NAN Develops Residential School Curriculum

A long time coming.

That's the thought of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, as NAN launches a Residential School Curriculum.

Fiddler says initially they will introduce the curriculum into aboriginal schools across the region.

But he adds they will also be working with local school boards to try and implement it.

Fiddler says it's important that Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals know about the residential schools and the harm they caused.

Drivers Licences Soon to Be Available On-Line

Motorists in Northwestern Ontario will now be able to renew their drivers licences online.

Now by going to ServiceOntario.ca, you can use your existing photos on your licence for an additional 5-years.

Drivers can also get licence plate stickers, driver abstracts and other products in the same transaction.

Government Services Minister John Milloy says Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to provide drivers with the online option making it easier and more convenient.

Granite Lake Cottager Fined

A cottage owner from the United States has been fined $3,000.

Paul Borys of Arizona was fined after the Ministry of Natural Resources found he was expanding his cottage on Granite Lake without the proper permit.

Borys had only been issued a permit to repair the footing and roof of his cottage.

Authorization for work on Granite Lake properties is required by the Public Lands Act to protect the trout population and maintain water quality.

Sister Maria honored at Diocesan Conference

A long time employee of the Kenora Catholic District School Board is being singled out for her  years of hard work.

Sister Maria Ciccarelli was presented the Leadership Award in Catholic Education at a conference this past weekend.

An employee from each Catholic Board in the region was selected for the honor.

Cicceralli is the Kenora Board's religious education coordinator and was given the award by
the Bishop of Thunder Bay, Fred Colli.

Saints Split in Rainy River

Rainy River looks like it will once again be a force in the NorWOSSA
Single "a" girls basketball.

Thomas Aquinas was in Rainy yesterday and split against the Owls.

The Saints senior girls dropped a 37-17 decision, while the T.A. junior
squad was beaten 47-19 by Rainy River.

A different story in boys volleyball, as the Thomas Aquinas Senior team
dropped the Owls three sets to one.

For the second straight day, the Saints junior boys went the distance in
a five setter, but won three sets to two.

New Fall Tourism Campaign Draws Campbell's Ire

The fight over tourism is once again hitting the battlefield called Queen's Park.

During question period, Kenora Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell was sceptical about a new travel guide released by the province.

Campbell says the guide doesn't include the North and highlights the shortcomings of the government's tourism strategy.

Campbell also referred to the six provincial parks in the region that have already been closed for the season, along with 7 others that have been closed permanently in the North.

Author Crusades for Lyme Disease

The facts about Lyme Disease.

That's been the five year challenge for author Vanessa Farnsworth.

She talked about her new book Rain on A Distant Roof yesterday at
a Word on the Water sponsored event last night in Kenora.

Farnsworth was diagnosed with the illness in 2007 and says there's still too much mis-information about Lyme Disease.

Farnsworth believes part of the problem is that very little research has been
done on Lyme Disease in Canada, and that needs to change.

Trillium Foundation Holds Info Session Today

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is holding a few information sessions across Northwestern Ontario.

Local Program Manager Maureen Brophy says people will be able to learn about their new strategic framework and more.

Brophy says the session is open to any and all local community groups.

Today's innformation session will take place at 1:30 at the Kenora Rec Centre.

Single Vehicle Accident Closes Highway 17 East

Some excitement on the Trans-Canada Highway between Kenora and
Vermillion Bay.

An air ambulence made a landing yesterday morning to airlift a Dryden
man to Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The OPP say a SUV drove off the highway in the Stewart Lake area and hit a tree.

The driver, a 60 year old man, was the lone occupant of the vehicle and was transported to hospital for treatment of his injuries.

He has since been released.

Passport Clinic Returns to Kenora

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is bringing his Passport Clinic back to Kenora.

Rickford says it's a one-stop shop for anyone needing a new passport, or wanting to renew their exisiting one.

Rickford says now in addition to a five year passport, you can apply for a 10 year one as well.

The passport clinic will take place at the Legion in Kenora on October 4th.

BSC in Nursing Program Seeking Students

Another information session is coming up for anyone interested in a nursing career!

Lakehead University and Confederation College have teamed up to provide more information about the collaborative Bachelor of Science Nursing Program.

If you're interested, you can attend a video conference on October 8th from 4-5pm at the Lake of the Woods Campus in Kenora.

Intake for the program is expected in the fall of 2014.

TransCanada Wraps up Northwestern Pipeline Open Houses

Trans Canada Pipeline has wrapped up the last of it's open houses in northwestern Ontario on its proposed Energy East project.

The pipeline would see Alberta's oil sent to the East Coast.

Spokesperson Phillip Cannon says they've heard concerns across Northwestern Ontario.

He says most people seem concerned about the safety of the project.

The public information sessions have taken place over the past week in Kenora, Dryden,  and Thunder Bay.

Kenora Student Promotes new Initiative at LU

Lakehead University's Outpost bar is the first in Canada to offer pregnancy tests in their bathroom dispensers.

Kenora's Charmaine Romaniuk is the Student Union vice-president and says the initiative will start up this week and tests will cost 3 dollars.

The Outpost Bar hopes this will prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and want other local bars to follow suit.

PJP Hosts Carnival/Open House

It's a parents/teachers meeting with a twist.

Pope John Paul School is holding a carnival in connection with tonight's
open house.

In addition to games, bingo, a photo booth and face painting, there will be a  lollipop tree, cotton candy, and a concession featuring hot dogs and hamburgers.

The carnival is a fundraiser for school projects and will run from 5:00 to 6:30.

Interim Chief for Treaty Three Police Hired

The Treaty Three Police Service is dipping into the ranks of the OPP for its next chief of police.

OPP Detective Inspector Dan Davidson has been named the interim chief, to take over from Conrad Delarond.

Delaronde announced his retirement last month.

His last day on the job will be October 18th, and Davidson will start his new
duties on October 7th.

Davidson is currently posted with the Sioux Lookout Detachment, and has also
worked in Red Lake and Thunder Bay.

He grew up in Morson on Lake of the Woods.

Grade 7 and 8's Settling In At Beaver Brae

The new school year is just four weeks old, but grade 7 and 8 students
up at Beaver Brae seem to be settling in just fine.

Sean Monteith is the director of education at the Keewatin-Patricia District
School Board and says all reports back from the high school have been
positive.

The grade seven and eights were moved up to Beaver Brae this year,
from the elementary school system as part of the fall out from the closure
of Lakewood school.

Former Ontario Rangers to Lobby MPP's

Alumni with the former Ontario Rangers program are hoping to get the ears of MPP's at Queen's Park today.

They'll holding a lobby day as part of their fight to restore the program.

Spokesperson Martin Dubec say they've yet to talk to Natural Resources Minister David Oriazetti.

Dubec says they've set up a luncheon for MPP's to hear from alumni who've benefited from the program cut last fall.

Cliffs Threatens Pull-Out in Ring of Fire

A vice president with Cliffs Natural Resources confirms the mining giant's future in the Ring of Fire is in real danger.

Bill Boor says the company can't operate without an all weather road and a recent mining commission road ruling against that proposal make the company's pull out a continuing reality.

Boor says the company has not set a deadline for a possible pullout, hoping instead there can be a solution worked out.

Crimestoppers Crime of the Week

Crimestoppers in Northwestern Ontario is looking to the public to
help solve an assault and break-in in the Rideout area of town.

The incident took place back on September 4th around 2:00 in
the morning after two people forced their way into a home.

The male suspects demanded the occupants give them money and valuables,
while assaulting them.

One of the men had dark hair, with a short flat-top haircut, with the sides of his head shaved.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Crimestoppers.

Saints Split in Atikokan

The Voyageurs seem to be the team to beat this year in NorWOSSA Single "A" volleyball.

Thomas Aquinas court sport teams traveled to Atikokan yesterday and
split their four games.

The Saints senior boys lost in three straight sets to the Voyageurs, while
the T.A. junior boys were beaten in a five set marathon.

In girls basketball, Thomas Aquinas senior girls edged Atikokan 28-25,
while the Saints junior squad upended the Voyageurs 32-15.

T.A. concludes it's two day road trip in Rainy River this morning.