Fire Hazard drops for Labor Day Long Weekend

The fire hazard is starting to drop across northwestern Ontario.

Recent rains have reduced the hazard into the low to moderate range in time for the Labor Day Long Weekend.

Currently there are just 36 forest fires considered active in the region, two of those popped up in the last 24 hours.

The MNR is continuing to be assisted by 80 fire crews from out of the province.

First Nation Leaders speak out against drug abuse

The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation is calling on Ottawa to help stem what its calling an epidemic of prescription drug abuse across Northwestern Ontario.


Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin says it has been 2-years since they declared a state of emergency because of drug abuse, but government response has been minimal.

He says oxycontin addiction did not begin in their communities and the drug is not made in their territory.

He made the comments yesterday came as Lyle Fox arrived in Thunder Bay to end a 380-kilometre walk from Sioux Lookout to raise awareness and funds for the fight against prescription drug abuse.

Fox is calling on youth to take up the fight against prescription drug abuse on First Nations.

The Bearskin Lake First Nation resident says oxycodone tablets are selling anywhere from 500 to 600-dollars each.

Discovery Center Holds Grand Opening Today

The new Discovery Centre is holding its grand opening today on Lakeview Drive 

The ribbon cutting is at 11:00 AM this morning and tours will be conducted from

10AM to 4PM.

The Discovery Center is the new focal point for tourism in the City of Kenora.

The building cost about a three million dollars to build. 

McKay hits the Campaign Trail

The official start to the provincial election is still a few days away, but that hasn't stopped candidates in Kenora-Rainy River from stumping for votes.

Progressive Conservative candidate Rod McKay was in Fort Frances yesterday to speak to party faithful and area business leaders.

McKay also wants to help break down barriers that hurt area businesses to be competitive.

Leek Supports Doctor House Calls

The Liberal candidate for Kenora-Rainy River is standing up in support of a party policy to have doctors make house calls.

Anthony Leek says it makes sense - there's a high number of seniors who could benefit.

Leek says other Liberal initiatives will help bring more doctors to the area to help fulfill that promise.

Telemedicine gets funding to hire more nurses

The North West Local Health Integration Network is investing just over two million dollars to hire 28 new "telehealth" nurses.

As a result of the investment, organizations from across the region will be able to hire additional staff and more residents will receive care from specialists closer to home.

In 2010-2011, the use of telemedicine in Northwestern Ontario resulted in more than 11-million dollars in avoided travel costs and more than 27-million kilometres in avoided patient travel.

Man Fined for East Highway Forest Fire

A Southern Ontario man has been ordered to pay 35-hundred dollars for starting a fire that spread into the surrounding woods back in May.

Court heard that Matthew Major of Stoney Creek started a fire to burn boxes of paper in a grassy area in Kenora.

Major didn't have a day burning permit and he left the fire unattended and went into town.

The fire spread into a wooded area and sparked a point 5 hectare forest fire.

City fire crews and the Ministry of Natural Resources were forced to extinguish the blaze.

Treaty Three seeks to block hydro contracts

Several First Nation communities in the Far North are seeking legal action to stop provincial power contracts to hydro dams on their traditional lands.

Grand Council Treaty 3 is concerned that the contracts will have adverse effects on aboriginal and treaty rights and is asking an Ontario court to set them aside.

David Estrin is the lawyer for Treaty Three and says they want a review over  they way the government issued long term electricity contracts for these dams.

The complaint is related to 5-hydro generating plants in Kenora, Norman, Fort Frances, Calm Lake and Sturgeon Falls.

Con College Promises Classes will start next week as scheduled

Confederation College is open for business across Northwestern Ontario despite the strike.

Most programming will run as scheduled when classes resume on Tuesday and staff are in place across the District to assist students.

Vice-President Academic Judi Maundrell doesn't expect major problems when students report for class or obtain financial aid.

Both sides have expressed a willingness to return to the bargaining table.

Broncos win exhibition game in Dryden

A promising start for Beaver Brae's football team.

The Broncos marched into Dryden yesterday and left with a 18-0 victory over the host Eagles.

John Lee, Spencer Wickham and Allan Hansen each scored majors for Beaver Brae.

The Broncos open the regular season next Friday on the road in Steinbach to take on the Sabres.

Body of Missing Florida Man Found in Lake of the Woods

Kenora OPP Marine Unit say they have located the body of 68 year old Bill Amason.

The Florida man went missing on Lake of the Woods this past weekend after heading out for a boat ride.

The OPP Marine Unit did locate the body yesterday in the water close to his last known location.

A post-mortem exam will be conducted later today at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Treaty Three Wants Judicial Review of Hydro Contracts

The provincial government is being taken to court over hydro rights in northwestern Ontario.

Grand Council Treaty Three says its will be asking for a judicial review of contracts awarded on its traditional lands.

Treaty Three is worried the new hydro projects will have an adverse impact on its communities in this region.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly and other band leaders are holding a press conference in Toronto today to talk about their legal action.

Five Candidates expected in Kenora-Rainy River in fall election

There could be as many as five candidates in the upcoming provincial election in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Party says it has two candidates ready to file nomination papers including one locally.

The party is expected to release the name of the candidate in the next few days.

Leader of the party, Ed Deibel says they plan to have a candidate in all 11 ridings across northern Ontario.

Rickford Gets Ready for new session of Parliament

Members of Parliament are gearing up for a new session .

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he' been busy familiarizing himself with his new portfolios.

Rickford says his parliamentary secretary positions fit in nicely with the work he's trying to do in this riding.

Rickford is the parliamentary assistant for CanNor, Fednor as well as Aboriginal Affairs.

Parliament is set to resume September 19th.

Con College Says business as usual despite OPSEU Strike

Confederation College is anticipating no major disruptions now that support staff have walked off the job.

President Jim Madder says he's disappointed that a negotiated settlement could not be reached.

Madder stresses programs and services at Confederation will continue and officials will welcome new and returning students at each of the 9-campuses.

College Support Staff Go On Strike

Unionized support staff at Ontario's community colleges are on strike today just before students return for a new school year.

Rod Bemister, chairman of the OPSEU bargaining committee, says they are willing to return to talks.

The colleges also say they will be happy to return to negotiations.

The union says it went on strike because the colleges demanded concessions and clawbacks to its existing contract.

Fatigue blamed on Trans-Canada Accident near Wawa

Fatigue may be a factor in a fatal collision on Highway 17 near Wawa.

OPP Staff Seargent Dan Dawson says Tuesday morning's collision happened when a car crossed into the path of a transport truck.

Dawson says two other passengers in the car suffered non life threatening injuries.

Ring of Fire Deal Signed

Four Northern First Nations are working together towards creating an east-west corridor in the Ring of Fire.

They signed the collaborative agreement in Thunder Bay yesterday and Fort Hope Chief Harry Papah says it will mean they'll have a common voice.

A working group has been established and will consult with residents throughout September.

Bronco Football Team plays Dryden in Exhibition game

Beaver Brae's football team gets its first real test today.

The Broncos wrap a two week training camp with an exhibition game in Dryden this afternoon.

Beaver Brae head coach Chris Penner says they will be staying in the second division of the Winnipeg High School Football League this year, even though they have a very young team.

Game time is 3:00 this afternoon at Harry McMaster Field in Dryden.

Next week, the Broncos open the regular season in Steinbach.

Ride for Memories raises thousands for Alzheimer's

The final figures are in from this weekend's Alzheimer Society Ride for Memories.

The more than 31-thousand dollars raised was about 4-thousand less than expected.

But Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts, Lynn Moffatt says it's still significant money for people suffering from Alzheimers and their families.

A record 160 motorcycle enthusiasts from across northwestern Ontario participated.