Substance Abuse Task Force Adds Housing Pillar

The Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force is creating a new pillar of action.

Kim Elke with the Northwestern Health Unit says the task force are adding housing into their attack plans.

Elke says when someone doesn't have a safe meaningful place to live it hinders the possibility of making a healthy recovery.

Elke also says when someone receives the housing and support they need they can better look after their children and in turn help prevent them from entering the system themselves.

She adds the task forces decided to add the pillar as housing is a social determinant of mental health.

TSB To Release Report on North Spirit Lake Crash

The Transportation Safety Board is planning to release a report on a fatal plane crash in northwestern Ontario almost two years ago.

The crash of the Piper Navajo near North Spirit Lake killed four people, including the pilot and three other people from southern Manitoba.

36 year old Brian Shead was the only survivor of the crash.

The plane went down in a snowstorm about two kilometers short of the runway at North
Spirit Lake on January 10th, 2012.

The report is being released at 10:00 this morning.

School Buses Running This Morning

Overnight snow hasn't been enough to cancel school bus service this morning.

About five centimeters of white stuff has fallen so far.

But all roads in the Kenora area are open this morning and no bus cancellations have been announced.

Motorists are asked to drive with caution as intersections are very slippery and not a lot of plowing has taken place so far.

Food Bank Use Down Slightly

Surprising numbers from a new survey by Food Banks Canada.

It shows the number of people using food banks has dropped by about
40 thousand in the past year.

Sandra Poole is the business manager for the Salvation Army in Kenora
and says they've also seen a decline, but its mostly because they've
tightened up their qualifications.

Poole says they usually see anywhere from 30 to 40 people a month
at their food bank in downtown Kenora.

Fellowship Center Gearing Up for Winter

Kenora's only emergency shelter is gearing up for another winter.

The Kenora Fellowship Center is collecting winter clothing to distribute
to homeless.

John Pencoff is one of the supervisors and says they can still use some help from the community and are looking for warm weather gear such as mitts, toques and winter boots.

Pencoff says they offer overnight shelter to an average of 14 people a night, but their actual capacity is 21.

The Fellowship Center held an open house this week to let community members learn about some of
the services they provide daily.

Province Reviewing New Snowmobile Regs

There may be hope for snowmobile clubs in Ontario.

The provincial government is promising to review a decision to force
clubs to pay to use hydro right-of-ways.

NDP critic, Michael Mantha is worried that the government will instead foist  the costs onto local towns and cities.

Transportation Minister Glenn Murray says they are looking are reviewing the decision because of the feedback they've received.

Christmas Tree Lighting Tonight

Christmas is still more than a month away, but that's not stopping Kenora's Business Improvement Zone from celebrating a little early.

The lightning of the big Christmas Tree on Main Street will take place
tonight.

Lisa Lyle from BIZ says there will be lots of other activities as well.

There will also be sleigh rides beginning at 5:45.

The actual tree lighting will take place at 6:00.

Cliffs Puts Brakes on Ring of Fire Project

There's a big question mark hanging over the Ring of Fire mining development following a surprising decision by Cliffs Natural Resources. 

Cliffs has announced it will suspend indefinitely its chromite project in northern Ontario.

The company has decided not to sink any more capital into the Ring of Fire due to the uncertainty of the timeline and concerns about the necessary infrastructure needed to bring the project on-line.

Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle, says the government is still committed to the project and the development is about more than just one company.

Gravelle says he's disappointed with Cliffs' decision but notes the province must work with all partners to ensure the project moves forward properly.

Broncos Beat Rams in NorWOSSA Hockey

Red Lake is 0 for 2 in Kenora this week in NorWOSSA boys high school hockey.

After losing to Thomas Aquinas Tuesday night, the Rams took on Beaver Brae last night and suffered an 8-3 loss.  

The line of Jed Rattai, Rhyse Mandamin and Eastin Gauthier did most of the damage for the Broncos racking up 18 points.

Rattai had a four goal night and added three assists.

Beaver Brae is back in action this weekend at the annual Dryden High School Hockey Tournament, which begins tomorrow.