Orihel Recieves Diamond Jubilee Medal

A Diamond Jubilee Medal has been awarded to the founder of the Coalition to Save the Experimental Lakes Area.

The M.P. for Winnipeg Center Pat Martin says that it recongises Diane Orihel's determination to raise awareness about the ELA and indepent sceiene and research.

Orihel is the leading voice of the coalition, calling on the federal government to continue to operate the research facility.

Good Financial News for Catholic School Board

Some good news on the financial front for the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

The separate school board's audited financial statements from last year shows a 1.2 million dollar increase in its suplus.

On the budget front, Superintendent of Administrative Services Judy Green says they will also see a slight reduction in their projected deficit for 2012/2013 despite some increased costs.

Green says they were able to reduce their deficit this year thanks to a slight increase in enrolment.

There are about 11 more students than their budget projections.

District Services Board Finalizes Budget

Depending on where you live, you could pay more or less for social services this year.

The Kenora District Services Board approved its 2013 budget, and CAO Dan Mcneill says the tax levy varies by municiplaity.

He says the overall increase is 1.1 percent, but Kenora will be hit with a 5 percent hike.

Red Lake has the largest increase at 9 percent.

The biggest decline is in Ignace at 4 percent.

Some Provincial Parks May Escape Closure

There may be life after all for at least three of the 10 provincial parks slated for closure in northern Ontario.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities has been meeting with the Ministry of Natural Resources to try and reverse the decision.

Al Spacek is the president of FONOM and says initially they were trying to keep at least five of the parks open.

Spacek says they are working on a pilot project to keep Fushimi Park near Hearst, Ivanoe near Chapleau and Rene Brunelle near Kapuskasing open this summer.

Sewer and Water Rates to Increase in the New Year

Kenora homeowners can expect another big increase in their sewer and water bills in 2013.

City council held its final open meeting of 2012 last night, and approved a 10 percent increase in sewer and water rates.

Council actually approved the rate increase in the budget process last year, which will see rates increase by 10 percent a year for at least the next five years.

The rate increase is due to come into effect as of January 1st.

Campbell Outlines Changes to Travel Grant

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is clarifying statements she made recently about the Northern Ontario Travel Grant.

Campbell had expressed concern about the doubling of the distance requirement, only later to learn it was a change made several years ago.

But Campbell says there is a change for the accommodation portion of the grant., which now requires a reciept. 

The province had beefed up the travel grant a hundred dollars for travel a few year ago.

O.P.P Charge Two Men for Weekend Death and House Fire

Two men are facing charges of second degree murder and arson after police discovered a deceased male at a house fire over the weekend.

21-year old Langford Ogemah of Kenora was found dead inside a Lakeside area house when emergency crews arrived after reports of a fire.

A post mortem was conducted on Sunday and found that foul play was the cause of death.

20-year old Peter Fisher and 22-year old Ringo Carpenter were charged in relation to the incident and appeared in Kenora Court on Monday for bail hearings.

Penny Back as KPDS Board Chair

Almost a decade and counting.

Dave Penny is back for another year as chair of the Keewatin-Patricia
District School Board.

He was acclaimed for the position for the ninth time in board elections held week.

Kenora trustee Cecile Marcino is also back for another year as vice-chair
of the public school Board. 

Apartment Rents on the Rise

It costs a little more to rent an apartment in Kenora.

The latest figures from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
shows the average price for a two bedroom unit was 785 dollars last year.

That's up from 757 dollars last year.

Kenora's far from the most expensive city to rent a apartment.

Sudbury tops the list this year at 915 dollars a month. 

OPP's Northwest Crime Unit Investigating Weekend Fatality

The OPP is continuing its investigation of a fatality over the
weekend in the Lakeside area.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Department was called out around
4:30 Saturday morning to a home in the 6th Street South area.

Police say the blaze was small and caused only minimal damage.

However, the body of a deceased male was found inside the house.

The fatality is being called suspicious, but so far the name of the deceased
has not been released. 

Rickford Promises Infrastructure Funding

Call it a belated Christmas present.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says the federal government plans to announce
funding for a number of municipalities and first nations in the new year.

He says its part of an infrastructure program announced in this year's budget.

Rickford hints the City of Kenora will be one of the recipients of the funding.

Northern Electricity Rebate Program Extended

The Provincial Government is extending it's Northern Industrial Electricity Rate.

The program will now be available for another three years and will provide a lower costing electricity rate to mining and forest industry companies.

Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Spokesperson Larry Hebert says many believe this rate saved the two industries.

The province is putting 360 million dollars into the three year program.

Elementary Teachers in Rainy River to Strike Today

Elementary teachers and support staff within the Rainy-River District School Board are staging a one-day strike today.

That will impact schools in Fort Frances, Atikokan and Rainy River. 

Last week, elementary staff in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board held their one-day strike as part of a province-wide protest against Bill 115.

The legislation imposes contacts on elementary and secondary school teaches in the public school system.

Storm Win K-Town Classic

A good weekend for local girls hockey teams.

Kenora teams took gold and bronze at the K-Town Classic
Under 19 hockey tournament at the Rec. Center.

The K-Town Storm won the tournament edging the Northwest Warriors
from Fort Frances 3-2 in the A-side final.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Aquinas Saints edged the Kelvin Clippers from
Winnipeg 4-3 in the bronze medal game. 

Midget and Senior Thistles Split Weekend Games

Both of Kenora's Triple "A" hockey teams split their games over the weekend.

The Senior Thistles made the 10 hour bus ride to Williston, North Dakota.

Yesterday, the Thistles needed overtime to get by the Williston State Tetons
3-2.

Saturday, the Kenora senior squad were edged 6-5 by the Tetons.

At the Kenora Rec. Center, the Kenora Midgets got by the Yellowhead Chiefs
5-3 Saturday night.

The Thistles rebounded from a 4-3 loss to the Chiefs on Friday night.

One Man Killed In Lakeside Blaze

On Saturday December 15, 2012 at 4:30 am, members of Kenora Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police and the Kenora Fire Department responded to a fire inside a residence on Sixth Street South in the City of Kenora.

 Minimal damage was caused by the fire.

But one male was located deceased inside the residence.

Members of the OPP Regional Crime unit are assisting with the investigation into the death. Identity of the deceased will not be released until notification of the next of kin can be completed.

The investigation is continuing and further information will be released as it becomes available

New Family Physicians Practicing in Kenora

Two new physicians in Kenora will be taking new patients in the new year.

Randy Belair from the Paterson Medical Centre says they are setup at the Clinic but there are some changes slowing down how physicians can accept new patients.

Belair wants to remind anyone without a family physician to register with healthcare connect online at  http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/healthcareconnect/public/

Senior Thistles back in Action this Weekend

The Kenora Triple "a" Senior Thistles will see their first action in almost a month.

The Thistles are in Williston, North Dakota for a pair of games this weekend.

Thistles head coach, John Tressor says they are trying to pick up more games in the new year.

The Thistles will play the Williston State Tetons tomorrow night and then again on Sunday afternoon.

NOTO Executive Cites Tough Times for Resignation

The executive director of Nature and Outdoor Tourism in Ontario is stepping down.

Doug Reynolds says that the outdoor tourism industry is taking quite a hit, and that NOTO is going through a restructuring process.

Reynolds adds that times are tough.

Reynolds will remain as director until the end of January.

Health Unit Issues Holiday Safety Tips

The Northwestern Health Unit has some safety reminders this holiday season.

Health Promoter Jessica Kivell says that when purchasing toys for children, pay attention to the age guidelines.

She adds that they are based on safety, not the intelligence or skill level of a child.

Other reminders include keeping candles away from children, and only have soft, unbreakable decorations low on the Christmas tree.