Kenora OPP Seize Percocet Pills

The OPP have charged 2 Manitoba men with drug charges.

57 year old Dean Fagnan and 68 year old Abie Parenteau were arrested on Friday last week after police pulled their vehicle over on Highway 17.

Police found 452 Percocet pills valued at 45 hundred dollars.

Both have been charged with trafficking a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

They will answer to the charges in May.

Police ID Man Found in Washagamis Bay

Police have identified the body of a man found dead inside a Washagamis Bay First Nation residence last weekend.

Treaty 3 Police confirm that 39 year old Matthew Cherry of Washagamis Bay was found Saturday afternoon.

A post mortem was performed yesterday at the Lake of the Wood District Hospital.

Police say the death is not suspicious.

The investigation is continuing with assistance from the OPP's Northwest Region Crime Unit and Forensic Identification unit.

Boil Water Advisory Not Going Away

Despite some warm weather water issues continue to be problem number 1 for the city of Kenora.

However no new water main breaks have been reported since Friday on Tenth street in Keewatin.

Crews are continuing to repair breaks on 5th Avenue North, 1st Street South, 2nd Street South, and River Drive.

Along with the water mains there is still a large water list waiting list of frozen water lines to thaw.

The boil water advisory remains in effect for the entire city.

Nominations Sought for Influential Women Awards

A unique awards program for woman is accepting nominations.

The Influential Women of Northern Ontario awards will be presented in June.

Spokesperson Kimberley Wahamaa says along with six awards to be given out, they're also offering up a scholarship.

The awards have also been expand to include new categories in aboriginal leadership, tradeswoman and community trailblazer.

To more information visit www.influentialwomen.ca

KPDSB Downplays Fraser Report

The Director of Education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is firing back at the Fraser Institute and its lastest report on student achievement.

The right-wing think tanked ranked area High Schools near the bottom of the list in student achievement.

Sean Monteith is inviting Author Peter Cowley to a visit of our schools.

Monteith notes the graduation rate is well above the provincial average.

Thunder bay Tackles Dementia

Thunder Bay will be one of the many communities to push for the Federal Government to create a national dementia strategy.

Councillor Andrew Foulds says the cause is gaining traction with 102 communities in Ontario passing a resolution on the issue.

Canada is currently the only G8 country to not have a strategy in place.

Winter Carnival Wraps Up

Another Winter Carnival has come and gone in Kenora.

The Great Canadian Canoe race wrapped up festivities of Sunday.

Jacob Jeswiet of the winning 4-some says it was quite the challenge.

Meanwhile the Brooms for beds funspiel hosted by CJRL raised just over $3500 for the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

Police Investigate Washagamis Death

A death on Washagamis Bay First Nation is under investigation by the Treaty 3 Police.

A 39 year old man was pronounced dead inside a residence on Saturday after police were called.

A post mortem exam is taking place today at the lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The investigation is being assisted by the OPP's Northwest Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Unit.

The man's name has not been released at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP or Crimestoppers.

City Supports Private Member's Bill

City Council is trying to lower property taxes by changing the rules surrounding joint and several liability.

Current rules can see municipalities held fiscally responsible for traffic accidents such as hitting a pothole while speeding.

Mayor Dave Canfield says a resolution passed last month is calling for a level playing field.

The Private members bill tabled by MPP randy Pettapiece is currently before the legislature.

Elk Not Affected by Weather

The harsh winter conditions aren't expected to affect the elk population in northwestern Ontario.

Elk were released into the Cameron Lake area southeast of Kenora about 15 years ago.

Murray English is the co-chair of the Elk Restoration Committee and says the animals are pretty well adapted to surviving deep snow.

English says the elk population ranges between 40 to 50 animals, but they do see more calves every year.

KDSB Upgrading Homelessness Plan

The Kenora District Services Board says it's continuing to work on it's Homelessness Plan.

The Board recently submitted it's 10 year plan to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Dan McNeil is the Chief Administrative Officer and admits ministry officials found their plan waning.

McNeil says they are working to fill out the plan, providing time lines for certain goals to be completed.

Ministry Focused on All Mining Projects

The Ring of Fire may be get all of the attention, but Ontario's Mine's Minister says he has a good sense of the other mining projects that could be in production well before that in the remote north.

Among them, New Gold's project north of Barwick which the company says is prepared to start construction next year.

Michael Gravelle says the Ministry's not ignoring those other projects.

Gravelle adds his Ministry is working well with New Gold and shares in the excitement of the economic opportunities.

Broncos Win Bronze in Boys Hokcey

Another medal for the Beaver Brae boys hockey team.

This weekend the Broncos took bronze at the tournament of champions.

Cole Forsyth and Adam Withers each had a pair of goals as the team doubled up Thunder Bay's Westend Bruins 4-2 for the medal.

It was another mark to end a strong season for Beaver brae after winning silver in NorWOSSA league play.

Kenora Wrestler Wins Bronze

A Beaver Brae wrestler is coming home from OFSAA with a medal.

Tyanna Carpenter used the momentum of a great season to finish with a bronze medal in her weight class.

In her second provincial championship Carpenter fought her way to a 6-1 record.

Her only loss came to the eventual gold meadlist.

Water Main Break Strikes West Side of City

Another water main break in the city.

This time it's affecting the communities of Keewatin and Norman.

The sewer and water department has confirmed the break in the area of Tenth Street.

As a result Firefly Child Care at Cameron bay will be closed for the day.

Reports have come in that water is returning to the affected areas.

The city wide boil water advisory remains in effect.

KDSB Takes Government to Task Over Patient Transfers

Pressure is being put on the provincial Government once again to address the issue of land ambulance non-emergency patient transfers.

Kenora District Services Board Chair Barry Baltessen says they are sending strongly worded letters to both the Ministry of Health and the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

Baltessen says the LHIN has received 5-separate reports on the financial impact of transfers but stresses nothing has been done about it.

Rickford Angry at Rifle Changes

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he's doing everything in his power to overturn an RCMP decision to reclassify a sporting gun that is common in northwestern Ontario.

The Swiss Arm SG550 and SG551 have been deemed prohibited.

Rickford says local residents are outraged with the decision.

The Minister of State says the RCMP hasn't announced what gun owners should do with the rifles after purchasing them in good faith.

More Power to be Given to Ombudsman

The provincial Liberals says they want to bring more accountability and oversight to government and the broader public sector.

The Liberals intend to introduce legislation that includes new powers for Ontario Ombudsman and more oversight of spending of provincially-funded agencies.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says it's been a commitment of her's since taking office.

The legislation also calls for the creation of a new patient Ombudsman to investigate complaints specific to hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Conservatives Focus on Math Scores

Back to basics.

That's the Conservatives plan for improving math scores in Ontario.

Tory Critic Rob Leone says the Conservatives have come out with a Math Achievement Action Plan to address falling test scores.

Recent EQAO test results show math scores across the province have dropped in the past couple of years.

Time to Spring the Clocks Forward

It's a sure sign spring is coming.

Daylight savings time begins on Sunday.

It means you will have to push your clock ahead an hour when you go to bed Saturday night.

Cell phones, laptops, computers will automatically update.

However, don't forget to change your oven, microwave, automatic timer light or car clocks.