Railway Street Fire called "suspicious"

A fire to a small four unit apartment complex on Railway Street is being described as suspicious.

The OPP and the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office have wrapped up their investigation of the building where the blaze broke out.

While the cause hasn't been determined, the investigation is continuing.

The fire broke out last Wednesday night around 8:00 and caused extensive damage.

No one was hurt in the blaze.

Impaired Driving Charges up in Kenora in 2011

The message about not drinking and driving doesn't seem to be getting through to all motorists.

The Kenora OPP say they have seen an increase in the number of impaired driving charges so far this year.

As of this past weekend, 67 charges have been laid, which is an increase from 58 at the same time last year.

Over the weekend, there were three more impaired driving charges laid, including one against a 32 year old Rat Portage woman

She was arrested following a single vehicle accident early Saturday morning at the intersection of 9th Street North and Houghton Road.

SIU releases name of man killed at Kakabecka Falls

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has released the name of a man who died at Kakabecka Falls Provincial Park.

23 year old Kurtis McVittie of Huntsville was at the park last Wednesday afternoon.

The SIU is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has video or audio recordings relating to his death to come forward.

Investigators have identified four police officers who may have witnessed the incident and a number of civilian witnesses have also been identified.

Healthy Kenora Together

For the second time in two weeks a local community group is out with a plan to make Kenora a healthier place to live.

The Northwestern Health Unit has come out with a document called "Creating a Healthy Kenora Together.

Judy Underwood says some of the ideas are a little different than past studies.

Underwood says a number of community groups were invited to provide their input on the plan.

C.O.'s ready for Hunting Season

The Ontario Conservation Officers Association is urging hunters to put safety first as they head out this fall.

The association says tens of thousands of Ontario residents participate in a wide variety of hunting activities.

The association says even the most experienced outdoors enthusiasts often forget to adequately plan before heading out.

Hunters are advised to tell someone where they're going, dress appropriately and carry basic survival equipment at all times.

Ministry of Health Trying to clear backlog of Travel Grant Applications

The Ministry of Health is working to clear up a backlog of Northern Health Travel Grant applications .

Spokesperson Andrew Morrison says they'll be moving work between Thunder Bay and Sudbury

Morrison blames the backlog on the postal walkout over the summer.

He says there are about 20 thousand applications that have to be cleared. 

Optimism for northwestern Ontario's Mining Industry

The mining industry has a bright future in northwestern Ontario.

So says Craig Ravnus, a District Geologist with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry.

Ravnus says the rock types in this area are expectional, but notes continued exploration is needed.

Ravnus says most exploration companies are in the early stages of work.

Writers Festival this weekend

Writers across northwestern Ontario are being invited to the Word on the Water Writers' Festival next weekend in Kenora.

The three-day festival is hosted by the Kenora Writers Group.

The festival begins Friday evening with Writing in Four Directions with members of the Aboriginal Writers Collective of Winnipeg.

Organizers say the group has some great stories to tell.

Weekend sports re-cap

The Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys volleyball team's winning streak came to a halt this weekend in Dryden.

An undermanned Saints squad finished third at the Pumpkin Smash tournament after beating Fort Frances in the Bronze medal game, two sets to one.

The Saints had cruised into the semi-finals, but lost to Manitouadge in two straight.

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles earned three of a possible four points over the weekend.

The Thistles hosted the Parkland Rangers for a pair of games at the Rec. Center.

The Kenora Midgets won the opener Friday night 6-1, but dropped a 4-3 shootout decision Saturday night.

Beaver Brae's football team will wrap up the regular season in the Winnipeg High School Football League at Home on Thursday.

The Broncos dropped their fourth in a row, a 42-13 decision to Kildonan East on Friday.

Kids for Cancer Tournament hopes for City Support

Organizers of the annual Kids for Cancer Tournament have an ambitious fundraising target this year.

The Tournament is coming up on its fourth year.

Dean Caron says so far they have seen a 50 percent increase in the amount of money raised for the Canadian Cancer Society every year. 

Caron is asking the City of Kenora to become a major sponsor of the tournament this year.

The tournament will run from March 26th to April 1st. 

Good Turn out on a cool day for fall feast

The weather conditions were less than ideal, but that didn't stop a couple of hundred people from showing up for the second annual fall community feast.

Wild rice soup, bannock, hamburgers, chips, coffee and tea were being served up by members of the military and volunteers from the Kenora Fellowship Center.

A drum group also entertained guests as they chowed down in the Harborfront Tent this afternoon.

Families apply for Habitat for Humanity home in Kenora

The Kenora chapter of Habitat For Humanity is looking to provide "safe, affordable and decent housing" for one lucky family who fits the criteria.

A handfull of people turned out to Wednesdays meeting at the Kenora Métis Centre to learn more about the selection process

Considerations for eligibility include those who are financially able to cover monthly expenses associated with mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs and other costs typically associated with home ownership

The deadline for the applications is October 26th - families interested will find out if they'll be proud homeowners by November 10th

Campbell visits Queen's Park as newly elected MPP

The newly elected MPP for the Kenora-Rainy River Riding, Sarah Campbell is keeping a busy schedule.

Campbell was in Toronto yesterday to attend her first caucus meeting.

 

She says they're focused on their promise to remove the HST from home heating and hydro bills in an effort to reduce the cost of living across the province, particularly in the north.

 

Campbell's swearing in ceremony is scheduled for Oct 27 in Toronto.

OPP seize marijuana in routine traffic stop

The OPP say they have seized about 90 thousand dollars worth of marijuana during a routine traffic stop in Kenora.

Early this morning around 2:00, officers pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation.

The officer noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and decided conduct a search.

About 10 pounds of marijuana was seized.

Three Winnipeg men and a Kenora resident have been charged with  possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

They are due to appear in Kenora Court on December 1st.

CJRL poll results show no confidence in new Liberal minority government

A majority of local residents don't believe the new minority Liberal government will help northwestern Ontario.

A poll posted on the CJRL website found that 70 percent felt the election of Dalton McGuinty last week would not be good for our region.

This week, our poll is asking whether you think the LBCO and Beer Stores in downtown Kenora should be moved to a more remote location.

The issue was raised during a deputation to city council earlier this week.

Local students need more help in Math

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says it needs to spend more time focusing on math.

Recent EQAO results show that marks for grade 3, grade 6 and grade 9 students were down overall.

Superindentant of Education Sean Monteith says not everyone is doing badly in math.

Monteith adds that math marks for grade three and six students not only declined

locally, but right across the province.

SIU begins investigation of fatality at Kakabecka Falls

Officials have yet to identify the man who went over Kakabeka Falls yesterday.

Frank Phillips of the Province's Special Investigations Unit says the man had an interaction with the OPP and fell over a railing.

Phillips says the SIU will investigate to find out exactly what happened.

The SIU is hoping that any witnesses to the tragedy can come forward.

Fall Feast Today under Harborfront Tent

The new Harborfront Tent is being turned into a big restaurant today.

The second annual fall feast is taking place this afternoon.

Constable Bob Bernie from the OPP says they've had a number of different organizations come forward to help out this year.

Wild rice soup, hamburgers and bannock will all be on the menu today.

The fall feast will run from noon till 2:00 this afternoon.

Council refuses to endorse MADD Resolution

Don't expect Kenora City Council to be on the Christmas list for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Council has been asked to support a resolution calling on the provincial government to oppose any move to allow the sale of alcohol in corner or grocery stores.

A number of councillors also suggested Ontario needs to get into the 21st century and loosen the regulations surrounding the sale of beer and wine.

Council has refused to endorse the resolution.

Cause of downtown fire last month still unknown

The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office still hasn't determined the cause of a fire in downtown Kenora last month.

The blaze destroyed a 10 unit rooming house on 3rd Street South.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says they are still awaiting test results from the provincial forensics lab to come back.

He adds that there is a back log of cases and it can often take months to get lab tests back.