NorWOSSA court sports

The second season of NorWOSSA court sports saw Thomas Aquinas start off on the right foot.

T.A. hosted Whitefish Bay Tuesday afternoon in junior boys basketball along with junior and senior girls volleyball.

The junior boys basketball team cruised to a 62-9 victory.

The junior girls volleyball team swept their game in 3 straight sets.

The TA senior girls volleyball also won in three straight set. 

The season continues tomorrow with all four Saints teams facing Rainy River.

Beaver Brae starts the double "A" season against Fort Francis next Wednesday.

Whitecap Pavillion Skating Rink Starting to Take Shape

Crews are starting to build the Whitecap Pavillion skating rink.

The work began today with the installation of the boards and the liner the ice will sit on.

Special events coordinator Mark Duggan says that flooding will begin later this week and the target of opening in mid-december is right on schedule.

Catholic Board Wins Award

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is showing off some new hardware.

The separate school board has received the Bette Stephenson Award from the Education Quality and Accountability Office.

The award recognizes the work of the board in its EQAO test scores and use of the data to improve their results.

Staff from Thomas Aquinas School and board administration were presented the award earlier this month.

Visitor Restrictions Lifted at Hospital

Visitors are once again being allowed into a couple of wards on the second and third floors of Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The hospital yesterday lifted its visitor restrictions on the Second East Ward and the Third floor ICU inpatient Unit.

Some staff and patients had been experiencing a gastro-intestinal illness.

But vice-president of patient care Kathy Dawe says there haven't been any new outbreaks in the past five days.

Dryden Man Faces Luring Charges

A 19 year old Dryden man is facing charges after he tried to lure a minor online.

Dryden Police say that the investigation invovles incidents from 2010 and 2011, which were recently reported.

The man is charged with contacting a person under 14 years old with regards to luring, and one count of invitation to sexual touching.

Local Elementary Teachers Could Take Job Action

Elementary teachers with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board could start a new job action next month.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario met with a conciliator earlier this month and a no-board report was issued on November 19th.

That's means that they could take jobs action as early as December 10th.

While new provincial legislation prevents any teacher strikes, the union is looking at its options.

Local president Anne Saltel says they will be meeting with their stewards on Friday to decide what actions they might take.

Canfield Not Sympathetic with Toronto Mayor

Mayor Dave Canfield says Kenora City Councillors won't make the same mistakes that Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has.

Ford was removed by a judge ruling over a conflict of interest case.

Canfield says city council is firm on following the rules.

Ford is appealing the decision that has removed him as Mayor and prevents him from running for 2 years.

Noront Committed to Ring of Fire Project

Noront Resources remains confident production of its Ring of Fire mining project in northern Ontario will begin on time.

President Wes Hanson says even though Cliffs Natural Resources has delayed the start up date for its own mining project by a year, Noront still has its sights set on starting production in 2016 or 2017.

While not mentioning a possible financial partner, Hanson said they're optimistic they can put together a package which will meet their start up target

Liberals to Hold One All-Candidates Forum in NWO

The Ontario Liberal Leadership debates will be making a stop in northwestern Ontario next month.

Thunder Bay Liberals will get their chance to ask questions to the candidates on Sunday, December 9th at 1 in the afternoon.

A location for the debate has yet to be selected.

NorWOSSA Second Season Begins Today

The second season in NorWOSSA Court sports begins today.

Thomas Aquinas will be playing host to Whitefish Bay today in junior boys basketball and junior and senior girls volleyball action.

Games begin at 11:00 this morning at the T.A. gym.

Tomorrow, Rainy River is in town and all four Saints teams will be playing.

The NorWOSSA Double A season begins next Wednesday with Beaver Brae playing host to Fort Frances.