Cancer Society Introducing New Fees

Some cancer patients in northwestern Ontario will see a new charge if they need a ride to the Cancer Centrer while in Thunder Bay.

The Canadian Cancer Society say  any patient signing up to access its transportation service after October 1st will be billed a one-time 100-dollar registration fee.

Regional director Barbara Spencer cites rising costs and increased demand.

The fee does not apply to patients using public transportation or those who qualify for coverage under the Northern Health Travel Grant.

Natural Resources Minister Says ELA Still Needs Long Term Deal

The Provincial Government is reaffirming its committment to keep scientific research going in northwestern Ontario.

Minister of Natural Resources David Orazietti says they believe in the science and the work that's being done at the Experimental Lakes Area.

Orazietti notes the task now is ensuring the research facility stays open for the long haul.

The provincial government is committing up to 2-million dollars per year to keep the ELA open.

Community Foundation Seeking Grant Applicants

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation is looking for new grant applications.

Executive Director Darlene MacGillivray says the grants are available for groups throughout the region.

The deadline to apply in this Sunday.

For more information you can log onto www.klwcf.ca or call 467-4427.

New Banners Going Up in Downtown

You'll soon see some new banners adorning downtown light standards.

The Kenora Business Improvement Zone has purchased 80 of the banners
representing the city's new theme as North America's Premier Boating Destination.

Rob Dokuchie from the BIZ says they will be hanging the banners in all areas
of the downtown core.

Dokuchie says they have four new designs they will be rolling out in the next week
or so.

Broncos Host Eagles in Home OPener

Get your Bronco Pride On.

The Beaver Brae Broncos are welcoming the Dryden Eagles to Pete Fair Memorial field today at 3:00.

The game is the annual Home coming game for the Broncos.

Following the game the team is hosting a tail gate party at the schools upper parking lot.

Koch Signs With Argos

A former member of Beaver Brae's football team is back in the CFL.

Kyle Koch was added to the Toronto Argonauts roster this week.

Koch spent last season with Edmonton, but was cut this year during
training camp.

He's expected to suit up this weekend as the Argos head to Saskatchewan.

Police Investigate Plane Accident on Black Sturgeon

The OPP is investigating a plane crash on Black Sturgeon Lake.

Police say the Osprey Float plane went down in the Beauty Bay area around 4:30 yesterday afternoon.

Witnesses say the pilot was practicing touch and go, take offs and landings, but end up losing control of the aircraft and made contact with the water.

The OPP say the pilot sustained minor injuries while the plane was also damaged.

Canfield Pushes Reciprocity Deal for Snowmobiles

An old idea is being revived to try and improve winter tourism opportunities in the region.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's talked to political and tourism officials on all sides of the border about a reciprocity agreement for snowmobile permits.

Canfield says everyone he's talked to have been very supportive of the initiative.

Canfield says it will be up to the Ontario and Manitoba Governments to legislate the reciprocity agreement along with the State of Minnesota.

Campbell Ready for New Session At Queen's Park

Holding the provincial government accountable.

Summer break is over for MPP's and Kenora Rainy River's Sarah Campbell says she wants to make sure the Liberals form an accountability office.

Campbell says the office will overlook every government that takes office.

She also she will ensure the government lowers auto insurance premiums by 15 per cent with in 2 years.

Public School Board Excited By New Year

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is bullish about the new school year.

The Board held it's first meeting of the school year last night.

Director of Education Sean Monteith says everyone has a lot of pride in what they are doing right now.

Monteith points to the boards efforts, from facility renewal to assisting students that are at risk.

Autopsy Confirms Vermillion Bay Racer Died of Natural Causes

An autopsy has confirmed that Vermilion Bay stock car driver Bill Reimer died of natural causes.

Provincial Police were called to the Emo Speedway around 8 o'clock last Saturday night.

Police say Reimer was pronounced dead after his race car left the travelled portion of the raceway.

A post-mortem exam was conducted Monday at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Legal Challenge Against Ring of Fire Lifted

With one roadblock now removed, Cliffs Natural Resources is looking forward to continuing it's quest to open a chromite mine in the Ring of Fire mining development.  

Company spokesperson Jason Aagenes says with the Matawa First Nations dropping its environmental legal challenges there is more room for optimism

The case was set to be heard by the Federal Court in mid-September but the group decided to put an end to it saying they never wanted a judge to decide their future.

The company says it still has some land issues to settle and environmental approval from the provincial government.

Aagenes says while it's good news, the company still hasn't taken the pause button off the project because there are still other roadblocks

Sioux Lookout Man Faces Trafficking Charges

A Sioux Lookout man has been charged after police found over 40-thousand-dollars worth of pot.

Dryden Police, along side Provincial Police, stopped 23-year-old Lucas Roy Monday evening along Highway 17 near Kennedy Road.

Police found the drugs, and Roy has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

In addition, a youth that was travelling with Roy has been charged for the same offence.

Pickle Lake Picks Up FedNor Funding

Federal funding for the Township of Pickle Lake.

Minister of State for FedNor Greg Rickford announced nearly 300-thousand dollars in funding during a stop in Pickle Lake yesterday.

242 thousand dollars will help the community replace an existing line to the local water tower, ensuring the community has access to clean and safe drinking water.

The rest of the money will help Pickle Lake increase its bandwidth service to 100-megabytes per second.

Rickford says the work will result in faster, more secure and reliable broadband services.

Former Thistle Gets A Shot with the Leafs

A former member of the Kenora Triple A Midgets has visions of wearing blue and white.

Kevin Raine has been invited to the Toronto Maple Leafs main camp and will battle for a position on the backend.

Raine started the season expecting to be the leader of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League but was asked to attend the Leafs rookie camp.

Raine will compete against 19 other defenceman for a position with the Leafs.

Camp opens tomorrow.

Downtown Revitalization = Job Creation

The Downtown Revitialization project is paying dividends for Kenora's Job market.

A new survey conducted by the Lake of the Woods Development Corporation shows that since Phase One of Downtown Revitalization began, 261 jobs have been created.

The Commission interviewed 59 restaurants and retail businesses in the Harbortown area recently.

It found that 129 full-time and 132 part time jobs have been created over the past five
years.

More details on the report will be released this morning at City council's Committee of the Whole meeting.

Rain Reduces Fire Hazard in the Region

Recent rain has helped put a damper on the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.

The MNR says it saw a couple of small, new forest fires over the weekend in the Kenora District.

Both were less than a hectare in size and the Fire Rangers crews don't expect any problem with those blazes.

This week's rain has reduced the number of active fires in the region to
just nine including three in the Kenora District.

OPP Working On New Business Plan

The OPP in Kenora is working on a business plan for next year.

Inspector Dave Lucas says they usually do a three year plan and the current one will expire at the end of this year.

He says they've already started to consult local groups and agencies.

The Police Services Board has also suggested that a public meeting be held in November so local residents can give their input on what should be in the OPP's
business plan.

Wynne Says Government Trying to Bring Costs Down

Catching up to Manitoba.

A new report shows Manitoba pays almost 5 thousand dollars less a year in a utility package than Ontario.

Premiere Kathleen Wynne says the cut in auto insurance premiums will help lower the gap.

Wynne says the government remains committed to lower electricity rates and maintaining the rebate programs in Northern Ontario.

Bears Hunt Bear Hunter

A long ordeal for a hunter at a camp in the Dryden area.

Provincial Police received a report from a camp owner that a hunter had left for a tree stand around 2:30 Saturday afternoon and had not returned.

The camp owner checked on him and found 4-cubs and 3-adult bears around the stand not allowing him out of the tree.

Officers arrived and managed to remove the hunter from the tree without incident and without any shots being fired.

No injuries were reported.

The incident happened in the Detour Point area.

Premier On the Hot Seat Over Energy

Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is bringing up the failed conversion of the Thunder Bay Generating Station at Queen's Park.

Horwath used the first Question Period yesterday to ask the Premier  what her government's plan is for the local plant.

Northerner leaders stress that the plant needs to be converted to meet our emerging energy needs.

The Premier responded but only spoke about the funding for roads and the Experimental Lakes Area.

55+ Expo Tomorrow

The 55+ Expo is being brought back for a third year in a row in Kenora.

The Expo presents a wide range of information for local seniors.

Patti Letourneau is one of the organizers and says they have a number of exhibitors and activities lined up.

The 55+ Expo will take place this Wednesday at the Kenora Curling Club from 9:00 to 4:00.

School Stress An Issue

It's a problem we often associate with adulthood, but a national survey reveals high school students are majorly stressed out.

The study shows that 68% worry about finding a job in their field, 58% worry about not getting into their chosen post-secondary program and 51% worry about not being able to pay for it.

Big Brothers-Big Sisters CEO Bruce MacDonald says the difference in attitudes between the students who were sure about going on to post-secondary and those who weren't all that certain stuck out to him.

MacDonald says it speaks to a loss of hope and optimism far too early in a student's high school career.

Blood Donor Clinic Wraps Up Today

Canadian Blood Services is in need of more young people.

The agency is wrapping up its two-day clinic in Kenora this afternoon.

Spokesperson Mike Choi says with an aging donor base, it's important to attract new people every year.

Today's blood donor clinic will run from 9:30 to 12:30 at the Thomas Aquinas
Gym.

Boil Water Advisory Lifted for Drewry Drive

Residents on Drewery Drive can once again drink the water.

The city of Kenora has lifted the boil advisory for the area.

Test results show the water contains no bacteria.

Minister of Natural Resources Outline Priorities

The Minister of Natural Resources will be focusing on northern Ontario as the fall session at Queen's Park resumes starting today.

David Orazietti says that finding jobs for northerners is among his top priorities.

Orazietti outlines one key sector is the forestry sector.

He notes moving the Ring of Fire forward is another priority.

Enrolment Increases at KCDSB

Continuing to grow in Catholic education.

The separate school board has seen an increase of 110 students this year.

Director of Education Phyllis Eikre says there may be a few reasons for the change including new families coming into the area.

Eikre says the change is good for more kids to interact and become friends and allow has paved the way for the board to hire new staff.

Treaty 3 Conference Coming to Kenora

Leaders throughout Treaty 3 will be meeting in Kenora to discuss the future.

They will be attending the "How We Will Sustain Ourselves Conference."

Coordinator Mike Greaves says the meetings will take place from .

Greaves says the meeting will discuss practices, opportunities, and challenges in cross culture collaboration.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at http://keondaatiziying.eventbrite.ca

Peak Season for Asthma Attacks

Don't forget your puffer this season.

President of the Asthma Society of Canada Dr. Robert Oliphant warns we're in the midst of a very dangerous time of year for asthma-sufferers.

About 25-percent of hospital admissions happen in a two week period in September.

He says students are particularly vulnerable when school starts back up after the summer.

Many students take a medication break during the summer...but Oliphant says they should be taking it the entire holiday.

OPP Investigate Home Invasion in Kenora

Provincial Police are looking for two men following a home invasion in Kenora early Wednesday morning.

Police say 2 unknown men entered a Ride Out area home through an open door.

The suspects demanded money and valuables from the residents.

OPP say the men proceeded to assault the residents.

One person managed to escape and call police.

The suspects were wearing dark clothing and both attempted to conceal their identity by covering their faces.

The residents received minor injuries in the attack.

Dryden Woman Injured When Car Hits Horse

A Dryden woman is in Thunder Bay Hospital with life threatening injuries following a collision on Highway 17 in Wainwright Township.

Provincial Police say a small compact car struck two horses around 8:30 Friday evening.

The horses were standing in the eastbound lane.

A young passenger in the vehicle was treated and released from Dryden Hospital.

One horse died at the scene and the other horse is expected to make a full recovery.

Police continue to investigate.

Canadian Heritage River Designation Efforts Continue

Efforts to designate a historic water route through northwestern Ontario continues.

Several groups want a Canadian Heritage River designation in place between Pigeon River to La Lac Croix extended to Lake of the Woods.

President of the Rainy Lake Conservancy Stephen Challais says their proposal is a little unique.

Challais says the proposal is in the nomination phase where a brief is to be submitted to Parks Canada for review before moving further.

Charity Bike Ride Starts Today

A fundraising bike ride in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada is underway.

Dryden Fire Service Education officer Reagan Breeze and three firefighters from Atikokan are taking part in the fundraising and awareness ride.

Breeze says this is the second year of the fundraiser.

Donations can be dropped off at fire hall's in Kenora, Dryden and Atikokan.

Rain Hitting Region Today

Some wet weather is heading our way.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says rain is hitting the region today.

Laidlaw says a low pressure system is moving in from the Dakotas and will create some heavy rain and thunderstorms by the afternoon.

He says the rain will taper off tonight with sunshine expected by mid week.

Electric Car Race Underway

What's being hailed the world's longest electric vehicle race in North America is underway.

A few dozen participants are motoring across North America.

Stephen Bieda of Sun Country Highway says the goal is to stop at as many charging stations located between Seattle and Prince Edward Island as possible.

A site at the Best Western Lakeside Inn is among stations racers could be stopping at.

More Power Outages This Weekend

For the second weekend in a row, local residents are going to have to endure some power outages.

This time, the outages are pre-planned.

In the City of Kenora, electricity will be shut off for one hour starting at 6:30 Sunday morning.

A similar one-hour outage will take place Sunday afternoon for Hydro One customers outside the City of Kenora.

About 44 hundred homes will be affected when their electricity is shut off between 3:00 and
4:00 Sunday afternoon.

Criminal Activity on the Decline in Kenora

The Kenora Detachment of the OPP says crime numbers continue to
fall locally.

Inspector Dave Lucas presented his latest figures to the Police Services
Board this week.

He says property crimes and assault numbers are both down significantly
this year.

There have been just 34 break and enters reported so far this year, which is an average of about five a month.

Over the past couple of years, the OPP has investigated an average of over 25 break-ins a month.

Man Dies In Float Plane Accident Near Red Lake

A 67 year old man from Minnesota is dead as a result of an float plane accident just south of Red Lake.

The OPP say the incident took place on DeeDee Lake yesterday morning around 10:30.

Police says the operator of an amphibious plane was standing on the floats as he was coming into shore.

When the plane came into contact with the shore, the pilot was thrown into the  propeller.

He was was transported to hospital in Red Lake where he died of his injuries.

A post-mortem exam will be conducted today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital on James Kowalski from St. Paul.

City Officials Meet With US Consul General

Kenora has taken a large step in creating more tourism for the entire Rainy/ Lake of the Woods area.

Mayor Dave Canfield recently meet with Canada's Consul General to the United States along with represenatives from the Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau.

Canfield says the talks focused on strength in numbers in promoting the area.

Canfield says some of the ideas includes promoting the history of the area and creating more winter tourism.

New Schools Opening in the Far North

A couple of new schools will be opening their doors this week in
northwestern Ontario.

Cat Lake and Sandy Lake both have new educational facilities.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says the Cat Lake funding announcement was
made last June and it took just over a year to complete the project.

Meanwhile, the school in Sandy Lake has undergone extensive repairs after
being damaged by a fire in February of 2012.

Rickford adds that
construction on a new school in Fort Severn is also underway.

OPP Find New Use for Unclaimed Bikes

The OPP says its found a new use for the unclaimed, stolen bikes it collects each year.

This year, the bikes have been donated to Beaver Brae's Integrated Technology Students.

Inspector Dave Lucas says once the bikes are repaired, they will end up going to local kids in need through Triple Play.

In the past the police have auctioned off the bikes, but over the past couple of years, the Police Board has
been donating them local agencies which have requested them.

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.