Police Arrest Suspect in Whitefish Bay Murder

The OPP and Treaty Three Police say they have arrested a suspect in the killing of a store owner on the Whitefish Bay First Nation.

A 16 year old youth made a first court appearance yesterday in Kenora.

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Whitefish Bay resident cannot be identified.

Police say the youth have been charged with first degree murder in the death of 61 year old Charles Minshall.

While the cause of death is not being released, police say there were reports gunfire in the community early Sunday morning before Minshall was killed.

Infrastructure Round Table Today in Kenora

For the second time in as many days a high profile federal politician will be paying a visit to Kenora.

Minister of State for Transport, Stephen Fletcher will be town today for a round-table discussion on the federal government's infrastructure program.

The Build Canada Fund is expected to be phased out by the spring of 2014.

Today, Fletch will be meeting with municipal leaders across the region to talk about their wish list in terms of infrastructure.

The meeting will take place this morning at the Discovery Center.

New Forest Fires Continue to Crop Up

The Ministry of Natural Resources is hoping cooler conditions today will help put a damper on the fire situation across the region.

Yesterday, there were another eight new fires reported.

That's on top of 18 wild fires reported in the region on Tuesday.

Clusters of fires in the Deer lake and Sandy Lake areas remain a cause for concern for fire crews.

There are now more than 80 forest fires burning across northwestern Ontario.

Feds Won't Promise more money for Policing

The federal government isn't saying whether it plans to continue a fund that helps police services across the region hire more officers.

The Police Officer Recruitment Fund is due to run out next March.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he understands that some police services rely on the funding.

The Treaty Three Police Service has indicated that it will have to pull out of Whitedog, because it won't have enough officers to police the community, once the fund dries up.

Wynne Makes Apology in Wabigoon

History in the Making in Wabigoon First Nation.

Minister Kathleen Wynne of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and Chief Rubin Cantin Sr signed a settlement from an incident dating back more then 150 years ago.

It stems from past and ongoing flooding that has damaged the area and destroyed parts of the reserve.

Wynne presented an appology letter, and acknowledged the 20 million dollar settlement for the community.

The Chief says the a chunk of the money will be invested for future growth.

Farmer's Market Patrons Fill the Van

A big boost for the Salvation Army's food bank.

A cargo van was set up yesterday at the Farmer's Market in an effort to help re-stock the shelves of the food bank.

Organizers say local residents responded by filling the van to the brim.

The Salvation Army says demand for the food bank is just as strong during the summer months, but donations tend to drop off during the holidays.

OPP Announce Details of a Major Drug Bust

Provincial Police in Thunder Bay have revealed details of a six month drug investigation.

A number of police agency's were involved in the bust including the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.

A total of nine search warrants were executed in the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga, Kitchener-Waterloo and Thunder Bay as part of "Project Harrington".

In all, police laid 95 charges against 11-individuals, four of whom remain at large.

Police say the investigation targeted a network that transported and distributed large amounts of oxycodone and cocaine from southern Ontario to northwestern Ontario, including First Nations communities.

The quantity of the drugs seized is 1.3-million dollars.

Six of those charged are from Thunder Bay and one is from Weagamow First Nation.

One of the individuals is an employee of the Thunder Bay District Jail and he's been charged with breach of trust.

LOWBIC Gets Funding Boost

The Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation is getting a bit of a shot in the arm.

The Community development agency will be getting an extra 157 thousand dollars from the federal government, on top of its annual grant of 300 thousand dollars.

Ryan Reynard is executive director of LOWBIC and says the funding will be used to help out all nine economic development agencies in northwestern Ontario.

LOWBIC says they are planning a two day get together in the fall with their counterparts across the region.

Details of Joint Drug Investigation to be released

Provincial police say they'll be giving details of a complex joint drug investigation today in Thunder Bay.

Investigators say the case involves trafficking of prescription medication and illegal drugs from southern Ontario to several communities in northwestern Ontario.

Police say O-P-P chief superintendent Mike Armstrong, and representatives of the Thunder Bay, Nishnawbe-Aski and Anishinabek police forces and the R-C-M-P will be present for today's announcement.

Prescription painkillers have been a major problem in some northwestern Ontario, with some community leaders estimating up to 80 per cent of adults are hooked on OxyContin or Percocets.

Justice Minister Rejects Hand Gun Ban

The federal government doesn't seem interested in a wholesale ban on handguns.

There have been renewed calls for banning the firearms following a spate of shootings in the Toronto area.

Yestererday, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson was in Kenora and poured cold water on any sort of handgun ban.

Nicholson says the real problem is handguns which are making their way into Canada illegally.

He says the government is taking a tough stand on gun crimes, introducing new mandatory sentences for anyone convicted.

Government Defends Decision to Close ELA

The Federal Government continues to hold stead fast to it's decision to close the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora.

House leader, Peter Van Loan was in northwestern Ontario recently and says he's heard the concerns over the move.

He says the government is putting its money toward remediating lakes at risk, instead of raw research.

Dissaproval has come from across the world over the Federal Government's decision to cut the funding for the outdoor research lab.

Job Symposium for Aboriginal Youth

Aboriginal youth in the Kenora District are getting a chance to learn more about future job opportunities in Northwestern Ontario.

The federal government has pledged 46-thousand dollars to host a an Aboriginal Trades and Employment Symposium in the fall.

Mary Tait says the event will focus on some of the jobs that are available in the mining and resource sector in this region.

Tait says reps from various mining companies will be on hand to outline what is needed to work in the budding industry.

Logo Contest Launched

There's a big cash prize up for grabs for a creative mind.

The Kenora District Interactive Digital Platform is in need of a new logo and tag line.

James Harvey says the public will get to vote on line for the submission they

like the best.

The artist with the best submission will recieve 500 dollars!

Housing Prices on the Rise

House prices in northwestern Ontario have gone up by 26 percent over the past four years.

That's according to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

MPAC released its first ever report today, and it shows housing prices have increased more in northern Ontario than any other part of the province.

For the province as a whole, housing prices have gone up an average of 17 percent since 2008.

Police Confirm One Dead in Whitefish Bay Shooting

One person is dead following a shooting incident on the Whitefish Bay First Nation southeast of Kenora.

The OPP confirm that 61 year old Charles Minshall was shot early Sunday morning.

Minshall lived in a residence attached to the store.

The Treaty Three Police and the OPP responded after they received a report of gunfire in the area of the store.

Minshall was pronounced dead at the scene.

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

Police say they don't have a suspect in custody, but are asking anyone with information to contact the Treaty Three Police Crime Unit, the OPP or Crimestoppers.

OPG ready to wean Atikokan Plant off Coal

The switch from coal to biomass at Ontario Power Generation's plant in Atikokan will begin this fall.

Work on the 200-million dollar conversion will result in the plant actually stopping the use of coal this October.

Plant Manager Chris Fralick say the existing workforce of 85 will remain on site.

The plant will begin burning biomass in 2014.

Red Lake OPP lay Sex Assault Charges

A 25-year-old Cochenour man faces a long list of charges after a 50-year-old woman was sexually assaulted.

Red Lake Provincial Police say the two knew each other and the incident occurred at a Cochenour home.

OPP say the accused faces counts of break and enter, overcoming reistance to commit and offence, forcible confinement and sexual assault causing bodily harm.

The victim was transported to hospital and released.

The accused remains in custody and no names have been released.

More Fire Crews Heading to Northwestern Ontario

Badly needed help for weary firefighters in Northwestern Ontario.

20-firerangers from Saskatchewan and 20-from New Brunswick are joining local crews on the fire lines.

Waterbombers from Quebec and Newfoundland have also been called in.

20-firerangers from Minnesota arrived last week.

Five new fires were reported yesterday, bringing the number of active fires up to 70.

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.