Radio Tower Down in Hudson

Provincial Police are seeking the public's help after someone knocked down a radio tower in Hudson.

OPP say sometime last weekend someone struck the tower operated by our sister station in Dryden, with a vehicle and drove off.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sioux Lookout OPP or Crimestoppers.

CKDR says its working at replacing the tower.

Broncos Ready for Super Scrimmage

It football season in Kenora.

The Beaver Brae Broncos are hosting a 4 team exhibition series this afternoon.

Head Coach Chris Penner says it will be the last chance to finalize the starting roster.

Penner says the super scrimmage includes Dryden, Fort Frances, and Grant Park.

The games will be played at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex at 12:00.

Beauty Bay Wins Men's Slo-Pitch Title

The Beauty Bay Cubs are the champions of the Casey's Men's Slo-Pitch League.

The Cubs came back with a dramatic 9th inning, hitting back to back home runs for
a 17-16 win over the Sierra Construction Centuries.

Beauty Bay wins the best-of-three A-side Final two games to one.

Premier Wynne Scheduled to Visit Kenora this Weekend

Ontario's Premier Kathleen Wynne is making a trip to northwestern Ontario.

She's making stops in Kenora Sunday and Thunder Bay following Monday

Details of her trip are still being finalized, but while in Thunder Bay she'll hold a round table discussion on jobs with local business leaders.

Wynne's last trip to Kenora was during the Liberal leadership race last winter.

Some Auto Insurance Rates Ready to Drop

There is good news for some Ontario drivers.

The Co-operators says it plans to reduces its auto insurance rates October.

Actual dollar savings will vary between drivers.

The province announced last week it will mandate a 15 per cent drop in rates over the next two years

Few Forest Fires Despite Hot Weather

Despite unseasonably warm weather, still not a lot of forest fire activity in
the region.

Just one new fire reported in the Kenora District yesterday.

That follows five new wild fires that were reported the day before in the
region.

Fire information officer Debbie McLean says due to the warm weather they will be keeping their seasonal staff a little longer.

There are currently 26 active fires in the northwest region, a number of
which are being monitored.

New Ecological Reserve Near Sprague

A new ecological reserve is being created in eastern Manitoba.
   
The 76-hectare Holmgren Pines Ecological Reserve is located 30 kilometres northeast of Sprague.
   
The province says it's the only known site in Manitoba where all three native pine species, eastern white pine, red pine and Jack pine, grow together.

Rickford Questions "Pot" Use

Some things are better kept private.

The message from the Kenora MP Greg Rickford, as he reacts to news Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has admitted to smoking marijuana since being elected to Parliament.

Rickford says Trudeau has already voiced his thoughts on pot use.

He says there are challenges in Northwestern Ontario regarding the use of narcotics, and that Trudeau isn't setting a good example.

Health Unit Offers Back To School Lunch Tips

The Northwestern Health Unit is promoting healthy eating as the new school year is now underway.

Registered dietitian Julie Slack says it's important to start the day off right.

Slack adds having a solid breakfast will help kids sit still in class and will enhance student learning.

Slack says parents should be mindful of packing child friendly meals.

She says left over foods are a great alternative and suggests thinking "outside the box" when packing a lunch.

Slack adds that parents should involve their kids when making lunches or meals at home.

She notes fruits and veggies as well as small packages of yogurt or apple sauce are other great ideas for lunch.

Attawapiskat Band Elections Results to Be Confirmed Today

Chief Theresa Spence has reportedly been re-elected to a second three-year team as chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario.
 
A final vote count is expected to be made public today.
   
Spence gained notoriety last winter for subsisting on fish broth and tea for six weeks as a form of protest during the rise of the Idle No More movement.
     
The election went ahead Tuesday despite a call from The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples to postpone it until all members living off-reserve had a chance to vote.

Assault Investigated on Grassy Narrows

One man remains in hospital following an assault Monday evening on the Grassy Narrows first nation.

Treaty 3 Police say they were called out around 7:30 with reports of an assault.

Police say they found two men at the scene, one has been released from hospital while the other has been transported to Thunder Bay.

Police have charged 32-year Everette Brown with 2 counts of aggravated assault.

Men's Slo-Pitch Season Winding Down

One series has been decided and another will be going the distance in the Casey's Bar and Grill Men's Slo-Pitch League.

The Sons of Pitches took the B-side final in two straight games with a close 18-16 victory over the Titans last night at the Rec. Center Ball Diamonds.

Meanwhile, the Beauty Bay Cubs have battled back in it's series against the Sierra Construction Centuries.

Beauty Bay won game two of the best-of-three A-side final 11-8 last night.

The third and deciding game will take place tonight.

Kenora OPP Reviews Expansion of Tasers

The Kenora OPP are looking into expanding the use of tasers.

The province announced this week that all front line officers will be permitted to use the weapons.

Constable Bob Bernie says it's not just a matter of issuing a taser to officers.

Bernie says that the OPP has to review and possibly change policies and procedures regarding use of force protocol, and certify officers.

Bernie adds that tasers can be a very effective tool when used in the proper situations and with the proper training.

TransCanada to Hold Pipeline Info Sessions in NWO

TransCanada Pipeline is kicking off a series of consultations in Northwestern Ontario.

The public information session's on the Energy East Pipeline project will start in Kenora on September 16th.

There will also be stops in Vermillion Bay, Dryden, Ignace and ending in Thunder Bay on September 24th.

Officials with the project say it would see Alberta's oil pumped across this region to the East coast.

Vehicle Registration Fees Going Up

Its going to cost you more to register your vehicle this year.

As of September 1st, the cost of a validation tag will go up from 41 to 45 dollars.

The provincial government says it will be increasing the cost of the validation tags for the next two years after as well.

In September of 2014, the tags will cost 49 dollars and increase to 54 dollars by 2015.

Big Changes at KPDSB

Some big changes in store this fall for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

This is the first day back to school for elementary and secondary school students.

The biggest change is the introduction of grade seven and eight classes to Beaver Brae.

Clinton Breutsch is the principal at Beaver Brae and says the 7 and 8's will have their own area of the school to themselves.

Work is also on-going at Valleyview School.

The one million dollar expansion isn't expected to be complete until Christmas.

Catholic School Board Ready for New School Year

Over at the Kenora Catholic District School Board they have been hard a work preparing for the new school year.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says that includes the hiring of new teachers.

Eikre says as far as programming goes, Pope John Paul is launching a therapy and academic program, while St. John's in Red Lake will continue the Leader in me Program.

Eikre estimates that student numbers will be up just slightly this school year.

Model Shoreline Funding Announced

The Federal government is helping two local
groups create the model shoreline.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has announced over 24-thousand dollars for the Lake of the Wood Development Commission and the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association.

Rickford says action is needed to protect water quality.

The Discovery Center will be the home of the project and will teach residents about how they can protect their own shorelines.

Ride For Memories Nears Goal

Another successful Ride For Memories!

Rosanna Tomashowski is the Acting Executive Director with the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River, and says they raised over 46 thousand dollars during Saturday's ride.

She adds that more than more than 200 people from Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances
supported the cause.

Tomashowski says you can still help the society reach its 50 thousand-dollar goal by contacting
their Kenora office with a donation.

Centuries Win Challenge Cup

The Sure Thing Centuries proved they are the real thing.

The Centuries captured the Challenge Cup last night with a 3-2 victory over the Pro-Auto Glass Fury.

The Centuries needed overtime to secure the win.

They also captured two of three trophies up for grabs in the Kenora Men's Soccer League after winning the regular season title.