Hydro Protests Planned for This Afternoon

Local residents fed up with soaring hydro rates will voice their concern today in Nestor Falls and Dryden.

A peaceful protest is planned from 12 until 1 today.

In Nestor Falls it will take place in the parking lot at Dalseg'sTrading Post, while the Dryden protest will be staged in front of the Government building on Highway 17.

Local residents are showing their displeasure with high hydro rates as well as Hydro One.

Less Than A Week Left in Rotary Auction

Less than a week to take advantage of some great deals.

The Rotary Auction will wrap up next Wednesday.

Incoming president, John Dahl says there are still lots of
items up for grabs.

The Rotary Auction is one of the major fundraisers for the local club and supports local projects as well as some of their international initiatives.

The on-line auction wraps up on April 9th.

Path of the Paddle Receives Trillium Funding

The manager of Trans Canada Trail Ontario is excited to see work continue on the Path of the Paddle.

Melissa Pomeroy says they just received a grant of over 330 thousand dollars from the Trillium Foundation.

Pomeroy says it will help keep the project organized.

She notes they hope to have the trail from Thunder Bay to the Manitoba border complete by 2017.

Dryden Mayor Takes Leave of Absence

Some surprising news from the City of Dryden.

It appears there's temporary changes at the top.

There are reports that Mayor Craig Nuttall has taken a 3 week leave of absence.

The move comes after a 4-3 vote that resulted in the defeat of a staffing position in the community.

Nuttall was one of three council members to vote in favour of the position.

The vote centred around the hiring of a previously advertised Economic Development Manager position.

Mary Trist will take over Acting Mayor duties.

New Fire Season Officially Underway

Starting fires might be the least of our worries these days.

However, the fire season is offiically now underway across northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is remind residents that daytime burning regulations are now in place.

Fire information officer Deb McLean says the regulations kicked in on Tuesday.

McLean notes that with all the snow and ice in the region it will be a slow start to the season.

Valleyview Holds Ribbon Cutting

Valleyview School is showing off it's newest addition.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held yesterday for the kindergarten
wing at the school.

Principal Jason McDonald the new classrooms have helped them expand their
kindergarten programs.

The one million dollar expasion started in July of last year and was completed by
December.

Lay-Offs Confirmed at Bearskin

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is confirming several layoffs at Bearskin Airlines.

The Union says Bearskin has provided its entire 11-unionized aircraft maintenance staff at Sioux Lookout with a temporary layoff notice.

All maintenance will now be performed at the Thunder Bay maintenance base.

Permanent layoffs were also issued for four workers at the Kitchener-Waterloo airport and six at the Winnipeg airport.

Union Spokesperson Michael Corrado says the company has also announced they will be closing down their

Engine Overhaul facility in Thunder Bay, contracting out that work, resulting in the loss of four jobs.

Nishinabe-Aski Nation Demands Better Fire Prevention

The death in a house fire in the remote community of Fort Severn First Nation has prompted calls for a better approach to fire safety and prevention in First Nations.

Nishnawbe-Aski First Nation wants governments, and emergency service providers to begin putting more emphasis on prevention.

Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says a chronic lack of firefighting services and substandard housing, many without smoke detectors or fire extinguishers, is becoming a deadly combination that claiming too many live.

Monday's fire at Fort Severn fire comes just weeks after four perished in a house fire in Mishkeegogamang near Pickle Lake.

TransCanada Pleased With Energy East Feedback

TransCanada Pipeline says most local residents appear to be on board with the proposed Energy East Pipeline.

Philippe Cannon is making the comments after a series of open houses in northwestern Ontario.

Cannon says they still are in the preliminary stages on plans to transport Alberta oil to the east coast.

Cannon says the plan is to convert one of the main lines in northwestern Ontario as well as build pump stations.

OPP Blues Hockey Team Hits The Ice

The OPP are dusting off their hockey jersies for a good cause.

The Blues will be taking on a group of high school players from
Thomas Aquinas in a charity game Saturday night.

Constable Bob Bernie says they'll be collecting donations for
the Salvation Army's food bank.

Bernie says they will also have a silver collection which will go
towards the OPP's youth camp.

Game time is April 5th at 6:30.

Beaver Brae Dominates Badminton Qualifier

A total of 27 local badminton players have advanced to the NorWOSSA finals.

The regional play-offs were held yesterday at both Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas.

Broncos teams were dominant, with 15 players heading to the NorWOSSA championships.

Andrew and Tyler Neil won their respective divisions, while John Houlden and Eric Nelson
won the junior boys doubles, while Bo Rogers and Alex Smith took top honors in the
senior boys doubles.

Logan Ginn and Kate Charlebois also won the senior mixed doubles event.

A total of 12 Thomas Aquinas players also qualified for next week's championships
taking place at the Beaver Brae and T.A. gyms.

Fire Marshall Investigating Fatal House Fire in Fort Severn

Nishnawbe Aski Police are investigating a deadly house fire in Fort Severn First Nation.

The blaze broke out early Monday morning.

Police say one person is dead and several people managed to escape blaze.

A post mortem exam is scheduled for today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora.

The Ontario Fire Marshall is being brought in to help out with the Investigation.  

Osisko Fighting Off Goldcorp Takeover Bid

Osisko Mining appears to have found a partner to help fight off a hostile take-over bid by Goldcorp.

Osisko says it's entered into a partnership with Yamana Gold that will see the Toronto-based company acquire 50 per cent interest in Osisko and become  an equal partner in its mining and exploration projects.

The deal is valued at nearly 930-million dollars.

Goldcorp is offering 2.9 billion for Osisko.

Harbourfest Signs Country Acts

They're going country.

Harbourfest has given into requests and booked a country show for Friday Night.

Assistant Entertainment Director Sandra Ivanowich says the show will have a Winnipeg connection with  Doc Walker signed as the co-headliner.

The Brothers Landreth, also from Winnipeg will be opening the show.

Also co-headlining is Dallas Smith, former lead vocalist for Default

Tickets go on Sale Saturday.

OPP Comes In Under Budget Again

Some cost savings for the City of Kenora.

The OPP says it cost almost 800 thousand dollars less last year to
police the city than it's original forecast.

Inspector Dave Lucas says one of the main reasons is their overtime costs have remained relatively low.

Lucas adds that their budget estimate in 2014 will also be about one percent less than their estimated costs in 2013.

Kings Bay Gold Continues Exploration in NWO

King's Bay Gold continues its work in northwestern Ontario.

The junior mining company has signed multiple confidentiality agreements with unnamed third parties relating to its work on property near Nestor Falls as well as other properties.

King's Bay Gold says its also received a three year exploration permit from the province to continue its work.

Province Confirms Caliper Lake Will Open This Summer

Ontario is working with Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls to once again offer camping and other services at Caliper Lake Provincial Park.

Under the three-year partnership, Ontario Parks will work with Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls to operate the park for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons with the goal of increasing revenue and visitation rates.

The township will be responsible for staffing and operational and capital costs while covering any net financial losses incurred during the period.

Rickford Pleased ELA Deal Finalized

 Greg Rickford says the Federal government has a fulfilled its commitment to ensure that research at the Experimental Lakes Area will continue under a new operator.

The Minister of Natural Resources says they have been involved in the process for nearly 2-years by working with the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

The feds weren't mentioned in a media release announcing the new deal but were recognized by the IISD for their involvement from the start.

NOSM Adding Suicide Awareness Training

Students in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's MD Program will now have suicide awareness training included in their curriculum.

Scott Chisholm is founder of the Collateral Damage Project and says he has been working on having schools include training like this for five-years.

Chisholm says with suicide rates as high as they are in the area it's important for institutions to become leaders in dealing with the issue.

Mount Evergreen Staying Open Longer

A change in plans.

A foot of fresh snow this week means Mount Evergreen will be staying open a little longer.

Manager Steve Simpson says the slush pit has been postponed until the Easter long weekend.

In lieu of the Mardi Gras festivities this weekend,  Simpson says they are offering free rentals instead.