New Family Physicians Practicing in Kenora

Two new physicians in Kenora will be taking new patients in the new year.

Randy Belair from the Paterson Medical Centre says they are setup at the Clinic but there are some changes slowing down how physicians can accept new patients.

Belair wants to remind anyone without a family physician to register with healthcare connect online at  http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/healthcareconnect/public/

Senior Thistles back in Action this Weekend

The Kenora Triple "a" Senior Thistles will see their first action in almost a month.

The Thistles are in Williston, North Dakota for a pair of games this weekend.

Thistles head coach, John Tressor says they are trying to pick up more games in the new year.

The Thistles will play the Williston State Tetons tomorrow night and then again on Sunday afternoon.

NOTO Executive Cites Tough Times for Resignation

The executive director of Nature and Outdoor Tourism in Ontario is stepping down.

Doug Reynolds says that the outdoor tourism industry is taking quite a hit, and that NOTO is going through a restructuring process.

Reynolds adds that times are tough.

Reynolds will remain as director until the end of January.

Health Unit Issues Holiday Safety Tips

The Northwestern Health Unit has some safety reminders this holiday season.

Health Promoter Jessica Kivell says that when purchasing toys for children, pay attention to the age guidelines.

She adds that they are based on safety, not the intelligence or skill level of a child.

Other reminders include keeping candles away from children, and only have soft, unbreakable decorations low on the Christmas tree.

Funds Being Sought for Legion Repairs

A northwestern Ontario MP wants to give Royal Canadian Legion easier access to funds for repairs to their buildings.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River's John Rafferty is proposing the federal government set up an infrastructure renewal fund that would match what ever dollars Legion's can raise for upgrades.

Rafferty make his request in a motion put forward in the House of Commons earlier this week.

Girls Hockey Tournament This Weekend

Girls hockey is once again center stage this weekend.

The K-Town Classic features seven teams with players under the age of 19.

The tournament began last night with the K-Town Storm blanking the Thomas Aquinas Saints 2-0.

Maddie Trudeau and Eve Charlebois scored for the Storm, while Aryn Puls earned the shutout.

The tournament continues today at the Kenora Rec. Center and will wrap up Sunday afternoon with the championship game.

Kenora Vacancy Rate Increases

The vacancy rate in Kenora has gone up.
The rate has increased to 5.5 percent in the annual report by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Warren Philip is a market analyst and says the numbers suggest people are moving out of rental units.

Philip adds that this years increase of half a percent will benefit people looking for rent in the city.

Kenora Transit Looks to Purchase New Buses

Kenora's Transit system could be boasting a couple of new buses next year.

The city is in the market for one bus for the conventional transit system, and another for Handi-Transit.

The city's fleet manager, Mike Mostow says the good news is federal gas tax funding should cover most of the cost of purchasing the new vehicles.

Mostow says it will take almost a year to take delivery of the new buses if council approves the purchase at next week's open meeting of council.

Quebec Man Faces Charges in West Highway Accident

A 34 year old Quebec man faces charges in connection to a multiple-vehicle accident on Highway 17 west of Kenora.

The accident took place yesterday morning near Inglis Lake closed the Trans-Canada Highway down for more than three hours.

The OPP say a westbound semi swerved into the eastbound lane to avoid a collision with another westbound transport.

Police say the tractor trailor unit ended up colliding with a couple of passenger vehicles in the eastbound lane and before crashing into traffic in the westbound lane.

A total of three people had to be transported to Lake of the Woods District hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The driver of the westbound transport has been charged with careless driving.

Development Commission Supports Sale of Lakewood

The Lake of the Woods Development Commission is pleased to see the proposal for an adult education center at Lakewood School is moving forward.

Earlier this week, the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board approved the sale of the school property to Seven Generations.

Geordie McEwen has been involved in the project from the beginning and says having more post-secondary opportunities in the city is a big bonus.

McEwen adds the commission is also looking to assist the ownership group to create a new student housing complex on the Lakewood property.

Winnipeg Reconsiders Resale of Shoal Lake Water

The International Joint Commission is putting the kibosh on a plan by the City of Winnipeg to sell water it takes from Shoal Lake.

Winnipeg had planned to sell the water to a couple of nearby communities.

But the IJC the plan is inconsistant with its century old agreement.

Chief of Shoal Lake #40 First Nation, Erwin Redsky says they warned the City over a year ago that they did not have the right to use their land or the water for profit.

He says they will oppose any further application by the City of Winnipeg to the IJC.

Council Debates the Merits of New Logo

Some debate about whether the City of Kenora should embrace a new logo unveiled by the Brand Leadership Team.

A report to council this week suggests all old city logos should be phased out in favour of the new boating logo.

Mike Mostow is the city's fleet manager and says its not going to be cheap to change all the city-owned vehicles over to the new logo.

Council has agreed to a very slow, phase-in of the new logo, implementing it only when current supplies and vehicles need replacing.

This is the city's third logo in the past 12 years.

Winnipeg Woman Arrested on Trafficking Charges

A Winnipeg woman is in custody after police seized 10 thousand dollars worth of morphine pills.

Last Thursday, members of the Dryden Provincial Police, Sioux Lookout Provincial Police and Dryden Police Drug Action team arrested 22-year-old Destiny Bluecoat of Winnipeg for posession for the purpose of trafficking.

Police says she remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

Report Concerned About Aboriginal Health Care

A report released by the Health Council of Canada says many Aboriginal people aren't seeking mainstream health care.

The report highlights some of the reasons why, and key points that are working towards positive change.

C.E.O. John Abbott says racisim and stereotypes play a major part in why people aren't seeking the medical attention they need.

Abott says it will take the healthcare leadership such as ministers and CEO's to make sure the message is consistent.

New Graduates for the Nishinabe Aski Police

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is welcoming five new officers.

Chief Claude Chum will be presenting badges at a ceremony on Friday.

The graduating officers are Trent Abernot, Graham Cotter, Aaron Dodge, Evan Polini and Peter Schoenfeld.

Tree of Life Celebrates 25 Years

The Hospital's Tree of Lights hits a major milestone this year.

The fundraiser for the Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation turns 25 this year.

Jess Rheault is the managing director of the Foundation and says this year they are selling special 25 dollar light bulbs for the tree.

Last year, the Tree of Life raised more than 50 thousand dollars for the Hospital Foundation.

O.P.P Re-open Highway 17 West of Kenroa

O.P.P have re-opened Highway 17 West of Kenora.

The highway was closed just before 12:00 do to multiple accidents int he area.

Constable Dave Cain is advising drivers to avoid highway travel if possible and to use caution on all area roads.

Fort Frances Looks at Town's Economic Future

The mayor of Fort Frances says his town is working diligently to minimize the impact felt by the indefinite idling of the kraft mill and a paper machine at Resolute Forest Products.

Roy Avis says it includes forming a council sub-committee that look at the town's economic future under his direction.

Avis says council's also had talks already with Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle; Northern Development Parliamentary Assistant Bill Mauro and company officials.

12 Days of Fire Safety

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department is counting down the 12 days of Christmas.

A new safety campaign is being launched, reminding local residents to be fire smart.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says each day of the campaign they will have a new safety tip.

Brinkman says a house fire last week in the Lakeside area is a good reminder to have your chimney inspected, and ensure its clear of any hazards like creosote build-up.

School Board Approves Lakewood Sale

The dream of turning Lakewood School into an adult education center is still alive.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board approved the sale of the elementary school to Seven Generations at last night's inaugural board meeting for 1.4 million dollars.

Director of Education, Jack McMaster says he's glad the sale is finally going through.

With the sale of Lakewood, the public school board officially rescinded the closure of Evergreen School.

Instead, Lakewood will close as an elementary school at the end of this school year.