Saints head to Belleville Today for OFSAA

The Thomas Aquinas senior boys volleyball team will be travelling to southern Ontario today to prepare for the All-Ontario Single "a" championships.

The Saints will go into the OFSAA tournament as the second ranked team.

The Saints did not lose a set in regular season or post-season play this year and advanced to the provincial finals last week.

The top ranked team at OFSAA is the host team from Belleville, which is Quinte Christian.

Quinte is the defending provincial champion.

The OFSAA round-robin begin Thursday morning.

Northwest PeeWee All-Stars Finalize Roster

There are four local hockey players who will be playing for the Northwestern Ontario Peewee Triple "A" allstar team this season.

Carter Tresoor, Jared Neniska, Jayme Caron, and Jacob Parker were selected for the team after a selection camp that included over 60 players from across the Northwest.

Dan Reynard from Kenora is the teams head coach.

The team will play in All Ontario championships in Thunder Bay April 8th and the Tournament of Champions in Brandon on Febuary 7th.

Girls Atom REP Team Wins Gold in Brandon

The Lake of the Woods Girls Hhockey Atom REP won the gold medal at the the DULUX Paints Female Hockey Challenge this past weekend in Brandon, MB.

The team went undefeated in Round Robin play defeating teams from Estevan, Portage, and Brandon.

In the gold medal game on Sunday the team started quickly in a rematch against Estevan with 6 goals in the first period.

The team finished the game with a 9-1 victory.

Coach Jeff Fevreau says "it was a total team effort that won them the GOLD medal. The girls never gave up, never got discouraged, and were consistent all weekend. They rose to the challenge and worked hard to earn their wins.”

OPP Investigate Cottage Break-Ins

The OPP are investigating a rash of break-ins to camps on Lake of the Woods.

A cabin owner on Middle Island in the Hades area of the lake reported the initial break and enter yesterday and then discovered a number of other cottages had also been broken into.

Police say there was significant damage and are trying to contact all the campowners to determine what might have been stolen.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact the Kenora Detachment of the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Boobie Nights Prepares for 4th Annual Fundraiser

Proudly Supporting Second Base.

That's going to be the theme of this year's annual Boobie Night's Fundraiser.

Angela Kuchma is one of the organizers of the event and says once again, all proceeds from the social will go towards the purchase of a new digital mammagraphy machine.

While, the Boobie Night's fundraiser won't take place until June 1st, tickets will start going on sale next month.

Diamond Jubilee Medals Presented

It was a night of recognition.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford presented local residents with a Diamond Jubliee Medal at a cermony Friday night at the Discovery Center.

Rickford says it recognises all of their hard work and contributions to the community.

Alice Jardine, Woody Linton, Ada Major, Catherine McLeod and Darlene Fish, Jarrod McLean, Dave Zroback and Constable Clinton

Fontaine were the recipients of the Diamond Jubilee Medals.

Two Arrested in Highway 17 West Drug Bust

Two people face drug charges after the OPP stopped a vehicle on Highway 17 west of Kenora.

The OPP Organized Crime and Enforcement Bureau and their Drug Enforcement Unit pulled over a vehicle last Thursday and seized about six thousand dollars worth of cocaine.

21 year old Cody Clemente of Winnipeg, Manitoba has been charged with Trafficking.

He has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

22 year old Steven Walson-Gerigs yrs old of Palmerston, Ontario has also been charged with Trafficking.

He's due to appear in Kenora Court on January 3rd.

Brand Leadership Team has Big Ideas

More than a dozen new festivals could be on the way to Kenora.

Randy Nickle is Chairman of the brand leadership team and says more festivals would create business and promote Kenora as North Americas premiere boating destination.

Nickle adds the leadership time currently has 20 priorities moving forward to rebuild tourism in Kenora.

Another idea they are looking at is an "app" promoting local events. 

Wynne Pledges better Support for Aboriginal Education

One Liberal leadership candidate wants to offer better education to aboriginal students.

MPP Kathleen Wynne says one way of correcting previous failures in aborignal students is working with the members of the community.

Aborignal education is one of the main goals in Wynnes Northern platform if elected premier.

Wynne adds her platform for Northern Ontario includes youth job creation, a Northern cabinet committee, and infastructure.

She met with party faithful in Kenora Friday afternoon. 

Three Arrested in Pikangikum Murder

Murder Charges have been laid against three people in connection to a fatality on the Pikangikum First Nation this past spring.

Red Lake OPP and the Pickangikum Police Serivce have charged two women and one man recently with the death of 32 year old Fitzgerald Owen.

He died in the remote community on April 12th of this year.

Police say 22 year old Sheline Turtle and 29 year old Florence Dunsford have been charged with second degree murder and aggravated assault and are expected to appear in Kenora Court in December.

In addition, police have charged 24 year old Morgan Benson Turtle with second degree murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

He is expected to appear in court in May 2013.

Blood Donor Clinic Today and Tomorrow

Calling all blood donors.

Canadian Blood Services is back in town today and tomorrow for its final blood donor clinics of 2012.

Harvey Heather says while most of the blood collected will stay in this region, the goal is to have enough supplies to help out across Canada.

Today's clinic will run from 4:00 to 9:00 at Thomas Aquinas School and against tomorrow from 9:30 to 12:30.

Good Weekend For Senior Thistles and PeeWee Canucks

The Kenora Senior Thistles are in mid-season form in just their first weekend of action.

The Thistles were in Botteneau, North Dakota to face a college team and skated to a pair of lop-sided victories.

Yesterday, the Kenora Senior Squad romped to a 10-3 win over the Lumberjacks.

That was on the heels of Saturday nights 10-2 victory.

The Senior Thistles are off for another month before they see their next action.

Meanwhile, the Lake of the Woods Girls Peewee girls traveling team was in Brandon over the weekend and took home a bronze medal.

The Canucks beat a Regina team yesterday 2-1 to claim a third place finish in the weekend tournament.

Lake of the Woods Brewing Still On Schedule

The brew pub being proposed for the old Kenora Fire Hall is still being targeted for a May long weekend opening.

Demolition work inside the Heritage Building is continuing and owner, Taras Manzie says they are still working on getting all the building and liquor licencing permits they need in order to move the project along.

Manzie says they will be keeping all the artifacts that have been designated, including the call box, the fire bell and most of the porcelain brickwork.

He adds that he has already hired a brew master from Victoria and is also working to staff some other key positions.

Sharks Host Annual Fall Meet

The first big test of the season for the Kenora Sharks Swim club.

The Sharks are hosting their annual Kenora Invitational Swim Meet this weekend.

Teams will be coming from across northwestern Ontario and Winnipeg.

The first heats will take place tomorrow morning and will wrap up Sunday afternoon.

Thistle Teams in North Dakota This Weekend

Both the Kenora Triple "a" Midget and Senior Thistles will be spending the weekend in North Dakota.

The Senior Thistles are in Bottineau for a pair of games against a college team.

Coach John Tressoor says this is still part of the team selection process.

The Senior Thistles have games Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Midgets will be taking the weekend off league play, for a tournament in Grand Forks.

The Thistles will play four games over the next three days.

Rec. Center looking for More Employees

The Kenora Rec. Center is hoping to increase its staffing complement.

Community Services manager Colleen Neil has put in a request to  city council to hire two more maintenance operators.

She says right now, their maintenance technicians just don't have time to get all their work done.

Neil says while the extra jobs will add another 48 thousand dollars to their budget, it will reduce the need for contracting out and the need for part-time workers.

New Logo for Tourism in Kenora

North America's Premiere Boating Destination.

Thats the new status the Brand Leadership Team feels they took a big step towards today with a new tourism logo for Kenora.

Team chairman Randy Nickle says the logo is just one step of the process and that community involvement will be key in expanding the brand.

Nickle adds that anyone intrested in using the new logo and helping to build the brand can visit kenoraboating.com.

Saints Sweep for NWOSSA Gold

The Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys Volleyball Team has its ticket booked for the All-Ontario Single "a" Championships.

The Saints swept the Manitouadge Wolverines in three straight sets this morning in the NWOSSA Final.

Saints head coach Bob Kowal feels they are still capable of playing better.

Thomas Aquinas will leave next Tuesday for Belleville, for the OFSAA championships.

The All-Ontario finals will start next Thursday. 

Hockey Northwest Raises Concerns About Minnesota

There's an issue developing between Hockey Northwestern Ontario and Minnesota Hockey.

H.N.O. says it is dispelling a rumour that they will not issue travel permits to teams wanting to compete in tournaments.

General Manager Trevor Hosanna says travel permits will be issued once an event is sanctioned properly and Minnesota Hockey seeks approval from U.S.A. Hockey late.

Hosanna says permits will be issued once Hockey Canada approves the event and so Hockey Northwestern Ontario is the last to know making it more difficult to approve a permit.

Free Daycare on Offer

A group called Community Caring for Community is offering a day of free child care.

The day care will be run at the Kenora Rec Centre next Saturday and will have a morning and an afternoon session.

Kelly Sipos is one of the organizers and says the goal of the free daycare is to shine a spotlight on an on-going concern in the community.

Yesterday was the last day to register, but Sipos says they still may have room for last minute registrations for the service.

Public School Board Releases Grad Results

A new report by the Keewatin Patricia District School Board shows that the graduation rates are higher for those who stay in school longer.

The four-year rate for all students 71%, the five year rate in 84% and the six year rate is 86 %.

Scott Urquart is the Student Success Leader and says they are particularly pleased with grad rates for special education students.

The rates are lower for Aboriginal students, with the four year rate at 45%, the five year rate at 67% and the six year rate at 71%.

Wynne Brings Northern Tour to Kenora

Liberal leadership candidate Kathleen Wynne will be rolling out her Northern Ontario platform today in Kenora.

Wynne was in Thunder Bay yesterday and will be in Kenora this afternoon to meet with party faithful.

One of her promises is the creation of a northern Ontario committee of cabinet.

Glen Murray is also on a tour of northern Ontario this week.

Saints Advance to NWOSSA Championship game

The Thomas Aquinas senior boys volleyball team is a win away from advancing to the All-Ontario Single Championships again.

The Saints will play in this morning's NWOSSA final against either Manitouadge or Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School from Thunder Bay.

Yesterday T.A. easily won both their round robin matches in three straight sets.

Neither game lasted longer than an hour.

The NWOSSA gold medal games goes at 10:00 this morning at the Thomas Aquinas gym.

KMTS Prosperity Trust Fund sees Slow Growth

Its been a tough year for investments.

The City has released the most recent results for its KMTS Citizan's Prosperity Fund.

The city's treasurer, Charlotte Edie reported to city council yesterday that they will be able to meet their target of three percent earnings on the Trust Fund this year, but admits its been a tougher year than last year.

The city's aim is to earn at least three percent on its investments and loans in order to generate at least 1.1 million dollars in revenue, to help offset taxes.

Thomas Aquinas wins first game At NWOSSA Finals

The Thomas Aquinas Saints are off to a quick start at the NWOSSA playoffs.

The team started the playoffs today against Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School from Thunder Bay.

The Saints dominated the match from the opening serve winning in straight sets.

TA plays again at 2:00 against Manitouwadge High School.

The finals will be played tomorrow morning at 10:00 with the winner moving on to the OFSAA playoffs.

Murray Brings Leadership Campaign North

A liberal leadership canidate has Northern Ontario on his mind.

Glen Murray is heading to Thunder Bay today to speak with party faithful about his plans for the North if elected premier.

Murray, who was minister of training,colleges and universities, says that the north "needs it's own voice."

His campaign is built on tax cuts for the middle class and small businesses, no-money-down college or university tuition, cities and towns that work, and a smart government that listens.

Stewardship Group Proposed for Laurenson's Creek

A group of concerned citizans living along Laurenson's Creek have indicated they would like to set up a Stewardship group.

The interest group would look at both the protection of the Laurenson Creek wetlands and navigation.

Councillor Sharon Smith feels the city should support their efforts.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the city just doesn't have the funds to support another community group financially, but says council can endorse their goals.

City Urged to Create Stanley Cup Replica

The campaign to create a giant replica of the Stanley Cup is being revived.

Bob McMillin made the pitch to city council this week, suggesting a fiberglass trophy be made to show off Kenora's hockey heritage.

McMillin says the concept has been kicked about for years, but feels the Stanley Cup Replica could be placed at the Discovery Center as a tourist attraction.

Castle of Learning Parents Reminded to Re-register

A reminder for parents with kids at the Castle of Learning Day care center.

You must re-register for the day care program before Firefly takes over in the new year.

Caryl Hron from the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says they are working with Firefly for a seemless transition for parents.

Hron says they will be continuing before and after school day care programs as well in the new year, once the city gives up the Castle of Learning.

Treaty Three Agrees to Work with Anishinabek Nation

Two First Nations organizations are working together to tackle some common issues.

The Grand Council Treaty 3 and Anishinabek Nation have formed a unity protocal, where they will look at child welfare, lands and resources, and protection of treaty and Aboriginal rights.

Treaty 3 spokesperson Dale Morrisseau says it makes sense that they would form this partnership.

A traditional ceremony was held last week.

Kenora Airport Receives Government Funding

The Kenora Airport is getting almost 99 thousand dollars for the federal government.

The funding was announced today to replace the Airfield Electrical Generator.

MP Greg Rickford says funding is essential to support the growth of the airport.

Rickford adds the government has provided around 1.3 million dollars to the airport in the last few years including a new snobblowing machine and a perimeter fence.

Doctors Reach Deal with the Province

Ontario's doctors are to vote next month on a tentative deal reached between the Ontario Medical Association and the cash-strapped provincial government.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the government reversed some earlier fee cuts that were supposed to save 340 million dollars a year to reach the agreement with the doctors.

The O.M.A., which had launched a court challenge of the fee cuts, says it's pleased the government agreed to reverse some of the cuts.

The Progressive Conservatives lashed out at the Liberals for not sticking to the announced fee cuts, and complained they can't ask questions about the deal in the legislature.

The New Democrats say the Liberals are sending the wrong message to other public sector workers who started negotiations with the government on a wage freeze yesterday.

Council Promises More Openess

Kenora City council is promising to be more open in the future.

Council has received a report from the Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator.

Mayor Dave Canfield says even though the complaint wasn't directed at this edition of council and there was no wrong-dorin the investigator did have some useful suggestions.

Former mayor Joyce Chevrier had asked the Closed Meeting investigator to look into the decision by the previous council to remove the covenant on Norman Park in an in-camera session.

Kenora's Mayor for the Day Completes Duties

Kenora's mayor for the day says she has a new appreciation for municipal workers.

Maya Boivin has wrapped her tour of duty as mayor.

She says she even found last nights two hour committee of the whole meeting interesting.

The grade 12 Thomas Aquinas student had a whirlwind tour of several of the city's facilities during yesterday's stint as Mayor for the Day.

ELA Being Sold?

The Coalition to save the ELA says the government is working to privatize the Experimental Lakes Area.

Coalition Director Diane Orihel says negotiations are underway to sell the ELA.

Orihel adds that the buyer does not want to be named during the negotiations.

In the meantime, she says the possible sale of the Experimental Lakes Area has scientists guessing about the future.

Coalition to save the ELA says the scientists working in the ELA have not be informed about any changes the sale might bring.

OPSEU Opens Talks with Province

The possible privatization of the some government services is on the table as the government employees union in Ontario begins contract talks with the province today.

Neil MacDonald represents workers in northwestern Ontario and says they want to make sure such services are protected.

MacDonald also hopes the needs of the north will be looked after during this round of bargaining,.

Kenora High School Hockey Teams Open Season with Wins

The NorWOSSA Hockey Season is now underway and it was a good start for all three Kenora high school teams in action last night.

Thomas Aquinas teams swept Sioux Lookout in their season openers.

The T.A. boys got by the Warriors 8-2 at the Kenora Rec. Center last night.

Tanner Kapera and Rory Keith had a pair of goals in the victory.

In Sioux Lookout, the Saints girls cruised to an 11-0 win over Queen Elizabeth High School.

Kylee Neniska, Lexi Williams, and Tess Derouard each finished the game with 2 goals and an assist.

The Beaver Brae Boys hockey team was in Red Lake and romped to an 8-1 win over Red Lake.

Easton Gautier scored a pair of goals for the Broncos in the victory.

T.A. Student Mayor for the Day

There will be a new face at the council table this afternoon.

Kenora's latest mayor for the day will preside over today's Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Maya Boivin is a student at Thomas Aquinas and feels job-shadowing the mayor is a great opportunity.

Boivin adds that she will also be taking a number of tours of city run facilities, including the Operations Building, the Waste Transfer Center and City Hall.

Two Killed in Collision on Highway 17 East

Two Kenora residents are dead as a result of a collision on Highway 17 east.

The OPP say the accident took place around 7:00 last night in the area of Little Joe Lake, about 50 kilometers east of town.

75 year old John Marsholok and 71 year old Irene Marshalok were killed in the crash.

Police say a 2003 Buick lost control and drove into the path of an on-coming Dodge Carvan.

The 60 year old driver of the Caravan was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment and later released.

The Trans-Canada was closed for several hours while the wreckage was cleared and OPP Technical Traffic Investigators looked into the cause of the crash.

Wabigoon Water Tops in NWO

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation has claimed first place in the 18th Annual Drinking Water Taste Test.

Water Plant Operator Marcel Shabaquay represented the community, who was presented with a trophy and an iPad 3.

Second place went to Red Lake and Fort Frances came in Third.

The water was judged on taste, colour, odour, and chlorine residue.

Campbell Welcomes Bone Bike to Queen's Park

A prop used by the Canadian comedy troupe Kids in the Hall now sits in the Queen's Park office of Sarah Campbell.

A gas-powered bike with fake bones, used in the 2010 series "Death Comes to Town," was given to the Kenora-Rainy River MPP after the Kids went looking for places to store it.

Campbell, a fan of the Kids, considers the Bike a piece of Canadian history.

Northwest Women's Business Awards this Week

Calling all female business owners.

The Enterprising Women Business Awards is being held this week in Thunder Bay.

PARO is behind the event and Spokesperson Stacia Kean says they want to inspire others to start their own company.

Paro is an organization that helps women become their own bosses.

The Awards Ceremony will take place November 15th.

Concern Raised about Methadone Programs

A social worker from Toronto says the overuse of Methadone is doing serious harm to First Nations people across Northwestern Ontario.

Bridget Perrier says the use of the drug, which helps addicts kick drugs like oxycontin, is only causing a more serious problems because it's simply transfering one addiction for another

Perrier claims doctors are over prescribing the drug and no one is supervising the patients.

Wynne Outlines Liberal Leadership Goals

The more the merrier.

As many as six people are expected to be in the race to replace premier Dalton McGuinty by the end of the day.

Kathleen Wynne is considered one of the front-runners and she's not concerned that so many people are interested in the province's top job

Wynne spoke to CJRL news about her aspirations.

She says she understands some of the frustations of northwestern Ontario residents, but says the job

of the premier is to help create some unity in the province. 

Eric Hoskings is expected to be the latest to enter the race today, while Gerrard Kennedy entered the race yesterday.

The leadership convention will be held the weekend of January 25th

Red Lake OPP Catch Copper Thief

Provincial Police have charged a copper thief in Red Lake.

Last week,a business owner contacted police and said that a man was seen on the premises and removing material that containted copper.

A search warrant was executed and police located the suspect a short time after at his home, where they found a total of 860 lbs of copper wiring as well as an insecure firearm. .

Police say 79-year-old Gerard Desmarais has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, theft under $5000, unsafe storage of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Highway 17 East of Kenora Open Again

Both lanes of Highway 17 east of Kenora are open again.

The Trans-Canada was closed around 9:00 last night due to a two-vevhicle

collision about 56 kilometers East of Kenora.

The highway was closed for about four hours before the OPP were able to

open one lane around 1:00 this morning.

Both lanes were finally re-opened around 5:00 this morning.

OPP Technical Traffic Investigators were dispatched to the scene to look into

the cause of the crash. 

There has been no indication if anyone was injured. 

Secondary Teacher Work to Rule Actions

The routines of thousands of Ontario secondary school students could see some changes today.

Ken Coran, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, says talks with the province have failed to reach an agreement, and as a result, OSSTF members at 20 school boards across the province will begin job actions today.

The sanctions were to begin last week, but were postponed for five days to give talks with the McGuinty government one last shot.

Coran's release this morning doesn't specify what sanctions teachers will impose, however, they could withdraw from extracurricular activities such as coaching, suspend parent-teacher meetings, and stop submitting student attendance records.

The job action does not currently include the school boards in Kenora