Hospital Looking At Patient Advocate Program

The Lake of the Woods District Hospital is researching a new pilot program for patient advocacy.

The idea came about from a presentation seen by board chair Fred Richardson about a program in Kingston.

Hospital CEO Mark Balcaen says the program would benefit patients who need help understanding the health system.

Balcaen adds that the hospital is going to do research on if the program would work on a voluntary basis.

Thunder Bay Storm makes Top 10 List

Thunder Bay has the dubious distinction of making it to the top 10 list of weather events in Canada for 2012.

Meteorologist Geoff Coulson of Environment Canada says they are calling this year, the year of the flood.

Back on May 28th, a severe thunderstorm flooding dozens of basements and overwhelmed the

city's water treatment plant.

Coulson notes the event shattered weather records and was one of a kind.

Thomas Aquinas Boys Hockey Team Wins Again

The Thomas Aquinas Saints boys hockey team will head into the Christmas break on a bit of a winning streak.

The Saints upended the Fort Frances Canadians last night 6-2 in an exhibition game.

Rory Keith led the scoring attack with a hat trick.

The Saints finish the first half of the season with a record of 10 wins, four losses and a tie.

T.A. is preparing to head to New Mexico for a tournament on January 1st.

Snowmobile Goes Through Laurenson's Creek

A not so subtle reminder to check the ice conditions before you venture out on local lakes and rivers.

This morning, a snowmachine when through the ice on Laurenson's Creek in the area of the 8th Avenue Bridge.

Constable Dave Cain says the recent warm weather has created variable ice conditions.

Cain says fortunately the snowmobiler managed to get himself out of the water to safety

New Paramedics to be Hired in Kenora

The Kenora District Services Board is beefing up staff at the new land ambulence base in Kenora.

The DSAB is doing away with an on-call paramedic crew.

Director of EMS Andrew Tickner says instead, the board has approved 4 new positions to create a second on-site overnight crew.

In addition to the positions in Kenora the KDSB is adding 1 new overnight position in Sioux Lookout.

The KDSB hopes to have everything in place by the end of January.

New Zoning By-Law for Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls

Nestor Falls residents are going to have to get used to a few more rules and regulations.

This week, the Town of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls approved a new Zoning By-Law.

This is the first time Nestor Falls has ever had zoning regulations.

Mayor Bill Thompson says he's been trying to explain to residents the benefits of the new by-law.

Another key componant of the by-law restricts how close property owners can build to the lake.

School Flags Remain At Half Mast

The Kenora Catholic District School Board says flags at its schools will remain at half mast this week.

The separate School Board says its in remembrance of the 20 children and six women who were killed at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says the tragic loss of life has impacted all communities, including local schools.

She adds that their board takes these rare incidents seriously and has crisis support teams in place in each school and lockdown procedures to ensure student safety.

Firefly and Health Unit Compile Snapshots of our Children

A series of "snapshots" are hoping to reveal strengths and weaknesses in children and families in the area.

CEO of Firefly Karen Ingebrigtson says they are intended to be a resource for service providers to address needs and issues within surrounding communities.

The snapshots include extensive data about children under the age of four in the Kenora District. 

A link to the snapshots is available on both Firefly's and the Northwest Health Unit's websites.

NAN Supports Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is pressuring the Federal Government to release files on the residential schools.

Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is appalled that the federal government has refused to release millions of documents currently held by 23 federal departments.

He feels it's making it impossible for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to do its job.

Thistles Down Selects

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles continue to have the Eastman Selects number.

The Thistles upended the Selects 5-2 last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Nick Prouty led the way with a pair of goals.

The Thistles are back in action Friday night with a home game against the Interlake Lightning.

Salvation Army Delivers Holiday Hampers

The Salvation Army is playing to role of Santa Clause today.

Captain Roy Bladen says volunteers are in the process of delivering this years Christmas hampers to area families.

Bladen says even with a week left in fundraising that the donations have have gone beyond his wildest dreams.  

He adds the people in the Kenora area have donated around 50 thousand dollars worth of food, toys, and money.

Council Approves Street Vendors Again

Street vendors will be back on the Kenora Harborfront and the Discovery Center once again next summer.

Kenora City council has given approval to continue the street vendor program.

Last year there were three approved for the Harborfront area and two for the Discovery Center.

Next year, only one will be given a permit to set up at the tourist information center on Lakeview Drive.

Minaki on the River Moving Forword

Its taken a couple of years, but the owners of the former Minaki Lodge have outlined their plans for the property.

Minaki on the River will consist of a 56-unit apartment-style condominium  and 96 lots to be sold as seasonal cottage lots.

Bob Banman is one of the people behind the development and says they tried to blend into their current surroundings.

The project is currently in front of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing awaiting approval.

The developers hope to secure the approvals in early 2013, with infrastructure work to commence sometime next year.

Catholic Board and Teachers Union Disagree on Contract

The Kenora Catholic District School Board and its teachers aren't exactly singing from the same song book.

The separate school board has wrapped up local bargaining with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association.

The talks failed to produce a new agreement, so the current contract will remain in place.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says the deal with ensure at least two more years of labor peace.

However, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association says is disappointed with the current position of the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

Bastone Back as School Board Chair

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is staying the course.

Frank Bastone is back for another term as chair of the separate school board.

Bastone was re-elected at last night's inaugural board meeting.

Long time trustee Paul Landry was elected as the board's vice-chair.

Kenora Hydro Unhappy with New Report

A recent all-party report on Ontario's electrical distribution system isn't sitting well with Kenora Hydro.

The report suggests amalgamating a number of the municipal hydro utilities would save millions of dollars.

President and CEO of Kenora Hydro Dave Sinclair says the report doesn't recognize some of the realities here in northwestern Ontario.

Sinclair says while it might make sense to amalgamate hydro utilities in southern Ontario, it's a little more difficult in our region.

Aboriginal Protest on Highway 71 This Morning

Motorists travelling along Highway 71 may encounter a brief delay this morning.

Members of Onigaming First Nation near Nestor Falls intend to protest measures contained in the federal government's omnibus bill they say effects the environment and First Nation Treaties.

Chief Norman Copenance says the protest will be peaceful.

The protest to begin at around 10 this morning.

Red Lake OPP Officer Cleared by SIU

The Province's police watchdog is clearing a Red Lake O.P.P. officer of any wrong-doing in the death of a 35 year old man last month.

Ian Scott of the province's Special Investigations Unit says, “There are no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the death.

The S.I.U.’s investigation leads to only one reasonable conclusion: the decedent took his own life by means of a single bullet discharged from a rifle at close range.

There was no police involvement in his unfortunate death.”

The S.I.U. also concluded that at no time did police have any contact with the man who perished sometime between November 4th ad 5th.

Cabbie Assaulted

A 35 year old Kenora man faces charges as a result of an assault on a local taxi driver.

The OPP say they received a complaint Saturday morning around 8:00, that a cabbie had been attacked by a passenger while travelling along the Redditt Road.

A male suspect was arrested at the scene.

Patrick Achneepineskum has been charged with assault.

He's due to appear in Kenora Court at the end of January to answer to the charge.

Saints Win Exhibition Hockey Game

The Thomas Aquinas Boys hockey teams is trying to stay sharp, despite the curtailment of the NorWOSSA hockey season.

Last night, the Saints traveled to Dryden to take on the Paper Kings.

The Saints earned a 3-2 shootout victory, getting goals from Jackson Fregeau and Tyler Caron.

John Percy had the shootout winner.

The Saints will be traveling to New Mexico for a tournament during the Christmas holidays.