Saints Boys Hockey Team Beat Eagles

A good bounce back game for the Thomas Aquinas Saints.

After being blown out 11-0 Tuesday night by Fort Frances, the Saints
upended the Dryden Eagles 6-1 at the Thistle Rink last night.

The Saints are back in action Saturday night, when the Red Lake Rams come to town.

OPP Identify Victim of fatal Accident

Provincial Police have identified the victim of a fatal accident this morning on Highway 17 between Dryden and Ignace.

Police say 57 year old Danny Henderson of Atikokan died when the van he was driving collided with an pickup truck heading in the other direction.

The 2 passengers of the truck are in Dryden hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The highway has since been opened in both directions.

Valleyview Expansion Complete

Kindergarten students at Valleyview School are enjoying a couple of brand new classrooms.

The expansion of the school was completed over the Christmas holidays and opened for the students this week.

Jason McDonald is the principal and says the new space is really geared to the younger students.

Total cost of the renovations is 1.2 million dollars, which will also include some landscaping, which will
be carried out in the spring.

School Boards Concerned with Road Conditions

The Rainy River District School Board intends to respond to a letter from the Ministry of Transportation that indicates there's been no change to the service level this winter of Highways 502 or 622 near Atikokan.

A couple of bus companies have already stopped using Highway 502 as a route to transport school teams between Dryden and Fort Frances.

And chair Mike Lewis says there's concern a similar decision might be made about Highway 622 near Atikokan.

The Northwest Student Services Consortium says its also working with the MTO to monitor road conditions in
the region and is seeking feedback from local motorists, including photos.

Attawapiskat Walkers Head to Ottawa

Three members of the Attawapiskat First Nation are walking to Ottawa to deliver a key message.

Danny Metatawabin, Brian Okimaw and Paul Mettina are on foot to encourage the government to work together to address and reconcile several Aboriginal issues.

According to a statement posted by Metatawabin on Facebook, they are walking from the "traditional territories of the people" to deliver a message to the leaders of both levels of Government and to Chiefs that
the time to honour our treaties is now!

The Attawapiskat walkers are supported by helpers carrying supplies on snowmobiles.

EMS Chiefs Meet in Thunder Bay

The heads of the Ontario Associations of Police, Fire, and Paramedics are talking about how they communicate with each
other.

Norm Gale is the President of the Ontario Paramedics Association says they want to improve the way they spread information.

The provincial associations met in Thunder Bay on Wednesday.

City Ready To Reycle Coffee Cups

Even your blue-box can get it's Tim's fix.

The City of Kenora has announced that coffee cups from both Tim Horton's and
McDonald's are now recyclable.

Coffee drinkers are being encouraged to pitch their empty cups in local recycling
bins, instead of the nearest garbage can.

Saints Girls Lose in Fort

The Fort Frances Muskies continue to dominate the NorWOSSA girls
hockey league.

The Muskies blanked the Thomas Aquinas Saints last night in the Fort
4-0.

The win improves Fort Frances to a perfect 8-0 in the league standings,
while the Saints continue to look for their first win of the season.

Thistles Lose But Get Point in Loss

A single point for the Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles.

The Thistles were in Winnipeg last night and were beaten 2-1 by the
Thrashers in a shootout.

Dylan Gosselin-Archer tied the game in the third period for the Kenora Midgets
forcing overtime.

None of the Kenora skaters could find the back of the net though in the shootout.

The Thistles continue their road trip this weekend with stops in Neepawa and Morden.

Three People Looking for Homes After Willard Lake Blaze

Three local residents are hoping to rebuild their lives again after the fire this week at Willard Lake Resort.

Gidgit Hooper-Pemmican says 3 people were left homeless as a result of the fire.

Hooper-Pemmican says it's a tough situation as they were working their way out of homelessness.

She is asking landlords areas to come forward if any units are available.

Hooper-Pemmican also says the Salvation Army will help out with amenities once they have a place to stay.

Vacancy Rates in Kenora Dropping

Rental rates in the City of Kenora are starting to tighten up a bit.

The vacancy rate last year went down to 3.4 percent, down from 5.5 percent the year before.

Warren Philp from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says those figures are pretty consistent with the province as a whole.

Philp says a vacancy rate of 3.4 percent is actually pretty good news for
anyone trying to find an apartment to rent in the city.

OPP Release Details on Atikokan Fatality

OPP say a new year's eve death in Atikokan was not suspicious.

The body of man was located in the 100 block of River Road around 9 AM on December 31..

Police has also identified him as being 32-year-old Ryan Keeash of Atikokan.

A post-mortem exam was conducted at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, but the cause of death has not been released.

OPP To Conduct Phone Survey

OPP will be soon finding out what the public thinks of them and the services they provide.

A private firm will be conducting a telephone survey on behalf of the OPP this month for the Ontario Provincial Police as part of a Community Satisfaction Survey.

Sergeant Pierre Chamberland says the information collected its important to the OPP.

Chamberland says no personal information will be collected during the survey.

Arthurs Reflects on Career with Health Unit

The retiring medical officer of health for the region is pleased with some
of the changes implemented in his five years at the helm.

Dr. Jim Arthurs is stepping down at the end of March.

He says one of the things he's most proud of is erasing some of the boundaries between the various programs they offer.

Arthurs says people who come in for programs such as Healthy Babies, or immunizations, can also get information about improving their eating habits, exercise and hygiene tips.

Beaver Brae Court Sport Teams Open 2014 With Single Win

Beaver Brae managed just one win in Dryden to open the 2014 portion of
the court sport season.

The Bronco Junior boys edged the Eagles 59-56 yesterday afternoon.

Beaver Brae's senior boys dropped a 64-44 decision to Dryden.

In girls volleyball action, the Bronco Senior and Junior teams lost in three straight sets.

Bronco Girls Lose to Eagles

It was a tough
start to the new year for the Bronco girls.

Beaver Brae dropped a 5-2 decision to Dryden yesterday afternoon at
the Rec. Center.

Hilary Moncrief and Rylee Smith scored for the Broncos in the loss.

Bronco Boys Win Big, Saints Lose Big

Beaver Brae's boys hockey team has started 2014 on a winning note.

The Broncos trounced the Sioux Lookout Warriors 10-3 last night at the
Kenora Rec. Center.

Eastin Gautier, Jed Rattai and Rhyse Mandamin led the way with two goals apiece.

The Broncos next action is this weekend as they head to Winkler for a tournament.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas boys hockey team was outmatched and outgunned in Fort Frances, as the Muskies upended the Saints 11-0 last
night.

Richards Left Off Men's Olympic Hockey Team Roster

Team Canada has named the 2014 men's Olympic hockey roster.

Headlining the team are Winnipeg's Jonothan Toews, along with Sidney Crosby, and Steven Stamkos.

A few players with northwestern Ontario heritage also got named to the roster including Patrick Sharp from Thunder Bay, and Duncan Keith who grow up in
Fort Frances.

Kenora's Mike Richards was left of the team after winning gold at the 2010 games in Vancovuer.

The goalies are Roberto Luongo, Mike Smith, and Carey Price.

The men's hockey tournament gets underway on February 12 and wraps up with the gold medal game on the 23rd.

Willard Lake Fire Under Investigation

Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of a major fire at Willard Lake Resort, between Kenora and Vermillion Bay.

Officials were called around 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

The flames spread from cabin to cabin as firefighters had to deal with limited water in battling the blaze.

Damage to the gas station and restaurant is unknown at this time.

No one was injured.

Man Charged With Vermillion Bay Auto Theft

An 18 year old Machin man faces theft charges in connection to
a stolen automobile.

The OPP say a car was stolen from a garage on Spruce Street in Vermillion Bay around 11:00 Saturday night.

Police say they located the vehicle in Dryden a short time later.

Krystie Skye has been charged with break and enter, theft over five thousand
dollars and possession of property obtained by crime.

Impaired Driving Charge Laid After Hit and Run

A 55 year old Kenora woman faces impaired driving charges following
a hit and run accident in the parking lot of the Kenora Shopper's Mall.

The OPP say there were contacted around 3:00 Sunday afternoon after
a vehicle struck another car, but then left the scene.

Officers managed to locate the suspect vehicle a short time later.

Police say the driver had been consuming alcohol and failed a roadside breath test.

Sandra Karambetsos also faces a charge of driving without a licence.

Mischief Complaint Issued After School Buses Unplugged

It should be a little smoother start to the morning for bus drivers at
First Student.

Yesterday morning, employees arrived to work at 5 in the morning only
to discover that 17 of their school buses had been unplugged overnight.

Despite the cold, the Northwest Student Services Consortium says they were able to boost the buses and get them started with only minor delays.

First Student has filed a mischief complaint with the OPP and says extra
security is being added.

Whiteshell Cottagers Shocked by Lease Increase

Cottage lease fees are going through the roof a provincial park just inside Manitoba.

Back tier cottagers in the Whiteshell Provincial Park will see a 250 percent increase over ten years, while lakefront owners will see a 750 percent hike.

Tom Walker with the cottage owners association says lease fees aren't the only concern.

Walker says lakefront properties will see increases over five thousand dollars between the two hikes.

Man Fined for Wielding Pellet Gun

A potentially dangerous scenario for Kenora OPP.

Last Friday night, police say a 55 year old man was issued a weapons charge after refusing to leave a downtown apartment.

OPP arrested Wayne Prokulevich and charged him with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

He will answer attend a bail hearing Wednesday.

Couchiching Chief Passes Away

A long-serving northwestern Ontario First Nations chief has died.

Family members report Couchiching First Nation Chief Chuck McPherson died Sunday in his home.

McPherson was first elected chief between 1986 and 1988, returning to office in 1998.

No word yet on funeral arrangements.

NorWOSSA Season Resumes Today

The puck drops on the 2014 NorWOSSA hockey season today.

First off the Beaver Brae girls are at home against the Dryden Eagles.

game time is 4:00 at the Rec Centre.

The Bronco boys are also at home tonight.

They Welcome the Queen Elizabeth Warriors to the rec centre at 7:30.

Meanwhile the Thomas Aquinas Saints boys are on the road.

They are in Fort Frances to face off with the Muskies at 7:15.

The 2014 NorWOSSA double A court sport season gets underway today.

The Beaver Brae Bronco are on the road in Dryden to face the Eagles.

It's a start of a busy week for Beaver Brae.

The team also hits the road Thursday when they take on the Fort Frances Muskies.

Fire at Willard Lake

Fire crews continue to battle a major fire at the Willard Lake gas station and hotel on Highway 17, about 40-kilometres East of Kenora. 

The fire was reported around 3:00 this afternoon. 

There are reports of serious damage. 

No other details are available at this time.

Hunter Fined $2,000 by MNR

Careless hunting as landed a Northwestern Ontario man a 2 thousand dollar fine.

Conservation Officers say they received a complaint on November 2nd about a deer being shot on a Dryden area property without the owners consent.

Officers investigated the call and found that Clinton Catlin had shot a white tailed deer inside a yard after spotting it from the roadway.

Along with the fine, Catlin has been banned from hunting in the province for 1 year and must re-complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course.

His firearm was seized until the fine is paid.

H1N1 Virus on the Rise

A good reason to got the flu shot.

The Northwestern Health Unit has confirmed 16 cases of the H1N1 influenze strain this season.

Doctor Jim Arthurs is the medical officer of health says one stat is alarming to him.

He says of all the confirmed cases, none of the patients has received the flu vaccine this year.

Arthurs says flu shots are available at most pharmacies throughout the region.

Cold Weather Warnings Issued

With another day of dangerous cold across our region, warnings to bundle up and protect yourself if you have to go out doors.

Emergency room doctor Jeffrey Sather says when it gets this cold, frostbite is a possibility and you can develop a freeze burn.

With prolonged exposure, the risk moves to hypothermia, where one's core body temperature actually drops and can lead to confusion, unconsciousness and even death.

Nomination Papers Ready for Municipal Election

Calling all candidates.

You can now nominate yourself to run for mayor, city council, or the school board.

Joanne McMillin in the City Clerk and says the first step of the municipal election is under way.

The elections will take place on October 27th, while the deadline to file nomination papers is
September 12th.

This year, the city will be using internet balloting for the first time.

Control Board Provides Mid-Winter Update

No concern over water levels in the area.

Matt Dewolfe with the Lake of the Woods Control Board says levels are just below normal for this time of year.

He does say they are still looking at the spring run off.

Since the start of November DeWolfe says the water level has dropped 10 centimeters.

He says they want to see it fall another 20 before the spring.

Alzheimer Society Launches Coffee Break Challenge

Drink coffee, win prizes.

That's what local businesses can do during the Alzheimer Society's Coffee Break Challenge.

Rosanna Tomashowski is the acting executive director and says there are multiple ways to participate.

The winners of the challenge will be announced on February 17th.

Any local businesses can register directly with the society.

Midget Thistles Split Again

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles continue to alternate wins and losses.

The Thistles were edged 2-1 yesterday at home by the Parkland Rangers.

On Saturday night, the Kenora Midgets started the weekend series with a
5-3 victory.

Not a lot of time for rest for the Thistles as they hit the road Wednesday
for a date with the Winnipeg Thrashers.

Local Girls Hockey Teams Excel at Own Tournament

(Photo courtesy Kelly Alcock)

A good weekend for a couple of local girls hockey teams.

The K-Town Rednex took top honors in the midget division of the Lake of the Woods Girls Hockey tournament.

The Rednex finished second in the round robin portion of the tournament, but advanced to the final.

In the A-Side championship the Rednex blanked the Steinbach Millers 2-0 to take top honors.

In the bantam division, the Dy-no-mite 4.0 advanced to the A-side final after topping
their nine team pool.

The Dy-no-mite shut down the Dryden Drillers in the championship game 3-0.

The other Kenora team, the Lake of the Woods Chaos placed fourth, after losing 6-3 to
Fort Frances in the bronze medal game.

School Buses Running This Morning

Despite the cold conditions, all school buses in the Kenora area should be running today.

The Northwest Student Services Consortium says bus operators have been checking their vehicles over the two week Christmas break due to the intense cold.

Because the region is under a windchill advisory, parents are being urged to bundle up their children as they wait for their bus.

Kenora OPP Officer Faces Theft Charges

A Kenora OPP officer has been charged with theft.

The Kenora detachment began an investigation back on December 28th.

As a result constable Steve Tetrault was charged with theft under 5 thousand dollars.

Tetreault was off duty at the time of the alleged incident and has been placed on leave from the force.

He will answer to the charges next month.

Fire Scare at Blue Heron

It could have been a very difficult start to 2015 for 2 businesses in Kenora.

This morning the Blue heron had a bit of a scare when a small plug in heater caught fire.

The employee working at the time was able to put out the small fire before calling the Fire and Emergency Services Department.

Yesterday morning Kinger Fiberglass on highway 17 East was destroyed when the Furnace caught fire.

Operations Trying to Keep Roads Open

The city of Kenora is doing all it can to keep the roads drive-able as the snow continues to fall.

Operations Manager Rick Perchuk says in weather like there is only so much they can do as the weather would eliminate most plowing and sanding operations throughout the day.

Perchuk says once the snow comes to an end they will have the full plowing and sanding fleet out to clear the roads.

He says the weather has been very tiring on the operations crew this winter.

1st Impaired Driving Chagred Laid in 2014

A new year and the same old result.

In the early morning January 1st the Provincial Police laid their first impaired driving charge of 2014.

The charges were laid after the Treaty 3 Police stopped a vehicle on Ninth Street North and handed the suspect over to the OPP.

As a result 24 year old Melissa Skead from Rat Portage First Nation was charged with impaired driving, and driving without a licence.

She will appear in court in February.

MNR Fines 2 Windsor Residents

Two southern Ontario hunters are facing a combined total of two-thousand dollars in fines for illegaly hunting deer just south of Red Lake.

Terenzio Angelini has been fined fifteen-hundred dollars for hunting deer without a license and is not allowed to hunt in Ontario for one-year.

Michele Pecoraro was fined five-hundred dollars for possessing illegally killed wildlife.

Housing Needs Addressed

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield say the city must focus on building affordable houses.

Canfield says we're building homes above our needs and that has left slim pickings for new families.

He notes the city is looking at building subdivisions with homes in the low $200,000 range.

He notes that they hope to have more hosing in place with in the next 3-4 years as projections forecast a population increase of a few thousand people.

Harbourfest Expects Announcement This Month

The holiday season put a damper on plans plans to announce another night for Harbourfest.

Director of Entertainment Dave Blake says they were planning on having 2 nights booked for the August long weekend festival by the time Christmas rolled around.

However Blake says most agents have gone on hiatus until the middle of January.

He is hoping to finalize another act by the end of the month.

So far The Sheepdogs and Three Days grace will take the stage for the Saturday night show.

Alberta Clipper Hits the Region

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the area but we are going to get a small reprieve from the deep freeze.

Meterologist Geoff Coulson says we have a high of -12 today and we can expect the warmer weather to stick around for a short time.

With the warmer weather today comes snowfall with up to 10 centimeters expected and up to 20 centimeters possibly by tomorrow.

With strong winds also expected to pick up visibility will be reduced on area highways making for poor driving conditions.

Mill Start-up Expected in Ear Falls

EACOM Timber is planning on re-opening the Ear Falls Sawmill sooner rather than later.

Company Spokesperson Gwen Webster says the company's goal is to take advantage with what they believe will be a strong market for lumber in 2014.

Currently the company is testing existing equipment that has sat idle at the mill for nearly five years.

Fire Claims Local Business

The Kenora Fire and Emergency Services department have the fire at Kinger Fiberglass under control.

The blaze started early in the morning before 7:00.

Owner Don Kinger say reports indicate the blaze started in the furnace.

He confirms that he had been having issues with the furnace and that a scheduled repair was postponed during the holiday season.

Kinger says the biggest loss is the tools he's collected over the last 35 years.

It is the 3rd fire in the area in the last 3 days and 7th since later October.

Kinger said it was to early to discuss the idea of re-opening his shop.

Fire Chief Offers Safety Tips

Install working smoke alarms.

Kenora Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says he can't issue that warning enough.

Brinkman says it's an easy process and will help keep you safe if a fire does start in your home.

He notes that alarms must be installed on every floor of a home and recommends one outside everything bedroom.

Brinkman also recommends a chimney and furnace inspection during this cold spell hitting the region.

He issued the warning after 2 more properties were destroyed in the area just before new year's and a business was lost early this morning.

Forestry Key for Canfield

Making sure forestry is not forgotten in favor of mining.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield is continuing to fight for more mills to become operational in the region.

Canfield says the province has to seize the opportunity with BC mills suffering due to the Mountain Pine Beetle.

Local leaders recently discussed the issue with the premiere and cabinet ministers at a meeting in Timmins.

Canfield notes the prices in commodities like gold continue to drop in price and that makes forestry the strongest option in the here and now.

Study Addresses Hydro Line to Pickle Lake

A recent study finds that of six proposed transmission routes that would be used to supply energy from Ignace and Dryden to Pickle Lake only one would pose minimum risk to caribou.

The Crossing Caribou Country study found that having a route following Highway 599 would be the best option because it is an existing, permanent road.

Spokesperson Anna Baggio says the other proposals would interfere with lands that have been described as some of the best for caribou populations.

Rickford Stands Against Pension Reform

Minister of State and Kenora MP Greg Rickford says now is not the time to revamp the Canada Pension Plan.

Some province's are upset with the Finance Minister over his unwillingness right now to work with province's on a new plan.

Rickford says they have to be very sensitive to the burdens of small and medium sized businesses.

Rickford acknowledges that individual province's are looking at their own pension plan and states the government will have to see how that will play out.

Group's Discuss Future of Ring Of Fire's

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle wants to see some movement on the Ring of Fire in the New Year.

Gravelle says they've made a good start with the establishment of the development corporation but notes more needs to be done.

2013 saw Cliffs' Natural Resources pull out of their mining project in the Ring of Fire.

He notes that they will continue to work with all the other partners involved in the giant mining development.

Inn the meantime, several key initiatives could be wrapped up in 2014 according to Bob Rae the Matawa First Nations Chief Negotiator.

Rae says they're are several areas he'll focus on including infrastructure and construction.

Rae also wants to see the environmental practices in place in respect to
any mining activity in the Ring.