Northwest PeeWee All-Stars in Brandon

A tough start for the Northwestern Ontario Pee-wee All-Stars at the Tournament of Champions in Brandon.

The regional team lost 7-1 to the host Wheat Kings in their opener yesterday.

Kenora's Jayme Caron had the Stars only goal.

They play Lumsden, Saskatchewan this afternoon.

Winter Carnival's Aplenty this weekend

Winter Carnival season hits full stride this weekend.

The 39th annual Beaver Days are being held at the Whiteshell Community Club in Flacon Lake.

Manny Dimata from the community club says there are a number of reasons to come take i t he festivites.

Dimata also says they are holding a poker derby, 2 day sponge hockey tournament, a chili cook off, and live entertainment.

Beaver Days starts up tonight and runs through Sunday.

North of Kenora in Redditt, their annual Winter Carnival also gets underway this evening
with a community Supper at the Redditt Community Club.

That will be followed by the crowning of the Carnival King and Queen.

Tomorrow, there will be a curling bonspiel at the Community Club followed by
a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning.

The Legion in Redditt is also holding its annual fishing Derby Sunday on Basket Lake.  Wi

PJP Breakfast Program Gets Funding

The breakfast program at Pope John Paul II school is getting a
shot in the arm.

The Nutella Breakfast Table Fund has announced that it has awarded grants to 20 breakfast programs across the country.

PJP will be getting a thousand dollars to help with the on-going expenses
of the school based breakfast program.

Nutella says it received over 400 applications this year.

KDMA Conference Begins Today in Dryden

Municipal leaders from across the Kenora district converge on Dryden starting today for their annual conference.

Kenora District Municipal Association President Phil Vinet says the focus is on three themes this year.

Vinet says the 3-day gathering will be interactive and informative.

Officials with the Ontario Power Authority, Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines will be among those in attendance.

More Forensic Testimony Presented At Murder Trial

Two days have been spent going over some of the forensic evidence collected in the second degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall.

Constable Marc Sharpe was on the stand again yesterday.

He says they collected a number of pieces of clothing from an apartment
in Norman that was shared with Ivall and Angela Duchesne.

Sharpe says a pair of shoes, a leather jacket, a black hoodie, a pair of jeans
and a blue knit sweat shirt were seized and sent to the Center For Forensic
Science in Toronto for testing.

He says they all showed DNA belonging to Ed Wilson.

Sharpe adds that some of the articles of clothing appeared to have been
laundered, but they still managed to collect DNA evidence from them.

More forensic evidence is expected to be presented today.

OSSTF Comes Out with Aboriginal Curriculum Materials

Embracing First Nations, Metis and Inuit culture in the classroom.

The Ontario Secondary School Teacher's Federation has developed a new curriculum resource that focuses on the history, culture and issues facing Aboriginals.

It's called  "Full Circle: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Ways of Knowing".

Director of Education with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board Jack McMaster says it's a great thing for Northwestern Ontario, where there is a large First Nation population in area schools.

The curriculum consists of more then 60 lesson plans.

Domtar Reacts to MPAC Ruling

Domtar officials say the assessment reflects downsizing at the Dryden Mill between 2008 and 2012.

The company stresses the ruling will help them compete in the market.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation says the ruling is based on hearings, reviews and deliberations over a 2-year period.

The City of Dryden is looking at a possible appeal of the ruling.

MPAC says the value of the Domtar property in Dryden is worth 14 million dollars, that much less
than the 36 million anticipated by the city in its budget forecast.

Highway 17 Near White River Re-Opens

No injuries are reported after a transport overturned on Highway 17 overnight.

Ontario Provincial Police say the crash happened around 11:30 last night, about 20-kilometres west of White River.

The crash forced the closure of the Trans-Canada for about 4 hours.

No one was injured and charges are pending.

Deadline to Enter Hockey For Health Tournament Nears

Calling all hockey players.

The annual hockey for health 3 on 3 hockey tournament is still looking for teams.

Organzier Dean Caron says the event has just over half the spots filled.

Deadline for registration is February 15th.

Teams can register by contacting Dean at 548-3070.

Wynne Hosts Northern Media in Conference Call

Premier-designate Kathleen Wynne is promising to set up a northern Cabinet Committee after she is sworn in.  

Wynne says it's purpose would be to have ministers across goverments to look at the policies, issues and decisions though a northern lens.

Wynne held a conference call with northern media yesterday taking questions ranging from the forest industry to mining to the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kenora.

Wynne is also promising to have a meeting of the full cabinet in northern Ontario within a month after she is sworn in.

Forensic Evidence Presented At Murder Trial

Some graphic evidence has been presented at the second degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall.

Some of the crime scene photos of Ed Wilson's body were presented to the jury today.

Wilson was run over by a CP train around 3:30 on the morning of March 21st, 2009.

The photos shows the dismembered head and left arm of the victim lying beside the train tracks in Norman.

About 17 meters to the west, his right forearm and hand were located.

Constable Marc Sharpe was one of three forensic identification officers on the scene that day and says they found a number of areas where Wilson's blood was found, both on a trail leading up to the train tracks and on A Street West.

Sharpe says the only other blood they found in the area belonged to Kenneth Ivall.

DNA tests found his blood in an area about 44 meters west of the Tower Motel, and also directly in front and to the side of the front entrance of the building.

The crown estimates that it will be able to present the balance of its evidence over the next two weeks.

MPAC Hammers Dryden's Assessment of Domtar

A major blow for the City of Dryden.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has reassessed the value of Domtar's operations in Dryden and the new figure has come in at 14-million dollars.

That's a 72-percent drop in assessed value from the previous 50-million.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says they will have to go back to the drawing board with the 2013 municipal budget.

The city had been hoping for an assessment in the range of 36-million dollars.

Attawapiskat Blockade DeBeers Ice Road

De Beers Canada says a group of residents in Attawapiskat are blockading an ice road used to move heavy equipment and supplies to its Victor diamond mine.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has called a band council meeting for tomorrow to discuss a blockade of the winter road.

De Beers and Attawapiskat band officials met with the blockaders yesterday afternoon.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network says one of the band officials involved in talks is Danny Metatawabin, who was Spence's spokesman during her recent hunger protest in Ottawa.

De Beers spokesman Tom Ormsby says the blockade has not yet impacted the mine's operations, but has forced De Beers to cease operations on the road.

Some officials in Attawapiskat believe the blockade was launched over specific and personal reasons, primarily over things like employment.

Kenora Continues to Excel At Organ Donation

Forty-three percent of Kenora residents are registered organ donors.

The Trillium Gift of Life Network says last year, there were one thousand-fifty-three organ transplants, which is an 11 per cent increase from 2011.

President and CEO Ronnie Gavsie says you can donate organs, even when you're alive.

On the larger scale, only 22 per cent of Ontario residents are donors.
Visit beadonor.ca to register.

Count Down to Kenora Winter Carnival Is On

Showing your colors and promoting local charities.

The Winter Carnival Charity Challenge is starting to heat up.

Special Events coordinator Mark Duggan says there is some incentive to wear all 4 charity buttons.

Charity buttons are on sale at multiple locations throughout the city.

Locations will soon be posted on the winter carnival website.

Red Lake Wins Drive Away Hunger Challenge

The Red Lake BDO office now has a fancy new trophy to display.

The employees were presented with the BDO Cup for their participation in the Drive Away Hunger Campaign.

Ken Ficocelli from BDO says this is the first year of the cup and that the trophy resembles a well known professional championship.

Red Lake collected over 4400 pounds of food per employee that all stays within their local foodbank.

Broncos lose to Eagles

Beaver Brae's boys hockey team has fallen to 5-3 on the season.

The Broncos were edged 3-1 last night by the Dryden Eagles at the
Thistle Rink.

The Eagles are undefeated since the high school hockey season resumed
in the new year.

Beaver Brae's next game is at home against the Sioux Lookout Warriors next
Monday.

Ministry of Labor Looking Into Couchiching Fatal

The Ministry of Labour has issued two orders in connection with that fatal accident at Couchiching First Nation last week.

A 61-year-old woman died Wednesday after being struck by a truck that was plowing snow around the Health Access Centre.

The Ministry says the truck was going in reverse at the time.

No charges have been laid

But Ministry spokesperson Matt Blejar says both the contractor, Tom Veert Contracting and the Centre, have been instructed to come up with plans that protect people from the hazards of vehicles operating in reverse.

Union Gas Provides Winter Warmth Program

Low-income families can get some help paying their natural gas bills.

Union Gas is kicking off their Winter Warmth program.

Andrea Stass says the program offers up to 5-hundred dollars to low-income families.

Stass says families and individuals who might qualify for the program in Kenora can apply through the Thunder Bay Social Planning Council.

More program information is available online at union gas.com.

Federal Liberal Candidate Visits Kenora

Building Canada's skilled labor force.

That's a priority of federal Liberal leadership hopeful David Bertschi.

Bertschi was in town yesterday and says it's important to open up trade positions to keep up with the growing mining industry in Northwestern Ontario.

Bertschi says other industries are already bringing workers in from over seas to work in some trades that are seeing a lack of qualified workers in Canada.

OPP Investigate Death of 23 Year old Woman

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service have asked the O.P.P to investigate a suspicious death.

Police say that a 23-year-old female from Kasabonika Lake First Nation had died on Friday while in police custody.

No other details are available at this time.

Week of Action Against Poverty Launched

It's no ordinary book of advice.

Making Kenora Home is hosting a book launch during the Week of Action Against Poverty.

And Nan Normand says there is one major difference about the advice offered in the booklet.

She says its written by people on a limited budget and gives suggestions on how to live frugally.

Along with the book launch Making Kenora Home is also holding a flash song and the annual poverty challenge.

More information is available at:  makingkenorahome.ca.

A Strong Showing for the Sharks in Thunder Bay

 A good outing for the Kenora Sharks Swim Club.

The Sharks placed second overall at the Northwestern Ontario Regional
Championships in Thunder Bay over the weekend.

Despite their second place showing, the Sharks were actually named the
Best Performing Team at the swim meet.

Six of its members earned the highest point score for their age group.

Transport Driver Charged After 2 Vehicle Collision

One transport driver is being charged with failing to drive in a marked lane.

Ontario Provincial Police were forced to shut down Highway 17 west of Marathon last night around 10:30.

One big rig failed to make the turn at the end of a steep hill and overturned, while another following behind was unable to avoid a collision and wound up striking the first transport and ending up in the ditch.

Two people were transported to hospital, treated and released.

O.P.P. had to call the Ministry of Environment after diesel fuel from one of the big rigs was leaking into a nearby creek.

O.P.P Investigate Break and Enter

Kenora O.P.P are investigating a break and enter into a residence on the Jones road.

The incident happened on Friday between 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

The suspects were able to steal a 36" Sony TV, a Play Station 2, a Nintendo Wii, and a Nintendo DS.

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the O.P.P or Crimestoppers.

Duchesne Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

A dramatic turn in the second degree murder trial of Angela Duchesne and Kenneth Ivall.

Angela Duchesne has pleaded guilty manslaughter in connection to the
death of Ed Wilson behind the Tower Motel on March 21st, 2009.

That revelation was made to the jury this morning, after they were brought back after a week off.

Justice Terrance Platana says Duchesne pleaded not guilty to a second degree murder charge on January 28th, but guilty to a charge of manslaughter that same days.

Her plea comes just days after her lawyer David Gibson had to remove himself from the case, because he had been appointed an Ontario Court judge.

The details of her actual plea agreement remain under a publication ban.

Justice Platana made it clear to the jury that Duchense guilty plea to manslaughter has no bearing on the case that continues before the court.

Kenneth Ivall remains on trial in connection to Ed Wilson's death.

The trial resumed this morning and will run for at least another four to five weeks at the Kenora Court House.

Elliott Seeks Top Job in OSSTF

A northwestern Ontario High School teacher is looking to become the new head of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.

Paul Elliott of Fort Frances, who's currently on a leave of absence, has been a vice-president for the past four years.

Elliott feels he's got the skills to shape new relations with the province.

Elections will be held at Federation's annual convention in March.

Jury Returns in Second Degree Murder Trial

The jury will be back this morning at the second degree murder trial
taking place at the Kenora Court House.

The Jury was dismissed last week while the judge and the lawyers involved
in the trial Angela Duchesne and Kenneth Ivall continued to meet.

The trial was thrown off-course by the announcement that Duchesne's lawyer, David Gibson has been named an Ontario Court judge.

Duchesne has since found new legal representation and a decision will
be made as to how to proceed with the trial.

Justice Terrance Platana indicated last week, that he felt the trial could
stick to its original eight week timeline initially laid out by the crown and the defense.

OPP Offers Tips for Staying Warm in Cold Weather

Looking cool or staying warm.

That is a question being asked by the Kenora O.P.P after a recent cold wether spell hit the city.

Constable Dave Cain wants to remind people that looking cool is one thing but it's not worth risking frost-bite and hypothermia.

Cain also wants to remind people who take in outdoor activities such as snowmobiling or skating to dress for the day and to keep your skin covered.

OFIA Predicts Better Times for Forest Industry

Years of hard times in the forest sector may finally come to end in 2013.

That's the feeling of the Ontario Forest Industries Association.

President and CEO Jamie Lim says forestry is ready to make a comeback.

In the past couple of weeks, at least three companies have indicated they would be resuming lumber production soon, including Kenora Forest Products

Resolute Forest Products also announced a 50 million dollar investment in a new mill in Atikokan, and the
Hudson Sawmill also resumed production last week.

NAPS Launches Project Firefly

Preventing arson and promoting fire safety in Aboriginal youth.

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service are launching Project Firefly this week.

Constable Chris Carson says it's a training opportunity for police and other community-based agencies who will address the issue in their own communities.

The training includes the Tapp-C Program, which is an arson prevention program for children between 7-12 years old.

Northern Policy Institute Announces Board of Directors

The Northern Policy Institute has announced its first ever board of directors.

Just one person from the Kenora-Rainy River Riding is on the board.

Florence Bailey of Sioux Lookout has been appointed as a director.

Bailey, along with nine others from Northern Ontario will serve on the board.

The first meeting is scheduled for February 20 at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie,
where the members will elect a chair and vice chair.

Thistles, Broncos Win over the Weekend

A weekend sweep for the Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles.

In their final home stand of the regular season, the Thistles upended the Central Plains Capitals in a pair of games at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Yesterday Jaryd Wiebe scored a pair of goals en route to a 4-1 win.

Saturday, the Thistles doubled up the Caps 2-1.

The Thistles wrap up the regular season on the road next weekend with three games in western Manitoba.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae claimed city bragging rights on Friday with a 3-2 win over Thomas
Aquinas in boys high school hockey action.

Hudson Mill Re-opens

The up and down ride of the McKenzie Forest Products Mill in Hudson is back on the upswing.

The Mill is back up and running and trucks are hauling green logs into the mill.

Sioux Lookout Mayor Dennis Leney says Buchanan Forest Products is in the early stages of getting the entire operation back on-line.

The mill has been closed since 2008, with a very brief stint on-line in 2010.
Leney says it's great news for the community.

Service Ontario Office Hours Cut

A handful of ServiceOntario counters in our area have been deemed "low-volume" by the provincial government.

The union representing Ontario Public Service workers says sites in Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Ignace and Atikokan could see their hours reduced in the coming months.

The counter in Rainy River had its weekly hours chopped from 42.5 to 16 last November and the province has reduced hours in Wawa, Gore Bay and Hearst.

SeviceOntario helps folks with birth certificates, driver's licences, health cards and other government identification.

Timberstrand Mill Ramps Up Production

Ramped up production and new jobs.

That's the benefit Kenora is seeing from the increased production at the Weyerhaeuser Timberstrand Mill.

Weyerhaeuser's manager of Public Affairs Wayne Roznowsky says they hired new staff inside the mill and there might be more positions outside of the mill.

Roznowsky adds that the mill is now running at 5 days week.

Hunter Fined for Shooting At Moose

A Slate Falls First Nations man has been slapped with a 35-hundred dollar fine for careless discharge of a firearm and unlawful possession of wildlife.

Court heard that a conservation officer responded to complaints of unsafe hunting last January.
The man was hunting on Vermillion River Road, a well-used forest access road north of Sioux Lookout.

An investigation found that Charles Vincent Jr. fired three shots down the middle of the road at a cow moose.

Ornge Beefing UP Staffing Levels in NWO

Staffing shortages in northwestern Ontario are being addressed by Ornge Air Aumbulance.

New President and C.E.O., Dr. Andrew McCallum says they will be beefing up
staff at their Thunder Bay base.

McCallum says each of the three Ornge aircraft in Thunder Bay - a helicopter and two airplanes, will have their own dedicated crew of paramedics supporting
operations, 24/7.

McCallum says the 10 new hirings will address staff shortages that were created due to Summer holidays last year.

Super Bowl RIDE Program

Police forces across the province are encouraging football fans
to enjoy this weekend's Super Bowl -- but to do so responsibly.

Police say RIDE programs will be enhanced, beginning today,
through Monday.
   
Additional officers will be dedicated to establishing RIDE spot checks and patrol officers will be paying special attention to areas where Super Bowl celebrations are occurring.
   
And police are reminding Super Bowl party hosts that they are
responsible for their guests.

Saints Lose, Broncos Win

The Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team had its 15 game winning streak snapped, but the
Saints still picked up a point last night.

T.A. lost a 4-3 decision to the Eagles last night in Dryden.

The game went to a shootout and the Eagles won in the seventh round.

The Saints are back in action tonight with a big match up against their cross-town rivals
from Beaver Brae.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's girls hockey team doesn't seem to be showing any
signs of rust after being off for a couple of weeks.

The Broncos upended the Red Lake Rams 6-2 last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Maddie Trudeau led the way with a hat trick, which included two goals on the power play.

New Sawmill Announced in Atikokan

Resolute Forest Products plans spend 50-million dollars on building a new random-length sawmill in the Atikokan area.

The company expects to open the mill early next year, creating 90 jobs.

Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown says its great news for the entire region.

The company says its reviewing potential sites, but plans construction for later this spring.

Madsen Public School Re-Opened

The Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium has re-opened the Madsen Public School in Red Lake.

The school was closed this morning due to a scheduled black out in the area by Hydro One.

Classes are running their regular schedules this afternoon.

Boil Water Advisory for Hudson

A boil water advisory has been issued for Hudson, due to low pressure in the distribution sytem.

Residents are reminded that all tap water should be boiled for one minute if it's used for consumption.

The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Wasacase Returns as Police Board Chair

No change this year for the Kenora Police Services Board.

Colin Wasacase was acclaimed to another one year term as
chairman.

Glenda McMillan will also stay on as vice-chair.

The police board held its first meeting of 2013 yesterday.

STR Working to Open Trails

Sunset Trails Riders are still working to set up all of their trails for the season.

Bruce McGregor with STR says they have been battling the conditions on some trails.

He says they haven't been able to get their groomer out on the lake trails because the ice still isn't
thick enough.

McGregor adds safety is the first priority in setting up the remaining trails and they hope to open them all up as soon as possible.

Infrastructure Funding for Small Communities Sought

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty wants to bring some financial help to municipalities trying to fix up aging infrastructure.

Rafferty says he plans to introduce a motion in the House of Commons sometime in February that address the needs of small communities.

Rafferty is hoping something can be put in place for next year's federal budget.

MNR Considering Year Round Fire Permits

The Ministry of Natural Resources is supporting a call for a year-round permitting system for open-air burning in northwestern Ontario.

Municipal leaders in the Rainy River district gave approval to the concept at their meeting on the weekend.

The idea arose after an early start to last year's forest fire season forced several municipalities to impose fire bans.

Currently, permits are only needed between April and October.

Marnie Brown of the MNR says extending permitting requirements allows for greater control on burning outside the normal burning season, especially in drought-like conditions.

Forestry Announcement Expected Today for Atikokan

Atikokan will get a visit by the president of Resolute Forest Products today.

Richard Garneau is scheduled to make an announcement that Mayor Dennis Brown says in an email will mean jobs and industry for his community.

The nature of the announcement has not been disclosed, but there's speculation in the community that Resolute plans to construct a new sawmill on the site of the former Buchanan own mill at nearby Sapawe.

Bariatric Surgery Soon to be offered in NWO

Weight loss surgery will soon be a procedure offered to patients in northwestern Ontario.

Health Minister Deb Matthews announced 300 thousand dollars for bariatric surgery at the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Center.

Deb Matthews says the money will allow 100 patients with severe obesity to be treated.

Matthews also announced an undisclosed amount of money to the company Regen Med.