Torch Relay for Life comes to town

An ambitious campaign to sign up one million organ donors in Ontario hit the ground running in Kenora today.

The Torch Relay for Life started at Beaver Brae before heading to City Hall.

George Marcello is spearheading the campaign and says they've been working a long time on increasing organ donations across the country.

The campaign moves to Dryden on Monday and then Fort Frances and Thunder Bay later next week.

Changes in Store for Land Ambulence Service

Some changes to the way land ambulence service is provided in the region.

Chief executive at Lake of the Woods District Hospital says non-emergent ambulence transfers could become a thing of the past.

He says its an issue the District Services Board is currently looking at.

Belcaen says they currently have about 300 non-emergent transfers to hospitals in Winnipeg each year, and that doesn't include local transfers between the hospital and local long term care facilities.

He says northwestern Ontario isn't like southern Ontario and a different solution is needed.

Bronco Boys and Girls aim for NORWOSSA Gold

Two long-time rivals meet again for the Girls High School Hockey title.

The Dryden Eagles entertain the Beaver Brae Broncos tonight in Game 1 of the Best of 3 Final.

The Eagles finished just ahead of the Broncos for first place in the standings.

The two teams have met in every single NorWOSSA Final.

Puck-drop is 6:30 at the Memorial Arena in Dryden.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's boys team travels to Fort Frances tonight for game one of their best-of-three final against the Muskies.

Torch of Life Relay Begins this Morning

A cross-province campaign to sign up one million organ donors gets underway in Kenora today.

The Torch of Life Relay will begin this morning with an assembly at Beaver Brae Secondary School.

The Torch will then make its way to city hall, where the Torch will be passed to Kenora mayor Dave Canfield.

The relay will visit 75 communities across Ontario over the next four months.

Hospital Worried About Impact of Drummond Report

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says it doesn't know how much more it can cut without affecting services.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says they are worried about the impact the Drummond Report will have on their finances this year.

The Drummond Report recommends a wide array of cost-cutting measures for the provincial government, including capping health spending at one percent.

Canfield returns from ROMA/OGRA Conferences

Still no guarantee of funding for Kenora's aging bridges.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield has returned from the Ontario Good Roads Conference in Toronto with out any promise from the provincial government.

Canfield says while they received mixed messages on the infrastructure front, they did have a very positive meeting with Glen Murray, the Minister of Colleges, Training and Universities.

Canfield is hoping to get more government ministers to come to Kenora in April, when the city hosts the annual Northwstern Ontario Municipal Association Conference.

Youth arrested in Sandy Lake School Fire

Nishnawbe-Aski Police have arrested a 13-year-old boy for allegedly starting a large fire at the Sandy Lake First Nation elementary school.

The February 19th fire caused extensive damage to Thomas Fiddler Memorial School.

Police arrested the young teen on Wednesday.

The boy has been charged with break and enter as well as arson.

He has been released on conditions and is due in Court on April 17th.

The school will be closed for the remainder of the school year due to the damage it sustained.

Kenora Winter Carnival Begins this evening

Just in time for the Winter Carnival, its starting to look like a winter wonderland in Kenora.

The carnival kicks off tonight with a fireworks display at 7:00.

Crystal Stokes is one of the organizers and says over the weekend, most of the activities will be in or around the big tent on the Harborfront.

There are also other activities throughout the community, including the Blues Fest, which starts tonight at the Lake of the Woods Hotel.

Premier Vague on Future of the NOHF

The Premier is not saying if the Drummond Report will have any effect on funding levels for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

Speaking in Thunder Bay today Dalton McGuinty would only commit to keeping it in existence

The fund currently has an annual budget of 100 million dollars.

ORNGE Scandal Expands

The former President of Confederation College is getting a rough ride over her appointment to the board at the province's scandal plagued air ambulance service.

Progressive Conservative critic Frank Klees says Pat Lang should never have been put on the board because of her past connections to ORNGE CAO Rick Potter, who was working for her at Confederation College.

Potter is coming under fire after he admitted he lied about his university credentials

Hope and the City Sells Out in Minutes

It was the hottest ticket in town, now Hope and the City is already sold out.

Tickets went on sale this morning and all 208 were sold in a matter of minutes.

People started lining up before 9:00 this morning to try and get tickets for the fundraiser for Cancer research.

Ashley Hoffmeister is the co-chair of the event and says its a fun evening for a good cause.

Hope and the City takes place April 28th at the Lakeside Inn.

Sharks hit the road for two swim meets

Members of the Kenora Sharks swim club are heading both east and west for a pair of competitions.

Five swimmers are in Nepean for the Ontario Junior Provincial Championships.

14 of the clubs younger swimmers will be in Winnipeg for Manitoba Junior and 10 and under championships.

The Ontario Junior Championships get underway today.

Police Confirm fatality in Rideout Fire

The OPP have confirmed that one person was killed in a fire in the Rideout area of town early yesterday morning.

Police say 56 year old James Rutherford was killed in a blaze at a two story home on Rupert Road.

A post-mortem exam is expected to be conducted later today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

An investigator from the Ontario fire Marshall's office is expected to arrive at the scene today and look for a possible cause in the fatal fire.

Push the Button Campaign Launched

Area kids are being encouraged to "push the button".

That's the name of a new fire safety campaign launched by the Office of the Fire Marshal and TVO Kids.

TVO Spokesperson Marnie Malabar says kids should ask parents permission to do one thing.

The initiative runs until March 11th.

Rideout Fire still under investigation

The OPP and the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office are continuing to investigate a blaze in the Rideout area of town.

There have been some reports that someone may have been in the house on Rupert Road early Wednesday morning.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says more information will become available as the investigation continues.

The fire destroyed the two-story house but the cause still hasn't been determined.

Regional Economic Development Agency Proposed

Local residents are being asked what they think about a proposed regional economic development agency for northwestern Ontario.

Ian Angus was in Kenora yesterday to talk about the new initiative.

Angus says this won't be just another level of bureaucracy.

Angus says they want some feedback on the kind of board the new agency should have and who should sit on the board.

The federal and provincial levels of government are expected to foot part of the bill for the new agency.

Hunting Tags now available on-line

The Ministry of Natural Resources hopes they can teach old dog's new tricks.

Hunters can now apply for big game draws for moose, deer and elk online.

Spokesperson John Cooper says mostly the MNR's new automated and online systems for licensing have proven popular.

Draws can be entered online on the Ministry website, through the telephone lincensing hotline, and at Service Ontario sites.

Election Results Finalized

The provincial election was five months ago, but Elections Ontario has just finally released the official results.

While Conservative Candidate Rod McKay finished second overall, he polled very well in his hometown of Kenora.

McKay won most of the polls in Kenora and the Sioux Narrows Area.

Sarah Campbell meanwhile, picked up more votes in Dryden, Fort Frances, the Rainy River area as well as in the far north.

There were no changes to the final results in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding.

Local Judokas prepare for Ontario Winter Games

Four members of the Jaffray Melick Judo Club will be heading to Collingwood next week for the Ontario Winter Games.

This past weekend, three of the fighters got a tune-up by competing in the Inner City Judo Tournament in Winnipeg.

Karley Lockhart won gold in her under 15, 44 kilo division, while Thomas Hertz also won his under 15, 34 kilo grouping.

Daniel Gordon was fighting up a weight class, and finished out of the medals.

Taylor Tom will also be traveling to southern Ontario for the Winter Games next week.

Business Center Brings in Guest Speaker

The Northwest Business Center is celebrating International Women's Day this year with a special guest.

Barb Stegemann is the founder of Seven Virtues Beauty Inc. and a survivor of the Dragon's Den TV show.

Diane Schwartz-Williams from the Business Center and calls Stegemann an inspirational woman.

Stegeman will be speaking in both Kenora and Fort Frances on March 8th.

Rupert Road Fire Under Investigation

The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office is being brought in to help investigate an early morning fire in the Rideout area of town.

The blaze broke out in a two-story home on Rupert Road around 2:00.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says its too early to say what might have caused the fire.

Brinkman says the damage was extensive, but its not known if anyone was in the house at the time the fire broke out.

Broncos and Eagles Square off in Girls Hockey Final

The top two teams in the regular season in the NorWOSSA girls hockey league will square off again in the finals.

The Dryden Eagles earned a 5-3 win over the Fort Frances Muskies last night to win their best-of-three semi-final series two games to one.

The Eagles will now play the Beaver Brae Broncos in a best-of-three final starting Friday night in Dryden.

Semis Set for Kenora Broomball League

The semi-finals are set in the local broomball league.

Last night Jovan Skead scored a hat trick to lead the Blizzard to a 4-2 win over Home Hardware.

The Blizzard will now face the Flying D's in one semi, while Dunit Contracting will face the top team in the regular season, the Pink Pirates in the other semi-final.

Rickford Support NDP Motion on Aboriginal Education

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he has no problem supporting an NDP motion calling on the federal government to increase funding for aboriginal education.

The motion calls on the government to put first nation schools on an equal footing as provincial schools.

Rickford suggests the Harper government has been working in that direction already.

Rickford says the government is also committed to working with the Assembly of First Nations on implementing the recommendations contained its report on aboriginal education.

More changes in store for Kenora Schools

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is planning to go ahead with some of its proposed school changes despite what happens at Lakewood.

The public school board is looking to move grade seven and eight students up to Beaver Brae at some point.

Director of Education, Jack McMaster says that's not a move that will happen overnight.

McMaster says they are also activly looking at starting up a french immersion program in Kenora.

House Fire in Rideout

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department is still on the scene of a blaze this morning in the Rideout area of town.

The fire broke out to a two story home on Rupert Road shortly after 2:00 this morning.

Fire crews have been working to put out any hot spots.

There has been extensive damage, but no other details about the fire have been released yet.

Public Meeting for new Economic Development Zone

A proposal for a new economic development zone for northwestern Ontario will be up for review this week.

A public information session will be taking place in Kenora tomorrow.

A joint task force has developed a plan to enhance economic development opportunties in the region and is looking for feedback.

The session will take place at the Day's Inn from 1:00 to 2:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Public weighs in on Lakewood's Future

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says it could make a decision on the future of Lakewood School in the next month or so.

A final public meeting was held last night, and not much concern was raised about possibly closing the elementary school and changing it into an adult education center.

Director of Education, Jack McMaster says he's not too surprised there wasn't more of a backlast over the possible closure of the school.

The school board recently conducted an on-line survey which showed 70 percent of local residents support changing Lakewood into an post-secondary institution.

Trustees are expected to make their final decision at their April 10th board meeting.

Mayoralty confusion in Ignace

A political drama is brewing in Ignace.

Council will hold a special meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss what to do with the Mayor's seat.

Lee Kennard submitted a resignation letter to the municipal clerk on January 27th but he decided to withdraw that letter 5-days later.

Council declared the office of the Mayor vacant on February 6th, sparking a debate on whether Kennard should return as Mayor.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing says Council handled the situation correctly.

Several options now lie on the table including holding a by-election, appointing a councilor as Mayor or appointing Lee Kennard as Mayor.

Local Student heads to Queen's Park

A Vermilion Bay elementary student is heading to Toronto.

Grade 7 Lilian Berg student Emma Lang has been selected to serve as a Legislative Page at Queen's Park.

Lang will serve as a messenger on the floor of the chamber, meet key parliamentry figures and learn about Ontario's parliamentry system.

She must study and learn the faces, names and locations of the 107 MPP's before arriving at Queen's Park for her first day.

Welfare Caseload down in the Kenora District

Some encouraging signs that the economy may be slowly starting to turn around in the Kenora District.

The Services Board says Ontario Works caseloads have dropped 78-cases over 2010 numbers.

Benefit cases have dropped the past 3-years but still remain above pre-recession figures.

Kenora saw the largest decline in 62-cases, while Dryden saw a drop of 30-cases.

Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake saw modest increases.

Habitat For Humanity Plans more Fundraising this Spring

The local Habitat for Humanity Committee says its getting closer to its goal to be able to build a home in Kenora.

A build is scheduled to begin in May.

Andrea Lundy is a spokesperson for the local Habitat Committee and says they already have a number of their skilled trades lined up.

Lundy says they have raised about 25 thousand dollars in cash, and will be launching their shingle campaign once again in the spring.

New Northern Committee Proposed at Queen's Park

John Vanthof says the NDP is not out to give Southern Ontario less of a voice, he's out to give Northern Ontario a stronger voice.

The Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP has table Legislation to create a new Legislative Committee made up of Northern MPP's.

Vanthof says the Committee would have the power to examine legislation and make recommendations to the Government.

The motion will be debated and voted upon on March 1st.

Police Lay Charges in Weekend Collision

A 51 year old Kenora man faces charges following an accident in the north end of town.

The OPP say they were called to a collision at the intersection of Matheson Street and Second Street North around 9:30 Saturday morning.

Police say a 60 year old woman had to be taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Charges of failing to yeild to traffic have been laid.

Sioux Lookout cruises through NorWOSSA Playdowns

The Warriors were the teams to beat at the NorWOSSA curling championships at the Kenora Curling Club.

Both the Queen Elizabeth boys and girls squads claimed first place in their respective pools after two days of round-robin play at the Kenora Curling Club.

Both Sioux Lookout teams went undefeated and will head into the NWOSSA championships next week as the teams to beat.

Traffic Stop nets a kilo of cocaine

The Kenora OPP say they have taken about 100 thousand dollars in cocaine of the streets following a routine traffic stop.

Officer pulled over an eastbound Dodge Caravan around 11:30 Friday night near the intersection of the Redditt Road and the Kenora By-Pass.

After speaking with the driver, the officer became suspicious and a search of the vehicle uncovered about a kilogram of cocaine.

About 440 dollars in cash was also seized.

A 38 year old Thunder Bay man has been arrested for trafficking.

Canfield Campaigns for more Funding for Bridges in Toronto

The campaign to get the province to pay to repair Kenora's Bridges resumes this week in Toronto.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield and three members of city council are attending the Good Roads Conference.

Canfield says they may have to take drastic action if the province is unwilling to provide any funding for bridge repairs this year.

Canfield says they will be speaking with the Ministers of Northern Development and Mines about the issue this week.

Final Public Meeting on Lakewood Tonight

The third and final meeting on the future of Lakewood School will take place this evening.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has been meeting with parents and interested members of the public this month about a project which would see the elementary school turned into a facility for adult education.

The public school board has put any of its school closure plans on hold until it decides how it wants to proceed with the whole Lakewood proposal.

Tonight's meeting is scheduled to start at 7:30.

Broncos Sweep NorWOSSA Hockey Semis

The finals are all set for the NorWOSSA hockey play-offs.

Beaver Brae's girls team got by Thomas Aquinas 6-0 last night at the Kenora Rec. Center to win the best-of-three semi-final two games to none.

Haley Moncrief had a pair of goals to lead the Bronco offense.

Beaver Brae will now take on the winner of the series between Dryden and Fort Frances, which is tied at one game a piece.

Meanwhile, the Bronco boys will face Fort Frances in the the NorWOSSA final.

The Broncos swept Thomas Aquinas in two straight games to advance.

The Muskies meanwhile beat Dryden, also in two straight.

NorWOSSA Curling Plays-offs Wrap up In Kenora

NorWOSSA curling action resumes this morning at the Kenora Curling Club.

The top mixed, boys and girls curling squads began their play-offs yesterday morning.

Play resumes at 8:30 this morning.

Teams from Kenora, Red Lake, Dryden, Fort Frances, Atikokan, Sioux  Lookout and Rainy River are taking part in the two day bonspiel.

Girls Hockey Teams in Fort Frances over the Weekend

The Lake of the Woods Peewee Dynomite girls hockey team placed 5th at a tournament in Fort Frances over the weekend.

The Dynomite blanked a team from Thunder Bay 8-0 in their final game on Sunday.

Campbell speaks out against Doctor Shortage

Ontario's Health Minister is being accused of forcing communities in northwestern Ontario into a medical crisis.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell reissued an invite to Deb Matthews to visit and speak with local officials about what can be done about the doctor shortage in small towns in her riding.

Matthews says her Ministry is working hard to help the community and has ensured emergency room coverage at Rainy River Health Centre until April 5.

Senior Thistles cancel weekend game

A couple of changes to the Kenora Senior Thistles Schedule.

The Thistles were supposed to play the Southeast Prairie thunder tomorrow night at the Kenora Rec. Center, but scheduling conflicts force it to be post-poned.

The Thistles next game will be Sunday, March 4th at 2:00 against the Fort Frances ThunderHawks.

That's the second game of a two game total point series to decide who will host the regional branch championships.

High School Hockey Play-offs this weekend

No shortage of high school play-off action this weekend.

Both Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas teams will be doing battle against eachother in NorWOSSA semi-final action.

Tomorrow night, the battle of Kenora will feature the Beaver Brae boys against Thomas Aquinas.

The Broncos beat the Red Lake Rams 6-2 last night in a one-game play-off  to advance.

Tomorrow night's game is scheduled for 8:30 at the Thistle Rink.

Meanwhile, the Beaver Brae Girls will meet up with Thomas Aquinas in game two of their series Sunday night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

 The Broncos lead the Saints one game to none in the best-of-three series.

City Council members head to ROMA/OGRA

Provincial cabinet ministers will be in short supply at the Ontario Good Roads Conference next week.

Traditionally, municipal leaders take the opportunity to meet with the ministers to talk about their concerns at the winter conference.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says they have received a lot of rejection letters this time around.

Canfield says they will be meeting with the Ministers of Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources and Training, Colleges and Universities next week.

Downtown CIP continued for one more year

A program designed to fix up aging businesses and buildings in downtown Kenora is being continued for at least one more year.

Kenora City Council approved the Community Improvement Plan extension in its budget deliberations earlier this month.

Over the past three years about 200 thousand dollars in grants have been handed out to enhance the downtown core, with facade improvement and new signage.

Council has agreed to top up the budget for the Downtown CIP to 100 thousand dollars this year.

Arson Confirmed as Cause of Sandy Lake Fire

Nishnawbe-Aski Police confirm arson as the cause of a major fire at Thomas Fiddler Memorial School in Sandy Lake First Nation.

The blaze caused extensive damage last Sunday afternoon.

Fire officials have yet to put a price-tag on the damage.

Police are now looking for suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nishnawbe-Aski Police or Crime Stoppers.

Rickford Concerned with decrease in population in Kenora District

Diversification is the key to growing the population of northwestern Ontario.

That's the feeling of Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford.

Rickford admits the downturn in the forest sector has taken its toll on the region, but he believes the federal government has a role in turning that trend around.

The most recent census showed the population in the Kenora District shrank by 11 percent, largely due to the decline in the forest industry.

Petition Launched against Bill C-10

A petition is being circulated to try and get the federal government to make some changes to its Safe Streets Act.

Kenora lawyer Peter Kirby has been outspoken about Bill C-10.

He says he's particularly concerned that it will take away the discretion of judges to provide alternate sentencing options.

Kirby appeared the Commons Justice Committee earlier this month to talk about his concerns and is urging local residents to visit his office to sign the petition.