Union Gas customers in northwestern Ontario will be getting a break on their bills in October.
Company spokesperson Andrea Stass says the Ontario Energy Board is allowing Union Gas to lower rates for the fourth time this year.
Stass attributes the decrease in rate to increased supplies of natural gas.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Rickford on Election
Kenora MP Greg Rickford feels Canada will be spared another election.
A confidence vote will be introduced in Parliment on Friday, with the Bloc throwing their support behind the Conservatives.
Rickford is fairly sure the NDP will throw in their support as well.
The Liberals are the only party determined to vote against the Government on Friday.
A confidence vote will be introduced in Parliment on Friday, with the Bloc throwing their support behind the Conservatives.
Rickford is fairly sure the NDP will throw in their support as well.
The Liberals are the only party determined to vote against the Government on Friday.
Recreation Centre After School Program
After school programs in the City of Kenora have been given a boost from the provincial government.
The Ministry of Health Promotion has announced it will be giving the recreation department 58 thousand dollars to run the programs this year.
Recreation manager, Colleen Neil says they will be offering after schoolactivities at four schools.
Neil says Kenora is one of the few communities in the region to receive the funding.
After school programs are currently offered at Valleyview, King George, Pope John Paul and Evergreen.
The Ministry of Health Promotion has announced it will be giving the recreation department 58 thousand dollars to run the programs this year.
Recreation manager, Colleen Neil says they will be offering after schoolactivities at four schools.
Neil says Kenora is one of the few communities in the region to receive the funding.
After school programs are currently offered at Valleyview, King George, Pope John Paul and Evergreen.
Catholic School Board Enrollment
Catholic schools in Kenora and Red Lake are now all under the direction of one school Board.
The Kenora Cathlic District School Board merged with the St. Joseph's Boardin Red Lake over the summer.
Phylis Aikre is the director of Education and says they still aren't sure whatthe economic impact is going to be on the board.
The new board has 13 hundred and 79 students enrolled in Kenora Schools this year, plus 114 in Red Lake.
The Kenora Cathlic District School Board merged with the St. Joseph's Boardin Red Lake over the summer.
Phylis Aikre is the director of Education and says they still aren't sure whatthe economic impact is going to be on the board.
The new board has 13 hundred and 79 students enrolled in Kenora Schools this year, plus 114 in Red Lake.
Fort Frances Portal
Fort Frances is looking to take part in an Internet-based projectthat town officials hope will attract more residents.
Twenty-six municipalities in northwestern Ontario have alreadypartnered for the Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal Project.
Fort Frances development officer Geoff Gillon says the site will have all the information pertaining to immigration to northwest Ontario.
Gillon says the town must now determine what type of immigrant it's looking for.
Twenty-six municipalities in northwestern Ontario have alreadypartnered for the Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal Project.
Fort Frances development officer Geoff Gillon says the site will have all the information pertaining to immigration to northwest Ontario.
Gillon says the town must now determine what type of immigrant it's looking for.
Wawa Fatal
One person is dead following a crash near Wawa.
Two vehicles collided on Highway 17 yesterday about 45 kilometres north of the community.
O-P-P say the person killed was from outside Ontario.
Three other people were taken to hospital in Wawa.
The highway was closed to traffic until mid-afternoon.
Two vehicles collided on Highway 17 yesterday about 45 kilometres north of the community.
O-P-P say the person killed was from outside Ontario.
Three other people were taken to hospital in Wawa.
The highway was closed to traffic until mid-afternoon.
Greyhound Saga
Greyhound is backing off its threat to stop serving Manitoba and northern Ontario -- at least for now.
Two weeks ago, the bus company said it would drop routes in those areas by October 2nd if it didn't get 15 million dollars a year in government subsidies.
Since then Greyhound says it has had positive talks with Manitoba government officials on a short-term solution to the company's financial woes.
Greyhound says it also hopes to meet with Ontario government officials in the coming days.
But if no subsidy deal is reached, Greyhound warns that it will proceed with plans to drop service in northwestern Ontario on December 2nd.
Two weeks ago, the bus company said it would drop routes in those areas by October 2nd if it didn't get 15 million dollars a year in government subsidies.
Since then Greyhound says it has had positive talks with Manitoba government officials on a short-term solution to the company's financial woes.
Greyhound says it also hopes to meet with Ontario government officials in the coming days.
But if no subsidy deal is reached, Greyhound warns that it will proceed with plans to drop service in northwestern Ontario on December 2nd.
Sign By Law
The City of Kenora wants to make changes to its sign by-law.
Councillors and City Employees discussed the current laws at Wednesday's Property and Planning meeting.
City Planner Jeff Port says several businesses are concerned with the current laws involving awnings.
Port says the City needs to look at what type of advertising they want in the harbourfront area.
Councillors and City Employees discussed the current laws at Wednesday's Property and Planning meeting.
City Planner Jeff Port says several businesses are concerned with the current laws involving awnings.
Port says the City needs to look at what type of advertising they want in the harbourfront area.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Council split on free gym passes
Kenora City Council remains split over the issue of whether to give medical students workingin the community free access to the gym at the Kenora Rec. Center.
Councillor Rory McMillan raised the issue once again this week, trying to gain support for the free passes.
However, Mayor Len Compton, and Councillors Chris Van Wallenghem, and Dave McCann votesd against providing the freebies.
Compton says he's been complaining about the deficit at the Rec. Center for months now, and doesn't feel it would be appropriate to ask the facility to foot the bill for free gym access.
It has been suggested that the city provide a couple of free passes in packages handed out to medical school students when they arrive in the city.
Councillor Rory McMillan raised the issue once again this week, trying to gain support for the free passes.
However, Mayor Len Compton, and Councillors Chris Van Wallenghem, and Dave McCann votesd against providing the freebies.
Compton says he's been complaining about the deficit at the Rec. Center for months now, and doesn't feel it would be appropriate to ask the facility to foot the bill for free gym access.
It has been suggested that the city provide a couple of free passes in packages handed out to medical school students when they arrive in the city.
OPP Recruitment
The Ontario Provincial Police are holding an information session on the hiring process for new officers.
Two sessions will be held on Thursday, September 17th at the local detachment on
Highway 17-A.
O.P.P. Constable Dave Cain says there are a couple of prerequisites that need to be met before applying.
The first session will be held at 3 and the second at 7 at the OPP detachment.
Two sessions will be held on Thursday, September 17th at the local detachment on
Highway 17-A.
O.P.P. Constable Dave Cain says there are a couple of prerequisites that need to be met before applying.
The first session will be held at 3 and the second at 7 at the OPP detachment.
Jones Road Landfill back in use?
It looks as if the City of Kenora is ready to start using the Jones Road Landfill site for municipal garbage.
Council received a report outlining the increasing costs of sending garbage to the Brady Road Landfill in Winnipeg.
Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says the local landfill site is currrently used only for construction and demolition waste.
Perchuck says the cost of sending garbage to Winnipeg is will almost double this year and suggeststhe city could save about 200 thousand dollars a year by using the Jones Road site.
Council received a report outlining the increasing costs of sending garbage to the Brady Road Landfill in Winnipeg.
Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says the local landfill site is currrently used only for construction and demolition waste.
Perchuck says the cost of sending garbage to Winnipeg is will almost double this year and suggeststhe city could save about 200 thousand dollars a year by using the Jones Road site.
Hampton at Queen's Park
The harmonized sales tax and the on-going spending scandal at OLG and E-Health Ontario dominated disuccsions on the opening two days at Queen's Park.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton also raised the issue of bus service in Northwestern Ontario, stating the Liberals must take immediate action.
Hampton says there are currently 2-Government owned bus lines in Northeastern Ontario and the Toronto area, so the McGuinty Liberal should strongly consider bus service in our area.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton also raised the issue of bus service in Northwestern Ontario, stating the Liberals must take immediate action.
Hampton says there are currently 2-Government owned bus lines in Northeastern Ontario and the Toronto area, so the McGuinty Liberal should strongly consider bus service in our area.
Opposition to Via Cuts
First it was Greyhound, now its looks as if Via Rail is looking to reduce service in northern Ontario.
Thunder Bay Councillor Iain Angus is asking municipalities across the region to support a resolution opposing any cuts in rail service.
Angus says Via has been told to cut its budget by five percent, which could result in the loss of at least one cross-country train a week.
Via currently operates its passenger trains on the CN mainline, which has stops in Redditt, Sioux Lookout and Armstrong in northwestern Ontario.
Thunder Bay Councillor Iain Angus is asking municipalities across the region to support a resolution opposing any cuts in rail service.
Angus says Via has been told to cut its budget by five percent, which could result in the loss of at least one cross-country train a week.
Via currently operates its passenger trains on the CN mainline, which has stops in Redditt, Sioux Lookout and Armstrong in northwestern Ontario.
Union Gas Rates Decrease 11 Percent
Local residents can expect to pay less for natural gas this fall.
Union Gas has confirmed that rates in northwestern Ontario will be going down by 11 percent starting October 1st.
Last month, the utility confirmed that natural gas prices would be decreasing, but was waiting for the Ontario Energy Board to approve the new rates.
Union Gas says the price of natural gas is now at its lowest level in ten years and has gone down 45 percent since January of 2009.
Union Gas has confirmed that rates in northwestern Ontario will be going down by 11 percent starting October 1st.
Last month, the utility confirmed that natural gas prices would be decreasing, but was waiting for the Ontario Energy Board to approve the new rates.
Union Gas says the price of natural gas is now at its lowest level in ten years and has gone down 45 percent since January of 2009.
Fire Rangers Return Home
Most of the fire ranger crews from Ontario battling blazes out west in British Columbia are expected to be home by the end of the day.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says 99 fire fighters were flown back yesterday and the remaining 59 are due to return sometime today.
Ontario has had fire ranger crews out in B.C. for nine weeks, battling wildfires in that province.
Things remain quiet on the home front in terms of forest fire activity, with just one new blaze reported in the Sioux Lookout District.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says 99 fire fighters were flown back yesterday and the remaining 59 are due to return sometime today.
Ontario has had fire ranger crews out in B.C. for nine weeks, battling wildfires in that province.
Things remain quiet on the home front in terms of forest fire activity, with just one new blaze reported in the Sioux Lookout District.
Pikangikum Training Center
Aboriginal workers in Northwestern Ontario will soon be able to train for jobs in forestry, tourism and mining at a new educational facility in Pikangikum.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing over 600 thousand dollars towards the project.
The facility will have three classrooms, and a residence for instructors.
Five people will be employed at the facility.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is providing over 600 thousand dollars towards the project.
The facility will have three classrooms, and a residence for instructors.
Five people will be employed at the facility.
Catholic School Board Enrolment
Not a big change in the student population at the Kenora Catholic DistrictSchool Board this year.
Enrolment in the Kenora schools decreased by just one student, to 1,379 compared to 1,380 last year.
Director of Education, Phylis Aikre says the good news is that their funding should remain stable from the Ministry of Education, as a result.
The only big change for the separate school board is the addition of St. John's Catholic School in
Red Lake.
The merger was announced by the provincial government this past spring and adds another
114 students to the separate school system.
Enrolment in the Kenora schools decreased by just one student, to 1,379 compared to 1,380 last year.
Director of Education, Phylis Aikre says the good news is that their funding should remain stable from the Ministry of Education, as a result.
The only big change for the separate school board is the addition of St. John's Catholic School in
Red Lake.
The merger was announced by the provincial government this past spring and adds another
114 students to the separate school system.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Downtown Revitalization
The second phase of the downtown revitalization project has begun in the City of Kenora.
Titan Contractors is removing the bridge beside Scotia bank.
The construction company is is preparing the site for further work in the area.
On Monday, crews will begin to dig on First Street South between Main Street and Bernier.
Pedestrian access will be closed in that area.
Construction is expected to wrap up by November 30th.
CBS Clinic Day One Results
Some 152-donors gave the gift of life yesterday at the Canadian Blood Donor Clinic at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
The 118-units of blood collected will help some 354-patients.
Spokesperson Harvey Heather says to make an appointment call 1-888-2-donate.
Today's blood donor clinic runs from 9:30 until 12:30.
The 118-units of blood collected will help some 354-patients.
Spokesperson Harvey Heather says to make an appointment call 1-888-2-donate.
Today's blood donor clinic runs from 9:30 until 12:30.
Boating Deadline
If you want to enjoy the warm weather out on the lake, you will need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card starting today.
Boaters can complete the online exam at boatsmartexam.com.
Cameron Taylor is the president of the company and says taking the exam is cheaper than thefine for not having a licence.
You can take the test at any time, however starting today you will need the new boating license.
Failing to have an operators card will cost you 250-dollars.
Officials say 8-million Canadian boaters still need to be certified.
Boaters can complete the online exam at boatsmartexam.com.
Cameron Taylor is the president of the company and says taking the exam is cheaper than thefine for not having a licence.
You can take the test at any time, however starting today you will need the new boating license.
Failing to have an operators card will cost you 250-dollars.
Officials say 8-million Canadian boaters still need to be certified.
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