Do One Thing Conference Underway

The CEO of the Northwestern Health Unit has officially opened the Do On Thing Conference.

In his opening remarks Mark Perrault says health is not accomplished by 1 single entity.

Perrault notes the 3 themes of the conference are healthy communities, healthy workplaces, and the importance of partnerships.

Board of Health Chair Julie Roy noted that health is the culmination of environment, lifestyle choices, policies, and systems.

She also noted her excitement to build on partnerships during the 3 days conference.

Moncrief Getting Ready To Start Downtown Revitalization

You might start noticing some new street signs around Kenora today.

The city is preparing to direct traffic around downtown with Phase III of Downtown Revitalization set to begin next week.

This morning crews were out erecting road closure and detours signs around the city.

Parts of Second Street South, which is part of the main Trans-Canada route through the city, will be closed during construction.

The 4.7 million dollar project is scheduled to start on Monday.

Canfield Pleased With Northern Leaders Debate

Not alot of content, but words the president of Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association wanted to hear.

That from Dave Canfield after the debate.

In an interview with Net Newsledger, Canfield says there was a willingness from both leaders to work with northern Ontario.

Canfield says he will also hold the leaders to their word after the election.

Northern Heritage To Run Three Candidates for June 12th Vote

The party pushing for northern Ontario become it's own province is running three candidates in the provincial election.

Leader and founder of the Northern Ontario Heritage Party Edward Deibel is running in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

Association president Paul Sloan is running in Thunder Bay-Superior North.

The party says it has a registered riding association for Kenora-Rainy River, but no candidate for this election.

KWG Suggests Help For Ring of Fire

KWG Resources is demanding a new provincial government should turn Ontario Northland into a transporation authority, similar to port and airport authorities in the province.

Spokesperson Frank Smeenk says it would help to raise money for capital projects in the Ring Of Fire, in which his company has a stake.

Smeenk says the new role for Ontario Northland would only require a change in the legislation.

Treaty Three Holds Spring Assembly This Week

The Grand Chief of Treaty 3 is preparing for the annual spring assembly.

Warren White says they assembly covers topics such as health care and child welfare.

White says unfortunately they won't have any provincial representatives attending.

He notes Kenora MP Greg Rickford and Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt have not responded to their invitations.

Dryden City Council Finally Ready To Release Budget Details

The City of Dryden will take the wraps off the 2014 capital and operating budget tonight.

A public meeting is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion at 7 o'clock.

Chief Administrative Officer Andre Larabie says they didn't move forward with all of the cuts suggested by consulting firm KPMG.

He says the cost of the severance packages would have just been too high.

Larabie notes details on severance packages issued to impacted staff will also be released.

Unifor Ratifies Deal with Resolute

The first collective agreement between Unifor and Resolute Forest Products has been ratified.

The new four-year agreement covers approximately two thousand
unionized workers at eleven of the company's mills in Ontario and Quebec.

The deal sets the pattern for negotiations with as many as eight thousand workers with other forest companies in eastern Canada.

Kowalik/Carpenter Bronco Athletes of the Year

Beaver Brae honored it's top athletes last night at the annual Bronco Athletic Awards Banquet.

Kyle Kowalik was named the male athlete of the year and says it's the culmination of years of hard work and fun.

Kowalik was also named boys curling MVP and won the Pete Fair Award for football.

Tyanna Carpenter was named the Broncos female athlete of the year.

Carpenter was also named the senior girls basketball MVP.

Other award winners last night were Halle Stasiuk with the Pete Fair Spirit Award, Lisa Ressing with the Diana Clark Award and Taylor Alcock with the Riel Tucker Award.

Saints Advance to NorWOSSA Soccer Finals

Both Thomas Aquinas boys and girls soccer teams are easily into today's NorWOSSA finals.

Yesterday, the Saints girls cruised to a 9-1 win over Red Lake to advance to the final.

Kiera Riel led the offense with four goals.

T.A. will now face Rainy River in the today's gold medal game at noon.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas boys earned a 3-1 win over the Rams setting up
a final against Sioux Lookout.

Aiden Tayor scored a pair of goals for T.A. in the victory.

The boys gold medal game goes at 10 this morning in Red Lake.

NWHU Hosts Do One Thing Conference

The Northwestern Health Conference is set to hold it's first ever major health conference.

The Do One Thing Conference begins tomorrow under the Whitecap Pavilion.

Event Manager Mike Greaves says over 300 people are scheduled to attend.

Greaves notes attendees include health professionals, schools, and non-profit organizations.

The Do One Thing Conference runs from tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday.

It also features an evening event with Rant specialist Rick Mercer.

for more details and to purchase tickets visit www.doonethingconference.ca.

Wynne/Horwath Duke It Out in Northern Debate

Energy, the Ring of Fire, police costs and social services.

Those were just some of the issues covered in the Northern Leaders Debate today in Thunder Bay.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield asked about improving supports for social services and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath agreed that more needs to be done for people on social assistance in this region.

For her part, premier Kathleen Wynne pledged to maintain ministries that are important to northern Ontario such as Aboriginal Affairs, Natural Resources and Northern Development and Mines.

Conservative leader Tim Hudak was a no-show, campaigning in southern Ontario instead.

Former Kenora Resident Tagged to Be Ice Dogs Bench Boss

Kenora's Kurt Walsten is the new Head Coach of the Dryden Ice Dogs.

Walsten has plenty of coaching experience in junior hockey and was an assistant in Drumheller, Alberta last season in the AJHL.

While he is originally from Kenora Walsten has also been Coach and GM of the Sioux Lookout Flyers in 2011 and has experience in the BCJHL, the MJAHL and MJHL.

Brian Bates is the new General Manager and he hopes to strike a nice balance this year.

Walsten and Bates both say this years team will be held accountable and will be highly visible in the community.

Another Break-In Reported

The OPP are investigating yet another incident of someone getting caught breaking into a home in  the south end of town.

Police say a resident in the South Park sub-division woke around 4:00 in the morning to find unknown individual in their house.

The suspect fled the scene.

The incident took place three days before a similar incident in the Lakeside area.

This time, the suspect is described as being a large male, with jeans rolled up to his knees, wearing
a red hoodie and baseball hat.

The OPP say they don't know if the incidents are connected.

Hot Weather Over the Weekend, but No Records

Close but no cigar.

Kenora came close to setting a record warm temperature over the weekend.

On Saturday the thermometer topped out at 29.1 Celcius.

That was just shy of the previous record of 29.4 set in 1972.

Fort Frances did set a record hitting 30.7, breaking the previous record set
in 1980 of 30.5.

Two People Dead In Fatal Accident Near Eagle River

Two people are dead following a two vehicle collision near Eagle River.

The crash occurred around 7 o'clock yesterday morning on Highway 17.

Provincial Police say a westbound vehicle collided with an eastbound transport.

Both the male driver and male passenger of the vehicle died.

The driver and passenger of the transport weren't injured even though their vehicle went off the road into a body of water.

Police are investigating and no charges have been laid.

A post-mortem exam is being conducted today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Northern Leaders Debate Today

Two of Ontario's top political leaders square off in an election debate in the city today.

The NDP's Andrea Horwath and Kathleen Wynne of the Liberals will be answering questions on northern Ontario issues when
they face each other in the lunch hour debate at the Valhalla Inn.

PC leader Tim Hudak could not make it because of a scheduling conflict.  

Hudak instead will be spending the day in Peterborough and a couple of stops in the Toronto area.

Liberals Release Election Platform in Thunder Bay

The provincial Liberals have released their election platform.

Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Thunder Bay yesterday afternoon to present the platform.

Added to their new plan is one billion dollars in funding for the Ring of Fire, regardless of federal government involvement.

Wynne says the Ring of Fire is important to the north.

The Premier also discussed road maintenance in the north, adding that twinning the highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon is a priority.

Canfield Says Operational Review Long Overdue

An operational review is coming for the City of Kenora.

Council this week passed a resolution to send out a request for proposals.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the review will set a good benchmark for the city.

The last review was performed in 2000 and Canfield notes changes in the municipal organization have occurred since that time.

It's expected the review will be carried out this summer.

Clothing Drive For Kasechewan Evacuees

A clothing drive is being held for the almost 600 Kashechewan First Nation evacuees.

The evacuees could be staying in Thunder Bay for much longer than originally thought.

They've already been here for three weeks and officials aren't sure when they'll be able to head back to their community because of flooding in the James Bay.

The Nishinawbe Aski Nation is working with a number of agencies to collect clothing and toiletries.

They'll also accept books, toys, and pens, pencils and paper.

GPS Unit Helps American Man on Rainy Lake

A distress call though a GPS satellite is being credited with helping a Minnesota man receive emergency help.

OPP were notified of the distress call Friday.

Using the coordinates, police were able to locate the man at this lake only access cabin in the northwest arm of Rainy Lake where he was found to have suffered a leg injury and needed assistance.

Police were able to help the man return home.

His injury did not require urgent emergency medical attention from police or ambulance personnel.

Mid-Air Fight Arrests Made

A fight in the air has resulted in charges against three people.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police in Attawapiskat received a complaint about a fight taking place on board an aircraft in flight.

The incident occurred on Air Tindi Flight 803.

27-year-old Cindy Okimaw of Attawapiskat faces one count of endangering safety of aircraft.

Two youth face similar charges as well as assault.

Two Derailments Under Investigation in NWO

Two train derailments over the weekend in the region.

A train left the CP rail tracks near Dinorwic on Friday afternoon.

The incident was minor and no one was injured.

The Transportation Safety Board is investigating a derailment, east of Fort Frances.

A team of investigators was deployed after 35-five cars left the CN rail track Friday afternoon, just east of the level crossing on Highway 11-71 in the township of Alberton.

It's reported that two of the cars contained dangerous goods, but nothing spilled.

A small grass fire also broke out, but was quickly extinguished.

No one was injured.

NorWOSSA Soccer Championships Start Today in Red Lake

NorWOSSA play-offs will take place on two fronts over the next three days.

The Single "a" championships are being hosted in Red Lake starting this
morning.

The Thomas Aquinas boys and girls teams have semi-final games against
the host Rams.

The Saints boys play at 10:00 with the T.A. girls on the pitch at noon.

The winner of those semis will face either Sioux Lookout or Rainy River in
tomorrow's finals.

Beaver Brae will host the Double "a" championships on Wednesday at the Tom Nabb
Soccer Complex.

Sharks Sharp in Thunder Bay

The Kenora Sharks got along just swimmingly in Thunder Bay over the
weekend.

Several members of the local swim club brought back medals from the
SunLife Grand Prix swim meet put on the by Thunder Bay Thunderbolts.

Natalie Peterson led the way with three gold medals, while Emilia Mastromateo
collected a pair of gold.

It was a clean sweep for the Sharks in the 10 year old girls 200 meter freestyle, with
Alexis Fromme taking gold, Mastromateo silver and Amelia Illman bronze.

12 year old JC Dragasyk won a gold, silver and a bronze.

It was also a Sharks sweep in the12 and under 200 meter breast stroke with Gabe Mastromateo winning gold, Dragasyk silver.

Beaver Brae Crowns Master Chef

It's Master Chef Beaver Brae style.

Former student Mike Green who competed on the national tv show is at the school to judge the local competition.

Green says he has some tough criteria for the dishes.

Lucas Brown won the competition with a Pan Fried Chicken with Havarti Cheese and Sauteed Mushrooms paired with a Bacon Gnocchi and Vegetable medley.

Water Levels Continue Rise

Lots of white water at the Norman Dam in Kenora these days.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board has authorized yet another increase in
outflow to combat rising water levels.

Executive Engineer says what they haven't seen this much rain in 20 years.

Water levels on Lake of the Woods have risen about six inches in the past week, and
are expected to rise another four to five inches in the coming week.

Council Concerned About Future of Land Titles Office

Kenora city council is joining a growing chorus of communities battling to keep their land titles offices open.

Council has passed a resolution asking the provincial government to maintain the Kenora Land
Registry office.

In the provincial budget two years ago, the province drafted legislation that would see land title
seaches centralized out of Thunder Bay.

Council says while much of the information may be available on-line, many people in the Kenora
area don't ahve access to high speed internet services and title searching service may not be
available to them.

Other critics worry about increased costs to homeowners and delays in getting the information.

Kenora council says it's circulating the resolution to all law offices, surveyors and municipalities
in the district.

Catholic Board Looks To Fill Vacancies

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is going to have to fill a few more vacancies this summer.

The board has received a total of four retirement requests in the past month.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says the don't expect any problems filling the positions.

She says two teachers, a janitor/education assistant and payroll clerk have all submitted their
resignations for the purpose of retirement

The board is also projecting a slight increase in enrolment next year, but Eikre says they don't know if
that will require any increase in staffing at this point.

Kinew Interested In National Chiefs Job?

An emergency meeting will be held for First Nations chiefs from across the country, next week.

The major topic of the meeting will be the viability of the Assembly of First Nations, whose divisions were surprised by the resignation of leader Shawn Atleo.

The meeting will take place in Ottawa on May 27.

One of the people reportedly interested in the national chief's job is Wab Kinew from the Onigaming First Nation, but currently works in Winnipeg.

Wynne Brings Campaign to NWO

The first visit to Northwestern Ontario during the election campaign for the current Premier.

Kathleen Wynne will be in Thunder Bay on Sunday to launch her party's platform.

She will stay overnight and will attend the northern leaders debate on Monday.

NDP Promise Highway Improvements

The Ontario NDP have launched their campaign platform for the spring election.

Leader Andrea Horwath says one of the key priorities for the North is expanding Highway 17.

Horwath notes the NDP promises to 60 kilometres of highways every year with half of that guaranteed to take place in Northern Ontario.

She says that includes twinning the Trans-Canada in the Nipigon area as well as the Manitoba Border to
Kenora.

Heart and Stroke Foundation Touts "Healthy" Candidates

Local provincial hopefuls Anthony Leek, Randy Nickle and Tim McKillop are healthy candidates.

They're among more than 100 candidates in the provincial election pledging to the Heart and Stroke Foundation that their parties will invest more to promote and support better health in Ontario.

The Foundation's campaign has attracted 86-percent of the elected MPP's.

Nickle Says Red Tape Huring Tourist Outfitters

Kenora-Rainy River PC candidate Randy Nickle is calling for a halt to unnecessary red tape burdens on local camp owners.

Nickle says the province has ordered all employees to wear life jackets when on the dock or near the water.

Nickle says its another example of how impractical and unnecessary government regulation is getting in the way of small local businesses.

He says the issue was a hot topic at the recent Northwestern Ontario Tourist Association Conference.

OFL Says Tory Job Cut Plan Will Hurt Kenora

The Ontario Federation of Labour says the Progressive Conservatives campaign promise to eliminate thousands of public sector jobs will have a devastating effect in northwestern Ontario.

Leader Tim Hudak wants to reduce the workforce by at least 100-thousand.

A federation study says that could mean 339 job losses in Kenora.

The O-F-L study did not look at the impact in the region's smaller communities.

Delayed Openings For 11 Provincial Parks

The unusually cool spring is having a trickle down effect at some provincial
parks in nortwestern Ontario.

Parks Ontario says it had to delay the openings of 11 parks across the region due
to snow and ice still on the lakes.

Quetico, Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou are all scheduled to open by tomorrow, which is just in time for the Memorial Day long weekend in the United States.

That's the traditional start to the American tourist season in the region.

Kenora's Master Chef To Be Feted At Beaver Brae

Beaver Brae will be paying special tribute to one of it's former
students today.

Mike Green will be returning to be a guest judge during their
Master Chef competition today.

Green was one of the finalists in the this year's edition of the cooking
show.

He'll also be be on hand at Thomas Aquinas as they also wrap up their
own Master Chef challenge.

Saints Finish NorWOSSA Soccer Season with Wins

The Thomas Aquinas boys soccer team finally has it's offense on track.

The Saints finished the NorWOSSA regular season yesterday with a 3-0 win over Rainy River.

A similar result for the T.A. girls as they routed the Owls 4-1.

Both Saints teams finished the regular season without a loss heading into
next weeks Single A play-offs in Red Lake.

Meanwhile the NorWOSSA double "a" season wraps up today at the Tom Nabb Soccer
Complex.

Beaver Brae hosts both Dryden and Fort Frances starting at 9:00 this morning.

These games are to make up for ones that were cancelled earlier this month due to poor weather.

Ontario Police Boards Discuss New Funding Model

Members of the Kenora Police Services Board are in Toronto this week for their annual conference.

One of the key issues is the new OPP costing formula.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says it's likely going to be a divisive issue.

While details of the new funding formula have been released, Canfield is worried that the results of the provincial election could derail implementation in 2015.

Machin Man Charged With Trafficking

A Vermillion Bay resident has been arrested for marijuana possession in Kenora.

28 year old Rob Gardner was arrested on Tuesday following a traffic stop on Highway 17-A.

Police found 200 grams on marijuana in the car valued at 36 hundred dollars.

Gardner has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of marijuana.

He will answer to the charges in Kenora court in July.

Economic Development Commission Delivers Q1 Report

Tourism and housing.

Those are a couple of key points for the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission
in 2014.

In his first quarter report to council, chair of the commission, Don Denver says they are currently
at work on a plan to attract more visitors.

He says the new five year plan should be complete by the end of June.

Denver adds they are also working on a housing report, looking for ways of increasing the
inventory of affordable homes in the community.

Green Party Requests Seat at Northern Leaders Debate

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner wants to take part in the upcoming Northern Ontario leaders debate on Monday in Thunder Bay.

Schreiner says they've written the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association expressing their interest in taking part.

Schreiner says if NOMA says they want him to take part he'll rejig his schedule and make it to the debate to face NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Premier Kathleen Wynne.

PC Leader Tim Hudak's people said scheduling conflicts are keeping him from taking part.

Youth In Philantropy Grants Handed Out

Youth In Philanthropy has presented grants to four local charities.

The grants were handed out yesterday by students from Beaver brae and Thomas Aquinas.

Maddy Gilfix from T.A. says it was tough to only select four organizations.

Thomas Aquinas gave one thousand dollars to both the Morningstar Detox Centre and the Minto Parent Resource Centre.

Beaver Brae also gave one thousand to the Kenora Fellowship Centre and the Cat Shelter.

Stranded Canoer Rescued in Quetico

A harrowing experience for a canoeist in Quetico Provincial Park.

OPP says the man's canoe had drifted away Monday afternoon after he stopped at an island on Kawnipi Lake, leaving him stranded.

He was able to sent a message back to a Minnesota tourist outfitter who notified authorities.

Poor weather delayed rescue efforts until Tuesday morning where the man was found safe and sound.

Officers also helped get the man's canoe back.

Marathon Woman Charged With Embezzling

A Marathon woman is facing charges for involvement in misappropriation of funds.

Police recieved reports in September that an excess of  $15,000 was missing from the Marathon Minor Hockey Association's bank account.

36 year old Trixie Gulliford is being charged with theft over $5000.

She is set to appear in court July 24th in Marathon.

Northwest Senior Games Next Month

The Northwest Senior Games will be held in Thunder Bay next month.

Organizer Ruth Racic says 12 events are scheduled throughout the City.

The winners from this year's events will advance to the Ontario Senior Games.

The games will be held from June 2nd to the 5th.

NorWOSSA Soccer Season Winding Down

A tough day on the pitch in Dryden for Beaver Brae's soccer teams.

The Broncos were 0-4 in both boys and girls games.

In boys play, the Beaver Brae boys lost 6-0 to the Eagles and 5-1 to Fort Frances.

On the girls side it was also a tough day with the Broncos losing 3-1 to Dryden and 2-0 to the Muskies.

Beaver Brae is back in action tomorrow at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex to finish
the regular season.

Meanwhile, a little better results for Thomas Aquinas in Sioux Lookout.

The Saints boys played to a 0-0 draw with Rainy River and started the day with
a 1-0 win over the Warriors.

The T.A. girls continue to dominate beating Sioux Lookout 3-0 and blanking
Rainy River 3-0.

The Saints play Rainy River again today to wrap up the regular season.