Attawapiskat Aid

An Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team is to leave Oshawa today with 100-thousand dollars in aid supplies for Attawapiskat.

The aid includes water purification systems and tablets, adult and child hygiene kits, medical supplies and thermal clothing.

The team delivering the aid will include a Durham Region police officer, two paramedics, one each from Durham Region and Toronto E-M-S, and a water technician.

Riding Association

Liberals in the Kenora-Rainy River riding are looking to reorganize.


A riding association meeting is planned for January 17th in Dryden.

Anthony Leek, who represented the party in last October's election, says it's important to have a strong local riding association in place.

The riding association was not that active in the year's leading up to last fall's election.

Osisko Mining

Osisko Mining has become the target of an unsolicited mini-tender offer.

The company proposing an open-pit gold mine near Atikokan says its neither recommending nor endorsing the bid from TRC Capital.

TRC wants to acquire up to 5-million dollars in Osisko shares at a discounted share rate.

Mini-tender offers are designed to seek less than 5 per cent of a company's outstanding shares.

Atikokan Cultural Plan

A final draft of a new municipal cultural plan is now in the hands of Atikokan township councillor.

It makes 33 recommendations aimed at promoting and using the town's cultural assets as an economic development tool.

Mayor Dennis Brown says the township will be able to carry out some, but not all of the recommendations.

Council will hear more about the plan when the plan's author visits next Monday night.

Winter Driving

Provincial police say winter conditions were factors in two multi-vehicle crashes that left seven teens dead.

The collisions occurred on Tuesday within four hours of each other in the Parry Sound and Sudbury areas.

Police say the tragedies show how important it is for motorists to adjust their driving behaviour to the road conditions.

The O-P-P is asking parents to speak to their young drivers about the dangers of winter driving and to lead by example

Amber Alert

Police in Timmins, Ont., have issued an Amber Alert for two young children they say were abducted in the Timmins area.


Police are looking for three-year-old Aiden Johnson and one-year-old Kara Johnson, who they believe to be with their father Zachary Johnson.

Zachary Johnson is described as five-foot-10, skinny build, short curly dark brown hair with some grey, grey-green eyes, and scruffy facial hair.

Aiden Johnson is described as three-foot-six, stocky build, light brown medium length hair with blue eyes.

Police say he was wearing black and red Oshkosh snow boots with two Velcro straps and a white winter jacket with blue and black rockets and spaceships.

Kara Johnson is described as two-feet-tall, petite build, light brown short hair with bangs, fine hair, and hazel eyes.

She was wearing a one-piece, turquoise baby sleeper with a bunny in front.

The vehicle Johnson was driving was located broken down near Westmount Avenue and University Street in Timmins.

Police have been unable to locate Johnson and the kids and say he could be headed for Ottawa, Nova Scotia or Saint Sauveur des Monts,Que.

Salvation Army Canada

The bells weren't the only thing jingling during the Salvation Army's annual Kettle Campaign.

The organization says it raised a record 20-million dollars this Christmas.

The Salvation Army marked the 120th anniversary of its Kettle Campaign with nearly two-thousand kettles in stores and on street corners across Canada and through an online campaign.

Hunting Fine

A northwestern Ontario woman has been fined 15-hundred dollars for hunting violations relating to an incident last fall in the Sioux Narrows area.


Trisha Brackett was charged in October after a Ministry of Natural Resources investigation revealed the resident of Marathon had fired from and across a road at a deer.

She later killed the animal, despite not having a proper tag.

Canada Day Poster Challenge

Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Honourable James Moore has launched the 2012 Canada Day Poster Challenge.

This years theme is " The Fight for Canada".

This national competition invites young Canadians aged 5 to 18 to design an original poster that illustrates how the people, places, and events of the past have shaped our country.


The deadline for entering the contest is March 9, 2012.

For more details, visit the competition website: Canadian Heritage

Veterans Access to Benefits

A software program that could end many disagreements between injured soldiers and Veterans Affairs Canada has been stuck in the federal bureaucracy for over a year.

Canada's veterans ombudsman Guy Parent wants the application made available online so vets and former Mounties can determine what benefits they're entitled to.

The program was developed by the ombudsman's office and is currently approved only for internal use.

Festive RIDE Program

The Festive RIDE Program came to a disappointing end. Spokesperson

Shelley Garr says 47 impaired charges were handed out in the Northwest and a new issues is people tweeting RIDE location.

 Garr says although tweeting the locations is not illegal it is generally frowned upon. Garr commented its disappointing to still see people drinking and driving.

Municipal employees: Fort Frances

Municipal employees in Fort Frances have started 2012 with new contracts.


Separate four-year-deals for unionized workers and managers and non-unionized staff were agreed to just before the Christmas break.

The deals include wage hikes of two per cent in each year.

One with the Canadian Union of Public Employees impacts 67 full and part time workers, along with eighteen unionized positions.

The other covers about 40 managers and non-unionized staff, along with another 28 students.

Kenora Winter Carnival Charity Challenge

It's a tight race for the Kenora Winter Carnival Charity Challenge.

Tourism Development Officer, Heather Patterson says “so far so good”.

The Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation and It’s a Dog’s Life are tied for a close first having sold just over 400 winter carnival buttons.






Other charities selling buttons include:

Kenora Scouts
Habitat for Humanity
The Canadian Cancer Society
Alzheimer’s Society
Special Olympics
Triple P.L.A.Y

Winter Carnival Buttons" are $2.00 each and are available at The Discovery Center, City Hall or online at http://www.kenorawintercarnival.ca/

The Kenora Winter Carnival is March 2-March 4th 2012.

Fibrek

Quebec pulp producer Fibrek is urging its shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Resolute Forest Products.



Resolute is offering 130-million dollars for the company that has pulp mills in Quebec, West Virginia and Michigan.


In a letter to shareholders, Fibrek says the bid deprives them of the opportunity to participate in the upside of the pulp business and other earnings streams.

Driven to Quit Challenge

Quit smoking and you could win a car.


The Canadian Cancer Society has launched its seventh annual “Driven to Quit Challenge”

The Challenge itself is funded annually by the Ontario government and is open
to anyone over the age of 19-who used tobacco for at least 10 months in
2011.

Those who stay smoke-free for the month of March could win their
choice of a new Ford Fusion hybrid or Ford Edge.

Click here to register!

Alzheimer Awareness month

There's a delay in Canadians seeking diagnosis for dementia according to a new Alzheimer Society survey.


It finds that people are delaying diagnosis because they believe their symptoms are part of old age.

January is Alzheimer Awareness month.

Cash Draw

What a difference $20,000 would make.

The Kenora Swimming Sharks CASH DRAW takes place at the Kenora Recreation Centre on January 19th.

Just under 2,500 tickets will be sold for $20 each and are available at many businesses around Kenora including Sunset Strip Husky

Freedom of Information Legislation

Most Ontario hospitals are expected to post their executive contracts online today now that they're subject to freedom of information legislation.

The N-D-P want to cap the salaries of hospital C-E-O's at 418-thousand dollars a year but Tom Closson of the Ontario Hospital Association says this is the wrong time to limit pay for hospital administrators.

Closson adds that being more transparent will boost the public's confidence in what he says is the most efficient hospital system in Canada.

Kenora Youth Council

Want to make a difference in the community?


If you're between the ages of 14-21, attending high school or an educational institute: why not join the Kenora Youth Council?

Interested volunteers have until Friday, January 6th 2012 to submit their application to:

Joanne McMillin
City Hall
One Main Street South
                                                Kenora, ON
                                                P9N 3X2
                                                Phone: (807) 467-2000
                                                Fax: (807) 467-2009
                                                E-Mail: jmcmillin@kenora.ca

Application forms and terms of reference are available at City Hall or by visiting www.kenora.ca

2012 in Fort Frances

The Mayor of Fort Frances says the lack of a municipal election in 2010 proved to be beneficial for his community.


Roy Avis says with everyone back, council was able to plot strategies right away in 2011.

Avis says with Resolute Forest Products still facing economic challenges, and the mill seeking a reduction in taxes, 2012 could be a challenge.

Sarah Campbell

2011 wasn't as productive at Queen's Park as Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell would have liked.


Campbell, who took over for Howard Hampton in October's election, says she would have liked to see more come out of her first session.

Campbell says the inability to form parliamentary committees in the last session prevented many proposed bills from moving forward.

Equipment Donation

Youth at four area First Nations around Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls are benefiting from a large donation of sports equipment from residents of Ottawa.

The U-Hall truck load of equipment was distributed to children at Whitefish Bay, Northwest Angle #33 and #37 and Onigaming yesterday.

Peter White, an elder at Whitefish Bay, says it's a great gift.

Former Metis Nation of Ontario president, Tony Belcourt, who lives in Ottawa, helped organize the drive.

Immunization

The Northwestern Health Unit is encouraging area residents to get immunized against pertussis or whooping cough.


The respiratory infection comes with severe spells of coughing followed a whoop sound before the next breath.

The Health Unit says its noticed a slight increase in the number of cases, effecting both young infants to adults.

Ontario Budget

MPP's head back to work in a months time.

Michael Gravelle says they'll start straight in on the province's budget.

“We know that we’re going to be facing a daunting year in terms of the fiscal situation in the province of Ontario. We’re all conscious that the upcoming spring budget will be a very important one in terms of the decisions that are made by our government”


The Ontario legislature resumes in February.

REACH Health Facility

Confederation College's Dean of Health and Community Services says they'll be reaching out to the regional campuses in 2012.


Kathleen Lynch says they're going to hit the ground running in the New Year.

"We'll be full steam ahead with all of our new equipment and our ability to do simulation, adding more of that to the curriculum so it’s very exciting for us”

Lynch also adds that they look forward to using their video conferencing capabilities to touch base with those who are using distance education.

The REACH building in Thunder Bay welcomed students in September.

NDP Leadership Debate

Issues pertaining to Northern Ontario will get all the attention of the federal NDP leadership hopefuls.


All eight candidates will be duking it out in Sudbury for an all candidates debate early next year.

Organizer Richard Eberhardt says they want to hear from each candidate on their position for Northern Ontario.

The event is scheduled for February 5th 2012.

CJRL's Sister Changes

There's a fresh new look and name for CFOB-FM, better known as B-93 - CJRL's sister station in Fort Frances.


93-1, The Border, took to the airwaves in Fort Frances and the Rainy River district this week.

Station Manager Leo Melanson says there's also a fresh new sound for area listeners.

Melanson says 93.1 The Border will continue to build on its reputation of community involvement and complete local news coverage.

2011: Bill Mauro

2012 should be an interesting one at Queens Park as the McGuinty government tries to work in a minority situation. Looking ahead MPP Bill Mauro says the upcoming budget will be one to watch.
As for 2011, Mauro says it was a year of growth and investment in the northwest by the McGuinty government

Rainy River Strategic Plan

Municipal reps are aiming to have a memorandum of understanding in place next spring that helps pave the way toward a strategic plan for the Rainy River district.

Rainy River town councillor Gord Armstrong there have been talks about the plan this year.

He says getting municipalities to formally agree to the concept keeps progress moving.

He's hoping more concrete plans will be in place by the end of 2012.

Impaired Driving

If your having a few drinks this holiday season, don't get behind the wheel.


Constable Dave Cain says despite our best efforts impaired driving number in Kenora are still on the rise.

"We had 66 total impaired drivers charged in 2010 and this year we're at 81, it's really not a good statistic to be bragging about”

The Northwest Region of Ontario had the highest number of impaired drivers convicted, 9 of which came from Kenora.

If you suspect someone to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol:  call 9-1-1

Donor Clinic

It takes less then an hour of your time and in the process you can help save a life.

Canadian Blood Services will be back at St. Thomas Aquinas on January 16th and 17th and they're looking to book over 140 appointments.

Adrienne Silver, Communications Specialist for Northwestern Ontario says blood units from Kenora alone would be enough to help 28 cancer patients or 2 people seriously injured in a collision.

The basic criteria to donate is simple: if your over 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs and your in general good health your good to go

For more information or to book your appointment visit www.blood.ca

Thunder Bay Murder

A northwestern Ontario man faces a second-degree murder charge after initially being accused of aggravated assault.

Thunder Bay Police upgraded the charge four days after 53-year-old Barney Beaver of Webequie First Nation died of his injuries in hospital.

Police say Beaver was found unconscious in his room at Thunder Bay's Victoria Inn December 17th by cleaning staff.

Thirty-three-year-old Summer Beaver First Nation resident Kelsey Lance Charles Jacob is in custody and will appear in Thunder Bay court on January 5th.

A memorial service for Beaver is to take place at Webequie today

John Rafferty 2011-2012

MP John Rafferty says 2012 looks to be a struggle for the NDP. Looking to the new year, Rafferty says that the Harper majority will be hard to crack, if not impossible.

2011 will go down as an interesting one for MP John Rafferty.  He and his fellow NPRer Bruce Hyer were sanctioned for voting against their party on the Long Gun Registry

Rafferty says 2011 proved to be full of highs and lows for the NDP

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Even without any major tax hikes, Canadians' take-home pay will get a little lighter starting Jan.1.


The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says premium hikes for employment insurance and the Canada Pension Plan will take about $306 out of the pockets of both workers and employers in 2012.

The maximum pensionable earnings rise to $50,100 from $48,300.

That will take about $142 from employees who qualify for the maximum over the year.

The hit on employers is slightly more, $164.

Border Travel

The U-S Customs and Border Protection is offering some tips to travellers planning visits across the border during the holiday season.


If bringing presents across the border, ensure that any festive wrappings do not obstruct inspection of the items.

Most fresh fruits and vegetables grown outside of the U.S. or Canada are prohibited.

And because this is usually a busy time at the border, travellers may want to consider avoid peak crossing times.

Thin ice on Lake of the Woods

A conservation officer for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has escaped injury after breaking through thin ice on Lake of the Woods over the weekend.


The officer was checking fishing north of Warroad Saturday when his ATV broke through and sank to the bottom of the lake.

He was able to swim to the edge of the ice and pull himself out of the water to safety with ice picks.

He then used his radio to call a state trooper for a ride

Greg Rickford 2011-2012

2012 is going to be the year the Harper government will be wrestling with the nations debt according to MP Greg Rickford.

Looking ahead to the new year Rickford says there will also be a committment to helping out the infrastructure needs of the country


2011 helped put Rickford in the national spotlight as the Attawapiskat crisis was exposed.

New Year's Eve in Kenora

The Kenora Rec. Center will be a hopping place once again this New Year's Eve.


The Kenora Rotary Club will be holding its 3rd annual Family night.

There will be free skating and swimming from 4:00 until 7:00 for everyone.

There will also be free sleigh rides from 4:00 until 6:00 outside the Rec. Center.

Kenora Lions Club

$67,000, that’s what this year’s annual Lions Club Christmas draw brought in.


Don Brown of the Lions Club says the tickets have been sold out for the last 5 consecutive years and he hopes 2012 will be no different.

Winners for the 2011 season include:

1st prize: Robert Gray (Dodge Journey or $28,000)

2nd prize: Murray MacDonald ($500 gift card to Safeway)

3rd prize: Dianne Little ($500 gift card for Canadian Tire)

The draw was held on Christmas day.

Healthy Smiles

There are plenty of Healthy Smiles in the Rainy River district.

Northwestern Health Unit has concluded a lengthy visit to the district of its mobile dental office.

The Health Unit's Dental Health Program Manager Dawn Sauve says its aimed at bring dental services to children in need.

Funding for the van came from the Ministry of Health.

Legislative Agenda

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he's proud of his government's track record this fall.

Rickford says while the opposition spent a lot of time talking about the conditions on the Attiwapiskatt First Nation, the government stayed focused on its legislative agenda.

Rickford says a couple of important bills were passed including Electoral Reform and the Safe Streets and Communities act.

2012 in Kenora

A positive outlook for 2012 in Kenora.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield believes the city is due for better times.

He says its important to put out the welcome mat for business.

Canfield says a lot of money has been spent on improving the city's infrastructure over the past few years and he feels that will pay dividends in the months ahead.

Chamber of Commerce Business Awards

There are a dozen awards up for grabs this year including: entrepreneur of the year, manager of the year, customer service excellence, hospitality, and new business of the year.


Nominations can be submitted online to the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce.

January 6th is the last day to submit nominations.

Recycle Your Electronics

If you're looking for a New Years Resolution how about this: Recycle your old electronics.

The Ontario Electronic Stewardship says they've seen a big increase in the amount of old cell phones, computers and televisions being recycled in northwestern Ontario.

But executive director, Carol Hochu suggests we can do better.

In Kenora, you can recycle your old electronics at the Waste Transfer Station on Barsky's Hill.

Ice Candle Festival Starts Tomorrow

Lake of the Woods Cemetary will be aglow with ice candles once again this Christmas

Volunteers will begin lighting the candles tomorrow.

Barb Manson organizers the annual event and says this year the funds will go towards completing a park in the Lakeside area.

A special ceremony will take place at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon at the cemetary with a special choral presentation from the Sideways Singers.

Bill to Abolish the Long Gun Registry Delayed until the New Year

The abolition of the federal long gun registry has now been put off until the new year.

Parliament rose last week, without third reading of the bill.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford expects it will be one of the first items of business when the House of Commons resumes sitting in February.

Rickford had hoped the bill would pass before Christmas, but says a very busy legislative agenda prevent it from getting third and final reading.

A mild Christmas in the Forecast

Santa isn't going to have to put on his warm, thermal underwear when he visits Kenora this Christmas.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says its going to remain unusually warm until at least early next week.

The forecast for Christmas calls for plus one and plus two for Boxing Day.

Local Business Survey Launched

What do local businesses need to survive and to thrive?

That's the question being asked by the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission.

Thelma Wilkins-Page says volunteers are contacting local business owners getting their feedback.

Wilkins-Page says they recently completed their survey of the automotive sector and will continue with their business poll in the new year.

IJC Report on Lake of the Woods Delayed

A report on the Lake of the Woods Watershed by the International Joint Commission is going to be delayed.

A Task Force set up by the IJC submitted its recommendations back in July, and the Commission was to present its findings to the government's of Canada and the United States by December 17th.

However, it now appears the final report won't be ready until the end of January.

Commission spokesperson Bernard Beckhoff says they are in the process of  finalizing the report and says additional time is needed to complete it.

NAN calls for Action on FASD

There's an accusation that the McGuinty Government isn't doing enough about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose says the Province needs to get serious about the problem because his people can't do it on their own.

Waboose says a countless number of children with the disorder are falling through the cracks.