New Drinking Driving Laws

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-05-01

07:57:03

Kenora OPP are reminding the public that new drinking and driving legislation takes effect today.

Drivers found with a blood alcohol level between point-0-5 and point 0-8 will lose their licence for three days.   

A second offence brings a seven-day licence suspension and a visit to an alcohol education program.   

Three-time offenders lose their licence for 30 days and their vehicle will be fitted with an ignition interlock.

The licence suspensions cannot be appealed. 

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Ontario Mining Act

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-05-01

07:44:48

The McGuinty Government is making significant strides in Aboriginal consultation in its proposed changes to the mining act.

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle unveilled the new legislation Thursday.

Gravelle says the act will provide clear rules for industry and reduce the impact of mineral exploration on the environment.

If the legislation is passed, Ontario will begin putting new rules in place later this year.

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NAN on Mining Act

By: Mike Ebbeling

2009-05-01

07:43:40

The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation is pleased the Provincial Government is starting to address aboriginal concerns but notes the proposed Mining Act doesn't meet all of their needs.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy says they are concerned that First Nations still don't have to be notified before a claim is staked.

Beardy adds the Legislation falls short of giving aboriginals a share of mining revenues.

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Council Awards Landscaping Contract

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-05-01

07:41:44

Kenora City Council has awarded the tender for the remaining landscape work in the areas of the roundabout, City Hall, and Main Street.

Wilco Contracting had the winning bid, coming in at almost 574 thousand dollars.

Councillor Dave McCann says the landscaping will have a minimal impact on traffic.

That work is expected to be complete by June 30th.

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Council Project Funding

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-05-01

07:40:46

Kenora City Council is applying for Federal and Provincial funding for a number of infrastructure projects.

One of the applications is for 7 million dollars from the Canada-Ontario Stimulus Fund.

Operations Committee Chair and Councillor Dave McCann says they want to put the funding towards repaving parts of Highway 17 east and west.

Council is also applying for money to fix up sections of Lakeview Drive as part of the Downtown Revitalization Project.

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Bombardier TTC

By: Canadian Press

2009-04-30

06:38:27 

Toronto's contract to spend a (b) billion dollars on streetcars to be made in Thunder Bay has hit a problem.

Premier Dalton McGuinty says they haven't budgeted for their one-third share of Toronto's 1.2 billion dollar deal for Bombardier streetcars. 

Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman says he was surprised by Toronto's commitment.

The premier says they also have to talk with Ottawa about their one-third share. Toronto Mayor David Miller could not be reached for comment yesterday.

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Ontario Mining Act

By: Canadian Press

2009-04-30

06:27:05

About 100 years after it was first enacted, Ontario's Mining Act will receive an update today.  

There have been complaints over provisions in the Act that allow prospectors to stake and explore on private lands. 

The Canadian Press has learned the changes will modernize the way companies stake claims to be more respectful of private land.

Sources also say the legislation will clarify the rules on how mining companies deal with First Nations' communities.

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Moose Tag Review

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-04-30

06:26:19 

Area hunters who were unable to attend a series of public meetings on the Province's Moose Tag allocation system still have a chance to voice their concerns.

Outdoors enthusiasts have until the end of today to send in their thoughts via the Ministry of Natural Resources website.

Spokesperson Brad Allison says they hope to have a draft report available before the end of the year.

Some Northwestern Ontario moose hunters blame the group tag allocation system for the lack of adult tags available to local hunters.

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Save Sunset Country

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-04-30

06:25:36

Lodge owners, City Representatives and Tourism Officials piled into the Super 8 on Wednesday to discuss the future of Sunset Country.

Ontario's Ministry of Tourism plans to create a super tourist region for Northern Ontario that would encompass Sault Ste. Marie to the Manitoba border.

Sunset Country Travel Association Executive Director Gerry Cariou says its about time the Ministry understands that people don't like their proposal.

Cariou adds they would like the Ministry to continue with its 11 proposed regions, but leave Sunset Country as its own seperate region.

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Kenora Fire Hazard

By: Mike Ebbeling

2009-04-30

06:14:03

The threat of a large scale fire in the Kenora area is starting to worry the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Aviation and Forest Fire Program Officer Terry Popowich says the escalating problem of storm and insect damage has led to volatile conditions.

Popowich says the consequences of lightning or human-caused fires is quite dangerous in that area and they are taking steps to prepare for any blaze.

Popowich adds the area is of special concern because of the number of rural and recreational properties.

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Impaired Driving

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-04-29

09:08:15

Kenora OPP have charged several people with impaired driving.

Over the weekend, police came across a vehicle and discovered the driver had been drinking. 

28 year old Mike Rogers failed a roadside test and was charged with drinking and driving.

On the west highway officers stopped a vehicle for excessive speed.

35 year old Wayne Henry of Dalles First Nation was charged with impaired driving.

Henry will appear in Kenora court on June 15th to answer the charge.

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Spring Seatbelt Campaign

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-04-29

09:07:28

The OPP's Spring Seatbelt campaign has wrapped up and local police laid 30 seatbelt offences during the April blitz.

OPP charged 9 passengers for not buckling up and laid 1 charge relating to child restraints.

In 2008, a total of 24 seatbelt offences were laid as well as 2 child restraint charges.

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New Cancer System

By: Mike Ebbeling

2009-04-29

09:06:32

Regional Cancer Care has become the first cancer program in Ontario to implement an e-health strategy across the Northwest.

The record system sets the standard for other Local Health Integration Networks.

A total of 14 regional sites, including Dryden, Red Lake and Kenora, are now directly connected electronically.

The system allows nurses and physicians order treatments and access information in real-time.

Officials say orders transferred over the internet now arrive at home sites quickly and efficiently.

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Northern Growth Rates

By: Mike Ebbeling

2009-04-29

09:05:26

The labour force in all sectors grew at a lower rate in the Kenora District than Ontario as a whole between 2001 and 2006.

According to the 2009 Northwest Training and Adjustment Board report, our growth rate was only 2.8-percent, compared to the Provincial average of 8.2.

Mining, small bussines, management and utilities were various sectors that fared well locally.

The unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24-years in the Kenora District was also significantly higher; 17.3-percent compared to Ontario's 14.5-percent.

The report also indicates that 36.7-percent of those aged 15 to 64 in our area have less than a high school diploma.

The Provincial average is 18.7-percent.

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Elementary Teachers Ratify

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-04-29

09:04:51

Elementary teachers with the Keewatin Patricia District School board have sealed the deal.

Members of the teachers union approved a new four year collective agreement on Tuesday evening.

The new deal will impact 240 public school teachers in the Northwest.

The contract includes wage and benefit improvements.

Their last contract expired on August 31st, 2008.

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Red Lake Budget

By: Mike Ebbeling

2009-04-29

09:04:05

Red Lake taxpayers will likely be pleased with the 2009 budget.

Mayor Phil Vinet says they were able to keep the tax rate down.

Vinet says Council has approved a 20-million dollar capital plan.

Work includes a significant paving program as well as water and sewer extension to a Highway Commercial project.

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Health and Safety Association

By: Mike Ebbeling

2009-04-29

09:03:04

The Head of the Municipal Health and Safety Association says Northern Ontario has been left out of the loop in terms of safety prevention and training.

Speaking in Dryden, Bill Blackborow announced changes to the system.

12 Ontario Safety Associations are being amalgamated; 4-different Associations will be formed, with one Association being positioned in Northern Ontario.

Blackborow adds the change will result in more money for training and services as well as additional jobs in the North.

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National Day of Mourning

By: Mike Ebbeling

2009-04-29

09:00:59

Northwestern Ontario marked the National Day of Mourning yesterday.

Ron Boucher with the Workers Health and Safety Centre spoke at the event and stressed fewer people are working and more workers are getting injured on the job.

92-fatalities occurred in Ontario in January and February alone.

The Day of Mourning also gave residents a chance to remember those who have lost their life on the job site.

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NWHU Swine Flu

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-04-29

08:59:40

Due to the heightened concern of swine flu, the Northwestern Health Unit has released a list of proper hygiene tips.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Arthurs says a list of symptoms is also available on the health unit's website.

Arthurs expects cases of Swine flu to be reported in Northwestern Ontario, since people from around the world can come in contact with eachother within 24 hours time.

The health unit recently reviewed its pandemic plan and re-trained its employees.

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Vaccine Depot Kenora

By: Sheri Leviski

2009-04-28

09:55:28

The Northwestern Health Unit has decided to move its vaccine depot from Fort Frances to Kenora.

Currently, all vaccines are delivered to Fort by air and are then shipped around the region.

The move helps lower the total amount of vaccines being shipped.

The cost will be minimal and a plan is in place to avoid job loss through attrition.

Kenora consumes about a third of all the health unit's vaccines.

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