NorWOSSA Second Season Begins Today

The second season in NorWOSSA Court sports begins today.

Thomas Aquinas will be playing host to Whitefish Bay today in junior boys basketball and junior and senior girls volleyball action.

Games begin at 11:00 this morning at the T.A. gym.

Tomorrow, Rainy River is in town and all four Saints teams will be playing.

The NorWOSSA Double A season begins next Wednesday with Beaver Brae playing host to Fort Frances.

Keewatin-Patricia DSB and OSSTF Hold Contract Talks

Two days of contract talks are scheduled this week between the public school board and its high school teachers.

Negotiators with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board are meeting today and tomorrow with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.

Union vice-president, Paul Elliott says this round of talks will determine whether teachers will take any job action this week.

The OSSTF also represents local occasional teachers, educational support staff as well as clerical, office and library workers.

OPP Lay Two More Impaired Driving Charges

Another weekend, another couple of impaired driving charges in the Kenora area.

The OPP say they stopped two vehicles in the Lakeside area.

In once case, the driver, a 35 year old Rat Portage man was not only charged with impaired driving, but also Uttering Threats causing bodily harm.

The OPP began its Festive RIDE program over the weekend to try curb the incidence of impaired driving over the holiday season.

Three Charged in McMunn Break-In

Three Winnipeg men have been arrested following a break-in to a gas station at McMunn on Highway 1 in Manitoba.

Falcon Lake RCMP say they were called to investigate an alarm at the McMunn Motor Inn around 4:00 Friday morning.

With help from an RCMP Canine Unit, three suspects were located.

Police say the men were aged 33, 31 and 21 year old and face several charges in connection to the break-in.

Treaty Three Concerned with Generic Oxy

Another First Nation Organization is weighing in on the federal government's decision to allow production of generic Oxycontin.

Harmony Redsky is a Health Policy Analyst with Treaty # 3 and says this decision will undo the work they have been carrying out to fight addictions to prescription pills.

Redsky adds that Treaty #3 will be bringing up their concerns with other first nations organization to try change the federal's government mind about licencing the generic drug.

LOW Water Resources Center Working Group to Meet

A steering group will be meeting this week to keep the ball rolling for a water resource center for Lake of the Woods.

A workshop was held earlier this month to find out if there was any support for such a concept.

Kelly Saunders is spear-heading the initiative and says their job now is to see if they can make the dream a reality.

There's about a half dozen people involved in the working group, which will be looking at the possibility of establishing a Water Resource Center in Kenora.

Campbell Launches Regional Collection Drive

Some incentive to shop local and help those less fortunate from Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell.

Campbell is organizing a collection drive across her riding.

Campbell says those who bring in food items, clothes or toys will be entered into a draw for gift certificates from local businesses.

In Kenora donations can be dropped of at Campbell's office in the Royal Canadian Legion Building.

Police Investigating Fatal Fire near Pickle Lake

The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office is investigating a fatal house fire on New Osnaburgh First Nation.

The Nishinabe Aski Police Service says human remains were found on the scene of the fire on Friday.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora. 

The investigation is ongoing and further details will be released as they become available.

OPP Launches Seasonal RIDE Program

It's simple, don't drink and drive.

The Ontario Provincial Police began its annual seasonal RIDE program over the weekend.

Acting Sergeant with the Northwest Region Anne McCoy says it aims to catch drunk drivers in the act.

While the festive campaign runs until January 2, McCoy adds that RIDE checks are done year round.

Thistles Split Weekend Games

A split for the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles over the weekend.

Yesterday, the Thistles dropped a 4-1 decision to the top team in the Manitoba Midget Hockey League.

Chris Varrin scored the lone goal for the Thistles in the game. 

League, the Winnipeg Thrashers. Friday night, the Kenora Midgets downed the Eastman Selects 5-2 at home.

Nick Prouty led the scoring attack with a pair of goals.

Saints Eliminated in OFSAA Quarter Finals

The Thomas Aquinas Senior boys volleyball team are heading home empty handed from the OFSAA championships.


The Saints were upset 3 sets to 1 in their quarter final today against Ecole Secondaire Publique Louis Reil.

Louis Reil won with scores of 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20.

The Saints were on a roll heading into todays quarter final having not dropped a set in yesterdays round robin.

Winter Storm Closes Highway 17 east of Ignace

Ontario Provincial Police say the Highway between Igance all the way through to Nipigon is closed this morning because of a Winter Storm that has made driving conditions very difficult this morning.

Sargeant John Haley with the O.P.P. says caution should be the word of the day for motorists.

Haley says they've expanded their Highway closure to include Highway 17 between Nipigon and Schreiber.

There is no timetable as to when the Highways can expect to be re-opened but O.P.P. are monitoring the situation.

In the Kenora area, all school buses are running this morning as we received only a dusting of snow overnight.

McKay Won't Seek Conservative Nomination Again

The Conservatives will have a new candidate to represent them in the next provincial election.

Kenora Councillor Rod McKay ran for the party two years ago, but says he won't be seeking the nomination this time around.

McKays says he has too much on his plate right now, including the possible re-opening of the Kenora Forest Products mill in the spring.

Randy Nickle is the only declared candidate for the nomination right now.

The Conservatives will chose their candidate on December 1st in Dryden.

Campbell Hopeful Resolute Will Re-Open Fort Mill

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is among who is still hopeful that operations in Fort Frances will get back to normal at a later date.

Campbell says she meet with Resolute representatives as early as yesterday, but indicated they weren't asking for any provincial assistance at this time.

Campbell says the company isn't marking a date as to when operations may resume, but says she did come away with a sense that it will happen.

Managed Alochol Program Being Explored

Local agencies are getting the low down about a new initiative to help people who live on the street.

Patty Hajdu from Shelter House in Thunder Bay has been explaining how their managed alcohol program works.

She says they have been operating a pilot project for the past six months with very good results.

Hajdu says people who enter their managed alcohol program are offered regular doses of wine every day and it works much like a methadone program for drug addicts.

Aboriginal Groups Opposed Generic Oxycontin

Native leaders across the region are upset the federal government is planning to licence a generic form of Oxycontin.

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service and the Chief of Treaty Three have added their voices to those opposed the decision.

NAPS Deputy Chief Bob Herman says it affects their service by increasing enforcement.

He adds at the same time, the federal government has cut their funding, meaning it will be more

difficult to keep up with the dealers. 

Grand Chief of Treaty Three Warren White says he's shocked by the federal government's decision and describes it as a step backwards.

Northwest LHIN's Announces 3.7 million in Funding

The Northwest Local Health Integration Network is delivering 3.7 million dollars to a variety of programs aimed at helping seniors, addicts and people living with chronic conditions.

St. Joseph's Care Group will be using 500 thousand dollars to provide a drug outreach program for pregnant and parenting moms in Thunder Bay, Kenora and Sioux Lookout.

Spokesperson Nancy Black says it's a unique program for Northern women age 16 to 24.

The Region's Brain Injury Service will be using money to bring two people living with physical disabilities out of the hospital and into the community.

Two Arrested in Golf Course Break In

Two teenagers are facing charges after a break and enter at the Kenora Golf and Country Club.

Wednesday night police arrived and found two suspects running from the scene.

Both have been arrested and charged with break and enter.

The youth were 14 and 15 years old respectively.

CP Holiday Train Returns next Month

Another Holiday tradition will be returning to northwestern Ontario next month.

The CP Holiday Train will be making several stops across the region.

The train will be in Kenora on December 5th.

Salem Woodrow from CP says there all donations will go to a great cause.

Woodrow adds other stops for the train include Dryden and Vermillion Bay on December 5th.

This year Brothers Dube and Miss Emily are the musical groups that will be on tour with the Holiday Train in Kneora. 

Saints Perfect So Far at OFSAA

The Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys volleyball team is perfect so far at the All-Ontario Single "a"

Championships in Belleville.

Yesterday, the Saints won all four of their round robin games, and didn't lose a set, recording wins ove Kings Christian High School, Woodland Christian, Chippewa Secondary School from North Bay and Toronto District Christian School. 

The Saints will finish first in their pool and now head to the quarter-finals this afternoon.

This is the tricky part of the schedule.

A win moves the Saints into the medal round, while a loss will send them home empty-handed.

The Saints will find out who they play later this morning.

The Quater-final will be played at 3:00.

Woman Survives Collision with Train

A close call for a 36 year old Kenora woman.

The OPP say two people were walking along the C.P. train
tracks last night around 7:00 near the intersection of
Railway Street and the 16th Avenue Rail Crossing.

One of the pedestrians was struck by a westbound train.

The woman was taken to Lake of the Woods District
Hospital with what police are describing as non-life
threatening injuries.

DSAB Looking at Budget Increase in 2013

Another potential hit to the pocketbook of local taxpayers.

The Kenora District Services Board is recommending a 2.2 percent increase in its budget in 2013.

The finance committee met last week and is asking for an additional 331 thousand dollars next year.

That will put the municipal share of the budget at just over 15.3 million dollars.

Spending, which includes funding from the province will be almost 37 million dollars.

Health Unit Confirms Flu in the Region

The Northwestern Health Unit is suggesting that anyone who hasn't received their flu shot do so.

There has been evidence of the flu in the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Manger of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says that some people experience gastrointestinal problems, and think it's the flu shot that's causing them.

Flu shots are still available at the Northwestern Health Unit and through your family doctor.

Council Swears in Youth Representitive

Kenora City Council has a new member.

A youth councillor has been sworn in this week.

Jarrod McLean was a member of the original youth council created last year.

McLean will sit in on council meetings and act a liason for local youth.

Council decided it might be more effective if local youth had their own voice at the council table, instead of having a separate committee of their own.

OPP to Launch RIDE Program this Weekend

The O.P.P plan to ramp up their festive RIDE campaign on Saturday in an effort to take impaired drivers off roads between now and the new year.

Provincial police say 61 people have died in alcohol-related collisions within O-P-P jurisdiction so far this year, that's up from 52 at the same time last year.

Last year, O-P-P officers charged 682 motorists with impaired driving and issued a warn range suspension to 583 drivers during the festive RIDE program.

Police suggest, if you're going to drink, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi,  or stay overnight.

Sweetgrass Film Festival this Weekend

A world premiere film will be shown during the Sweetgrass Film Festival.

Harmony Redsky with Grand Council Treay 3 says one of the films will feature residents from Northwestern Ontario.

The festival runs from November 23rd to November 27th.

More information is available by calling 548-4214 or 468-9095.

Saints in Belleville for OFSAA Volleyball

The All-Ontario Single "a" boys volleyball championships open this morning in Belleville.

The Thomas Aquinas Saints will be playing four round robin games today.

Coach Bob Kowal feels this team has a chance to medal this year.

The Saints play their first game at 8:00 this morning against King's Christian from Halton.

Midget Thistles Lose on the Road

Close but no cigar.

The Kenora Triple "a" Midgets came up just short in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Wild last night.

Brent Aiken had a goal and an assist and Eric Sinclair added a pair of assists for the Thistles.

In the shoootout, the Wild scored on both their opportunities while the Thistles missed on both of theirs.

Despite the loss, the Kenora Midgets earned a single point to solidify their hold on third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Thistles are back home Friday night to take on the Eastman selects.

Randy Nickle Seeks Nomination for PC party in Kenora-Rainy River

The Provincial Conservative party might have a new face representing the Kenora-Rainy River riding.

Randy Nickle has declared his intentions to get nominated for the next provincial election.

Nickle says his motivation is past failures by the other parties, and the ability for Northwestern Ontario to take advantage of it's Natural Resources.

The PC nomination vote for the Kenora-Rainy River riding takes place December 1st.

Ontario NDP Leader Launched New Health Survey

The Ontario N.D.P. want to hear your concerns about the healthcare system.

The party has launched a new survey aimed at finding solutions to health care in the province.

Party Leader Andrea Horwath says it's a major issue moving forward.

Horwath says she and her MPP's will be hosting a series of town hall meetings in the coming weeks across the province.

http://ontariondp.com/en/horwath-launches-consultation-on-improving-health-care-in-ontario

Resolute to Idle Fort Frances Mill

Resolute Forest Products says it intends to idle indefinitely the kraft mill and paper machine # 5 at its Fort Frances mill.

The company expects to curtail operations by the end of this month affecting nearly 240 employees.

Resolute blames the decision on market conditions, but is holding out the possibility of a restart at a later date.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis says company officials indicated they're studying potential uses of the number five paper machine that will take at least 12 to 18 months to complete.

Avis calls the news shocking and depressing.

Visitor Ban Expanded at Hospital

A visitor ban is being expanded at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Head of Patient Care Kathy Dawe says they've added the 3rd Flood ICU inpatient unit to the ban.

Earlier this week, the Second East Unit was closed to visitors due to a gastro-intestinal outbreak.

In the meantime, the Northwestern Health Unit says they have confirmed lab results that show the flu is now officially in the region.

While the community flu clinics have now wrapped up for the year, the Health Unit says you can still get the vaccine until the spring, but the earlier you get a flu shot the better.

Diabetes Workshop Today

The Northwestern Health Unit is celebrating Diabetes Awareness Month with a special Workshop this week.

The Diabetes Fair will take place today at the Jubilee Church.

Health Promoter, Megan Shewfelt says they want to give local residents some ideas on how to combat the disease.

The workshop is free of charge and will take place from 10 til 2:00 at the Jubilee Church on 1st Street South.

Gravelle Gets Support From Opposition

Michael Gravelle is getting some support in his battle against cancer from some unexpected quarters.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell has issued a statement wishing the Natural Resources Minister a speedy recovery.

Campbell says she's worked closely with Gravelle over the past year in her capacity as the NDP's Natural Resources Critic and hopes he can return to his cabinet duties quickly.

Gravelle announced yesterday that he was being treated for an agressive form of lymphoma.

NAN Raises Concerns About Generic Oxy

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation isn't happy with Health Canada's decision to allow manufacturers to create generic, less expensive OxyContin.

NAN feels the move is a blow to northern First Nations who are currently fighting a drug epidemic.

Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is urging the Health Minster to delay the decision until more research is done.

Festival of Trees Almost Ready

Christmas around the world.

That is the theme for this years annual festival of trees.

Linda Wideman is one of the organizers and says they have plenty of great events planned.

The Festival of Trees will run at the Lake of the Woods Museum from November 29th to December 1st

with Seniors Night next Thursday, followed by the Gala on November 30th, followed by family

day on Saturday. 

The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community

Foundation. 

Bronco Hockey Teams Split Against Fort Frances

A split for Beaver Brae's hockey teams.

The Bronco boys lost an 8-7 nail-biter to the Fort Frances Muskies last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Beaver Brae trailed 8-4 heading into the last period, but scored three unanswered goals in the final frame in a late come back attempt.

Easton Gauthier and Ryse Mandamin each had a pair of goals in a losing cause.

Meanwhile, the Bronco girls had an impressive outing on the Road, blanking Fort Frances 4-0 yesterday afternoon.

Becca Mahon earned the shutout for the Broncos.

It was an offensive showcase for the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team, as they romped to a 14-0 win over the Red Lake Rams.

Eric Davidson led all scorers with four goals, while Tanner Kapera recorded a hat trick.

Champion curlers offer clininc in Kenora

Two world class curlers are in Kenora today.

Reid Carruthers and Kaitlyn Lawes are at the Keewatin Curling Club offering curling clinics to registered curlers.

Carruthers said earlier in the day they had clinics with 15 curlers in grade 6 and the afternoon they hosted a clinic with 15 junior curlers.

Lawes mentioned that tonight they are also hosting an adult clinic this evening.

The pair were brought to Kenora as part of Curl Manitoba's Road Show.

Broncos and Saints Hockey Teams Back in Action

Both the Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas boys hockey teams are looking to continue their early winning ways tonight.

The Broncos play their first home game this evening when they take on the Fort Frances Muskies.

Game time is 7:30 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Meanwhile, the Saints boys hockey team is on the road tonight.

T.A. will travel to Red Lake to face the Rams.

Beaver Brae's girls team is also in action tonight.

 The Broncos head to Fort Frances to face the Muskies.

All three teams won their league openers last week. 

Kenora to Play Host to Renwick Cup

Kenora will be playing host to a couple of major regional hockey championships next spring.

The Telus Mid-West Regional Midget Championships will take place in early April and will be preceded by the Renwick Cup at the end of March.

Captain of the Kenora Senior Thistles, Sean Hughes says a victory in the Renwick Cup will send them back to the Allan Cup for the third straight year.

The organizing committee for the Renwick Cup is currently seeking corporate sponsors and has announced that REMR Roofing has come on as their title sponsor this year.

Blood Donor Clinic Looking for Better Turn Out Today

Canadian Blood Services is hoping for a better turn out on day two of its
blood donor clinic.

Yesterday, a total of 122 people showed up to give the gift of life, but that was
22 less than the goal of local organizers.

The Blood Donor Clinic is now open and will run until 12:30 this afternoon
and there are still 49 open appointment times available.

Thistle Banner Thieves Make Apology

A very public apology from the two culprits who stole the Stanley Cup banners from the White Cap Pavillion this past summer.

Adam Green and Jena Poschner read letters of apology to Kenora City Council last night.

Poschner says the timing of their actions couldn't have been worse.

The Stanley Cup banners were stolen from the Whitecap Pavillion just before Mike Richards was scheduled to bring the trophy home for a community celebration.

Taxi Company Requests Fare Increase

Co-ot taxi taxi is asking city council to approve a rate increase.

Eric Lovas made a deputation at last nights council meeting and says that a fare increase has not happened in a couple years.

Lovas adds that the fare increase would only amount to an average of a one dollar  on most fares and will help manage the cost of rising gas prices and the cost of insurance.

Loviss adds that the starting rate would increase to 4.95 and a kilometer rate would go up to2 dollars.

Visitor Restrictions in Place at Hospital

There's been an outbreak of a gastro-intestinal illness at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Head of Patient Care Kathy Dawe says the outbreak was confirmed Sunday in the Second East ward.

She says a small number of patients and staff began to show some symptoms and as a result, a visitor ban for the ward has gone into effect.

The Hospital adds that if you are experiencing any gastro-intestinal or respiratory illness, you should refrain from visiting the hospital.

Gravelle Battles Cancer

Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says he's been diagnosed with a form of aggressive lymphoma, but intends to stay on the job while undergoing chemotherapy.

Gravelle, who represents Thunder Bay-Superior North, says he is heartened by the assessment of his oncologist that he has a treatable form of lymphoma and the prognosis for a full recovery is good.

The veteran Liberal says Premier Dalton McGuinty encouraged him to carry on with his ministerial duties and he is genuinely optimistic that he will fully recover from his battle with cancer.

Three More People Arrested for Drug Trafficking

A pair of drug busts on Highway 17 west of Kenora has netted the OPP more than 16 thousand dollars in illegal drugs over the past five days.

Three Fort Frances area residents face charges following a drug bust last week.

23 year old Joel Inkster, 29-year-old Dawn Jourdain and 21 year old Allan Mutz were arrested last week after OPP stopped a vehicle and found a pound of marijuana and 14 oxycocete pills inside.

All three will make a court appearance in Kenora December 20.

Another drug bust last Thursday netted police about six thousand dollars in cocaine.

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.