Leo Bernier Passes Away

He was called the Emperor of the North.

Legendary provincial politician Leo Bernier has passed away at the
age of 81.

Bernier represented the old Kenora riding from 1966 to 1987.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton says Bernier will be fondly
remembered.

Bernier served as Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister of
Lands and Forests in the governments of Bill Davis and Frank Miller.

Weekend forest fires

Despite cool, rainy conditions over the weekend, MNR fire crews had to

battle a number of new wild fires in the region.

Most of the action has been in the far north in the Sioux Lookout and
Nipigon Districts.

One new fire is burning about five kilometers north of Muskrat Dam.

Its about 24 hectares in size and is not under control.

Fire crews were also notified about some day burning taking place
on Lake of the Woods.

While campfires are allowed during the day, brush and grass burning is
not.

The fire hazard is listed as low to moderate across much of the region,
but high in the far north.

Treaty Three upset at charges

Grand Council Treaty #3 says its disappointed that the OPP have filed charges

against a 39 year old Grassy Narrows woman following a confrontation with
police in downtown Kenora.

Helen Proulx was shot after she brandished a knife at an officer on June 7th.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says the charges betray the spirit of discussions they
have been having with the OPP regarding the shooting incident.

Inspector Dave Lucas of the Kenora Detachment says he met with the Grand Chief
and the chief of Grassy Narrows, prior to the charges being laid.

Public school Principals and VP's get raise

Principals and vice-principals with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board will be getting raises this year.


At a special board meeting this week, trustees approved wage increases in line with what unionized staff will get.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says the salary increases are not included in the province's wage freeze legislation.

Carrie says the wage increases will amount to about three percent this year.

OPP respond to Treaty Three

The OPP say they have been meeting with local aboriginal leaders about their
concerns following the shooting of a 39 year old Grassy Narrows woman in
downtown Kenora earlier this month.

Inspector Dave Lucas of the Kenora Detachment says he met with both the chief of
Grassy Narrows and the Grand Chief of Treaty Three last week.

The shooting of Helen Proulx is still under investigation by the SIU.

She was charged last week with assaulting a police officer, uttering
threats and possessing a weapon dangerous to the public.

Roads open after wash outs

Two roads in the Kenora area that were washed out over the weekend are are open
to traffic this morning.

Highway 525 to Whitedog was closed part of yesterday due to a washout about two
kilometers north of the Minaki Highway.

Its now listed at open.

Highway 671 to Grassy Narrows is also open after being washed out
about 58 kilometers north of the Kenora By-Pass.

NOSM Strat Plan Released

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has a vision for the next five years.

Officials have taken the wraps off the new strategic plan.

Dean Dr. Roger Strasser says that the priorities include enhancing the schools education program and research plans

Dr. Strasser believes the goals are achievable.

The medical school places eight second year students in Kenora each year as part of its training program. 

Public School Board Plans Budget Review

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is planning to do a complete
review of its finances this fall.

That in the wake of a 1.5 million dollar deficit in this year's budget.

Superintendant of Finance, Dean Carrie says they can't afford to rack up
deficits each year, so they need to find ways of reducing costs.

Carrie says they were able to cover their red ink this year by taking from
from reserves, but that's not sustainable in the long term.