Crews Continue Battle Against Snow and Water Lines

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield is asking for patience when it comes to winter operations.

Canfield says the city is working at it's maximum amount to keep up with the snow fall.

He said that they will continue working the maximum amount of allowed hours, noting the city is spending around $60,000 over budget weekly on snow removal.

Also today the city sent out an advisory regarding frozen and broken water lines.

The city is asking anyone that may be susceptible to freezing lines to keep taps running in hopes of prevent any further problems.

Kenora Airport Gets Funding

The Kenora Airport is getting some funding to improve communication to pilots.

The federal government is providing 36 thousand dollars for a Runway Condition Reporting System.

Airport manager Mike Zroback says it will allow them to provide almost instantaneous landing conditions via computer.

 Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford announced the funding from the Airports Capital Assistance Program
this morning.

Search Warrant Leads to Drug Charges

Kenora OPP have taken 17 grams of cocaine of the streets.

Police executed a search warrant on Friday were they seized the drugs, valued at 14 hundred dollars, along with some cash.

34 year old Clayton Ogden and 32 year old Derek Ogden both of Kenora are now facing charges.

Clayton is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking while Derek is facing possession of cocaine.

Both men will appear in Kenora Court next month.

School Buses Rolling This Morning Despite Snow

Kenora residents are digging out again today after yet another Alberta Clipper.

The Kenora Airport is reporting 12.6 centimeters of snow yesterday, making it the largest snowfall for February 17th.

In the meantime, the Northwest Student Services Consortium says it's buses will be running as usual this morning despite all the snow on Family Day.

The buses may be running slightly behind scheduled in some areas though because some side roads, particularly in the Kenora area still have not been plowed.

Campbell Gears Up for New Session At Queen's Park

Kenora Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is being regional concerns back to Queen's Park.

Today marks the return of the legislature after the winter break.

Campbell says she has been out and about listening to residents.

Campbell says she will continue to hold transportation minister Glen Murray to his promises.

OPP To Launch New Program on Pikangikum

The Deputy Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police will be in Thunder Bay today to discuss a new partnership with the National Crime Prevention Center.

Sergeant Shelley Garr of the OPP says it's called Project Journey and it will help the youth of Pikangikum.

The project is aimed at Aboriginal youth-at-risk between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age.

The program will be unveiled at 10 o'clock at the OPP Northwest Region Headquarters.

Police Confirm Four Fatalities in New Osnaburgh Fire

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Force are confirming that a house fire in the community of New Osnaburgh, is responsible for four deaths.

The service along with several other agencies have located four bodies.

The investigation is ongoing with post-mortem examinations taking place in Toronto later this week.

Job Fair Returns to Kenora

Need a job? Tired of the one you have? Or just interested to see what's out there?

If you said yes to any of those questions then the 3rd Annual Employment Outreach Career Fair is for you.

Josee Mantle is with the Kenora District Services Board and says the job fair will be hitting Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Kenora starting on February 25th.

Mantle says some 17 employers will be in attendance and those who attend should bring their resume.

Dates: Dryden February 25th 10-3 Dryden Training Center; Sioux Lookout February 26th 10-3 Legion; Kenora February 27th 10-3 Seven Generations Institute

Ontario Nurses Want Changes for LHIN's

A total of seven recommendations have been made to change the face of the Local Health Integration Networks.

The call for change is being made by the Ontario Nurses Association.

Vicki McKenna says they know there's a severe shortage of registered nurses.

McKenna adds health and safety procedures and regulations should be included in any accountability agreement.

Driven To Quit Challenge Deadline Looming

The deadline to enter the Driven to Quit Challenge is fast approaching.

You have until February 28th to register.

It's the Canadian Cancer Society contest that encourages smokers to quit the habit for at least the month of March.

Senior Coordinator at Smokers Helpline, Naomi McNeill says participants can win a new vehicle or cash prizes up for grabs.

Deadline to enter is February 28 and is made through the contests website or by calling the Canadian Cancer Society's smokers helpline: DriventoQuit.ca  or smokershelpline.ca

Province Hires Firm to Create ROF Development Corporation

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says his government is hiring the firm Deloitte LLP to help establish the Ring of Fire development corporation.

The firm will act as a neutral, third-party resource for First Nations, the provincial and federal governments and industry.

They will also work with Ring of Fire partners to set clear paths and timelines for decision-making and seek out the next steps.
       

Bronco Girls Win Morden Tournament

Beaver Brae's girls hockey team is starting to peak at just the right time.

The Broncos took top honors at a tournament in Morden, Manitoba over the
weekend.

Beaver Brae won the gold after downing the host Morden Mavericks 5-0 in
the A-side final.

The Broncos finish off the NorWOSSA regular season on the road tonight in
Sioux Lookout against the Warriors.

Midget Thistles Lose/PeeWee Thistles Win Playoff Openers

It's do or die for the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles.

The Thistles trail their best-of-five series against the Winnipeg Thrashers two games
to none, after a 4-3 loss Sunday at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The Kenora Midgets will try to keep the series alive tomorrow night, when they return toWinnipeg for game three.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Double "a" PeeWee Thistles are off to a good start in their best-of-three Eastman play-off series.

The PeeWee Thistles upended Niverville 7-2 on Sunday and lead the series one game to none.

Jacob Frankcom had a five goal game for the Thistles.

The Kenora PeeWee squad can wrap up the series this Saturday afternoon in Niverville.

Smash and Bash Social

The Kenora Roller Derby League is working to host a bout later this year.

Spokesperson Bayley Zilinski says they are hosting a fundraising social this Saturday to raise funds to bring 3 teams in for the bout.

Zilinski says the league is also hoping to bring in a coaching team to provide lessons and tips to players, along with advice on how to grow the league.

Tickets for the Crash and Bash Social are $10.

The is at 8:00 at the Lake of the Woods Brewery.

Free Trail Permit Weekend

Break out that snow machine and hit the trails.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs are hosting a free permit weekend.

Spokesperson Gail Sayers says the deal runs all weekend long beginning Saturday and running through Monday evening.

The free permits can be printed off the OFSC website at www.ofsc.on.ca/

Four People Dead in New Osnaburgh Fire

Four people are dead as the result of a house fire this week on the New Osnaburgh

The Assembly of First Nations revealed the death toll in a news release which National Chief Shawn Atleo expresses condolences to the community following the tragic blaze.

The Ontario Fire Marshall is expected to begin its investigation today.
First Nation south of Pickle Lake.

Ontario Family Fishing Begins at Midnight

A chance to shake off the winter blahs this weekend.

This is Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, and you don't need a licence
to put a line in the water.

Rachel Pearson is with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and since it's been such a cold winter says you shouldn't have to worry about poor ice conditions.

Pearson says there are events taking place all weekend long to take advantage of Ontario Family Fishing, but stresses conservation limits apply if you are fishing without a licence.

Radar Runs This Weekend

Bragging rights will be on the line at the 1st Annual Kenora Snowmachine Radar Runs.

Bruce McGregor is the event organizer and says they have some nice prizes lined up as well.

Registration is 50 dollars per sled, and guarantees 5 runs.

The radar runs take to the MNR landing starting tomorrow and are free to attend.

Liberals Shut Out in Two By-Elections

Not a good night for the Liberals in two provincial by-elections.

Kathleen Wynne's party was shut out in both Niagara Falls and Thornhill.

The New Democrats took the Niagara Falls Riding, while the Conservatives held onto Thornhill.

Gila Martow won in Thornhill, maintaining the riding for the Progressive Conservatives, while the NDP's Wayne Gates won in Niagara Falls, a riding formerly held by the Liberals.

The results don't change the status of the minority Liberals in the Ontario Legislature and Wynne vowed the losses will not be repeated in a general election, which come as early as this spring.

Rickford Defends Budget/FedNor Funding

A bit of a war of words has broken out between two M.P.'s from northwestern Ontario over funding for FedNor.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says a claim from Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty that FedNor was ignored in the Federal budget is a "bold face lie".

Rickford says the NDP should take some time to read the entire budget.

The minister responsible for the regional economic agency says he continues to make the rounds in the area making FedNor announcements.