Rickford Applauds Pikangikum Pilot Project

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is applauding a new program to help at-risk youth in Pikangikum First Nation.

The Federal Government has invested nearly 2.4-million dollars over 5-years in the crime prevention program 'Project Journey'.

Rickford says the initiative will give youth the tools and opportunities they need to steer clear of crime and live in a safe community.

The program will be led by Provincial Police in Red Lake, and will prevent and reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviours among aboriginal youth between the ages of 6 to 18.

Rickford says each year, the project will engage 75 to 100 youth in primary activities with an additional 50-youth participating in secondary activities.

Crimestoppers Looking for Help In Solving Nestor Falls Break In

OPP are turning to Crimestoppers for help in solving a break-in at Nestor Falls.

An unnamed business on Highway 71 was broken into sometime between 6 p-m Saturday February 8 and 1 p-m the next day.

An amount of money and some small items were taken.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers.

Another Alberta Clipper Heading Our way

Environment Canada says we can expect 5 to 10 centimeters of snow over the next couple of days.

Meterologist Ria Alsen says it's thanks to an Alberta Clipper that's making it's way into the region.

Alsen says while the Kenora area will just get brushed by the system, areas west of the City there could be even more snow falling, particularly towards Lake Superior.

The snow is expected to start falling tonight and won't let up until Friday afternoon.

Feds Promoting the New First Nations Education Act

The Federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is trying hard to sell his government's plan for First Nation Education.

Bernard Valcourt met with the Chief of the Fort William First Nation and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Harvey Yesno yesterday morning in Thunder Bay.

Valcourt says he's heard their concerns and feels the plan will allow adequate funding and First Nation say in the education system.

Valcourt was a guest speaker at a luncheon put on by the Chamber of Commerce.

Bronco Girls End the Regular Season on the Offensive

Beaver Brae's girls hockey team has put an exclamation mark on the NorWOSSA regular season.

The Broncos played their final game yesterday and trounced Sioux Lookout 12-0.

Hannah Rose scored three goals, while the line of Rylee Smith, Hilary Moncrief and Kate Charlebois accounted for nine goals and 12 assists.

Beaver Brae is back in action Friday night in Fort Frances for game one of their best-of-three play-off series against the Muskies.

Crews Continue Battle Against Snow and Water Lines

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield is asking for patience when it comes to winter operations.

Canfield says the city is working at it's maximum amount to keep up with the snow fall.

He said that they will continue working the maximum amount of allowed hours, noting the city is spending around $60,000 over budget weekly on snow removal.

Also today the city sent out an advisory regarding frozen and broken water lines.

The city is asking anyone that may be susceptible to freezing lines to keep taps running in hopes of prevent any further problems.

Kenora Airport Gets Funding

The Kenora Airport is getting some funding to improve communication to pilots.

The federal government is providing 36 thousand dollars for a Runway Condition Reporting System.

Airport manager Mike Zroback says it will allow them to provide almost instantaneous landing conditions via computer.

 Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford announced the funding from the Airports Capital Assistance Program
this morning.

Search Warrant Leads to Drug Charges

Kenora OPP have taken 17 grams of cocaine of the streets.

Police executed a search warrant on Friday were they seized the drugs, valued at 14 hundred dollars, along with some cash.

34 year old Clayton Ogden and 32 year old Derek Ogden both of Kenora are now facing charges.

Clayton is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking while Derek is facing possession of cocaine.

Both men will appear in Kenora Court next month.

School Buses Rolling This Morning Despite Snow

Kenora residents are digging out again today after yet another Alberta Clipper.

The Kenora Airport is reporting 12.6 centimeters of snow yesterday, making it the largest snowfall for February 17th.

In the meantime, the Northwest Student Services Consortium says it's buses will be running as usual this morning despite all the snow on Family Day.

The buses may be running slightly behind scheduled in some areas though because some side roads, particularly in the Kenora area still have not been plowed.

Campbell Gears Up for New Session At Queen's Park

Kenora Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is being regional concerns back to Queen's Park.

Today marks the return of the legislature after the winter break.

Campbell says she has been out and about listening to residents.

Campbell says she will continue to hold transportation minister Glen Murray to his promises.

OPP To Launch New Program on Pikangikum

The Deputy Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police will be in Thunder Bay today to discuss a new partnership with the National Crime Prevention Center.

Sergeant Shelley Garr of the OPP says it's called Project Journey and it will help the youth of Pikangikum.

The project is aimed at Aboriginal youth-at-risk between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age.

The program will be unveiled at 10 o'clock at the OPP Northwest Region Headquarters.

Police Confirm Four Fatalities in New Osnaburgh Fire

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Force are confirming that a house fire in the community of New Osnaburgh, is responsible for four deaths.

The service along with several other agencies have located four bodies.

The investigation is ongoing with post-mortem examinations taking place in Toronto later this week.

Job Fair Returns to Kenora

Need a job? Tired of the one you have? Or just interested to see what's out there?

If you said yes to any of those questions then the 3rd Annual Employment Outreach Career Fair is for you.

Josee Mantle is with the Kenora District Services Board and says the job fair will be hitting Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Kenora starting on February 25th.

Mantle says some 17 employers will be in attendance and those who attend should bring their resume.

Dates: Dryden February 25th 10-3 Dryden Training Center; Sioux Lookout February 26th 10-3 Legion; Kenora February 27th 10-3 Seven Generations Institute

Ontario Nurses Want Changes for LHIN's

A total of seven recommendations have been made to change the face of the Local Health Integration Networks.

The call for change is being made by the Ontario Nurses Association.

Vicki McKenna says they know there's a severe shortage of registered nurses.

McKenna adds health and safety procedures and regulations should be included in any accountability agreement.

Driven To Quit Challenge Deadline Looming

The deadline to enter the Driven to Quit Challenge is fast approaching.

You have until February 28th to register.

It's the Canadian Cancer Society contest that encourages smokers to quit the habit for at least the month of March.

Senior Coordinator at Smokers Helpline, Naomi McNeill says participants can win a new vehicle or cash prizes up for grabs.

Deadline to enter is February 28 and is made through the contests website or by calling the Canadian Cancer Society's smokers helpline: DriventoQuit.ca  or smokershelpline.ca

Province Hires Firm to Create ROF Development Corporation

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle says his government is hiring the firm Deloitte LLP to help establish the Ring of Fire development corporation.

The firm will act as a neutral, third-party resource for First Nations, the provincial and federal governments and industry.

They will also work with Ring of Fire partners to set clear paths and timelines for decision-making and seek out the next steps.
       

Bronco Girls Win Morden Tournament

Beaver Brae's girls hockey team is starting to peak at just the right time.

The Broncos took top honors at a tournament in Morden, Manitoba over the
weekend.

Beaver Brae won the gold after downing the host Morden Mavericks 5-0 in
the A-side final.

The Broncos finish off the NorWOSSA regular season on the road tonight in
Sioux Lookout against the Warriors.

Midget Thistles Lose/PeeWee Thistles Win Playoff Openers

It's do or die for the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles.

The Thistles trail their best-of-five series against the Winnipeg Thrashers two games
to none, after a 4-3 loss Sunday at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The Kenora Midgets will try to keep the series alive tomorrow night, when they return toWinnipeg for game three.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Double "a" PeeWee Thistles are off to a good start in their best-of-three Eastman play-off series.

The PeeWee Thistles upended Niverville 7-2 on Sunday and lead the series one game to none.

Jacob Frankcom had a five goal game for the Thistles.

The Kenora PeeWee squad can wrap up the series this Saturday afternoon in Niverville.

Smash and Bash Social

The Kenora Roller Derby League is working to host a bout later this year.

Spokesperson Bayley Zilinski says they are hosting a fundraising social this Saturday to raise funds to bring 3 teams in for the bout.

Zilinski says the league is also hoping to bring in a coaching team to provide lessons and tips to players, along with advice on how to grow the league.

Tickets for the Crash and Bash Social are $10.

The is at 8:00 at the Lake of the Woods Brewery.

Free Trail Permit Weekend

Break out that snow machine and hit the trails.

The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs are hosting a free permit weekend.

Spokesperson Gail Sayers says the deal runs all weekend long beginning Saturday and running through Monday evening.

The free permits can be printed off the OFSC website at www.ofsc.on.ca/

Four People Dead in New Osnaburgh Fire

Four people are dead as the result of a house fire this week on the New Osnaburgh

The Assembly of First Nations revealed the death toll in a news release which National Chief Shawn Atleo expresses condolences to the community following the tragic blaze.

The Ontario Fire Marshall is expected to begin its investigation today.
First Nation south of Pickle Lake.

Ontario Family Fishing Begins at Midnight

A chance to shake off the winter blahs this weekend.

This is Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, and you don't need a licence
to put a line in the water.

Rachel Pearson is with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and since it's been such a cold winter says you shouldn't have to worry about poor ice conditions.

Pearson says there are events taking place all weekend long to take advantage of Ontario Family Fishing, but stresses conservation limits apply if you are fishing without a licence.

Radar Runs This Weekend

Bragging rights will be on the line at the 1st Annual Kenora Snowmachine Radar Runs.

Bruce McGregor is the event organizer and says they have some nice prizes lined up as well.

Registration is 50 dollars per sled, and guarantees 5 runs.

The radar runs take to the MNR landing starting tomorrow and are free to attend.

Liberals Shut Out in Two By-Elections

Not a good night for the Liberals in two provincial by-elections.

Kathleen Wynne's party was shut out in both Niagara Falls and Thornhill.

The New Democrats took the Niagara Falls Riding, while the Conservatives held onto Thornhill.

Gila Martow won in Thornhill, maintaining the riding for the Progressive Conservatives, while the NDP's Wayne Gates won in Niagara Falls, a riding formerly held by the Liberals.

The results don't change the status of the minority Liberals in the Ontario Legislature and Wynne vowed the losses will not be repeated in a general election, which come as early as this spring.

Rickford Defends Budget/FedNor Funding

A bit of a war of words has broken out between two M.P.'s from northwestern Ontario over funding for FedNor.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says a claim from Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty that FedNor was ignored in the Federal budget is a "bold face lie".

Rickford says the NDP should take some time to read the entire budget.

The minister responsible for the regional economic agency says he continues to make the rounds in the area making FedNor announcements.

Vermillion Bay Hosts Kin Carnival

The winter carnival season continues this weekend in Vermilion Bay.

The 48th annual Kin Carnival gets underway tonight.

Organizer Scott McEwan says the auction tonight has a special meaning.

Some of the activities this weekend including a fish fry, pancake breakfast, family snow derby, and a fishing derby.

Bronco Junior Boys Win Silver At NorWOSSA

Just one medal for Beaver Brae teams at the NorWOSSA double "a" championships in Fort Frances.

The Bronco junior boys beat Dryden 60-55 in semi-final action yesterday morning but ran out of steam in the gold medal game, dropping a 63-34 decision to the Muskies.

Beaver Brae takes home a silver medal.

It was the only final the Broncos qualified for.

Beaver Brae's senior boys narrowly missed the gold medal game, after losing in the semi-finals 44-43 to Dryden.

Both the Bronco girls volleyball teams also lost out in the semi-final round.

Broncos Blank Saints In Girls Hockey

In the late game, it was another one goal victory for Beaver Brae over Thomas
Aquinas in girls hockey.

Rylee Smith scored the lone goal of the game and Becca Mahon earned the
shut out in a 1-0 win for the Broncos.

Beaver Brae finishes the regular season on the road next Tuesday against
Sioux Lookout, while the Saints are in Dryden.

While T.A. will miss the play-offs, the Broncos will finish fourth in the league
standings and have to face Fort Frances in the semi-finals.

Broncos Edge Saints In Final Game of Regular Season

A big win and confidence boost for Beaver Brae's boys hockey team heading into the play-offs.

The Broncos beat their cross town rivals from Thomas Aquinas 2-1 last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The win ensures Beaver Brae will play the Saints in the semi-finals.

Both Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas finished with 20 points, but the Saints will finish in second place
because it had more wins.

Fort Frances finished in first and will take on Dryden in the other semi-final series.

Police Name Driver of Viral Video

Provincial Police have released the name of the transport driver who narrowly missed an oncoming tractor-trailer unit on Highway 11 in Greenstone last month.

The incident generated over a million hits on Youtube.

Police say 31-year-old Akmal Hayat of Milton, Ontario tried to pass a snow plough and confronted a north bound transport.
The driver of that vehicle was forced to the side and struck several guard posts.

Police say Hayat drove off without stopping.

OPP were able to identify the driver through the Youtube video.

No one was injured.

Hayat faces 3-charges.

Police Make Arrests Following Break and Enters

Kenora OPP have made arrests in relation to the break and enters in the city earlier this week.

22 year old Allan Pencoff and 32 Derek Pencoff have been charged with break and enter, attempt to break and enter, and theft under 5 thousand.

Police says the men broke into 2 homes in the North End on Tuesday afternoon and made off with cash, tools, and firearms.

Both men will remain in custody until their bail hearings.

The Street Crime Unit, Organized Crime and Enforcement Bureau, Drug Unit, and the Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau collaborated in the investigation.

Fire Destroys Home in New Osnaburgh

Nishnawbe-Aski Police are investigating what is believed to be a fatal house fire in New Osnaburgh First Nation south of Pickle Lake.

Sergeant Jackie George says the blaze was reported around 3 o'clock this morning.

George says the Ontario Fire Marshall is scheduled to arrive in the community tomorrow and at that time more information will be released.

A relative of the family says a mother and her two children where in the home at the time.

Police aren't confirming any fatalities but George says officers are currently searching for the residents.

TBSO Gets Standing Ovation At King George

A musical education for King George students.

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra made an encore appearance in Kenora this morning.

Daniel Bartholemew-Poyser is the associate conductor and says they want to reach out to young listeners.

The hour-long pops concert featured classical pieces from Brahms and Tchaikovsky
, as well as more modern fare from Star Wars, The Pirates of the Caribbean and Taylor Swift.

Chamber Of Commerce Hands Out Business Awards

A couple of new businesses took center stage at the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce's annual business awards.

Lake of the Woods Brewing Company took honors as the Tourism/Hospitality company of the year.

Taras Manzies says they still have big plans for their product and building on Second Street South and expect to be able to sell their beer at the LCBO soon.

Meanwhile, Good Things won for best new business under two years old.

Andrea Lundy is the manager of marketing and says they likely won't be moving into their new location
on Second Street until the fall.

Other winners last night:

Customer Service Excellence-Staff Up to 10-901 West Side
Customer Service Excellence-Staff Over 10-Kenora Home Hardware
Business Entrepreneur/Owner/Manager of the Year: Chad Gropp (Gropp's Country Catering)
Innovative Small Business:  Roots and Rights Media
Business Improvement:  Borelli's on the Harbourfront
Youth Entrepreneur:  Jillian Puls and Meagan Pearson (Radical Nails)

No Delays Or Closures From Overnight Snow

Despite some snow overnight, it's all things go this morning across the region.

All school buses in the region are operating and all roads are open.

Roads are described on both sides of the border as partly snow covered with poor visibility.

There was a brief closure of highway 71 near Sioux Narrows yesterday, following a two vehicle collision.

No one was injured.


The only closure this morning is in Dryden, where the high school has been shut down because of a water main break.

Bitter Winter Causes Headaches For Operations Department

A colder and snowier winter has been hard on the city's operating budget.

Snow removal has been going on non stop, and city crews have also been kept
hopping dealing with frozen and broken water lines.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says there's not much they can do about the
situation except wait for warmer weather.

Perchuck says they've had to deal with frozen water lines almost daily, and
they've also had two to three broken water lines reported each week.

Companies Fined in Ring of Fire

The Ministry of Natural Resources is fining two companies 27-thousand dollars for illegally building a mining camp in the Ring of Fire.

Vancouver based Fancamp Explorations and Thunder Bay's Webequie Logistics were found guilty of carrying out constructionw ork without the authority of a work permit.

The cases were heard in the Ontario Court of Justice recently.

NorWOSSA AA Playoffs Today in Fort

The NorWOSSA double "a" play-offs get underway this morning in Fort Frances.

All four Beaver Brae teams will have to play a semi-final in order to qualify for the gold medal games.

At 10:00 this morning, the Bronco junior boys basketball and junior girls volleyball teams will face Dryden.

At 11:30, the Beaver Brae senior boys basketball and senior girls volleyball teams will take on Fort Frances for the right to advance to the finals.

Saints Win Two Gold Medals At NorWOSSA Finals

A pair of gold medals for Thomas Aquinas teams at the NorWOSSA Single "a" championships in Red Lake.

The Saints senior girls won the final against Rainy River three sets to one.

It was the first set the Saints lost in league play this year.

The Thomas Aquinas Senior girls are now preparing for NWOSSA on
February 20th and 21st.

In junior boys basketball, T.A. upended the Owls 41-21.

The only other Saints team in action yesterday, was the junior girls volleyball team, which settled for silver after losing to Rainy River three sets to two.

Meanwhile, the Norwossa Double "a" championships are taking place today
in Fort Frances.

Beaver Brae boys basketball and girls volleyball teams are involved in all
four semi-finals this morning.

OPP Investigate 2 Break Ins

2 more break and enters in the city of Kenora.

OPP say that 2 residences in the North End were broken into yesterday afternoon between 1:30 and 9.

Police say an unknown number of suspects made off with tools, money, and firearms.

An investigation into these break ins and another in Nestor Falls on Sunday is continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP of Crimestoppers.

Council Accepts Event Center Report

Kenora city council has received an interim report on a proposed Event Center and expansion of the Kenora Rec. Center.

The report was compiled by Stantec Engineering and Nelson Architects and is based on information presented at a public meeting last month.

Mayor Dave Canfield stresses that they have not made any commit
ment to build anything and council has only agreed to accept the report.

The 25 million dollar project includes a second ice surface at the Rec. Center and a final report
is expected to be presented to council by the end of August.

OPP Investigate Nestor Falls Break In

Kenora OPP are investigating another break and enter.

Police say on Sunday they received a call that a business in Nestor Falls was broken into.

An unknown number of suspects made off with some small items and some cash.

OPP say the incident occurred between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Anyone with information can call the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Rickford Applauds Conservative Budget

Minister of State Greg Rickford says the 2014 Federal budget is all about fiscal responsibility.

The Kenora MP says the main goal of the fiscal document is to balance the books for 2015.

Rickford says one of the highlights for our area is a pledge to extend or improve high-speed internet access.

The Conservative Government is projecting a 6.4-billion dollar surplus in 2015-2016.

KDSB Looking To Sell Off Housing Units

The Kenora District Services Board says it will eventually have to build at
least 30 new social housing units in the region.

The KDSB is planning to sell of at least 30 older units in smaller communities like Minaki and Dinorwick.

Dan McNeil is the Chief Administrative Officer and says their challenge now is to find partners willing to help out.

McNeil says under provincial legislation they are required to maintain the same number of social housing units.

He says they want to sell off units where there is very little demand and build
in areas where they have significant waiting lists.

Council Seeking Better Returns From KMTS Prosperity Trust Fund

Kenora City council is looking for ways of maximizing returns from the KMTS Prosperity Trust Fund.

Council was told yesterday that the trust will fall short of making the 1.1 million dollars targeted by the city to offset taxes each year.

Lauren D'Argis is the city's Corporate Services Manager and says even though they will come up short this year, the fund has over-performed in the past, so they will be able to use that money to make up the shortfall.

In the meantime, Councillor Louis Roussin says he wants to find out if the city can loosen the
purse strings on the Prosperity Trust to find some more profitable investments.

Right now under provincial regulations the trust restricted to very safe, but very low return investments.

Tent Caterpillar Numbers Expected To Rise This Spring

A seven year nuisance could make an appearance in the region this year.

Provincial Entomologist Taylor Scarr says the Forest Tent Caterpillar, also commonly called army worms, will see expanding numbers in Northwestern Ontario.

Scarr says they can't predict exactly where the outbreaks will occur.

He notes if the outbreak doesn't occur this year it will happen in 2015.

Bronco Court Sport Teams Swept In Season Finale

Not the way Beaver Brae wants to go into the NorWOSSA double "a"
play-offs.

The Broncos lost all five games played against the Muskies in their final
regular season games in boys basketball and girls volleyball.

The  Beaver Brae junior girls ended up playing a double header, but lost
both, including a make-up game from earlier in the season.

The play-offs will begin tomorrow in Fort Frances with all four Broncos squads playing in the semi-finals.

Saints Advance to Three NorWOSSA Title Games Today

The finals are all set in the NorWOSSA Single "a" play-offs.

Thomas Aquinas has qualified three teams for today's gold medal
games.

The Saints Junior girls volleyball team advance with a three sets to one
win over Ignace in semi-final action yesterday.

T.A. will now take on Rainy River.

The Owls senior girls will also face Thomas Aquinas in the Senior girls final.

In boys basketball, the Saints Senior boys was the lone team not to advance
after dropping a 66-58 decision in double overtime to Queen Elizabeth High School.

The junior boys final will see T.A. take on Rainy River.

Broncos and Saints Girls Hockey Teams Post Wins on the Road

A busy night in NorWOSSA hockey action.

A good night for Beaver Brae girls hockey team, but not so much for the
Bronco boys.

The Bronco girls topped Red Lake 5-3 last night.

Rylee Smith scored a pair of goals in the win.

Meanwhile, the Bronco boys were doubled up 8-4 by Fort Frances.

The Broncos are also back in action tomorrow against the Saints in an afternoon matinee at the Rec. Center.
The Thomas Aquinas girls hockey team also won on the road taking a 4-3 decision against Sioux Lookout.

The Saints will face off against the Broncos tomorrow night at the Kenora Rec. Center in their final home game of the regular season.