CBS Looking for New Donors

The Canadian Blood Services is putting out a call for new donors from Northwestern Ontario.


Spokesperson Harvey Heather says they're looking for at least 100,000 new donors across the country each year for the next 5-years.

Heather says the need for new donors is precipitated by an increase demand for blood of all types across the country.

Heather notes an aging donor base is problematic right now.

Service Ontario

Ontario's Government workers union is sounding the alarm over a Liberal plan to privatize Service Ontario.


Melissa Pearson, a rep for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, says such a move could lead to a consolidation of services and a potential closure of small Northern Ontario offices.

Pearson says area residents rely on SeviceOntario offices to renew health cards and drivers licences.

School Buses Cancelled

It's a 4 day weekend for the kids.

School Buses aren't running for a good chunk of Northwestern Ontario today.

School buses have been cancelled for Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Ear Falls and Red Lake today.

Heavy snow is to blame.

Schools remain open today.

Ontario Legislature

Its back to work at Queen's Park..

They've been off for over two months.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell says she's spent that time talking to her constituents about the issues they want raised in the Ontario Legislature.

Campbell expects the Drummond Report will dominate debate in the weeks ahead, as the McGuinty Government gets ready to deliver its next budget.

Solid Waste Collection

You won’t have to run after the garbage truck today.


The City of Kenora’s Solid Waste Department has cancelled residential garbage and recycling collection.

Solid Waste Supervisor, Mike Mostow says today’s regular pick ups for Lakeside and Jaffray Mellick is cancelled but will resume on schedule next Tuesday.

Andre Wareham: Not Guilty

Andre Wareham is a free man. A jury found him not guilty in the death of William Atkins in 2009.

Wareham calls the verdict overwhelming and just wants to put it all behind him saying it's been hard but "you have to walk through it all..stand strong, and just see it to the end".

When the verdict was read Wareham  had  an expression of great relief.

Fort Frances Shooting

A Fort Frances teenager is facing several charges including attempted murder following an incident last night at a Trailer Park in that community.

 OPP were initially called to the area around 6 last night about a missing boy. Family members later informed police he had been located, but was in possession of a gun.

 It was later determined that a family member was shot at, but was not injured.

The 14-year-old was eventually located inside a home at the park and taken into custody without incident.

Stan Beardy Calling For Help

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says a catastrophe is looming with the decision to stop manufacturing the drug OxyContin.


Beardy says thousands of residents of Northern Ontario reserves are addicted to the drug, which is up to twice as strong as morphine.

Health Canada says when the pill is chewed or crushed, then injected or inhaled, it produces a ``heroin-like euphoria.''

The company that produces OxyContin will stop manufacturing the drug in Canada at the end of the month.

Purdue Pharma Canada will replace OxyContin with a new formulation called OxyNEO, which is formulated to make abuse more difficult.

Beardy says addicts will go into withdrawal, and says it's something that scares him.

He says without treatment to help deal with the addiction, a public health catastrophe is imminent.

Aboriginal Education

The Harper Government is signalling its intention to pour more money into aboriginal education, even as it prepares to slash spending on almost everything else.


The governing Conservatives have thrown their support behind an NDP motion calling on the government to provide the necessary funding to ensure First Nations children receive an education of equal quality to that received by kids in provincial school systems.

Moreover, the NDP says Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has indicated a personal interest in the issue during private pre-budget consultations.

The Feds currently spends $1.4-billion annually on aboriginal education; the Assembly of First Nations has calculated that an additional $500-million a year is needed.

Conservative MP Thanking Two NDP Members

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is condeming NDP Interm leader Nycole Turmel for punishing two Thunder Bay MP's for breaking party ranks and joining the Conservatives to scrap the long gun registry.


Rickford says Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty were voting for their constituents.

He says appreciates and respects the two for standing their ground.

The Kenora Midget Triple "A" Thistles

The Kenora Midget Triple "A" Thistles kick off their best of three playoff series with the Nor-Man Northstars tonight.  All three games of the series will be played in Thompson.  Game 2 is tomorrow night with Kenora acting as the home team and game three if necessary will be held Sunday.  The Thistles finished the regular season with 32 points, good for 5th spot in the Eastern Conference.

Aboriginal Student Success

The principal at Beaver Brae says he's noticing a better atmosphere at his school for aboriginal students.

Clinton Bruetsch made a presentation on aboriginal student success to trustees this week.

He says he's been working with the Aboriginal Advisor on strategies to help engage aboriginal students in their day to day classes.

Bruetsch says overall aboriginal students have lower marks, higher absentee rates and lower graduation rates.

He says they are working to change that, but its not going to happen overnight.

Affordable Housing in Kenora

Affordable housing support is on its way for the Kenora District Services Board.


The Board has inked an agreement to access 1.4-million dollars over 10-years in Federal and Provincial dollars.

CAO Dan McNeil says the money will go towards projects which include a rent supplement program for the working poor and Ontario Works clients.

$50,000 is being earmarked for Habitat for Humanity in Kenora

Break & Enter: St. Thomas Aquinas High School

A 15 year old male from Kenora was caught red handed yesterday.


Ontario Provincial Police charged the youth with break and enter after responding to an alarm at St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Further investigation revealed that earlier last night the same 15 year old was responsible for a theft from a vehicle.

Break & Enter: Jaffray-Melick Community Centre

Over $20,000 worth of damage has been reported at the Jaffray-Melick Community Centre.


Ontario Provincial Police were called out to a break and enter at the building on February 13th after staff members came in to find a significant amount of damage to windows, doors, the concession stand and a number of lights used to illuminate the ice surface.

Two male youth from Kenora ages 15 and 17 have been arrested and charged with mischief over $5,000 and break and enter

Mental Health

Mental health issues have been identified as a growing problem for local educators.


The Keewatin-Patricia District School Boards used Provincial funding to hire a Mental Health Leader.

Lisa Doerksen started her job last month and says one of her jobs is to work with teachers and raise awareness of mental health issues.

Doerksen says one in five students have a mental health or emotional disorder, but only 50 percent will talk to anyone about their depression or anxiety.

Ambulance Services

A comprehensive review of the land ambulance service in the Kenora District is now underway.


The Services Board is looking at the entire operation to ensure staff and resources are being used in an efficient and effective manner.

CAO Dan McNeil outlines one area they are looking at.
 
McNeil says the study will also look into a call for a land ambulance base in the Vermilion Bay area.

KDSB Changes

The Kenora District Services Board has finally found a replacement for a vacant seat.

Ray Leray has been appointed the member for Oxdrift.

He replaces Sarah Campbell, who was forced to step down when she was elected in the last Provincial election.

The Board says Leray was the only candidate to submit an application before the deadline.

The Board is also dealing with the loss of its Director of Housing Services.

Adrian De Porto announced his retirement at a KDSB meeting this morning.

Poverty Challenge

Twelve local residents learnt this week that $52 doesn’t go a long way.

Making Kenora Home has officially wrapped up the 2nd Annual Poverty Challenge.

 It’s one of many initiatives taken to raise awareness during the Week of Action Against Poverty.

Participants from Kenora spent the last week blogging about their experiences while on social assistance.

Making Kenora Home Website

Adam Beach

You might recognize him from the CBC Show "Arctic Air" .


Adam Beach is visiting The White Dog First Nations today to meet with community elders, community members and students.

His visit is encouragement to the community and is focused on suicide prevention.

Long-Gun Registry

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has finally got his wish!

The Conservatives used their majority Wednesday night to put the national long-gun registry out of its misery.

The Commons vote was 159-to-130.

Thunder Bay NDP MP's Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty broke party ranks and sided with the Government.

The bill now goes on to the Senate, where a Tory majority ensures passage.

Kin Carnival

Tis' the season for Winter Carnivals.

This weekend, Vermillion Bay is the place to be.

The community is hosting the annual Kin Carnival and one of the highlights is the 'Kids Carnival'.

Organizer Sarah Wilson says they will have lots of activities.

The Carnival is Saturday from 10 to 3 at Lillian Berg School.

Drummond Report

There's a lot to take in!

That's the feeling of Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle following the release of the Drummond report.

The Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP says the Government must go through the 362-recommendations with a fine tooth comb.

Gravelle admits there are some recommendations on cutting back on health care and education which he believes are not feasible.

Couchiching First Nation

Residents of Couchiching First Nation go to the polls today in elections for a new band council.


As many as eight people, including incumbent Chuck McPherson, are on the ballot for chief.

Thirty-one candidates were nominated for six council positions.

KDCC Executive Directors

It's a new year for the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce but some things will stay the same.


Andrew Scribilo was re-elected president at last nights annual general meeting and says its good to know that we're all on the same page

“Initiatives for 2012: we’re really pressing on the business community for resolutions to take down to NOACC. We really want resolutions to make changes and improvements to the communities, not only Kenora but across the Northwest.”

Wes Romaniuk of the lake of the woods hotel is back on the board as 1st Vice President and Kathleen Novack from the Royal bank of Canada has stepped in the 2nd Vice Presidents position for for the 2012 season

Drummond Report

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the Drummond Report gives Ontario a chance to move forward.

The NDP member says it’s now up to all parties to ensure that the report is used to lead the Province in the right direction.

Campbell is supporting recommendations to revisit the delivery of health care services, the creation of regional hydro utilities and a push to provide fair funding for First Nations' education.

She adds that not all recommendations should be acted on, such as scrapping full-day kindergarten.

Energy Consumption

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is being recognized for its work to reduce energy consumption at its schools.

Kim Carlson is the Operations Manager and says they've upgraded almost all of their schools in recent years and its paying dividends.

Carlson says they've seen significant energy savings in all their schools, including about 80 thousand a year at Beaver Brae due to recent renovations.

National Panel on Aboriginal Education

Grand Council Treaty #3 says its unwilling to buy into the recommendations released by a National Panel on Aboriginal Education.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says while they agree with the principals of the panel, they don't want to see a National Education Act.

She says they would prefer to see a distinct education system for Treaty Three.

Last November, Treaty Three launched a 100 million dollar lawsuit against the Federal Government for violating their treaty rights to education.

Murder Trial Underway in Kenora Court

The second degree murder trial for a 26 year old Deer Lake man is underway in Kenora Court.

Jason Miller has been charged in the death of 27 year-old Joey Crow.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police were called to the nursing station in Deer Lake on July 10th, 2010 and officers found Crow's body.

27-year-old Neilson Meekis was transported to Hospital in Thunder Bay for treatment.

Meekis took the stand Wednesday.

Miller is represented by Winnipeg lawyer Greg Brodsky.

Broncos lose in NorWOSSA semis

Not a good day for Beaver Brae at the NorWOSSA championships taking place in Fort Frances.

All four Bronco teams were eliminated in semi-final action earlier today.

The Beaver Brae Junior Boys basketball team was upended 43-23 by Dryden this morning, while the Bronco senior boys dropped a 61-40 decision.

Things weren't any better for the Beaver girls volleyball teams.

The Broncos junior squad lost in three straight sets to Fort Frances, while Beaver Brae's senior girls were also ousted in three straight by the Muskies.

Tomorrow, the NorWOSSA single "a" championships take place at Thomas Aquinas, with both the Saints senior boys basketball and senior girls volleyball teams earning byes into Friday's gold medal games.

NorWOSSA "AA" Championships Today in Fort Frances

Beaver Brae's boys basketball and girls volleyball teams have their work cut out for them.

All four teams will see action in the semi-finals taking place in Fort Frances today at the  NorWOSSA Double "a" championships.

Up first at 10:00 are the junior semis.

Beaver Brae is taking on Dryden in basketball, while the Broncos will face Fort Frances in volleyball.

At 11:30 the Bronco senior boys basketball team will take on Dryden, while the senior girls will see

Beaver Brae battle the Muskies for the right to play Dryden in the volleyball final tonight.

Drummond Report

The highly anticipated final report from economist Don Drummond is out today.

It's expected show how the provincial government can cut its $16-billion deficit.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is worried that the Liberals have taken upon themselves to listen to one expert than hold traditional pre-budget consultations.

Campbell says the government has essentially shut out the opposition and the public from the budget process.

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care is trying to empower area First Nation leaders with knowledge on how to help their residents deal with addictions.

A two day conference on drug addiction kicked off this morning (Tuesday) in Thunder Bay and Spokesperson Rose Pittis says they've provided conference goers with takeaway tools.

Pittis says the emphasis is trying to heal internally.

Northwestern Ontario Man Killed in Winnipeg

A Northwestern Ontario man who was only months away from becoming a father is Winnipeg's fourth homicide victim of 2012.

18-year-old Wahb Mandamin was stabbed early Tuesday near the Canad Inns Polo Park hotel.

Mandamin was in Winnipeg from the Shoal Lake First Nation for his girlfriend's ultrasound appointment.

Those close to Mandamin said he was staying at the hotel when a fight broke out.

Mandamin's father, the chief of Shoal Lake First Nation, has come to Winnipeg searching for answers to what happened.

The Kenora Genealogical Society

The Ontario Heritage Trust has singled out a local group for its work at Lake of the Woods Cemetery.

The Kenora Genealogical Society was presented certificates for their work in cataloguing all the grave sites at the Cemetery.

Gloria Harvey says they have also been able to make that information available on-line.

Harvey says their next task is to microfilm all the back copies of the Daily Miner and News for the Kenora Public Library.

Cat Lake First Nation Drug Bust

Nishnawbe Aski Police are cracking down on prescription drug abuse and recently searched the Cat Lake First Nation.

Police seized eight Oxycodone pills that cost almost four thousand dollars on the street.

A 55 year old man is charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and breach of undertaking.

Rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases on the rise

The Northwestern Health Unit is out promoting the importance of being tested for sexually transmitted infections.

Manager of Sexual Health Gillian Lunny says a lot of focus is one those aged 15 to 24 in campaign they're calling Positive? Me?

“It’s what we’re using through our social media ads, posters and our locker swag that we’re are providing all public high school students with. It’s to help promote the idea that everyone needs to be tested if they’re putting themselves at risk.”

Lunny says our region has some of the highest rates of Chlamydia and gonorrhea in the province.

Broncos and Saints Match Up on Valentine's Day

Don't expect a St. Valentine's Day lovefest at the Kenora Rec. this evening.

Kenora's high school hockey teams will be doing battle tonight at the Thistle Rink.

First up is the Beaver Brae girls against Thomas Aquinas.

The Broncos are coming off a 3-2 loss yesterday to the Dryden Eagles.

Game time is 4:30.

Following that game, the Beaver Brae Boys will take on their cross-town Rivals from Thomas Aquinas.

Game time is 7:30.

Tourism Offficials Looking Forward to Cross-Border Changes

Tourism officials in northwestern Ontario feel there's some resolve to their complaints about access at the Canada-U.S. border.

The federal government has informed them of a plan to implement measures that help Americans with minor criminal offences enter Canada.

Tom Pearson, president of the Northwestern Ontario Tourism Association, says it's good news.

Many area lodges claim to have lost thousands of dollars because American visitors with often years old offences were being turned back at the border.

Community Foundation gets some cash

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation is used to giving a helping hand.

But now the local charity group is getting some financial assistance from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Executive Director, Darlene McGilvary says they will be getting 11 thousand 800 dollars to purchase

some new software.

McGilvary says the software will allow them to improve tracking of donor contributions, grant disbursements

and investment growth.

Right to Play

Some 100-youth from 7 Northern First Nations will be in the Dryden area this weekend for the "Right to Play" event.


City Manager Joe van Koeverdan says youth, aged 9 to 16, will be taking part in a number of recreational avtivities as well as a Winter Games.

The kids, "Right to Play" staff and community chaperones will be housed at Camp of the Woods for the 3-day event.

Van Koeverdan was introduced to the initative at the National Canoe and Kayak Championships and worked with Andi Kidd on bringing the event to Dryden.

Northern Ontario Ridings

NDP Members of Parliament are lobbying the federal government to maintain the 10 ridings in northern Ontario.

The M.P.'s are worried that riding re-distribution might result in fewer members in the House of Commons.

Nickel Belt M.P. Claude Gravelle says they've seen representation in northern Ontario shrink since 1995.

Gravelle says he plans to introduce a private members bill in the House of Commons this week guaranteeing northern Ontario at least 10 Members of Parliament.

Shoal Lake #39 First Nation

The federal and provincial levels of government need to get more involved with the
Shoal Lake #39 First Nation.

That's the feeling of Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell.

She met with band members yesterday and says more comprehensive talks need to
take place.

In recent weeks, Shoal Lake has blockaded the OFSC snowmobile Trail to the Manitoba
border, and has also demanded that the City of Winnipeg pay the community for the water it takes from Shoal Lake.

2012 Municipal Budget

The 2012 municipal budget has passed with very little debate from members of Kenora City Council.
Council has approved a one percent increase in the mill rate, which amounts to about 21 dollars a month for the average homeowner.

Councilor Rod McKay says he would still like to see about a half a million dollars trimmed from the capital side of the budget.

McKay says there are four items in the capital budget he wants to re-visit, including 170 thousand dollars to renovate the entry into the Kenora Rec. Center and also a front end loader for the facility.

Impaired Driver

Police didn't have to go very far to arrest this impaired driver.

Kenora OPP says a vehicle struck a Treaty Three Police cruiser in Nestor Falls early Sunday morning.

Officers stepped out their car and arrested the driver.

The accused was turned over to Provincial Police.

A 29-year-old Manitou Rapids woman faces impaired driving charges.

She was one of four people arrested on the weekend for drinking and driving.

Bronco Sports

Beaver Brae won just one game against the Dryden Eagles in their final games of the regular season.

The Broncos junior boys returned to their winning way with a 39-26 victory
over the Eagles.

The Bronco senior boys basketball team dropped a 48-32 decision to Dryden while the Beaver Brae senior girls lost three sets to none to the Eagles.

The Bronco junior girls also lost three sets to one.

The NorWOSSA play-offs take place in Fort Frances on Wednesday, where all four Beaver Brae teams will be involved in the semi-finals.

Resolute Forest Products

Resolute Forest Products, formerly known as AbitibiBowater, is giving more time for Fibrek to consider its hostile offer for Canadian pulp producer.

It has extend today's deadline to February 23, setting up a potential bidding war with Mercer International who is also interested in Firbrek.

Resolute's offer of 130-million dollars is about 30 per cent lower than Mercer's bid.

WiFi in class

The union representing Ontario's Catholic teachers is joining a growing list of opposing the use of wireless Internet technology in the classroom.


The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association suggests up to one million Canadians may have "severe and immediate" reactions to WiFi.

Several schools in southern Ontario have already returned to hardwiring computers in their classrooms over WiFi concern.

Peaceful Border Day

Prime Minister Harper and President Obama are again being asked to give recognition to the relationship between Fort Frances and International Falls.


Speaking to Fort council last night, Falls city administrator Rod Otterness says the two cities deserve to have July 2nd proclaimed by their leaders as Peaceful Border Day.

The day coincides with the annual tug of war between the two cities.