BB Gun Seized At Dryden Elementary School

A scary incident at a Dryden elementary school.

The Public School Board says a student brought an air-soft gun to Open Roads School yesterday and started shooting small, plastic BB's on the school yard during a nutrition break.

A few students were hit by the BB's but no one was injured.

Officials say staff were not aware the student had the air gun and it was confiscated immediately.

School administration contacted the families of students who were directly involved and the Dryden Police Service was also contacted.

Northwest M.P.'s on their Summer Break

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is welcoming the summer break.

MPs adjourned Parliament earlier this week.

Rafferty says it was good news for Conservative MPs who were dogged by spending scandals.

Rafferty notes he'll be using his summer break to go door to door and listen to his constiuents concerns.

Triple Play Takes Kids Fishing this Weekend

There is still time to sign your child up for the 14th annual take your kid fishing day.

The event takes place this Saturday starting at 11:00

Organizer Debbie Novak from Triple Play says you can get registration forms from the Rec Centre, the Library, Minto Resource Centre, or by calling her at 466-2785.

Novak says the kids will go start fishing around 11:00 and then come back in for a Bar-be-que.

New Gold Starts Take Over Process from Rainy River

New Gold has started formal proceedings in its take-over bid of Rainy River Resources and its signature gold project south of Kenora.

The Vancouver-based mining company is offering 3-dollars and 83 cents a share for Rainy River, with the deal valued at about 310-million dollars in total.

Rainy River's board of directors has already supported the offer which closes July 24.

Ontario's Worst Roads Named

Northwestern Ontario didn't make the cut in the Canadian Automobile Association Ontario Worst Roads campaign.

More than 10-thousand votes were counted this year and Dufferin Street in Toronto topped the list for the second straight year.

Spokesperson Korey Kennedy says the closest road to us to make the list was Kraft Creek Road in Timmins at number 4.

Thunder Lake Road in Dryden was the most nominated road in this region.

Kennedy stresses the campaign is important as 90
percent of the roads selected have either been fixed or are about to be improved.

City Council Looking To Broadcast More Meetings

It might not be a ratings hit, but Kenora City Council is looking to
broadcast its open meetings.

Council says its willing to work with Shaw to air committee-of-the-whole and monthly council meetings.

It will set the city back about 12 thousand dollars to purchase and install
the technology.

Councillor Rod McKay says he has his reservations about spending that kind of money and wants to know how many people might actually watch their meetings, before supporting the expenditure.

Catholic School Board Expects More Red Ink

The Kenora Catholic District School Board expects to have a small deficit for a second year in a row.

Trustees with the Separate School Board approved the budget last night.

It calls for spending of just over 24.7 million dollars.

Finance officer, Allison Smith says their funding from the province is basically the same as last year.

The Board's deficit is expected to come in at 168 thousand dollars in the
2013/2014 school year.

Fire Hazard Rising Again

Five new forest fires have sparked in Northwestern Ontario.

The Sioux Lookout and Nipigon Districts each saw two, while one was reported in the Kenora area.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the dry, warm weather helped fuel these fires.

The MNR adds while some rain is forecast, the hazard remains moderate to high in the region.

Hospital Foundation Transfers A Record Amount

A record breaking year for the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

Last night at their Annual General Meeting the foundation announced they transferred a record 752 thousand dollars to the hospital in 2012-2013.

Managing Director Jess Rheault says it an amazing mark to achieve.

Rheault says the money helped cover a lot of needs on the hospital's capital side, as well as bring in digital mammography.

City Reaches Fire Protection Agreement With MNR

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the City of Kenora have reached
a tentative five year agreement for fire protection.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says they looked at six possible options.

He says in the end they decided the city would be best served if MNR fire crews were responsible for islands and the northeast quadrant of the
municipality.

Brinkman says while the agreement will cost the city just over 100 dollars
a year, the city will still be on the hook for some of the MNR's fire fighting
costs.

Kenora Forest Products Start Up Delayed

Red tape seems to be hampering the start up of the Kenora Forest Products Mill.

Mill manager Rod McKay says they had hoped to start producing studs and other wood products this summer.

But he says there have been a number of delays, including finding markets for their hog fuel.

McKay says they hope the MNR will be licencing the mill soon, and expects they could be
operational by the fall.

Con College Holds its Convocation in Kenora

A night of celebrating success for Confederation College.

Last night was the convocation ceremony for the Lake of the Woods Campus.

Acting Director Laura Christie says the 50 graduates were enrolled in a number of different programs
including business accounting, early childhood education, office administration, personal support worker,
native child and family services and practical nursing.

Craig Turgeon who graduted from the Native Child and Family Services Program won the Campus Award of Excellence.

Pikangikum Achieves Forestry Milestone

A major milestone for the Pikangikum First Nation.

The first nation has become the forst far north reserve to receive a Sustainable Forest Licence.

The Licence is for the Whitefeather Forest, 90 Kilometers North of Red Lake, and will require the Whitefeather Forest Cummunity Resource Management Authority to implement a Forest Management Plan.

Chief Dean Owen says he is thankful to the Elders, the Whitefeather Forest Initiative Team, the MNR staff who helped the community reach this milestone.

Owen added he is excited for the economic opportunities the licence will create for the people in the community

Matiowski's Farmers Market Starts Tomorrow

A summer staple in Kenora comes back to the Whitecap Pavilion tomorrow.

The Matiowski Farmers Market will be open tomorrow as of 8:30 under the Whitecap Pavilion.

Chrystal Stokes says the market will be as big as ever this year with the markets sold out with vendors through the the end of August.

Stokes said the market includes some well known vendors including Honeymill farms, Gerber Farms, Rainy River Meat, and also includes many different types of jewellery and art.

OPP Commissioner Defends Rising Costs

The Commissioner of the OPP is trying to put a positive spin on the cost of their service.

Chris Lewis was in Kenora last week and admits municipalities are concerned about an 8.5 percent increase in officer salaries that's slated to kick in next year.

Lewis says despite the increase, the OPP provides good value for the service.

Lewis says the OPP is currently 32nd in terms of police costs in Canada.

Enough is Enough Bikers Ride Into Kenora

Two people are trying to bring the issue of mental health into the open.

Ginny and Kerry Dennehy are riding across Canada as part of their Enough
is Enough Campaign.

Kerry says the ride is really in support of their son who committed suicide 13 years ago.

The Dennehy's arrived in Kenora yesterday to talk about the foundation they set up on behalf
of their son to tackle depression and mental illness.

Attawapiskat Residents Finally Returning Home

Residents of Attawapiskat First Nation evacuated to Fort Frances last month because of flooding are beginning to return home.

About 30 were flown back last Thursday.

Emergency officials are now looking honouring a request by the remaining thirty to relocate to towns closer to their community where family and friends may be.

The residents have been living out of a local hotel since May 11th.

Funding For Aboriginal Youth Announced

Helping Aboriginal people in Northwestern Ontario get off welfare.

That's the focus of a new plan being pushed by Canada's Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says 241 million dollars will go to help youth achieve the same job opportunities as other Canadians.

Aboriginals who choose to participate in the program will work with  the Income Assistance Program to undergo personalized case management.

Northern Communities Continue to Lobby over MPAC Assessments

The fight isn't over between towns in northwestern Ontario and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says they had some good discussions at their meeting in Toronto last week.

Nuttall says MPAC was on the hot seat.

Nuttall says another problem is how the municipalities are going to pay back what they owe.

Memorial Service for Ornge Employees

A memorial service is scheduled for this afternoon in Toronto for the two pilots and two paramedics who died late last month in an air ambulance crash in northern Ontario.

Premier Kathleen Wynne is among those who will be attending.

The helicopter had just left its base at the Moosonee airport to pick up a patient in the remote Attawapiskat First Nation when it crashed early on May 31st.

Transportation Safety Board officers investigating the crash have said mechanical failure did not appear to be the cause.

Kenora's Phillip Scribilo Wins Dryden Walleye Masters

Kenora's Phillip Scribilo is in the Winners circle at the Dryden Shaw Walleye Masters Tournament.

Scribilo and his partner Jason Rostek from Dryden jumped from second to first on the final day to win the event.

Rostek admits the Sunday fishing wasn't easy.

The two caught 29.62-pounds to win the 20-thousand dollars cash and prizes.

Campbell Promotes Region in Legislature

The perks of Northwestern Ontario have reached the Provincial Legislature.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell took a few moments to talk about the endless amount activities that are happening here right at home, stating that it's a hot spot for people from all over.

Campbell encouraged fellow MPP's to make a trip to the region and experience the Northern life.

NAN Happy With Aboriginal Jury Rolls Decision

The Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation welcomes an Appeals Court ruling on Aboriginal jury rolls.

The court threw out a manslaughter conviction on the basis that not enough Aboriginals were on the man's jury.

Alvin Fiddler says now it's time to move forward on the issue.

Fiddler says the ruling validates what NAN has been saying all along.

Premiere Concerned About Municipal Policing Costs

Concerns about policing costs by municipalities are on the mind of Ontario's Premier.

The town of Fort Frances is passing a resolution around calling on the province for more financial support.

Kathleen Wynn says efforts are underway to help contain policing costs.

No time frame was given as to when the team's will bring forward recommendations.

5 Die in Single Vehicle Accident

Tragedy has struck the community of Slate Falls First Nation.

On Saturday evening Sioux Lookout OPP were called to a single vehicle accident south of the community where a GMC Terrain fell into the Broken Mouth River.

The OPP have confirmed the deaths of 23 year old Kimberly Whiskeyjack of Sioux Lookout, 55 year old Gordon Carpenter of Slate Falls First Nation; 23 year old John Bighead of Slate Falls First Nation, 26 year old Samantha Loon of Slate Falls First Nation, and 20 year Claudia Loon of Slate Falls First Nation.

Post morterms have been scheduled at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Forensic Identification Unit Opens in Kenora

The Northwest Region of the OPP have a new forensic identification unit in Kenora.

Commissioner Chris Lewis was in town for the grand opening of the facility on Friday.

Lewis says the building was needed for the safety of officers.

He added the facility ensures no evidence they inspect gets contaminated.

MP Rickford Discusses First Nation Police Funding

The Federal and Provincial Governments plan on working together to address the lack of funding for First Nations policing.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says their top priority was more stable funding for more than just one or two years.

Rickford adds they will have further discussions with the province.

The Treaty Three Police will likely see massive cutbacks in hours, wages and benefits.

Public School Board Approves Strategic Plan

Working to achieve more success at local schools.

Director of Education at the Keewatin Patricia District School Board Sean Monteith says they have passed their 5 year strategic plan.

Monteith says the goals are heavily focused on all students.

He adds their is a strong focus on the whole child and defining what success is.

Community Foundation to Hold Granting Ceremony

Generosity continues to grow in Kenora.

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation will be presenting 130 thousand dollars in grants to 25 local charities.

Executive Director Darlene MacGillvary says everyone can take part in the ceremony.

The ceremony is this Wednesday at 7:00 at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Kenneth Ivall Sentencing Delayed

Justice delayed.

The sentencing of Kenneth Ivall has been put on hold for another two weeks, while Justice Terrance Platana
considers a join submission from the crown and Ivall's lawyer Chris Watkins.

Ivall was found guilty three and a half months ago in the second degree murder of Ed Wilson the early morning hours of March 21st, 2009.

In a sentencing hearing this morning it was suggested that a 16 year sentence be given Ivall without chance of parole, minus the 51 months he's already served.

Crown Attorney Mary-Anne Mousseau says Ivall has a 20 year criminal history of violence, domestic violence and drug dealing.

Justice Terrance Platana says he wants to give serious consideration to the joint sentencing submission and
will instead hand down his decision on June 28th at the Kenora Court House.

Friday Night Concerts At Harbourfest Finalized

Classic Rock acts will dominate this year's Harborfest.

The line-up for the Friday night concert has been finalized.

Dave Blake is the director of entertainment and says Bachman-Turner
will be the headliners.

70's group rock group Sweet and Kenny Shields and Streetheart will round out the Friday night concert.

Tickets go on sale at noon today.

Coney Island Challenge Launched

A new challenge is coming to Kenora.

The Coney Island Challenge is a paddleboard event that will circumnavigate the island.

Steve Strachan from the Hardwear Company says you only need a few supplies to join, including your own paddleboard, paddle and life jacket.

The Challenge will depart from the Harbourfront on July 1st.

All proceeds will go towards the Kenora Association for Community Living.

More details can be found at the Hardware Company.

Kenneth Ivall To Be Sentenced This Morning

The family of Ed Wilson should be able to get some closure today.

Wilson was killed behind the Tower Motel in Norman back in March of 2009.

Today, Kenneth Ivall, who was found guilty of second degree murder back in February, will be sentenced in Kenora Court.

Ivall's co-accused, Angela Duchesne plead guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter midway through the trial and is currently serving a three year sentence in federal penitentiary.

Relay for Life Tonight

One of the biggest fundraisers for the Canadian Cancer Society takes place this evening.

Relay for Life takes center stage at Lakewood School.

Organizer Danielle LaJeunesse says the relay has 3 main messages.

LaJeunesse says anyone can come down to offer their support.

All donations raised during the relay will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Concerns Raised Over Flying Lanterns

They are pretty, but also pose a potential fire hazard.

Flying lanterns have become a big concern for the Lake of the Woods
District Property Owners Association.

Executive Director Susan McLeod says they are working to control how many lanterns make their way into the air.

McLeod says if the lanterns fall into a dry tree it's like lighting a giant candle in the forest.

Municipal Paving Tender Approved

The city will be spendng just over 836 thousand dollars on the municipal paving budget this year.

Council approved the low bid from Moncreif Construction at a special meeting yesterday.

Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says there several componants to the paving contract, including the resurfacing a half-kilometer section of Valley Drive.

Perchuck says he wanted the paving tender awarded as soon as possible so the work would be complete prior to the beginning of the new school year.

School Board Provides Update on Valleyview

Work to expand Valleyview School will be starting soon.

Sean Monteith is the Director of Education at the Keewatin Patricia District School Board and says they are are almost ready to select a tender for the project.

Monteith says in case the construction is not completed by the start of the school year that they still have the capacity to handle the influx of students.

Monteith adds that with three additional kindergarten programs at Valleyview, including a french immersion
class, the school is getting close to capacity.

Cliffs Defends Decision to Delay Ring of Fire Project

Cliffs Natural Resources says it still plans to stay in the Ring of Fire chromite project.

Spokesperson Bill Boor says the company decision to put the project on hold is necessary because of government and court delays in the environmental assessment process.

Boor can't say if the move will end up delaying the start up of the mine

Boor says he can't see any reason the issues can't be resolved quickly.

Elementary Teachers Agree to Deal with the Province

The union representing public elementary teachers has reached a tentative agreement with the government that freezes wages, but guarantees a two per cent raise starting next year.
   
Members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation are paid two per cent less than teachers in the French and Roman Catholic school systems.
   
Education Minister Liz Sandals says that situation that will be fixed before the next round of bargaining.
   
The extra money for the 76 thousand public elementary teachers will cost the province 112 million dollars a year on top of whatever
raises the union negotiates next time.

Museum Book Launch Tonight

The seasons of Kenora have been turned into poetry.

Diane Clarke is set to launch her new book of poems called Lake of the Woods Seasons.

Clarke says she is inspired directly by the area we live in.

The book launch takes place tonight at the
Lake of the Woods Museum.

Missing Woman Found Safe

A missing woman from Winnipeg has been located by Police in Kenora.

Police say that 26 year old Jade Kolba, who had gone missing yesterday morning, was safely located this afternoon.

The Kenora OPP are thanking the public for helping them locate Kolba.

OPP Searching for Missing Woman

Provincial Police are looking for assistance in locating a woman who has gone missing from Kenora.

OPP say 26 year Jade Kolba from Winnipeg was last seen at the Main Street Dock yesterday morning around 8:30.

Kolba is 5 foot 5, 130 pounds with blonde hair.

She was last seen wearing a blue shirt, black denim shorts and has 2 duffel bags.

Anyone with information is asked for contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 548-5534.

Union Concerned About Cuts to Treaty Three Police Officers

More cutbacks for the Treaty Three Police Service.

Local Spokesperson with the Public Service Alliance of Canada Judith Monteith-Farrell says the aboriginal police service has announced a massive rollback in salaries, benefits, and hours.

Treaty Three Police Service is making the drastic cuts as a way to save the service, which has seen it funding reduced by the Federal government.

First Nation Chiefs are meeting on Monday to discuss how to proceed with the police service.

KPDSB Looking at Reduced Enrollment in the Fall

Enrollment continues to decline at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

As part of its 2013/2014, budget package, there was enrollment projections for the next school year.

The public school board estimates overall student numbers will drop by about 100.

Director of Education Sean Monteith says there is some good news at the Kindergarten level, where they are seeing a big influx of students.

The largest drop will be felt at the secondary level, where enrollment is forecast to drop by 86 students next year.

Elementary numbers are expected to drop by just 20 students.

Campbell Happy With Passage of Provincial Budget

No real complaints from Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell on the approval of the Provincial Budget.

Campbell says she's pleased the NDP have promised to support the minority Liberals, adding it wouldn't have made sense to go to the polls this summer.

Campbell says she's happy there will be an Accountability Officer who will oversee spending by the parties.

She says other highlights for her are the changes in wait times for home care and a 15-percent cut in auto insurance premiums.

Gravelle Not Worried About Cliffs Commitment to Ring of Fire

Ontario's Minister responsible for mining isn't overly concerned that Cliffs Natural Resources is temporarily suspending its environmental assessment activities in the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario.

Michael Gravelle says these sort of challenges aren't unusual in a major project like this one.

The mining company says delays and uncertainty of land rights forced them to suspend their environnmental assessments.

Gravelle says talks will continue between the mining company and the Ontario government.

Sobey's Buying Safeway Stores

Canada's second-biggest supermarket chain is getting bigger.

Sobeys, which is based in Nova Scotia, is acquiring the Canadian assets of Safeway for 5.8-billion dollars.
   
Safeway has more than 200 stores between Thunder Bay and the Pacific coast.

Sobeys, which owns or franchises more than 13-hundred stores across Canada, says it has not yet decided if it will keep the Safeway name.

Big Trout Lake Woman Arrested

Some missing money has landed a Big Trout Lake women in some trouble with the law.

Provincial Police say a package containing a large amount of cash was sent to the community, but not all of it was there.

Police say 21-year-old Kaitlyn Sakakeep is charged with theft under 5-thousand-dollars and breach of trust.

Share the Road Bike Ride this Weekend

Its becoming an annual event.

The 2nd Share the Road Fathers Day Bike Ride is hitting the road this Saturday.

Maria Bagdonis with Young Drivers says they are holding the event again after the very positive support they received last year.

Bagdonis says the bike ride helps promote road safety.

Intermediate Track Results

Another track and field season is in the books.

Yesterday, grade seven and eight students took to the field at Thomas
Aquinas for the final day of the annual Elementary school track meet.

12 year old Jared Neniska had an impressive showing picking up first place medals for shot put, long jump, the 100 meter hurdles and the 100 meter dash.

Sarah Frankcom topped the field in the 12 year old girls 800 meter and 15 hundred
meter races, while Antwan Fair was tops in the 13 year old boys 800 and 400 meter races.

Logan Spencer was also a multiple winner taking the 12 year old boys 800 meter and 15 hundred
meter races.

Johnny Houldon was first in the long jump and 200 meter racem while
12 year old Kaitie Marcine won the girls 800 and 400 meter races.