McGuinty Steps Down

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty surprised political observers by announcing will step down as party leader.

McGuinty made the surprise announcements to an emergency meeting of the Liberal caucus.

His government is facing a second contempt motion over two cancelled power plants, and he says there was little hope of getting the public sector wage freeze the minority government needs to trim the $14.4-billion deficit.

McGuinty sais after 16 years as Liberal leader and the past nine as premier, it's time for new blood to take

over.

Museum Launches new Exhibit

Your chance to meet up with some old school criminals.

An exhibit called "Arresting Images" is on now at the Lake of the Woods Museum.

Museum spokesperson Lynn Riddell provides an interesting take on the art of the mug shot.

The exhibit started this Wednesday and runs until November 15.

ER Wait Times Down

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital is keeping wait times down in its emergency room.

Board chair Fred Richardson says the average wait time is below the provincial average.

He made the announcement during last night's board meeting.

Sunset Country Upset by New App Development

The Sunset Country Travel Association is furious that the Federal government is funding a new tourism app for the region.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford announced 160 thousand dollars to the Dryden Development Corporation to develop the mobile app.

Gerry Cariou is executive director of Sunset Country and says they are basically duplicating an app they already have in the development stages.

Cariou adds that Sunset Country has developed its app at a fraction of the cost of the grant announced last week by FedNor.

Habitat For Humanity Celebrates First Ever Housing Build

Ashley Neniska is about to become Kenora's newest homeowner.

Neniska takes possession of her home, financed through Habitat for Humanity a noon today.

She says she's put 350 hours of her own sweat equity into the house on Main Street Rideout.

A dedication ceremony for the new home took place on Saturday.

ILevel Timberstrand Mill Celebrates a Decade

A milestone for the i-level Timberstrand mill on the Jones Road.

The mill is turning ten years old this month.

To celebrate, Weyerhaeuser is holding an open house.

Mill manager Bill Candline says they are hoping the public comes out and takes part in their anniversary celebrations.

The open house will take place this Sunday from 1to 4 pm.

More Consultations Sought on Transport of Nuclear Waste

A northwestern Ontario politician says after repeatly being turned down by the Nuclear Waster Management Agency, he is going on his own.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Bruce Hyer says he will be holding a series of public meetings to discuss the proposed route of any nuclear waste to the northwest.

Hyer also says he has issues with the way the government agency is conducting public meeting on the possible nuclear waste burial sites.

CEP to Vote on Merger with CAW Today

It's a pivotal day for the union movement in Canada.

The Canadian Energy and Paperworkers Union will vote in Quebec City on whether to join forces with the Canadian Autoworkers to form a new union.

Regional representitive for the CEP Marvin Pupeza is there, and says it's the only thing anyone is talking about at the convention.

Pupeza says he's all for the merger.

New Air Charter Service Launched

A new Air charter service is now available in northwestern Ontario.

Northern Skies is now up and running at the Sioux Lookout Airport.

Operations Manager Derrick Flynn says they provide charter service twelve months of the year.

Flynn says there was a gap in the market and that's why he got involved.

Thistles Win Two on Home Ice

Home cooking seems to agree with the Kenora Triple A Midget Thistles.

The Thistles got their first two wins of the season this past weekend on home ice.

Saturday, the Kenora Midgets skated to a 3-2 win over the Southwest Cougars.

That followed up on Friday night's convincing 6-3 victory Friday night.

The Thistles now have a 2-2 record

Their next game is a rare Thursday night contest, as their homestand continues against the Norman North Stars.

Saints Win Second Tournament of the Year

Another weekend, another tournament victory for the Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys volleyball team.

The Saints were in Dryden over the weekend for the Annual Pumpkin Smash tournament.

T.A. went through the round robin without dropping a set.

The Saints then beat St. Ignatius and Dryden in the play-offs, and met Churchill Collegiate from Thunder Bay in the A-Side Final Saturday afternoon.

The Saints lost their only set of the tournament in the final, but still prevailed two sets to one to win gold.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's Football team wraps up the regular season schedule at home this afternoon.

The Broncos will play a make-up game against the 1-4 St. Norbert Celtics at 3:00 this afternoon.