The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is holding a round table discussion on Kenora's economic crisis.
Representatives from the City,Making Kenora Home, Tourism, business and Labour communities will be speaking at the event.'
Summit Organizer Cassie Moehler says everyone faces challenges in today's economy.
The Kenora Forum on the economic crisis will be held at the Bestwestern from 1 until 4.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Downtown Revitalization Project gets 2 million dollars
The City of Kenora will get getting two million dollars from the provincial government to proceed with phase two of the downtown revitalizationproject.
The funding was announced yesterday by the Northern Ontario HeritageFund.
Jeff Port is the city's planner and says they hope to begin phase twoby the end of the summer.
Port says most of the work will center around the Lake of the WoodsPlaza, which is being developed at the intersection of Main and 1stStreet South on the Harborfront side.
The money will also help fix up aging wharves, and convert theThistle Pavillion into a year-round visitor information center.
The funding was announced yesterday by the Northern Ontario HeritageFund.
Jeff Port is the city's planner and says they hope to begin phase twoby the end of the summer.
Port says most of the work will center around the Lake of the WoodsPlaza, which is being developed at the intersection of Main and 1stStreet South on the Harborfront side.
The money will also help fix up aging wharves, and convert theThistle Pavillion into a year-round visitor information center.
LCBO Strike Deadline
Employees with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario in Kenora have set up their strike headquarters.
Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union will be in a legal strike position by midnight tonight.
Randy Robinson is an OPSEU spokesperson and says employees want to share in a very profitable crown corporation.
Robinson says the talks with the LCBO are under a media black outand he can't discuss the specific issues on the table.
However, he does say they are concerned with the large number ofpart time workers employed by the LCBO who don't enjoy workplace benefits.
Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union will be in a legal strike position by midnight tonight.
Randy Robinson is an OPSEU spokesperson and says employees want to share in a very profitable crown corporation.
Robinson says the talks with the LCBO are under a media black outand he can't discuss the specific issues on the table.
However, he does say they are concerned with the large number ofpart time workers employed by the LCBO who don't enjoy workplace benefits.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Paved Trail
Work has nearly been completed on a new wheelchair accessible walking trail to Rabbit Lake.
A portion of the trail from Nairn Avenue to Rabbit Lake was paved this week.
A number of groups got together to help fundraise for the project,including the Kenora Association for Community Living, the Lake of theWoods Regional Community Foundation and the Rotary Club.
A portion of the trail from Nairn Avenue to Rabbit Lake was paved this week.
A number of groups got together to help fundraise for the project,including the Kenora Association for Community Living, the Lake of theWoods Regional Community Foundation and the Rotary Club.
Canada Day Fireworks
A decision to bump Kenora's famous Canada Day fireworks from July 1 to July 4 has caused a small stir in town.
Some residents are questioning whether Canada Day organizers have forsaken patriotism in the name of a few tourist dollars.
The scheduling change has more to do with economics thandeclaring any U.S. allegiance.
When the city's lavish, $25,000 fireworks celebration has landed on a weekday, attendance has been lacklustre.
Show organizers say they have to do what they can to draw people into the community, even if it means changing the date.
Some residents are questioning whether Canada Day organizers have forsaken patriotism in the name of a few tourist dollars.
The scheduling change has more to do with economics thandeclaring any U.S. allegiance.
When the city's lavish, $25,000 fireworks celebration has landed on a weekday, attendance has been lacklustre.
Show organizers say they have to do what they can to draw people into the community, even if it means changing the date.
Fata; Crash-update
The OPP have released the name of a person killed in a single vehicle crash on Highway 17-A on Friday morning.
65 year old Archie Wilcott sustained fatal injuries after his motorcycleleft the road and hit a rock cut.
Police say they have have concluded their investigation in to thefatality, but are unsure why the motorcycle left the road.
The crash took place around 6:30 Friday morning.
65 year old Archie Wilcott sustained fatal injuries after his motorcycleleft the road and hit a rock cut.
Police say they have have concluded their investigation in to thefatality, but are unsure why the motorcycle left the road.
The crash took place around 6:30 Friday morning.
Increase in Forest Fires
Ministry of Natural Resources Fire Crews are keeping an eye on lightning caused fires in the region.
There are currently 28 active fires in the Northwest.
Many of the lightning caused fires are burning in the far north.
The blazes have been assessed and do not pose a threat to any communities or values.
Area communities may notice smokey conditions depending on the wind direction.
No new fires were reported as of Saturday.
There are currently 28 active fires in the Northwest.
Many of the lightning caused fires are burning in the far north.
The blazes have been assessed and do not pose a threat to any communities or values.
Area communities may notice smokey conditions depending on the wind direction.
No new fires were reported as of Saturday.
Oil Spill Kenora
All is well on the roadway in front of Kenora City Hall.
OPP and Fire Personel were called out to an oil spil around 3 o'clock Sunday.
Fire and Emergency Services Coordinator Warren Brinkman says some kind of vegetable oil was dumped along a route from the city hall parking lot to the public works area.
Brinkman notes they poured absorb-all on the roadway, and public works crews sanded the area.
The oil spill and road conditions do not pose a threat to the public.
OPP and Fire Personel were called out to an oil spil around 3 o'clock Sunday.
Fire and Emergency Services Coordinator Warren Brinkman says some kind of vegetable oil was dumped along a route from the city hall parking lot to the public works area.
Brinkman notes they poured absorb-all on the roadway, and public works crews sanded the area.
The oil spill and road conditions do not pose a threat to the public.
Wallace on Economic Development
The Lake of the Woods Development Commission is working on forming partnerships with area first nations.
The group wants to develop tourism opportunities involving area native communities.
Chair Dennis Wallace says they will play a large role in tourism and future business opportunities.
Wallace notes they also want to develop a tour of the prisoner of war camps on Lake of the Woods.
The group wants to develop tourism opportunities involving area native communities.
Chair Dennis Wallace says they will play a large role in tourism and future business opportunities.
Wallace notes they also want to develop a tour of the prisoner of war camps on Lake of the Woods.
MPP'S Want Help for Swine Flu
Two northern Ontario New Democrat MPP's are calling on the Province to provide the healthcare resources needed to stop the spread of swine flu in First Nations communities.
Howard Hampton and France Gelinas also want the Liberals to address underlying conditions that are making the communities more vulnerable to the flu.
Hampton and Gelinas say nursing stations at many northern First Nations are already stretched to the limit.
And Gelinas says with several families forced to live together in two bedroom houses because of housing shortages, disease can spread rapidly.
Howard Hampton and France Gelinas also want the Liberals to address underlying conditions that are making the communities more vulnerable to the flu.
Hampton and Gelinas say nursing stations at many northern First Nations are already stretched to the limit.
And Gelinas says with several families forced to live together in two bedroom houses because of housing shortages, disease can spread rapidly.
Deer Lake fatality
OPP and Nishnawbe-Aski Police are investigating the death of a 44-year-old man in Deer Lake First Nation, north of Red Lake.
Henry Kakekagumick was found along a roadway in the community and was transported to Hospital in Winnipeg where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortum is being conducted at the Health Sciences Centre.
Charges have yet to be laid.
Henry Kakekagumick was found along a roadway in the community and was transported to Hospital in Winnipeg where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortum is being conducted at the Health Sciences Centre.
Charges have yet to be laid.
Making Kenora Home
It's been over 2 years since the Making Kenora Home Committee was struck.
In that time, the group has made progress on four out of the eight recommendations they created.
Spokesperson Nan Normand says they worked hard to get the emergency shelter operating on a year round basis.
Norman notes they're also working on creating transitional housing for women.
In that time, the group has made progress on four out of the eight recommendations they created.
Spokesperson Nan Normand says they worked hard to get the emergency shelter operating on a year round basis.
Norman notes they're also working on creating transitional housing for women.
Parliament ends without an election
There was an almost audible sigh on Parliament Hill on Friday.
The opposition decided not to topple the Harper government, forcinga general election.
Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford no-one was very eager to see a vote thissummer.
Friday was the last day of the current sitting of the House of Commons.
Business won't resume on Parliament Hill again until the fall.
The opposition decided not to topple the Harper government, forcinga general election.
Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford no-one was very eager to see a vote thissummer.
Friday was the last day of the current sitting of the House of Commons.
Business won't resume on Parliament Hill again until the fall.
School Board Amalgamation
Staff from the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board plan to travel tothree schools being amalgamated before the end of the current school year.
The public school board will be taking over schools in Pickle Lake,Savant Lake and Upsala in September.
Larry Hope is the director of education and says they don't plan anymajor changes to the way the schools operate.
Chair of the public school board, Dave Penny says they have beenassured by the Ministry of Education that all costs associated with theamalgamation will be covered by the province.
The public school board will be taking over schools in Pickle Lake,Savant Lake and Upsala in September.
Larry Hope is the director of education and says they don't plan anymajor changes to the way the schools operate.
Chair of the public school board, Dave Penny says they have beenassured by the Ministry of Education that all costs associated with theamalgamation will be covered by the province.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Swine Flu in the Far North
The swine flu has hit First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario, with more than 100 sick on the Sandy Lake reserve.
Nurses and a doctor are distributing the antiviral drug Tamiflu to the sick.
Authorities have asked people from Sandy Lake to not travel to other First Nations communities in the region to keep the virus from spreading.
Nurses and a doctor are distributing the antiviral drug Tamiflu to the sick.
Authorities have asked people from Sandy Lake to not travel to other First Nations communities in the region to keep the virus from spreading.
Hospital Foundation Exec Resigns
The Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation is welcoming a new Director.
Former Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Economic Development Officer Megan Barr will be filling the role.
Outgoing Director Darrily Michiluk says he enjoyed his time at the helm of the foundation.
Michiluk is stepping down to further his education at the University of Toronto.
Former Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Economic Development Officer Megan Barr will be filling the role.
Outgoing Director Darrily Michiluk says he enjoyed his time at the helm of the foundation.
Michiluk is stepping down to further his education at the University of Toronto.
Grassy Narrows Walk
A number of members of the Grassy Narrows First Nation are scheduled to resume their mach to Ottawa today.
The walk is a continuation of a march that began on Earth Day from Grassy to Kenora.
The march in part has to do with clear-cut logging activity that hastaken place surrounding the community in recent years.
Members of the Treaty Three Coalition Group says they also will join the Grassy Narrows residents on their cross-province walk.
The walk is a continuation of a march that began on Earth Day from Grassy to Kenora.
The march in part has to do with clear-cut logging activity that hastaken place surrounding the community in recent years.
Members of the Treaty Three Coalition Group says they also will join the Grassy Narrows residents on their cross-province walk.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Forestry Pensions
The NDP's forestry critic is demanding the Federal Government protect workers pensions.
Various forest industry companies have failed to pay out severance and pension packages.
Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says the Conservative Government could help workers and protect their hard earned pensions.
Recently, Kenora Forest Products failed to make a payment deadline for severance packages.
Abitibi Bowater also stopped paying pensions during its time under bankruptcy court protection.
Various forest industry companies have failed to pay out severance and pension packages.
Thunder Bay Rainy River MP John Rafferty says the Conservative Government could help workers and protect their hard earned pensions.
Recently, Kenora Forest Products failed to make a payment deadline for severance packages.
Abitibi Bowater also stopped paying pensions during its time under bankruptcy court protection.
Adult Education
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says its seen good successwith its adult education classes, after re-instating the program this year.
A total of 30 students are scheduled to graduate later this month.
Program Co-ordinator, Cyndi Cossais says they are also working withhigh schools to ensure day students also have access to the adult education courses.
Cossais says in all, they had 275 students enrolled in adult educationclasses this year in five locations within the board.
A total of 30 students are scheduled to graduate later this month.
Program Co-ordinator, Cyndi Cossais says they are also working withhigh schools to ensure day students also have access to the adult education courses.
Cossais says in all, they had 275 students enrolled in adult educationclasses this year in five locations within the board.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Rent Bank gets money
By: Sheri Leviski
2009-06-12
07:25:44
Northwestern Ontario's "Rent Bank" will be a little bit richer thanks to the Provincial Government.
The Kenora District Services Board received just over 18 thousand dollars for their rent bank.
Ontario Works Director Dianne Apland says the bank is for low income families.
Apland notes the recession has meant an increase in residents applying for funds from the rent bank.
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