Kenora Remains Investigation

Investigators are hoping the release of new facial approximations created by an Ontario Provincial Police Forensic Artist will bolster their efforts to identify human remains found in the City of Kenora in June 2009.


OPP investigators believe foul play was not a factor in her death. The deceased was a Caucasian female, between the ages of 35 and 55 years, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds, with shoulder length light brown hair. She was wearing oval-shaped eyeglasses with wire upper rims. The investigation revealed that the deceased experienced extensive reconstructive jaw surgery -- likely done in a major centre.

        The facial approximations, photos of the scene surroundings and other   information that may help identify this individual are available at Missing Persons and Unidentified Bodies Unit

Keewatin-Patricia District School Board

Dave Penney appears to be a permanent fixture as the head guy at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board table.

For an eighth straight year the Ignace Trustee has been elected Chair of the Board.

Kenora's Cecile Marcino is back as Vice-Chair.

The elections were held Tuesday night in Dryden.

Long-gun Registry

The national long-gun registry will live on for a few months to come.

The House of Commons won't get the chance to debate the bill to abolish the controversial registry before M-Ps break for Christmas.

The Conservative government tabled the bill in October, around the same time as other marquee Tory legislation was being presented.

While bills to end the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly and add 30 new seats to the Commons could be passed into law as early as tomorrow, the gun registry bill has yet to make it to a final vote
in the House.

The Tories say they just couldn't get around to everything

Attawapiskat Update

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan are to meet today in Thunder Bay.

Spence and Duncan are making another attempt to find a lasting solution for the housing crisis on the James Bay reserve.

Duncan has announced a third-party manager, in addition to an audit and emergency aid for Attawapiskat.

Spence says she welcomes the aid and will work with the auditors but is opposed to the third-party management.

Highway 17

The winter weather has resulted in a highway closure here in Kenora.

Highway 17A is closed at Airport Road .

The road was closed around 2:30 this morning.

OPP say east and westbound traffic will be re-routed through the Kenora by-pass for the most part today.


Motorists are urged to use caution on the road today due to blowing snow and slippery conditions.

Strategic Improvement Plan

The Director of Education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says they are making good strides in their Strategic Improvement Plan.

Jack McMaster says staff and administration continue to focus on three main areas.

McMaster says the plan is aimed at ensuring students are taking full advantage of their time they spend in school.

Emergency Landing

It was a lucky day for 8 passengers aboard a Thunder Airlines flight from Attiwapiskat to Thunder Bay.

They had some tense moments when one of the engines went out and they were forced to land in Geraldton. Greenstone Mayor Renald Beaulieu says the fire department was called in.


Beaulieu believes the passengers could be band officials from the troubled First Nation on their way to meetings with the Aboriginal Affairs Minister.

Phone Scams

'Tis the season for telephone scams.

The OPP in Kenora say they have received numerous complaints from local residents in recent days.

Police say the scams include callers claiming to be relatives involved in a motor vehicle accident and needing funds to get home.

In another scam, the caller says they represent an estate and they require a fee to release the funds.

If you have any concerns about the identity of a caller, you are encouraged to
contact the OPP or Phonebusters.

Bus Service

Due to road conditions and various road closures, First Student school buses have been cancelled in KENORA, RAT PORTAGE and SIOUX NARROWS.

Kenora City Transit will be running as scheduled today.

Tri-Municipal Handi-Transit will be running as scheduled today.

War in Iraq

The war in Iraq is officially over.

After nearly nine years, 45-hundred Americans dead, 32-thousand wounded and more than 800-billion dollars -- the U-S will send its troops home.

In Baghdad, there was a symbolic ceremony today during which the U-S Forces-Iraq flag was
officially retired.

The U-S military lowered the flag and wrapped it in camouflage, formally ``casing'' it, according to Army tradition.

U-S Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says  troops leaving Iraq that they should be proud of their
service.

Rent Rates in Kenora

Some good news if you're a renter in Kenora.


The vacancy rate has hit its highest level in five years at five percent.

Warren Philp is an analyst with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and suggests
vacancy rates can be considered an economic indicator for the city.

Philp adds that the average rent for a two bedroom unit in Kenora has dropped to 757 dollars a month, down from 799 dollars last year.