Rental Rates Increase in Kenora

A two bedroom apartment in Kenora costs a bit more to rent this year compared to last year.

Figures released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show rent has increased from 785 dollars a month, up to 801 dollars.

Warren Philp from the CMHC says Kenora's rates are pretty comparable to other communities in the region.

Philp says rental rates in Kenora are actually below the provincial average.

KDCC Extends Awards Nomination Deadline

The manager of the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is looking for business award nominations.

Carol Leduc says information on the 9 categories is available online.

Leduc says the deadline has been pushed back to January 10th to allow for more nominations.

Head to http://www.kenorachamber.com/call-for-nominations-2013-business-awards/ to nominate a local business.

Midget Thistles Win 1 of 3

Another tough weekend for the Kenora Triple "A" Midgets.

The Thistles only took 1 of 3 games.

On Friday night at home the Kenora Midgets won a 5-4 battle against the Southwest Cougars.

Southwest however would earn redemption on Saturday night with a 2-1 Shoot out win.

The Thistles then headed to Winnipeg yesterday where they dropped a 4-2 decision to the Thrashers.

Kenora now sits with a 12-12-0-2 record.

New Gold Continues Committement of Rainy River Project

New Gold is reaffirming its commitment to its newly acquired Rainy River gold project.

The mining company makes that promise following the release of a feasibility study for a gold project in British Columbia.

Chair Randall Oliphant says given the drop in gold prices and that the Rainy River project has a more modest capital requirement, the company's priority will be advancing the project north of Barwick.

An updated feasibility study for the project is due out early next year.

Thunder Bay M.P. Joins Green Party

It's a brand new day for the Green Party in Canada.

Thunder Bay MP Bruce Hyer has announced that he is joining the Green's after sitting as an Independent for over a year and a half.

The Green Party has now doubled it's presence in Parliament, with two sitting M.P.'s. 

Party leader Elizabeth May says Hyer is free to vote in the House of Commons the way his constituents want him to.

May says she's impressed with Hyer's community values.

LOW Development Commission Holds AGM

According to the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission,
2013 was a good year for business in Kenora.

The Commission held its annual general meeting last night at the Discovery
Center.

Fred Wright is one of the board members and says there were a lot of new
business start-ups in the past 12 months.

Looking forward to 2014, Wright is also predicting good things, but suggests
most of the business developments are still under wraps.

Canfield Angry Over Proposed Gas Tax Increase

The provincial government is being urged to find an alternative to increasing the gas tax, to pay for rapid transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas.

Yesterday a panel appointed by premier Kathleen Wynne recommend an increase of anywhere between three and 10 cents a liter.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says such as tax will be a job killer for Ontario.

He says our gas taxes are already 11 cents a liter higher than Manitoba and feels higher gas
taxes will make Ontario less competitive.

Canfield says communities in southern Ontario have other tools at their disposal to fund rapid transit, and they should be looked at first.

Council Considering Property Tax Exemptions

The City of Kenora could see a 50 thousand dollar reduction in property taxes
if it goes ahead with exemptions for a couple of community groups.

The Kenora Airport Authority, as well as the Kenora and Keewatin Legions have requested the exemptions.

Councillor Ron Lunny heads up the finance committee and says as far as
the airport goes, if they don't provide some help, the city might be forced to take over operations.

Lunny says waiving the airport's property taxes would be a 42 thousand dollar hit to their budget, while the legion's tax hit is about eight thousand dollars between Kenora and Keewatin.

Over five thousand for the Kenora Legion and three thousand for Keewatin.

Canada Post Says Community Mailboxes Coming To Kenora within Five Years

Kenora will be among communities Canada Post intends to establish neighbourhood community mailboxes to take the place of door-to-door mail delivery.

It's part of cost-saving measures announced earlier this week.

Spokesperson Anick Losier doesn't see access a being problem for seniors or the disabled in our community.

Losier says an exact date for setting up the mailboxes hasn't been made, but will take place sometime in the next five years.

Spring Bear Hunt Bill Passes Second Reading

The return of the spring bear hunt in Ontario is one step closer to reality.
Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro brought forward his Private Members Bill and it passed its second reading at Queen's Park.

Bill -114 was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy which would see an open season from April 15th to June 15th.

The purpose of the bill includes reducing the number of aggressive bear attacks while also boosting the Province's moose population by low
ering the number of calves killed by bears.  

Saints Boys Hockey Team Wins Battle of Kenora

A real barn-burner at the Kenora Rec. Center last night.

The Thomas Aquinas Saints boys hockey team won the battle of Kenora with
a 4-3 overtime win over Beaver Brae.

Blaine Vanderkrabben scored the game winner for the Saints.

The loss snapped the Broncos four game winning streak.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's girls hockey team continues to struggle.

The Broncos were beaten 8-1 last night by the Fort Frances Muskies.

Beaver Brae doesn't have a lot of time to re-group.

The Broncos are hosting an eight team tournament this weekend.

Action begins at 11:30 this morning with the T.A. Saints taking on Fort Frances.

The finals will take place on Sunday.

Mount Evergreen Opens for the Season

It's time to bust out the ski's

Mount Evergreen General Manager Steve Simpson says the hill opens for the season tomorrow.

Simpson says they have moved the terrain park for a better view from the chateau.

He also says the hill will be open throughout the holiday season except for Christmas.

The hill is opening tomorrow night from 6:00-9:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00-4:00

Health Unit Searches For New MOH

The Northwestern Health Unit has started the process of hiring a new Medical Officer of Health.

Dr. Jim Arthurs announced he will be retiring next year.

Mark Perreault is the Health Unit's CEO and says they hope introduce their new MOH at a conference taking place in May.

Perreault says the are currently in the final stages of the hiring process for their new Medical Officer of Health.

Fire Officials Continue to Look Into Wednesday Morning Fire

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman has provided an update on yesterday mornings fire on Second Street South.

Brinkman says the fire started in the basement apartment of a multi-unit home.

He says it's a reminder for everyone to have the proper safety measures in place.

Brinkman says all 6 residents of the building made it out safely and they are working on temporary living arrangements.

He adds that the are close to confirming the cause of the blaze.

Penny Returned As Public School Board Chair

Ignace Trustee Dave Penny may want to look into getting a life time membership with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

Penny has been re-elected Chair of the Board for an 11th consecutive year.

He will once again be joined by Cecile Marcino who ran unopposed for the Vice-Chair position.

The public board has appointed Shelly Boucha to the position of First Nations trustee.

School To Start After Labor Day in 2014?

If the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has it's way, the new school year will begin after the Labor Day weekend in 2014.

The public school board approved the new school calendar this week.

Keewatin-Patricia decided to make the move after conducting an on-line survey of parents, students and staff.

It calls for classes to begin after the September long weekend, with classes to run a few days later in June.

While the KP Trustees have approved the new school calendar, it also needs to have the other board's
in the region approve it, in order to co-ordinate school bus service.

New Vision for Twin Rinks In Kenora

An alternate vision has been floated for a twin ice surface in Kenora.

Frank Bastone made a presentation to City Council this week, proposing
an all-new development on the lands currently occupied by Kenora Forest Products.

He says such as development would have a number of advantages over twinning the ice pad at the Rec. Center.

Bastone's vision includes a hotel complex next to the new arena facility and a marina.

He adds that he doesn't have any dollar figures attached to such a project, but wanted to
add it into the work being carried out by the Event Center committee.

Sudbury Area Man Fined For Illegal Moose Hunt

A hunting trip south of Lac Seul has ended up costing a northeastern Ontario man 1-thousand dollars.

Cory Bernas of Sundridge has been fined for illegal moose hunting.

Court heard that conservation officers approached a hunting party near Williams Bay in October and found that Bernas harvested a moose.

The man was more than 5-kilometres away from the member of his party who held the bull moose game seal.

In addition, he only had a moose calf game seal.

OPP Targeting Suspended Drivers

The OPP have a new tool at their disposal to keep suspended drivers off
the road.

The Enhanced Licence Plate Recognition program is a camera/computer system that automatically logs licence
plates.

Sergeant Brian Humber says it can tell within seconds if the driver is suspended.

The OPP say the LPR program now has access to the MTO database which contains a
list of all drivers in the province who are suspended.

Deep Freeze to Be With Us Through the Weekend

Our bitterly cold weather is going to stay with us into the weekend at least.

Environment Canada's Jeff Coulsen says not only will the temperatures remain well below normal, but there will be no break from the high wind chills.

Coulsen says we might see a break from the deep freeze early next week but expect another cold snap in the week leading up to Christmas.

The normal high for this time of year is -10, the normal low -19.

Winter Carnival Buttons Available

The Kenora Winter Carnival is still about three months away, but organizers
have kicked things off with the sale of carnival buttons.

This year, a couple of new organizations are taking part in the button
sale.

They include Women's Place Kenora, Aboriginal Head Start, Triple Play, and the Kenora Arts Project.

The buttons are two dollars each.

All four can be purchased at the Discovery Center, or you can buy individual buttons
at retail outlets throughout the city.

Winter Court Sport Season Launched At Beaver Brae

The winter court sport season is officially underway at Beaver Brae.

Yesterday, the Bronco boys basketball and girls volleyball teams entertained
the Dryden Eagles.

The lone win of the day came from Beaver Brae's junior boys, who ousted the
Eagles 62-42.

Dylan Andrews led the offense with 23 points.

In senior boys action, the Broncos dropped a 58-34 decision to Dryden.

In girls volleyball, the Beaver Brae junior squad lost in three straight sets, while
the Bronco senior team lost three sets to one.

Thistles Shut Down by Thrashers

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles have dropped back to the .500 mark on the season.

The Thistles were blanked 3-0 last night by the Winnipeg Thrashers at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The loss puts the Kenora Midgets record at 11 and 11.

The Thistles are back in action Friday night at home against the Southwest Cougars.

House Fire on Second Street South

A chilly wake-up call for Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department.

A fire broke out to a multi-unit home on Second Street South in the 500
block just before 8:00 this morning.

It appears the fire started in the basement and then spread to the back of
the building.

Fire crews have the blaze under control and everyone inside the house managed to make it out unharmed.

Because of the fire, Second Street South has been blocked off all the way from 8th Avenue South to 5th Avenue.

Auditor's Report Critical of MNR and OPG

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the Auditor's Report shows the Liberal government isn't respecting people's priorities or taxpayer dollars.

Auditor Bonnie Lysyk's first report found there is little to no enforcement of regulations on hunting and fishing in provincial parks or on prohibited activities such as commercial timber harvesting and mining.

Horwath says the Ontario Government was too busy promoting themselves and not paying enough attention to the day to day operations of the province.

The Auditor's Report also shows that the number of executives at Ontario Power Generation has increased by 74 per cent since 2005.

That led to the firing of two Vice Presidents and the OPG's Chief Operating Officer yesterday.

Motion to Expand CPP Voted Down

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MPP John Rafferty is expressing disappointment in the Conservative government for failing to accept an NDP motion to expand the Canadian Pension Plan.

In Ottawa, Rafferty told the House of Commons that the government has made it clear retirement security is not its priority.

Finance Minister's Parliamentary Assistant Andrew Saxton says the NDP's proposal would eliminate up to 70 thousand jobs across the country.

City Looks At Electronic Voting

Voting in the next municipal election may be just a mouse click away.

The city is looking at an internet voting option for the 2014 municipal elections.

Heather Kasprick is the city's deputy clerk and says electronic voting has a number of advantages.

Kasprick says the internet voting option may also be cheaper.

The city spent about 50 thousand dollars three years ago to conduct the last election via mail-in ballot.  

Council has agreed to seek a request for proposals for electronic voting.

Council Agrees to Look at Floating Bogs

Kenora City council has agreed to form a special committee to look at navigation issues on Laurenson's Creek.

The Laurenson Creek Property Owners Association made a deputation to council yesterday morning raising concerns about floating bogs in the water way.

Dave Schwartz is a spokesperson for the group and says its a good first step.

Schwartz says no level of government has agreed to take responsibility for the floating bogs, so he feels ultimately it's up to the city to try and deal with the problem.

FedNor Commits Funding for Manufacturing

Businesses throughout the region could get some much needed help by the Federal government.

FedNor Minister Greg Rickford has announced the Advanced Manufacturing Fund, which will spend 200 million dollars over the next 5 years.

Rickford says he's focused on an industry close to home.

He says two local companies are taking a serious look at the program.

Ignace Man Faces Fine for Illegal Camp

An Ignace man is 400 dollars lighter in the pocket-book for leaving his
camper on Crown Land too long.

The MNR says it responded to complaints of a number of campers parked
on Sturgeon Lake north of Ignace this past summer.

Conservation officers posted notices that camping on crown land is limited
to just 21 days.

All of the campers were removed except for one.

The MNR managed to track down the owner eventually and Leon Ray was
charged.

Windchill Warning in Effect

It's a bitterly cold morning across northwestern Ontario
.
A wind chill warning is in effect.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says temperatures with the wind are hovering around minus 40.

Environment Canada says exposed skin will freeze in under 5 minutes and you are reminded that if you have to spend time outside you should bundle up.

Broncos and Saints Boys Hockey Teams Split at Home

A win and a loss for Kenora's boys high school hockey teams.

Beaver Brae skated to an impressive 15-5 win over the Red Lake Rams
last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Adam Withers had an eight point night with four goals and four assists.

With the win, the Broncos improve to 5-2 on the season.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas boys were doubled up 4-2 by Fort Frances.

Dan Bishop and Rory Keith scored for the Saints.

The Broncos and Saints will meet up tomorrow night at the Kenora Rec. Center for
local bragging rights.  

Health Unit Promotes Healthy Pregnancy

Bringing new life into the world is no easy task.

That's why the Northwestern Health Unit is promoting healthy conception throughout the month.

Public Health Nurse Kathy Bryck says there are some simple messages for mothers-to-be including making
sure they are taking a folic acid supplement, eating well and making healthy life-style choices.

Bryk says people can book one on one appointments to discuss conception by calling any of the health units offices.

Bastone and Landry Acclaimed in Catholic School Board Elections

No change at the top of the Kenora Catholic District School board.

The separate school board held its inaugural meeting of the year last night and acclaimed both it's chair and vice-chair.

Frank Bastone is back again as chair and says he's looking forward to working with his vice-chair Paul Landry once again.

Bastone says they are looking forward to the completion of the expansion at Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys this year.

Construction on the four million dollar project is now underway.

Students At Catholic Board Raise Money for Typhoon Survivors

Students at the Catholic School Board have opened their hearts and
wallets for the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Phillipines.

A total of over 43 hundred dollars has been raised in a variety of
fundraisers over the past month.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says their donations will now be matched by the federal government.

Eikre says donations continue to trickle in so they still don't have a final figure yet for their fundraising efforts.

Harborfest Ticket Sales Brisk

The temperatures may be cold, but Harborfest tickets are proving to
be a hot commodity.

Last week, the Harborfest committee announced its concert line up for
the Saturday evening concert:  The Sheep Dogs and Three Days Grace.

Director of Entertainment, Dave Blake says since then tickets have been
flying off the shelves at a record pace.

He says they've sold several hundred of tickets in just four days.

Harborfest is also hoping to announce details of its Sunday concert in
the next week or so.

Police Re-Open Highway 502

Provincial Police have reopened Highway 502.

The road between Dryden and Fort Frances was closed for about an hour early this morning due to a jack-knifed transport.

No injuries are reported.

The state of the highway has become a topic of conversation as of late.

There are reports that Iron Range Bus Lines is refusing to use the road until it is properly maintained.

The bus company is using Highway 71 as an alternative to 502, even though
that's makes a longer bus trip.

Province Promising Solution to Non-Urgent Patient Transfers

A solution to the problem of non-urgent medical transfers in
northwestern Ontario may be at hand.

In the Ontario Legislature yesterday morning, Health Minister Deb Matthews says they are working on a possible solution.

She says they have been meeting with the Northwest Local Health Integration Network, but wouldn't say what exactly the solution might be.

Tory MPP Christine Elliott says the province has received a proposal from Pacific Western Transportation from B.C. which will not only save money but improve service in this region.

NAN Grand Chief Calls for Repeal of Far North Act

There are renewed calls to repeal the Far North Act.

At the Northern Leaders Forum, NAN Grand Chief, Harvey Yesno
told Premier Kathleen Wynne the legislation is hampering economic
development.

Natural Resources minister David Orazietti says first nations are buying
into the planning provisions of the Far North Act, with more than 30 communities already participating.

NAPS Gift Wraps Toys for Christmas

This Christmas will be a lot brighter for aboriginal children in the far north.

Members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service have been wrapping Christmas presents and all of the toys and gifts will be delivered to various First Nations communities.

The toys being shipped to Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Goose Bay have an estimated value of 110-thousand dollars and were collected throughout the year by the Canadian Toy Association.

It's expected that more than 7-thousand children will benefit this year from the program.

Province Promoting Apprenticeship Opportunities in Northern First Nations

Transportation minister Glenn Murray says there are opportunities for
aboriginal communities in future infrastructure projects.

Murray says proposed new legislation would require any company that wins a government contract to implement an apprenticeship program.

He suggests such an agreement would benefit communities such as Shoal Lake #39 and #40, once
work on twinning the Trans-Canada highway west of Kenora
gets underway.

Murray says he would also like to see cabinet ministers meet with the Northern
Growth Panel on a quarterly basis to update them on projects and priorities in the region.

Province Promises Help for Lumber Companies

The provincial government is promising to work with local lumber companies to
get them back in operation.

At the Northern Leader's Forum, Natural Resources Minister David Orazietti
talked about the opportunities facing mills like Kenora Forest Products.

Orazietti says the government is just part of the equation for getting the mills operational.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says the government does see the urgency in getting the mills up and running and is willing to do what it can to make that happen.

They were responding to a question from mayor Dave Canfield about emerging new opportunities for forest companies, and the future of the Kenora Forest Products mill.

Weechi-it-te-win Signs Agreement for Off-Reserve Children

Some additional workload for Weechi-it-te-win Family Services.

For the first time, the native-based agency can now
provide child welfare services to aboriginals living off reserve within the Kenora and Rainy River district.

Executive Director Laurie Rose says an agreement with Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services allows that to happen.

Rose says they had been asking for the expanded mandate from the province for many years without much success.

The two agencies sign the agreement in a ceremony Friday.

OPP Joins the Twitterverse

The Northwest Region OPP are now members of Twitter.

They'll be tweeting road closures, crime incidents among many things.

Their twitter handle is:

@OPP_NWR

NDP Speak Out Against Ontario Energy Plan

A Northeastern Ontario MPP says the provincial Government is forcing people from their homes.

Gilles Bisson is addressing the new long-term energy plan that will see hydro rates increase by 33-percent over 3-years.

In the Legislature, NDP MPP Gilles Bisson read out a letter from a Dryden woman who stated that with the increase in hydro, property taxes and insurance, they have been forced to put their home up for sale.

Bisson asked the government in Queen's Park that if people can't afford to pay, why would they be increasing rates.

Hospital Looks to Overhaul Operating Rooms

Time to upgrade.

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital is working with the province to revamp the operating rooms.

VP of Corporate Services Cindy Gasparini says they still have a bigger goal in mind.

Gasparini says they will submit 3 designs that would include staying with the building footprint, building a brand new wing, and a combiniation of both.

Warren White Adds to his Duties

The Grand Chief of Treaty Three is taking on some new duties.

Warren White has been appointed as one of the co-chairs of a new committee
set up by the province to an Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group.

The committee was recommended by Justice Frank Iacobucci, who wrote a report on Aboriginal Representation on Ontario Juries.

The new committee will look at some of the broader issues affecting aboriginals in the justice system.

White and Murray Segal from the Chiefs of Ontario will initially advise the Attorney General on the make up of their committee and some of the issues they want to tackle.

Con College to Launch Maternal Care Program

Confederation College is on the receiving end of some money from the Ontario government.

President Jim Madder says the cash will be used to start a new program for expectant mothers called "Maternal Care".

Madder says they're teaming up with First Nation health care organizations, including Meno-Ya-Win in Sioux Lookout
to develop the program.

Madder hopes they can offer the program in the fall of 2014.

Northwest CCAC Launches TeleHomeCare Program

People living with heart conditions will be able to get help from their home thanks to a new program launched by the Northwest Community Care Access Centre.

Spokesperson Marg Milani says people will enter their vitals into a tele-homecare program installed in their residence.

A nurse will be checking to see if the patient is doing okay
and if not will take action.

The program was made possible through funding from the local health authority.

Two Men Survive Snowmachine Ordeal near Lac Du Bonnet

A couple of sledders from eastern Manitoba are lucky to be alive after
spending a chilly night in the bush near Lac Du Bonnet.

The RCMP were called out Saturday night to check on a couple of
snowmobilers who had gone out earlier in the day, but failed to return.

By Sunday morning, members of the Lee River Snow Riders and local
emergency response crews began searching for the two men.

They were located around 9:00 in the morning near Bird River.

Police say the two men became stranded after one of their sleds broke down.

They went looking for shelter at Anson Hut but ended going through the ice.

Both men, aged 22 and 29 have been taken to hospital and are in stable
condition.