Trillium Foundation Hands Out Grants

The Trillium Foundation has announced yesterday that 16 non profit groups in northwestern Ontario will be getting funding.

The only local group to receive funding is the Rat Portage First Nation which is getting over 14 thousand dollars to purchase chairs, tables, and outdoor sound equipment for the youth and elder centre in the community.

A total of 16 groups across northwestern Ontario received funding.

Government Will Allow One Day Teacher Strikes

The Ontario government will not block planned one-day walkouts by public elementary teachers starting next week.

Education Minister Laurel Broten says she won't use a new law to stop the strikes, because the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario is giving parents three-days notice of the walkouts.

So long as the strikes last only one day, she says she's prepared to let it go.

Broten says if the strikes moves beyond one day, the government will immediately reassess the situation and has already prepared the necessary legal documents to end it.

Broten says she knows it will be an inconvenience to parents, but it's a decision that strikes the right balance.

The teachers' union said the walkout is in protest of Bill 115, which gives the government the power to stop strikes and impose a collective agreement if it doesn't like what the union and local boards negotiate.

ETFO To Take Job Action Next Week

Local members of the Elementary School Teachers Federation will be stepping up their job action next week.

The teachers will be in a legal strike position starting December 10th.

Anne Saltel is the local union president and says there is also the possibility of a one day walkout before Christmas.

Saltel says initially their job action will include withdrawal from all extra-curricular activities and refusal to do any administrative duties.

MNR Getting Feedback on Winnipeg River Fishery

Maintaining quality fishing on the Winnipeg River.

Thats the goal of the Ministry of Natural of Resources, which is using public feedback to change regulations on the water system.

Leo Heyens with the Ministry says a number of species will have new regulations.

Heyens also says they are working on changes to walleye, bass, and pike aimed at promoting fishing tourism for years to come.

He adds that an advisory committee is still getting public feedback and the regulations won't be made official until 2014.

School Buses Cancelled Today, Schools Still Open

Slick road conditions caused by freezing rain over night has resulted in a number of school bus cancellations this morning.

The Northwest Student Services Consortium says all school buses in the Kenora area as well as Sioux Narrows have been cancelled.

The freezing rain has created fairly treacherous road conditions on local highways.

Local schools will remain open today for students who either walk to school or who can get a ride from their parent or guardian.

Rat Portage also says its school bus will not be running today. 

Northwestern Ontario Has Longest Wait Times for Long Term Care Beds

A new report is critical of the way the provincial government is funding health care.

The Ontario Health Coalition says northwestern Ontario has the longest wait times for long term care beds in the province.

Coalition director Natalie Mehra says the problem could be eased with more home care, but there just isn't enough funding available.

The Ontario Health Coalition says a zero per cent budget increase for hospitals has forced service cuts across the province.

A good Turn Out for the CP Holiday Train

Holiday spirit was rolling through town today.

The CP Holiday Train stopped in Kenora in support of the Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Campaign.

Along with donations collected from local residents, CP representatives also donated to the local cause, presenting a cheque for 25 hundred dollars. 

The train also entertained the huge crowd with performances by Miss Emily and The Brothers Dube.

Ice Candle Festival Celebrates 14 years

A big honor for Kenora's ice candle festival.

The event has just been listed by the province as one of the top festival of lights in Ontario.

Barb Manson says they place thousands of ice candles in the Lake of the Woods Ceremony just before Christmas each year.

Manson says she'd like to see as many as six thousand ice candles this year.

This year will mark the 14th annual ice candle festival.

Saints Hockey Teams Split their Games

The Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team has improved to 3-1 on the season thanks to a 7-1 win last night at the Kenora Rec. Center over the Red Lake Rams.

Tanner Kapera led the way with two goals and an assist while Daniel Thomson also had a pair of goals.

The Saints are on the road this weekend for a tournament in Killarny, Manitoba.

The T.A. girls weren't as fortunate.

They were shutout 7-0 last night by the Muskies in Fort Frances.

Broncos Begin Second Court Sport Season

Beaver Brae's court sport teams picked up just one win in four games to open their second season.

The lone win on the day came from the Broncos junior boys basketball team, which came back from six points down heading into the fourth quarter and beat Fort Frances 57-43.

Jackson Penner led the offense with 21 points.

It was a high scoring affair in the senior boys contest, with the Muskies earning a 98-69 victory over the Broncos.

In girls volleyball, Beaver Brae's senior squad lost three sets to one to Fort Frances, while the junior team lost in three straight sets to the Muskies.

Over at Thomas Aquinas, the Saints had an easy time with Red Lake, sweeping both the junior and senior games three sets to none.