Alzheimer's Ride For Memories

Photo Courtesy of Bruce Walchuk



The totals are in from last week's Alzheimer's Ride for Memories.

The fundraiser was a major success, with the event raising the most money ever in its 7-year history.



137-motorcycles participated and nearly 35-thousand dollars was raised.

Rickford Employment Forum

A round table discussion on maximizing employment opportunities in Kenora was held on Tuesday.

Community stakeholders spent the afternoon brainstorming ideas on how to create more jobs in Kenora.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says it was a fruitful discussion.

The meeting also looked at how to best use recent funding announcements from the Federal Government.

Howard Hampton on Hydro

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River says a harmonized sales tax mixed with a planned rate increase at Hydro One will have a crippling effect on fixed and low income families across the North.

Howard Hampton says the Provincial Government is headed down the wrong path.

Hydro One is asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve a rate increase of 9.5-percent in 2010 and 13.3-percent in 2011.

KI Platinex National Chief

Assembly of First Nations National Chief is weighing into the ongoing dispute between Kitchen-nuh-may-koosib Inninwug First Nation and the exploration company Platinex.

Shawn Atleo is urging the province to consult with the first nation community on a land use plan, suggesting mining permits be cancelled until the plan is complete.

Platinex wants to resume exploration on the property near the community under the authority of a 2007 court order.

The band is opposed to such activity.

Hospital Deal

The Ontario Hospital Association has reached a negotiated deal for hospital employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

The deal impacts workers at 54 hospitals, including those at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora.

The four year agreement includes wage increases and the forming of a committee to examine the issue of sick leave.

Both parties have agreed to ratification no later than October 30.

First Nation Funding

Two Sioux Lookout area First Nations are sharing Provincial funding to develop a community-based land use plan.

Cat Lake and Slate Falls will use the 770-thousand dollars in Northern Heritage Fund cash to identify employment and business opportunities.

The land use plan will help guide future development in forestry, mining, tourism and hydro development.

The initiative is a 3-year project.

Expensive Fire

Its going to cost a Fort Frances man a lot more to burn brush than expected.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has fined Bradley Bodnarchuck 150 dollars and ordered him to pay 45 hundred dollars for the cost of fighting his fire, which got out of control.

Bodnarchuck had been burning wood waste at his cabin on Rainy Lake this past July.

He tried to extinguish it and thought it was out, but the next day it spread into the bush.

An MNR fire ranger crew had to be called into put it out.

He pled guilty to failing to properly extinguish a fire.

Lousy Summer

If you thought it was a cold Summer, you were right!

Temperatures from April to August were below normal across Northwestern Ontario.

CJRL Meterologist Bill Laidlaw says the good news is that Summer has finally arrived.

Precipitation levels were above average in Red Lake and Sioux Lookout, but near normal in Kenora, Atikokan, Dryden, Ear Falls and Ignace.

Hampton on Forestry

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the McGuinty Government is not addressing the real issues impacting the forest industry.

The Liberals have announced a series of public consultations on how to modernize the sector.

Hampton says he want's to see less talk and more action.

He stresses the Government is trying to create the impression that they are doing something to help Northwestern Ontario communities.

Fall Election?

The M.P. for the Kenora Riding says he's disappointed the Liberalswill no longer support the Harper Minority government.

On Tuesday, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff indicated he's withdrawing his support for the Conservatives.

Greg Rickford says he's disappointed by the developments and what it could mean for future infrastructure support for local communities.

Rickford says a fall election is almost a certainty now.

A vote of non-confidence could come as early as the first week inOctober.

Fire Update

It has been a quiet forest fire season in Northwestern Ontario.Ministry of Natural Resources

A total of 1,165 hectares burned at this point last year.

The official end to the season is October 31st.

Meanwhile, Ontario is sending more crews to British Columbia to help fight fires in that province.

Fort Drug Bust

Two Quebec men have been arrested on drug charges in Fort Frances following a routine traffic stop.

Yesterday morning, the OPP pulled over a vehicle for speeding at the west end of Fort Frances on King's Highway.

Police ended up calling in a K-9 officer and seized about 75 grams of marijuana, with a street value of about 12 hundred dollars.

Both men have been charged with possession of Canabis.

They are due to appear in Fort Frances court on September 28th.

Northern Politics

Northern Ontario is getting more attention by the country's political leaders.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in Sault Ste. Marie today for anannouncement.

Michael Ignatieff and his Liberals are winding up their meeting in Sudbury today.

Bear Wise Hotline

The Ministry of Natural Resources has some numbers to back upwhat people have been saying.

Black bears are real nuisance across much of the province.

Phone calls to the Bear Wise hotline -- requiring a response bythe M-N-R or police -- are up by thousands of calls over last year.

Terry Fox Plaque

A Parks Canada plaque honouring Terry Fox now sits at the memorial for the Marathon of Hope runner in Thunder Bay.

The plaque was unveiled yesterday to mark the spot were Fox was forced to abandon his run 29 years ago.

So far over 450 (m) million dollars has been raised in Terry Fox Runs around the world.

Possesion of Drugs

OPP have charged an 18 year old Kenora man with possession of a controlled substance.

The drug enforcement unit found the suspect on Matheson Street and thought he was participating in drug activity.

He was arrested with being in possession of a controlled substance.

Impaired Driver

OPP have charged another person with impaired driving over the weekend.

While on patrol on Saturday, offciers stopped a vehicle on Main Street.

The driver was found to be intoxicated and was arrested and brought to the detachment.

52 year old Winnipeg Resident, David Norquay was charged with drinking and driving.

Beaver Brae Renovations

Students will be filing into the hallways of Beaver Brae High School today.

High Schoolers can expect to see some dramatic changes in their building.

Larry Hope is the Director of Education for the Keewatin Patricia District School Board and says they've been busy renovating this summer.

Beaver Brae's classrooms have new furniture and new millwork.

Forestry Meetings

The provincial government is lauching consultations about how to modernize the forestry sector.

In particular, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry is focussing on how wood supplies are licensed, allocated and priced.

Michael Gravelle is the minister responsible and says a number of stakeholder meetings will be held across the north this fall.

There will be two consultations in northwestern Ontario.

The first will be in Dryden on September 29th and the other will be in Thunder Bay on October 1st.

Registration Night

Almost 40 exhibitors will be taking part in this year's Mass Registration and Information Fair tonight and tomorrow.

The two day event is being held at the Kenora Recreation Centre and Organizer Colleen Neil says parents should bring their cheque books.

The registration fair will run from 6:30 until 8:30 tonight.

OPP School Safety

Kids of all ages will be heading back to school today.

Today marks the first day of classes and the OPP are remindingmotorists to pay close attention to students crossing streets and getting off buses.

Constable Dave Cain of the OPP says drivers should slow down, especially in school zones.

Cain adds that officers will be paying close attention to community safety zones surrounding schools and cracking down on motoristswho travel too fast in those areas.

No Swimming in Harbourfront

The Kenora Harborfront is going to be out of bounds for swimmersfor the next few days.

The Northwestern Health Unit says recent testing has found high bacterial counts in the water.

As a result, the Harborfront has been posted as Unsafe for Swimming.

The area will remain closed for swimming until the water quality improves.

Fatal Stabbing

Nishnawbe-Aski Police are investigating a fatal stabbing on the remote Northern community of Poplar Hill First Nation, north of Red Lake.

Officers responded to the incident early Sunday morning.

Police say 26-year-old Abus Owen was transported to the communities nursing station with stab wounds, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Police have arrested a 20-year-old woman, who's name is currently being withheld.

Speedy Senior

A Saskatoon senior should have known better.

Police in northwestern Ontario say they clocked the 67-year-old'scar at nearly 150 kilometres an hour (near Nipigon) on Highway 17 in a 90 zone on the weekend.

The man's car is impounded for seven days as is his driver's licence.

New School Year KPDSB

The Keewatin Patricia District School Board has some changes in store for the upcoming school year.

The public board recently welcomed three new schools to their education family.

Director of Education Larry Hope says they also expanded and tweaked some of their curriculum.

The board's oral language program is also being expanded to include Grade 2 teachers and their classes.

Gravelle on Platinex KI Dispute

The Minister of Northern Development and Mines says he's willing to set up a meeting between the leaders from the Big Trout Lake First Nation and Platinex to try to resolve their on-going dispute.

Earlier this week, residents of the community prevented float plane carrying Platinex officials from landing.

Michael Gravelle says he's willing to try to bring both sides together.

Platinex has been trying to drill on property near Big Trout Lake, but the band has been adamantly opposed to any exploration work in its traditional land use territory.

School starts tomorrow

Its back to school this week for students in both the public and separate school board.

Today, the teachers head back to work for a professional delopment day, and students go back to class tomorrow.

Phylis Aikre is the Director of Education with the Kenora Catholic District Schoo Board and says even though they are opening up a couple of new facilities this fall, they aren't anticipating a big jumpin enrolment.

Aikre says one of the changes this year will see a new daycare program move into the old Thomas Aquinas Annex.

It will officially open tomorrow.

Sunset Country Travel TV Shows

The Sunset Country Travel Association is going Hollywood.

The tourism group has received 218 thousand dollars from the federal government to produce 26 television shows.

Gerry Cariou is the executive director of Sunset Country and says they will be working with a number of tourist outfitters across the region.

The funding was announced on Friday by Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford.

The money comes from the Community Adjustment fund.

Shoal Lake Lots

As many as 40 new cottage lots are going to be developed on Shoal Lake.

The Shoal Lake #39 First Nation has received 775 thousand dollars from the federal government to help out with the project.

Band Chief Eli Mandamin expects the lots will be sold fairly quickly.

The funding was announced on Friday by Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford.

The money is part of five million dollars set aside for the Kenora Riding under the Community Adjustment Fund.

Rickford Funding Announcements

A total of 12 municipalities and first nation communities in the Kenora riding are sharing over five million dollars from the federal government.

The funding was rolled out last week under the Community Adjustment Fund.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says this is the last of the funding promised in this years federal budget to help communities deal with the effects of the recession.

Rickford says the federal government will begin a new round of pre-budget consultations this fall to determine if more infrastructure and community adjustment funds will be needed.

Four Laning Highway

The Ministry of Transportation is conducting a planning study to identify land needed for the future four-laning of the Trans-Canada highway between Kakabeka Falls and Shabaqua Corner.

The route planning study will recommend a corridor, although there is no commitment to start construction anytime soon.

As part of the study, the Ministry will unviel potential routes at a series of meetings later this fall.

Bald Eagle Fine

A Thunder Bay man has been fined 25-hundred dollars for shooting and killing a bald eagle.

Court heard that on June first, conservation officers investigated a report of gunfire on a property and discovered a decaying bald eagle carcass in the yard.

Shawn Bowes admitted to shooting the Eagle.

The bird is specially protected under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Bowes has also been banned from hunting for 3-years.

Bears In Kenora

Northwestern Ontario residents can expect to see more bears in city limits this fall.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has already dealt with 19 nuiscance bears this summer.

Wildlife Biologist Norm Hissa says there are a number of reasons why the bears venture into
municipalities.

The MNR reminds the public to put trash out on the day of garbage pick up only, and keep non native food for bears indoors.

Non native food includes garbage, pet treats, and bbq drippings.
18 bears have been trapped and relocated, while one has been shot.

The bearwise hotline number is 1-866-514 2327.

For video of a black bear on a Kenora deck click on our website photo section www.cjrl.ca

Big Grassy First Nation

The Big Grassy and Onigaming First Nations are looking to attract more visitors and increase their tourism revenues.

The Provincial Government is putting 100 thousand dollars towards upgrading Assabaska Ojibway Heritage Park.

The site will include 10 new seasonal campsites to accomodate more campers.

The project includes clearing land, installing a water reservoir, improving boat launches, and roads.

Greyhound Winnipeg

Kenora residents travelling to Winnipeg by Greyhound will now be dropped off at a different location.

The bus depot has moved from its Portage Avenue home to a new facility at the Richardson International Airport.

A Greyhound spokesperson says passengers can also choose to disembark at a stop downtown on Fort Street.

The Company adds a shuttle will run 3-times daily from downtown up to the airport.

Stabbing Arrest

One man has been arrested following a stabbing incident last night.

The OPP say they responded to a complaint of an altercation at ahouse party.

A 19 year old man was subsequently stabbed and had to be transportedto Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

An adult male has been charged with aggravated assault and is scheduled to appear in Kenora court for a show/cause hearing.

Pickle Lake House fire update

A man who was killed in a house fire last weekend, died as a result of smoke inhallation.

A post-mortem was held yesterday morning in Toronto to determine the cause of death.

So far, the identity of the deceased has not been confirmed.

The coronor will be using dental records to assist with the identification process.

The OPP and the Ontario Fire Marshall's office are continuing their investigation into the cause of the fatal fire.

Stafford Bike Ride

The father of slain Woodstock girl Tori Stafford will be in Kenora a little earlier than scheduled.

Rodney Stafford says he's making the 34-hundred-kilometre bike ride in honour of his slain daughter and to raise awareness and funds for Child Find Ontario.

He's been making time riding across northwestern Ontario and is expected to arrive in town later this evening.

Tori Stafford was abducted April 8th after leaving her school in Woodstock and her remains were found on July 19th in Mount Forest.

Bears in Town

Northwestern Ontario residents can expect to see more bears in city limits this fall.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has already dealt with 19 nuiscance bears this summer.

Wildlife Biologist Norm Hissa says there are a number of reasons why the bears venture into municipalities.

18 bears have been trapped and relocated, while one has been shot.

Catholic School Board New Buildings

Local school boards are gearing up for the start up of classes next week.

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is putting the finishing touches on a couple of new
buildings.

Phylis Aikre is the Director of Education and says the Multi-Skills Center will be ready for classes starting next Tuesday.

Aikre adds that the Grade 7 and 8 annex at Thomas Aquinas School will also be ready for students starting next week.

Redditt Water Supply

Residents of the tiny community of Redditt will be able to view plans for a community water supply.

A public information session is being held on the Labor Day weekend to update plans to connect 50 or so homes to a central water distribution system.

Jack Martin is chair of the local services board and says plans have been coming along nicely.

The public meeting will take place on Saturday, September 5th at 1:30 at the Redditt Community Club.

There will also be a fundraising fish fry that night.

MNR BC

Ontario continues to provide forest firefighting support to British Columbia.

A rotation of Ministry of Natural Resources personnel yesterday saw 91 fireRangers and support staff head to B-C while 120 ended their two-week deployment.

Nearly 300 M-N-R personnel are still working in the west coast.

Pickle Lake House fire update

A post-mortem will be conducted today on the body of a man pulledfrom a house fire in Pickle Lake over the weekend.

The OPP say the identity of the victim still has not been confirmed.

In the meantime, police have arrested a 19 year old woman who wasat the scene of the fire Saturday night.

Stephanie Measakeyash from the New Osnaburgh First Nation has beencharged with breach of an undertaking.

Tower Motel Murder

A preliminary hearing for the two people charged in the death of a 43 year old man in March has started in Kenora.

Kenneth Ivall and Angela Duschene are facing second degree murder charges in connection with the death of Edward Wilson.

The duo is also charged with attempt to obstruct justice and mischief.

The body of the 43 year old Wilson was discovered by CP Rail employees on the tracks behind the Tower motel in the early morning hours of March 21.

Four days have been set aside for the hearing.

Waterline Work

Sections of a new submarine waterline between downtown Kenora and Norman are starting to be pieced together.

Galcon Marine has been working on the project for a couple of months.

Operations manager, Rick Perchuck says the company has been usingthe Kenora Forest
Products mill yards as its base of operations.

Perchuck says the new submarine water line should be in place byOctober 1st.

The total project is expected to cost about two million dolllars to complete.

Kenora Mill Demolition

It's the end of an era.

Abitibi Consolidated's sulphite plant was pulled down this morning.

Hundreds of people gathered to check out the action, Former Mill employee Rob Lindstrom says it was sad to see one of Kenora's oldest mills be dismantled.

The old recycling plant and a couple of warehouses are the only other remaining buildings still standing on the mill property.

For video coverage of the demolition log onto http://www.cjrl.ca/ and click on Photos.

Invasive Species Hit Squad

Boaters appear to be getting the message about the impact invasive species can have on area waters.

An initiative between the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and Ministry of
Natural Resources helped monitor invasive species across Northern Ontario this Summer.

Spokesperson Rylee Nixon says most visitors are obeying the rules.

Nixon says during her work this summer, she did find presence of rusty crayfish in Lake of the Woods and spiny water fleas in Rainy Lake, with reports of sea lamprey in Quetico Provincial Park.

Nursing Program Accredited

A nursing program offered jointly by Lakehead University and Confederation College has received accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.

L-U's Director of Nursing Karen Poole says the 7-year accreditation for the Collaborative Nursing Program comes at a time when the 2-instituations are looking at record enrollments.

Poole expects the numbers to increase with the program now being accredited.

School Buses

The start of school is one week away.

The Northwestern Ontario Student Services Co-Operative Transportation is in full gear preparing to get kids on the bus across the District.

Manager Judi Green says they have spent the Summer dealing with expanded service.

Green says for the most part, parents won't see much change this year.

Metis Memorandum of Agreement

Listening closely to the needs of Ontario's Metis population is top of mind at the Annual General Assembly underway in Sudbury.

Metis Nation of Ontario president Gary Lipinski says his leadership has been actively working on a strategic plan which reflects concerns brought forward over the past year.

Yesterday, the Metis signed an agreement of understanding with the province's Ministry of Education.

New NAN Officers

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is expanding.The Service has welcomed 11-new officers to the force.

5-of the new recruits are from Thunder Bay, 1-from Constance Lake First Nation and 1-from Moose Factory.

4-of the officers are from the Toronto area.

They will be stationed in various NAN communities in Northern Ontario.

Pickle Lake House fire

A house fire has claimed the life of one man in the remote community of Pickle Lake in northwestern Ontario.

The OPP say the blaze broke out Saturday night around 8:30.

The home was completely engulfed in flames by the time fire fighters arrived at the scene.

Initially, police were told that everyone managed to get out of the burning building, but it was
later discovered one person was missing.

After the fire was extinguished the body of a man was found inside the burned out house.

So far, a positive identification of the victim has not been made.

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire.

Hunter Fined

An American hunter has been fined 37 hundred dollars for illegallyhunting deer in the Trout Lake area west of Kenora.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says Thomas Terounzo of Vermont trespassed onto private property while hunting just off of Highway 596 last November.

He walked around a gate and past three "private property" signs to shoot a white-tailed deer.

The MNR says he shot the deer while pointing his rifle towards the highway, and his bullet
passed through the deer and across the road towards several homes in the area.

He has been fined 25 hundred dollars for careless hunting, a thousand dollars for trespassing while hunting and 200 dollars for failing to wear hunters orange.

Mill Demolition Update

Another building on the old Abitibi-Consolidated mill site is scheduledto come down today.

The old sulphite plant is one of the last buildings standing along 9thStreet North.

Crews have been working over the past couple of days, getting it readyto topple it.

The old recycling plant and a couple of warehouses are the only otherremaining buildings still standing on the mill property.

Ontario Doctor Shortage

The province is increasing the money going into a program toattract doctors to underserviced communities.

The province's free tuition program now offers up to 40-thousanddollars to doctors who agree to work in hard-pressed communities.

The free-tuition will be available to doctors in allmunicipalities -- except in the Ottawa and the greater Toronto area.

Rat Portage Granite Plant Study

Rat Portage First Nation is looking at opening a new gang saw granite fabrication plant.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing the first nation with money to conduct a feasibility study.

A new plant would create up to 50 jobs, encourage off reserve members to return to the community for work, and provide a general boost to the economy.

The feasibility study is expected to be complete by next month.

Swine Flu Northwestern Ontario

The swine flu virus has completely disappeared yet in northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Health says there were three confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus this past week in the region.

Only one of the cases was reported in the Northwestern Health Unit's cachment area, the other two were in the Thunder Bay area.

The number of cases of the swine flu in this region has now reached 74, but the province says the rate of spread is definitely slowing down.

Water Levels Lake of the Woods

A big jump in water levels on the Lake of the Woods this week due toall the rain.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board says levels have risen two inches and are expected to go up another two to four inches in the next week.

Executive Engineer, Rick Walden says its been a challenging year to try to maintain stable water levels.

Outflow from the Norman Dam into the Winnipeg River has also risenslightly this week, up to 420 cubic meters per second.

Lottery Winners Kenora

Its been a good week for local residents who play scratch cards.

Two men have won several thousands of dollars playing Bingo and Crossword.
Brian Leroux is the latest winner.

He collected 25 thousand dollars playing Instant Crossword.

He purchased his ticket at the Loaf and Jug Food Mart.

Bruce Kitt also won 50 thousand dollars playing Instant Bingo this week.

Tori Stafford's Dad Cycling Cross Canada

The father of slain Woodstock girl Tori Staffordis scheduled to be in Kenora later this week on his cycling tour to Edmonton.

Rodney Stafford says he's making the 34-hundred-kilometre bikeride in honour of his slain daughter and to raise awareness andfunds for Child Find Ontario.

Stafford plans to collect donations in Kenora at the Walmart Store this coming Friday.

Tori Stafford was abducted April 8th after leaving her school inWoodstock and her remains were found on July 19th in Mount Forest.

Thunder Bay Bad Driver

Ottawa police have laid charges against a Thunder Bay man after a father and son were struck while cycling on a busy road.

The father suffered a badly broken leg and a head injury after being struck by the pickup truck.

His 10-year-old son broke his arm.Police say the driver of the truck was merging into traffic and didn't notice the father and son in the bike lane.

21-year-old Erin Chezik has been charged with failing to yield.

Dryden Crash

Transport Canada is gradually implementing a safety management system in the aviation industry.

However, there are many critics.The former commissioner who investigated the 1989 crash that killed 24 people in Dryden is among them.

Virgil Moshansky says he sees similarities between now and events before the 1989 crash.

Transport Canada says the system offers an extra layer of safety.However, inspections have been cut and the unions say inspectors are being lost.

Cheaper Natural Gas this Fall

Natural gas rates in Ontario are going down yet again this year.

The price has fallen to a seven year low, just under three dollars US per thousand cubic feet.

Union Gas Spokesperson Andrea Stass says Northwestern Ontario residents can expect to see
their bills decrease in October.

Stass notes prices are down because the recession has seen a drop in the demand for natural gas.

Service Ontario Changes

The provincial government says it will be establishing 10 Service Ontario centers in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts in the next year.

The government announced the re-organization earlier this summer and says under the initiative, you will be able to apply for a new health card,a drivers licence, and hunting and fishing permits out of one office.

In Kenora, the Service Ontario office will be located on Robertson Street.

As a result of the changes however, the Licensing and Vehicle Registration Office, which is located in Keewatin is being closed this fall.

A spokesperson for that office says their last day in business will be October 13th.

Compton on AMO

Kenora Mayor Len Compton says he's pleased with the responsethey recieved while in Ottawa from provincial cabinet ministers at theannual Association of Municipalities of Ontario convention.

Compton says they met a total of nine ministers including the ministerof the Environment, John Gerritson.

He says they raised issues about the cost of providing clean drinking water for the City of Kenora.

Compton says they also had a very positive meeting with the Ministerof Aboriginal Affairs about the city's Common Ground initiative onTunnel Island.

KFP Severance to be paid

Kenora Forest Products and its laid off employees have reached a settlement.

The agreement will ensure the payout of severance and termination pay for about 35 workers that had been denied payment 2½ months ago.

The remaining workforce will continue to retain negotiated recall rights until June 1, 2010.

The final settlement will be mailed out to all affected workers in the next few days and severance and termination pay will be made in September, December and in June.

Hampton Forestry

Kenora Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton feels the McGuinty Government needs to immediately adress the growing number of layoffs in the forest industry.

This past summer has been full of companies laying off employees across Northwestern Ontario.

Hampton says the Liberal Government has been a sleep at the wheel.

The most recent layoffs were announced by Domtar's Ear Falls mill.

First Rider Program

The newly formed Northwestern Ontario Student Services Co-Operative is hosting the 'First
Rider Program in Dryden and Kenora on Saturday.

Transportation Manager Judi Green says the initiative helps teach kids about bus safety.

The program has been running in Dryden for 10-years and is being held in Kenora for the first time.

Rest Stop AMO

Three members of Kenora City Council are back in town after spending the past week hob-knobbing with provincial cabinet ministers in thenations capital.

Rory McMillan, Charito Drinkwalter and mayor Len Compton attended the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa.

McMillan says they had generally positive meetings with most ministers, but was disappointed with the response they got from the Minister of Transportation about the development of a rest stop on the Kenora By-Pass.

Earlier this year at the Ontario Good Roads Conference, the province indicated that it would begin a study on the feasitibity of building a rest stop on Highway 17-A.

Keewatin Beach Open

Clear skies, warmer weather and a newly re-opened beach.

The Northwestern Health Unit has rescinded its closure of Keewatin Beach.

The beach was closed last week due to high levels of e-coli found in the water.

Recent water quality tests have come back clean.

Weekly sampling will be carried out during the swimming season as a way to ensure the water quality does not pose a risk for swimmers.

Hunting Fine Levied

A North Carolina man has been fined two thousand dollars for lying to a Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officer.

Court heard that Jonathan Morrison met up with a CO while hunting in the Kenora area.
The officer questioned him about his deer hunting activities.

Morrison made several conflicting statements regarding his part in killing a white tailed deer.
Upon investigation, his statements were found to be false.

Morrison will have his hunting priveles in Ontario reinstated and his rifle returned once he pays his fine.

Slow Summer for Tourism

Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association is reflecting on the summer tourism season that way and gearing up for the fall hunting season.

Executive Director Gerry Cariou says this summer wasn't the best for tourism.

Cariou says the dedicated hunters from the United States and Canada will still be visiting their favourite tourist outfitters, but notes there may a slight decrease in the number of hunters visiting because of the economic recession.

Boating Regulations deadline approaching

September 15th marks the day all operators of powered recreational vessels need to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

The Federal law was passed in 1999 but will be enforced starting this fall.

Boat Smart Canada President Cameron Taylor says to date 1.5 million Canadians have obtained the card.

An estimated 6.5 million still need to get their cards before September 15th.

A number of local businesses also offer courses to qualify for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

MNR Enforcement on Winnipeg River

Kenora District Conservation Officers laid 13 charges and issued 39 warnings during an enforcement blitz from August 2nd to 10th on the Winnipeg River.

Conservation officers checked 264 anglers for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and Ontario Fisheries Regulations.

Several charges were laid for having an overlimit of walleye, fishing without a license, and transporting fish that could not be measured and identified.

Officers also laid two charges and issued three warnings against individuals under the Liquor Licence Act, for having open liquor in a boat.

Attiwapiskat Rally

Roughly 50-members of the remote Northern community of Attawapiskat First Nation staged a peaceful protest outside the DeBeers Canada Office in Toronto Wednesday.

Chief Theresa Hall says they are concerned that the wealth generated by diamond exploration and mining on their traditional land is not being shared.

Hall says they have tried to address the issue with the Mining Company and both levels of Government but stresses their patience is running out.

She says Attawapiskat residents are living in poverty, while living next door to one of the richest mining operations in the world.

Another Quiet Forest Fire Season

It's on track to be another quiet forest fire season in northwestern Ontario.

As of yesterday, there have been a total 173 forest fires in the region this season, burning an area of about 14-thousand hectares.

By comparison, there about 50 fewer fires to date last season, covering about 370 hectares.

The 10 year annual average for the number of fires and hectares is 639 fires and 104-thousand hectares annually.

Gold Finds in NWO

Laurentian Goldfields has added a second property to its holdings near Dryden.

The Vancouver based company has signed an option agreement to acquire 100-interest in what is referred to as the New Klondike property.

Laurentian has also increased the overall size of the project in the Eagle-Wabigoon-Manitou Lakes area.

The total size of the project is now over 116-hectares.

Peaceful Protest

Members of the Attawapiskat First Nation will be protesting in front of the De Beers Canada office in Toronto this morning.

The first nation wants the wealth generated by diamond exploration in their lands should be equally split between the business and community.

Attawapiskat First Nation is a remote commuity on the west coast of James Bay with a population of one thousand eight hundred.

Teacher Humanitarian Award

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario is honouring a local educator.

Kenora elementary teacher Shannon Bailey received the ETFO's Humanitarian Award.

The Lakewood school teacher was recognized for her part in helping create a breakfast program at her school.

Bailey secured community partners and funding to purchase commercial toasters, a freezer and a fridge for the breakfast program.

Local Teacher Humanitarian Award

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario is honouring a local educator.

Kenora elementary teacher Shannon Bailey received the ETFO's Humanitarian Award.


The Lakewood school teacher was recognized for her part in helping create a breakfast program at her school.


Bailey secured community partners and funding to purchase commercial toasters, a freezer and a fridge for the breakfast program.

Hunting Fine

A North Carolina man has been fined two thousand dollars for lying to a Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officer.

Court heard that Jonathan Morrison met up with a CO while hunting in the Kenora area.

The officer questioned him about his deer hunting activities.

Morrison made several conflicting statements regarding his part in killing a white tailed deer.

Upon investigation, his statements were found to be false.

Morrison will have his hunting privelages in Ontario reinstated and his rifle returned once he pays his fine.

Rafferty on Forestry

The NDP is calling for a stand-alone economic agency for Northern Ontario as well as loan guarantees to forest companies.

Those 2-resolutions were approved at the Federal Party Convention held in Halifax on the weekend.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty also stressed the need of scrapping or renegotiating the softwood lumber agreement.

Rafferty notes his party doesn't want a Fall Election but is ready for one just in case.

Hydro Rates Going Up

It may cost you more to heat up your home.

Hydro One is asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve a rate increase of 9.5-percent in 2010 and 13.3-percent in 2011.

Board Spokesperson Vanda Wall says the new rates could be in place early next year.

Wall says if approved, the impact on customers will vary.

Ride For Memories

Get your motorcycles ready, because the Kenora-Rainy River AlzheimerSociety's 7th annual "Ride for Memories" is fast approaching.

Bikers can register for 15 dollars in advance and 20 during the day of the ride.

Executive Director Margaret Schoenwille says its one of their best fundraisers.

The ride includes lunch in Dryden, dinner in Red Lake and a charity poker tournament.

This year's event is being held a weekend earlier than normal, with the ride scheduled for August 29th.

Jail Death Fort Frances

The father of a 21-year-old man who died on the weekend in a Fort Frances jail cell says his son likely died in his sleep.

Terry Wreggitt of Atikokan says it's possible his son Dylan had a brain aneurysm after suffering a concussion in a car accident last fall.

Dylan Wreggitt was just three months into a two-year sentence for a break-and-enter offence.

Police earlier said they don't suspect foul play in Wreggitt's death, although an official cause of death won't be known until anautopsy is complete.

Dryden in Kenora

A former Liberal cabinet minister and hockey player will be visiting Northwestern Ontario next month.

Ken Dryden will be stopping to speak to party faithful in Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Kenora.

Kenora Riding Liberal Candidate Roger Valley says Dryden will also hold a round table discussion on poverty.

The Roundtable Discussion on Poverty will be held on September 4th in Kenora.

Drugs Kenora

A police search of a north end home on August 14th has resulted in the seizure of drugs and related paraphanilia.

Kenora OPP seized 3 marijuana plants, 13.1 grams of Cannabis Resin and grow operation equipment.

A 17 year old Kenora man has been charged with production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Update on Assault

The 72 year old woman who was assaulted in the McDonald's parking lot in Kenora is in stable condition.

The victim is still in hospital being treated for her head injuries.

Police are asking anyone who may have been in the area of MacDOnald's last Tuesday night and
may have witnessed anything to contact them at 548-5534.

42 year old Richard Landry of Winnipeg has been charged with aggravated assault in connection with the incident.

Kenora Man Charged in Dryden

A Kenora man with no license and no insurance still decided to go for a drive in Dryden on the weekend.

City Police were called to investigate a vehicle being driven in an erratic manner on Sandy Beach Road.

Officers stopped the car and charged 20-year-old Zachary Valiquette with impaired driving, driving while under suspension and no insurance.

Boats Stolen

Kenora OPP are investigating a stolen boat from the Bannister Centre docks.

The stolen boat is a 14 foot Lund and was later located by police near First Portage.

Police also noted a number of boats have been entered and searched by would be thieves.

The OPP are reminding the public to remove all valuables from their boats when docked.

New Judge in NWO

There's a new regional senior judge for the North West Region of Ontario.

Justice Marc Bode was appointed by the province to the position that took effect last Wednesday.

Bode has been a province judge since January 2008 and was formerly Legal Aid Ontario's area director for the Thunder Bay district.

Impaired Driver Weekend

It was a busy weekend for OPP in Kenora, officers charged more people for drinking and driving.

On Saturday, Police noticed a vehicle being driven in an eratic manner and pulled the driver over.

32 year old James Brenner of Winnipeg was charged with failing to prove a breath sample and obstructing police.

On Sunday, officers stopped a vehicle on Lakeview Drive and charged 21 year old Winnipeg Resident Laura Vossen with impaired driving.

OPP Ride Checks also brought in one 3 day suspension for a driver registering a warning during a roadside test.

Police also charged a driver with a G2 Licence with registering an alcohol level over zero.

Northern Growth Plan

Northern Development Michael Gravelle says the government is still on schedule for the release of a draft report for the Northern Growth plan.

Gravelle recently provided an update on the plan to organizations and individuals who participated in consultations earlier this year.

Gravelle says it will include a number of elements aimed at improving the economy of northern Ontario.

Gravelle expects the draft plan to come out soon with further input expected in the fall.

Jail Death Fort Frances

Investigators probing the weekend jail cell death of a 21-year-old Atikokan man say they don't suspect foul play.

Dylan Wreggitt was found ``unresponsive'' in his cell bed early Saturday at Rainy River District Jail in Fort Frances.

An autopsy was performed in Kenora but the cause of death has not been released.

Wreggitt was serving a sentence at the jail but police declined to release the details of the offence.

An attempt by jail staff to revive Wreggitt by performing C-P-R was not successful.

A coroner's inquest is mandatory when someone dies in custody.

McKenzie Clear Water Bay Local Services Board

McKenzie Portage/Clearwater Bay residents have voted in favour of establishing a local services board.

The local services board will only be dealing with the volunteer fire department.

Jill Kalika is the Chair of the McKenzie Clearwater Bay Fire Protection Corporation and says the services board's goal is to raise money for the fire service.

The Minister of Northern Development and Mines still needs to approve the creation of the services board.

Domtar Ear Falls Sawmill

Bad news has hit the Municipality of Ear Falls hard.

Domtar has announced that it will suspend operations at its Ear Falls Sawmill indefinitly.

Operations will start to be curtailed in mid-October and will impact roughly 130-employees.

The decision is based on a slowdown in the North American construction industry and decreased demand for softwood lumber.

The exchange rate and high operating costs are also to blame.

The mill re-started last week after being shut down for over 4-months.

Red Lake Water Levels

Water levels in the Red Lake area are at their highest in more than 30-years.

The record levels could lead to shoreline property damage according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Mike Schillemore is a spokesperson for the MNR and says Sections of the Red Lake shoreline are underwater and susceptible to errosion.

Thanks to the heavy rainfall this Summer, more water is entering the system than can be released by the control dam at Snowshoe Rapids.

Sandbags are available free-of-charge at the Red Lake Public Works Yard.

West Nile Virus

A cool, damp summer means there has been fewer mosquitoes in northwestern Ontario.

The Northwestern Health Unit has been trapping mosquitos for its West Nile Testing program.

Al Mathers is a public health inspector and say so far there has been no evidence of the disease in this region.

Mathers says they've carried out their mosquito trapping in Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances, but they haven't been collecting dead birdsfrom the public for testing of West Nile Virus.

Kenora at AMO

Three members of Kenora City Council are in Ottawa this week for the annual Association of Muncipalities of Ontario convention.

Kenora Mayor Len Compton says they have had good success in recent years in setting up meetings with provincial cabinet ministers.

Compton says they have meetings set up this week with eight cabinet ministers or their deputy ministers, including the ministers of Tourism,Transportation, Public Safety, Northern Development and Mines, and Aborignal Affairs.

AYA Saturday

For the second weekend in a row, Lake of the Woods will be playing host to a major fishing tournament.

26 teams are entered in the Angler Young Angler fish derby.

Each team is made up of one adult and two children.

Michelle Trudeau is one of the people responsible for organizing theevent and says teams are coming from across North America to fish.

Fishing will begin Saturday morning at 8:30, with final weigh-instaking place at 3:30 on the Kenora Harborfront.