Event Centre Committee Wants Public Opinion

Public opinion is goal number one for the event centre committee.

Colleen Neil is the cities recreation manager and says they will give everyone an opening to offer strong opinions.

Neil says the committee is meeting upwards of 3 times a month.

The committee has not set a date yet, but will be holding an open house meeting this spring.

Safety Measures Before Starting Electrical Work

With spring around the corner many people are preparing to do some work around the house.

And Steve Smith with the Electrical Safety Authority, says if your preparing to do electrical work it's best to hire a trained professional.

Visit www.esasafe.ca for more information on certified electricians, risk rating tools, and information on certified electrical products.

High School Students Are Needed at the MNR

The options are endless for local high school students wanting to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Applications for the Youth Ranger Program are being accepted until this Friday.

Spokesperson Karen Boultbee says program is for eight weeks during the summer.

For more information on requirements and how to apply, visit www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en.

Social Media Highlights Day 1 of Response Forum

Social media has forced the provincial government to play the balancing act in terms of emergency management.

That message was delivered by Allison Stuart, the Chief of Emergency Management Ontario at the Northwest Response Forum in Dryden yesterday.

Stuart says they now need to ensure the correct information is getting out right away.

Stuart stresses government and emergency organizations can no longer ignore social media.

Severe Crimes Escalate in Treaty 3 Service Area

Financial pressure is hurting the Treaty 3 Police Service in their battle with high crime rates.

The treaty 3 Police service area currently has the worst crime severity index in the province.

Terry Armstrong is the Deputy Chief of Police in charge of operations, and says they are doing everything they can to lower the index.

Along with the Severity crime index Armstrong says the force has also seen a 41 percent increase in calls for service.

Treasury Metals Looks for Employees

The options are endless with Treasury Metals.

Vice President of Operations Norm Bush says work continues on the Goliath Gold Project, east of Dryden and that they are looking for the best and brightest workers.

Bush adds they will be looking for engineers, miners, and plant operators.

Bush notes the minimum education required is a high school diploma, with college level math and English.

A Sharing of our Stories

An opportunity to learn about the history of the region first hand.

Lori Nelson says that the event "a sharing of our stories" will give people a chance to share their knowledge of the region.

"A sharing of our stories" is on April 13th at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Tickets are now sold out

Province Funds Area Festivals

The snow can't clear soon enough for most of us as northerners are no doubt ready for summer weather.

And of course Summer means Festival season across the region.

5 major Festivals are receiving provincial funding this year, 3 of them in Kenora.

Harbourfest is getting $75,000, the Kenora Bass International $40,000, and The Look Up Way Up Festival is also receiving $40,000.

Thunder Bay is getting $40,000 for the Celtic Fair and $35,000 is going to the Red Rock Folk Festival.

Electricity Rate Increase

Homeowners in Northwestern Ontario will be paying more for electricity.

The Ontario Energy Board announced this week that new prices apply to most households and small businesses.

The price for off-peak electricity will go up to 6.7 cents per kilowatt hour from the current 6.3 cent rate, while mid-peak power will cost 10.4 cents, up from 9.9 cents.

Electricity used in the peak period, which is weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is also increasing to 12.4 cents per kwh, a 0.6 cent jump.

The board says the higher rates will add an additional $3.63 to the monthly bill of typical households, who use nearly two-thirds of their power in off-peak hours.

The change comes into effect May 1st.

Missing Teen Found Safe

A missing teen from Dryden has been found after a 9 day search.

Police in Manitoba found 15-year old Kariya Taylor yesterday afternoon on Sandy Bay First Nation.

The Dakota Ojibway Police Service say Taylor was brought into the custody of Manitoba Child and Family Services.

Taylor was first reported missing on March 31st.

Hospital Happy with Long Term Care Bed Situation

It seems the need for long term care beds in the city is getting easier to handle.

Hospital CEO mark Balcaen says there is currently only 3 patients waiting for long term care beds.

Balcaen says it's a case of patients waiting for the nursing home of their choice.

Balcaen says even with 10 temporary beds that were set up in Pinecrest set to be closed, that there are open beds in the community.

Dryden Continues to Fight MPAC Assessment

Dryden's City Manager believes the Domtar Mill is an important part of our region.

Staff continues to request a stay from the government, regarding the mill assessment by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Joe van Koeverden says it's ridiculous that arbitrators think the forestry sector is dying.

Van Koeverden says they have a video conference with MPAC on Friday.

Resolute Looks For Tax Break

Resolute Forest Products in Thunder Bay wants a big tax break.

It's appealing its property assessment from the province with a goal of getting a 60 per cent reduction.  

City Manager Tim Commisso says it would be a big hit on our taxes and so the city will fight it.

Commisso says to top it off, the company is asking for the reduction to be retroactive by four years.

Peewee All Stars Earn First Point

The Northwestern Ontario All-stars have earned their first point at the all-Ontario pee-wee hockey championship in Thunder Bay, tying the host Kings last night 1-1.

Jared Neniska of Kenora scored for the Stars while Matthew Booth of Fort Frances was between the pipes for the second straight game.

Stars open the tournament yesterday morning with an 8-nothing loss to Ottawa.

They face York-Simcoe this afternoon.

Search Continues for Missing Dryden Teen

Still no sign of a missing teen from Dryden.

Dryden Police Chief Rob Davis says the Winnipeg Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are assisting in the investigation to find 15-year-old Kariya Taylor.

Police say that it appears Taylor has run away and may be with 18-year-old Courtney Harper, who may be using the alias Courtney Thompson or Courtney Falk-Harper.

Anyone with information on Taylor's whereabouts is asked to contact police.

Hit and Run on the Jones Road

Provincial Police are seeking the driver of a hit and run accident Sunday afternoon on the Jones Road.

The O.P.P say a 15 year old girl was jogging on the West side of the road when she was hit by a dark blue van heading south.

The girl was taken to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital and treated for non life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information are asked to contact the Kenora O.P.P.

Bullying Ends Here at Beaver Brae High School

A strong message against bullying.

RCMP Constable Tad Milmine was in the city on Friday to speak to students at Beaver Brae High School.

Milmine says a young boy named Jamie Hubley is his motivation behind the Bullying Ends Here campaign.

He adds that he personalizes the message he gives to students to make it hit closer to home

Milmine also offers his own contact information for youth who are looking for someone to talk to.

More information is available at www.bullyingendshere.ca.

Treaty 3 Police Service Faces Tough Times

The Treaty 3 Police Service is caught in between a rock and a hard place.

Recently the Police Services Board made the decision to change conditions of employment for officers.

Deputy Chief of Police in charge of operations Terry Armstrong says the service doesn't have the means to raise taxes for funding.

The arbitration was to allow officers of 8 or more years to receive the same compensation as their O.P.P counterparts.

Armstrong also says that the force had to cut 7 officer positions from the officers recruit fund that was only funded for 5 years.

Nickle Speaks at pre-Budget Meeting

More local voices are speaking up about delays in the twinning of Highway 17 from Kenora to the Manitoba Border.

Kenora Tourism Committee Chair Randy Nickle says that the money seems to be ready but more communication is needed between governments.

Nickle says both the federal and provincial governments have said the funding is available but are waiting to here from each other for the go-ahead.

Blood Donor Clinic in City Today

It's time once again to roll up your sleeve and save a life.

Canadian Blood Services is holding a blood donor clinic at St. Thomas Aquinas High School today from 4-9 and tomorrow from 9:30-12:30.

Harvey heather says its a time of year when people don't think about donating.

Heather says they are looking for over 90-thousand new donors this year alone.

You can book an appointment online at blood.ca or by calling 1-888-2-donate.

Midget Thistles go Winless at Regionals

A successful season has ended in tough fashion to Kenora Triple "A" Midget Thistles.

After earning a team record 56 points in the regular season and earning the Branch Championship over the Thunder Bay Kings, the Thistles went 0-3 3 at the Telus Western Regionals.

The Thistles played host to the Kings, the Winnipeg Wild, and the Saskatoon Contacts all looking for a berth into the Telus Cup National Championship.

Kenora was never able to get it going and had to watch Thunder Bay and Saskatoon play for the final.

The Contacts took the championship game 2-0 and will represent the West Regional at the Telus Cup for the 2nd straight year in Sault Ste. Marie.

No Evidence of Foul Play in Hotel Death

Kenora O.P.P have released more details regarding the death of 36 year Michael Sylborne last weekend at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Police say a post mortem was conducted at the Lake of the Woods Districts Hospital and that their is no evidence of foul play.

Sylborne, from Toronto, died at the hospital on Sunday March 31st after police responded to the Best Western for a disturbance and found him lying on the sidewalk below a broken window on the fourth floor.

Midget Thistles Lose Game 1 of Western Playdowns

A not so good start to the Telus Western Regionals for the Kenora Triple "A" Midget Thistles

The Thistles started strong before dropping a 3-2 decision to the Winnipeg Wild in their 1st round robin game.

Nolan Ross scored twice for Kenora who had the game tied midway through the 3rd before the Wild were able to score the winner with around 8 minutes left.

Ross says puck control is going to be key for the Thistles tonight against the Saskatoon Contacts.

The Contacts also lost their first game last night 4-3 to the Thunder Bay Kings.

Game time for tonight's game is 8:00.

Dryden Teen Missing

Dryden Police continue to search for a missing teen.

15-year-old Kariya Taylor was reported missing on March 31st, and police believe that she may have left the Dryden area.

Police have been following up with several leads, adding that social media was proving to be useful until Taylor's Facebook account was deactivated.

Taylor is known to police for prior incidents, but they stress she is not in any trouble with the law.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately.

North West LHIN Fighting Diabetes

The number of people living with diabetes in Northwestern Ontario is among the highest in the province.

To combat that, the Northwest Local Health Integration Network continues to provide more coordinated diabetes care.

Susan Pilatzke is the Senior Director of Health System Transformation, and says they are looking at how they can improve patient care.

In 2012, the LHIN's took over the role for diabetes services from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

KDSB Looks to Dispose of Housing Units

Underutilized social housing units in the area may be on the chopping block.

The Kenora District Services Board is asking permission from the province for the possible elimination of units in Ear Falls, Dinorwic, Hudson and Minaki.

CAO Dan McNeil stresses this is fist step in a long process to possibly dispose of the units.

He notes any decision would require provincial and board approval.

Ear Falls Councilor Vic Robinson is concerned of future need for the spaces in his community if mining and forestry activity take off.

Goldcorp to Build Transmission line to Northern Communities

Goldcorp is teaming up with 13 First Nations to provide more efficient power to the remote North.

An agreement was signed today, allowing a new company to develop a transmission line that will connect
communities powered by diesel generation.

Manager of Aboriginal Affairs with Goldcorp Adele Faubert says phase one of the project will run through Pickle Lake.

Faubert says phase one should be finished by the end of 2015, and is expected to create 12-hundred construction jobs.

18th Annual Rotary Auction on Now

Going once, Going twice, and Sold.

The 18th annual Kenora Rotary auction is underway right now and there are over 150 prizes available.

Keith Nelson from the Rotary says you gotta act fast.

Nelson says the money raised will go towards projects in the community and around the world.

You can bid online at www.KenoraRotary.ca.

NORWOSSA Badminton Results

The Junior and Senior Beaver Brae Broncos Badminton teams have advanced to the NWOSSA championship.

Both teams competed in the NORWOSSA finals yesterday and had a great results.

The senior team finished 2nd behind Atikokan while the junior team finished tied for 1st with Atikokan.

The junior team captured 3 gold medals with Boe Rodgers and Alex Smith in boys doubles, Logan Ginn in boys singles, and Jordan Carlson and Coel Forsyth in mixed doubles.

There was also 1 gold in seniors play with Jodi Melillo and Maddie Trudeau earning the medal in girls doubles.

The NWOSSA championship begins April 17th.

Telus Cup Western Regional Play-downs Begin Tonight

The Telus Cup Western Region play-downs take to the ice at the Thistle Arena tonight.

The Kenora Triple "A" Midget Thistles are playing host to the Thunder Bay Kings, Winnipeg Wild and Saskatoon Contacts as they compete for a berth in the Telus Cup.

Every team will play each other in the round robin with the top 2 teams facing off for the title on Sunday afternoon.

Action gets underway at 5:00 tonight when Saskatoon battles with Thunder Bay.

The first game for the Thistles follows at 8:00 when they take on the Wild.

The cost to attend is 7 dollars a game of 40 dollars for a 7 game pass.

ETFO says Contract Talks Haven't Done Any Harm

The union representing public elementary teachers says it's close to a deal with the government that could make changes to current contracts.

The move comes after the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario told its members last week that it was O-K to return to extracurricular activities.

Asked if the proposed changes were worth the harm done to students, president Sam Hammond had this to say.

Hammond says he can't say when an agreement may be finalized.

Dryden Mayor Supports Road Tolls for NWO

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall believes road tolls on Northern Ontario highways are a smart idea.

Premier Kathleen Wynne has floated the idea to help cover the repair costs of aging infrastructure.

Nuttall says sure people won't be too happy with it, but it will pay off.

Nuttall says the benefit to the tolls would be more money coming into the municipalities, if it's done that way.

Busy Year Ahead for Treasury Metals

It's going to be a busy year for Treasury Metals as they work to develop the Goliath Gold Project, east of Dryden.

Environmental Technician Mac Potter says a big focus this year is the creation of an Environmental Impact Statement.

Potter says the report will contain information about environmental
 factors such as wildlife, groundwater, weather and vegetation.

Alzheimer Society Launches 2nd Annual Penny Drive

A great way to do away with your extra pennies.

The 2nd annual penny challenge is on at the Alzheimer Society of the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

Executive Director Lynn Moffatt they are looking surpass last years total of $6.000.

Moffatt says they will have a bi-weekly weigh in until the challenge ends on June 30th.

Call 468-1516 for information.

LOWDPOA and FOCA Voice Support for ELA

Fresh water impacts every-ones daily lives.

That's a message from the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association and Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association regarding the closure of the Experimental Lakes Area.

Susan McLeod with the Property Owners Association says the research is important to everyone.

McLeod says they continue to push the importance of the facility through discussions with MP's and letter writing campaigns.

Hotel Incident Victims Name Released by OPP

Kenora OPP have named the Toronto man who died in the city on Sunday.

Officials say 36-year-old Michael Sylborne was found dead on the street under a broken fourth floor window at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Police had been called to the hotel to respond to a disturbance around 3:45 in the morning on Sunday.

Police added Sylborne had been in Kenora while working on a construction project in the area.

Randy Nickle to Speak at Pre-budget Meeting

A local PC candidate will represent Northwestern Ontario at a provincial pre-budget consultation meeting.

Randy Nickle will make a presentation today in Thunder Bay on his two main topics of concern, the twinning of highway 17 from Kenora to the Manitoba boarder and tourism in the region.

Nickle says tourism centers play a vital role in the region.

Nickle says it's unfair that Southern Ontario centers can govern the way centers in the North operate.

Campbell Speaks Out For Libraries

Public libraries are getting support in the Ontario Legislature.

Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is calling on the government to come up with a new funding program to help libraries thrive.

Campbell says libraries are more important now than ever before as they serve to fill the role left by cuts to Service Ontario and Travel Centres.

Campbell says with many municipalities facing budget cuts that some libraries in Northern Ontario are facing closure.

Hockey for Health Faces Off This Month

The 5th Annual Hockey for Health Tournament is just a few weeks away.

Organizer Dean Caron says they have teams competing from all around the city and region.

The tournament runs April 18th to 21st and is in support of the Lake of the Wood District Hospital Foundation, twinning the rink at the Rec Centre, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

You can get involved by purchasing raffles tickets throughout the city with up to 7-thousand dollars in prizes, or watching the games in your best Don Cherry jacket.

the fundraising goal for this years tournament is $55,000.

Update on Death at Best Western

OPP have identified the victim of a death at a Kenora hotel as a man from Toronto.

The incident took place at the Best Western Lakeside Inn on Sunday morning around 3:45 after police were called about a disturbance inside a hotel room.

Constable Dave Cain says that upon arrival officers found a man lying on the sidewalk underneath a broken window in the 4th floor.

The victim was transported to hospital where he died from his injuries.

Study on Patient Transfers Expected Soon

The Kenora District Services Board says it is continuing to charge hospitals for non-urgent land ambulance patient transfers.

CAO Dan McNeil says some hospitals are co-operating and some aren't.

McNeil notes a study involving area hospitals, ORNGE and the Rainy River District Social Services Area Board is expected to be finalized this month and shed some light on the problem.

Under provincial law the request to respond to a cardiac call is 6-minutes and McNeil notes that's impossible with their ambulances are tied up with a non-urgent transfer.

Youth for Water Walk Through Kenora

A number of aboriginal youth from Manitoba are speaking out to save the water.

The group of 9 teenagers arrived in Kenora yesterday afternoon during their walk from the Manitoba Legislature to Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Ben Raven says they are doing the walk to make sure water is safe for everyone.

Between marches inside Manitoba and now to Ottawa, the group has walked over 900 kilometers.

Mines and Minerals Symposioum in Thunder Bay

It's that time again.

The Ontario Prospectors Association will be holding their 2013 Mines and Minerals Symposium which begins today and runs through tomorrow in Thunder Bay.

Executive Director Garry Clark says this year's theme is "Advancing Towards Production".

Clark says over a hundred booths will be set up and they have 32-speakers over the two days.

MNR Asks Public Not to Feed Deer

The Ministry of Natural Resources is advising people to not the deer.

Kathyrn Lyzun with the MNR says although feeding them is a well intended gesture it has negative impacts on the animals including digestive problems, more natural predators entering the area, and more deer attempting to cross roadways.

you can find out more by visiting www.ontario.ca/feeding wildlife.

Senior Thistles Win Renwick Cup

The Kenora Triple "A" Senior Thistles are heading back to the Allan Cup Championships.

The Thistles earned a 5-1 victory Saturday night to win the Renwick Cup Over the Brantford Blast in 2 straight games.

Captain Sean Hughes says a big difference in the series was the level of energy by his team.

Kyle Turgeon started the scoring in the first, before Mike Ruberto tried the game in the second period.

After that it was all Thistles with goals by Ryan Pearson, Sean McAslan, Tom Biondich, and Mike Garrow.

The Allan Cup begins on April 15th in Red Deer, Alberta.

OPA Offers Program for First Nations Communities

A first of its kind in the province.

The Ontario Power Authority and First Nations Engineering Services have announced the launch of the "saveONenergy Aboriginal Conservation Program".

Director of First Nations and Métis Relations with the OPA Hilary Thatcher explains the purpose.

Thatcher encourages First Nations all over Northwestern Ontario to apply for the program.

visit www.aboriginalenergy.ca/acp for more information.

MNR Prepared for Forest Fire Season

It's hard to believe but the forest fire season is officially underway.

Debbie Maclean of the Ministry of Natural Resources says there are no fires that are burning in the province right now because there's too much snow on the ground.

Last year at this time there were 14 fires recorded before the season even started.

Alzheimer Society Hands Out Touch Quilts

A large undertaking is underway at the Alzheimer Society of the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

Executive Director Lynn Moffatt says they are using their touch quilt project to give out over 250 quilts to dementia patients.

Moffat says they just handed 42 quilts to patients at the Birchwood Terrace, but are still in need of over 200 more.

She adds the quilts are used to help ease anxiety and can help with sensory stimulation.

You can find out more information about the touch quilt project by calling the Alzheimer Society at 468-1516.

Police Confirm Death at Best Western

The Kenora O.P.P have confirmed the death of a male at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Police were called about a disturbance around 3:45 this morning, and upon arrival found a male lying on the sidewalk below a broken window on the 4th floor of the hotel.

The victim was transported to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The Police remain on the scene and are with holding the victims identity until next of kin can be notified.

Police on Scene at Best Western Lakeside Inn

Kenora OPP are on the scene of an accident at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Reports are that a death has occurred although police have not confirmed anything at this time

Police remain on the scene as the front sidewalk facing 1st Avenue South remains taped off.

We have calls in with the Kenora OPP detachment and will have updates as soon as more information is made available.