Suit against Nault dismissed

A lawsuit against former Indian Affairs Minister Bob Nault has been dismissed by
an Ontario Court Judge.

The Pikangikum First Nation brought the suit forward after a third party manager
was imposed on the community back on 2001.

Justice John Wright says Nault didn't actually ask for a third party manager,
instead he had lobbied his own department to discuss a co-management sitution.

The band argued that the imposition of a third party manager held up millions of
dollars worth of projects on Pikangikum, but Justice Wright says dismissed the bands
claims.

He says despite Nault's opposition to a third party manager, the decision to impose
one was appropriate.

Snowfall Warning Issued for Kenora

It looks like Kenora is going to ring in the new year with a big dump of snow.
A snowfall warning has been issued for the area, with as much as 20 centimeters
expected to fall in the next day or so.

Alicia Young is a meteorologist with Environment Canada and says Colorado Low is
heading our way.

Snowfall is expected to start this evening and continue until at least tomorrow morning.

Gravelle supports replacing NWO Emergency Field Officer

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle is backing calls in support of the emergency field officer in northwestern Ontario.


Gravelle says he's against his government's plan not to replace the current officer who retires soon.

Gravelle says he's lobbying Community Safety Minister Jim Bradley to have the decision reversed.

A number of communities across the region, including Kenora has passed resolutions demanding
the government fill the vacancy.

Canfield wants to kick-stat Common Ground Talks

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's eager to the see the Common Ground

Initiative on Tunnel Island get back on track in 2011.

The City of Kenora, Treaty Three and three area first nations are the main partners
in Common Ground, but development of a management plan has been on hold
for the past year and a half.

Canfield says its time for all the parties to sit down and get the process moving
again.

Negotiations over a management plan broke down over whether to include a
dispute resolution mechanism or not.

Kakegamic murder Conviction upheld

A man who was sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting and strangling a teenage girl in Kenora has had an appeal quashed.

James Kakegamic was convicted in 2005 of the first-degree murder
of 16-year-old Jocelyn McDonald in 2000.

Kakegamic, who was 22 at the time of the killing and is now serving a sentence of life with no chance of parole for 25 years, appealed his conviction.

He argued that the trial judge's private conversations during jury selection with potential jurors to discuss their personal reasons for not being able to serve meant he was improperly excluded from his own trial.

The Court of Appeal for Ontario agrees he was improperly excluded, but in dismissing the appeal, the court says Kakegamic suffered no prejudice because of that.

McDonald was last seen at a party in Kakegamic's apartment in
Kenora in October 2000 and her remains were discovered March 2001 near the apartment complex.

Still no Visitors are allowed in the Hospital

Hospital officials are still not letting Visitors into the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

That announcement wqas made before Christmas, and there still has been no changes made to that statement.

The only way any visitors are being let in is if you are going to visit someone who is in Palative Care or if someone is giving birth.

Northwest Local Health Intergration Network is taking a step towards electronic health records.

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is taking the first step towards creating electronic health records.

A pilot project called "Doorways" will mean information will follow mental health and addiction patients.

Spokesperson Dan Muraw says it's a vast improvement from the old system.

The project will include agencies in Thunder Bay before being expanded elsewhere.

MPP Howard Hampton says don't be Fooled by Deficit Plan

Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton says the public shouldn't be fooled by the province's plan reduce the deficit.

The plan, announced last week, included eliminating some government agencies.

Hampton says it's nothing more than window dressing.

Hampton says none of the agencies targeted for closures will have any impact on the public.

Year End in Politics not so Productive

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says he was hoping the past session of Parliament would have been a little more productive than it was.

Rafferty says too many pieces of legislation are being slowed from becoming law.


Rafferty says an affordable housing bill and his own private members bill on workers pensions are among two pieces of legislation he would have like dealt with quicker.

AGING AT HOME-FUNDING

Three long term care facilities in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts will be getting funding

to expand home-care services.


The Northwest Local Health Integration Network has promised 420 thousan dollars to extend

their Aging At Home initiative.


Laura Kokochinsi is CEO of the LHIN's and says the service is badly needed in the region.

The Pinecrest Home for the Aged will be getting 240 thousand dollars to provide home support

services for 20 people.


Kevin Queen is CAO of Pinecrest and says the money should ease the demand for beds in the

long term care facility.


Patricia Region Senior Services will be getting 60 thousand dollars under the program, while

Northwest Independant Services will receive 120 thousand dollars for a program in Rainy River.

Keeping Track of Santa Clause

NORAD will once again be tracking Santa's Progress for his Christmas Journey.

Both the Canadian and U.S. military defence oraganization will be teaming up with Google to keep an eye on Jolly Old Saint Nick.

To keep Santa safe NORAD will be using 4 CF-18 fighters to escort Santa into North American Airspace.

You can currently track Santa's progress at www.noradsanta.org as well as google earth.

Lighting of the Candles

A Christmas eve tradition will take place once again this afternoon.
Thousands of ice candles at Lake of the Woods Cemetary will be lit up.

Barb Manson is the city's parks supervisor and says before they begin lighting

the candles, local residents can drop by the cemetary for a special ceremony.
Manson says in addition to the hundreds of ice candles local residents purchased

at the cemetary,just as many will be placed by local residents who made their own.

OPP Hwy Tips

The OPP are reminding the motoring public to take it easy on area highways this winter.
Constable Carol Michtics says has these safety tips.
Michtics recommends calling for road conditions before heading out on the road.
The MTO's road conditions hotline is 1-800-268-4686.

Thistles End Their First Half of Season with Another Loss

The AAA Midget Thistles have lost their 15th game of the season.
They took to the ice last night after two alumni games last night at the Thistle arena.
The Thistles were down 3-0 going to the third period scoring two in an effort to make a late comeback, against the Eastman Selects.
Bowen Alcock scored a Power Play goal then potted another with 38 seconds left in the third.
The Eastman Selects scored another with one second to go to win 4-2.
The Thistles go into the Christmas break with a record of  11-15-0-2 for a total of 24 points.

Kenora sees Building Boom in 2010

The City of Kenora has seen a bit of a building boom this year, but it won't set any records.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says through the month of November there was over 28 million
dollars in building permits taken out.

Canfield says while it was an impressive year for construction, he suggests next year will be a little
quieter.

Some of the projects undertaken this year include the new fire hall, the Discovery Center in
Norman, the Headwaters Condo project and phase two of Downtown Revitalization.

Gas prices going up

You might get a bit of a surprise if you plan to fill up your car today.


Gas prices have jumped by six cents a liter in the past day.

Most service stations are now selling a liter of unleaded at 112.9 cents.

That's up from a dollar six yesterday.

The average price of gas across Canada today is a 109.2 cents a liter.

Kenora Midget's Alumni Reunion

Some familiar faces will be in the line-up today as the Kenora Triple "A" midget program

celebrates 25 years as a hockey club.

A pair of alumni games are scheduled this afternoon at the Kenora Rec. Center, prior to the
the Thistles game this evening.

Exhibition games featuring alumni midget players will take place at 4:00 and 5:30.

The Midget Thistles will take to the ice at 7:30 for their final league game of 2010, when they
take on the Eastman Selects.

Confederation College Expanding

Confederation College is expanding.

Starting next year it's regional campus network is going to include Red Lake and Wawa.

President Pat Lang says the expansion shows a commitment to the region


As of February, both campuses will offer full time programs in Office Administration along with construction and mining .

Wanted: President for NOMA

Dennis Brown says he's willing to stay on as the president of the
Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association if no-one else wants
the job.

The Atikokan mayor was appointed to the position on an interim basis
last month.

Brown says the NOMA executive will meet next month elect a new board
of directors.

Brown took over as president of NOMA last month after Anne Krassilowski was
defeated for the mayor's chair in Dryden.

Natural Gas Rates dropping in the new year

Finally some good news for cash-strapped homeowners in northwestern Ontario.


Union Gas says the cost of natural gas will be decreasing slightly to start the new year.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved a 2.3 cent per cubic meter drop in the
price consumers pay for natural gas.

Union Gas says for the average homeowner, the price to heat your home next year will
drop by about nine dollars.

Beach Boys Concert almost sold out

Less than two weeks after they went on sale, over 14 hundred

tickets for a Beach Boys concert next spring have been sold.

Kenora's Tourism Development Officer, Heather Paterson says as of

yesterday, they had just 87 tickets left.

The tickets for the June 15th concert on the Harborfront went on sale

December 10th.

Despite a computer glitch that prevented the Tourism Office from processing

ticket sales on-line, local residents have been clamouring for the ducats.

Just 15 hundred tickets were printed for the concert.

Hospital Imposes Visitor Restrictions

Some visitor restrictions have been put in place at Lake of the Woods District
Hospital.

Adminstration at the Hospital says an increase in the flu and respirator illness in
Kenora has forced them to restrict visitor access.

Effective yesterday only immediate family of terminal patient, the spouse of a
woman in labor, the parent of a child or immediate family of a critically ill
patient will be allowed to visit.

The hospital says the measures will be in place until further notice.

Kenora M.P. Ready for Spring Election

The M.P. for the Kenora Riding doesn't think there's any big need for an election
yet.

But Greg Rickford says he'll be ready to hit the campaign trail in the new
year if necessary.

Rickford says while an election is on the mind of the opposition parties, its not a sure
thing just yet.

There's been widespread speculation the election could come as soon as this spring,
after the government delivers its annual budget.

RCMP release more details on Dryden Firearms Seizure

Two Dryden men have been arrested following the seizure of 100-firearms and 50-prohibited knives from the Brandon Gun and Hobby Show on December 12th.


Rob Duttchen is a Detective with the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team and he provides details of the investigation.

Duttchen says the licenced dealer is 71-year-old Robert MacGillvary and Police say they have been investigating the sale of the prohibited weapons since the start of Fall.

The arrest led to the search warrant of MacGillvary's home on December 13th, which led to 11-charges against the accused.

The two men were held in custody and were released within 24-hours.

The name of the second man has not been released.

Officers seized several spring-loaded knives.

Another Scary incident on Greyhound Bus

A Greyhound Canada driver is being praised after fighting off a passenger who grabbed the steering wheel of a moving bus en route to Kenora from Winnigeg.


The incident happend last Friday night near Falcon Lake.

At about 10:15 p.m., the bus began swerving alarmingly from side to side on
the Trans-Canada Highway.

A passenger, who apparently wanted off the bus grabbed at the steering wheel.

Police say the driver was able to calmly kick the man away and keep control of the moving bus.

Two passengers then stepped in to grab him and hold the man.

RCMP were called to the roadside where a 24-year-old Alberta man was taken into custody.

No charges have been laid.

Police said the passenger was taken to a hospital to be checked out.

New Gateway Signage in Kenora Officially Unveiled

The rehabilitation of Highway 17 east and west of Kenora has officially been completed.

A ceremony to unveil the new gateway signage took place yesterday.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says funding for the project was included in the roughly eight  million dollars spent to fix up the east and west accesses into the city.

The signage cost about 50 thousand dollars to build and included work from a number of local contractors.

The final design was created by Mike Newton.

Roussin Appointed to KDSB

Councillor Louis Roussin will be the city's next representitive on the

Kenora District Services Board.

Council approved Roussin's nomination to the board at a special meeting Friday in council chambers.

Roussin will take over from Rory McMillan, who had been chair of the

District Services Board over the past couple of years.

Council also agreed to appoint mayor Dave Canfield as Roussin's alternate if he can't attend the board meetings.

Multiple Vehicle Accident closes Trans-Canada for five hours

Steady snow this weekend made for some slick road conditions in the Kenora area.

At one point, Highway 17 west of Kenora near the Ontario/Manitoba border was closed down Saturday night due to a multi-vehicle collision.

The OPP say four or five vehicles were involved in the accident near the intersection of the Shoal Lake Road.

The Trans-Canada was closed for about five hours while the wreckage was cleared.

There are reports that traffic was backed up all the way to Falcon Lake at one point.

The highway was finally re-opened around 1:30 Sunday morning.

Proposal for Norman Accessibility Park

Norman Park seems to be the next area of development for the City of Kenora.

City Council has approved a lenghty report which could make the park more accessible for peole with physical handicaps.

Councillor Sharon Smith its a worthwhile project that will not only enhance tourism, but benefit local residents.

The proposal calls for a low grade walking trail from Norman Park to the new Discover Center at Cameron Bay and along Lakeview Drive to the Dairy Queen, a splash pad and also new accessible washrooms.

The exact cost of the project won't be determined until tenders come back.

Food Costs increase in region

The Northwestern Health Unit says the cost for families in the Kenora-Rainy River district to eat healthy, nutritious food each month has risen 11 per cent over the past year.

Nutritionist Julie Slack says their healthy food basket survey shows it now costs 916 dollars.

She says unfortunately the increasing cost of food is forcing many to make unhealthy choices so they have money for other expenses.

Slack says while food prices continue to rise, incomes have not kept up at the same pace.

Midget Thistles win pair of home games

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles have won three of four games on their current five game home stand.

The Thistles took a pair from the Norman North Stars over the weekend.

Saturday night, the Thistles cruised to a 5-1 victory.

Friday night, the Kenora Midgets came back from a 2-0 deficit

and rallied for a 3-2 win over Norman.

The Thistles have one more game at home before the Christmas Break.

The Eastman Selects are in town Wednesday night.

Police Board Rules on Found Money

It turns out that there is such a thing as finders keepers in Kenora after all.

The Kenora Police Services Board has had a change of heart and will
be returning some money to a woman who found some cash in the city this past summer.

Initially, members of the police board talked about donating the money to a charity.

Mayor Dave Canfield says there is no incentive to turn in lost items, if the city is
just going to turn around and give it to someone else.

Its believed a woman found about four hundred dollars in cash on June 28th.

Since the money hadn't been claimed with in three months, the Police Board was asked
to decide what to do with it.

Tourist Resorts get NOHFC Funding

Three area businesses have received funding to make energy efficient changes.

Motlong's Camp in Sioux Narrows has been given a grant to convert to bio-diesel for use in its diesel vehicles.

Anishinabi Lodge in Vermilion Bay will install a self-contained solar electrical system as well as a wind

turbine.

The move will eliminate the reliance on the existing gasoline-powered generator.

Camp Lake St. Joseph in Pickle Lake will upgrade its current solar energy system to increase its power generation to 860-watts.

The money is from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Allan Cup to get more TV exposure

The 2011 Allan Cup in Kenora will get twice as much national exposure on television than previous national senior hockey championships.

Judy Bain is one of the members of the Allen Cup Committee and says they have received word from TSN that it plans to produce not only the final, but one other game during the week-long tournament.

Bain adds that the games will also be broadcast in High Definition.

The Allan Cup will take place April 11th to 16th.

City sets Recycling Targets

The City of Kenora is hoping to get closer to the provincial government's target for recycling

in the next couple of years.

Local residents currently recycle about 33 percent of their household waste.

Thats less than the provincial target of 60 percent, but still better than the average across Ontario of just 25 percent.

The Solid Waste Department's Waste Management Promotion and Education Plan was approved by Kenora City Council on Friday.

Solid Waste manager Mike Mostow says the plan sets out targets for increasing the amount of material being recycled locally.

Mostow adds that they will be meeting with officials from Waste Diversion Ontario in the new year to talk about Kenora's Recycling program.

He says currently, Waste Diversion Ontario provides about one third of the funding for their blue box programs, while the municipality picks up the rest.

The reports can be found on the Kenora re-use website.

Policing costs in Kenora to Rise in 2011

Its going to cost a bit more to police the City of Kenora next year.

The 2011 policing estimates were presented to the Police Services Board this week.

Inspector Dave Lucas says there's about a two percent increase next year.

The budget estimate for policing next year is 6.68 million dollars, which is largely due to a increase in employee salaries.

The estimate does not include another potential increase for officers based on a re-negotiated settlement for 2011.

Council holds special meeting this morning

The newly sworn in edition of Kenora City Council is going to be ready for a holiday break.

Councillor's have been fed a steady diet of meetings even before they

were sworn in on December 6th.

This morning, council will squeeze in one more meeting before the

new year.

A special meeting is scheduled for council chambers this morning at 10:00.

Items on the agenda include a waste recycling strategy for the city and a funding application for Norman Park.

Police Seize Guns in Dryden

A News Conference has been scheduled for 1 o'clock Monday afternoon in Winnipeg to discuss the circumstances behind a Monday night raid of a home in Dryden.

Dryden Police Detective-Sergeant Anne Tkachyk says the arrest of 71-year-old Robert McGillivray is an extension from an investigation conducted in Brandon, Manitoba.

Tkachyk says McGillivray faces 11-charges.

McGillivray has been released on numerous conditions and is due in Court on February 7th.

Con College nears completion of new building

Confederation college students will soon be getting a state of the art learning facility.

The College launched a fundraising campaign for the REACH building in Thunder Bay with a 250 thousand dollar contribution for a new Dental Clinic.

President Pat Lang says the building will cost about 22 million dollars. 

She says the new facility will give students an edge with top of the line hands on learning.

American fined for illegally hunting a black bear

A Colorado man has been fined 25-hundred dollars for shooting a black bear without a valid licence near Fort Frances.

Levi Larsen is banned from hunting in Ontario for a year after he was fined for unlawfully hunting a black bear, possessing a void licence and exporting the bear out of Ontario without a permit.

Court heard that Larsen tried to purchase a non-resident hunting licence on a number of occassions, but was denied by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

However, Larsen persisted and purchased a licence in another location and went on to shoot a bear.

Students Decorate LCBO Bags

Grade Four students across Kenora have been busy doing some artwork.

The students have been commissioned to decorate LCBO paper bags.

Constable Dave Cain says they asked the students to come up with their
own messages about not drinking and driving.

Cain says they'll have about 500 hundred of the specially designed bags

ready to hand out starting today.

Broncos and Saints hockey teams win at home

Colt Manson and Blake Lundin each scored hat tricks as the Thomas Aquinas Boys hockey team

trounced the Sioux Lookout Warriors 9-2 at the Thistle Rink.

T.A. improves to 2-0 in NorWOSSA single "a" league play.

Over in Keewatin, the Beaver Brae girls hockey team is now a perfect 8-0 on the season,

with a 3-1 win over Fort Frances.

Ainsly Lindquist, Haley Moncrieft and Jess Ricklefs each scored for the Broncos.

Broncos split games against Muskies

Beaver Brae's court sport teams started the second season in NorWOSSA with a split of their games against Fort Frances.

The Broncos were at home yesterday and the Senior Boys Basketball team was upended by a score of 68-30.

Beaver Brae's junior boys are in the win column with a 52-27 win over the Muskies.

The Broncos senior girls were stretched to the limit, but prevailed three sets to two against Fort.

The Beaver Brae junior girls lost in three straight sets.

Proulx Trial Wraps up after one day of testimony

There has been a lot of conflicting testimony at the trial of Helen Proulx.

The 39 year old Grassy Narrows woman faces charges of Assulting a Police Officer and having a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

Proulx was shot after brandishing a knife at Constable Kathrine Moyer.

Moyer told the court that the shot Proulx twice because she feared for her life.

Eye witnesses can't agree whether Proulx's weapon was a butter knife, a paring knife or a steak knife.

Witnesses also had different ideas of what Proulx was doing.

Some suggested she was trying to keep the police officer from taking her knife away

from her, while others suggested she was jabbing the knife in a threatening manner.

Proulx's Lawyer Greg Brodsky told the court that police don't shoot people because they

are intoxicated and don't shoot people because they want to commit suicide.

He says his client had no intent to hurt Constable Moyer and should be found not guilty.

Justice Jennifer Hoshizaki is expected to make her decision sometime in the new year.

International Falls man faces drug charges

An International Falls Man faces charges after attempting to cross into the U-S with marijuana taped to his body.

U-S Customs and Border Protection says the 24-year-old man was walking through the border crossing at International Falls Saturday at around 12:30.

Customs officers found the 46 grams of marijuana taped to the man's leg during a secondary examinations.

The man was later turned over the Koochiching County Sheriffs office for prosecution.

New Committee to look at Harborfront operations

The City of Kenora has set up a special committee to look at how to operate the Harborfront in the years to come.

The City's special events co-ordinator Buck Matiowski is due to retire next year and Tourism Kenora is taking responsibility for managing special events.

Sharon Smith is one of the members of the new committee and says they just want to make sure there is some continuity.

Smith says there are a number of programs such as the Green Team and Buck's Brigade that they need to decide how to operate in the future.

MP'S ready to head home for Christmas

Members of Parliament will finally get to go home after a long session in the

House of Commons.

Today is the last day before the Christmas Break.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford admits this has been a longer sitting than normal.

Rickford says he will be conducting a couple of constituency clinics early next
week in Kenora and Dryden before taking some time off for the holidays.

Trial of Helen Proulx Begins

"Kill me Cop, Kill me Cop".

Those were reportedly the words 39 year old Helen Proulx spoke before being shot twice in downtown Kenora on June 7th of this year.

The Grassy Narrows resident is on trial this week on four charges, including assaulting a police officer.

Constable Kathrine Moyer told the court this morning that when she came across Proulx just after 8:00 in the evening, she was cutting at her wrists and forearm in a slicing motion.

Proulx then took her knife and jabbed it into abdomen.

Moyer says she told Proulx at least six time to drop the knife, and only fired her firearm when Proulx began to jab it in her direction.

Testimony is continuing at the Kenora Court House.

ILevel Timberstrand Mill to take Christmas Downtime

A spokesperson for Weyerhaeuser won't confirm a new round of lay-offs at the ILevel Timberstrand Mill on the Jones Road.

There has been word that as many as four managers have been axed.

Wayne Rosnowsky says he can't comment on any specifics about their operations, but does says some business related changes have been made.

Rosnowsky does says the Trus-Joist Mill will be shut down for the Christmas holiday for a
week starting December 24th.

Evergreen Parents Fight School Closure

Parents with kids at Evergreen haven't given up their battle to save their school.

A 95 name petition has been sent to the Ministry of Education outlining concerns about  process the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board used to closed the school.

Patty Letourneau is a spokesperson for the parents groups and says they have filed a four page complaint to the ministry.

Letourneau admits its a long shot to save the school but is hoping they get a response from the Ministry of Education in the new year.

Enhanced 911 Service Expanded along Highway 71

First Nation communities along Highway 71 as well the Big Grassy First Nation are now enjoying enhanced 9-1-1 emergency services.


It eliminates the need for residents to call different numbers to access police, fire and ambulance services in times of emergency.

The province's Rural Economic Development Program provided partial funding to get the service established.

Treaty Three Applauds Mining agreements

The Grand Chief of Treaty 3 says increased interest by mining companies striking agreements with area bands is exciting.

Kelly says the signing of a Resource Sharing agreement between Osisko and several area bands is something that should be shared by others.

Kelly also issued caution about having to much mining activity that could make their lands not sustainable for the future.

Policing Costs on the Rise

Debate over policing in Northwestern Ontario has always been a hot topic and now Fort Frances is getting involved.

Concerns are being raised about the rising costs the of OPP service in the border community.

Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says the cost to contract police services has risen 19-percent over the past 4-years and could go higher with a recent wage settlement for officers.

The Kenora Detachment of the OPP is expected to present its 2011 budget forecast to the Police

Services Board this morning.

Treaty Three Police adds new officers

The Treaty Three Police Service has added four new constables, three sergeants, and one staff sergeant.

A swearing in ceremony was held this morning.

Chief of the police service, Conrad DelaRonde feels that its important to recognize the officers and the work that they are doing.

Terry Armstrong has also been sworn in as the new deputy chief of the aborigianl police service.

Council agrees to put out a tender for Harborfront Tent

Kenora city council is still stopping short of fully supporting the construction of a tent structure for the Harborfront.

Council last night gave the go ahead for the operation department to put out a tender for the project, but cost will ultimately determine whether the city moves ahead.

Councillor Sharon Smith says there isn't any money in the budget for the tent, and if the quotes come in way over their projections, they may not be able to proceed.

The cost to erect a permanent tent on the Harborfront has been estimated at 1.5 million dollars.

City Seeks 5 Million Dollar line of Credit

The City of Kenora may have millions of dollars socked away in reserves, but it doesn't have a lot of cash on hand.

That's forced city council to request a five million dollar line of credit.

Chair of the finance committee, Ron Lunny says this is the first time the
city has had to open a line of credit to pay off some of its outstanding bills.

Lunny says the city has traditionally kept between seven and ten million dollars in its checking account, but that's been depleted by a number of major projects going on in the city, including the new fire hall, the Paterson Medical Clinic and the downtown revitalization project.

Crackdown demanded on Illegal Taxis

The City of Kenora is being asked to crack down on illegal taxis operating in the community.

Tim Fullmer is one of the owners of Blue Taxi and says there are a number of vehicles operating both full and part time, that are not licenced by the city.

Fullmer says they've already talked to the OPP about the situation, and they want to launch a sting operation. 

Mayor Dave Canfield says they'll get the appropriate department in the city to deal with the issue.

Council Nominates Martin for Lakehead Fellowship

A Redditt resident has been nominated for a prestigious honor.

Kenora City Council has put forward Jack Martin's name a Lakehead University

fellowship.

Martin is a Lakehead graduate and has spearheaded the water treatment plant

project in Redditt and is one of the orginal founders of the Triple Play program.

Past nominees for the Lakehead fellowship include Rod Shewchuck and Don Parfitt.

Saints take three of four from Sioux Lookout

The Thomas Aquinas Saints took three of four games against the Sioux Lookout Warriors in court sport action.

The T.A. Senior boys basketball team eked out a 50-49 victory over the Warriors.

Alex Gamboa led the offense with 17 points.

The Saints junior boys had an easier time of it, cruising to a 57-34 win over Sioux Lookout.

Patrick Van Bellingham led all scorers with 19 points.

In girls volleyball, the T.A. senior girls won in three straight sets, while the Thomas Aquinas junior girls suffered the lone loss of the day. They were upset three sets to one by the Warriors.

Today, Rainy River is in town to take on the Saints in the last action for the teams before
the Christmas break.

One person injured in By-Pass Accident

The OPP say there were no serious injuries as a result of a single vehicle accident on the Kenora By-Pass.

The accident took place shortly after noon yesterday near the intersection of Beryl Winder Road.

Police say an eastbound vehicle lost control and struct the guard rails on the north side of Highway 17-A.

The vehicle flipped over, blocking both lanes of the road.

The By-Pass was shut down for about an hour while the wreckage was cleared.

The driver sustained only minor injuries as a result of the roll-over.

Contracts for Emergency Dispatch on Council Agenda

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department says its pleased with

they way emergency calls are being dispatched in the city.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman is recommending that city council extend a

contract with the Kenora Central Ambulence Communications Center.

Brinkman says it would cost a lot of money to try and provide the same type

of service in-house.

Brinkman says they budget about 50 thousand dollars a year for dispatching calls to the fire department.

Council is expected to endorse the five year contract at tonight's open meeting.

Saints Girls Senior Volleyballers win gold

The Thomas Aquinas Senior Girls Volleyball team  is starting to hit mid-season form, even though the NorWOSSA regular season is just a couple of weeks old.

The Saints were in Thunder Bay for the Westgate spike-off.

T.A. topped the field of 13 teams entered in the two day tournament.

Thomas Aquinas went through the round robin with a 10-2 win/loss record then proceeded to win their quarter-final and semi-finals.

The Saints met up with Dryden in the gold medal match and T.A. ended up sweeping the Eagles in two straight games, to win the event.

Thomas Aquinas Court sport teams are back in action today with Sioux Lookout in town.

Morningstar Center Gets Funding for Housing Project

Lake of the Woods District Hospital and the Morningstar Center are gettinding for a new

supportive housing project in Kenora.

The project is aimed at people with addictions issues.

Patti Dryden-Holmstrom is with the Morningstar Center and says they will be getting annual funding of 84 thousand dollars to provide supportive housing for up to eight people.

Dryden-Holmstrom says they will be working with an existing program already being provided
in the community.

The funding was announced recently by the Northwest Local Health Integration Network.

Emergency Dispatch Contract presented to Council

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department says its pleased with they way emergency calls are being dispatched in the city.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman is recommending that city council extend a

contract with the Kenora Central Ambulence Communications Center.

Brinkman says they budget about 50 thousand dollars a year for dispatching calls to the fire department.

He says the Communications Center is a state of the art facility and has worked

very well since it was opened a couple of years ago.

Council is expected to endorse the five year contract at tonight's open meeting.

MPP's head home for Christmas Break

Members of the Ontario Provincial Parliament are back in their home ridings after

a tumultuous session adjourned for the Christmas Holidays.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton says two recent reports released last

week show the McGuinty Government is increasingly out of touch with the residents

of Ontario.

With an election looming next fall, Hampton says the next sitting of the Legislature

will likely be just as lively.

M.P.P.'s don't return to Queen's Park until late February.

City Daycare rates rising

Parents who have their kids enrolled in the city run daycare facility will have to

pay a bit more in the new year.

Kenora City Council is expected to approve a dollar a day increase for the Castle of

Learning and Discovery Children's Center starting January 1st.

Rates will increase to 30 dollars a day.

Chair of the Community Services Committee, Charito Drinkwalter says the rates are in line

with other agencies and municipally run day care centers in the region.

Council is planning to approve the rate increase at tonight's open meeting.

Weekend hockey results

The Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team just missed out on a medal at a tournamentin Kilarney, Manitoba over the weekend.

The Saints finished fourth out of eight teams entered in the tournament.

T.A. lost 5-2 to Minnedosa in the Bronze medal game.

The Saints play their home opener on Thursday night against Sioux Lookout.

Beaver Brae's boys hockey team continues to have a tough time winning in Fort Frances.

The Muskies downed the Broncos 4-1 Friday night.

Beaver Brae meets up with Fort against tomorrow night in the back end of their
home-and home series.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Triple "a" senior Thistles split their games over the
weekend.

Saturday, the Thistles were in Grunthal to take on the Southeast Prairie Thunder
and were thumped 7-1.

Friday night, the Kenora Seniors beat the Fort Frances Thunder Hawks 5-3.

Jeff Richards had goals in both games.

The Thistles are off until the new year.

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles split their games against the Brandon Wheat Kings

at home this weekend.

Yesterday the Kenora Midgets were edged 5-4 by the Wheat Kings.

Saturday, the Thistles upended Brandon 7-4.