NWHU Battles Possible HIV outbreak

The Northwestern Health Unit is battling a possible HIV outbreak in the region.

Public Health Nurse Kim Elke says we are facing the same problems as Saskatchewan was 10 years ago.

Elke says that the region is also facing chlamydia rates that are 3 to 4 times higher then the provincial average.

She adds that the leading cause to possible break out is IV drug users reusing needles.

This year the NWHU is on pace to hand out over 150,000 needles in Kenora to ensure users have clean needles to prevent any transmission.

Along with the needle exchange program Elke says the unit has cocaine and crack kits to prevent transmission by snorting, and is hiring a peer position from a drug abuse background to have a deeper impact with the drug community about the programs.

Anti-Tobacco Funding Available

Another measure to attract area youth to anti-smoking initiatives.

A $1,000 grant is being established by the Northwest Area Tobacco Control Network.

The money will go towards youth engagement projects with a focus on tobacco prevention.

The deadline for area schools and community groups to apply is November 15th.

Habitat Gets Ready To Build Second House in Kenora

Habitat for Humanity is getting ready to launch its second build in Kenora.

Fundraising letters are starting to go out.

Thelma Wilkens-Page is on the local committee and says they have to raise about 150 thousand dollars to make sure the project is a go.

 Wilkens-Page says their goal is to turn sod on their second Habitat house next May and begin construction in June.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Looking for a New Name

What's in a name.

Quite a bit if you're called Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls.

Mayor Bill Thompson is launching a campaign to have the town's
name changed.

Thompson says they still haven't worked out the process for deciding on a new name, but promises local residents will be consulted.

He's hoping to have the new name in place by the next municipal
election.

Campbell Complains About High Hydro Prices

Hydro prices in Northwestern Ontario continue to be an issue for Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell.

Campbell says she has been flooded with calls and e-mails from residents who can't afford their bill.

She blames the Liberals and the gas plant scandal for the increased cost of electricity.

Campbell says that since 2007, the off-peak hydro rate has gone up by 140-percent.

Good Turn Out for Cardboard Boat Races

18 elementary schools from across the region competed in the Cardboard Boat Races in Dryden.

The Grade 7 and 8 students were handed cardboard, duct tape and contact cement and were tasked to construct a boat that would stay afloat.

The event was hosted by Skills Canada-Ontario and Spokesperson Karen Troupe explains the purpose of the event.

Troupe says they hope that these students will gravitate to skills trades and tech programs once they get to High School.

Buffalo Point Chief Facing Extortion Charge

The Chief of the Buffalo Point First Nation on the Manitoba side of Lake of
the Woods is facing extortion charges.

The RCMP in Sprague say they began their investigation back in July in response to a letter to a federal government official.

Police say the civil servant had some involvement with the Buffalo Point Cottage Owners Association.

The investigation showed the correspondence from Chief John Thunder made an attempt to derail a civil legal proceeding between the first nation and the Cottage Owner's Association.

Thunder was arrested yesterday and will appear in Winnipeg Court on
November 25th to answer to the extortion charge.

Cliffs Threatening Again to Pull Out of Ring of Fire

Cliffs Natural Resources is again threatening to pull out of the Ring of Fire mining development.  

The company is repeating its threat that it may give up on the project altogether if it can't get proper road access to its property.

Cliffs spokesperson Jason Aagenes says they are throwing it in the province's court.


Cliffs doesn't believe any one company should have restricted access to the Ring of Fire

OPP To Hold Car Seat Clinic

The Kenora OPP are hosting a car seat clinic this Friday.

The clinic will have technicians on hand to assist in the installation of the seats or inspect ones already installed.

No appointments are required to attend.

The clinic runs from 11 to 1 at the fire hall.

Home Court No Advantage for Broncos

A tough day on the court for Beaver Brae teams.

The Bronco senior girls dropped a 29-20 decision to Fort Frances.

With the win, Fort clinches first place in the division.

In junior boys volleyball action, the Muskies also prevailed three sets to two.

Fort won the fifth and deciding set 16-14.

Saints Dominate Falcons and Rams

It's been a busy couple of days for Thomas Aquinas Sports teams.

The Saints played both Red Lake and Ignace teams this week.

Just the junior squads were on the court yesterday with the T.A. junior
boys volleyball team beating the Falcons in three straight sets.

The Thomas Aquinas junior girls enjoyed similar success over Ignace in
basketball.

On Monday, the Saints took three of four games against Red Lake.

The Junior boys needed five sets to get by the Rams, while the senior
team beat Red Lake three sets to one.

In girls basketball, the junior girls got by the Rams, while the senior
team suffered the lone loss of the day.