and family doctors working in Kenora.

Depite that fact, Dr. Kerry McDonald says a large number of people in the community still have to go to the ER to see a doctor.

He says number of the physicans do not work full-time, or have a restricted practice.

In all, there are 81 medical professionals that have credentials at the hospital.

That includes visiting specialists, dentitists and nurse practitioners.

Relay for Life At Lakewood tonight

The Canadian Cancer Society has already raised 250 thousand dollars across northwestern Ontario this month through Relays for Life in a  number of communities and is expected to get another boost this weekend.

Kenora's Relay is taking place starting tonight at Lakewood School.

Amanda Witta is the co-chair of the event and says one of the highlights of the event is the lighting of the luminaries.

Organizers of this year's relay are hoping to match or exceed last year's fundraising total of over 75 thousand dollars.

The Relay for Life gets underway at 7:00 this evening.

NDP call for Gas Regulation

Andrea Horwath doesn't like how high gas prices in northwestern Ontario are compared to Southern Ontario, so she's promising price caps if elected premier.

The NDP leader also think the sytem should be regionalized.

Horwath believes transporation costs shouldn't be used as an excuse to gouge drivers