Monday, May 13, 2013

Gallager Wins Mother's Day Road Race Again


A familiar name was atop the leaderboard at the 2013 Mother's Day
Charity Road Race.

Winnipeg's Cory Gallagher took top honors yet again after completing
the 10 kilometer route in just over 33 minutes.

The fastest Kenora runner was Ben Gustafson, who finished second, 6 and
a half minutes behind.

In the women's 10 K run, Victoria Alexander placed first in a time of 42 minutes,
34 seconds.

Kenora's Janet Findlay was second, just under a minute behind.

Lisa Doerksen won the women's 5 K road race, while Kyle Derouard won the
men's 5 K event.

Fire Marshall to Investigate Weekend Blaze

An investigator from the Ontario Fire Marshall's office is now at the scene of a fire that took place late Saturday night on Highway 17 East.

The blaze broke out in the old Kenora Machine Service building, between A&W and  Dingwall Ford around 11:40 Saturday night.

The fire took a couple of hours to bring under control.

The cause still hasn't been determined, but the OPP are holding the scene until investigators can go through the building.

Jobs Funding Available for Women


Opening doors to the economic opportunities for women in Northwestern Ontario.

The theme of a new initiative by the Federal Government that focuses on three key areas.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the call for proposal will provide more options for women.

The call also focuses on improving prosperity for immigrant women and advancement in non-traditional occupations.

MNR Keep Busy with Weekend Grass Fires


It wasn't a very warm weekend, but that didn't put much of a damper on the
fire situation in the Kenora District.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says crews responded to another five
new wildfires over the past two days.

Four were located on the Wabaseemung First Nation and have been brought under
control.

The other was located near Grassy Narrows.

The Kenora District was responsible for half of the new fires that started up
this past weekend.

More Evacuees from northern First Nations


Flooding is forcing more people from their homes in northern Ontario.

Emergency Management Ontario says 144 people from Attawapiskat First Nation have been moved to Thunder Bay, and there are plans to
move another 200.

Twenty-nine residents of Pic Mobert First Nation will also be calling Thunder Bay home.

And Fort Frances will be home to an additional 81 long-term evacuees.

Ten Ontario communities have now declared emergencies due to weather conditions.

OPSEU Bracing for Possible Strike at LCBO


Part-time work is a big focus of a new ad campaign by the union representing workers at the LCBO.

President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Smokey Thomas says the goal is to inform the public about what they are bargaining for.

Thomas says their strike deadline is May 17th, and he hopes it won't result to that.

The local union is planning to open the doors of its strike headquarters in
Kenora this evening, in case there is a job action.

Campbell Upset with WSIB


Calls for reforms to the Workers Compensation and Insurance Board.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the board needs to be more respectful to injured workers.

Campbell raised her concerns in the Ontario Legislature last week.

She accuses the WSIB of treating injured workers like criminals and denying them the benefits they are legitimately entitled to.

Northwest Sting Place Second in Weekend Tournament


Spring hockey is alive and well in northwestern Ontario.

The Northwest Sting Under 12 girls team traveled to Duluth, Minnesota this past weekend for the Northern Wings Showdown.

The team is made up of players from Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Emo and Sioux Lookout and finished the round robin with a perfect 4-0 record.

In the A-side final, the Sting fell short, losing 6-1 to the Lake Superior Stars.

Saints Soccer Teams Finish Second in Weekend Tournament


A strong showing for Thomas Aquinas soccer teams this past weekend at the Beaver Brae High School Tournament.

Both the Saints boys and girls teams advanced to the A-side final of the tournament yesterday afternoon only to fall to the Miles MacDonnell Buckeyes.

The T.A. boys faced the Buckeyes in the final for the second year in a row, with the same result
as last year, as Miles Mac held on for a 1-0 win.

In the girls final, the Saints also met the Buckeyes, but after holding off the Winnipeg squad in
the first half, Miles Mac came on strong in the second to secure a 4-0 win.

Beaver Brae's girls team finished fourth overall, dropping a 1-0 decision to Dryden in the B-side final.