MNR Fire Crews Heading Home This Weekend

About 100 fire crews from Ontario will be returning home this weekend.

The MNR fire rangers have spent the past 19 days battling wildfires out
in Montana.

The fire fighters are due to fly home tomorrow.

In the meantime, the fire season is starting to wind down in northwestern
Ontario.

No new blazes over the past couple of days and the number of active fires has been reduced to just 11.

Longbow Yard Sale Breaks Record

That was quite the yard sale.

Figures are in for the Longbow Lake Fire Brigade Garage Sale.

Over 25 thousand dollars was raised over the Labor Day Long weekend.

That topped last year's previous record of 23 thousand dollars.

All funds raised will go towards the operation of the Volunteer fire department.

Broncos Blanked in Season Opener

Beaver Brae's football team has been offensively challenged so far
this young season.

After failing to score a point last week in three exhibition scrimages, the
Broncos were shutout in their regular season opener.

Beaver Brae was beaten 27-0 by the Elmwood Giants yesterday afternoon in Winnipeg.

The Broncos are back in action next Thursday when they play their home opener at Pete Fair Memorial Field against the Dryden Eagles.

Bassin' For Bucks Starts Today

The northwest bass tournament season is quickly drawing to a close.

One of the final tournaments takes place this weekend in Sioux Narrows.

The 17th Annual Bassin' For Bucks gets underway this morning.

The three day tournament will wrap up Sunday afternoon at the Government Docks in Sioux Narrows.

Escaped Prisoner Found

The Kenora OPP have found an escaped prisoner.

Police say they received information today that 53 year Harvey Smith of White Dog First nation was in downtown Kenora.

The OPP located and arrested Smith over 2 weeks after he escaped custody from the Kenora Court House.

Smith did appear in Kenora
court today to answer to the charge of escaping lawful custody.

Barwick OSB Mill Sold

A change in ownership for the mill in Barwick, south of Kenora.

Ainsworth is selling off all of its assets, including the Barwick mill to Tennessee-based Louisiana Pacific for one-point-one-billion dollars.

Louisiana-Pacific chief executive Curt Stevens says it further strengthen their place in the market.

Stevens says sees all of newly acquired Ainsworth's operations as core to LP's future operations.

Coney Boil Water Advisory Lifted

Good news for Coney Island residents.

A boil water advisory has been lifted, after being put in place late last week.

The city needed two clean water samples to come back, but because of the Labor Day long weekend, it took longer than expected to rescind the advisory.

IISD To Take Over ELA in 2014

Its going to be a few months yet before the Experimental Lakes Area has a new operator.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development says it won't be taking over the ELA until 2014.

Project manager Matt McCandless says they'll use that time to find additional funding for the outdoor research laboratory.

McCandless says the funding announced this week by the province will cover only about half of  the annual operating costs of the ELA.

Social Assistance Numbers Dropping

The Kenora District Services Board says more and more people are managing to find jobs.

The latest numbers show 592 Ontario Works cases in the month of July, down from a high for the year of 653.

Social assistance recipients will be receiving a 1-percent hike on their cheque's starting on October 1st.

Save On Energy Program Launched in the Far North

The Provincial Government is out with a new energy saving program for Aboriginal Communities.

Keewayin and Wunnimin Lake First Nation are two of the 12-communities that will participate in the first year of the Save On E
nergy Aboriginal Conservation Program.

Vice President of Conservation with the Ontario Power Authority Andrew Pride says it's a great thing for Northwestern Ontario.

Pride says people in the First Nations have probably already seen project managers go out and talk to folks about conservation and the different retrofits available for houses and businesses.

Lakehead Officially Opens New Law School

Lakehead University's new Northern Ontario law school is officially open!

A grand opening event was held yesterday morning
at the Thunder Bay campus.

Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle says its a school based in the north for northerners.

The inaugural class has students from Thunder Bay, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.

Broncos Begin their Regular Season in WHSFL

A new football season begins today for the Beaver Brae Broncos.

The Broncos are visiting the Elmwood Giants for game one of the high school season.

Coach Chris Penner says it's always tough to scout an opponent to start the season.

The game gets underway at 5:00 at Elmwood High School.

Ladies Slo-Pitch Play-Offs Wrap Up

Northern Harbor has capped a perfect season by winning the A-side Finals of the Days Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch League.

Northern Harbor beat Dunit Contracting last night to win the best-of-three championship series two games to none.

They were also undefeated during regular season.

The Tribal Logistics Slammers took the B-Side Final, also in two straight games.

The Slammers got by the Martini's 9-5 last night at the A&W Ball Diamonds.

Speed Limit Proposed for Cameron Point

Kenora's Police Service Board is suggesting a speed limit in the Cameron Point area of Lake of the Woods.

The Board has received a letter from concerned residents about boats speeding through that area.

Inspector Dave Lucas from the Kenora OPP says its something they have been looking at for some time.

A limit of 9 kilometers an hour has been suggested, but Lucas says they will have to go through Transport Canada to have any kind of speed regulation in that area.

Police Release Details of Weekend Boat Blast

The OPP have released more details of a boat explosion on Lake of the Woods.

Police say the incident took place around 7:15 Monday evening in Bald Indian Bay.

Four people from Winnipeg were transporting gas cans from the Bare Point Marina, when the explosion took place.

The 5.6 meter fiberglas boat was destroyed in the blast, and all four occupants ended up in the water.

They were rescued by people who were at the marina at the time.

The four ranged in age from 22 to 59 and are recovering in hospital in Winnipeg.

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office has been contacted and the investigation is continuing.

Local Union Rep Embraces Merger of CEP and CAW

Canada's newest and largest private sector union is ready to hit the ground running.

The Canadian Auto Workers and Communication,
Energy and Paperworkers Union officially merged to become Unifor this weekend.

Local National Unifor rep Stephen Boone says first Unifor President Jerry Diaz has promised to get away from playing defence.

Unifor now represents almost 310-thousand Canadians, including 7-thousand in the northwest, in 20 key sectors.

Tourist Numbers Up this Summer

A mainly warm summer translated to increase visitor numbers
in Kenora.

Tourism Kenora says they saw over 20 thousand people pass through their doors at the Discovery Center and the Thistle Pavillion.

Acting Tourism Services Manager, Mark Duggan says this is the second year they have been able to track visitor numbers for a full summer at the Discovery Center.

While more people visited the Discovery Center, the biggest increase in visitor traffic was seen at the Thistle Pavillion, with more than 15 hundred more tourists this year than last year.

Wynne Committed To Twinning Highway 17 West

Premier Kathleen Wynne says she's fully committed to the twinning
of the Trans-Canada Highway west of Kenora.

But she admits she doesn't know when the project might ever get underway.

Former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty and prime minister Stephen Harper announced the funding for the 100 million dollar project four years ago.

That was the last time, until this weekend, that a sitting premier has visited Kenora.

Rickford Has Mixed Feelings on ELA Deal

A new deal is in place to keep the Experimental Lakes Are open and Kenora MP Greg Rickford couldn't be happier.

Rickford says the federal government put a lot of time and effort into talks with the province and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

However, Rickford isn't mincing words when voicing his displeasure with the province on the way it handled the announcement.

He is accusing the government of playing games.

Rickford says the province released a statement with no mention of the federal government.

Northern Harbor Wins First Game of Ladies Slo-Pitch Final

Northern Harbor is a win away from another Days Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch Championship.

Northern Harbor took game one of its best-of-three A-Side final last night 13-5 against Dunit Contracting at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Northern Harbor has yet to lose a game this season.

Game two goes tonight at 7:00.

Rain Dampens Fire Activity in the Northwest

Despite widespread rain over the long weekend, the MNR says they still responded to
four forest fires across the region.

There were two new ones yesterday and two on Sunday.

The number of active fires has dropped to just 17.

One of the fires declared out was Kenora Fire #43, which was one of the
blazes burning on Lake of the Woods.

Ladies Slo-Pitch Finals Start Tonight

The finals in the Day's Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch League will begin this evening.

The best-of-three championships will begin in three divisions.

In the A-Side Final, Northern Harbor will take on Dunit Contracting at the Rec. Center Ball Diamonds at 7:00.

Northern Harbor has yet to lose a game yet this season.

In the B-Final, it will be the Martinis vs Tribal Logistics Slammers, while the C-Final will feature Riverview Industries against the Ice Cold Pitchers.

Both of those series will take place at the A&W Ball Diamonds at 6:30.

Police Investigate Explosion at Bare Point

Four people have been sent to hospital following an explosion in the Bare Point area.

The blast took place last night around 7:30 and sent four people to Lake of the Woods District hospital initially but were then transferred to hospital in Winnipeg for further treatment.

Their injuries are no considered life threatening.

Two of the people in the boat were picked up by a passing boater, while two others made it shore on their own.

The OPP are continuing their investigation of the explosion with the help of
local fire officials.

Union Members Approve Merger of CAW and CEP

The merger of two of Canada's largest unions is now complete.

Almost 96 per cent of delegates at a conference in Toronto on the weekend agreed that the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers and the Canadian Autoworkers should become the newly formed UNIFOR.

Jerry Diaz was elected its first president.

Unifor now represents almost 7-thousand members in northwestern Ontario, primarily in the areas of forestry, health care, manufacturing and transportation.

Wynne Makes Impromptu Stop at Labor Day Picnic

Premier Kathleen Wynne played tourist in Kenora yesterday.

After a leisurely tour through the downtown area, she made an unscheduled stop over in Keewatin for the annual Labor Day Picnic.

Wynne says its important to celebrate Labor Day because the union movement is still under siege in North America.

Wynne continues her tour of northwestern Ontario today with a stop in
Thunder Bay, where she will be holding an economic round-table.

Con College Ready for New School Year

Last week it was elementary and secondary students.

This week, its post-secondary students.

Confederation College is getting ready to open its doors for another year.

Acting Director of the Lake of the Woods Campus Laura Christie,says they have 2 days of orientation this week.

Christie estimates they'll have over 90 students enrolled in their full-time classes this year.

Two Survive Plane Crash Near LacLu

The Transportation Safety Board says it will be following up on a float plane
accident in the LacLu area.

A Cessna float plane went down in the bush between Louise and Lulu Lakes
late Friday afternoon shortly after take-off.

Both the pilot and a passenger were able to walk away from the accident
scene with only minor injuries.

Peter Hildebrand from the TSB says while they won't be sending an investigator to the accident site, they will be looking to see if there were any technical problems and determine whether weather was a factor in
the crash.

Traffic Slowed on Highway 17 West of Kenora

It was a slow drive back home for a number of cottagers from Sunset Country.

There were numerous reports of traffic back-ups along Highway 17 west of Kenora and Highway 1 in Manitoba.

One caller counted more than 13 hundred vehicles lined up along the Trans-Canada as traffic moved agonizingly slow.

No official reason has been given for the traffic delays, though there was a car fire in the area of the Shoal Lake turn off around 4:00, which did cause some problems.

Ear Falls Man Dies in ATV Accident

A 63 year old Ear Falls man is dead as the result of an all terrain vehicle accident near Marathon Saturday.  

Police say that James Buckner was operating the ATV on a trail and lost control of it.

The vehicle went down a hill and threw him off.

They say he was not wearing a helmet at the time.

The Ministry of Labour is investigating as well, because

Buckner was working for Stillwater Mining at the time

Girls Empowerment Conference this Month

An effort to improve the self-esteem of young girls in our district.

The first ever "I Am Awesome and I Know It Self-Esteem and Empowerment Retreat will go at the end of next month in Nestor Falls.

Director Renee Martin-Brown says it's aimed at girls between the ages of 10 and 14.

A number of speakers will also be on hand to talk to the girls.

Registration is through the group's website.

Wynne announces funding for ELA

Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne says she's committed to the future of the Experimental Lakes Area. 

This morning she confirmed the province will provide up to two million dollars towards the operation of the outdoor laboratory annually.

Wynne made the announcement this morning at the Discovery Center along with Manitoba premier Greg Selinger And Kenora mayor Dave Canfield.

Wynne also took time out of her schedule to visit the Labor Day  picnic at Beatty Park and gave an impromptu speech in support of the union movement.

Labor Day Picnic Back Again this Year

Back by popular demand.

The annual Labor Day Picnic.

Last year, the picnic was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers.

But president of the Kenora and District Labor Donna Wiebe says
all their union locals stepped up to the plate this year.

The Labor Day picnic will take place on Monday starting at 11:00 at
Beatty Park in Keewatin.

Wiebe says in addition to guest speakers and musical entertainment,
the Circus Kids will be performing and minnow races will also be
back.

Birth Control Drug Recalled

Some concerns for women taking Freya-28 for birth control.

The Northwestern Health Unit says there has been a recall on the drug.

Gillian Lunny is the Manager of Sexual Health and Harm Prevention and says the recall regards a package with to many placebos.

Lunny says anyone who may be affected can get the pills replaced at their pharmacy.

Longbow Lake Fire Brigade Yard Sale This Weekend

A Labor Day tradition is expected to attract hundred of people.

The Longbow Lake Fire Brigade is holding its annual yard sale
tomorrow.

Art Friesen is one of the organizers and says they have a wide variety of
goods for sale.

Last year, Friesen says the Yard Sale generated 23 thousand dollars for
the Volunteer Fire Department.

The yard sale starts at 9:00 sharp and will run until 1:00.

Ontario Lags Behind in Utility Costs

A study by the Province of Manitoba shows that a utility bundle costs almost
five thousand dollars more in Ontario.

The Manitoba government compared electricity, home heating and insurance costs in each province.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's not surprised Ontario has the highest
costs in Canada.

The report shows the Utility Bundle in Manitoba cost 27 hundred dollars compared to 76 hundred in Ontario.

Local Groups Get Funding For Griffith Mine EA

Two First Nations groups are getting Federal funding to participate in the environment assessment for the Griffith Iron Ore redevelopment project in Ear Falls.

Wabauskang First Nation is receiving 50-grand, while the Metis Nation of Ontario is welcoming 37 thousand dollars.

Both groups will be able to review and provide comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and draft Environmental Assessment Report.

Northern Iron is hoping to re-open the Griffith Mine, with plans to produce roughly 16-thousand tonnes of ore per day.

OPP Get Ready for Labor Day Long Weekend

We are approaching the last long-weekend of the summer.

And the Ontario Provincial Police are reminding folks to be careful.

Sergeant Shelley Garr says they have seen an increase in water related accidents in the region this summer, so they will have their Marine Units out in full force.

Garr is also reminding motorists to slow down now that kids are back in school.

Gravelle Looking Forward to Premier's Visit to the Northwest

Not much is being said about Premier Wynne's planned trip to northwestern Ontario this weekend.

After leaving Kenora Monday, she'll be heading to Thunder Bay.

Area business leaders are being invited to the Tuesday event and MPP Michael Gravelle says it's going to be helpful to discuss to the region's economy.

Gravelle says he will be there, as will the Chamber of Commerce but other invitees haven't been announced.

Youth Trapping Program Announced

A new program in Northwestern Ontario targeting youth with an interest in trapping.

It was introduced by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and will be available to those age 12 to 15-years old.

Shannon Gutoskie is a spokesperson with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and says it's great news for the region.

Gutoskie says there's a course youth must take, and they also need their parents or guardians consent.

Ladies Slo-Pitch Picture A Little Clearer

The play-off picture is a little cleared today in the Days Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch League.

Northern Harbor has earned a berth into the A-side final with an 8-3 win over the Shoal Lake Troopers.

Shannon Robinson had a pair of in-the park home runs in that game.

Meanwhile, Dunit Contracting stayed alive in the A-side play-offs with a 6-4 win over the Trashers.

They'll play the Troopers tonight for the right to advance to next week's finals.

In the C-side play-offs, Riverview Industries got by the Hoggettes 16-5 while Guns and Roses upended the Bimose Angels 29-9.

Riverview will play Guns and Roses tonight for the right to advance.

Broncos Football Team Ready for Regular Season

The preseason is over for the Beaver Brae Broncos football team.

The Broncos had a tough exhibition losing all 3 games of a super scrimmage.

Beaver Brae fell 1-0 to Fort Frances, 14-0 to Grant Park, and 8-0 to Dryden.

Head Coach Chris Penner says the preparation for the scrimmage was different than it will be in the regular season when they can game plan for one team.

Penner says he was happy with how the team competed and that every player got a chance to play and learn at game speed.

The Broncos open the regular season at Elmwood next Thursday.

Boil Water Advisory For Coney Island

A bit of an inconvenience for residents of Coney Island.

The City of Kenora has issued a boil water advisory.

Some problems have been experienced with the water supply and
the advisory is expected to be in place for the entire Labor Day long weekend.

The city's water and sewer supervisor, Biman Paudel says they need at least two clean water tests back before they can lift the boil water advisory.

Falcon Lake Business Man Faces Fraud Charges

The RCMP have laid fraud charges against a Falcon Lake business man.

The Mounties say that 37 year old Colin Durward reported the theft of over
a half a million dollars of equipment from his construction business back
in June.

The Falcon Lake Detachment investigated the thefts and managed to recover some of the tools and equipment that were reported stolen.

The RCMP believe that many of the items such as welders, drills and a
table saw were never stolen.

Police say a 28 thousand dollar pick-up truck Durward also reported stolen in 2010 has been recovered, as was a hot tub reported stolen last year from a Falcon Lake cottage.

Durward has been charged with three counts of fraud over five thousand dollars and public mischief.

Yesterday Officially the Hottest Day of the Summer

No records were set, but yesterday was officially the hottest day of the summer in Kenora.

One of the weather stations at the Kenora Airport hit 32.3, which was marginally warmer than the previous hottest day, which hit 32.2 celcius last week.

The hottest day on record for August 28th is 34.9 back in 1984.

The normal high for this time of year is just 21 degrees.

Local School Boards Mulling Over Latest EQAO Results

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says their concerns are consistent with the concerns of the Ministry of Education.

The latest figures from the Education Quality and Accountability Office show that one in five Grade 6 students in the province did not meet the provincial math standard.

Director of Education Sean Monteith says they are looking over the test results.

The local figures will be released next month.

Campbell Pleased With Auto Insurance Changes

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is happy the Liberals have gotten the ball rolling to lower auto insurance premiums.

Campbell says she heard from folks that they weren't happy with their current rates.

Campbell says the NDP originally asked for the 15 percent cut to be implemented immediately, but it sounds like they are starting off with an 8 percent cut.

She says people should expect a reduction of 100 dollars by next August, and then 200 dollars once the whole 15 percent reduction is complete.

Dangerous Driver Arrested in Vermillion Bay

A 23 year old Dryden man faces a number of changes in connection to
some damage reported in Vermillion Bay.

Sunday night, the OPP say a number of lawns and some private property was damaged by a vehicle in Machin Township.

Benjamin McNabb has been charged with dangerous driving and leaving
the scene of an accident.

He's due to appear in Dryden Court September 30th to answer the charges.

Radio Tower Down in Hudson

Provincial Police are seeking the public's help after someone knocked down a radio tower in Hudson.

OPP say sometime last weekend someone struck the tower operated by our sister station in Dryden, with a vehicle and drove off.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sioux Lookout OPP or Crimestoppers.

CKDR says its working at replacing the tower.

Broncos Ready for Super Scrimmage

It football season in Kenora.

The Beaver Brae Broncos are hosting a 4 team exhibition series this afternoon.

Head Coach Chris Penner says it will be the last chance to finalize the starting roster.

Penner says the super scrimmage includes Dryden, Fort Frances, and Grant Park.

The games will be played at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex at 12:00.

Beauty Bay Wins Men's Slo-Pitch Title

The Beauty Bay Cubs are the champions of the Casey's Men's Slo-Pitch League.

The Cubs came back with a dramatic 9th inning, hitting back to back home runs for
a 17-16 win over the Sierra Construction Centuries.

Beauty Bay wins the best-of-three A-side Final two games to one.