Stolen Banners

Members of the Kenora OPP detachment have recovered all of the stolen banners and flags from the Whitecap Pavillion on the Kenora Harbourfront.

The Banner commemorating the 1907 Stanley Cup win by the Kenora Thistles had been taken sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning prior to the Mike Richards Stanley Cup celebration.

The Kenora Thistles 1907 Stanley Cup banner has been returned to the City of Kenora and the Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup flag which was also missing will be returned it's original owner.

Uniform officers and members of the street crime unit were assisted by the Forensic Identification Unit. All three teams continue to investigate the circumstances.

10th Annual Ride For Memories Tomorrow

This Saturday marks the Alzheimer Society's 10th annual Ride For Memories.

Riders will leave Kenora and will hit Dryden, Ignace and finish off in Sioux Lookout with a dinner and awards ceremony

Executive Director Lynn Moffatt encourages the public to come out and support the cause.

Moffatt says they are hoping to raise $40,000 and all money raised supports 1,000 people living with the disease in the Kenora and Rainy River District.

Riders will also participate in a poker derby.

Members Of KI Embark On Canoe Trip

Another campaign to protect traditional land is being launched by the KI First Nation in northern Ontario.

14-paddlers, including several youth, embark on a 300-plus kilometre trip today on an ancient trading route.

Richard Anderson is the Watershed Coordinator for KI and he says mining companies continue to threaten their way of life.

The paddlers are calling on Ontario to respect their land before it gets poisoned by the companies.

Anderson says elders still use the water and the land.

The journey is expected to conclude on September 7th in Fort Severn.

Complete List Not Being Released

Privacy concerns are preventing the RCMP from gaining full access to a list of murdered and missing women compiled by the Native Women's Association of Canada.

It lists about 600 unsolved cases, some of which include women from northwestern Ontario.

RCMP were given about 100 names, but the Association says confidentiality guarantees given to family members who provided much of the information prevent it from giving up the full list.

Cruisin' For A Cause At A&W

Staff at A&W in Kenora are Cruisin' for a Cause today.


It's a Canada-wide campaign to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

$1 from every Teen Burger sold will be donated to support people with M.S. as well as research.

Classic cars will also be on site later in the day.

Three People Injured In Boat Crash

Three women have been injured in a boating crash on Rainy Lake.


Provincial Police say eight people were on a jet boat when it struck an island near Twin Falls just before midnight Sunday.

Two people had to be airlifted to hospital.

None of the injuries are said to be life-threatening.

The cause is under investigation.

Welfare Cases On The Decline In Kenora District

The number of people relying on welfare in the Kenora District is dropping.


The Kenora District Services Board says its seen a decrease in its Ontario Works caseload over the past couple of years.

At of the end of June, there were 576 cases compared to 660 at the same time two years earlier.

The KDSB says so far in 2012, they have seen 104 Ontario Works recipients leave to pursue employment opportunties.

2013 KDSB Budget

Municipalities in the Kenora District could be looking at another increase in the amount it pays for social services.

The Kenora District Services Board says its initial draft budget for 2013 shows an increase of 1.2% in the municipal levy.

The Board says it is committed to reducing that number.

A final budget is expected to be tabled by December.

The District Services Board pays for such things as land ambulance, social housing, and Ontario Works.

NOTO Reporting Strong 2012

The Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association is reporting a slightly better tourism season this summer.


Executive Director Doug Reynolds says camp owners are seeing better turnout than in previous years.

Reynolds says there's still challenges but notes there's also more optimism.

Reynolds says it seems American anglers are less nervous about their economy and are coming back to vacation in Northwestern Ontario.

The warm summer has also helped efforts.

Fraser Institute Releases Border Report

The cost of increased security measures at the border and its impact on Canadians is coming in at a hefty price.


A Fraser Institute study pegs it at $19-billion annually.

Co-author Alexander Moens says it's hard to say if we're getting value for that money.

Moens does note that the newly signed Beyond the Border initiative has the opportunity to reduce inefficiencies.

Bear Hunting Tips

The Ministry of Natural Resources wants the public to be safe when bear hunting, especially for beginners.


The season is now underway.

Regional Enforcement Operations Manager Kevin Elliott says hunters need to have a bear hunting licence and must follow gear restrictions.

Hunters are also reminded to wear hunting orange and follow the time restrictions.

Bear hunting season runs until October 31st.

Emma Lang Reaches National Final

All the hard work has paid off for Vermilion Bay's Emma Lang.


Lang's history project on Red Lake's Ken Leishman, otherwise known as the Flying Bandit, has been named a finalist for the Canada's History Young Citizens award.

A national panel of judges will now review the videos of 30-finalists and announce six winners.

The winners receive a trip to Ottawa to participate in the Governor General's History Awards.

Lang is only one of three to make the final cut from Ontario.

One Month Old Found Dead In Dryden

A post mortem examination is being held today in Toronto following the death of a 1-month old baby boy from Dryden.


Dryden Police were notified Monday about the death of Christian Desgagne.

City Police have brought in the OPP North West Region Crime Unit and the Criminal Investigation Branch to help investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

New Website for Sioux Lookout Museum

The Sioux Lookout Museum has taken on new look in the form of a website.

The site was launched yesterday, and features various artifacts and pictures from the permanent collection.

Community Development and Communications Manager Brian MacKinnon says while the actual museum is relocating, the website will provide the same information.

“This is a way for the community to get a glimpse of the artifacts while they wait for the museum to be identified.”

The website is www.siouxlookoutmuseum.ca.

Plans for Mining Infastructure

A promising future for Northwestern Ontario.

Representatives of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are in Ottawa to meet with provincial leaders regarding issues and opportunities in the mining sector.

NOMA, along with other associations, is pushing the government to move forward with the initiative.

Vice President Dave Canfield says it would boost the local economy.

“Over the next 5-10 years, we could have about 10 mines in operation. They’re in the early stages now, so as long as the economy needs the metals, we can make this happen.”

NOMA is working with the province and first nations groups to make sure the issue gets addressed.

MPP Defends Teachers Bill

MPP Bill Mauro hopes some past goodwill is enough to ease any possible labour tensions with local teachers. 

Next week the McGuinty government will force a new contract on public school teachers in the province.

In defending passage of the bill, Mauro understands there could be some animosity but thinks teachers here will remember what the Liberals have done for education in the province.

West Nile Death Reported In Minnesota

There's been a death in Minnesota related to the west nile virus.

State health officials says the elderly woman was hospitalized earlier this month.


There are now 20 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne illness in our neighbouring state.


There have been no west nile positive mosquitoes trapped in Northwestern Ontario.

New Flu Strain Hits Our Neighbours

Minnesota has recorded its first confirmed case and a second probable case of a new flu strain that people can catch from pigs.

Health officials say both cases involve siblings who most likely were exposed when their family visited a live animal market in Dakota County earlier this month.

The new flu strain has been popping up across the United States but hasn't made its way to Northwestern Ontario.

Kenora MP Excited To Work With New NAN Leader

Congratulations continue to pour in for the new Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is the latest to welcome Harvey Yesno into the fold

Rickford says Yesno brings extensive knowledge and experience with respect to economics, policy and leadership skills.

Rickford is the Parliamentary Assistant for Aboriginal Affairs and he says he looks forward to strengthening the relationship with all 49 NAN communities.

LHIN Launches Online Health Survey

Your chance to say what's good or bad about health care in the Northwest and what the priorities should be, is just a mouse click away.

Laura Kokocinski is the CEO of the Northwest Local Health Integration Network and she says the health authority is launching another online survey.

Kokocinski says they want to ensure they are on the right track.

The survey questions focus on four key areas; accelerated integration of services, improved access to care, improved coordination of mental health and addictions services and chronic disease prevention and management.

All input gathered will be considered for a new 2013-2016 plan.

The survey will run for the next four weeks, and can be accessed at www.northwestlhin.on.ca