OPP Responds to Ombudsmans Report

The OPP says its starting to take action on an 18-month investigation by the provincial Ombudsman.

It includes how the Provincial Police deal with psychologial issues, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Acting Superintendent Dave Quigley says there are a number of services available for officers and civillian staff.

Quigley says they have a working group who is going to assess the findings, and see what will work at the end of the day.

City Begins 2013 Budget Process Today

Kenora city council's getting an early jump on the 2013 municipal
budget.

Council will be meeting with groups in the city which rely on municipal funding today.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says a report by the the Municipal Property and Assessment Corpopation this week was a real eye opener.

He says the fact property values are up six percent is an interesting conundrum for council.

Canfield says they'll have to factor in the increase property values when they
begin drafting their 2013 budget. 

NOMA Speaks Out Against Provincial Park Closures

The local tourism industry has taken another hit.

The Province is cancelling overnight camping in nine Provincial Parks across Northern Ontario, including one in the Northwest.

Ron Nelson is President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and says the government is hollowing of services in our communities.

Nelson says the area is already reeling from the closure of three Travel Information Centres and possible reductions at Ministry of Natural Resources offices.

Stats Can Releases more 2011 Census Results

Kenora is increasingly an English speaking community.

Results from the 2011 Census shows that 91.8 percent of local residents listed English as their mother tongue, that's up from 91.2 percent just four years ago. 

Only 2.3 percent listed French.

Ojibway has moved up into third place at 1.6 percent.

It has surpassed German, which was spoken by just one percent of
the local population. 

Local Task Force Earns OPP Accolade Award

For the second year in a row, Kenora OPP officers have won accolade
awards.

The OPP Awards Ceremony was held yesterday in Orillia, and the Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force was singled out.

It was given an award for community partnerships.

The committee consists of both OPP officers as well as representitives
from local agencies.

The Aboriginal Issue Unit was also a recipient of another award and team member Detective Contable

Marc Depres was one of the people recognized. 

Thistles Win on the Road

The Kenora Thistles are above the .500 mark once again.

A third period goal by Brandon Pentek was the game winner, as the Thistles edged the Eastman Selects 4-3 last night in Beausejour.

The Kenora Midgets now sport a record of four wins, three losses and an overtime loss.

Their next game is at home Friday night against the Pembina Valley Hawks.

Broncos Face Elmwood in WHSFL Play-Offs

Its do or die time for Beaver Brae's football team.

The play-offs begin today in the Winnipeg High School Football League today.

The Broncos travel to Winnipeg to take on the Elmwood Giants in a quarter-final match-up.

The Giants finished third in the Currie Division with a 6-1 record, while the
Broncos were in a three-way tie for 6th at 3-4.

Game time is 5:00 at the Eastside Stadium.

Saints take three of four from Sioux Lookout

Another near sweep for Thomas Aquinas court sport teams.

The Saints took three of four games played against Sioux Lookout yesterday.

The T.A. senior boys volleyball team kept their perfect record intact in NorWOSSA
league play with a three game sweep of the Warriors.

The Saints junior boys won three sets to one.

In girls basketball action, the T.A. Junior girls cruised to a 30-7 win over
Sioux Lookout, while the senior squad lost the only game of the day 35-30
to the Warriors.

Today, the Thomas Aquinas boys volleyball teams head to Whitefish Bay for the

third games in three days. 

Property Values Jump in Kenora

A big jump in property values in the Kenora area.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation has just completed its most recent assessment and it shows an increase of 6.39 percent in the past year.

That's one of the biggest jumps in the region. 

Only Red Lake had a higher jump at almost eight percent.

Property values are also up in Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls by meagre 1.16 percent.

Waterfront values continue to soar, with Kenora lake front property up 31 percent in the past

four years, while it increased by 14 percent in Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls during that same time frame.

On the other end of the scale, property values are down in Ignace by almost 5 percent and
there was a two percent drop in Dryden and a four percent drop in Machin.   

TSB Still Investigating Pickle Lake Crash

Still more questions than answers surrounding the fatal plane crash in Pickle Lake last week.

Members of the Transportation Safety Board have worked tirelessly to remove the wreakage from a densly wooded area.

Spokesperson Peter Hildenbrand explains where they are in the investigation stage.

He said a full draft report on the crash probably won't be available for four to five months.
Three men from Quebec died in the crash.

Nishinabe Aski Police Seeking New Recruits

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is launching a new recruitment campaign to try and get more people into a NAPS uniform.

Sergeant Jackie George says the campaign is entitled the "Faces Behind the Flash".

The "Faces Behind The Flash" campaign is aimed at people 19 years of age or older.

Mayor Likes Committee Changes

Kenora City Council plans to be more accountable to local citizens.

Last night council did away with the committee structure, and instead adopted a new portfolio concept.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the changes should give local residents better access to information being reviewed by council.

All 6 portfolios have a councillor as the lead.

OPP Investigate More Break-Ins in Sioux Narrows

A new rash of break-ins in the Sioux Narrows area are under investigation.

The OPP say they are looking into a number of break and enter and thefts in the Lobstick Bay area of the community.

Police say at this time they are trying to determine exactly how many cottages have been entered, and what items have been stolen.

A recent community survey showed that break-ins were the biggest concern of residents living in Sioux Narrows.

Anyone with information about the crime spree is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers. 

Mixed Results for Saints and Broncos

Home court was no advantage for Beaver Brae.

The Broncos were swept by the Fort Frances Muskies in boy volleyball and girls basketball action.

The Beaver Brae junior girls basketball team was edged 34-32, while the Bronco senior and junior boys volleyball squads both lost three sets to one to the Muskies.

Over at Thomas Aquinas, the Saints took three of four games played against Atikokan.

The T.A. senior boys still have not dropped a set in NorWOSSA league play sweeping the Voyageurs three set to none.

The Saints Junior boys lost a five set marathon against Atikokan 3 sets to two.

In girls basketball, the Saints senior squad upended the Voyaguers 40-18, while the T.A. junior girls romped to a 45-30 victory.

Today, the Sioux Lookout Warriors are in town.

Mayor for the Day



Kenora's mayor will soon look a little younger.

Maya Boivin has won this year's mayor for a day contest.

The Thomas Aquinas Student will get to sit in the mayor's chair at
an upcoming council meeting, and spend the day shadowing Kenora's
top elected official.

This is the second year in a row council has chosen a student to act as
Mayor for the Day. 

Senior Citizen Achievement Award

Local resident Colin Wasacase has received a provincial senior acheivment award.

Wasacase was presented with the award at city council last night.

Wasacase served multiple terms on city council and has been an active

member of the community for many years serving on multiple committees.

Task Force on Homelessness Ready to Roll

Kenora City Council is carrying through with its commitment to tackle the issue of homelessness.

A new Ad Hoc Task Force is being set up to look at the issue and hopefully develop some plans that will address some of the social issues facing the community.

Louis Roussin will be chairing the committee and says they want to look "outside the box" for solutions.

The Ad Hoc Task force on Homelessness and Behavioral Issues was established by city council last night at its open meeting.

Local Liberals Pleased with Early Leadership Convention

Names to lead the Ontario Liberals will be known soon.

The party will hold a leadership convention on January 25th.

Northern Region VP Anthony Leek says names will likely start coming forward this week.

Leek adds that they wanted to hold the leadership convention sooner rather than later in order to get the Ontario Legislature back to business. 

MPP's have been locked out of Queens park since last week when Dalton McGuinty resigned and prorogued the legislature.

OFAH Concerned About Recent Hunting Fatalities

Within the past month, two people have been killed in Ontario due to hunting related incidents.

In one case, a man had fallen on a slippery surface and accidently discharged his firearm.

Arnold Beebe is an instructor with the Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers says when we fall, it's instinct to use your hands to brace yourself.

Beebe adds that it's important to be sure of the target and keep the gun pointed in a safe directon.

Griffith Mine to Go Back into Production

A milestone for the Griffith Mine, north of Ear Falls.

Northern Iron Group is bringing the mine back into business, which has been out of operation since 1986.

Vice President Michael Hepworth says starting tonight, they will be pumping the water out.

Hepworth says the mine won't be complete till about 2016, but is expected to bring in about 400 jobs.