Treaty Three Re-Affirms Relationship with Province

The province and Grand Council Treaty 3 are promising to continue working together in providing the quality of life for area First Nations.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynn and Northern Development Minister Rick Bartolucci were at Couchiching First Nations to reaffirm those commitments.

Bartolluci says it's an opportunity to understand, respect and trust each other.

An agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources was also signed.

Elementary Teachers Seek Conciliation

Teachers working in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board are asking for the help of a conciliator in their contract talks.

Local members of the Elementary Teachers Federation met earlier this week with the board.

Local representative Anne Saltel says Bill-115 is making it very difficult to come to any sort of an agreement.

Saltel says the legislation which forces teachers to accept a wage freeze and benefit cuts is leaving them no choice but to seek conciliation.

Kick-Start Energy Plan for NWO Released

A Northwest Kick Start Plan is proposing cleaner and cheaper energy for Northern Ontario.

At the Ontario Waterpower Conference, a proposal was made to provide a grid connection to a number of First Nations Communities who use diesel generation and all the way to the Ring of Fire.

President and CEO of Imperium Engery Larry Doran says the move would also allow them to develop hydroelectric generators.

Doran says the power lines would provide the communities with more oppertunities, such as broadband for the internet in areas that don't have it.

Campbell Launches Campaign to Get MPP's Back to Work

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell wants the Liberal Government to bring MPPs back to work.

Campbell has launched an Ontario wide petition asking for the Ontario legislature to resume work.

She says there's valuable legislation that isn't being addressed while the legislature is on break.

The legislature is adjourned while the Liberals look for a new leader.

Rainy River Resources Ready for E.A.

Rainy River Resources is not worried about the need to go ahead with a federal environmental assessment for its proposing gold mines south of Kenora.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency made the ruling last week.

Company vice-president Kyle Stanfield says he wasn't surprised by the decision.

Stanfield expects the process to take at least a year and won't impact on their timetable to have a mine open by 2016.

Broncos Win Quarter-Final in WHSFL

A big upset in the Winnipeg High School Football League.

The Beaver Brae Broncos went into the East Side Stadium and left with a 9-6 victory over the heavily favoured Elmwood Giants.

Weather played a big factor in the game, which the Broncos led 1-0 at the half.

In the second half, Dylan Pykerman scored on a 45 yard touchdown run, to move Beaver Brae ahead for good, as they held on for the victory in a brisk westerly wind.

The Broncos will now face the winner of today's game between Steinbach and Fort Frances in next week's semi-finals.

Broncos Split against Dryden

The NorWOSSA Double "a" Court season is starting to wind down.

In their second final games of the year, Beaver Brae split against their rivals from Dryden yesterday.

Both Bronco boys volleyball teams lost their games.

The Beaver Brae seniors were dropped in three straight sets by the Eagles, while Dryden upended

the Bronco junior boys three sets to one. 

Meanwhile the Beaver Brae girls basketball teams both won.

The Bronco senior girls got by the Eagles 46-36, while the junior squad earned a 44-26 win over Dryden.

The regular season wraps up next Thursday with Beaver Brae heading to Fort Frances.

OPP Responds to Ombudsmans Report

The OPP says its starting to take action on an 18-month investigation by the provincial Ombudsman.

It includes how the Provincial Police deal with psychologial issues, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Acting Superintendent Dave Quigley says there are a number of services available for officers and civillian staff.

Quigley says they have a working group who is going to assess the findings, and see what will work at the end of the day.

City Begins 2013 Budget Process Today

Kenora city council's getting an early jump on the 2013 municipal
budget.

Council will be meeting with groups in the city which rely on municipal funding today.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says a report by the the Municipal Property and Assessment Corpopation this week was a real eye opener.

He says the fact property values are up six percent is an interesting conundrum for council.

Canfield says they'll have to factor in the increase property values when they
begin drafting their 2013 budget. 

NOMA Speaks Out Against Provincial Park Closures

The local tourism industry has taken another hit.

The Province is cancelling overnight camping in nine Provincial Parks across Northern Ontario, including one in the Northwest.

Ron Nelson is President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and says the government is hollowing of services in our communities.

Nelson says the area is already reeling from the closure of three Travel Information Centres and possible reductions at Ministry of Natural Resources offices.

Stats Can Releases more 2011 Census Results

Kenora is increasingly an English speaking community.

Results from the 2011 Census shows that 91.8 percent of local residents listed English as their mother tongue, that's up from 91.2 percent just four years ago. 

Only 2.3 percent listed French.

Ojibway has moved up into third place at 1.6 percent.

It has surpassed German, which was spoken by just one percent of
the local population. 

Local Task Force Earns OPP Accolade Award

For the second year in a row, Kenora OPP officers have won accolade
awards.

The OPP Awards Ceremony was held yesterday in Orillia, and the Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force was singled out.

It was given an award for community partnerships.

The committee consists of both OPP officers as well as representitives
from local agencies.

The Aboriginal Issue Unit was also a recipient of another award and team member Detective Contable

Marc Depres was one of the people recognized. 

Thistles Win on the Road

The Kenora Thistles are above the .500 mark once again.

A third period goal by Brandon Pentek was the game winner, as the Thistles edged the Eastman Selects 4-3 last night in Beausejour.

The Kenora Midgets now sport a record of four wins, three losses and an overtime loss.

Their next game is at home Friday night against the Pembina Valley Hawks.

Broncos Face Elmwood in WHSFL Play-Offs

Its do or die time for Beaver Brae's football team.

The play-offs begin today in the Winnipeg High School Football League today.

The Broncos travel to Winnipeg to take on the Elmwood Giants in a quarter-final match-up.

The Giants finished third in the Currie Division with a 6-1 record, while the
Broncos were in a three-way tie for 6th at 3-4.

Game time is 5:00 at the Eastside Stadium.

Saints take three of four from Sioux Lookout

Another near sweep for Thomas Aquinas court sport teams.

The Saints took three of four games played against Sioux Lookout yesterday.

The T.A. senior boys volleyball team kept their perfect record intact in NorWOSSA
league play with a three game sweep of the Warriors.

The Saints junior boys won three sets to one.

In girls basketball action, the T.A. Junior girls cruised to a 30-7 win over
Sioux Lookout, while the senior squad lost the only game of the day 35-30
to the Warriors.

Today, the Thomas Aquinas boys volleyball teams head to Whitefish Bay for the

third games in three days. 

Property Values Jump in Kenora

A big jump in property values in the Kenora area.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has just completed its most recent assessment and it shows an increase of 6.39 percent in the past year.

That's one of the biggest jumps in the region. 

Only Red Lake had a higher jump at almost eight percent.

Property values are also up in Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls by meagre 1.16 percent.

Waterfront values continue to soar, with Kenora lake front property up 31 percent in the past

four years, while it increased by 14 percent in Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls during that same time frame.

On the other end of the scale, property values are down in Ignace by almost 5 percent and
there was a two percent drop in Dryden and a four percent drop in Machin.   

TSB Still Investigating Pickle Lake Crash

Still more questions than answers surrounding the fatal plane crash in Pickle Lake last week.

Members of the Transportation Safety Board have worked tirelessly to remove the wreakage from a densly wooded area.

Spokesperson Peter Hildenbrand explains where they are in the investigation stage.

He said a full draft report on the crash probably won't be available for four to five months.
Three men from Quebec died in the crash.

Nishinabe Aski Police Seeking New Recruits

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is launching a new recruitment campaign to try and get more people into a NAPS uniform.

Sergeant Jackie George says the campaign is entitled the "Faces Behind the Flash".

The "Faces Behind The Flash" campaign is aimed at people 19 years of age or older.

Mayor Likes Committee Changes

Kenora City Council plans to be more accountable to local citizens.

Last night council did away with the committee structure, and instead adopted a new portfolio concept.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the changes should give local residents better access to information being reviewed by council.

All 6 portfolios have a councillor as the lead.

OPP Investigate More Break-Ins in Sioux Narrows

A new rash of break-ins in the Sioux Narrows area are under investigation.

The OPP say they are looking into a number of break and enter and thefts in the Lobstick Bay area of the community.

Police say at this time they are trying to determine exactly how many cottages have been entered, and what items have been stolen.

A recent community survey showed that break-ins were the biggest concern of residents living in Sioux Narrows.

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

Mixed Results for Saints and Broncos

Home court was no advantage for Beaver Brae.

The Broncos were swept by the Fort Frances Muskies in boy volleyball and girls basketball action.

The Beaver Brae junior girls basketball team was edged 34-32, while the Bronco senior and junior boys volleyball squads both lost three sets to one to the Muskies.

Over at Thomas Aquinas, the Saints took three of four games played against Atikokan.

The T.A. senior boys still have not dropped a set in NorWOSSA league play sweeping the Voyageurs three set to none.

The Saints Junior boys lost a five set marathon against Atikokan 3 sets to two.

In girls basketball, the Saints senior squad upended the Voyaguers 40-18, while the T.A. junior girls romped to a 45-30 victory.

Today, the Sioux Lookout Warriors are in town.

Mayor for the Day



Kenora's mayor will soon look a little younger.

Maya Boivin has won this year's mayor for a day contest.

The Thomas Aquinas Student will get to sit in the mayor's chair at
an upcoming council meeting, and spend the day shadowing Kenora's
top elected official.

This is the second year in a row council has chosen a student to act as
Mayor for the Day. 

Senior Citizen Achievement Award

Local resident Colin Wasacase has received a provincial senior acheivment award.

Wasacase was presented with the award at city council last night.

Wasacase served multiple terms on city council and has been an active

member of the community for many years serving on multiple committees.

Task Force on Homelessness Ready to Roll

Kenora City Council is carrying through with its commitment to tackle the issue of homelessness.

A new Ad Hoc Task Force is being set up to look at the issue and hopefully develop some plans that will address some of the social issues facing the community.

Louis Roussin will be chairing the committee and says they want to look "outside the box" for solutions.

The Ad Hoc Task force on Homelessness and Behavioral Issues was established by city council last night at its open meeting.

Local Liberals Pleased with Early Leadership Convention

Names to lead the Ontario Liberals will be known soon.

The party will hold a leadership convention on January 25th.

Northern Region VP Anthony Leek says names will likely start coming forward this week.

Leek adds that they wanted to hold the leadership convention sooner rather than later in order to get the Ontario Legislature back to business. 

MPP's have been locked out of Queens park since last week when Dalton McGuinty resigned and prorogued the legislature.

OFAH Concerned About Recent Hunting Fatalities

Within the past month, two people have been killed in Ontario due to hunting related incidents.

In one case, a man had fallen on a slippery surface and accidently discharged his firearm.

Arnold Beebe is an instructor with the Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers says when we fall, it's instinct to use your hands to brace yourself.

Beebe adds that it's important to be sure of the target and keep the gun pointed in a safe directon.

Griffith Mine to Go Back into Production

A milestone for the Griffith Mine, north of Ear Falls.

Northern Iron Group is bringing the mine back into business, which has been out of operation since 1986.

Vice President Michael Hepworth says starting tonight, they will be pumping the water out.

Hepworth says the mine won't be complete till about 2016, but is expected to bring in about 400 jobs.

Drug Charges Laid in Red Lake

Provincial Police in Red Lake have charged two people following an investigation into a man selling prescription medication.

OPP seized drugs and money.

Police say 53 year old Karel Hubeny of Balmertown faces trafficking and possession of property charges.

55 year old Marie Morissette has been charged with possession of a controlled substance.

LeBlanc Due Back in Court today

A man accused of sexually assaulting and confining a 16-year-old boy in Nova Scotia is due in court today.

David James Leblanc made his first appearance in Bridgewater provincial court earlier this month after his arrest Sept. 30 in northern Ontario.

The 47 year old man faces seven charges, including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, forcible confinement, uttering a death threat, kidnapping, administering a noxious substance with intent to cause bodily harm, and breach of conditions.

He remains in custody.

Broncos face Elmwood in WHSFL Quarter-Finals

The Play-off Picture in the Winnipeg High School Football League is now clear.

Beaver Brae will take on the Elmwood Giants in quarter-final action this Thursday.

Elmwood finished third overall in the Currie Division Standings, while the Broncos were in a three-way tie for 6th.

The game will be played at the East Side Field at 5:00.

Meanwhile, Bronco running back Dylan Pykerman was near the top in a couple of offensive categories.

He was the third leading rusher in the league with 788 yards on the ground and scored 10 touchdowns, which was also the third best total in the division.

RCMP Investigate Hadashville Break-in

A hefty theft in the Hadashville area of Manitoba.

The RCMP says it was contacted about a break and enter to a restaurant around 2:00 Sunday morning.

Police say the culprits made off with a large floor safe.

No indication how much money was in the safe at the time.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to contact the Falcon Lake Detachment of the RCMP or Manitoba Crimestoppers.

Heavy Fog Creates Treacherous Driving Conditions

You might need a fog horn in order to get to work this morning.

Heavy fog is making travel difficult this morning with near zero visibility in some places.

Caution is advised on all roads in the Kenora area.

Environment Canada says the fog should lift later this morning as the sun finally makes an appearance for the first time in nearly a week.

Wanted: Lake Friendly Businesses

Be on the lookout for some Lake Friendly business in the new year.

A new campaign is being developed to recognize companies and stores that are trying to curtail their environmental footprint.

Kelly Saunders helping to launch the Lake Friendly intiative and say they just want to raise awareness through this campaign.

Saunders says their goal is to launch the Lake Friendly program around the Home and Liesure show next spring.

Duties Being Shuffled at the Council Table

You might consider it kind of a cabinet shuffle at the council table.

Kenora City Council is going to try and do things a little differently over the next couple of years, doing away with the committee structure.

Instead, each councillor will be given a portfolio, they will be in charge of.

Councillor Rory McMillan will take over Community Services, which he says presents some interesting challenges.

Council is expected to approve the new committee structure at tonight's open council meeting.

Health Unit Promotes Physical Activity

The Northwestern Health Unit is urging workers to take a break.

The Health Unit is out with a Physical Activity Kit.

Health Promoter Jessica Kivell has the details.

Kivell says being active in the workplace can improve employee morale, job satisfaction and reduce stress.

Aboriginal Women's Help Line Launched

The Ontario Native Women's Association is helping remote first nation communities feel more connect to large urban centres.

They've provided 3 years worth of funding for the Aboriginal Women help line called Talk 4 Healing.

Coordinator Robin Haliuk says the help line is open.

Haliuk says often first nation women can feel isolated.

Crimestoppers looks for Help Cracking down on Graffiti

The OPP and Crimestoppers wants to stop Graffiti in Kenora.

There has been numerous mischief incidents in the city between August 13th and September 8th.

Crimestoppers is asking anyone with information to call 800-222-8477.

All calls are anonymous.

Ontario Liberals to Choose New Leader January 25th

The Ontario Liberal party will hold a convention on January 25th to choose a new leader to take the reins from outgoing Premier Dalton McGuinty.

McGuinty has said his successor will decide when to recall the legislature, which he prorogued when he announced his surprise resignation last Monday.

The prorogation infuriates the Tories and N-D-P, who are calling on McGuinty to reverse his decision and let M-P-P's get back to work.

More Downtime for Fort Frances Mill

Downtime at the Resolute Forest Products Mill in Fort Frances.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union says workers were notified Friday that both the kraft and paper operations will be shutdown for 2-weeks starting on October 28th.

A lack of orders is being cited.

PeeWee Girls Win in Winnipeg

A promising start to the season for a couple of local girls travelling teams.

The Lake of the Woods Canucks won the PeeWee division of a pre-season tournament in Winnipeg.

The Canucks took the A-Side Championship yesterday with a 2-1 win.

Maren Turner and Hannah Yaremko each scored in that contest.

In the Atom girls division Canucks were the runners-up after losing in the championship game.

Thistle Lose two of three at Home

The Kenora Triple "A" Midget Thistles have fallen back to the .500 mark on the season.

The Thistles dropped a 5-1 decision yesterday to the Winnipeg Thrashers at the Rec. Center.

That was their third game in four days.

On Friday, the Kenora Midgets completed a two-game series against the Norman North Stars with a 4-3 win.

The Thistles record is now three wins, three losses and an overtime loss.

Their next game is Wednesday in Beausejour against the Eastman Selects.

Habitat For Humanity Gets Funding

Habitat for Humanity is getting a big boost from the Kenora District Services Board.

Councillor Louis Roussin sits on the KDSB and says the local committee will be getting 50 thousand dollars as part of an Affordable Housing Program.

The funding is being flowed through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

This is a ten year program aimed at reducing homelessness and creating more affordable housing.

Habitat recently completed construction of its first ever home in Kenora.

New City Committees Approved

Still no shortage of committees in the City of Kenora.

This week, city council agreeed to dissolve two committees, but at the same time will be establishing two new committees at its open meeting Monday night.

Council is doing away with the Audit Committee and Harbortown Center.

Councillor Ron Lunny says the Audit Committee had become redundant because BDO Dunwoody already carries out an independant review of the city's finances.

Volunteers are now being sought to sit on the newly established Special Events Center Committee and the

Non-Profit Housing Review Committee.

Plane Crash Still Under Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board says its investigation of a fatal plane crash near Pickle Lake is being hampered by dense bush.

The Laker 250 went down about two miles short of the Pickle Lake Airport Tuesday evening and it took rescue crews almost eight hours to locate it.

Peter Hildebrand from the Safety Board says they are trying to get the plane upright so investigators can get access to the fusillage.

Three men from Trois Rivieres, Quebec were killed in the crash.

Harbortown Center Committee Dissolved

A long-time City committee is going the way of the dodo bird.

The Harbortown Center Committee is being dissolved by city council.

Harbortown used to be a liason between downtown business, Harborfront programs and city hall.

However, the committee's importance began to wane in recent years with much of its work being taken up by the Harbortown BIZ and the Lake of the Woods Development Commission.

Arts Center Proposed for Bethesda

Artists in Kenora could soon have a new place to call home.

Bethesda Lutheran Church has been sold and the owners intend to transform the building into an arts space.

The Godbout family is behind the project and says they want to be a creative hub for the community.

Anna Godbout says she's still getting feedback from the local arts community about what their needs are.

She takes ownership of the former church on November 1st.

City Creates New Management Job

The City of Kenora is creating a new management position.

The Operations Manager's job is being split up, creating a separate job for Property and Planning.

Councillor Rod McKay says the Operations Managers workload was just getting too large.

The Property and Planning Manager will look after facilities, parks as well as planning.

McKay says the new position won't actually cost the city more money because it will mostly be a shuffling of departmental responsibilities.

Customer Service Focus of Presentation

Learn the benefits of customer service.

A world renowned retail specialist is being brought in by the  Northwest Business Centre.

Manager of the Business Centre Diane Schwartz-Williams says every business

can benefit from learning about customer service.

The "Get serious about service. Your customers are." presentation will be on October 29th in Kenora and October 30th in Dryden.

Visit Kenora.ca to get information and tickets for both presentations.

Federal Government Pledges Clean Water

Safe drinking water on First Nations communities in the far north has become a major priority for the Federal government.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford re-emphasized that point during the opening of a new water treatment facility in the Parry Sound area yesterday.

Rickford says they have to look at the big picture in the Kenora riding.

The Paliamentary Assistant for Aboriginal Affairs adds the government also plans to introdce legislation that would hold the Feds and First Nations communities more accountable.

Thistles Drop a Heartbreaker in Overtime

The Kenora Triple A Midget Thistles have suffered their first loss at home this season.

The Thistles dropped a 5-4 decision in overtime to the NorMan North Stars last night at the Rec. Center.

The loss drops the Thistles record to 2 wins, two losses and and overtime loss.

The same two teams will be back in action at the Thistle Rink tonight at 7:30.