Campbell Questions MNR Outsourcing

The provincial government is being criticized again for its decision to contract out big game licencing to an American Company.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is demanding to know why hunters have to call a Tennessee company to get a licence to hunt in Ontario.

Natural Resources minister Michael Gravelle assured the legislature that any personal information given over the phone or on-line will be protected, and the system is working well.

The Shape of the Modern Family Changing

The institution of marriage is on the decline in Kenora.

That's according to new census data that offers fresh insight into the complex composition of modern-day Canadian families.

The latest information from the 2011 census, released this morning by Statistics Canada, reveals the many different ways Canadians live together as a family unit.

When the census was taken in May 2011, there were 4,390 families in Kenora.

Married couples - those with and without children - make up 65.9 per cent of families in Kenora.

That's a decrease from the last census taken in 2006 when 68 per cent of couples were married.

Whooping Cough Vaccinations Encouraged

The Northwestern Health Unit is encouraging everyone to get their whooping cough vaccine.

The cough is highly contagious and can be quite dangerous in babies.

Manager of Infectous Diseases Donna Stanley says you can get the vaccine at any age.

In the past couple of weeks, there have been at least four cases of whooping cough diagnosed in the Thunder Bay area.

Two Rescued from Wabigoon River

Three officers from the Dryden Police Service put their life on the line last night to save two intoxicated individuals from drowning.

Off-duty officer Denise Szachury was walking near Wabigoon River when she noticed a man who had just emerged from the water.

A second person was still in the river and was in distress and the man went back in to get him.

The two both wound up in the middle of the river and became distressed.

Constable Jon Allen and Constable Terry Menard arrived and all three officers dove into the frigid water to save the two.

A 22-year-old woman and 18-year-old man were rescued and transported to hospital with hypothermia.

Charges are pending.

Mounties Search for Stolen Generator

The RCMP are looking for some very determined, or very strong theives in the Falcon Lake area.

The Mounties were called to a remote camp on Falcon Lake this week to investigate the theft of a Honda generator.

Police say the camp had no road access and the culprits would have needed a boat to steal the 300 pound generator.

The generator is valued at about five thousand dollars.

Its believed it was stolen sometime this past summer between the last week of July and August 23rd.

Restorative Justice Program Expanded

Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services has entered into a new protocal with the Ontario Provincial Police.

As a part of the Restorative Justice Program, there are services availalbe to help the accused get back on track before facing a charge.

Executive Director Celina Reitberger says this will hopefully take the load off the police, and the justice system.

Reitberger says this protocol is simillar to one they have with the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.

Eagles Sweep Broncos in NorWOSSA Opener

A tough start to the NorWOSSA regular season for Beaver Brae's court sport teams.

The Broncos were swept in all four games played in Dryden yesterday.

In girls basketball, Beaver Brae's seniors were upended 36-25, while the Bronco junior squad were edged 40-36.

In boys volleyball action, Dryden's senior team beat Beaver Brae three sets to one, while the Broncos junior squad lost in three straight sets.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's football team is still looking for its first win of the season in the Winnipeg High School Football League.

The Broncos play their first of four home games this afternoon against Dryden at 3:00 at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

The Eagles come into the game with a 1-1 record.