Dufresne Furniture Extends Charity Challenge

Four Kenora groups could benefit thanks to a new Dufresne Furniture promotion.

The Winnipeg-based company has expanded it's 1-million dollar charity challenge and is now giving away a 5-thousand dollar bonus to one of 51 charities.

The Firefly Minto Resource Center, the Hospital Foundation, Triple Play and Aamiikowish Housing are in the running.

You are asked to go on Facebook and like Dufresne.

For there you will be able to pick which charity should be selected for the extra 5-grand.

Man Arrested Following Stand-off on North Spirit Lake

A 42 year old man faces charges following a stand-off with Police in North Spirit Lake.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police were notified by Band Council on Monday about a barricaded man and a second injured individual.

Officers made contact with the man and were able to reach the victim.

The man was airlifted to Hospital in Winnipeg with 4-stab wounds.

Provincial Police and Negoitators were called in and the accused turned himself in on Tuesday morning without incident.

Police say Robert Anthony Rae has been charged with aggravated assault, uttering threats and breach of probation.

He remains in custody.

OPP seeks Summer students for Marine Unit

The Ontario Provincial Police is looking for applications for a summer Marine Assistant position.

The salary position will start July 3rd and will run for about 7-weeks.

Constable Anne McCoy says the students will help officers conduct marine checks on recreational vessels as well as perform other duties.

Two positions are available this summer in Kenora, one in Fort Frances and one in Dryden. 

You must be over the age of 18 and have a Ontario G2 Driver's licence to apply.

OPP Investigate Cottage Break-Ins

A couple of camp owners got a unwelcome surprise this week.

The OPP say they were contacted Monday about break-ins to two camps on Lake of the Woods.

One was on Pine Island and the other on Gordon Island.

In both instances, the culprits broke a window the gain entry.

Once inside furniture, walls, doors and other personal property was damaged.

The damage estimate has been put at about three thousand dollars.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Council Covers Economic Development Deficit

Kenora City Council seems to be in a forgiving mood.

Council has agreed to fund an almost 50 thousand dollar deficit for the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission in 2011.

Councillor Sharon Smith says over the past few years, the Commission has consistently had a surplus.

But she says the accumulated surplus was only 80 thousand dollars, not 130 thousand, as the commission was led to believe.

That left them with a bit of a shortfall last year, due to extra costs for consulting fees on the Lakewood School project and the commissioning of the new Discovery Center.

Rickford Supports Legislation Preventing Air Canada Strike

It could be a long night for M.P.'s tonight in the House of Commons.

A bill to keep Air Canada pilots and ground crews working will be voted on this evening.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says the bill not just about preventing workers from striking.

Rickford expects the bill will likely gain third reading early tomorrow morning, barring any prolonged delays.

Council Supports IJC Report on Lake of the Woods

The City of Kenora is once again being urged to support efforts to preserve the water quality on Lake of the Woods.

Council is being asked to support a resolution calling on the federal government to go ahead with recommendations to create a joint watershed management board for the Lake.

Todd Sellars is with the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation and says that's the main recommendation contained in a recent IJC report on the lake.

Sellars says the federal government has already committed funding for the protection of border waters, so the decision should be a no brainer.

Kenora Forest Management Plan Approved

Users of trails in the Ingolf and Kramer Lake area can breathe a sigh of relief.

A final Forest Management Plan for the Kenora Forest has been drafted, and some of the concerns of recreational users have been taken into consideration.

Ian Pyke is an area forester for the MNR and says logging buffers have been put around some of the recreational areas identified by the public.

While the final Kenora Forest Management Plan has been approved by the MNR, there is still a 30 day comment period until the beginning of April.

More Doctors Sought for NWO

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell wants a letter-writing campaign to Ontario's Health Minister to continue.

The campaign was started to force solutions to the town of Rainy River's doctor shortage.

While Deb Matthews is promising to keep the Rainy River Health Centre's emergency room open, Campbell says she still needs to visit.

Campbell says the issue in Rainy River won't be resolved until more doctors are found.

Impaired Driver Arrest in Downtown Kenora

The front seat of a car doesn't make a very good bar stool.

A local man found that out the hard way.

The OPP say they were contacted Sunday afternoon around 3:00 about a man who was sitting in a vehicle in a parking lot in downtown Kenora drinking beer.

Officers located the suspect a short time later on 8th Avenue.

They pulled him over and determined that he had been drinking.

He was taken to the Kenora Detachment office for a breath test and has been charged with impaired driving.

Youth Injured Snowmobiling on Falcon Lake

A 15 year old youth had to be taken to hospital in Winnipeg following a snowmobile accident on Falcon Lake.

The RCMP say the incident took place yesterday afternoon around 5:00, when four sledders were travelling north of the groomed trail.

One of the riders drove over an elevated ice ridge and flipped his snowmachine.

He was thrown from his sled and suffered unspecified injuries.

Emergency service personnel were contacted and the youth from Steinbach was airlifted to hospital, where he's recovering.

Police say alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Parking Meter Vandalized

Someone was apparently in need of some quick change.

On Saturday, the OPP were called down to Chipman Street after a parking meter was damaged.

When officers arrived at the scene, they noticed the money had been stolen.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Kenora OPP or Crimestoppers

Paterson Appointed to Board of Canada Post

One of the benefactors of the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation is taking on some new duties.

Andrew Paterson has been named to the board of directors of Canada Post.

Paterson has been a major supporter of the Community Foundation, donating over 500 thousand dollars for a First Nations Apprenticeship Program.

He was named an honorary member of the foundation last year.

He heads up Paterson Global Foods Inc.

His appointment to the Canada Post board of directors was effective March 1st.

Temperature records Shattered

It was a record breaking weekend for communities across northwestern Ontario weather-wise.

Temperature records tumbled in almost every town and city on Sunday.

In Kenora, the Thermometer peaked at 14.9 degrees, smashing the previous record by three degrees.

The previous high on March 11th was 11.2 set back in 1995.

The hot spot in the region yesterday was in Fort Frances and Atikokan, where  temperatures soared to 16.2.

More records could fall this week, as the forecast calls for temperatures into the double digits once again by the end of the week.

Local Abuse Rates on the Rise?

It's unclear if abuse rates are on the rise in North America or if more people are reporting acts of abuse.

That's the feeling of Lori Beyer who addressed delegates attending a domestic abuse conference in Dryden last week.

The Trauma Specialist hints that more people are coming forward, especially following the Penn State football sex scandal.

Beyer says incidents of abuse are much more public now compared to several years ago.

Sioux Lookout approves 2012 Budget

Taxpayers in Sioux Lookout are going to see a small increase.

Council has approved the 2012 Municipal Budget and taxes are going up 2.25-percent.

Mayor Dennis Leney says the increase is within an acceptable range, bearing in mind that the national cost of living increased by 2.9-percent last year.

Leney says there will be no cuts in service levels.

Treasurer Henry Wall says its a tight budget, but notes that the Municipality is in very good shape.

MNR Defends Invasive Species Strategy

The Ministry of Natural Resource says it's being proactive in the fight to keep invasive  species out of the area's border waters.

Last week, Minnesota's department of Natural resources complained no enough was being done to protect Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods.

Spokesperson Michelle Novak says part of their efforts have been through education.

Novak says the MNR also works jointly with Minnesota, something Koochiching County  commissioners were asking for last week.

Local Judoka wins medal at Ontario Winter Games

Just one medal for Kenora fighters at the Ontario Winter Games judo tournament this weekend in Collingwood.

The Jaffray Melick Judo Club sent four members as part of Team Northwest.

Karly Lockhart was the lone medalist, picking up a bronze medal in the under 16, 44 kilo division.

In volleyball action, it was a learning experience for Team Northwest, as the girls squad, represented by players from Kenora, Dryden and Rainy River, failed to win a match in two days of competition.

Warm Weather in the Forecast for Spring Break

It should be a picture perfect spring break, in terms of weather across northwestern Ontario.

Bill Laidlaw says the forecast for the start of next week calls for above normal temperatures every day.

He says temperatures could hit double digits most days. 

Normal highs for this time of year are -2.

Violence Avoided at Dryden High School

No major problems are reported after a violence scare at Dryden High School.

Police were called to the School Wednesday and Thursday after word spread in the School and on social media of a so-called "Door Wars" fight.

Chief of Police Rob Davis says several students were said to be involved and the fight had racial undertones.

Davis says nothing came of the talk and the incident wasn't racialy motivated.

Davis says the problem stemmed from a prior incident off school property.

Hospital Searches for New Head of Patient Care

Lake of the Woods District Hospital is hoping to be able to hire a new head of patient care by the end of this month.

Leslie Brown announced her retirement back in January, and the hospital has been accepting applications ever since.

Brown is retiring in June, and the board is hoping to have a new Vice-President of Patient Care in place before that, so they can do some on the job training with her before she leaves.

OPP Crack Down on Careless Driving

The OPP has been cracking down on unsafe truck drivers in northwestern Ontario.

Over the past two days, provincial police have charged two truckers.

In one instance, police say a transport failed to stay within the marked lane while driving in the Minnitaki area west of Dryden.

The 56 year old driver from Montreal was also charged with failing to keep a proper log book.

Earlier in the week Dryden OPP also charged a Fredricton, New Brunswick man with careless operation of a motor vehicle after receiving a report of a semi being operated in an unsafe manner.

OPP Say Phone Survey Legit

The OPP say its been getting a number of calls from concerned residents about a phone survey that's being conducted.

The Provincial Police has hired R.A. Malatest and Associates to poll local residents about what they think about the police service in the Community.

The OPP say the survey is legitimate and should be be completed by March 31st.

The survey takes between five and seven minutes to complete and is strictly voluntary.

Rickford Expects Safe Streets Act to Pass next week

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is not phased by an NDP move to stall passage of the Harper Government's crime bill.

It was expected to go to a vote earlier this week, but NDP procedural tactics have delayed the vote.

Rickford doesn't think it's a major setback.

Rickford notes this is common practise and he doesn't anticipate a major delay.

Campbell Singles out local students at Queen's Park

Six local high school students received a shout out in the Ontario Legislature this week.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell took time to recognize the group for their participation in the Waterloo University 'D.I.R.E.C.T.I.O.N.S' program.

Campbell also thanked the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board for being a leader in student achievement.

OPP arrest four people in Firearms Investigation

The OPP have arrested four people in connection to a four month investigation into firearm smuggling in northwestern Ontario.

The investigation is called Project Excavator and involved the OPP's Organized Crime Unit, Treaty Three Police and the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Bureau.

All four people arrested are from the Rainy River District.

Two are from Manitou Rapids, another from Couchiching First Nation, and the other from Barwick.

Charges include trafficking firearms, transferring a firearm without authority and knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm.

More charges are expected to be laid in the days ahead.

Local Athletes Gear Up for Ontario Winter Games

Members of the Jaffray Melick Judo Club and the Thomas Aquinas Junior girls volleyball team are in Collingwood today for the start of the Ontario Winter Games.

Members of the Judo club are part of Team Northwest and will be in competition tomorrow.

The volleyball players are also part of an all-star team with girls from across northwestern Ontario.

They are scheduled to begin play on Saturday.

Opening ceremonies begin this evening.

A Positive Message For International Women's Day

An inspirational message for International Women's Day.

2011 Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year, Barb Steggeman brought her message of positive change to Kenora.

Stegemann started up a perfume company out of her home, and says International Women's Day has been a landmark day for her career.

Stegemann says her message is about empowering women and girls to be the best they can be, and to believe in their ideas and dreams.

Suspect in Mandamin murder Arrested in Alberta

A suspect wanted in the killing of an 18 year old Northwestern Ontario man outside the Canad Inns Polo Park hotel in Winnipeg has been arrested in Alberta.

A warrant for manslaughter was previously issued for the arrest of 19 year old Raymond Gerald Baker.

Arrangements are being made to return Baker to Winnipeg from Alberta.

Wahb Mandamin was assaulted outside the hotel on February 14th and rushed to hospital, where he died from injuries.

Wahb is the son of Shoal Lake #39 First Nation Chief Eli Mandamin.

A 17 year old man has already been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Tom Cochrane to Headline Harborfest Friday

The entertainment line-up for this year's Harborfest is starting to fall into place.

Friday night will be 80's night once again with April Wine, Saga and Tom Cochrane slated to perform.

Dave Blake is the director of Entertainment and says they are looking forward to having Red Rider back in Kenora.

Tickets for the Friday night show are expected to go on sale early in April.

Hospital Looks at E-Health Records

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says its taking it slow and steady when it comes to electronic health records.

Many hospitals across the region have already gone to an e-health system.

Hospital CEO Marc Belcaen says they are currently consulting staff and trying to find the best system out there.

Belcaen says they don't want to proceed with electronic health records until they can get a guarantee the province will help cover some of the costs.

Hospital Searching for New Board Members

Wanted: a couple of good candidates to run for a position on the Lake of the Woods Hospital Board.

The board is gearing up for its annual general meeting in June, and needs to fill at least four positions.

Chair, Fred Richardson says they know they will need at least two new board members.

In order to run for a position on the board, you have to purchase a corporate membersship at least 60 days before the Board AGM.

Domestic Violence Conference warns of OXY Withdrawal

A dire warning about the impact of removing Oxycontin from the market in Ontario. Peggy Shaugnessy is one of the speakers at a Domestic Violence Conference taking place in Dryden. She says Police and domestic violence agency's may be busier as a result of the move.

Shaugnessy says she's already seeing more cases of violence from those who are trying to cope with the withdrawal.

Big Trout Chief Takes to YouTube

The Big Trout Lake First Nation is actively guarding Sherman Lake against mining company God's Lake Resources. Chief Donny Morris is staying at the lake saying he's guarding against the company that insists on drilling on leases and claims that are known sacred burial grounds.

Morris released a video on youtube this morning asking Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci to hold negotiations between God's Lake and the First Nation.

Broomball Semi-Finals Underway

The Flying V's and Dunit Contracting are in the drivers seat of their semi-finals in the Kenora Broomball league. Last night, Dunnit shut out regular season champs the Pink Pirates 1-0. In the other semi- the Flying V's needed seven rounds of a shootout to get by the Blizzard 4-3. Game two of the semi-final series go tomorrow night at the Rideout Rink.

Beware of Changing Ice Conditions

The OPP are warning local residents to check ice conditions before
they head out on local lakes and rivers.

Recent warm weather has created variable ice conditions.

Police say you should be cautious when heading out on snowmobile
trails or ice roads over the next few days, as temperatures continue to
yo-yo.

Oxycontin replacement blamed for death in NWO

One Oxycontin user in Northwestern Ontario is dead as the result of a possible overdose of a replacement prescription drug.

Regional Coroner Dr. Michael Wilson says the man was prescribed a higher dose of the substitute drug than he should have received.

Dr. Wilson wouldn't say where in the region the incident occured.

Alzheimer Society looking for new Volunteers

The Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River is looking to add to its volunteer base.

The organization is recruting for various positions including fundraising and raising pubilc awareness.

Executive Director Lynn Moffatt outlines how you can get involved.

Moffatt says they work one-on-one with volunteers to ensure they are matched with an enjoyable and appropriate position.

Domestic Violence Conference underway

Domestic violence agency workers from across the Kenora and Rainy River Districts are learning new skills this week on how to treat female trauma victims.

The 3-day Conference is taking place in Dryden.

Lori Beyer is a trauma specialist from Washington, D.C. and she says workers need to use positive renforcement to help victims move on.

Beyer says the key is helping those impacted by domestic violence take the initiative to make accurate judgments and decisions.

Dewar picks up support in Kenora

Paul Dewar has a vision for Northwestern Ontario.

The Federal NDP leadership hopeful says that vision includes affordable power and job training.

Speaking in Kenora Tuesday afternoon, Dewar outline one other priority for the North.

Dewar has received the endorsement of Kenora NDP candidate Tania Cameron.

Hospital Continues to wait for future planning approvals

Lake of the Woods District Hospital is still waiting from the Ministry of Health to find out if they will support their plans of building a new health care facility in Kenora.

The Hospital has submitted an application for funding to begin planning for a new hospital.

CEO Marc Belcaen says they know the Ministry of Health has looked at their application because they've had a few calls asking for clarification on some points.

Belcaen is hoping they make the Ministry's short-list so they can resume the long process of planning for a new hospital.

New School For Attawapiskat

Finally some good news for the troubled Attawapiskat First Nation.

The Federal Government has awarded the construction tender for a new school on the Northern reserve to Penn-Co Construction.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence says area children and parents are rejoicing with the announcement.

Spence says it proves that you should never give up, calling it a great accomplishment for the First Nation.

Attawapiskat First Nation was forced to close its elementary school in May 2000 and since that time students have been receiving their elementary education in a series of portables.

The Feds promised action to resolve the problem in 2000.

Saints bow out at OFSAA

It wasn't a good day on the courts for Thomas Aquinas teams at the All-Ontario Single "a" championships.

The Saints senior girls are heading home from the OFSAA volleyball finals without a medal.

T.A. advanced to the quarter-final round yesterday, but were upended by the fourth ranked team in the tournament, Ridley College from St. Catharines, three sets to one.

The loss eliminated the Saints from any further play.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas senior boys basketball team lost its third straight game at the OFSAA championships in St. Catharines.

Last night, T.A. was beaten 66-54 by Runnymede in quarter-final action on the consolation side of the draw.

Patrick Van Bellingham led the Saints in scoring with 22 points.

Water Quality Forum this week

The International Joint Commission is getting kudos for supporting a report on water quality on Lake of the Woods.

The report was submitted to the federal government's in Canada and the United States at the end of January.

Todd Sellars is the executive director of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation and says the report is the culmination of years of work.

The Foundation is hosting its annual water quality forum later this week in International Falls, Minnesota.

Hospital going smoke-free

It's soon going to be hard to find a place to smoke on the grounds of Lake of the Woods District  Hospital.

Starting next month, the hospital will have just one smoking area on its campus.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says their goal is to eliminate all smoking in the next year or so.

Belcaen says all hospitals across the region are reducing the number of smoking areas on their property.

Clement defends closure of summer student job centers

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is standing by his government's decision to cut the funding for summer student job centres.

Clement was in Thunder Bay yesterday and says they're offering the same services online.

Clement says they don't need the overhead costs of operating an actual office during the summer months.

Impaired Driver Crashes on Ice Road

A police chase on the ice road on Lake of the Woods was cut short by a snow bank.

The OPP say they were contacted about a possible drunk driver while doing the rounds of the bars in downtown Kenora early Sunday morning.

Police tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver fled to the ice road and started driving towards Treaty Island.

A short time later officers were contacted about a vehicle that had gone off the ice road south of Treaty Island.

Officers arrested a 54 year old Kenora man.

He has been charged with impaired driving and flight from police.

Big Trout Lake to Protest in Toronto

A northwestern Ontario First Nation is holding a protest early this afternoon in Toronto in its fight against mining exploration on what it says are sacred burial grounds.

Big Trout Lake says God's Lake Resources plans to mine for gold on its territory, about 600 kilometres northeast of Kenora.

They plan to rally in downtown Toronto at the Metro Convention Centre to oppose the project.

The First Nation gained national attention in 2008 when six of its leaders were jailed for opposing the Platinex mining company.

Highway 105 due for upgrades

Upgrades are expected to begin shortly on a stretch of Highway near Ear Falls.

The Province is reconstructing 27-kilometres of Highway 105, north of Highway 657.

The project will create about 65-jobs.

Miller Northwest has been awarded the 8.9-million dollar contract.

Saints complete round robin at OFSAA

A bit of a setback for the Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball team at the All-Ontario Championships in Toronto.

The Saints finished the round robin yesterday with a 3-1 record.

Their lone blemish of the day came against Chippewa Secondary School from North Bay.

They lost in straight sets, suffering their first defeat of the season.

T.A. bounced back with a win over Acton High School in their final game last night.

The Saints will advance to the quarter-finals this afternoon.

A win will put them into the medal round once again, a loss will send them home.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys basketball team started strong, but faded down the stretch losing a 64-47 decision to Ecole Secondaire Lajeunesse from Windsor.

Alex Gamboa led the Saints in scoring with 16 points, while Jake Boutwell added 9 in a losing cause.

T.A.'s next game is this afternoon at 12:45 against Deslauriers from Ottawa.