Tourism Offficials Looking Forward to Cross-Border Changes

Tourism officials in northwestern Ontario feel there's some resolve to their complaints about access at the Canada-U.S. border.

The federal government has informed them of a plan to implement measures that help Americans with minor criminal offences enter Canada.

Tom Pearson, president of the Northwestern Ontario Tourism Association, says it's good news.

Many area lodges claim to have lost thousands of dollars because American visitors with often years old offences were being turned back at the border.

Community Foundation gets some cash

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation is used to giving a helping hand.

But now the local charity group is getting some financial assistance from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Executive Director, Darlene McGilvary says they will be getting 11 thousand 800 dollars to purchase

some new software.

McGilvary says the software will allow them to improve tracking of donor contributions, grant disbursements

and investment growth.

Right to Play

Some 100-youth from 7 Northern First Nations will be in the Dryden area this weekend for the "Right to Play" event.


City Manager Joe van Koeverdan says youth, aged 9 to 16, will be taking part in a number of recreational avtivities as well as a Winter Games.

The kids, "Right to Play" staff and community chaperones will be housed at Camp of the Woods for the 3-day event.

Van Koeverdan was introduced to the initative at the National Canoe and Kayak Championships and worked with Andi Kidd on bringing the event to Dryden.

Northern Ontario Ridings

NDP Members of Parliament are lobbying the federal government to maintain the 10 ridings in northern Ontario.

The M.P.'s are worried that riding re-distribution might result in fewer members in the House of Commons.

Nickel Belt M.P. Claude Gravelle says they've seen representation in northern Ontario shrink since 1995.

Gravelle says he plans to introduce a private members bill in the House of Commons this week guaranteeing northern Ontario at least 10 Members of Parliament.

Shoal Lake #39 First Nation

The federal and provincial levels of government need to get more involved with the
Shoal Lake #39 First Nation.

That's the feeling of Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell.

She met with band members yesterday and says more comprehensive talks need to
take place.

In recent weeks, Shoal Lake has blockaded the OFSC snowmobile Trail to the Manitoba
border, and has also demanded that the City of Winnipeg pay the community for the water it takes from Shoal Lake.

2012 Municipal Budget

The 2012 municipal budget has passed with very little debate from members of Kenora City Council.
Council has approved a one percent increase in the mill rate, which amounts to about 21 dollars a month for the average homeowner.

Councilor Rod McKay says he would still like to see about a half a million dollars trimmed from the capital side of the budget.

McKay says there are four items in the capital budget he wants to re-visit, including 170 thousand dollars to renovate the entry into the Kenora Rec. Center and also a front end loader for the facility.

Impaired Driver

Police didn't have to go very far to arrest this impaired driver.

Kenora OPP says a vehicle struck a Treaty Three Police cruiser in Nestor Falls early Sunday morning.

Officers stepped out their car and arrested the driver.

The accused was turned over to Provincial Police.

A 29-year-old Manitou Rapids woman faces impaired driving charges.

She was one of four people arrested on the weekend for drinking and driving.

Bronco Sports

Beaver Brae won just one game against the Dryden Eagles in their final games of the regular season.

The Broncos junior boys returned to their winning way with a 39-26 victory
over the Eagles.

The Bronco senior boys basketball team dropped a 48-32 decision to Dryden while the Beaver Brae senior girls lost three sets to none to the Eagles.

The Bronco junior girls also lost three sets to one.

The NorWOSSA play-offs take place in Fort Frances on Wednesday, where all four Beaver Brae teams will be involved in the semi-finals.

Resolute Forest Products

Resolute Forest Products, formerly known as AbitibiBowater, is giving more time for Fibrek to consider its hostile offer for Canadian pulp producer.

It has extend today's deadline to February 23, setting up a potential bidding war with Mercer International who is also interested in Firbrek.

Resolute's offer of 130-million dollars is about 30 per cent lower than Mercer's bid.

WiFi in class

The union representing Ontario's Catholic teachers is joining a growing list of opposing the use of wireless Internet technology in the classroom.


The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association suggests up to one million Canadians may have "severe and immediate" reactions to WiFi.

Several schools in southern Ontario have already returned to hardwiring computers in their classrooms over WiFi concern.

Peaceful Border Day

Prime Minister Harper and President Obama are again being asked to give recognition to the relationship between Fort Frances and International Falls.


Speaking to Fort council last night, Falls city administrator Rod Otterness says the two cities deserve to have July 2nd proclaimed by their leaders as Peaceful Border Day.

The day coincides with the annual tug of war between the two cities.

Quilters Want Relief from Parking Tickets

Kenora City Council says it doesn't want to be a wet blanket.

A quilting group has asked the city for some leniency when it comes to issuing parking fines in the area of Knox United Church.

Marion Wright is a member of the Hearts of Knox Quilters and says some of their members are finding difficulty dealing with the two hour parking limit in the area.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield has suggested expanding the free parking zone along 5th Avenue South, so a few more quilters would be able to park without incurring fines.

City Wants a Crackdown on unpaid Traffic Fines

The City of Kenora wants to crack down on motorists who refuse to pay their fines.

Currently the city is looking at over two million dollars in unpaid parking tickets and other traffic fines.

City council says its a significant problem and is endorsing a resolution from the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards.

The Association says there are a number of gaps in the system and suggests there are ways of improving the ability of municipalities to collect unpaid fines.

Special Budget Presentation this Afternoon

Taxpayers can get an idea of how their money is being spent today.

Kenora City Council will be holding a special budget presentation this afternoon at City Hall.

Last week, council finalized the 2012 numbers and are requesting a one percent increase in the mill-rate.

A complete break down of the numbers will be made at 3:00 this afternoon in Council chambers.

Broncos girls Battle Eagles for First

First place in on the line this afternoon in NorWOSSA girls hockey action.

The Beaver Brae Broncos are hosting the Dryden Eagles in a make-up game at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The Broncos trail the Eagles by one point in the standings.

Puck drop is 1:30 this afternoon.

Beaver Brae is back in action tomorrow afternoon against their cross-town rivals from Thomas Aquinas.

No Homes Games for Midget Thistles when Play-offs open Friday

No such thing as home ice advantage for the Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles.

The Thistles begin the play-offs this weekend but will have to play their best-of-three series on the road.

The Kenora midgets will travel to Thompson, Manitoba to face the NorMan North Stars.

The Thistles finished the regular season this past week with a split against the North Stars in northern Manitoba.

Game one of the best-of-three series begins Friday night.

Senior Thistles lose on the road

The Kenora Senior Thistles dug themselves a hole they were unable to get out of.

The Thistles were in Morris yesterday and dropped a 4-2 decision to the Southeast Prairie Thunder.

The Thunder raced out to a 4-0 second period lead, but the short-staffed Thistles managed to cut that in half with goals from Jon Johnson and Matt Richards.

The Kenora Senior squad is back in action this weekend with a game in Fort Frances against the Thunderhawks on Saturday.

Old Age Security System

The federal government isn't about to do anything drastic with the Old Age Security System just yet.

That's the message from Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford.

Rickford admits they are looking at a number of ideas to try and deal with long term funding issues facing the system.

Rickford promises that any changes will not affect people currently collecting Old Age Security cheques or people nearing retirement.

Week of Action Against Poverty

Making Kenora Home is trying to raise awareness this week about the issue of poverty.

The 5th annual Week of Action Against Poverty began yesterday.

Dan Jorgensen is a spokesperson for the Committee and says a wide array
of events will be taking place this week.

One of the main events is the Poverty Challenge, which will wrap up on
Thursday. For the full list of events visit: http://www.makingkenorahome.ca/

Attawapiskat

Bad news for the troubled Northern First Nation of Attawapiskat.


Officials are concerned the sites chosen for two new house trailers haven't been prepared yet.

They're worried the road to the remote community will close before the trailers and building supplies arrive.

The First Nation is battling a severe housing crisis and declared a state of emergency last fall.