CUPE Rally in Dryden Tomorrow

The union representing 293 front line staff at the newly merged Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Youth Services says the province is starving child welfare agencies.

A rally is planned at MPP Sarah Campbell's constituency office in Dryden tomorrow afternoon at 12:30.

CUPE 2332 President Don Pearson says they will be dropping off valentine hearts.

Pearson says a lack of funding has put vulnerable children at-risk in northwestern Ontario.

Electricity Shortage a Concern in NWO

The mining industry is bright in northwestern Ontario but one major hurdle remains; a lack of electricity.

Delegates attending the annual Kenora District Municipal Association Conference warned of a crisis situation looming.

Stats released at the Conference show 16 mines currently in exploration, evaluation or development; Rubicon and Goldcorp expecting to be on-line in 2014.

However, critics say the provincial government is dragging its feet on the construction of a transmission line and these projects could be either delayed or even scrapped.

They say that will cost the regional economy and the province millions of dollars.

Million Dollar Cottage Goes Up in Flames

Damages from a fire in the Clearwater Bay area could top a million dollars.

A cottage in the Sugar Bay area went up in flames Friday afternoon shortly after 2:00.

By the time fire crews arrived at the scene, the building was fully engulfed.

While there were no injuries, but multi-story camp was completely destroyed.

The camp was recently listed for sale at 2.45 million dollars.

Mining Still the Bright Light for the Kenora District

Patience is the key for mining development in the Kenora district.

That's the message being delivered by Craig Ravnass, geologist with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Ravnass says most mining companies are still in the exploration stage.

Ravnass stresses the future looks bright for possible production in the future.

He was a member of the mining panel at the Kenora District Municipal Association Confernce in Dryden over the weekend.

Energy A Concern For Mining Industry in NWO

The mining industry is bright in northwestern Ontario but one major hurdle remains; a lack of electricity.

Delegates attending the annual Kenora District Municipal Association Conference warned of a crisis situation looming.

Stats released at the Conference show 16 mines currently in exploration, evaluation or development; Rubicon and Goldcorp expecting to be on-line in 2014.

However, critics say the provincial government is dragging its feet on the construction of a transmission line and these projects could be either delayed or even scrapped.

They say that will cost the regional economy and the province millions of dollars.

McKay Sees More Challenges Ahead for Forestry

The forestry industry is indeed on the up-and-up but officials stress we are not out of the woods yet.

There’s been considerable optimism with recent announcements in Atikokan, Hudson and Kenora..

Rod McKay is the Manager of Kenora Forest Products and he addressed delegates attending the Kenora District Municipal Association.

McKay says a number of challenges remain including a changing pulp and paper industry, concern for future sawmills and a major shortage in skilled workers.

He notes high energy costs are still an issue.

McKay says he’s frustrated to hear from the province that there are plans to address the energy issue, but there continues to be no action.

Gravelle Expected Back in Northern Development

It appears an old face will be back to oversee the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

Sources say Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle will back to the cabinet position he held between 2007 and 2011.

Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Oriazetti is also being tagged as the new Minister for Natural Resources.

Campbell Says Good Bye to Bartolucci

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River isn't surprised with an announcment that Northern Development and
Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci is leaving his cabinet post.

Sarah Campbell says she didn't always get along with the Sudbury area MPP.

Campbell did take time to thank Bartolucci for his years of service.

She was speaking at the Kenora District Municipal Association Conference in Dryden this morning.

Hospital Working to Meet the Needs of Local First Nations

Better serving the health needs of aboriginal communities in the area.

That's one benefit the Lake of the Woods District Hospital says is coming out of meetings with the Kenora Chiefs Advisory.

Hospital CEO Mark Balcaen says they are learning about what patients need after leaving the hospital.

Balcaen says there are more meetings planned that include visiting all the KCA communities.

Senior Thistles Continue to Roll

The Kenora Triple "a" senior Thistles have a five game winning streak in the new year.

The Thistles got by the Manitoba Selects on Saturday 5-3 at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The Senior squad is back in action in two weekends against the defending Allen Cup champs, the Southeast Prairie Thunder.

Midget Thistles Split on the Road

The Kenora Midget Thistles are enjoying their best ever season in the Manitoba Midget Hockey League.

The Thistles have 56 points following the end of the regular season.

Over the weekend, the Kenora Midgets split against the Parkland Rangers, winning 2-1 Friday night, but dropping a 3-1 decision Saturday night to the Rangers.

The Thistles were supposed to wrap up the regular season yesterday in Brandon, but the game was cancelled due to illness.

The Kenora Midgets are scheduled to open the opening round of the play-offs at home on Wednesday.

Stage One of Northland Cup Results

A tough start to the Northland Cup series for both the Thomas Aquinas and Beaver Brae boys basketball teams.

The Saints won one of two games played Saturday, upending Sioux Lookout 43-35.

That followed up from a 50-35 loss to Red Lake in the morning.

Beaver Brae meanwhile is 0-2 after round one of the Northland Cup.

The Broncos were beaten 74-34 by Dryden Saturday morning and then the Muskies
romped to a 76-38 win in the afternoon.

Bizarre Incident Leads to Arrest on Darlington Drive

Kenora Provincial Police arrested a man after a bizarre incident on Darlington Drive around 7:00 last night.

O.P.P received a report of a man damaging several vehicles with a mini-excavator.

Officers arrived and noticed a man operating the machinery in an erratic manner, causing a number of passenger vehicles to stop on the roadway.

Police asked the man to stop but he continued to push into vehicles on the road.

Officers needed to use a taser to subdue the accused and he was arrested.

Midget and Senior Thistles on the Ice This Weekend

The Kenora Triple "A" Midget Thistles wrap up their strong regular season with a 3 game road trip to Western Manitoba.

The Thistles start things off tonight in Dauphin for a pair of games against the Parkland Rangers.

The Kenora Midgets then head to Brandon on Sunday for a match up with the West Division leading Brandon Wheat Kings.

Meanwhile, the Kenora Senior Thistles continue their home stand this weekend.


The Seniors are welcoming the Manitoba Selects to the Thistle Rink tomorrow.

Game time is 7:00.

Northwest LHIN's Releases New Strat Plan

A blueprint towards susataining healtchcare in Northwestern Ontario.

That's a goal of the Northwest Local Health Intregration Network's 3 year strategic plan.

CEO Laura Kokocinski says having a strong blueprint is important for the future of healthcare.

Kokocinski adds the plan also includes integrating E-health networks, improving access to care, and the prevention and management of chronic diseases.

Week Four of Murder Trial to Wrap Up Today

More testimony from forensic experts today at the second degree murder trial of Kenneth Ivall.

Blood splatter expert Scott Hlady took the stand this morning.

He says he examined a number of areas where there was a red, blood-like substance in front of the Tower Motel and A Street West.

Hlady says he also checked out the women's washroom at the Tim Horton's on Lakeview Drive, where police officers say the also noticed some blood-like substance.

He says the blood was diluted, but he was able to conclude that it did not belong to the
victim, Ed Wilson.

Hlady also confirmed blood on a pair of women's shoes located in an Angela Duchesne's and Kenneth Ivall's apartment on Norman Drive.

He says the black shoes, not only has an area where blood had been transferred, but
also showed that there was blood spatter on the back end of the shoe.

Week four of testimony is scheduled to wrap up tomorrow morning.

OFAH Upset Over new Gun Regulations

A new rule is in place for firearm owners who compete in recreational sport shooting.

The Chief Firearms Office says very person who visits a range that isn't their home club must receive a letter of invitation from the range, before transporting their firearm.

Spokesperson Greg Ferrant with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters says it's just extra work, because these people already take the required steps.

Ferrant says they will be writing a letter to the CFO asking what the purpose is for this new regulation.

DeBeers Blockade Lifted

De Beers Canada says the blockade at its winter road near the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario has ended.

The company says residents from the reserve ended the blockade

Thursday evening and the first convoy reached the site of its Victor diamond mine at 9 p.m.

De Beers says it has agreed to review items in the impact benefit agreement and to look at employment and training.

The mine, about 90 kilometres from the reserve, relies on the winter road for a bulk of it's resupply program.
   

Northern Communities to Battle MPAC

The fight against the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation is just starting to heat up.

Dryden is planning to form a coalition with Fort Frances, Espanola and Thunder Bay; communities who have all been hit hard due to a dramatic drop in their mill assessment.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says area communities have been left reeling.

Nuttall says M-PAC is not doing the job that we are paying them to do and the coalition is hoping to secure a meeting with the incoming Premier.

Bartolucci Calls it Quits

A new minister for Northern Development and Mines is going to be sworn in on Monday.

Rick Bartolucci announced he is resigning from cabinet and will not run in the next provincial election.

Bartolucci represents Sudbury and says he will stay on as an MPP until
the next election.

He was first elected to Queen's Park in 1995 and spent 18 years in provincial
politics.