Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Crimestoppers Program

Some changes have been made to the operation of the Crimestoppers program in northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota.

An executive director has been hired to work along side the OPP co-ordinator of the program.

Doug Anderson was hired a couple of weeks ago by the board of Crimestoppers and says he'll focus on forging new partnerships in the region.

Joel Stoliker is the new OPP co-ordinator of Crimestoppers replacing Garry Potter.

Bill Harrington of Dryden has been appointed vice-chair of the program.

ATV and Hunting Safety

The Kenora Detachment of the OPP are reminding the public to be safe this hunting season.

Along with earing blaze orange, and respecting private property you should also know the rules of using an ATV.

Constable Dave Cain says ATV's are very popular during the fall hunting season and that they are not permitted on Highway 17.

OPP Award

An OPP officer from the Aboriginal Policing Bureau is being praised for his work in the community of Pikangikum.

Seargent Jeff Simpkins received an award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police for his Cops and Kids program.

The North of 50 COPS and KIDS provides first nation youth with an opportunity to have a positive interaction with pro-social members of their community.

The goal is to build capacity among the youth by having fun, learning healthy lifestyle choices, and establishing meaningful bonds with community members.

Dryden Mining

A second round of drilling has begun on Treasury Metals Goliath Property near Dryden.

The diamond drilling program has been designed to concentrate on shallow targets in the
western and northeastern extensions of the Thunder Lake Gold Deposit.

The goal of the program is to add gold ounces to the properties current mineral resource.

Impaired by drugs

Kenora OPP conducted RIDE checks over the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Officers stopping vehicles on Darlington Drive noted a strong smell of lacquer when speaking with the driver of a vehicle.

The driver was exhibiting signs of impairment.

After conducting field sobriety tests the driver was charged with impaired driving.

32 year old Frederick Patton of Kenora will attend court on January 18th to answer the charge.

Lock It or Lose It

The OPP are reminding the public to Lock it or lose it.

Over the long weekend officers were called to unlocked vehicles where property was stolen.

In four separate incidents cash, wallets and purses were stolen by suspects looking for an easy grab.

Police not that last week one local resident had two vehicles stolen.

One was in the garage while the other was parked outside.

Keys although not in the ignition were left in the vehicles.

The OPP are asking residents to use common sense and lock up their personal property.

Mills Federal Program

Abitibi-Bowater is one of 24 mills to qualify for Canada's version of the United States black liquor program.

Under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, Abitibi-Bowater will qualify for more than 33-million dollars from the fund at both its Thunder Bay and Fort Frances mills.

While no details have yet been released how the company will use the money, the program requires qualifying mills to finance environmental upgrades.

In Dryden, the Domtar pulp operations are eligible for 47 million dollars under the Federal program.

Golf Course

The Kenora Golf and Country Club was vandalized over the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Sometime Friday night, someone drove a vehicle through the Golf course damaging the grounds.

Suspects also removed the flag from the #4 green.

Anyone with information on this incident can call the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Safe Communities Kenora

Kenora is working towards preventing injuries.

The municipality joined the Safe Communities Canada organization several years ago and has
started up several safety initiatives since then.

National President Paul Kells says Kenora is a very safe community, scoring 18 out of 20 on their national report card.

Kells says the city should be proud of its high ranking.

Pickle Lake Arrest

A 41-year-old Sandy Lake First Nation man has been charged in relation to a break and enter in Pickle Lake.

While on patrol early Friday morning, OPP found the front door to a local convenience store forced open.

Police investigated and found the accused inside the vacant store eating several items.

OPP arrested and charged Joseph Loon.

Loon will appear in court next month.