Thunder Bay Flood Fund Announced

The Salvation Army and the Canadian Red Cross are teaming up to offer a national appeal for funds for flood victims in Thunder Bay.

Salvation Army Major Merv Halvorsen says you can donate through several sources.

The Thunder Bay Flood Fund will help homeowners recoup some of the costs of dealing with this emergency.

To donate to the Thunder Bay Flood Fund call 1-807-725-2769.

White Elected Treaty Three Grand Chief

The Chief of the Whitefish Bay First Nation is taking on a bigger role in the region.

Warren White was elected as grand chief of Treaty Three yesterday.

White beat out incumbant Diane Kelly and Kelvin Morrison in a traditional vote yesterday on the Big Island First Nation south Kenora.

The election was held on the second day of Treaty Three's National Assembly.

The Assembly will wrap up today, with White presiding over the proceedings.

Rickford Defends Back to Work Legislation

Striking C.P. railworkers are expected to report back to work later today.

Back-to-work legislation is expected to be passed through the senate later today.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford is defending the bill and says it will allow for a 90 day arbitration process.

For the first time in a week, CP rail workers in Kenora were not on the picket line.

OPP Cracking Down on Property Crimes

The OPP say they expect to see a decrease in the number of break and enters, thefts and mischief incidents in Kenora this year.

Inspector Dave Lucas released his year end report for 2011 to the Police Service Board yesterday.

Lucas says there was a big jump in property crimes last year, but they have managed to solve most of them.

Lucas says their efforts are paying off because they've already seen a big drop in property crimes through the first four months of this year compared to last year.

He adds that the incidence of violent crimes was also lower last year. 

Campbell Wants Bear Wise Cuts Reversed

The province is being pressure to have the Ministry of Natural Resources continue trapping and relocating nuisance bears.

It's handing those responsibilities onto police and municipalities.

In the legislature, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says there's already been a number of close calls involving the public and bears since the announcement.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says Ministry staff will continue to work with local authorities in emergency situations.

Broncos Girls Win NorWOSSA Soccer Gold

Beaver Brae's girls are golden once again.

The Broncos girls soccer team blanked Dryden 4-0 last night in the NorWOSSA final in Fort Frances.

Beaver Brae now heads to the All-Ontario championships next week in St. Thomas.

This is the third year in a row Beaver Brae has advanced to the OFSAA Finals.

Meanwhile, another disappointing loss for the Bronco boys.

They lost a 3-1 decision to Dryden in the semi-finals.

Fort Frances won the gold medal beating the Eagles 1-0 in the final.

Kings win Game One of Stanley Cup Final

The Los Angeles Kings are three wins away from the first Stanley Cup in the team's 45-year history after taking Game 1 of the final.

Anze Kopitar scored on a breakaway 18:13 into overtime to give the Kings a 2-1 victory at New Jersey. Los

Angeles is 9-and-0 on the road in the post-season, and 3-and-0 when they skate in overtime.

Mike Richards was held off the scoresheet in a tight defensive contest. 

Two Hospitalized in Accident Near Clearwater Bay

Two people had to be taken to hospital last night following a single vehicle accident near Clearwater Bay.

The OPP say the collision took place around 9:00 after a vehicle hit the guide post near the intersection of Lindsay Road.

Police were helped out by Kenora Fire and Emergency Services, the McKenzie-Clearwater Fire Department, and ambulence personnel.

The Trans-Canada was closed for about an hour, while crews worked to extract the occupants.

The OPP say the vehicle was demolished in the accident.

Summer Jobs Funding Announced

The Kenora riding is getting 185-thousand dollars in Federal funding to hire 72 students.

The funding will enable students to gain the skills and experience they need to move on.

MP Greg Rickford made the announcement in Sioux Lookout and he stated the jobs that are created will help students gain valubale experience and a chance to earn money for the upcoming school year.

He adds it also strengthens local economies.

Thunder Bay Continues to Clean Up following Flooding

The provincial government is taking an active role in helping communities hit by this weeks flooding.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says a variety of ministry's are helping out all of the affected areas to make sure they can recover from the storm.

Gravelle says his ministry in particular is involved because of water monitoring.

In the meantime, Thunder Bay's Emergency Operations Control Group will meet once again to update the flood situation.

The Salvation Army will be a hub for a national appeal for financial donations and details will be provided later this morning.

The City has received numerous offers of help and there is an active Facebook page with 1,500 members to date with many of them talking about how to provide assistance.

The city is saying "The outpouring of community support is appreciated; however, a coordinated effort is required and that will be an ongoing priority for discussion over the next days."

Wray to Receive Ontario Fire Marshall's Award

A long time teacher at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and a student in Red Lake are going to be honoured by the Provincial Government.

Al Wray and Brody McCumber will receive Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall Awards at a ceremony in Toronto on June 26th.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says he's proud of the two individuals.

Macumber is a student at the Golden Learning Centre and he's credited with helping save the life of his family when a kitchen fire broke out in his family's home back last November.

Northern Road Projects Announced

Four major projects will dominate the Northern Highways program in this region this summer.

The provincial government says it will be re-surfacing 35 kilometers of Highway 17 between Kenora and Dryden over the next couple of months.

Work will also continue on the rehabilitation of the Nodin Causeway near Fort Frances.

The provincial government says it will also continue work to twin Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.

There is no mention about the doubling of Trans-Canada Highway starting at the Ontario/Manitoba Border.

Fire Crews Continue to Battle Falcon Island Fire

The cool, damp weather over the past few days has allowed Ministry of Natural Resources fire crews to get the upper hand on a blaze burning on an Island on Lake of the Woods.

Kenora Fire #36 has been active for the past two weeks, but fire information officer, Debbie MacLean says they are making good progress on it now.

Crews are now working to put out any hot spots on Falcon Island and making sure the fire doesn't spread any further.

That's the only forest fire currently active in northwestern Ontario.

NorWOSSA AA Soccer Finals Today in Fort Frances

The NorWOSSA Double "a" soccer titles will be awarded today in Fort Frances.

The semi-finals and finals will take place today.

This morning, Beaver Brae's boys will be seeking their first win of the season when they take on Dryden in semi-final action.

The winner takes on Fort Frances in the gold medal game this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's girls team will await the winner of this morning's semi final between Fort Frances and Dryden.

The Broncos have the bye into the gold medal game with the best record during the regular season.

Kenora's Population is aging

Senior citizens now represent 17.2 per cent of the population of Kenora, a ratio higher than the national average, according to the latest census figures.

Newly released census information on age and sex makes it clear that Canadian society is getting older.

The census showed that just over 26 hundred people in Kenora were aged 65 or older.

Kenora's senior population of 17.2 per cent compares to a national average of 14.8 and a provincial average of 14.6 per cent.

Treaty Three National Assembly Starts Today

Members of Treaty Three are making their way to the Big Island First Nation today for their National Assembly.

The three day gathering will feature the traditional selection of the grand chief.

Diane Kelly, who is the first female grand chief of Treaty Three is expected to stand for election once again, and there may be at least one challenger.

The selection of the grand chief will take place tomorrow, while the National Assembly will wrap up on Thursday.

Northern Chiefs Bail on Student Housing Project

The Director of Education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says he will continue to work with northern chiefs and other First Nation organizations to ensure equal access to education for all students.

Jack McMaster is reacting to an announcement Friday by the chiefs that they have withdrawn from a project to renovate Pinewood School in Dryden and create a First Nations learning and housing facility.

McMaster says the Board will also go back to the drawing board in an effort to utilize the vacant Pinewood School.

City Seeking More Funding from the Province

The City of Kenora has its hand out for more money from the province.

Council has endorsed a resolution calling on the government to increase its payments in lieu from the government of Ontario.

Kenora gets just over 29 thousand dollars from the province for payment in lieu of taxes on the hospital, college and correctional institutions.

Councillor Rory McMillan says the last time that was increased was 1987.

He says based on inflation, the province should actually be paying more than 56 thousand dollars.

CP workers being Legislated Back to Work

Local CP rail workers are less than enthused about back-to-work legislation introduced by the federal government.

Lisa Raitt introduced the bill yesterday in the House of Commons.

Mike Wallace is a local union representitive and says their concerned that issues surrounding fatigue management and their pensions won't be addressed.

The government says it plans to limit debate on the back-to work legislation and will fast track the bill through the House of Commons.

Freight trains could be moving again by Thursday.

Police Forced to kill a wild dog

Wild dogs continue to pose a problem in the community.

Sunday evening, the OPP were contacted about a pack of wild dogs that brought down a fawn near Miikana Way.

Officers were able to locate the pack and managed to shoot and killone of the dogs.

The others managed to escape into the nearby bush.

Police say any dogs posing a risk to public safety may be killed if required.