Winter Bites To Promote Local Eateries

Winter Bites.

That not only sums up the frigid weather of late, but also is the name of
a new promotion in Kenora next month.

Heather Gropp is Kenora's Tourism Development Officer and says a total of
10 restaurants have agreed to participate in the culinary event.

Gropp says each restaurant will be providing a three course meal for a
set price of 25 dollars starting February 1st.

Man Sentenced in Mandamin's Death

One of the men arrested for the death of Eli Mandamin Jr has been sentenced to 4 years in Jail.

Raymond Baker was sentenced this week for his involvement in the death of the man from Shoal Lake #39.

Baker, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, could be released in just over 2 years due to time already served.

Mandamin Jr, who is the son of chief Eli Mandamin, was killed in an altercation outside the Canad Inns Polo Park hotel in Winnipeg in February of 2012.

The case of the other man facing charges for stabbing Mandamin in the altercation is still in the court system.

STR Starting to Open Snowmobile Trails

Snowmobilers can now hit trails operated by Sunset Trail Riders.

President Richard Wilkening says 4 trails have been opened for the season.

Wilkening says more should be opened this weekend.

He notes that more volunteers are needed to open the remaining trails sooner rather then later.

visit www.sunsettrailriders.ca/trails/ for a full report on trail conditions.

Kindergarten Registration Now Open

Full-day kindergarten registration is now underway.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is encouraging folks to take advantage of Kindergarten Registration Week from January 27th to January 31st.

However, parents can register their kids at any time.

The program for four and five year-old children will be offered at all elementary schools in the area this year.

The Ministry of Education says families can save up to 65-hundred dollars per year in child care costs by enrolling their child in full-day kindergarten.

Big Trout Lake Opposes MNR Moose Survey

The chief of a remote First Nation says the province needs its permission to do an aerial moose survey.

Big Trout Lake First Nation
Chief Donny Morris says he opposes a survey the Ministry of Natural Resources expects to conduct around K-I this weekend, including on the community's traditional territory.

Morris says he doesn't trust how the MNR will use the results.

He fears the government will use the survey to inform residents that there's not enough moose to hunt.

Influenza Death Toll Rises In Thunder Bay

The death toll from the H1N1 virus continues to climb in the Thunder Bay District.

As many as five people have died in the influenza outbreak.

Diana Gowanlock of the Thunder Bay Health Unit says four of the flu deaths were adults under the age of 65 and one was a senior citizen.  

She says the number of confirmed cases in the district is now up to 81 and Gowanlock believes we have peaked.

The Health Unit says it's not possible to know exactly how many cases there are in the district since most people don't report when they have the flu

Funeral Services for Couchiching Chief Tomorrow

Some high profile people will be attending the funeral for Couchiching First Nations Chief Chuck McPherson.

The funeral is being held Saturday at the Couchiching First Nations Arena.

Ontario's Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer and Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy will be present.

Premier Kathleen Wynne, though won't be in attendance.

McPherson's death, meantime, has prompted a delay in the band's nomination meeting for this year's elections.

A notice issued by the band's electoral officer says it will now take place January 23rd.

Elections for the chief and six councillor positions are slated for March 6th.

Broncos Bounced in Fort Frances

A tough road trip for Beaver Brae's court sport teams.

The Broncos were swept by the Muskies yesterday in NorWOSSA double
A action.

The Beaver Brae junior girls took the Muskies to five games, but lost three
sets to two, while the Bronco seniors were swept in three straight.

In boys basketball, the Beaver Brae junior team was edged 43-39, while
the Bronco senior squad was downed 61-37.

Saints Dominate Owls At Home

It was a good day on the court for T.A. boys basketball and
girls volleyball teams.

The Saints senior boys beat the Rainy River Owls 42-31 yesterday afternoon.

That followed up on a straight sets win by the Saints senior girls volleyball
team.

The T.A. junior girls were also victorious, winning three sets to one.

Saints Boys Hockey Team Beat Eagles

A good bounce back game for the Thomas Aquinas Saints.

After being blown out 11-0 Tuesday night by Fort Frances, the Saints
upended the Dryden Eagles 6-1 at the Thistle Rink last night.

The Saints are back in action Saturday night, when the Red Lake Rams come to town.