OPP Says Phone Scams on the Rise

The OPP say they have been getting complaints about an increasing number of telephone scams in recent weeks.

In one incident, a local resident agreed to donate 250 dollars to a charity they figured was worthwhile, and provided their credit card number over the phone.

Only after making the transaction did they contract police to ask whether the call was legitimate.

An officer was able to work with their financial institution to stop the payment from going through.

Police say local residents have also complained of phone calls about securing winnings or vacation packages.

The OPP remind you that if it seems to too good to be true, it likely is.

Cargo North Ready to Launch New Service

A new service is coming to Northwestern Ontario.

Cargo North President Frank Kelner announced the purchase of a new aircraft which will provide air cargo services.

Kelner thinks that this new addition, a Basler Turbo 67, will help a lot of businesses and companies.

The launch date is expected to be November 1.

Kelner says he has obtained 2 more planes by 2013.

LOWBIC Website Garners Award

Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation is showing off some new hardware.

Executive Director of LOWBIC, Ryan Reynard says their website was singled out at a recent conference.

Reynard adds that the website is often the first point of contact for a number of would-be entrepreneurs in the area.

The award was handed out at the annual general meeting of the Ontario Association of Community Future Development Corporations.

Cocaine Bust in RIDE Stop

OPP RIDE Check Stops nab more than just drunk drivers.

Over the weekend, the OPP pulled over a vehicle on Railway Street during a RIDE program.

During one check, officers managed to seize almost a gram of cocaine.

44 year old Jordan Chesterfield of Winnipeg has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and obstructing police.

He's scheduled to appear in Kenora Court at the end of August on the charges.

MNR Monitoring Fire on Lake of the Woods

Smoke continues to waft into town from fires burning in the far north.

While there wasn't a lot of fire activity in the region, the MNR says it is currently monitoring a blaze on an island at the south end of Lake of the Woods.

They are letting the fire burn itself out saying it is beneficial for the renewal of the eco-system.

Kenora District Fire Number 73 is burning about 50 kilometres south of Kenora in the Miles Bay area, just north of Comegan Island.

Smoke From Northern Fires Drifts into Kenora

Smoke from fires in the remote north continues to filter into our area.

This despite a relatively quiet weekend on the forest fire front with only one new fire reported yesterday in the Thunder Bay District.

Rain in some parts of the region knocked down the fire hazard.

The reprieve is expected to be short lived though as the weather is forecast to be clear and warm and put the fire hazard back into the high level by mid-week.

Food Bank Shelves Almost Empty

The cupboards are almost bare at Kenora's foodbank.

A campaign is being launched next month to try and replenish supplies.

Making Kenora Home is holding its annual Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation campaign.

Dan Jorgensen is a spokesperson for the group and says the situation is critical.

Organizers of the Wednesday Farmer's Market say they will be collecting non-perishable food items this week to help out.

Respite Care Program being expanded

A respite support program introduced in the region two years is being continued.

Carol Ness of Thunder Bay-based Wesway says a pilot project that helps families who care full-time for seniors recently received additional funding through the North West Local Health Integration Network.

Ness says there's been so much demand that they have a waiting list.

Re-Design of Driver's Licences Encouraged

The war on tobacco is taking a new twist.

A northwestern Ontario health official Klaus Larsen says as a way to discourage the sale of tobacco to underage teens, they want the Ontario government to redesign driver's licences.

He says they want to easily show when a person under of 19 will reach the age of majority.

Larsen says other provinces already use the licence system they are proposing.

Dingwalls Win Bronzeback

A big comeback for Jeff and Scott Dingwall at the 6th Annual Bronzeback Classic.

The Dingwalls were fourth after the first day weigh-ins, but walked away with the first prize money of 35 hundred dollars yesterday.

They pulled in more than 16 pounds of bass on day two for a total of 31.56 pounds over the two day tournament.

Over at the Tom Nabb Soccer complex, the Vanz Thunder claimed the B-side crown at the Kenora Ladies Soccer Tournament.

The Thunder took a 2-0 decision over Portage La Prairie in a weather shortened game.

Casey's won the c-side final with a 3-1 win over Moncrief United.

In the A-side final it was a team from Winnipeg taking top honors beating Brandon 2-1.

Keric Sells Salon

A popular local beauty salon is changing hands.

Keric Funk is selling his 2nd Street South Salon and boutique to Shauna Fortner.

While he's selling his business, Funk says he will continue to offer his styling services.

Campbell Congratulates Atleo on Re-election

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says she's looking forward to working with Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Shawn Atleo.

Atleo beat out seven other contenders this week, including former Treaty 3 grand chief Diane Kelly.

Campbell says she wants to address the challenges that First Nations communities are facing.

She says the NDP caucus remains committed to fighting for real consultation with First Nations and maximising training and employment opportunities in resource development.

Canfield Upset by High Gas Prices

Its time the federal government held oil companies accountable for the high price of gasoline.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield is on the warpath over the price of fuelling up.  

He says there's no reason motorists in Kenora should be paying $1.34 a liter.

Canfield says with oil prices around 87 dollars a barrel, gas prices should be closer to a dollar a liter.

MNR Fire Crews Focus on the Far North

Focus for Ministry of Natural Resources forest firefighters continues to be in the remote north.

Eleven fires in the far north are now over 100 hectares.

One of the largest is within Woodland Caribou Provincial Park that has scorched almost one thousand hectares.

Another concern is a cluster of fires burning near the remote communities of Deer Lake and Keewaywin where smoke may be a concern for residents.

Early Morning Call for Fire Fighters

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department was called into action early this morning.

Fire crews responded to a blaze at the Comfort Inn.
Three units were dispatched to the scene.

A fire official says a small air conditioning unit overheated and caught fire.

Fire fighters were able to contain the blaze to the room of origin, though smoke did drift into other parts of the motel.

Council Applies for more Infrastructure Funding

Kenora City Council is honing its wish list for a new round of projects eligible for infrastructure funding.

Upgrades for the Keewatin Memorial Arena and the roof of city hall top the wish list.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says they would only go ahead with the projects if they get government funding.

Council says it also wants to work with the Lake of the Woods Development Commission for a dock rehabilitation project on the north side of Coney Island.

Busy Sports Weekend

A busy sports weekend in Kenora. Tonight, the annual Kenora Ladies

Soccer Tournament gets underway at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

The finals will take place Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, 100 teams will take

to the water tomorrow morning for the Bronzeback Classic. Final day weigh-ins will take place Sunday afternoon.

New Life for Atikokan Generating Station

The Atikokan Generating Station has a power purchase agreement with the Ontario Power Authority.

It was the last step needed before the plant could be converted to using biomass.

Mayor Dennis Brown says it's a huge relief to his community.

Thunder Bay Atikokan M.P.P. Bill Mauro made the announcement Thursday in Thunder Bay.

Impaired Driving Charges on the Rise

Drinking and Driving continues to be a big issue for local police.

The OPP say they've noticed an increase in the number of impaired driving charges issued so far this year.

To date, there have been 40 charges laid, up from 33 from the same period last year.

Provincial Police say that's a 21 percent increase over last year.

Kenora Senior Gives City Council an Earful

A Kenora senior is complaining about some of the changes that have taken place on the Harborfront recently.

Len Kropiowski made a deputation to council this week upset about the naming of the new tent as the White Cap Pavillion.

Kropiowski also says he's saddened to see the Thistle Pavillion no longer has any hockey memorabilia on display.

Kropiowski also feels the food vendor trucks parked on the Harborfront obstruct the view of the lake.

Con College Bursaries get a boost

Confederation College in Kenora has more money to put towards student bursaries and awards.

Wednesday's golf tournament at the Kenora Golf and Country Club generated more than nine thousand dollars.

A record 17 teams also took part in the afternoon event. 

Off the golf course, a signed Mike Richards Los Angeles Kings jersey garnered the most interest, taking in one thousand dollars in a live auction.

HRSDC Cuts Jobs in Kenora

The Public Service Alliance of Canada calls it a further erosion of service in northern Ontario.

About 25 percent of the workforce at the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada office in Kenora is being cut.

PSAC spokesperson Judith Monteith Farrell says the jobs are being moved to southern Ontario.

Monteith Farrell says five surplus notices have been handed out in Kenora leaving a staff at the HRSDC office of about 15 workers.

Red Lake Population Jumps Again

A change in census numbers in Red Lake.

The Municipality asked for a review of the final 2011 numbers.

Red Lake has been notified that the census results were incorrect.

The population is now up 3.2-percent from the original numbers.

Red Lake's population now stands at just over 46-hundred people.

ELA Gains National Support

The International community isn't giving up its fight to keep the Experimental Lakes Area open.

More than 29-hundred people from 58-countries have signed an on-line petition that closed last week.

Some signatories stated that the Federal government has a mandate to conduct whole-ecosystem freshwater research.

Others call it a premier institution and a point of Canadian pride.

Minnesota Fire Crews coming north

More than 70 forest fires are currently burning in the northwest region.

Fire Information Officer Deb McLean says crews are dealing with five new wild fires yesterday.

McLean says a crew of 20 fire fighters are arriving today from Minnesota to help relieve some of the crews throughout the region.

Council Rejects Loan Request for Land Ambulence Base

The Kenora District Services Board is going to have to search a little further afield to find a banker to finance the cost of building the land ambulence base in Kenora.

Earlier this week, Kenora City council said no, to the board's request to help finance the 2.8 million dollar project.

Councillor Ron Lunny says the city isn't in the business to lend money.

Construction of the new land ambulence base on Barsky's Hill is nearing completion.

Kelly Bows out of AFN election after 2nd ballot

The Assembly of First Nations has re-elected Shawn Atleo as its national chief. Atleo won on the third round of voting after fending off seven other candidates.

Atleo told the crowd of delegates that the present day marks a turning point for aboriginal rights.

Former Treaty Three Grand Chief Diane Kelly has failed in her bid to become National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Kelly dropped out of the race after finishing third with 39 votes in the second round of ballots.

Northwestern Ontario Ridings Not Affected by lost Data

No ridings in Northwestern Ontario are listed among those possibly impacted by a breach of voter privacy at Elections Ontario.

Chief Electoral Officer Greg Essensa says memory sticks containing personal information of about 2.5-million voters in as many 25 other ridings are missing from his office.

The data contains the names, birth dates and addresses of voters, but not how they voted.

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating.

OPP Lay Charges in ATV Accident

Charges have been laid in last week's crash involving two ATV's on Highway 671 north of Kenora.

Provincial Police say an all terrain vehicle was towing a second one, when one of the drivers was tossed from the vehicle.

He was transported to Lake of the Woods Hospital with minor injuries.

OPP say both teenage drivers face charges of operating an ATV on the highway without a driver's licence, no insurance and permit.

Seven People Vying for NAN Grand Chief

The candidates are now in place for Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief. 

There are seven people vying for NAN's top spot. 

They are; current Deputy Grand Chiefs Terry Waboose and Mike Metatawabin, former Sioux Lookout Mayor Lawrence Martin along with the head of of Wawatay David Neegan. 

Rounding out the list are  Harvey Yesno, Doug Semple and Brian Davey

AFN Votes for National Chief Today

First Nations chiefs are voting today in Toronto to elect their national chief.

Eight candidates, including former Treaty 3 Grand Chief Diane Kelly, are vying to become the high-profile First Nations leader.

Incumbent Shawn Atleo is running for a second three-year term.

City Warns against Boat Mooring at Local Beaches

Beaches are meant for swimming, not boating.

That's the message from Kenora City Council this week.

Councillor Ron Lunny says they have been getting complaints that people have been tieing up their boats at the dock at Keewatin Beach recently.

Lunny says they will be monitoring the situation to make sure boats are not ventuing into public swimming areas.

Council ready to move ahead with repairs to West Branch Bridge

Work to repair the aging West Branch Bridge over the Winnipeg River should start sometime in 2013.

Kenora City council has agreed to put out a request for proposals for the work.

Mayor Dave Canfield admits they don't know where the money for the project is going to come from, but says they are continuing to lobby the upper levels of government for funding.

Canfield says there is some urgency to start work on the bridge, because it continues to deteriorate.

OPP Search for Suspect in Mink Bay Assault

A scary incident for a 58 year old woman.

The OPP are searching for a suspect following an assault on the Mink Bay Trail in Keewatin.

Yesterday afternoon around 4:00, police were told that a lone male grabbed at a woman walking in the area of the West Bay Road and exposed himself.

The woman managed to run away.

The suspect is described as being a white male over 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds.

He was also wearing a dark ball cap, a baggy white shirt and baggy pants.

The OPP's Emergency Response Team and Canine Unit were called out, but they were unable to locate the suspect.

New National Chief to be Elected Tomorrow

The chiefs of Canada's First Nations, including several from northwestern Ontario, are gathering in Toronto today for a national strategy session which will see them elect a national chief later in the week.

Former Grand Chief of Treaty Three Diane Kelly among the candidates.

The Assembly of First Nations' annual general meeting will also see the chiefs hammer out a policy agenda for the coming months.

City Passes Audit with Flying Colors

A recent audit shows the City of Kenora still has a significant amount of money in its reserves.

The results of the 2011 audit were released yesterday and it shows the city has almost 65 million dollars socked away in cash and reserve funds.

Councillor Ron Lunny says it shows the city is continuing to manage taxpayers money in a responsible manner.

Lunny says the audit doesn't include almost nine million dollars the city has lent itself to cover the cost of financing the new fire hall, the new harborfront tent and the Discovery Center.

Ministry of Labor to Investigate Boat Explosion

Both the Ministries of Labour and Environment have been called in to help investigate an explosion on a boat at the Minaki Marina.

Ontario Provincial Police say the incident took place on Friday evening just before 6:00 and involved a boat that was being refueled.

The five meter long Hurricane can hold up to 200 liters of gas, but the hull filled with 360 liters of fuel after a gas line broke.

Police say the boat exploded after the operator tried to start it up.

Two people remain at Lake of the Woods District Hospital with second degree burns, while three others have been treated and released.

Council Supports Upgrades to Crosswalk

Pedestrians will soon be able to cross Main Street South to the Kenora Library a little more safely.

Last week, the operations department had proposed taking out the uncontrolled concrete crossing.

But city councillors balked at the suggestion and say they want to see the crossing enhanced.

Last night councillors agreed to support upgrades including courtesy crossing signage with amber beacons for motorists.

A sign for pedestrians will also be installed with the message, "Wait for Gap".

Catholic School Board updates 21st Century Learning Plan

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is taking a little different approach to increasing technology in their classrooms.

Unlike their public board counterparts, the separate school board isn't planning to put a netbook or i-pad into every students hands this fall.

Mary Cunningham is the superintendant of education and says instead they are working with teachers to find the best way of integrating computers in the classroom.

Cunningham adds that each of their schools this fall, will be assigning one teacher to work with other teachers on implementing technology in the classroom.

Health Unit Prepares for Move to Mount Carmel

The Northwestern Health Unit in Kenora is getting ready for a major move.

The Health Unit will be moving from its Wolsely Street Offices on Tunnel Island at the end of this month.

The Health Unit will be moving many of its services into the old Mount Carmel School, which has undergone extensive renovations.

The Health Unit says it will be closing its offices from July 30th-August 6th during the relocation.

The services offered in Market Square will not be affected by the move.

MNR Fire Crews Remain Busy

Despite a day of rain, the Ministry of Natural Resources continues to have its hands full with new forest fires.

Yesterday alone there were 11 new fires reported across the district.

Fire Information Officer Debbie MacLean says they expect to see more activity in the days ahead as warm weather returns.

MacLean says over the past five days, the MNR have responded to 113 forest fires in the northwest regin.

Downed Power Line causes Grass Fire

Kenora Hydro says a downed power line caused only a momentary outage last night for most of its customers in the Lakeside area.

The line went down near 1st Avenue South and caused a small grass fire.

Hydro president, Dave Sinclair says the line likely fell down due to a  faulty switch, which failed.

The incident took place shortly before 7:00 last night.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department was called out to deal with the blaze and were able to contain it fairly quickly.

Boat Explosion in Minaki sends five people to hopsital

Five people had to be taken to hospital as a result of a boat explosion in Minaki.

The OPP say the incident took place late Friday afternoon just before 6:00 at a marina.

Police say a 5 meter long Hurricane was being refuelled when the gas line broke, causing the hull to be filled with gasoline.

The boat would normally hold 200 liters of gas, but took on 360 liters before fuelling was stopped.

When the operators tried to start the boat, there was an explosion.

Three people were taken to Lake of the Woods District hospital and later released, while two others are still being treated for 2nd degree burns.

The Ministry of Labor has been called in to help out with the investigation.

Council to Vote on CIP Changes this Evening

Kenora City Council is being asked to support some changes to the Community Improvement Plan for the Harbortown Center.

The Property and Planning committee held a public meeting last week to review some of the changes.

One of the key improvements in the plan would be to increase the grant for landscaping.

Currently, the Community Improvement Plan offers just 25 hundred dollars for landscaping.

Under the revised plan, businesses would be eligible for up to 15 thousand dollars.

City council is expected to vote on the changes at tonight's open meeting.

Busy Weekend for MNR Fire Crews

Rain likely to give a hand to to easing the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.

Over sixty fires are now considered active by the Ministry of Natural Resources, including two in the Kenora District.

Both are located north of the city and were caused by lightning.

The largest is 8.3 hectares in size and is listed as not under control, while the other is just 0.2 hectares and isn't posing any problems for fire crews.

The largest fire in the region is burning in the Red Lake district inside Woodland Caribou Provincial Park.

That fire is measured at 934 hectares.

The Sioux Lookout District is also dealing with a large fire measuring more than 400 hectares in size.

None of the active forest fires are threatening any residents.

NAN Looking for New Grand Chief

Nominations for Nishnawbe Aski Nation's executive close tonight.

Up for grabs is Grand Chief and three Deputy Grand Chief positions.

Head Electoral Officer Larry Amos says so far preperation for the election has gone well.

NAN is looking to replace Stan Beardy as grand chief.

Beardy was elected as Ontario Regional Chief late last month.

Missing Boaters Located

Some damage to their boat, but a happy ending to a journey for three Fort Frances men forced to spend a night on an island on Rainy Lake last week.

OPP were called Thursday morning after family members reported the men overdue from an excursion the night before to a restaurant on the U-S side of the border.

Police say when the men were returning, their boat struck a reef, forcing them to an island.

The men flagged down a vessel the next morning who returned them to the mainland where they called home to report they were safe.

Transport Fire Destroys Six Vehicles

Provicinal Police say Highway 17 was closed for roughly 2-hours Friday evening after a truck caught on fire west of Dryden.

OPP say the fire occurred at West Arm road.

Officers arrived and found a trailer completly engulfed in flames.

Machin Fire attended and extinguished the blaze.

Six cars were destroyed on the trailer as well as the trailer itself.

Police say fast thinking of the driver prevented all of the vehicles from being destroyed.

Aboriginal Group Raises Concerns over Rising Interest Rates

Higher mortgage rates may mean trouble in some communities.

National Vice-Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples Dwight Dorey has begun a cross country trip to adress current issues.

Dorey says one of the issues raised is how the new rates would affect aboriginals living off reserve.

Dorey says other issues have also come up, such as health care and employment.

Fisher Top female at Kenora Borealis Triathlon

A familiar face was a top the leader board at the Kenora Borealis Triathlon/Duathlon on Rabbit Lake.

Edie Fisher topped the women's Olympic Triathon yesterday.

The top male in the Olympic Triathlon was Patrick Naylor, while Adam Naylor topped the field in the Tri-a-Triathlon event.

Lisle Compton was the top female competitor in the the Tri-A-Tri.