A big weekend for hockey in Kenora.
The Annual North American First Nations Tournament of Champions gets underway tomorrow at the Kenora Rec. Center and Keewatin Arenas.
So far, 20 teams are signed up for the three day tournament, with 20 thousand dollars up for grabs.
Meanwhile, the Kenora Triple "a" Senior Thistles hit the road for the Renwick Cup, which will be played in Thunder Bay.
The Thistles will be taking on the Dundas Real McCoys in a best-of-three series to determine the Ontario senior hockey champions.
The winner will also advance to the Allan Cup which will take place inFort St. John, B.C.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Get Ready for Relay for Life
The 10th annual Relay for Life will be taking place in Kenora this June.
Organizers are trying to drum up interest for the event with a captain's meeting tonight.
Margret Saville is a spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society and says they are looking for anyone who has been involved in the Relay in the past, or who might be interested in taking part this year.
The captains meeting will start at 5:30 tonight at Casey's.
Relay for Life will be held at Lakewood School on June 11th this year.
Organizers are trying to drum up interest for the event with a captain's meeting tonight.
Margret Saville is a spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society and says they are looking for anyone who has been involved in the Relay in the past, or who might be interested in taking part this year.
The captains meeting will start at 5:30 tonight at Casey's.
Relay for Life will be held at Lakewood School on June 11th this year.
Fire Season officially begins today
It has the makings of a busy fire season for the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Today marks the official start to the fire season in northwestern Ontario,and already fire crews have been called into service to deal with brush fires.
Fire Information Officer, Debbie McLean says they are prepared for the worst right now.
The last two years have been amongst the quietest ever recorded in northwestern Ontario.
McLean says a warm, dry spring doesn't mean this year will be any better or worse than previous years.
Today marks the official start to the fire season in northwestern Ontario,and already fire crews have been called into service to deal with brush fires.
Fire Information Officer, Debbie McLean says they are prepared for the worst right now.
The last two years have been amongst the quietest ever recorded in northwestern Ontario.
McLean says a warm, dry spring doesn't mean this year will be any better or worse than previous years.
Pension Protection Bill Introduced
A private members bill aimed at securing the pensions of AbitibiBowater employees has been introduced in the House of Commons.
Thunder-Bay Rainy River M.P. John Rafferty says the bill would make changes to the Bankruptcy Act to giving pensions priority over other creditors.
Rafferty says he's hoping for all-party support for his bill.
Rafferty says his goal is to get the bill through the House of Commons before the end of the current sitting in June.
Thunder-Bay Rainy River M.P. John Rafferty says the bill would make changes to the Bankruptcy Act to giving pensions priority over other creditors.
Rafferty says he's hoping for all-party support for his bill.
Rafferty says his goal is to get the bill through the House of Commons before the end of the current sitting in June.
Kenora's Sunshine List
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has more employees earning morethan 100 thousand dollars a year than any other agency in the area.
The provincial government released its so-called sunshine list.
The public school board has 35 senior managers, principals and specialists making more than 100 grand.
Departed director of education, Larry Hope topped the salary listat 179 thousand dollars.
The highest paid employee at the Kenora Catholic District School Board was Phylis Aikre at 162 thousand.
Once again, Lake of the Woods District Hospital had the highest wage earners.
Chief Pathologist, Dr. Kerry McDonald was the best paid employeeat 315 thousand dollars per annum.
The provincial government released its so-called sunshine list.
The public school board has 35 senior managers, principals and specialists making more than 100 grand.
Departed director of education, Larry Hope topped the salary listat 179 thousand dollars.
The highest paid employee at the Kenora Catholic District School Board was Phylis Aikre at 162 thousand.
Once again, Lake of the Woods District Hospital had the highest wage earners.
Chief Pathologist, Dr. Kerry McDonald was the best paid employeeat 315 thousand dollars per annum.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Evergreen School Meeting
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is being asked for an extensionfrom a committee set up to look at school closures in Kenora.
The Kenora Accommodation Review Advisory Committee was supposed topresent its final recommendations to the public school board on April 13th.
One of the recommendations was the closure of Evergreen School, butchair of the committee Cecile Marcino says that scenario is still a longways off.
The draft recommendations of the committee suggest the closure ofEvergreen, only if the public school board can form a partnership withthe Cathlolic School Board for the operation of schools in Keewatin,and if the public board can get funding to build a new school at Evergreen.
Marcino says they hope to present their final recommendations to the boardat the May open meeting.
The Kenora Accommodation Review Advisory Committee was supposed topresent its final recommendations to the public school board on April 13th.
One of the recommendations was the closure of Evergreen School, butchair of the committee Cecile Marcino says that scenario is still a longways off.
The draft recommendations of the committee suggest the closure ofEvergreen, only if the public school board can form a partnership withthe Cathlolic School Board for the operation of schools in Keewatin,and if the public board can get funding to build a new school at Evergreen.
Marcino says they hope to present their final recommendations to the boardat the May open meeting.
Hospital on Ontario Budget
Hospital's across the region are still scratching their heads and wondering how much money they'll have to work with this year.
The provincial government announced a 1.5 percent increase in the overall budget for hospitals.
Chief Executive Officer of Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Marc Belcaensays the budget is still a bit vague on how much individual hospitalswill be getting.
Belcaen adds that a freeze on non-unionized staff will also have an immediate impact on a number of hospital employees.
The provincial government announced a 1.5 percent increase in the overall budget for hospitals.
Chief Executive Officer of Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Marc Belcaensays the budget is still a bit vague on how much individual hospitalswill be getting.
Belcaen adds that a freeze on non-unionized staff will also have an immediate impact on a number of hospital employees.
Ear Falls Sawmill Sold
The idled Ear Falls Sawmill has a new owner.Domtar has agreed to sell its forest products business for 80-million dollars plus additional working capital to Vancouver-based EACOM Timber Corporation.
Domtar Spokesperson Bonnie Skene says the forestry products division includes 5-operating Sawmills as well as the Ear Falls plant, which is currently non-operational.
Skene stresses the deal doesn't include the assignment of any forest licences, including operations in the Trout and Wabigoon Forests.
Domtar Spokesperson Bonnie Skene says the forestry products division includes 5-operating Sawmills as well as the Ear Falls plant, which is currently non-operational.
Skene stresses the deal doesn't include the assignment of any forest licences, including operations in the Trout and Wabigoon Forests.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Record Monday Weather
The month of March came in like a lamb, and it looks like its going to go out the same way.
The Kenora area set a 24 year old record today for the warmest March 29th on record.
Temperatures peaked a 14.1 degrees this afternoon, breaking the previous record of 13.5 degrees, which was set in 1986.
Tomorrow, the daytime high is once again expected to rise to 14 degrees.
The Kenora area set a 24 year old record today for the warmest March 29th on record.
Temperatures peaked a 14.1 degrees this afternoon, breaking the previous record of 13.5 degrees, which was set in 1986.
Tomorrow, the daytime high is once again expected to rise to 14 degrees.
Youth Killed in Snowmachine Accident
A 17 year old youth has been killed in a snowmachine accident in northwestern Ontario.
The OPP say Cody Gale of Sioux Lookout was driving a snowmobile Saturday night on Pelican Lake, near the Frog Rapids Bridge around 7:30 when he went through the ice.
Two of his companions tried to rescue him from the icy waters but were unable to locate and retreive the submerged youth.
The O.P.P.'s Marine Unit and Emergency Response teams were called in and were finally able to locate the body the next day.
Police say three male youth were riding the sleds across Pelican Lake, when two of the drivers decided to enter open waters totry their hand at "water skipping".
The OPP say Cody Gale of Sioux Lookout was driving a snowmobile Saturday night on Pelican Lake, near the Frog Rapids Bridge around 7:30 when he went through the ice.
Two of his companions tried to rescue him from the icy waters but were unable to locate and retreive the submerged youth.
The O.P.P.'s Marine Unit and Emergency Response teams were called in and were finally able to locate the body the next day.
Police say three male youth were riding the sleds across Pelican Lake, when two of the drivers decided to enter open waters totry their hand at "water skipping".
Local Sports Round Up
A Thunder Bay area team has won the 2010 Northern Ontario Mixed Provincial Championships.
The three day tournament was held in Kenora over the weekend.
The page playoffs came down to Mike Assad from Fort William taking on fellow Fort William curler Craig Kochan, with Kochan winning.
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The Regional Treaty Three First Nations Hockey Tournament has wrapped up.
Rat Portage was the winner of the A-Side, with a win over Big Grassy.
The B-side winner was Whitedog First Nation, who beat Shoal Lake.
The three day tournament was held in Kenora over the weekend.
The page playoffs came down to Mike Assad from Fort William taking on fellow Fort William curler Craig Kochan, with Kochan winning.
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The Regional Treaty Three First Nations Hockey Tournament has wrapped up.
Rat Portage was the winner of the A-Side, with a win over Big Grassy.
The B-side winner was Whitedog First Nation, who beat Shoal Lake.
Mather Walls House Renovations
The Mather Walls House will soon undergo extensive renovations.
The Provincial and Federal Government are teaming up to provide 300 thousand dollars towards the project.
Chair of the Lake of the Woods Historical Society Arend Visser says the money will go towards some very important areas of the house.
Visser says construction should start in May and could be over before they are open for the summer season.
The Provincial and Federal Government are teaming up to provide 300 thousand dollars towards the project.
Chair of the Lake of the Woods Historical Society Arend Visser says the money will go towards some very important areas of the house.
Visser says construction should start in May and could be over before they are open for the summer season.
NDP Leader on Budget
The leader of the NDP says the McGunity Government's northern initiatives are too little too late.
Andrea Horvath was in Thunder Bay recently to discuss the Ontario budget and says the cheaper electricity rates for the forest industry won't reopen the already closed mills.
Horvath says the latest budget shows that the McGuinty Government has finally discovered where Northern Ontario is on the map.
Andrea Horvath was in Thunder Bay recently to discuss the Ontario budget and says the cheaper electricity rates for the forest industry won't reopen the already closed mills.
Horvath says the latest budget shows that the McGuinty Government has finally discovered where Northern Ontario is on the map.
TBAY Tel 3G Network
TBaytel and Rogers Communications are joining forces to improve wireless coverage in the Northwest.
TBaytel will now be adding the Rogers 3G capabilities across their territory.
Board Chair Michael Power says customers will have better coverage.
Power says the partnership means Rogers customers will have coverage where ever TBaytel does.
TBaytel will now be adding the Rogers 3G capabilities across their territory.
Board Chair Michael Power says customers will have better coverage.
Power says the partnership means Rogers customers will have coverage where ever TBaytel does.
The 3 R's
Industry and government workers are being educated about reducing, reusing and recylcing.
The province will soon begin enforcing its recycling rules.
Provincial inspector Thomas Hansen was in northwestern Ontario this week and says his team of 10 will not be heavy handed in the beginning.
Maximum fines for repeat offenders could be 100 thousand dollars a day.
The province will soon begin enforcing its recycling rules.
Provincial inspector Thomas Hansen was in northwestern Ontario this week and says his team of 10 will not be heavy handed in the beginning.
Maximum fines for repeat offenders could be 100 thousand dollars a day.
Hampton KI
Kenora-Rainy River M-P-P Howard Hampton wants the province to cover the legal expenses of a remote first nation community that was involved in a mining dispute with Platinex.
Hampton says the Big Trout Lake First Nation should be given the same consideration the province provided to the mining company.
Hampton says the K-I band was forced to take money from its housing, recreation and education budgets to pay for 700-thousand dollars in legal fees.
Hampton says the Big Trout Lake First Nation should be given the same consideration the province provided to the mining company.
Hampton says the K-I band was forced to take money from its housing, recreation and education budgets to pay for 700-thousand dollars in legal fees.
Catholic School Board Fundraiser
The Kenora Catholic District School Board says its students have raised more than 17 thousand
dollars for the Haitian Earthquake relief effort.
Over the past two months, schools in the separate school system have been involved in a number of fund-raisers including the British Invasion musical show, coin drives and a fishing derby.
The School board says the funds raised will be donated to a couple of agencies, including the Red Cross, Save the Children and World Vision.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12th, killed hundreds of thousands of people, and
caused massive destruction.
dollars for the Haitian Earthquake relief effort.
Over the past two months, schools in the separate school system have been involved in a number of fund-raisers including the British Invasion musical show, coin drives and a fishing derby.
The School board says the funds raised will be donated to a couple of agencies, including the Red Cross, Save the Children and World Vision.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12th, killed hundreds of thousands of people, and
caused massive destruction.
Hampton on Budget
Too little, too late.
That's the reaction to the provincial budget by Kenora-Rainy RiverM.P.P. Howard Hampton.
Hampton says he's glad to see the McGuinty Government finally recognizes the high cost of electricity in northern Ontario, but measures announced in the budget don't go far enough.
Hampton also accuses the government of delaying the painof budget cuts until after the next provincial election.
That's the reaction to the provincial budget by Kenora-Rainy RiverM.P.P. Howard Hampton.
Hampton says he's glad to see the McGuinty Government finally recognizes the high cost of electricity in northern Ontario, but measures announced in the budget don't go far enough.
Hampton also accuses the government of delaying the painof budget cuts until after the next provincial election.
Rickford Accessibility Funding
The Federal Government has provided more than 30 thousand dollars to make Kenora more accessible.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcements at the Lake of the Woods Museum on Friday and says the Library, Museum and City Hall will share the funds.
Most of the upgrades have already been made and included automatic door openers as well as widened doorways.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcements at the Lake of the Woods Museum on Friday and says the Library, Museum and City Hall will share the funds.
Most of the upgrades have already been made and included automatic door openers as well as widened doorways.
Friday, March 26, 2010
OPP Cigarette Seizure
Two Alberta residents have been arrested after a large quantity of contraband cigarettes were seized during a traffic stop on Highway 17-A.
The OPP say they pulled over a vehicle on the Kenora By-Pass Wednesday afternoon around 3:00.
Following a brief investigation, officers found about 400 thousand illegal cigarettes, 52 grams of marijuana and a large quantity of Canadian Currency.
Police say the equivalent of 50 cases of cigarettes were seized.
58 year old Homer Doucet and 45 year old Carnelia Doucet have been charged with possession of narcotics and possession of contraband cigarettes.
The OPP say they pulled over a vehicle on the Kenora By-Pass Wednesday afternoon around 3:00.
Following a brief investigation, officers found about 400 thousand illegal cigarettes, 52 grams of marijuana and a large quantity of Canadian Currency.
Police say the equivalent of 50 cases of cigarettes were seized.
58 year old Homer Doucet and 45 year old Carnelia Doucet have been charged with possession of narcotics and possession of contraband cigarettes.
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