Kenora Girls hockey teams bring home gold from Emo

Lake of the Woods Girls Hockey teams continued their winning ways in Emo over the weekend. 

Female players from six Kenora teams were in the race for Gold along side Emo and Fort Frances teams.

The Atom Storm went undeafeated taking gold over Kenora's Red Panthers with a score of 1-0.

The Novice Blue Jays also brought home gold, with Jessica Pitura scoring the winning goal with 2.5 seconds remaining in the second overtime period assisted by McKenna Isfeld.

The Peewee Dyn-o-mite sported some hardware of their own bring back home the bronze in that division defeating Fort Frances Esso.

"The level of hockey these young girls are playing today is simply amazing! We have young girls playing Boys Hockey and Rep Hockey then switching it back to play in the House league raising the bar for a more talented game." says Cindy Johnson president of LOWGH.

The Novice Atom Home Tournament will be held January 6th bringing over 400 visitors into our community.

Saints Boys win Silver in Killarney

The Saint Thomas Aquinas Saints were in Killarney, Manitoba this past weekend for the Killarney Raiders AA Hockey Tournament.

The Saint Thomas Aquinas Saints finished the weekend in 2nd place only losing to College Gabrielle-Roy Caveliers in the final.

The Saints beat Melita to advance to the semi-final were they went on to beat the defending tournament champions and host team Killarney Raiders 4-3 in a shoot-out.

The Saint Thomas Aquinas Boys Hockey Teams next games are this Friday and Saturday vs Red Lake.

Science North Brings Traveling Planetarium to Northwestern Ontario

Science North is now offering the planetarium experience to schools and events in the Northwest.

Spokesperson Nicole Chaisoon says they have a portable planetarium based in Thunder Bay and available for travel

The cost of the inflatable unit and all the equipment that goes with it, is about 90 thousand dollars.

Kenora District To Get a new Judge

The Kenora District is gaining a court Judge and that has upset the Rainy River Law Association.

Justice Thomas McKay is relocating to London and his replacement is now being redisbuted to Dryden.

Association President Barbara Morgan says it's a further erosion of court services the District has experienced.

Morgan says the decision by Ontario Chief Justice will delay cases because the judge will be be traveling from Dryden to preside over court in Fort Frances.

Man falls through Ice on Lake of the Woods

A not so subtle reminder to check the ice conditions before you head out on the lake.

A 77 year old Kenora man went through the ice of Lake of the Woods over the weekend while riding his ATV in the area of Kendall Inlet Road.

The man was able to use a screw driver as an ice pick and crawl out of the frigid waters and onto the ice.

He then rolled to shore and sought shelter in a nearby cabin.

He managed to call for help and the OPP also showed up responding to an intrusion alarm at the cottage.

Other than being cold, the driver of the ATV was no worse for wear.

Saints Girls Win Gold in Dryden

The Thomas Aquinas Senior Girls volleyball team is in mid-season form less a month into the winter court sport season.

The Saints won gold at a tournament in Dryden over the weekend, compiling a perfect 9-0 record, including winning twice against the host Eagles Squad.

T.A. faced Dryden in the gold medal game on Saturday and won by scores of 25-20 and 25-16.

Melissa White led the scoring attack with 38 kills and 24 aces.

The Saints are back in action tomorrow as they travel to Red Lake to take on the Rams.

Attawapiskat update

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence says the additional housing units are welcome -- but the team Ottawa appointed to review her reserve's finances is definitely not.

Spence says her James Bay community appreciates the federal government's move to buy the reserve seven more modular homes, for a total of 22.

The announcement came yesterday from Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan.

But Spence says Duncan was sadly misinformed when he said she had acknowledged the necessity of allowing Ottawa's third party management team to do its job.

The chief insists that statement was completely false.

Kenora 2012 Budget

Kenora City Council is starting the budget process three months ahead of last year.

This week, council will hear pre-budget submissions from a number of community groups including Triple Play, the Economic Development Commission and the Museum.

Mayor Dave Canfield says its going to be a real challenge to keep tax rates low next year.


Canfield says they also have to deal with aging infrastructure including a number of bridges along Lakeview Drive, which are in need of millions dollars worth of repairs.

Michael Gravelle

MPP's are on Christmas break after the Ontario Legislature wrapped up last week.


Newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle says he's still got plenty of work to do during the holidays.

Gravelle will be getting brought up to speed on his new cabinet post.

The Ontario Hospital Association

The Ontario Hospital Association wants Ontario hospitals to develop guidelines for CEO salaries.


Health Sciences Centre Human Resources Spokesperson Don Halpert is also in favour of the idea.

Halpert as it is now hospitals pay different amounts and they compete to hire top executives.

OPP North West Region Crime Unit

A lengthy investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Sioux Lookout Man.

OPP charged 32-year-old Brent Cadeau on Friday with 4-counts of trafficking a controlled substance.

The OPP North West Region Crime Unit initiated an investigation in March after receiving information that a man was trafficking prescription pills.

National Strategy on Forestry

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says its time for a national strategy on forestry.

Rafferty feels the federal government has been neglecting the industry for too long, and communities depend on forestry continue to struggle to survive.

Rafferty put forward three motions in the House of Common's last week he hopes will spur those discussions.