OPP says Lock it Or Lose It

Another reminder from the OPP to Lock it or Lose it.

Police say they had a number of reports over the weekend of unlocked vehicles being entered.

In one instance, a resident in the 8th Avenue South contacted the  OPP about a youth who was attempting to enter a vehicle.

Police say you should not only lock your vehicles when they're parked, but you should also keep valuables out of sight.

OPP Investigate Weekend Break-ins

The OPP are investigating a couple of break-ins on the west end of town.

Over the weekend, a camp owner told police that some one had broken into their cottage on Middle Lake sometime in the past two weeks.

Some alcohol, propane tanks and some gas were stolen.

Meanwhile, someone also broke into the Keewatin Legion.

The coolers were entered, but police haven't indicated if anything was stolen.

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

Unicycle Tour of Ontario starts in Kenora

A unique cross-province tour is now making its way across northwestern Ontario.

Derrick Ferguson began his Wheel In Motion Tour in Kenora yesterday.

Ferguson is riding a unicycle across the province to raise money for spinal cord research.

Ferguson says he was inspired by Rick Hanson's Man in Motion tour, and plans to ride across Ontario over the next month.

The Stratford resident hopes to raise 25 thousand dollars over the next four weeks.

Fire activity expected to slow this week

The Ministry of Natural Resources says it's seen an increase in the number of spring fires this year.

There have been over 100, mostly grass fires, since the start of the fire season April 1st.

Fire Information Officer Heather Pridham says the weather is now reducing the threat.

Pridham says it's also allow crews to resume training in preparation of the warm months.

Property Owners Association Turns 50

The Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association is celebrating a major milestone this year.

The cottagers group turns 50 years old today.

Susan McLeod says they've always been a voice for people who live on and near Lake of the Woods.

The Property Owners Association will hold its annual general meeting and Cottage Show in Winnipeg tomorrow at the Victoria Inn.

Dreams of a new hospital in Kenora a long ways off

It could be a decade or more before Kenora gets a new hospital.

That's the suggestion of the Chief Executive Officer of Lake of the Woods District.

Marc Belcaen says with the recent austerity measures of the provincial government, even hospital projects that had previously approved are being delayed due to a lack of funding.

In the meantime, Belcaen says they need to improve their surgical units, but the Ministry of Health says it doesn't have a lot of money for smaller capital projects.

Belcaen says a new surgical unit would be a multi-million dollar project for the hospital.

Brand Leadership Team Announced

It may sound more like a sandwich than a new city committee.

But the membership of the BLT has been announced.

The Brand Leadership team has the task of rolling out Kenora's new brand of being North America's premier Boating Desitnation.

The 13 member committee will be headed by Randy Nickle, who is also chair of the city's Tourism Committee.

The committee will work with the local business community, community partners, residents and the boating industry to implement all 60 recommendations made by Roger Brooks in creating Kenora's new brand.

Injured Workers Upset at Witmer's WSIB appointment

Injured Workers Advocate Steve Mantis is the latest to disagree with the Premier's appointment of former Tory MPP Elizabeth Witmer to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

Mantis says the Premier should never have appointed the former Minister of Labour that was responsible for opening up the board to include the interests of both workers and employers.

He suggests Dalton McGuinty saw the opportunity for a by-election with the appointment and jumped at the chance of getting a majority.

Float Plane Crashes Northwest Kenora near Manitoba Border

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton says a float plane that crashed near the Ontario/Manitoba border had an emergency locator beacon on board, but it was a friend of the pilot who alerted authorities to look for the aircraft.

CaptainJean Houde says the plane was found upside-down in Lake Kapekun just west of Woodland Caribou Park.

Houde says the rescue centre didn't receive a signal, and suggested it could have been because the beacon may not have transmitted well underwater.

The 81-year-old pilot,who took off Saturday morning from Gimli, was found dead inside the plane.

Home and Leisure Show a Big Success

Maybe the weather had something to do with it.

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce says its pleased with the attendance from this past weekend's Home and Leisure Show.

A couple of thousand people are estimated to have passed through the doors between Friday and Sunday afternoon.

Exhibitors also say they were pleased with the traffic, reporting good numbers all three days of the Home Show.

A portion of the money collected at the door went to the Habitat for Humanity build in Kenora.

Police Push Summer Safety

The OPP is gearing up for another busy summer on the Lake.

The local police are wrapping up Summer Safety week, which is a chance to remind local residents how to stay safe while on the water or in the bush.

Mike Barclay from the OPP says if you run into problems on the Lake, be prepared and don't panic

The theme of Summer Safety week is Expect the Unexpected.

Rickford not sorry to see Penny go

The Canadian one cent piece is going the way of the dodo bird today.

The Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg produced its final penny today.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says the penny has really outlived its usefulness and cost

the federal government more than it was actually worth.

Rickford says the penny will still be able to be used as long as they remain in circulation.

Flash Mob Hits downtown Kenora

Its not often traffic in downtown Kenora is brought to a halt.

But that's what happened this afternoon when Kenora's largest ever flash mob took place.

About 600 students from eight elementary schools in Kenora danced to Katy Perry's Firework on Main Street and the Canadian Tire Parking lot today.

There was an anti-bullying message behind the flash mob, and the students all wore pink shirts with the message EPIC, which stands for Every Person is Cool.

26th Home and Leisure Show Opens Today

A busy weekend in Kenora, with the Kenora Home and Leisure Show taking center stage at the Rec. Center.

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is staging the event once again this year, and president, Andy Scribilo says its going to be one of their biggest yet.

The 26th Annual Home and Leisure Show starts this afternoon and will wrap up Sunday afternoon at 3:00.

A portion of the door proceeds will go to the Habitat for Humanity build in Kenora. 

Hospital Not Expecting a Big Increase in Its Budget

Hospital budgets are going to be tight this year.

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network has sent out letters with initial budget projections for each hospital in the region.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen from Lake of the Woods District Hospital says they don't have all their numbers yet, but they do know they will have less than one percent more to work with in the 2012/2013 fiscal year.

Belcaen says with increased inflation and labor costs, they are going to have to find ways of cutting their expenses and see if there are any areas to increase their income from other sources.

New Campaign to Save Tourism Centers

The campaign to save tourist information centers in Kenora, Fort France and Rainy River is going to be stepped up today.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell will be heading out to the Visitors Center at the Ontario/Manitoba border to launch the latest initiative this morning.

Yesterday in the Ontario legislature, Campbell asked Minister of Tourism Michael Chan in the to explain the reason behind the closures.

Minister Chan was evasive in his answer but did says the provincial government has put more than 68 million dollars in tourism initiatives in

northern Ontario since 2003.

Beaver Brae set to Launch Hockey Academy

Call it Hockey 101.

Beaver Brae Secondary School is planning to launch a hockey academy next fall as part of its curriculum.

Dave Tresoor is one of the teachers who will be involved in the program and says the academy won't replace their high school hockey program.

Tresoor says they will be able to accept about 28 students in the first year.

The deadline to apply to the program is May 18th.

Spring Gathering this weekend

Its being called a spring gathering.

The Treaty Three Grassroots Citizans Coalition will be meeting under the big tent on the Harborfront this weekend.

Kelvin Chicago-Boucher is helping to organize the event and says this type of event has its origins in traditional aboriginal culture.

The spring gathering will start this afternoon and will wrap up tomorrow.

Richards scores again for the Kings

The Los Angeles Kings had to win a four-team battle last month just to grab the last Western Conference playoff spot.

Now, they're one win away from the conference final.

The Kings are up 3-0 in their conference semi after beating St. Louis 4-2.

Mike Richards scored the Kings first power play goal of the series and added an assist.

Richards says that before the series, they never thought about sweeping the Blues.

The Kings can now wrap up the series at home on Sunday.

Sunset Country holds its Annual General Meeting

Tourism officials in northwestern Ontario still aren't sure what this summer will bring in terms of business.

The Sunset Country Travel Association held its annual general meeting last night in Kenora.

Gerry Cariou is the executive director and says there is some optimism.

But he says the closure of the tourist information centers in Fort Frances, Rainy River and Kenora isn't going to help an industry, which has seen a decline in numbers over the past few years.

Health Unit Campaign Targets Hypodermic Needles

Communities in northwestern Ontario are sitting on a ticking time bomb when it comes to intervenous drug use.

That's the message from the Northwestern Health Unit.

Spokesperson, Gillian Lunny says they are doing what they can to tackle the problem and have launched a couple of public safety poster campaigns.

Lunny says the campaign tackles the sensitive subject of how to safely dispose of needles that might be found in public places.

FedNor Cuts Raised in House of Commons

Federal government is being accused of cutting money used for economic development in northern Ontario.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says government has taken out a billion dollars from the forestry sector and millions more in tourism and marketing grants that went to small towns.

Industry Minister Tony Clement says government remains committed to economic development in the north, noting FEDNOR had provided over 263-million dollars to hundreds of projects over the past five years.

NOACC Sends Resolutions to St. Catharines

The provincial Mining Act, Katimavik, building with wood, and the Endangered Species Act.

Those are just some of the topics covered off in the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chamber of Commerce's resolutions adopted at their annual spring meeting in Sioux Lookout.

The Chambers are also urging the federal and provincial levels of government ensure there are always at least ten ridings in northern Ontario represented at Queen's Park and the House of Commons.

NOACC will be taking all the resolutions to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce annual meeting starting today in St. Catharines. 

Local Schools prepare for Flash Mob

Expect some traffic delays in downtown Kenora Friday at around noon.

A large flash mob is being planned for Main Street South between the Library and 1st Street South.

Valleyview teacher Kelly Olgilvie says the students are looking forward to their performance.

Some 600 pink-clad students will stage the flash mob at noon on Friday on Main Street, and then again about an hour later at the Canadian Tire Parking lot.

Veteran's Affairs office in NWO set to close

First its was immigration, now the only Veteran's Affairs office in northwestern Ontario is slated for

closure.

Veteran's advocate, Moe Nelson says if that happens it will be missed terribly because so many local vets rely on the services provided.

The office is slated for closure in the next couple of years.

Border Crossings increase

Some positive news on the tourism front in northwestern Ontario.

Statistics released by the Canada Border Services Agency show almost 54-thousand travellers crossed in March.

That's about 25-hundred more than in February and a 7-and-a-half per cent increase over March 2011.

Just over 29-thousand vehicles were processed at the border, a slight increase over February numbers, but a one per cent drop from one year ago.

Northern Ontario Shut out of Worst Roads

Northern Ontario has been shut out of the top 10 worst roads in the province.

CAA has just wrapped up its annual Worst Roads contest, and all of the top nominated roads were either in Toronto or southern Ontario.

Spokesperson for the contest, Kory Kennedy says regardless of where the roads are, they are hoping the upper levels of government are listening when it comes to road maintenance.

Dufferin Street in Toronto topped the list this year.

Scribilo Vows to Take NOACC to Queen's Park

The local president of the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is back at the helm of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce.

Andy Scribilo was re-elected this past weekend at the spring meeting of NOACC in Sioux Lookout.

Scribilo says one of his main goals is to get a delegation together next year to take to Queen's Park.

Scribilo says they will try to set up as many meetings as they can with provincial cabinet ministers next year.

FedNor Trying to Streamline Application Process

Its now easier and more convenient to get a loan from FedNor.

That's according to Director General Aime DiMatteo.

He says they've spent the past year streamlining the application process.

DiMatteo says staff at FedNor are also trying to get confirmation letters out to potential applicants much quicker than in the past.

OPP Stepping up Enforcement of Bar Bouncers

A warning to bar owners across Northwestern Ontario.

The Ontario Provincial Police is promising to step up enforcement on new rules concerning bouncers and security personnel.

Rick LePage says most establishments aren't abiding by the regulations.

LePage says bouncers and security personnel at licensed establishments must be certified and registered.

NorWOSSA Single A Season Resumes today

The NorWOSSA Single "a" soccer season resumes today.

Thomas Aquinas boys and girls teams are also bussing to Sioux Lookout for a couple of league games. 

These games will help seed the teams for the NorWOSSA finals, scheduled for the end of the month.

The NorWOSSA Double "a" season officially gets underway next Wednesday in Fort Frances, with
Beaver Brae's boys and girls teams both in action.

Miisun continues to Grow

A local first nations owned resource company is slowly starting to grow.

Miisun Integrated Resource Management has the Sustainable Forest Licence for the Kenora Forest, which includes harvesting, seeding and planning.

Shannon Rawn is the general manager of Miisun and says they have also started to branch out into other areas of resource management.

Rawn says they started off with just two employees three years ago, but now they are up to nine.

Hope in the City a big financial success

Another big payday for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Hope in the City raised almost 23 thousand dollars this past week.

The red carpet event is into its second year and organizers says they are already starting to think about next year.

The next major fundraiser for the Cancer Society is the Relay for Life on June 8th at Lakewood School.

Richards Scores Early to Lead Kings to Victory

The Los Angeles Kings made it five straight playoff wins on the road.

The Kings overwhelmed St. Louis in the opening period in a 5-2 victory, to take a two-games-to-nothing lead in the Western

Conference semifinal. Mike Richards set the tone scoring 31 seconds in.

Richards says the eighth-seeded Kings are making the most of their playoff opportunities.

The Kenora hockey product finished the night with one goal and an assist.

Drug Abuse Task Force Celebrates One Year of Service

Kenora's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force is celebrating its first year as a committee.

The Task Force has put together information for its first annual report.

Michelle Ott is one of the members and says one of the things they were able to accomplish this year was a survey of local parents.

She says they asked them what their biggest concerns were for their children.

Ott says they also asked the parents what they would like for their top three supports to deal with these issues

and that included a list of list of community resources, workshops and a website they could turn to for more information.

Plans for Northern Policy Institute appear to be on Hold

Plans to establish a Northern Policy Institute in Ontario are still on track.

The presidents of Lakehead University and Laurentian presented their proposal for the Institute to the government nine months ago.

Parliamentary Assistant for Northern Development and Mines, Bill Mauro says the actual implementation of the Institute is still being worked out.

The provincial government announced five million dollars to fund the Northern Policy Institute two years ago, and municipal policiticians are wondering where it is.

OPP Investigate Theft of Snowmachine

Someone must be thinking ahead to next winter.

The OPP are investigating the theft of a snowmobile from a garage on the Oldford Road in Pellatt Township.

Police say someone kicked in a door to the garage and stole a a white 2009 Artic Cat 800 "Crossfire".

The theft took place sometime in the past two weeks.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Changes made to proposal for Regional Development Agency

Some concern is being raised about a new Regional Economic Development agency for Northwestern Ontario.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association says its not prepared to increase its levy to municipalities to support the REDA.

Ian Angus has been championing the cause and says they have decided to scale back their proposed budget for the agency.

Angus says they are also proposing just a 11 member board for the Economic Development Agency, comprised of four aboriginal reprentitives, four from each of the municipal organizations in the region, and three board members selected at large.

Parents Consults on Changes at Beaver Brae

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is starting to consult local parents about what they think about the idea of adding grades seven and eight to Beaver Brae Secondary School.

The first of two public consultations took place last night at Beaver Brae.

Parents were also given a chance to tour the school prior to the meeting.

The next chance for input into the proposed changes is on May 14th.

Future of Winston Motel up in the Air

The mayor of Pickle Lake is hoping the Winston Motel is re-built.

Last month, a large section of the motel burned down.

Roy Hoffman says they still don't know what's going to happen, but he's optimistic.

While several of the motel rooms were undamaged, the water supply to the building was destroyed in the fire, which started in the kitchen area.

The blaze also gutted the bar and caused extensive water and smoke damage to some connecting rooms.

The Winston was one of just two motels in the community.

Broncos bow out in the Consolation Final of Winnipeg Soccer Tournament

Some positives for Beaver Brae boys soccer team.

The Broncos were in Winnipeg this weekend for the St. John Ravenscourt Tournament.

Beaver Brae lost out in the Consolation final after a 2-1 loss to River East.

Jordan Spencer scored the Broncos lone goal of the game, his fourth of the tournament.

Beaver Brae finished with a record of one win, two losses and a shootout loss.

The NorWOSSA double "a" regular season starts on Wednesday.

NOMA Passes 23 Resolutions

Delegates from the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are giving the Provincial Government a list of things they'd like to see changed.

They passed 23 resolutions that will be sent to the Province; including providing payments in lieu of municipal land tax and reversing the decision to close the Travel Information Centres in Kenora, Rainy River and Fort Frances.

NOMA members also approved a resolution in support of construction and operation of a ferrochrome processing facility in Exton in the Greenstone District.

Four Arrested in Pickle Lake Bust

Four Pickle Lake residents have been arrested following a drug bust.

Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP and Thunder Bay Police executed five search warrants in Pickle Lake.

Police seized 564 oxycodone pills and nearly eight thousand dollars cash as well as drug paraphernalia and 2-firearms.

Police say 63 year-old James Marino faces 11 charges including trafficking, possession of stolen property and unlawful storage of firearms.

72 year old David Lockwood, 22 year old Albert Shingebis and 50 year old Ida Crane each face three charges.

Gold Exploration Explodes in Northwestern Ontario

As many as eight new gold mines could open in the Kenora Mining District in the next four years.

That's according to MNR Geologist Andreas Lichtblau.

He says Coventry Resources is getting close to opening a new mine in the Cameron Lake area southeast of Kenora.

Lichtblau says as many as three new gold projects could start up in Red Lake in the next couple of years, two in the Dryden area and two in the Rainy River District.

Campbell Defends Abstaining on Budget Vote

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is defending her decision to abstain from voting on the provincial budget this week.

Campbell addressed delegates at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Convention yesterday and says there just wasn't any support for another election.

Campbell suggests Ontario is better off with a minority government, as long as all the party's try to work together.

Sturgeon Fishery Rebounding on Lake of the Woods

There's some good new regarding the Sturgeon fishery in Lake of the Woods and Rainy River.

Fisheries officials in Ontario and Minnesota says short-term goals established several years ago have been reached.

Tom Mosindy of the Ministry of Natural Resources says there's still work to do.

Mosindy says they now have males as old as 30 years and females at least 50.

Four arrested in theft of Vehicle from Sioux Narrows

The OPP say they have arrested four youth in connection to a stolen vehicle from the Sioux Narrows area.

Police say a 2007 Jeep Compass was taken from the driveway of a home last Thursday night.

On Friday morning, the same vehicle was seen driving just east of Kenora on Highway 17.

Officers located the vehicle abandoned at a business on the east highway and began searching for the culprits.

Three of four suspects were initially apprehended.

The OPP say two 18 year old men, a 16 year old and a 15 year old boy have all been charged with possession of property obtained by crime and various bail violations.

Ontario Jury Pools on Trial this week

The makeup of juries goes on trial before

Ontario's top court this week as two killers fight their guilty verdicts.

Lawyer Julian Falconer argues aboriginals have been unfairly shut out from juries for years.

The two aboriginals, including Clifford Kokopenace of Grassy Narrows are asking the Court of Appeal for new trials because on-reserve First Nations people were excluded from the juries that convicted them.

Kokopenace was convicted of manslaughter in Kenora Court back in 2008. 

Colleges Minister Bullish on Lakewood Project

Ontario's Minister of Colleges, Training and Universities has had a first hand look at the Lakewood School Proposal.

Glenn Murray was in town on Friday for the NOMA conference and had a chance to sit down with the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission.

Murray says he likes the concept of transforming the elementary school into an adult education center.

As for funding the project, Murray says there is money within the budget for colleges and universities.

Tourist Information Closures Raised at NOMA Bearpit

The closure of three tourist information centers in northwestern Ontario and the Ring of Fire.

Those two issues dominated the Bear Pit Session with four members of the McGuinty Government on Friday at the NOMA conference in Kenora.

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says while they are sympathetic about the closure of the Tourism Centers, he's not making any promises to re-open them.

On the Ring of Fire, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynn re-assured municipal leaders that the government is moving forward, but much of the work is being done behind the scenes.

Municipal infrastructure, the Far North Act and the Northern Institute were other subjects raised during the bear pit session.