Hospital Searches for New Head of Patient Care

Lake of the Woods District Hospital is hoping to be able to hire a new head of patient care by the end of this month.

Leslie Brown announced her retirement back in January, and the hospital has been accepting applications ever since.

Brown is retiring in June, and the board is hoping to have a new Vice-President of Patient Care in place before that, so they can do some on the job training with her before she leaves.

OPP Crack Down on Careless Driving

The OPP has been cracking down on unsafe truck drivers in northwestern Ontario.

Over the past two days, provincial police have charged two truckers.

In one instance, police say a transport failed to stay within the marked lane while driving in the Minnitaki area west of Dryden.

The 56 year old driver from Montreal was also charged with failing to keep a proper log book.

Earlier in the week Dryden OPP also charged a Fredricton, New Brunswick man with careless operation of a motor vehicle after receiving a report of a semi being operated in an unsafe manner.

OPP Say Phone Survey Legit

The OPP say its been getting a number of calls from concerned residents about a phone survey that's being conducted.

The Provincial Police has hired R.A. Malatest and Associates to poll local residents about what they think about the police service in the Community.

The OPP say the survey is legitimate and should be be completed by March 31st.

The survey takes between five and seven minutes to complete and is strictly voluntary.

Rickford Expects Safe Streets Act to Pass next week

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is not phased by an NDP move to stall passage of the Harper Government's crime bill.

It was expected to go to a vote earlier this week, but NDP procedural tactics have delayed the vote.

Rickford doesn't think it's a major setback.

Rickford notes this is common practise and he doesn't anticipate a major delay.

Campbell Singles out local students at Queen's Park

Six local high school students received a shout out in the Ontario Legislature this week.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell took time to recognize the group for their participation in the Waterloo University 'D.I.R.E.C.T.I.O.N.S' program.

Campbell also thanked the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board for being a leader in student achievement.

OPP arrest four people in Firearms Investigation

The OPP have arrested four people in connection to a four month investigation into firearm smuggling in northwestern Ontario.

The investigation is called Project Excavator and involved the OPP's Organized Crime Unit, Treaty Three Police and the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Bureau.

All four people arrested are from the Rainy River District.

Two are from Manitou Rapids, another from Couchiching First Nation, and the other from Barwick.

Charges include trafficking firearms, transferring a firearm without authority and knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm.

More charges are expected to be laid in the days ahead.

Local Athletes Gear Up for Ontario Winter Games

Members of the Jaffray Melick Judo Club and the Thomas Aquinas Junior girls volleyball team are in Collingwood today for the start of the Ontario Winter Games.

Members of the Judo club are part of Team Northwest and will be in competition tomorrow.

The volleyball players are also part of an all-star team with girls from across northwestern Ontario.

They are scheduled to begin play on Saturday.

Opening ceremonies begin this evening.

A Positive Message For International Women's Day

An inspirational message for International Women's Day.

2011 Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year, Barb Steggeman brought her message of positive change to Kenora.

Stegemann started up a perfume company out of her home, and says International Women's Day has been a landmark day for her career.

Stegemann says her message is about empowering women and girls to be the best they can be, and to believe in their ideas and dreams.

Suspect in Mandamin murder Arrested in Alberta

A suspect wanted in the killing of an 18 year old Northwestern Ontario man outside the Canad Inns Polo Park hotel in Winnipeg has been arrested in Alberta.

A warrant for manslaughter was previously issued for the arrest of 19 year old Raymond Gerald Baker.

Arrangements are being made to return Baker to Winnipeg from Alberta.

Wahb Mandamin was assaulted outside the hotel on February 14th and rushed to hospital, where he died from injuries.

Wahb is the son of Shoal Lake #39 First Nation Chief Eli Mandamin.

A 17 year old man has already been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Tom Cochrane to Headline Harborfest Friday

The entertainment line-up for this year's Harborfest is starting to fall into place.

Friday night will be 80's night once again with April Wine, Saga and Tom Cochrane slated to perform.

Dave Blake is the director of Entertainment and says they are looking forward to having Red Rider back in Kenora.

Tickets for the Friday night show are expected to go on sale early in April.

Hospital Looks at E-Health Records

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says its taking it slow and steady when it comes to electronic health records.

Many hospitals across the region have already gone to an e-health system.

Hospital CEO Marc Belcaen says they are currently consulting staff and trying to find the best system out there.

Belcaen says they don't want to proceed with electronic health records until they can get a guarantee the province will help cover some of the costs.

Hospital Searching for New Board Members

Wanted: a couple of good candidates to run for a position on the Lake of the Woods Hospital Board.

The board is gearing up for its annual general meeting in June, and needs to fill at least four positions.

Chair, Fred Richardson says they know they will need at least two new board members.

In order to run for a position on the board, you have to purchase a corporate membersship at least 60 days before the Board AGM.

Domestic Violence Conference warns of OXY Withdrawal

A dire warning about the impact of removing Oxycontin from the market in Ontario. Peggy Shaugnessy is one of the speakers at a Domestic Violence Conference taking place in Dryden. She says Police and domestic violence agency's may be busier as a result of the move.

Shaugnessy says she's already seeing more cases of violence from those who are trying to cope with the withdrawal.

Big Trout Chief Takes to YouTube

The Big Trout Lake First Nation is actively guarding Sherman Lake against mining company God's Lake Resources. Chief Donny Morris is staying at the lake saying he's guarding against the company that insists on drilling on leases and claims that are known sacred burial grounds.

Morris released a video on youtube this morning asking Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci to hold negotiations between God's Lake and the First Nation.

Broomball Semi-Finals Underway

The Flying V's and Dunit Contracting are in the drivers seat of their semi-finals in the Kenora Broomball league. Last night, Dunnit shut out regular season champs the Pink Pirates 1-0. In the other semi- the Flying V's needed seven rounds of a shootout to get by the Blizzard 4-3. Game two of the semi-final series go tomorrow night at the Rideout Rink.

Beware of Changing Ice Conditions

The OPP are warning local residents to check ice conditions before
they head out on local lakes and rivers.

Recent warm weather has created variable ice conditions.

Police say you should be cautious when heading out on snowmobile
trails or ice roads over the next few days, as temperatures continue to
yo-yo.

Oxycontin replacement blamed for death in NWO

One Oxycontin user in Northwestern Ontario is dead as the result of a possible overdose of a replacement prescription drug.

Regional Coroner Dr. Michael Wilson says the man was prescribed a higher dose of the substitute drug than he should have received.

Dr. Wilson wouldn't say where in the region the incident occured.

Alzheimer Society looking for new Volunteers

The Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River is looking to add to its volunteer base.

The organization is recruting for various positions including fundraising and raising pubilc awareness.

Executive Director Lynn Moffatt outlines how you can get involved.

Moffatt says they work one-on-one with volunteers to ensure they are matched with an enjoyable and appropriate position.

Domestic Violence Conference underway

Domestic violence agency workers from across the Kenora and Rainy River Districts are learning new skills this week on how to treat female trauma victims.

The 3-day Conference is taking place in Dryden.

Lori Beyer is a trauma specialist from Washington, D.C. and she says workers need to use positive renforcement to help victims move on.

Beyer says the key is helping those impacted by domestic violence take the initiative to make accurate judgments and decisions.

Dewar picks up support in Kenora

Paul Dewar has a vision for Northwestern Ontario.

The Federal NDP leadership hopeful says that vision includes affordable power and job training.

Speaking in Kenora Tuesday afternoon, Dewar outline one other priority for the North.

Dewar has received the endorsement of Kenora NDP candidate Tania Cameron.