Glenn Murray's Provincial Energy Plan

A new energy consumption plan is in the foreground for Glen Murray.

Murray says that Ontario's power concerns started decades ago and say he likes the plan that Calgary uses based on community voice.

He adds that the plan would allow every city to have its own energy plan.

Murray is one of five people in the race to replace premier Dalton McGuinty.

School Bus Updates

School buses are running in Kenora.

First Student says that all buses are running on time, with the exception of back roads which may be a little behind.

In Vermillion Bay buses will not be going down Blue Lake Loop Rd this morning.

In Rat-Portage school buses are cancelled for the day.

Provincial Funding for Northwestern Police Forces

The provincial government is helping out two Northern Ontario police services.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police has receieved 100,000 dollars to fund it's "Firefly" project, which includes a training oppertunity for all front-line officers, health care professionals, teachers, and community leaders in NAN communities.

The Thunder Bay Police Service also received 97,000 to fund a new website.

The funds come from the Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing Grant.

Remembrance Day Service At Beaver Brae

Remembrance Day is this Sunday, but students at Beaver Brae Secondary School got a chance to pay tribute to our veteran's at a special assembly today.

The Kenora Scottish, an aboriginal drummer and singer, and the Beaver Brae Drama Club were all part of the Remembrance day service.

The classic poem, "In Flanders Field" was also recited in the morning assembly.

This is just one of many remembrance day services that will be takin place in the Kenora area.

On Sunday, the Royal Canadian Legions in Kenora, Keewatin and Redditt will also be holding services.

Each service is scheduled to start at 10:30, followed by a moments silence.

Afterwards veterans will also be moving onto local cenotaths, to lay wreaths in memory of soldiers who died in action.

Colorado Low on the Way

Another major storm is heading our way.

A Colorado low is expected to dump between 10 and 15 centimeters on northwestern Ontario.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says its looking like a pretty snowy weekend.

Laidlaw says much of the precipitation will fall as either ice pellets or snow pellets, or possibly even freezing rain.

Forest Industry on the Rebound?

The Forestry Products of Canada Association is calling on the government to support a resurgent forestry industry.

Executive Vice President Catherine Cobden says that the forestry sector is changing, and they are preparing to hire 60,000 people by 2020.

Cobden adds the forest industry is developing new products. 

Cobden says they are also looking to improve their environemental performance by 35 percent.

Youth Engagement Grants Available

An opportunity for local youth to raise awareness about the dangers of tobaccoo use.

The Northwest Tobacco Control area network is encouraging high schools and community groups to apply for the 2012/2013 youth engagement grant, worth up to one thousand dollars.

Coordinator Jennifer McFarlane says the grant is for projects that promote a tobacco-free lifestyle.

McFarlane says things done in the past are health fairs, tobacco-free sports tournaments and much more.

OPP Officer Charged in Connection to Fatal Accident

The Ontario Special Investigations Unit is charging a Kenora police officer in connection with a fatal collision back in September.

Constable Troy Bender has been charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death.

Back on September 23rd around 2:00 in the morning, a marked OPP cruiser was involved in a collision with the semi tractor trailor unit at the intersection of the Redditt Road and the Kenora By-Pass.

The female prisoner in the cruiser, 42 year old Gloria Assin was killed as a result of the accident.

The director of the SIU Ian Scott has laid the charge and the officer will make a first court appearance on December 20th.

Bronco Junior Girls win NorWOSSA Gold

Just one gold medal for Beaver Brae at the NorWOSSA Double

"A" championships.

 

The Broncos played in all four semi-final matches yesterday against teams from Fort Frances and Dryden.

Beaver Brae's junior girls baketball team played a close semi against Dryden coming out with a 30-26 win in the morning before going on to win the NorWossa title with a 35-31 win over Fort Francis.


The senior Bronco teams were not very lucky in the semis against Fort Francis.

Beaver Brae's senior girls basketball team was upset 30-18 and the boys volleyball team got swept in 3 striaght sets by the Muskies.

However the junior teams were a different story.

The junior boys volleyball team defeated Fort Francis in the morning semi final, however a valiant effort fell short in the final losing to Dryden 3 sets to 1.

OPP Call Fort Frances fatality a Homocide

Provincial police are now treating a recent death in Fort Frances as a homicide.

The victim is identified as 45 year old Leo Whitecrow of Seine River First Nation.

He died in a motel late last week.

A post-mortem exam was conducted this week at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, but so far the cause of death has not been released.

Workshop on Water Resource Center Taking Place Today

A workshop is taking place today to look at the feasibility of establishing a water recource center on Lake of the Woods.

The Lake of the Woods Development Commission is hosting the one day forum.

Kelly Saunders is helping organize the event and says they have attracted delegates from both sides of the border.

Today's guest speaker is Dr. Shannon Fisher from Minnesota State University in Mankato.

The workshop will run until 4:00 at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

A snowy Weekend being Forecast

Environment Canada is issueing a special weather statement for much of northwestern Ontario.

A low pressure system developing over the American rockies is forecast to track towards lake superior over the next couple of days.

An area of snow ahead of the low is expected to spread into northwestern ontario beginning early saturday.

Snow may be heavy at times with total amounts of 10 to 15 cm possible.

We will keep you posted on any new developments as they happen.

Community Foundation Donates One Million Dollars

A major milestone for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

The Foundation handed out its one millionth dollar at a granting ceremony last night.

The Hockey For Health Hockey tournament received a 25 hundred dollar cheque, putting the foundation over the million dollar mark.

Jess Rheault received the grant on behalf of the tournament and says she was excited to be part of the event.

A total of 63 thousand dollars was handed out last night during the granting ceremony.

Kenora to Become A Smart and Caring Community

A campaign is being launched to create community foundations in every town and city across Canada.

Community Foundations Canada says its goal is to have foundations set up everywhere by 2017.

Ian Bird is president and CEO of the CFC and says this is a legacy project to celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday.

Bird is in Kenora to launch the Smart and Caring Community Campaign.

Rainy River Resources Holding Open Houses

Another open house today on Rainy River Resources gold project south of Kenora.


It happens this afternoon in Emo.

Last night, the company held an open house in Nestor Falls.

Company vice-president Kyle Stanfield says it gives residents a change to learn more about the project and the environmental assessments now underway.

MNR Working on New Fishing Regulations

Changes are in the works for local anglers.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is working on a new Fisheries Management plan for northwestern Ontario.

While there are some new regulations being proposed, lead Biologist Brian Jackson says things won't be set in stone for a while.

Jackson says they plan on having a final plan by spring of next year, and any final changes would come in effect by January 2014.

Obesity new Health Care target

Being overweight isn't being taken too "lightly".

As a way to battle the obesity epidemic, the Ontario Medical Association is considering putting graphic images on junk food packaging, simillar to those on cigarettes.

Julie Slack is a registered dietician with the Northwestern Health Unit says little steps can be taken on the local level, by choosing healthier food and exercising more. 

Slack adds that we are in a time where families are busier, and fast food becomes an often choice.

Province Offers Help to Wawa

The Community of Wawa is receiving word from the province that it is eligible to receive funds from the Province's Disaster Relief Fund.

Part of the Trans-Canada Highway were washed out two weeks ago thanks to a monstrous rainstorm that made its way through the area.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Bob Chiarelli toured the area yesterday and says a price tag for the damage is still far away.

Chiarelli toured the flodd damaged area with Mayor Linda Nowicki and promptly offered the province's help.

Saints Boys win NorWOSSA Gold

A golden day for Thomas Aquinas volleyball teams.

The Saints boys won two NorWOSSA championships yesterday.

The Senior boys overpowered Sioux Lookout in three straight sets.

Despite the win, coach Bob Kowal feels they can play better

In the junior boys final the Saints were down 2 sets to 1 but rallied back to win in a desicive 5th set.

Thomas Aquinas senior boys will play host to the NWOSSA finals next week.

Meanwhile, it was different story on the basketball court, where Rainy River dominated the girls finals.

The Owls junior girl got by T.A. 28-13, while the Rainy River senior squad held on for a close 34-31 victory.

Today, NorWOSSA play-off action moves to Beaver Brae for the double "a" finals.

Obama wins Re-election

A triumphant U-S President Barack Obama looked ahead to another divided Congress and told supporters problems stir controversy but the arguments are a mark of liberty.

Obama accepted victory this morning in Chicago, telling supporters the ``best is yet to come.''

The next four years could be a tall order.

Among Obama's challenges: slowing global growth, U-S companies still too anxious to expand much and improving an economy burdened by high unemployment.

Murray Offers Support to Northwestern Ontario

A Champion for the North.

That's the promise from Glen Murray as he launches his campaign to lead the provincial government.

Murray feels this region needs a bigger say at Queen's Park.

Murray adds he feels Southern Ontario has given Northwestern Ontario a raw deal for far too long.

He's one of two candidates in the running to replace Dalton McGuinty as premier of Ontario. 

Planning Starts for 2013 Winter Carnival

Back by popular demand: the Kenora Winter Carnival.

Organizers met for the first time yesterday to start putting together plans for 2013.

Mark Duggan is Kenora's acting special events co-ordinator and says  the Harborfront will be the focal point once again for the March festival.

Events such as the Friday night fireworks, the Great Canadian Canoe Race and lumberjack games will also be brought back, along with the skating rink under the White Cap Pavillion.

Flu Vaccine Cleared for Use by Health Unit

All is back to normal regarding flu shots within the Northwestern Health Unit.

Health Canada has lifted the temporary suspension on distribution and use of two flu vaccine products.

Manager of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says it all started with some white flakes in the product.

The problem started in Europe, so Health Canada decided to hold on and make sure everything was okay before distributing the vaccine.

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.