Diane Kelly Preparing For Live T.V. Debate

The eight people vying to be National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations discuss the issues tonight in all-candidates debate.


Diane Kelly, the former Grand Chief of Treaty Three, is among those trying to unseat incumbent Shawn Atleo.

The debate can be seen on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network beginning at 6 o'clock Central time

ATV Crash

Provincial Police are asking everyone to stay safe while driving all-terrain vehicles.


Kenora OPP responded to a collision on Highway 671 north last night.

Police say a 16 and 17-year-old were each operating an ATV; one was towing the other with a cable.

The operator of the towed vehicle was thrown after making contact with the towing vehicle.

He was transported to hospital with minor injuries.

New Agreement Between NAN Police And OPP

The provincial police and Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service are to formally sign an operational agreement between the two forces today.


OPP Chief Superintendent Joffre Dupuis and Nishnawbe-Aski police Chief Claude Chum will participate in the signing.

The operational deal replaces expired agreements, and provides a framework for effective policing consistent with First Nation values.

Both police agencies say they're committed to building on current relationships and joint initiatives.

Record Breaking Tempatures

Air conditioners and fans were working overtime yesterday!


Several records were set across Northwestern Ontario.

Red Lake was the hot spot at 34.5-degrees, beating the old mark of 32.2 set in 1943.

Sioux Lookout erased a 69-year-old record by hitting 33.8. (Old mark was 33.3)

Dryden hit 33.5-degrees, eclipising the 32.1-record set in 1998.

It was hot in Kenora too, we hit highs of 32.4.

Tips To Avoid Heat Stroke

The human body is made up of mostly water, but some people still don't get enough.


With the hot temperatures here, heat stroke and exhaustion are more common.

Nurse practioner at the Dryden Regional Health Centre Leanne Bratland says hydration is essential to keeping cool, especially in older adults.

Bratland says those sensitive to the heat should try to wear light clothing or stay inside during extreme alerts.

Blaze In Minnesota

Officials with a U.S. park in Minnesota are expressing appreciation to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

A crew out of Fort Frances was dispatched to deal with a small fire located within Voyageurs National Park, on the U.S. side of Rainy Lake.

Information Officer Heather Pridham says the crew's response kept the fire becoming a major blaze.

Pridham says firefighters stayed with the blaze overnight.

She says the response outlines the great partnership they have with their neighbours south of the border.

Firefighters On High Alert

The forest fire hazard remains high to extreme in Northwestern Ontario.


New fires have been popping up daily, with about a dozen listed as being still active.

Ministry of Natural Resources Spokesperson Heather Pridham says right now crews have been able to cope but notes they are on high alert.

Most of the new starts have been lightning-caused.

One new fire was reported yesterday.

Most of the fires are small.

The largest fire is north of Sandy Lake First Nation and is currently 80-hectares in size.

The Mike Richards Charity Golf Tournament

The Mike Richards Charity Golf Tournament takes placed at the Kenora Golf and Country Club tomorrow.

John Barr who is part of the organizing committee says a total of 137 golfers will be out on the course with some of the NHL’s finest players.

The tournament will be a shotgun start, scramble format with hole-in-one specials and a post-golf banquet. Silent and live auctions will also take place to help raise additional funds for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

Forest Fire Update

5 new forest fires are being reported by the Ministry of Natural Resources, bringing the region's total up to 11.

2 were discovered in the Nipigon district while 3 were reported in the Fort Frances district.

Kenora has 2 active fires:

#1: Northeast of Grassy Narrows First Nation community. This fire is estimated at 0.8 hectors in size

#2: located 10km northwest of Minaki but is now listed as Under Control.

Firefighters remain on high alert with conditions at "High" to "Extreme" across the region.

Alzheimer Society's Cash Calendars

The Alzheimer Society's Cash Calendars are back!


Only 2500 calendars will be sold with over 12 thousand 1 hundred and 85 dollars worth of prizes, with one in 10 chances to win From September 2012 to August 2013.

Cash Calendars are $20 each with proceeds coming directly back to our community to provide free services to assist those affected by Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

To purchase yours visit The Alzheimer Society Office at 618-9th Street North

Michel Garant Challenge

He's looking to be the first paraplegic athlete to cross Canada on a strong arm bike.


Michel Garant started his journey in Vancouver on June 9 and plans to hit 83 cities in less then 90 days in support of The Mira Foundation which provides guide dogs and service dogs.

Michel is reaching out to millions of Canadians particularly those here in Kenora!

You can cheer him on today as he makes a pit stop under Kenora’s Whitecap Pavilion at 12 o’clock!

Phase 3 of Downtown Revitalization

With a little help from 2 separate organizations, Phase 3 of the downtown revitalization design is a go.

The City of Kenora is hoping to get government funding from Fednor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to help with the cost.

Council plans to replace underground infrastructures and new road ways.

They're also planning a bit of a makeover to keep things consistent with Kenora's newly redeveloped Main Street and Harbourfront.

Funding will also help refurbish Second Street South from Main Street to the old Fire Hall and both Chipman Street and Matheson Street are also on the list of roads that need to be repaired.

Work is slatted to start in 2013

Outside Basketball Courts

City Council is proceeding with several high priority projects this summer.


Councilors are hoping to use the $150,000 originally set aside for desk and security improvements to the Recreation Centre’s reception area to the relocation of the outside basketball courts.

The relocation will also provide additional parking space for vehicles and boat trailers.

Jaffray Melick Arena

The Jaffray Melick arena is getting a second chance.


City Council is preceding with several high priority projects this summer including sixty five thousand dollars worth of repairs at The Jaffray Melick Arena.

Councilors agree that the building has to meet occupancy requirements before it can be re-opened to the public

Forest Fire Update

Of the nine forest fires currently burning in the Northwest region, five are listed as being "not under control"


Six new fires were reported by Ministry of Natural Resources officials yesterday.

No fires are currently burning in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon districts.

Kenora and Red Lake each have two while the Dryden district has one

Experimental Lakes

A protest is being held in Winnipeg today surrounding the closure of the Experimental Lakes area, west of Dryden.

Canadian scientists are also planning a mock funeral in Ottawa today, with one top scientist saying the ``death of evidence is a cause for national mourning.''

Doctor Scott Findlay of the University of Ottawa's Institute of Environment says there's a systematic campaign to reduce the flow of scientific evidence to Canadians.

Sioux Mountain Music Festival is Coming

Calling all creative minds!


The Sioux Mountain Music Festival wants you to show off your work.

The festival runs August 4 and 5th from noon until dusk.

Chair of the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee Kathy Poling says they're seeking all types of talent such as musicians, artists, crafters and culinary enthusiasts.

There will be no free for participating but donations to the festival are encouraged.

A Taste of Sioux Lookout, which celebrates culinary diversity, will be held on August 5th only.

If you are interested in participating, call Kathy Poling at 737-0251.

Run For The Moose A Hit

Another successful "Run for the Moose" in Dryden.

94 people from across the area participated in the Sunday race.

Chester Draper won the 10-mile wheelchair/handcycle race with a time of 45:44.

The 10-kilometre race was won by Adam Bryck (46:28) and Katie Bigras (46.29).

Tyler Leonzio and Kirk Markowski won the 10-mile relay (1:03:59)

Jamie Seeley and Katelyn Morgan won the 5-kilometre run/walk. (21:46 and 23:16)

The 10-mile race was won by Corey Smith (1:05:57) and Linda Wilson (1:16:13)

A complete list of results is available by visiting www.rundryden.ca.

Winnipeg Man Injured In Crash Near Morson

A 69-year-old Winnipeg man is in hospital in serious condition following a crash on Lake of the Woods.


Provincial Police say the man was operating his boat when he struck another vessel and then ran into the shore.

Police say the incident occured on the weekend in the Morson area.

The driver of the second boat wasn't injured.

Police are investigating.

No Foul Play In Death Of Wabigoon Man

Provincial Police say foul play is not suspected in the death of a Wabigoon Lake First Nations man.


The body of 51-year-old Stanley Shabaquay was found on the shoreline of Wabigoon Lake last month.

The incident was reported to police on June 14th.

A post mortem examination has been completed.

The cause of death hasn't been released.

OPP and Treaty 3 Police have wrapped up their joint investigation.