OSSTF Calls Off Job Action

Job action planned today by some Ontario high school teachers has been cancelled.

Members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation had been instructed to skip staff meetings and forgo standardized tests starting today.

But the union said last night that it plans to meet with government officials today.

It's one of three teachers' unions upset over a new provincial law that freezes the wages of senior teachers and bans them from striking.

NorWOSSA Finals Set For Thomas Aquinas Gym

The finals are all set for the NorWOSSA Single "a" championships up at Thomas Aquinas today.

All four Saints squads will be in the gold medal games.

The T.A. junior girls basketball team beat Atikokan 41-27 in semi-final action yesterday, while the Thomas Aquinas senior squad got 16 points from Samantha Burkart in a 41-25 decision over Sioux Lookout.

Both girls teams will play Rainy River this morning in the gold medal matches.

In boys volleyball, the Thomas Aquinas senior team will take on Sioux Lookout in the gold medal game this afternoon, while the T.A. junior boys will meet up with Atikokan.

Action begins at 9:00 this morning.

Gang Member Arrested in Dryden

A Native Syndicate gang member has been taken off the streets.

On Monday, Nishnawbe-Aski Police executed two arrest warrants surrounding a 51-year-old Cat Lake man who has been involved with the gang since 2003.

The warrants were originally issued by Dryden Police in September.

Police say that the man currently has 16 outstanding breaches of court orders.

Thomas Aquinas Gets Top Marks

St. Thomas Aquinas High school is receiving high praise.

The shool is receiving the Dr. Bette M. Sthephenson Award for Recognition and Acheivement.

Teachers Nancy Prouty explains how the school earned the award.

The school will receive the award at a ceremony in Toronto on Novermber 15th.

SIU To Look Into Red Lake Fatality

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit has been contacted about a fatality in Red Lake.

A man had barricaded himself in a home early Sunday morning.

When an OPP Tactical and Rescue Unit finally entered the house early yesterday morning the man was found dead inside.

While foul play is not suspected, the SIU is contacted anytime there is a fatality that involves an interaction with police.

Health Unit Releases Strat Plan

The Northwestern Health Unit wants to help solve area health concerns.

The health unit released its 4 year strategic plan this week.

CEO Mark Perrault says the plans includes suggestions for a healthier lifestyle.

Perrault adds they can measure results amongst children using surveys done in schools and get more on-demand results.

Perrault adds that the Strategic Plan will be released at an open house in December. 

Hospital Wait Times Near Provincial Average

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital is keeping up with the provincial average for emergency room wait times.

Last week the province said that wait times were down at hospitals across the province.

Cindy Gasparini from the Lake of the Woods District Hospital says that wait times for severe and urgent care are lower in Kenora against the provinicial average.

Gasperini also adds that at the same time the wait times for less urgent care are slightly above the average.

Closed Meeting Investigator Called on for Norman Park

Former members of city council are being put on notice.

A closed meeting investigator has been contacted by a local resident to look at whether a previous city council acted properly when it removed a covenant on Norman Park.

Former mayor Joyce Chevrier says she's concerned the decision was made behind closed doors, when it should have been made in an open meeting.

Chevrier is upset the city took a covenant off of Norman Park, indicating that no commercial development could take place on the property.

Wynne Enters Race to become Ontario's new Premier

Kathleen Wynne says Ontario needs a premier who can fix the government's contentious relationship with the province's teachers over wage freezes.

In launching her leadership bid last night, the former cabinet minister told the crowd of supporters that she's got what it takes to do just that.

Wynne says she can offer the party her ability to find common ground on difficult issues.

Glen Murray, the former minister of training, colleges and universities, is also in the race to succeed Premier Dalton McGuinty.

So far the former Aboriginal Affairs minister seems to be the candidate to beat in the provincial Liberal leadership race.

In our on-line poll this week, we asked who you preferred as Ontario's new Premier, Kathleen Wynne or Glen Murray.

Currently 60 percent favor Wynne, while just 40 percent would support the former Winnipeg mayor.

You can cast your vote on-line at 895 The Lake.ca

Con College Reaches Agreement with More Partners

Confederation College is continuing to partner with other colleges in the province to share courses.

Three more colleges were added to the list Monday in Timmins, Sudbury and Peterorough.

President Jim Madder says it will give more students a chance to take programs and not leave their home communties

Madder says Confederation College is bringing its mining program to the table for this agreement.

NorWOSSA Play-offs Begin Today at Thomas Aquinas

The NorWOSSA Play-offs begin today at Thomas Aquinas.

T.A. is playing host to the single A girls basketball and boys volleyball championships.

On the schedule today, the host Saints senior girls will take on Sioux Lookout at noon, while the Thomas Aquinas junior girls will face Atikokan at 2:00.

Both the Saints junior and senior boys volleyball teams have earned byes into tomorrows gold medal games.

The NorWOSSA Double "A" playoffs will take place Thursday at Beaver Brae

Stand-Off in Red Lake Ends Tragically

Provincial police in Balmertown say a standoff ended tragically this morning.

A tactical response unit entered a home just before 5:00 o'clock this morning only to find a man inside dead.

O.P.P. spokesperson Dave Lamme says they were alerted to the situation just before 8:00 o'clock yesterday morning and tried to contact the man inside numerous times.

Police say they did create a permieter around the residence and evacuated homes nearby.

Police say no fould play is suspected and that they will release the name of the man once family are notified.

Morson Man Faces Hunting Fines

A area man has been fined 15-hundred dollars for having illegally killed deer in his possession.

Randy St. Pierre of Morson was fined after pleading guilty to the charge in Ontario Court of Justice earlier this month.

St. Pierre was charged last November after Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officers two deer hanging outside his home without tags.

Long Gun Records Destroyed

It's the end of an era for federal long-gun registry records.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has confirmed that as of October 31, there are no records for anyone who lives outside the Province of Quebec.

Rickford says this is great news for all Northern Ontarians who wanted the registry dismantled.

Rickford adds that the registry had cost 2 billion dollars.

Three Youth Arrested in Break-In

Three youth have been arrested in connection to a break-in to a restaurant on Lakeview Drive.

The OPP were called out early last Thursday morning after a break and enter was reported at Casey's.

Police say a quantity of alcohol was stolen from the business.

Officers managed to locate three suspects a short time later.

All three appeared in Kenora Court Friday on charges of break, enter and theft and possession of property obtained by crime.

OPP Investigate "Suspicious Death" in Fort Frances

Yellow police tape remains up around a section of a Fort Frances motel where the body of a man was discovered last week.

An employee at the Mid Town Motel discovered the body early Friday morning.

The man's name has not yet been released.

On the weekend, investigators were seen in and around the room where his body was found gathering evidence into the death OPP have deemed suspicious.

Former Winnipeg Mayor Enter Race to Become Ontario Premier

Former Ontario cabinet minister Glen Murray is officially in the race to succeed Dalton McGuinty.

The former minister of Training, Colleges and Universities made it official yesterday. The Toronto-Centre M-P-P told a news conference at Maple

Leaf Gardens he has the experience and ideas to take the reins of the party, which has struggled since forming a minority government.

So far, the only other contender for the job is former Municipal Affairs Minister Kathleen Wynne, who gave up her cabinet post earlier this week.

She's expected to formally announce her intentions today.

Province Says Mental Health Workers employed in NWO

Northwestern Ontario is welcoming 20 new mental health workers.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro says they will work in schools, including the Kenora Catholic District School Board and the Keewatin-Patricia District Board.

Mauro says mental health has always been an important issue, and there seems to be an increase demand for support services. 

The new mental health workers are a part of the 600 that have been hired in the province to help children, young people and their families get quick and easy access to support.

NAPS Lay Additional Trafficking Charges

Nishnawbe-Aski Police have charged a second person involved in a drug trafficking attempt.

An investigation lead police to another seizure of Morphine pills, worth 1800 dollars.

Police say 25-year-old Star Kenequanash of Cat Lake First Nation is charged with possesion of a controlled substance.

Police had arrested 45-year-old Harry Wesley before, and charged him with two counts of posession for the purpose of trafficking.

Thistles Sweep Parkland at Home

The Kenora Triple A Midget Thistles have finally put back-to-back wins together.

The Thistles swept the Parkland Rangers this weekend in a pair of games at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Saturday night, the Thistles cruised to a 9-0 win over the Rangers.

Evan Mignault and Nolan Ross each had a pair of goals for the Thistles in the win.

Friday night, the Thistles got by Parkland 4-1.

Jaryd Wiebe scored twice for the Thistles in that contest.

The Kenora Midgets have now moved a game above the .500 mark for the first time this season.

Gravelle Upset at Rickford Over Snowmobile Trails

Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle wants answers from Kenora MP Greg Rickford.

Gravelle wants to know why Rickford avoided the topic of providing funding for snowmobile trails in Northwestern Ontario.

Gravelle says he's frusturated with how Rickford is handling the situation.

About 168,000 Ontarians belong to a snowmobiling club, generating around 1.2 billion in revenue.

Whitecap Pavillion Skating Rink

This winter you can go skating underneath the Whitecap Pavillion.

The Lake of the Woods Economic Developement Commission passed the motion to create the skating rink yesterday.

Special Events Coordinator Mark Duggan they hope to open the rink by mid-December.

The rink will be used as a skating only surface.

Changing to the Provincial Mining Act

New changes to the mining industry are now in effect.

Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Rick Bartolucci says phase two was enacted this week and is an upgrade of a 100 year old piece of legislation.

Highlights of phase two of the mining act also include: new early exploration requirements to help minimize the impact on the environment and new requirements for notifying private landowners potentially affected by exploration activites.

Student Voices Program

Students voices are getting heard throughout the region.

Students have been taking advantage of the Student Voices Program being used in the Keewatin Patricia District School Board.

Beaver Brae Vice Principal Steve Grindrod says students are using the program to make their schools more enjoyable.

Grindrod also says the program gives students the tools to research problems and find solutions so they can put together a presentation for the school adminstation.

Aborignal Community Housing

 Wasaya Group is working with a contracting company and a Chinese business to provide affordable housing to area First Nation communities.

Dowland Contracting Spokesperson Don Wing says they'll be hiring northerners to put together pre-fabricated homes made out of steel.

A formal signing ceremony was held Wednesday in Thunder Bay.

Aboriginal Missing Womens Summit

Provincial cabinet ministers and Canada's aboriginal leaders meet today in Winnipeg to discuss missing and murdered aboriginal women.

But there is no sign that the two sides are any closer to an agreement on calls for a national inquiry.

Eric Robinson, Manitoba's minister of aboriginal affairs, says there may be better options.

The Assembly of First Nations and other groups say an inquiry is needed to examine how police have handled missing persons cases, as well as the social and economic factors that make aboriginal women more prone to violence.

Canadian G-D-P Shrinks

G-D-P shrank by 0.1 per cent in August, setting the stage for the worst quarter of economic activity in more than a year.

Statistics Canada recorded setbacks in 10 out of 18 industrial sectors and Scotiabank economist Derek Holt says temporary factors aren't solely to blame.

Holt believes the Bank of Canada will turn even more dovish in its January monetary policy report, in a manner that takes out any rate hikes any time soon.

Treasury Metals Project Feedback

Lots of public feedback at yesterday's meetings regarding the Goliath Gold Project near Wabigoon.

One of the biggest concerns was the number of jobs the mine would create when it expects to open in early 2015.

Vice President Norm Bush says they are expecting to see a big jump.

Bush says right now they are in the development stage of the mine, but they are already looking into finding qualified people for a number of positions that will open up.

Local Labour Market Consultation in Vermillion Bay

The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board is looking to strengthen the local economy.


At last weeks Local Labour Market Consultation in Vermillion Bay, a number of service providers and organizations took part in discussion to identify and respond to key issues and trends.

Executive Director Sonja Wainio says the message will then be passed along to area communities.

Wainio says evolving education requirements is one of the important issues because a number jobs need certain levels of education.

More People in Canada Rely on Foodbanks

A report released yesterday says the number of Canadians turning to food banks is now 31 per cent higher than it was before the 2008 recession.

The federal New Democrats say the Harper government has a moral responsibility to make sure all Canadians have enough to eat.

But the Conservatives insist they are helping those in need by instituting new tax credits, increasing benefits for seniors and cutting the G-S-T.

Halloween Tips for Children with Diabetes

A different kind of trick or treat.

Richard Boon of the Northwestern Ontario chapter of the Canadian Diabetes Association says having diabetes should not prevent a child from having fun on Halloween.

Boon suggests parents emphasize the fun parts of halloween such as decorating and costumes, instead of focusing on candy.

Northern Iron Corp Railway Partnership

Northern Iron Corp is looking to access a railway in Northwestern Ontario that was lifted years ago.

To do so, they have asked Domtar in Dryden to be their partner, which would give them a railroad "right of way".

Domtar spokesperson Bonny Skene says not much can be done at the moment.

Skene isn't sure what their plans are, but is assuming that they want to re-introduce rail service to an area north of Dryden.

Pickle Lake Power Line Project

A new transmission line to Pickle Lake is in the provincial assessment phase.


The two phase project was presented at an open house in Dryden yesterday.

The project would see First Nations communities that currently use diesel generation to have access to the required power.

Adele Faubert(Fauber) of Goldcop Mussellwhite says without the diesel, many northern communties can't provide the basics.

Phase one is getting the 230km V-line up to Pickle Lake, and phase two is going north of the community to communties who use diesel generation.

Northwest MP Demands Better Treatment for Veterans

With Remembrance Day just weeks away, comes a disappointing report from Canada's Auditor General.

The report shows that war veterans in the country still don't get the information they need to get back into civilian life or the benefits they're entitled.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty calls it deplorable and says it should be a concern here because the only Veteran Affairs office in northwestern Ontario has been closed down due to budget cuts.

Rafferty suggests the Harper government needs to start treating our nation's veteran's with more respect.

Handi-Transit to Hold the Line on Spending

Kenora's Handi-Transit System says its new bus is helping it save money.

Handi-Transit says it will not have to seek an increase from the city in 2013.

Jackie McAllister is a spokesperson for the transit service and says as long as there are no changes in legislation, they should be able to hold the line on their spending.

They are requesting just over 81 thousand dollars again in 2013.

McCallister says the only fly in the ointment would be changes to Ontario's Accessibility Legislation, but they don't know if that will affect their service at this point.

Animal Rights Group Opposes Urban Deer Hunt

An animal rights group is urging the City of Kenora to find non-lethal ways of dealing with the growing urban deer population.

The bow hunt for deer within city limits began a couple of weeks ago.

But Barry McKay from Born Free USA says there are ways of scaring deer off, without killing them.

McKay also suggests homeowners grow plants that deer don't like to feed on, or install deer proof fences.

Impaired Driving Charges on the Rise

The message about not drinking and driving doesn't seem to have sunk in yet.

The Kenora Detachment of the OPP say they charged two more people with impaired driving offenses this past weekend.

That's seven in the past week, and 77 so far this year.

The local police say they had only 82 drunk driving charges all of 2011, and are on pace to shatter that number with two months left in 2012.

Library Review Overdue

The Kenora Public Library is still working on a final report to City Council about an operational review conducted over the past 12 months.

The review was requested by council due to on-going deficits at the Library.

Erin Roussin is the head Librarian and says they are still putting the report together.

A group called Libraries in Transition met with local user groups and library staff last year to look at ways of improving services and potentially cutting costs.

Motorists Upset with Gas Price Disparity

Some local residents are upset about the wide variation in gas prices across the region.

The price in Kenora remains at 135.9 a litre, which is 24 cents more than other areas in the Northwest.

According to gasbuddy.com Dryden is at 132.9, Vermillion Bay is at 126.9, Prawda is set at 119.9, and some places in Thunder Bay are under a dollar 15.

NorWOSSA Season Winding Down

The NorWOSSA regular season is quickly coming to an end.

Both Thomas Aquinas and Beaver Brae court sport teams will play their final games of the regular season this week.

This morning, the Ignace Falcons are in town to take on the Saints at T.A.

Thomas Aquinas wraps up the regular on Thursday with Whitefish Bay coming to town for volleyball action.

The Broncos wrap up their regular season schedule on Thursday on the road against Fort Frances.

Broncos to face Neelin in WHSFL Semis

It will be a battle between two of the two running attacks in the Winnipeg High School Football League.

Beaver Brae has been matched-up against the Neelin Spartans in the semi-finals of the Currie Division.

The Broncos will take on the Spartans Wednesday night at the East Side Stadium.

The Broncos Dylan Pykerman is the second leading rusher in the division, while the Spartans had the top running back in the league.

The last time these two teams matched up, Neelin held on for a 10-4 win over the Broncos on a snow-covered Pete Fair Memorial Field. 

The winner of the game will advance to the final on November 8th at Canad-Inns Stadium.

More Events for White Cap Pavillion in 2013

The Kenora Harborfront is expected to be a very busy place once again next year.

The Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission says bookings are already up.

Don Denver is chair of the commission and says they already have 30 events pre-booked for 2013.

Denver adds that revenue generate through the rental of the WhiteCap Pavillion have exceeded their expectations.

Body of Missing Man Found on Rainy Lake

Police have located the body of a missing boater from the Stanjikoming First Nation near Fort Frances.

Rainy River Provincial Police and Treaty Three Police were notified on Thursday that 43-year-old John Cochrane failed to return home after a boating trip.

Police say that Cochrane's body was found in an area on Rainy Lake and that foul play is not suspected.

A post-mortem is scheduled for today.

NOMA Hoping to Grill Liberal Leadership Candidates

The President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is looking at the positives surrounding the  resignation of Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Ron Nelson says this now provides a window of opportunity.

Nelson says they will grill the candidates on everything impacting the north including mining, tourism and the forestry sector.

One More Forest Fire for MNR

Its seems unlikely given all the recent snow and precipitation, but forest fires continue to pop up in northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has confirmed one new fire in the Sioux Lookout District.

It was reported last week in the Cat Lake area, and is being monitored.

There are still four active fires in the Northwest region, including two perscribed burns in the Kenora and Sioux Lookout Districts.

Cliffs Holds works on EA on Ring of Fire Project

Cliffs Natural Resources is working on it's environmental assessment for it's Ring of Fire project.

Spokesperson Jason Aagenes says they are in the early stages of the EA process.

The mining company hopes to submit their completed assessment to the Provincial and Federal Government in 2013.

Dryden Finalizes Sales of Mobility network

The sale Dryden Mobility has finally been closed with Tbaytel.

Dryden city manager Joe van Koeverden says they will start work on moving customer accounts today.

He adds letters are being mailed out to residents.

Some people will be mailed new sim cards that they can put in their phones, but some people will have to go to a Tbaytel counter to have their phone switched over.

Van Koeverden says it will take a couple months to get everyone switched over and the process should be complete by mid-December.

Traffic Moving Near Wawa on Trans-Canada

Traffic is flowing again on the Trans-Canada Highway through Wawa.

Provincial police say two lanes have been reopened after flooding caused by heavy rain washed out chunks of the highway last week.

Wawa Mayor Linda Nowicki says the remaining lanes should be open by Wednesday.

Junior Saints Win Pumpkin Smash in Dryden

A good weekend for the Thomas Aquinas Junior Boys volleyball team. 

The Saints were in Dryden for the Annual Pumpkin Smash Tournament and came away with the gold medal. 

T.A. finished the round-robin in first place in its pool, and won their quarter-final and semi-final games Saturday. 

In the gold medal game the Saints defeated Atikokan in two straight sets. 

Midget Thistles Win one of three weekend games

The Kenora Triple "A" Midget Thistles continue to play .500 hockey.

Over the Weekend, the Thistles earned one victory on home ice, while losing

twice. Yesterday, the Thistles dropped a 2-1 decision to the Winnipeg Wild.

Their lone win of the weekend came Saturday night in a 3-2 shootout victory over

the Pembina Valley Hawks. On Friday night for Pink the Rink, the Kenora Midgets were doubled up 6-3 by the Hawks. The Thistles now sport a record of five wins, five losses and an overtime loss.