Strike Averted at LCBO

The union representing about 67-hundred LCBO workers is recommending they vote in favour of a tentative contract worked out last night.
   
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario and OPSEU signed a deal about two hours before a midnight strike deadline.
   
The length and terms of the agreement won't be made public until after the employees hold a ratification vote.
   
The prospect of a strike brought many Ontarians to LCBO outlets to stock up ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend.
   
The L
CBO says pre-deadline sales were brisk.

Pellatt Gearing Up for Long Weekend Bash

The Pellatt Community Center and Fire Hall will be rocking this Saturday when they host the May Long Bash.

The event is a fundraiser for the facilities.

Pat Moeller says there are multiple locations you can get tickets.

Moeller adds they will also be holding a pancake breakfast on Sunday Morning.

Saints Excel at Track and Field Meet

A strong showing from Thomas Aquinas students at the Annual Track and Field meet in Dryden.

Taylor Tom led the way with a pair of first place finishes and two seconds.

Tom won the junior girls 400 meter dash and the long jump.

Sarah Frankcom also won a pair of gold medals, finishing first in the junior girls 800 and 15 hundred meter
races.

Antwan Fair-Gilstrae finished first in the junior boys 800 meter race and second in the long jump, while
Leah Alvestad won the junior girls high jump and Eric Sundmark placed first in the senior boys shot put.

Transport Load Catches Fire on Highway 17 East

Highway 17 east of Kenora is open again after being shut down for several hours last night.

The OPP shut down the Trans-Canada just east of the Highway 71 intersection for about four
hours due to a fire on a semi tractor trailor unit.

The transport was hauling a load of hay bales, and some of the bales went up in flames
just after 9:00.

The Longbow Lake Volunteer Fire department was called out to help douse the flames.

Provincial Parks Set to Open for Long Weekend

The May long weekend means provincial parks will be opening for the first time this season.

Van Staalduinen from Ontario Parks says the majority of parks in Northern Ontario will be open as of tomorrow.

He adds that Fushimi Lake, Ivanhoe Lake, and Rene Brunelle were 3 of the 10 parks set for closure but will remain due to municipal support.

Information on all parks, campgrounds, and services including reservations are available at http://www.ontarioparks.com.

NorWOSSA Soccer Season Reaches Halfway Point

Mixed results for Beaver Brae's soccer team in Dryden yesterday.

The Bronco boys opened with a 3-1 win over Fort Frances, but then were blanked 4-0 by Dryden.

Beaver Brae's girls played to a 3-3 tie against the Muskies, but then were doubled up 2-1 by Dryden.

The teams will resume their NorWOSSA schedule next Wednesday in Kenora.

Funerals Today for Wunnumin Lake Fire Victims

Funeral services are being held today in the remote northern community of Wunnumin Lake First Nation for three young victims of a house fire.

One year old Rebecca Sainnawap, six year old Kaylene Nothing and 21 year old Roxanne Nothing perished when their home was destroyed in an early morning fire on May 8th.

Officials say the small community continues to mourn their loss.
Today's service starts at 1 o'clock.

There is still no word on the cause of the blaze.

Concern Raised About Black Sturgeon Developments

Kenora city council is debating whether to put a moratorium on any future development on Black Sturgeon Lake.

Currently there are development agreements in place for 89 more lots.

Mayor Dave Canfield says council is willing to work with the property owners to ensure no new subdivisions get the green light.

Canfield says there is very little undeveloped shore-line left on Black Sturgeon and is worried the lake is being over-developed.

Coventry Says Poor Markets Affecting Cameron Lake Project

The resources may be plentiful but the markets are not.

Don Halliday is the Director and VP of Investors Relations with Coventry Gold and says a decline in the market has slowed down their work in the region.

On a positive note Halliday did say they have added almost 25 thousand ounces to estimate of the Cameron Gold Project South East of Kenora as a result of exploration in the Dogpaw gold zone.

Halliday says they now
have estimated the project has around 1.5 million ounces of resources.

Government Needs to Support Rainy River Gold Project

The MPP for Kenora Rainy River is pushing the government to support the Rainy River Gold Project.

Sarah Campbell says the Liberals are delaying the projects even though the company has done everything asked of them.

She blames cutbacks at the Ministry of the Environment for delays in getting the Terms of Reference
approved.

Campbell says the project will create over 700 million dollars in investments and 500 full time jobs.

Cancer Care Northwest Responds to Latest Report Card

The Regional Cancer Care Northwest Program is implementing new initiatives to help improve the Cancer patients experience.

Regional Cancer Care Director Joanne Lacourciere says the Province's annual cancer score card gives them
 poor marks for integrating patient services and checking up on patients symptoms.

The report card shows the Northwest has a higher incidence of prostate, colon, lung and breast cancer than the rest of the Province.

MNR Preparing for Busy Long Weekend

Some new forest fires have ignited in the region over the past couple of day..

Heather Pridham is with the Ministry of Natural Resources and says the most recent activity is a result of Mother Nature.

She says high winds have knocked power lines onto trees, causing some small fires.

She adds that the brisk winds are causing fires to grow much more quickly.

With the long weekend upon us Pridham says the Ministry is preparing for an increase in human caused fires.

Work on Valleyview Expansion to Begin this Spring

The tender for the Valleyview School Project is expected to go out
for bid in the next couple of weeks.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board gave trustees an update on
the project last night.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says their goal is still to start the
construction this spring, with completion near the beginning of September.

He says they do have a contingency plan in place in case the work isn't
completed in time for the new school year.

Indoor Soccer Complex Should Be Ready before End of Summer

A new indoor soccer complex should be ready by the middle of the
summer.

Work is continuing to install artificial turf in the Jaffray Melick Arena.

Jess Rheault is with the Lake of the Woods Soccer Association and says
user groups are already lining up to make bookings.

Kenora City Council is expected to approve a five year lease agreement with the
Soccer Association for the JM Arena on Monday.

Flood Evacuees Returning Home

Flood concerns have subsided up north and that has allowed some residents to return home.

Emergency Management Ontario says 90-Attawapiskat First Nation residents currently staying in Greenstone are due to return today, and another 260 should begin flying back from Thunder Bay tomorrow.

EMO says 64 residents who were moved to Fort Frances will have to remain there a while longer until their homes are cleaned and repaired.

Nearly 400 members of the Kashechewan and Pic Mobert first nations remain evacuated.

Large Grass Fire near Pinewood

The MNR is battling a 12 and a half hectare fire near Pinewood south of Kenora near Fort Frances.

The grass fire started yesterday afternoon and was reported to Ontario MNR by the Minnesota Dept of natural Resources around 4:30 yesterday afternoon.

The blaze, just 3 miles off Highway 11 is listed as being held.

The cause has still not been determined.

Council Seeks Help in Battling Urban Deer

Municipalities across northwestern Ontario are taking a united front in
their battle against a growing urban deer population.

Kenora will be working with Thunder Bay and Dryden to lobby for lower deer permit fees to hunt deer within city limits.

Councillor Sharon Smith says the 45 dollar permit fee is just too high.

Smith suggests the permit fees are a deterrent to hunters.

City and CUPE Agree on Two Year Deal

There will be labor peace in the City of Kenora
for at least the next year and a half.

Kenora City Council has given tentative approval to a two year contract with the
Canadian Union of Public Employees on a deal retroactive to January 1st of this year.

The agreement includes a wage increase of 1.7 percent during each of the deal.

Mayor Dave Canfield suggests the contract is fair because its just over the cost of living.

Non-union staff and city councillors will also be getting similar increases.

Fire Investigation On Hold

The Fire Marshsall's Office has stopped the investigation of the fire at the old Kenora Machine Service Building.

The building is considered unsafe to examine at this time.

The investigation will continue once the building is deemed safe to enter again.
.

The building was destroyed by fire late Saturday night.

In the meantime, the OPP are continuing to hold the building until the Fire Marshall's office can complete
its investigation.

Sandy Lake Man Identified

Provincial Police have released the name of a man who died in Sandy Lake First Nation on Sunday morning.

The man has been identified as 29-year-old Uriah Kakepetum.

Nishanwbe-Aski Police responded to a call for medical assistance at a home.

Kakepetum was transported to the Sandy Lake Nursing Station where he died.

OPP are assisting Nishnawbe-Aski Police in the investigation.

Police haven't said if foul play is suspected.

Kenora MP Announces FEDNOR Funding

Downtown Kenora is getting more financial support by FEDNOR.

Earlier today Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced 425 thousand dollars in funding towards 2 initiatives.

Rickford says $300,000 is being given to the Lake of the Wood Business Incentive Corporation to provide small and medium sized businesses capital support..

The second part of the announcement was $125,000 going towards the engineering and design costs of the phase 3 downtown revitalization project.

Coney Footbridge To Be Removed Wednesday

Local residents will have at least one more day to use the Coney Island
Footbridge.

The city had hoped to remove the bridge today, but due to mechanical
problems with their boats, the removal has been delayed until Wednesday.

This will be the latest the bridge has ever been removed.

The previous latest date the bridge was to be removed was May 14th.

Pinecrest Getting Ready to Install Sprinklers

Pinecrest Home for the Aged says its fully supports plans by the province to improve
fire safety at long term car homes.

Last week, the Minister of Long Term Care announced that all facilities would have to
have sprinkler systems installed within 11 years.

Pinecrest CAO Kevin Queen says they are currently working on a plan to fund and install
sprinklers.

Queen estimates it could cost about a million dollars to install a new sprinkler system
at Pinecrest.

Coronors Inquest Getting Closer

A coroners inquest into the tragic deaths of 7 First Nations teens in Thunder Bay is one step closer to reality.

The regional coroner has now set the date for a hearing on who will have the legal right to take part in the inquest proceedings.  

That hearing takes place in Thunder Bay on June 11th.

Health Unit Launches Phone Survey

The Northwestern Health Unit is launching a telephone survey to hear from local residents.

CEO Mark Perrault says a handful of people will be selected.

Perrault says the results will be available later this year, and will measure the success of the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan.

LCBO Workers Set Up Strike Headquarters

The threat of a strike by Liquor Control Board workers this weekend remains real.  

Union spokesperson Robert Lorkowski says the issue centres around the ever increasing use of part time workers.

Last night, local workers set up their strike headquarters in office space on Chipman Street in preparation for a possible job action.  

LCBO workers could hit the picket line as early as this Friday.

Changes Being Made to Council Meeting Schedule

Kenora City council is tweaking its meeting schedule for the summer months.

Starting today, the Committee of the Whole meeting will move to Tuesday mornings, from its usual time on Monday afternoons.

The Committee of the Whole will also include the Property and Planning
Meeting.

Next week, the open meeting of council will move to Tuesday's at noon.

The changes are being tried out this summer on a trial basis and will be
reviewed again in August.

Northern Mayors Talk to MPAC

The Northern Mayors Coalition holds a conference call with provincial officials today to discuss the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation's assessments on mills in the north.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says today's meeting is a great first step.

Nuttall says the MPAC ruling on the Domtar mill has crippled the community and is urging the province to intervene.

Police Investigating Fatality in Sandy Lake

Provincial Police are assisting the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service regarding a death in Sandy Lake First Nation.

NAPS officers responded to a call for medical assistance, and took a man to the nursing station where he was pronounced dead.

The name of the deceased is not available at this time, and a post mortem is being done at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP.

Broncos Earn National Cheer Title

Beaver Brae's cheerleaders can add national champions to their resume.

Over the weekend, the Bronco Cheer Squad was in Niagara Falls for the 2013 National Cheer Evolution Championships.

Beaver Brae ended up winning the Small Senior Division, beating out seven other schools.

The Broncos picked up 81.13 points, which was almost two points ahead of their nearest rival.

Gallager Wins Mother's Day Road Race Again

A familiar name was atop the leaderboard at the 2013 Mother's Day
Charity Road Race.

Winnipeg's Cory Gallagher took top honors yet again after completing
the 10 kilometer route in just over 33 minutes.

The fastest Kenora runner was Ben Gustafson, who finished second, 6 and
a half minutes behind.

In the women's 10 K run, Victoria Alexander placed first in a time of 42 minutes,
34 seconds.

Kenora's Janet Findlay was second, just under a minute behind.

Lisa Doerksen won the women's 5 K road race, while Kyle Derouard won the
men's 5 K event.

Fire Marshall to Investigate Weekend Blaze

An investigator from the Ontario Fire Marshall's office is now at the scene of a fire that took place late Saturday night on Highway 17 East.

The blaze broke out in the old Kenora Machine Service building, between A&W and  Dingwall Ford around 11:40 Saturday night.

The fire took a couple of hours to bring under control.

The cause still hasn't been determined, but the OPP are holding the scene until investigators can go through the building.

Jobs Funding Available for Women

Opening doors to the economic opportunities for women in Northwestern Ontario.

The theme of a new initiative by the Federal Government that focuses on three key areas.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the call for proposal will provide more options for women.

The call also focuses on improving prosperity for immigrant women and advancement in non-traditional occupations.

MNR Keep Busy with Weekend Grass Fires

It wasn't a very warm weekend, but that didn't put much of a damper on the
fire situation in the Kenora District.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says crews responded to another five
new wildfires over the past two days.

Four were located on the Wabaseemung First Nation and have been brought under
control.

The other was located near Grassy Narrows.

The Kenora District was responsible for half of the new fires that started up
this past weekend.

More Evacuees from northern First Nations

Flooding is forcing more people from their homes in northern Ontario.

Emergency Management Ontario says 144 people from Attawapiskat First Nation have been moved to Thunder Bay, and there are plans to
move another 200.

Twenty-nine residents of Pic Mobert First Nation will also be calling Thunder Bay home.

And Fort Frances will be home to an additional 81 long-term evacuees.

Ten Ontario communities have now declared emergencies due to weather conditions.

OPSEU Bracing for Possible Strike at LCBO

Part-time work is a big focus of a new ad campaign by the union representing workers at the LCBO.

President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Smokey Thomas says the goal is to inform the public about what they are bargaining for.

Thomas says their strike deadline is May 17th, and he hopes it won't result to that.

The local union is planning to open the doors of its strike headquarters in
Kenora this evening, in case there is a job action.

Campbell Upset with WSIB

Calls for reforms to the Workers Compensation and Insurance Board.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the board needs to be more respectful to injured workers.

Campbell raised her concerns in the Ontario Legislature last week.

She accuses the WSIB of treating injured workers like criminals and denying them the benefits they are legitimately entitled to.

Northwest Sting Place Second in Weekend Tournament

Spring hockey is alive and well in northwestern Ontario.

The Northwest Sting Under 12 girls team traveled to Duluth, Minnesota this past weekend for the Northern Wings Showdown.

The team is made up of players from Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Emo and Sioux Lookout and finished the round robin with a perfect 4-0 record.

In the A-side final, the Sting fell short, losing 6-1 to the Lake Superior Stars.

Saints Soccer Teams Finish Second in Weekend Tournament

A strong showing for Thomas Aquinas soccer teams this past weekend at the Beaver Brae High School Tournament.

Both the Saints boys and girls teams advanced to the A-side final of the tournament yesterday afternoon only to fall to the Miles MacDonnell Buckeyes.

The T.A. boys faced the Buckeyes in the final for the second year in a row, with the same result
as last year, as Miles Mac held on for a 1-0 win.

In the girls final, the Saints also met the Buckeyes, but after holding off the Winnipeg squad in
the first half, Miles Mac came on strong in the second to secure a 4-0 win.

Beaver Brae's girls team finished fourth overall, dropping a 1-0 decision to Dryden in the B-side final.

Fire on Highway 17 East Inside Kenora

 A vacant build on Highway 17 East has gone up in flames.

OPP say a call was received around 11:40 Saturday night to the building between A&W and Dingwall Ford.

A&W owner Randy Nickle says he was surprised to hear of the fire and  what caused it to burn so hot.

Other spectators pointed to an open door on the backside if building hinting that someone may have been inside.

Soeaking with the OPP there are no details as to what caused the fire and there is no injuries reported.

By 1:00 firefighters had contained the blaze inside the building.

More details to follow.

Annual Mothers Day Race Goes This Sunday

The annual mothers day 5k and 10k charity road race takes to the streets this Sunday.

Jennifer Findlay says participants will not have to collect sponsors as all the proceeds raised will be from registration costs.

Youth registration is $25 while adult registration is $35.

Registration is available at www.kenoraborealis.com/

The race takes place at 10:00 on Sunday morning from the Whitecap Pavilion.

Registration will begin at 8:00.

Tourism Program Extended another Year

American Tourists with a minor conviction will get a one time entry to Canada once again this year.

This week Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced the extension of the Tourism Facilitation Action Plan that allows a one time entry into the country.

Rickford says border guards are given very specific rules to ensure public safety.

Rickford stressed that the program is being extended and that anyone who has entered once under the program will not be allowed entry again.

Manitou Gold Continues Drilling Program

Manitou Gold continues its exploration southeast of Kenora.

It's released the latest results of drilling in its Elora property.

President Todd Keast says the exploration continues to demonstrate indications of a potentially large gold bearing deposit.

More drilling is expected once ice from lakes is gone.

Hope and the City Tomorrow Night

A major fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society tonight.

Hope and the City has been sold out for months now.

Nicole Burton is one of the organizers and says this is a ladies
only event.

Last year Hope and the City raised about 25 thousand dollars for
the Cancer Society.

Drug Drop-Off Tomorrow

It's a chance to prevent prescription drug abuse.

The OPP will be participating in prescription drug drop off day tomorrow.

Constable Ronni Grosenick says the program will take away an option for kids to find the drugs.

Grosenick says the drop off will be a drive thru set-up at the detachment by Wal-Mart from 10 to 3.

Former Kenora Resident to Head up SIJHL Expansion Team

The Superior International Junior Hockey League has approved a franchise for Ear Falls-Red Lake.

The team will be known as the Eagles and will begin play at the Ear Falls Arena this upcoming season.

Kevin Kahoot has been named head coach and general manager and says its a great opportunity.

The organization's executive is expected to be finalized in the coming days.

Budget Pressures Easing At MNR?

There's still challenges, but Ontario's Natural Resources Minister says the provincial budget is relieving some of the pressures his Ministry is facing.

Natural Resources spending is up slightly over last year.

David Orazietti says it may help ease somewhat the notion of having to close MNR offices.

Orazietti is hopeful the NDP will support the budget.

Water Levels Starting to Rebound

Campowners on Lake of the Woods are concerned about low water levels
this spring.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board attended this week's Campowners
Association meeting this week in Winnipeg.

Rick Cousins from the Control Board says things are starting to turn around.

Cousins says most of the lake remains covered in ice, and it could take another couple of weeks before it eventually melts.

Students Take Part in Emergency Preparedness

30 local high school students are
getting a crash course in emergency preparedness tonight.

As part of emergency preparedness week the students are taking part in an overnight evacuation drill.

Firefighter Earl Bichon says the drill will cover every step of an evacuation.

Bichon says the students will also get presentations from different services about what their roles are during an emergency situation.