Common Ground at an Impasse

The once-promising Common Ground Initiative has hit a bit of a roadblock.

Common Ground is a partnership between the City of Kenora, four local first nations and Treaty Three, but development of a management plan has reached an impasse.

Kenora Mayor Len Compton says they haven't been able to agree with Treaty Three on whether to include a dispute resolution mechanism in the plan.

Compton says Treaty Three doesn't seem to feel a dispute resolution mechanism is needed, and that's held up development of the management plan for months now.

Greenpeace and CEP unveil Green Jobs Report

Greenpeace and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union are teaming up to create green forestry jobs.

The environmental group released it's green jobs report for northern forestry on Friday.

CEP Spokesperson Kim Ginter explains why the union is getting involved.

Ginter hopes by launching the report in northwestern Ontario, Minister of Northern, Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle and the Liberals will sit up and take notice.

New Fire Hall Almost Ready to Open

The new Fire Hall on Barsky's Hill will be officially opened at the end of this month.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says while almost all the work on the building is complete, there are still a few minor details that have to be finalized before they can begin moving their equipment in.

The new fire hall opened its doors last week to Kenora City council so they could tour the building and hold their special meeting of council in the second floor training room.

No Free Parking This Christmas

Don't expect any free parking in downtown Kenora this holiday season.

Kenora City council has turned down a request by the Business Improvement

Zone for five days of free parking in the week leading up to Christmas.

A representitive from the BIZ had suggested allowing free parking at all
metered stalls from December 20th to 25th.

But councillor Dave McCann says that could cost the city anywhere from 18 to
23 thousand dollars in lost revenue.

Council voted unanimously against the free parking initiative.

Kenora Cleans up after Snow Storms

Don't put away your snow shovels just yet.

After getting anotehr 10 centimeters of snow yesterday, another system is expected to drop couple more centimeters of white stuff over night.

Yesterday's snowstorm caused some travel problems in the Kenora area.

The Kenora By-Pass was closed down for a couple of hours due to a number of accidents involving tractor-trailor units.

Over the past four days, the Kenora area has received over 25 centimeters of snow, but road conditions are slow starting to improve as city crews are out this morning clearing major routes through town.

Most of the major highways in the area are listed as bare and wet with slushy
sections.

Confederation College signs deal on Aborignal Education

Confederation College is again getting involved with educating our First Nations communities.

College President Pat Lang says they're partnering with Matawa to try to make a difference in educating young Aboriginals.

The two organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding to achieve their objectives.

Matthyson tours Northwestern Ontario

The Women's critic for the NDP feels the federal government isn't doing enough

to ensure the safety of aboriginal women in Canada.

Irene Mathyssen was in Kenora last week and spoke with representitives with local women's groups.

Mathyssen says the National Status of Women committee has been touring the country looking into the issue of violence against women.

Mathyssen says her committee has been fighting the federal government for funding to complete their report which will look at the disappearance and murder of  aboriginal women across Canada.

Senior Thistles Win Opener

The Kenora Triple "a" Senior Thistles started their march to the 2011 Allan Cup with a victory.

The Thistles played their first game of the season on Saturday night and blanked the Southwest Prairie Thunder 3-0.

Jeff Richards, Jeff Heringer and Ryan Bowen scored for the Kenora Seniors, while Tyler Gordon back-stopped the team with the shutout.

The Thistles next game is at home against Fort Frances on December 10th.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Triple "A" midget Thistles snapped a seven game winless streak Saturday night.

The Thistles wrapped up their road trip to Thompson, Manitoba with a 3-2 shootout

win over the Norman North Stars.

On Friday, the North Stars upended the road weary Thistles 5-1.

And Beaver Brae's girls hockey team improved its record to 3-0 in the young NorWOSSA

season.

The Broncos shutout their cross town rivals, the Thomas Aquinas Saints 4-0 Friday night.