Last Blast of Winter on the Way?

Here we go again.

The calendar might says it's spring, but Mother Nature still thinks
it's winter.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says we can expect a big
dump of snow Saturday.

He suggests up to four inches could fall between early Saturday morning and late Saturday evening.

Laidlaw says the system will bring with it unseasonably cold weather to start next week.

More Reaction to Flaherty's Passing

A somber day on Parliament Hill.

Flags are flying at half mast after word that former federal  finance minister Jim Flaherty has passed away.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says Flaherty was good not only for
the nation but northwestern Ontario as well.

Flaherty was just 64 and died less than a month after resigning as federal finance minister.

Concern Raised About ORNGE Helicopter Again

Questions are again being raised about the equipment being deployed by
the ORNGE air ambulence service.

Conservative MPP Frank Klees says pilots in Moosenee wrote to him to complain about a Sikorski S-76 that's being sent to that base.

The pilots describe the helicopter as the oldest Sikorski-76 in the world with the least amount of automation.

The helicopter is the same model that crashed almost a year ago near Moosenee killing all four people on board.

Campbell Calls For Review of Winter Road Maitenance

The MPP for Kenora Rainy River has introduced a motion in Queens park.

Sarah Campbell's motion calls for a committee to review winter road maintenance contracts throughout the province.

Campbell stresses on big issue is the clarity and demands of the contracts.

She also notes that contractors have failed to meet requirements of local roadways such as Highway 17, 105, and 502.

NAN Opposes Aboriginal Education Act

There's no question about where the Nishnawbe Aski Nation stands on the Harper government's new First Nation education legislation.  

NAN is flatly rejecting it saying, among other things, it doesn't respect First Nations inherent and treaty rights nor does it respect its jurisdiction over education.

Ultimately NAN is upset that the Aboriginal Affairs minister will have total control over their education while taking none of the blame for any liability.

Common Ground Sells Out Again

It's become an annual story-telling tradition.

The Common Ground forum takes place tomorrow at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Lori Nelson is curator at Lake of the Woods  Museum and says they
have another interesting day set aside to talk about the history of Kenora.

 The event has become so popular in recent years it sells out well in advance and this year is no exception.

Common Ground will run from 9 until about 4:00.

NOACC Holds AGM in Geralton

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce are holding their annual general meeting in Geraldton for the next three days.

Chamber representitives from across the region will also vote on a number of resolutions that if passed will become NOACC policy for the next two years.

This year's speakers list includes Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell, a spokesman from the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation, Premier Gold Mines, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Mount Evergreen Set To Close for the Season

Mount Evergreen is closing with a bang.

This Sunday is the last day for the ski hill as it hosts the Mardi Gras Slush Pit Bash.

Manager Steve Simpson says events are planned throughout the day.

Simpson notes they are offering 10 dollar lift tickets and rentals for the day.

O'Flaherty Selected for Team Northwestern Ontario

Just one player from Kenora has managed to crack the line-up of a regional team
set to play in the OHL Cup.

Kevin O'Flaherty from the Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles is one of twenty players named to represent Hockey Northwestern Ontario in Kitchener.

O'Flaherty is a six foot forward for the Thistles.

While O'Flaherty is the only Kenora skated listed on the main roster, three local
high school players have been added as alternates on the team.

Adam Withers from Beaver Brae and Skylar Lentz and Connor Keith from Thomas Aquinas could be
added in case of injury, or if any of the other roster players are unable to participate.

The tournament begins May 8th.