OPP Accolade Awards

Three local police officers will be honored this afternoon with an OPP Accolade Award.

The Organized Crime Enforcement Team in the north is being given the Jim Potts Award for its work in aboriginal communities.

Detective Constables Gerald Aubin and Dean Hodges from the Kenora Detachment of the OPP and  Scott Phillips from the Treaty Three Police are members of the team.

The award is being presented at the OPP's headquarters in Orillia this afternoon.

Broncos win once in Home Opener

A breakthrough for Beaver Brae's Junior Girls basketball team.

The Broncos won their first game of the year, a 28-23 victory over Dryden yesterday in their home opener.

Beaver Brae's other court teams are still searching for their first wins of the year.

The Bronco senior girls dropped a 31-21 decision to the Eagles.

In volleyball action, the senior boys were beaten three games to one, while the junior boys lost in three straight sets to Dryden.

The Eagles are coming off a second place finish at the Kenora Invitational Senior Boys Volleyball tournament over the weekend.

The Thomas Aquinas senior boys beat Dryden in two straight sets in the A-side final.

Thunder Bay Murder Autopsy Results

An autopsy shows a 16-year-old who was killed in Thunder Bay died of multiple blunt force trauma injuries.

The female victim was found on the morning of September 21st lying near a walking path in a wooded area near the Thunder Bay Expressway.

Two females, aged 15 and 14, have been charged with second-degree murder.

The accused are both in custody and are to appear in youth court Thursday morning.

The victim had come to Thunder Bay from Sachigo Lake First Nation at the beginning of September.

Drowning on Berens Lake

The OPP say they have located the body of a man who went missing while boating on Berens Lake near the Pikangikum First Nation.

Community members and peace keepers from Pikangikum began their search last Thursday.

The OPP's Marine Unit was contacted and an initial search of the area

located the victims boat drifting near an island with a damaged motor.

An MNR helicopter, the OPP's Emergency Response Team and an underwater search and recovery unit were also brought in.

They finally located the body of 37 year old Michael Dunsford on Saturday.

Police believe Dunsford drowned on the evening of September 22nd on Berens Lake.

Candidates talk about Economic Development

Economic development, retention of our youth, and openess in municipal government.

Those were some of the key themes from last night's opening all-candidates forum sponsored by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce.

Sharon Smith is a Keewatin resident and says there are lots of opportunities out there

to improve the local economy.

Councillor Charito Drinkwalter says its important for the city to create a positive environment for not only business, but for local residents.

Councillor Dave McCann stressed that the city has to be fiscally responsible.

Rod McKay is the manager of the mothballed Kenora Forest Products Mill and says

leadership is going to be important if the city wants to move forward.

For her part, councillor Wendy Cuthbert re-iterated her stand, that council needs to
hold the line on property taxes.

The second of four candidate forums will take place this evening in the Kenora Rec. Center's

Rotary Room and is sponsored by the Kenora Young Professionals group.

Mayoralty Forum

If nothing else, an all-candidates forum held by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce

shows there's lots of interest in the upcoming municipal elections.

A standing room audience listened to two of three mayoralty candidates and all 13 candidates for council at the first of four forums scheduled this week.

Economic development was a common theme from all candidates last night.

Former Kenora mayor Dave Canfield believes there are still opportunities in the forest sector.

Former city councillor Andrew Poirier also stated that the local economy would be his main focus
if he wins the October 25th election.

Kenora city councillor Jim Parson was not in attendance. But he did send his regrets through
Chamber of Commerce president Andy Scribilo.

Parson's wife Patti passed away last week after a short battle with cancer.

News Owners for Minaki Lodge

The former Minaki Lodge property north of Kenora will soon have a new owner.

Bob Banman, a former member of the Manitoba Legislature and Steinbach developer, Bob Schinkel are teaming up to re-develop the property on the Winnipeg River.

Banman says they want to create several condo units in the buildings that were once used for hotel rooms.

Banman says they are still waiting for the courts to approve the sale.

Once that's complete, they will begin work with the Ontario government on a site plan for the Minaki Lodge property.

Kenora Golfers win NorWOSSA Silver Medals

Kenora high school golfers earned three medals at the NorWOSSA championships.

The season wrapped up last week in Fort Frances, with the Beaver Brae Boys team earning the silver medal.

Brent Arsenault from Beaver Brae also took silver in boys individual play.

Danielle Toth was a silver medal winner in the girls individual bracket.

Hampton speaks out against Far North Act

The Far North Act isn't going to improve relations between the provincial government and

local first nations.

That's the feeling of Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton.

He say the legislation, which was passed last week really undermines the rights of

aboriginal communities in the far north.

The Nishinabe-Aski Nation says there could be protests over the Far North Act similar to the HST protest earlier this year.

Treaty Three meets with Children and Youth Services Minister

Grand Council Treaty #3 says its pleased with recent meetings with the minister of

Children and Youth services.

The provincial Native Child Welfare conference wrapped up yesterday in Fort Frances.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she had a chance to meet with the minister, Laurel Broten.

Broten also gave the key-note address to the agencies attending the three day conference.

Kelly says she is hopeful the new relationship with the ministry will produce meaningful results for children and youth within Treaty Three communities.

Nuclear Waste Storage Sites Sought in NWO

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is combing the area looking for communities interested in information on a proposal to establish used nuclear fuel storage sites.

Ear Falls has started the process by initiating a feasibility study, while Ignace is looking for more details.

Spokesperson Michael Krizanc says people have plenty of questions.

Krizanc says this is a long term process and any community interested in getting information

can contact the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for details about the project.

Confederation College is seeking a new president

Confederation College's President is retiring.

Pat Lang has held the position for the last ten years and says she wants the new President to bring in change.

Lang will retire this summer in July.

A national search for a replacement will get underway as soon as possible.

DOKURA votes on October 25th

The District of Kenora Unincorporated Areas Ratepayers Association is looking for

a couple of representitives to sit on the Kenora District Services Board.

Elections in two areas will also be held on October 25th.

In Lake of the Woods North, Ingrid Parkes and Barry Baltessen are going to be

on the ballot.

Returning officer for the vote, Jack McKenzie says any registered property owner

in the Unincororated areas will be eligible to vote.

McKenzie says they will have polling stations set up around the region at community

halls and fire halls.

In the Oxdrift area, Sarah Campbell and Ray LeRay are the only two candidates running

for one seat on the District Services Board.

Busy Week for Municipal Candidates

Its going to be a make or break week for the candidates running in the municipal

elections.

There are five all-candidate forums scheduled this week over the next five days.

The first event is up tonight at the Minnis Hall of Super 8, where the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates forum.

That will be followed by forum sponsored by Kenora's Young Business Professionals

tomorrow night, and a senior's forum Wednesday morning.

On Thursday, the mayoralty candidates will be on CJRL for a special hour-long talkback

show.

Broncos lose first game in WHSFL

A reality check for Beaver Brae's Football team.

The Broncos lost their first game of the season yesterday afternoon, a 29-10 decision to Kildonan East.

Head Coach Chris Penner says he wasn't surprised by the result.

One of the bright spots for the Broncos was running back Scott Morgan, who ran for 171 yards on 16 carries, including a 70 yard touchdown run in the
second quarter.

Up next for Beaver Brae is Miles MacDonnell.  The Buckeyes will be in Kenora next Thursday.

Take back the Night

About 50 people braved wet conditions for the annual Take Back the Night March in Kenora.

The march started at the Museum last night and made its way down Second Street South to the Kenora Metis Office.

The annual event is an effort to eradicate violence against women.

New contract for Contact North

Contact North is now providing distance education and training to teach more remote First Nations youth how to govern in their communities.

Contact North's Maxim Jean-Louis says an agreement with the National Centre for First Nations Governance, is helping to bring workshops to addional communities.

Jean-Louis says the program has the potential to go nationwide.

Compton appointed to LOW Foundation Advisory Group

Kenora mayor Len Compton may be leaving office later this fall, but he'll still have some association with city council.

Council has appointed Compton as the city's community liason to the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation.

Compton will be asked to act as a liason between the group and the city.

The city is also being asked to cover any travel costs Compton may incur to participate in the meetings.

Council says it also support the development of a bi-national water Quality management

board for the Lake of the Woods Watershed.

North Spirit Hydro Dam Proposed

The Provincial Government is spending 100-thousand dollars to help the remote Northern community of North Spirit Lake explore clean energy possibilities.

The First Nation is looking at developing a small hydro-electric generating station on Flanagan River, about 175-kilometres north of Red Lake.

The study will determine site conditions, water level variations, plant capacity and energy production.

Cost savings and ecological benefits will also be determined.

Parks, Trails and Beaches Report Released

A lengthy report on how to improve Kenora's Beaches, Parks and Trails has been tabled

before city council.

The 93 page report was compiled by the consulting firm of Scatliff and Miller and Murray.

Mike Scatliff says if the city decided to implement all the suggestions in the report, it would

cost almost 15 million dollars.

The report looks at refurbishing Garrow, Anicinabe and Coney beaches, as well as

improvements to Portage Bay, and downtown Keewatin.

Scatliff says the report is based on broad consultations with local residents over the

past year.