Need for Skilled Trades Expected to Skyrocket

The Kenora District is facing a severe shortage of workers, especially if the mining industry takes off as expected.

The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board released its statistics in a 10-year mining hiring requirement forecast.

Labour Market Economist Jamie Wolcott says this forecast will help those in education, industry and government make decisions.

The report indicates the Kenora District will need nearly 33-hundred workers by 2022, 17-hundred in the trades industry alone.

Project Safe Hallowe'en Gains Recognition

OPP are recognizing a local woman for her role in a safety program that's now spread across the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

Betty-Anne Johnson of the Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services has received a letter of commendation from the regional commander for Project Safe Halloween.

Johnson says its recognition for everyone involved.

The program, which includes giving glows sticks to youngsters every Halloween, is now in its 11 year.

Saints Ousted from OFSAA Championships

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball team is out at the All-Ontario Single "a" championships.

The Saints were eliminated from further play yesterday afternoon losing two sets to one in the consolation quarter-finals.

T.A. was by the Lajeunesse Royals from Windsor.

The Saints won just one match over two days at the OFSAA tournament.

Missing Snowmobiler Found Safe

A missing sledder is safe and sound after spending the night on Lake of the Woods.

The OPP were contacted about a snowmobiler who was reported missing around 7:00
last night.

The Emergency Response Team was dispatched along with a Search and Rescue Aircraft
from Winnipeg.

Around 6:30 this morning, a fire was spotted on Bigsby Island, about 80 kilometers south of
Kenora.

An OPP snow machine was dispatched and the sledder was picked up.

He was cold but otherwise in good health.

Police say the sledder became bogged down in slush at the south end of the lake and
became disoriented.

Save ELA Forums Tonight

Its Save the ELA day in northwestern Ontario.

Two separate forums are taking place:  one in Kenora the other in Sioux Lookout.

Peter Kirby helped organize the Kenora gathering and says the morale at the Experimental Lakes Area isn't very good right now.

Kirby says the have four former scientists and some area political figures attending the forum.

The forum is at the Knox United Church and starts with a spaghetti dinner at 5:30 and discussions at 6:30.

NOMA Declares Victory in Battle Over ESA

Proof that working as one can pay off!

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has won its battle against the province and proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield is Vice-President of NOMA and says the appeal period ended on February 25th and says the changes have been left out.

Canfield says the revisions would have impacted the rebound that the forest sector is starting to see.

Northwest Business Center Brings in Guest Speaker

International Women's Day will celebrated in Kenora a little early this year.

Tomorrow, Zahra Al-Harazi,, originally from Yemen, will be a keynote speaker at an event being put on tomorrow by the Northwest Business Center.

When her teaching degree was rejected in Canada, she return to school, later becoming the owner of marketing firm she help start in Calgary.

She is also a Chalelaine's Magazine Woman of the Year.

Tickets can be purchased through the city's web portal at Kenora.ca or at the door.

The  breakfast will take place at 8:30 tomorrow morning at the Super 8 Minis Hall.

NAN Raises Concerns About FASD

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the government's inaction over the issue of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder will cause irreversible damage to future generations.

Fiddler says that FASD is an issue faced by all NAN communities, and that it is unacceptable that the regions most affected by it are ignored.

He also states that the only NAN children who receive proper care for FASD are the ones in foster care or involved in the criminal justice system.

Lakehead Opens Mining Center of Excellence

Lakehead University is moving with the times as it launches a new Mining Center of Excellence.  

Founding Director Peter Hollings says researchers at the insitutiton are coming together to make the transition into the new economy in northern Ontario a little less confrontational.

The centrer will look at three areas, mining and exploration, the environment and First Nations.

Saints Wrap up OFSAA Round Robin Today

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball team is still in the mix at the All-Ontario Single A Championships in Lakefield, near Peterborough.

The Saints split their games on day one of the OFSAA tournament and have
a 1-1 record entering day two.

Yesterday T.A. beat Le Caron from Penetanguishene in two straight sets.

That after opening with a straight sets loss to the host team from Lakefield.

This morning, the Saints play two more games, one at 7:30 against Greenwood
College from Toronto, and again at 10:30 against Marymount Academy from Sudbury.

Summer Camp Fined

A long-running summer camp on Lake of the Woods has run afoul of the the Ministry of the Environment.

The B'Nai Brith Community Camp on Town Island has been fined over $7000 for a couple of drinking water violations.

The MOE says the camp director failed to provide a maintenance log of the drinking water system and also failed to carry out secondary treatment of the water.

B'nai Brith has been fined $6400, plus a victim surcharge fine of $1600.

The camp director has also been fined $500.

Two People Charged With Impaired Driving

Two people are facing charges as a result of drinking and driving.

On Saturday night Kenora O.P.P pulled over a vehicle on Highway 17 East of Kenora after receiving a complaint about a gas station theft.

Police charged 26-year old Samantha Paypompee with Impaired driving and theft under 5-thousand dollars.

Also, early Sunday morning police answered a call of a car accident on Airport Road.

As a result O.P.P charged 63-year old Gordon Szachury with exceeding the legal limit.

Both people will appear in Kenora Court on April 4th.

Saints Senior Girls At OFSAA

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball team is in Lakefield near Peterborough for the All-Ontario
Single "a" championships.


The Saints placed second in the Northland Cup this past weekend but earned the OFSAA birth due to the withdrawal of extra-curricular activities at public high schools.

It was a tough start for the 12th ranked Saints.


T.A. defeated is straight sets 12-25, 10-25 to the host team from Lakefield District Secondary School in
their first match this morning.

Thomas Aquinas is back on the court at 2:00 against Ecole Secondaire Le Caron.

The Saints will also play two round robin games tomorrow, at 7:30 and 10:30 (Kenora time).

Boil Water Advisory Finally Lifted

The boil water advisory affecting a some downtown businesses has been lifted.

The Blue Heron, The Banister Center, and Shoppers Drug Mart were told this morning that the water has be tested and is safe for consumption.

The advisory had been in affect since the water main break on First Avenue South last Monday.

Two Arrested In Minto Mischief

A couple of people have been charged in connection to
a mischief incident in the north end of town.

The OPP say they were called to the Minto Avenue area around
10:00 Thursday night after receiving complaints about a disturbance.

Police say they noticed some damage was done to a vehicle at the
scene.

As a result, 23 year old Joshua Bigblood was charged with mishief,
he and 21 year old Michaela Fisher have also been charged with
causing a disturbance.

Winter Carnival Gets Good Reviews

Almost perfect weather for the Kenora Winter Carnival over the
weekend.

People from all ages attended events throughout the city and down
on the Kenora Harborfront over the past three days.

Mark Duggan is the city's special events co-ordinator and says they
will be doing their post mortem on the Festival tomorrow.

Duggan says the fireworks displays both Friday and Saturday night proved
to be the most popular events at the Winter Carnival.

Northwest Energy Task Force Meets with OPG

Members of the Northwest Energy Task Force are back home following his meeting with power officials in Toronto last week.

Ian Angus chairs the committee and says their four hour meeting went well.

He adds that the Ontario Power Authoritys has a better understanding of the power needs that are expected during the upcoming mining boom.

Angus says they continue to disagree about where the supply of power should come from.

NOMA Launches Real Tree Hugger Campaign

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is launching a new campaign called "REAL Tree Hugger".

President Ron Nelson says they want to remind the Premier that the forest industry cares about the environment while providing jobs for area communities.

The Tree Hugger campaign includes buttons and post cards that will be sent to members of the provincial Government.

You can send a message by visiting realtreehugger.wordpress.com or facebook.com/REAL Treehugger.

Clock Ticking on ELA

The Federal and Provincial governments continue to negotiate on what's going to happen to the Experimental Lakes Area.

The deadline to find a new operator for the research facility east of Kenora is March 31st.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says he's hopeful that a fair deal can be reached.

Rickford adds that negotiations are confidential at this point in time.


Save ELA will be holding a spaghetti supper and public forum tomorrow
night to try and drum up support at Knox United Church starting
at 5:30.  

Campbell Speaks Out Against Public Sector Freeze

Working to fix the provincial deficit.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP spoke in the legislature last week about her opposition to a public sector wage freeze.

Campbell says its unfair to cut employee wages while leaving management positions unchanged.

Campbell also discussed the idea of closing corporate tax loopholes that she says could save the province 1.3 billion dollars annually by 2019.

Help for Victims of Elder Abuse

Finally some help for victims of elder abuse.

There is now a toll-free number to call in northwestern Ontario for help.

211 is offering assistance to area residents looking for support according spokesperson Marie Klassen.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation gave the 211 network and an elder abuse group money to start up a 24/7 Senior Safety Line that provides counselling.

Report on Food Prices to Be Released Today

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be joining in on a webinar today that deals with the high cost of food in Canada.

Olivier De Shutter  will release the results of his report about the right to food in Canada after his mission to our country in May of last year.

NAN says it's remote First Nations communities have to pay double the cost for essential foods such as milk, vegetables and fruit making it difficult for them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Team Fantastic Four Wins Great Canadian Canoe Race

Four Thomas Aquinas Students took top honors in the Great Canadian Canoe Race,

Team Fantastic Four easily beat the field of five boats Sunday afternoon.

Daniel Thomson and Jackson Fregeau were two of the members of the winning
team and says it was the toughest race they've ever been in.

Bo Alcock and Tyler Caron were the other members of the team, which won
one thousand dollars for their efforts.

Team Classy Grassy placed second while the Green Adventures team captained by
Ben Gustafson was third.

Saints Junior Girls Win Northland Cup

A just one gold medal and a couple of silver for local high school teams over the
weekend at the Northland Cup finals.

Last night, Beaver Brae's girls hockey team lost to Fort Frances 5-1 in the gold medal
game for girls hockey.

In boys hockey action, the Muskies also dominated, beating Thomas Aquinas 4-1 Friday
night to win gold.

The Saint will still get to go to the OFSAA championships later this month in Oakville as the
lone NorWOSSA representitive.

The Thomas Aquinas junior girls volleyball team was the lone gold medal winner.

The Saints beat Fort Frances Saturday afternoon two sets to one.

The T.A. senior squad came up just short, losing two sets to one to Dryden in their final.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's junior boys basketball team was runner to Fort Frances.

The Broncos lost a 31-22 decision to the Muskies on Saturday.

Senior Thistles Win/Midget Thistles lose

The Kenora Senior Thistles are back to their winning ways.

The Thistles eged the Manitoba Vipers Saturday night at the Kenora Rec. Center
4-3.

Jeff Richards led the Kenora offense with a goal and two assists.

The Thistles are preparing for the Renwick Cup, which is the Ontario senior
championships at the end of March.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Triple "A" midget Thistles will have to wait a couple of
weeks before their next action.

The Thistles were ousted from the Manitoba Midget League Play-offs Friday night
after dropping a 4-3 decision to Brandon in overtime.

The Thistles lost the best-of-five series in three games straight.

They will now prepare to host the Thunder Bay Kings in the best-of-three
Northwest Branch Playdowns starting March 15th at the Rec. Center.

Canucks Girls Win PeeWee Tournament

A golden performance from the Lake of the Woods Peewee Canucks
girls hockey team.

They were in Dryden over the weekend for a four team tournament and
finished in first place.

The Canucks edged their rivals from Fort Frances 3-2 in a shootout yesterday.

Laurel Paypompee scored the game winner.

Girls High School Volleyball Finals Tomorrow

The Northland Cup for girls volleyball will be decided tomorrow in
Dryden.

The play-offs will begin tomorrow morning with both senior and junior
girls in action.

Thomas Aquinas will square off against their cross-town rivals from
Beaver Brae in the first game of the day at 9AM.

The winner will move onto the semi-finals, while the loser heads home.

In junior girls action, the Saints have a bye into the semi-finals.

Senior Thistles Back in Action this Weekend

The Kenora Triple "a" Senior Thistles will try to snap a two-game losing
streak.

The Thistles will take on the Manitoba Vipers at the Kenora Rec. Center
tomorrow night.

Thistle spokesperson, Bruce Johnson says they've already played the
Vipers twice, and they have been competitive.

Game time 7:30 tomorrow night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Canfield Optimistic about Bridge Repair

A battle between the city and the province to help fund repairs on the West Branch Bridge over the Winnipeg River seems to be nearing an  end.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's optimistic infrastructure funding will soon be made available.

Canfield says the province seems to finally understands that it's been lagging behind.

Canfield says the province will be chipping in to fix or possibly even replace the deteriorating bridge.

Replacement costs have been estimated at 13 million dollars.

Employment Outreach Opportunity

The Kenora District Services Board is set to host to an upcoming Job Fair.

The Employment Outreach is slated to take place March 19th at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Josee Mantel with the Kenora District Services Board says it's great for young people.

At least 16 employers from across the area will be at the event.

Colli Bids Goodbye to Pontiff

Former Pope Benedict is officially retired.

He's the first pontiff to step down in over 600 years.

The Bishop for northwestern Ontario, Fred Colli says the former Pope did the right thing.

Colli says Benedict's resignation is a historical moment for the church.

EFTO Rejects Return to Extracurricular Activities

The governing Liberals say they're disappointed that public elementary teachers don't plan to resume extracurricular activities.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario says it wants to keep talking, but they need to see ``real actions'' from the government. Union president Sam Hammond says many teachers are
still upset over imposed contracts.

In January, the Liberals used controversial legislation to foist contracts on teachers that cut benefits and froze the wages of most instructors.

Dryden Pharmacist In Court to Face Trafficking Charge

The details surrounding trafficking charges against  a Dryden pharmacist aren't being made public.

Justice Peter Bishop ordered a publication ban this week on Rob Button’s preliminary hearing.

Bishop made the order following a request by the Crown and Defense.

Button was arrested in early 2012 and charges of one count of trafficking morphine were read into the court records.

Button, after the preliminary hearing, has opted for a trial by judge and jury.

The preliminary hearing continues March 26th.

Conservatives Looking to Support Forest Sector

Conservative MPP Vic Fedeli is hoping for all party support for his re-introduced Forest Industry Act.

Fedeli says the proposed legislation would amend the Building Code to allow for wood frame buildings to be up to six stories high instead of the current four.

The bill had passed two readings before the Ontario Legislature was put on hold by the Liberal Government
back in October.

Winter Carnival Blows into Town

The Kenora Winter Carnival looks to heal your winter blues.

The carnival kicks off tonight and Mark Duggan says they have some great free events planned.

The theme for the carnival this year is blast from the past and includes many events from the old winter carnival.

The events will take place all weekend and will feature fireworks displays both tonight and tomorrow
night starting at 7:00.

Big Games for Thistles and Saints Tonight

A couple of crucial games for Kenora hockey teams.

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles will be trying to stave off elimination
in their best-of-five quarter final series against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The Wheat Kings lead the series 2-0, with game three back on home ice
tonight for the Thistles.

Game time is 8:00 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The Thistles will be hoping to force another home game tomorrow afternoon
at the Rec. Center.

Meanwhile, the first ever Northland Cup will be presented tonight in Fort Frances.

The Muskies are taking on the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team in game two of
their home and home final.

The Saints and Fort tied game one of the total goal series 4-4 on Tuesday night.

Cameron Won't Seek NDP Nomination Again

The NDP in the Kenora Riding will be seeking a new candidate for the
next federal election.

Tania Cameron announced last night that she doesn't not plan to seek
the New Democrats nomination.

Cameron cited family considerations and changes in her career path for
her decision not to run again.

Cameron has been the NDP candidate in each of the past two federal
elections and placed second behind Greg Rickford in 2011.

The next federal election is slated for October of 2015.

Gravelle Promises Action on Northern Transport

The provincial government insists it will listen closely to northerners in the development of a transportation policy for northern Ontario.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says its a priority for the Premier and for him, that they get the strategy right and know how important it is for the region's economy.

The Liberals identified plans to address the special transportation needs of the north in last week's Throne Speech

Campbell Demands Creation of Northern Committee

There are renewed calls to set up a Northern Committee at Queen's Park.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell responded to the throne speech today.

She says northern alienation is alive and well in her riding.

Campbell says premier Kathleen Wynne says all the right things in the throne speech
but doesn't give any concrete ideas on how to achieve them.

New Job Search Tool For Con College Students

Confederation College is now part of an online job bank called "Workbay".

Workbay Spokesperson Mary Hayes says they help match employers with future employees.

Hayes says it's taken a year to create the website with Northwest Employment Works and Confederation College.

Hayes describes the service as a dating site for jobs.

Muskies Beat Broncos In Northland Cup Opener

Fort Frances has drawn first blood in the Northland Cup girls hockey
championships.

The Muskies blanked Beaver Brae 1-0 last night in Fort Frances.

Game two of the home and home series moves to Kenora Sunday afternoon.

The Broncos will have to win by two or more goals in order to win the two-game
total goal series.

Former Saint Heads to CIS Men's Volleyball Finals

A former member of the Thomas Aquinas Senior Boys volleyball team
is making his second appearance at the Canadian University Championships
this weekend.

Dan Boutwell is a middle hitter for the top-ranked Brandon Bobcats.

He says the team seems to be peaking at just the right time.

The Bobcats won their first ever Can-West University title this past weekend.

The national championships start Friday at Laval in Quebec City.

Guilty Verdict Delivered at Murder Trial

The verdict has been delivered in the 2nd degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall.

The jury found that Ivall was guilty in the beating death of Ed Wilson in the early morning hours of March 21, 2009.

Defense Lawyer Chris Watkins says they accept the verdict as the the jury has done a professional job during the over 6 week trial.

Watkins is advising Ivall to appeal the decision, which he says is a standard procedure in a case of this caliber.

Justice Terrence Platana will hand down his sentencing on June 14th after a pre-sentencing report is completed.

Ivall faces life in prison.

Jury continues to Deliberate in Ivall Trial

The jury in the second degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall will resume their
deliberations this morning.

The jury was sequested yesterday afternoon after hearing a long series of closing instructions from Justice Terrance Platana.

He spent almost three and a half hours going over the charge.

Justice Platana told the jury they have three options when it comes to
a verdict for Ken Ivall.

He can be either found guilty or not guilty of second degree murder, and
he also offered up the option of a guilty verdict of manslaughter.

He also says if the crown did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
Ken Ivall killed Ed Wilson the early morning hours of March 21st, 2009,
they would have to find him not guilty.

Justice Platana did indicate that the jury would have to be unanimous in
its decision.

Murray Supportive of Funding for Kenora's Bridges

It's starting to look like the city of Kenora will get some provincial help to repair the Winnipeg River West Branch Bridge.

New Infrastructure and Transportation minister Glen Murray says the city has presented a very good argument for funding.

The city made their presentations this week at the Ontario Good Roads Conference in Toronto.

Murray says he also engaged in very positive meetings with the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association about aging bridges and the twinning of Highway 17.

OFIA Paints Rosy Picture of Forest Industry

The Ontario Forest Industries Association is feeling bullish heading into
its annual general meeting.

The OFIA will be introducing three new members today, all from northwestern
Ontario.

Jamie Lim is president of the OFIA and says things are really starting to
look up for the forest sector.

Kenora Forest Products, Manitou Forest Products and AV Terrace Bay are
the newest members of the OFIA.

Lim adds that they are also looking forward to meeting with the new Natural Resources
Minister David Orazietti.

Campbell Looking for Budget Goodies

The N-D-P are looking to keep the government alive in hopes of having their demands met in the provincial budget.

Kenora MPP Sarah Campbell says one important demand is youth employment.

Other demands include a 5 day home care guarantee, and changes to Ontario Works and Disability program.


Campbell says their demands come out of consultations with constituents across the province.

More Complaints about Snow Clearing

Complaints about winter road maintenance of northern Ontario highways have reached Queen's Park.

NDP critic Gilles Bisson told the legislature yesterday the condition of many roads is atrocious.


 Progressive Conservative Vic Fedeli, a former mayor of North Bay, says he's worried highway clearing standards are not being met.


Transportation Minister Glen Murray says the province's standards for clearing snow off highways have not changed and are being met.

Saints Tie Muskies in Game One of Northland Cup

The Northland Cup boys hockey final has become a one game showdown.

Last night the Thomas Aquinas Saints played to a 4-4 draw against Fort Frances in game one of the two game total goal championships series.

Justis Kennedy scored the game winner with less than a minute on the
clock.  Dan Thomson added a pair of goals for the Saints.

That sets up a second and deciding game Friday night in Fort Frances.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae Girls hockey team will travel to Fort Frances tonight
to face the Muskies in game one of their Northland Cup final.

The Muskies advanced by beating Dryden Monday night.