MTO Stats show local roads are getting safer

Figures released by the Ministry of Transportation shows that the number of accidents in the Kenora area continues to climb, but the number of people being injured or killed has been substantially reduced.

The latest figures from the MTO show that there were 50 people injured in vehicle accidents in 2008, compared to 77 in 1996.

Tom Marinis is a spokesperson for the MTO and says there are a number of reasons for the decrease.

Marinis says alcohol continues to play a big factor in local accidents, with about 25 percent the result of impaired drivers.

Hospitals get capital funding from Northwest LHIN's

The North West Local Health Integration Network is providing a total of 3.6-million dollars to 13 Northern Hospitals for upgrades.

Lake of the Woods District Hospital has been promised about 250 thousand dollars in capital funding.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen points out that the funding was actually promised earlier this year, and they are only just getting the cheques now.

Local School Boards sign bussing agreement

An agreement on transportation has been reached by the  four area School Boards.

The new protocol will cover students from across the Region, with the same rules for each Board.

Judy Green is the Manager of the Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium and says more information is available on-line.

The site also outlines the new school bus eligibility distances.

Another Drug Bust on the By-Pass

A 24 year old Kenora man faces drug charges after being pulled over by police on the Kenora By-Pass.

The OPP says they stopped a vehicle on Highway 17-A Thursday afternoon around 5:30.

Officers noticed some open alcohol in the vehicle and conducted a search for more liquor licence violations.

During their search about 173 grams of marijuana was uncovered.

Stephen Beckworth has been charged with possession of a narcotic for the purpose of trafficking.

He's due to appear in Kenora Court on July 14th.

Rafferty to Raise Border Crossing Issues

A meeting is being planned to discuss the issue of border access at the Fort Frances and International Falls points of entry.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says he's hoping to meet with U-S Senator Al Franken in early July.

Rafferty is also trying to access information on the number of Americans turned back at the border compared with other locations.

Attiwapiskat Drug Bust

A major drug bust in Attawapiskat First Nation.

The Combine Forces Organized Crime Unit searched an Attapiskat home and seized nearly 14-thousand dollars worth of drugs.

Police seized 169-Oxycodone pills and nearly 5-thousand dollars worth of cocaine.

43-year-old Richard Edwards faces 2-counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine and oxycodone.

Kenora Area Road Safety Committee re-focuses

The campaign to improve road safety in the Kenora area has been revived.

The Kenora Area Road Safety Committee is planning a number of initiatives to try and reduce accidents and injuries on local highways.

Maria Bagdonis is a spokesperson for the committee and says one of the biggest causes of accidents locally is distracted driving.

Bagdonis says Kars will also be holding a car seat clinic in June, to make sure children are being buckled up properly.

Saints Girls earn another trip to OFSAA Single A Soccer Championship

Both of Kenora's high school soccer teams are heading to southwestern Ontario this week for the All-Ontario Championships.

Thomas Aquinas booked its ticket by winning the NWOSSA crown over the weekend.

The Saints beat Terrace Bay in two straight games in the best-of-three final.

T.A. got by Terrace Bay by scores of 5-0 Friday night and 3-2 in overtime on Saturday.

Thomas Aquinas will now travel to London on Wednesday and take the bus to Chatham for the OFSAA championships, which start on Thursday.

Beaver Brae`s girls will head to Windsor for the Double A championships later this wee as well. 

OPP release of American angler found near Morson

The OPP are continuing to search for a missing angler in the Morson area of Lake of the Woods.

Two men were reported overdue Monday night, after they had gone out fishing in a  16 foot boat.

The body of 73 year old James Wealther from Addison, Illinois was found on the shore of the lake on Tuesday.

The OPP say the capsized boat was also located in the area.

The Marine Unit, along with an Underwater Search and Recovery Unit are continuing their search for 69 year old Richard Herman from Peoria, Illinois.

OPP hiring Summer Students

The OPP has extended the deadline for any student who wants to apply for their summer constable positions.

Today was supposed to be the last day to accept applications, but that has been moved now to June 3rd.

Constable Dave Cain says the job is ideal for any youth interested in a career in policing.

Cain says the Kenora Detachment of the OPP has received funding to hire three students once again this summer.

School vice-principals appointed

With the school year quickly winding down, local school boards are starting to think ahead to the fall.

Both the Kenora Catholic and Keewatin-Patricia District School Boards have finalized their hirings for principals and vice-principals.

The separate school board has announced that Nicole Kurtz will be taking over as vice-principal at St. Margarite Bourgeois.

At the public board, Gail Mutrie has been appointed as the acting vice-principal at King George.

The changes will take effect September 1st.

OPP hand out awards in annual ceremony

A Kenora police officer involved in a shooting in downtown Kenora, almost a year ago, has received a comendation from the OPP.

Katheryn Moyer had to shoot 39 year old Helen Proulx last June, after the Grassy Narrows resident threatened her with a small knife.

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis presented the awards at a ceremony yesterday in Dryden and says this is a way to thank those who keep our streets safe.

Moyer received the Commissioner's Citation for Bravery for her courageous actions involving a knife wielding woman in downtown Kenora.

Rickford picks up new duties on Parliament Hill

When Greg Rickford returns to Parliament Hill, he won't be enjoying much free time.

The Kenora Conservative MP has been named Parliamentary Secretary to 3 Ministers; Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Canadian Northern Economic Development and FedNor.

Rickford notes he's excited about the opportunity.

Rickford says he's always had a passion for issues in the Arctic as well as aborignal concerns.

Provincial cash announced for Local Roads Boards

The Provincial Government is providing 25 million dollars to local roads boards across the province.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the 191 rural road boards in the region will share that cash.

Gravelle says the money is used on roads in a number of unincorporated communities across the northwest.

No Target Store expected in Kenora

It looks as if Kenora won't be getting a Target store any time soon.

Earlier this year, Target announced it was buying up a number of Zeller's outlets in Canada.

Yesterday the company announced which of the 105 stores across Canada would be initially converted.

Spokesperson Amy Reillery says they hope to have the new stores open by 2013.

The only Zeller's in northwestern Ontario to be converted is in Thunder Bay.

Four stores in Winnipeg will be changed over to Target outlets.

Saints Girls host NWOSSA soccer championships

The Thomas Aquinas Girls soccer team is eyeing a return trip to the All-Ontario Championships.

The Saints are hosting the NWOSSA championships this weekend.

The best-of-three final against Terrace Bay begins this evening at 6:00 at the T.A. soccer field.

Game two is scheduled for 10:00 tomorrow morning, and game three if necessary is at 2:00 Saturday afternoon.

The winner will move onto the OFSAA finals next week.

Final Draft from Lake of the Woods Task Force Complete

A task force set up by the International Joint Commission to look at water issues on Lake of the Woods has come up with its final draft report.

The final report will be presented to the IJC in July, but between now and then local residents will get a chance to comment on the recommendations that are being made.

Kelli Saunders is the Canadian secretary on the task force and says one of the main recommendations is representation by first nation groups in the decision making process.

Other recommendations, include streamlining the number of agencies working in the Lake of the Woods

and Rainy River drainage basins, and reviewing water level guidelines for the lake.

A public consultation session is scheduled to take place in Kenora on June 16th.

MNR sending more Fire Rangers Out West

The Ministry of Natural Resources is sending more firefighters to Alberta.

An additional 82 forest fire staff will leave today for the Western Province, bringing the total of Ontario staff to 191.

Half of the resources are from Northwestern Ontario.

There were no new fires reported yesterday in this Region and crews are making good progress on a large fire currently being held near Savant Lake.

The MNR is also controlling a small fire about 22-kilometres southeast of Red Lake.

OPP see an increase in drug related crime in Kenora

The Kenora OPP says there has been an increase in the number of assaults, break and enters and mischief complaints in the first three months of 2011.

Inspector Dave Lucas presented his most recent report to the police services board Wednesday morning.

He says they are noticing a trend in those areas and are taking action to address those problems.

Lucas also submitted his 2011 business plan to the Police Services Board, which was drafted following community consultations and an analysis of crime in the city since the OPP took over in the summer of 2009.

Cancer Care Northwest sees room for improvement

Cancer Care Northwest has made improvements to its colorectal cancer programs.

That's one of the areas they saw improvements in a province wide cancer index.

Vice President Micahel Power says even though they did well they will continue to work towards improvement.

The screening rates for that cancer are below the provincial average and came in at 26 percent.