Broncos Hit the Road for NorWOSSA Court Sports

The NorWOSSA "AA" court sport season tips off today.

Beaver Braes girls basketball teams and boys volleyball teams are travelling to Dryden to take on the Eagles.

The junior boys are coming off their first action of the season, at  the Kenora Invitational Tournament this past weekend.

Final Casino Meeting Tonight

The public will finally get a chance to voice its opinion on whether the City of Kenora should express an interest in having a casino.

Tonight the final public meeting on the Casino issue will be held.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says so far people who favour a casino seem to be in the majority.

A request to make a deputation can be made through city hall.

The meeting will take place at 7:00 in the Rotary Room at the Kenora Rec. Center.

More Blood Donors Needed

Canadian Blood Services says it fell a little bit short of its goal on day one of the blood donor clinic in Kenora.

Yesterday, 154 people showed up at Thomas Aquinas to give the gift of life, with a total of 130 units of blood collected.

That was 14 shy of their target.

Today, there are still 48 appointment times available, and Canadian Blood Services is hoping to collect another 86 units of blood.

The blood donor clinic will run from 9:30 to 12:30 at the T.A. Gym.

OPP Identify Body of Youth Found in Sioux Lookout

The body of a woman found dead behind a church in Sioux Lookout has been identified as 15 year old Regina Kakekaspan.

The young girl was found in a wooded area yesterday morning.

A post mortem examination is scheduled today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
Provincial Police are asking anyone with information on her death to contact the Detachment or Crime Stoppers.

Council to Review Non-Profit Housing Options

Its going to be another year or more before Kenora City council makes a decision about whether the local non-profit housing corporations should be merged.

Council decided last night to set up a review committee to look at the issue.

Jack Pearson is the chair of the Keewatin Non-Profit Housing Corporation and says there is no real reason to force a merger of the two boards.

Pearson says the city has suggested it can save about 20 thousand dollars a year by amalgamating the two boards, but he doesn't see where those savings can be made.

Water Delivery Rates Going Up

Its going to cost more to have water delivered to your door.

Kenora City Council has approved a rate increase for water delivery.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says there hasn't been any increase in the rates for at least 10 years, and the current system isn't financially sustaining itself.

The new rates will go into effect starting in the new year.

City Wants Province to Pay for Crossing Guards

School crossing guards are on Kenora City Council's mind.

Council says it would like the Ministry of Education to take responsibility for funding the position.

Currently the city spends about 50 thousand dollars a year to hire crossing guards for crosswalks near area schools.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield admits this is a battling for years, since he was mayor back in the former town of Jaffray Melick.

Five new forest Fires in the Kenora District

Still plenty of forest fire activity in northwestern Ontario these days.

There have been nine new wild fires reported over the last three days, five of those in the Kenora area.

Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Debbie McLean says people need to be careful of their outdoor fires.

McLean says many of the new fires are human caused.

Robbery Suspect Faces Drug Charges

A 44 year old Winnipeg man faces a number of charges following a hold up in the Lakeside area.

The OPP say they were called to the 5th Avenue South Area on Saturday to deal with a robbery.

After arresting the suspect officers managed to seize 2.2 grams of cocaine, 1.5 grams of crack cocaine, 49 grams of marihuana and 14 hundred dollars in cash.

He has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime and robbery.

Kenora Man arrested in Stabbing Incident

A 39 year old Kenora man faces assault charges following a stabbing incident in downtown Kenora.

The OPP say they responded to an assault on 2nd Street South around 8:00 Saturday night.

Police say they located a 63 year old woman from Winnipeg, who was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

The male suspect faces a charge of assault with the weapon.

The OPP have not released any names at this time. 

Emo Anglers Win Crow Lake Bass Classic

Emo anglers Wayne Howard and Dean Howard captured the Crow Lake Classic Bass tournament in Nestor Falls over the weekend.

Their two-day catch of almost 31 lbs was about 3.5 lbs more than second place team of Murphy Paypompee and Howard Kabestra of Whitefish Bay First Nation.

The two day tournament wrapped up yesterday.

Rec. Center Seeks Accessibility Funding

The Kenora Rec. Center is working to become more accessible.

The Community Services Department is applying for a 50 thousand dollar grant from the federal government to increase the number of automatic doors in the facility.

Colleen Neil is the Recreational Services Manager and says its all part of their long term capital plan for the Rec. Center.

Some members of council say they would also like to see more hand rails added to municipal boat docks making it easier for people with physical disabilities to get out of their boats.

OSSTF Clarifies Job Action

They're playing by the book.

President of the local chapter of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation John Dykes says that there is no one telling teachers not to participate in extracurricular activities.

Dykes says there's no cause for concern for parents or students.

Last week, the Elementary School Teachers Federation went on record urging its members not to participate in extracurricular activities in response to the passage of Bill 115, which imposes contracts on Ontario's teachers.

KPDSB Updating Shop Equipment

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is planning to modernize shop equipment in local schools.

This decision comes after a safety inspection was done, which determined that many of the peices do not meet safety regulations.

Superintendent of Business Dean Carrie says it should take about 8 weeks.

Carrie says the old equipment has been either taken away or blocked out so students cannot use it.

Fall Blood Donor Clinic Starts Today

They're back...

Canadian Blood Services is in town today and tomorrow for its fall Blood Donor Clinic.

Spokesperson Harvey Heather says walk-ins are always accepted, they do like people to book an appointment if at all possible.

The Blood Donor Clinic will run from 4:00 to 9:00 this evening and again from 9:30 to 12:30 tomorrow at Thomas Aquinas.

10 Grand Raised for Cancer Research

Another good turn-out for the annual Terry Fox Run in Kenora.

Over 300 people showed up yesterday at Valleyview School to help raise funds for Cancer Research.

Organizers estimate they raised about 10 thousand dollars locally.

The run went down Rabbit Lake Road and back to Valleyview.

NOSM Launches New Scholarship Fund

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is embarking on a fundraising campaign.

Officials are hoping to raise 120 thousand dollars with the sale of so called virtual chairs which organizer Jackie Dojack says will be used to help students finance their schooling.

The cost of each chair is 60 dollars with 2 thousand up for sale.

NAPS Make Another Drug Bust in Attiwapiskatt

Nishnawbe-Aski Police have made their third drug bust in Attiwapiskat First Nation this year.

On Thursday, officers seized about 26 thousand dollars worth of marijuana, two firearms and drug paraphernalia.

Police say 44-year-old Luke Koostachin and 32 year old Jennifer Tomagatick have been charged with posession of controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, careless storage of a firearm and unauthorized posession of a firearm.

The two were released on conditions, and are expected to appear in court on November 28.

Task Force Hosts 2nd Annual Slo-Pitch Tournament

The Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force is working on a new fundraising campaign.

Next weekend, the Task Force is holding its second annual Community Baseball Tournament.

Constable Bob Bernie says last year's event helped them launch a public awareness campaign. 

Bernie says they are still looking for more teams.

You can contact the OPP Detachment in Kenora or the Kenora Chiefs Advisory for more information.

Saints win Junior Volleyball Tournament

The Thomas Aquinas Saints took top spot at the Kenora Invitational Junior Boys Volleyball Tournament over the weekend.

T.A. and Beaver Brae hosted the two day tournament with the Saints beating Whitefish Bay in the A-side final Saturday afternoon.

In the Consolation pool, Fort Frances toppled Dryden in the final.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's football team is still searching for its first victory in the Winnipeg High School Football League.

The Broncos dropped a 34-10 decision to Sisler on Friday to drop to 0-2 in league play.

Beaver Brae now faces Dryden on Thursday in their Homecoming Game at Pete

Fair Memorial Field.