Local Drum Ceremony Supports Theresa Spence

Local support is growing for a Northern Ontario chief on a hunger strike.

Local Aboriginal groups gathered today outside market square and held a drum ceremony to commemorate Attiwapiskat chief Theresa Spence.

Spence has been on a hunger strike in Ottawa for 9 days with demands to meet with Prime Minister and the Governor General to discuss the level of poverty in aboriginal communities.

Spence says nothing has been done to improve the poor living conditions on the Attwapiskat first nation after declaring a state of emergency over a year ago.

Rainy River Resources Pulls Back From Pickle Lake Project

Rainy River Resources had decided not to take controlling interest of an exploration project north of Pickle Lake.

The company had been in partnership with Northern Superior Resources for the past two years in the  

Ti-pa-haa-kaa-ning project with an option to assume 51 per cent.

President Raymond Threlkeld says while drilling identified good potential in the project, they've decided to focus efforts and resources in developing its gold project south of Kenora.

Idle No More and Save ELA Hold Rally

Greg Rickford seems to be followed by protesters where ever he goes these days.

Yesterday, the Kenora M.P. held an open house at his constituency office in Kenora, but there were more people outside his office than inside.

A couple of different groups held rallies in support of different causes.

Peter Kirby with the coalition to save the ELA says they are continuing their battle to keep the outdoor laboratory open.

Similar protests have taken place in Red Lake and Dryden this week.

First Canada to Take over Kenora's Transit Service

The City's Transit Service has become a million dollar business.

Starting in the new year, First Canada will take over the municipal transit contract at a cost of 1.1 million dollars over five years.

The city's fleet manager Mike Mostow says the contract could increase or decrease depending on the cost of fuel.

First Canada currently operates school buses in the Kenora area and will take over the transit service from Excel Coach Lines.

911 Costs Going Up

9-1-1 phone service is going to cost the City of Kenora a little bit more in 2013.

City council has approved a contract extention with the Ontario Provincial Police to handle the emergency phone system.

It will cost 86 hundred dollars next year.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says the contract is based on population size, and in the last census, Kenora's population grew.

The new five year deal will take effect starting February 17th.

Hospital Looking At Patient Advocate Program

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital is researching a new pilot program for patient advocacy.

The idea came about from a presentation seen by board chair Fred Richardson about a program in Kingston.

Hospital CEO Mark Balcaen says the program would benefit patients who need help understanding the health system.

Balcaen adds that the hospital is going to do research on if the program would work on a voluntary basis.

Thunder Bay Storm makes Top 10 List

Thunder Bay has the dubious distinction of making it to the top 10 list of weather events in Canada for 2012.

Meteorologist Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says they are calling this year, the year of the flood.

Back on May 28th, a severe thunderstorm flooding dozens of basements and overwhelmed the

city's water treatment plant.

Coulson notes the event shattered weather records and was one of a kind.

Thomas Aquinas Boys Hockey Team Wins Again

The Thomas Aquinas Saints boys hockey team will head into the Christmas break on a bit of a winning streak.

The Saints upended the Fort Frances Canadians last night 6-2 in an exhibition game.

Rory Keith led the scoring attack with a hat trick.

The Saints finish the first half of the season with a record of 10 wins, four losses and a tie.

T.A. is preparing to head to New Mexico for a tournament on January 1st.