Police Confirm Death at Vernon Trails

Kenora OPP have confirmed that a deceased man was discovered this morning at the entrance to the Vernon Trails, West of the City.

Constable Bob Bernie says police were called just after 8:00 and paramedics confirmed the death.

Police remain on the scene at this time and the area is closed off to the public, however McKenzie Portage Road remains open to traffic.

Bernie could not confirm how they are proceeding with the investigation.

Bernie adds he is looking into the incident this morning on St. Clair Street to see if the incidents have any relation.

Police on Scene at 2 Locations in City

Some new developments in the report of an incident on St Clair Street in Keewatin.

Kenora O.P.P are at the scene of incident at the Vernon Trails West of the City.

Reports say a deceased person was found at the location.

We have calls in with the O.P.P and are awaiting more details.

Meanwhile there are also police on the scene at 817 St. Clair Street in Keewatin.

It is not yet known if the locations are related.

New Director of Education Chosen for KPDSB

Sean Monteith is the new Director of Education of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

The Kenora resident was named to the position at a special board meeting last night.

Monteith says he's humbled and excited by the opportunity.

Monteith has been a Superintendent of Education with the board since 2008.

Sector Profile Hopes to Attract New Business

Lots of work is being done to attract more forestry business to the city.

Thelma Wilkins-Page with the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission presented city council with a sector profile on Monday.

Wilkins-Page says the report highlights strengths and advantages, opportunities for value added products, and government services and supports in the region..

Councillor Sharon Smith says the report will be great to helping companies get the information they need when deciding to do business in Kenora.

Health Unit Changing Pandemic Plan

The Northwestern Health Unit is supporting the province's new pandemic plan.

Manager of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says the strategy provides a stronger working relationship with all three levels of government.

Stanley says the Health Unit was burned during the last H-1-N-1 pandemic because other Health Units were offering the free vaccine at earlier times.

Senior Thistle Drop Game 1 at Allan Cup

A tough start for the Kenora Triple "A" Senior Thistles at the Allan Cup in Red Deer Alberta.

The Thistles started the tournament last night by dropping a 5-2 decision to the host Bentley Generals.

Kenora got the scoring started before the Generals scored 3 unanswered goals.

The Thistles were able to make it 3-2, but that would be the closest they would get as the generals pulled away.

Tonight Kenora will take the ice against the Rosetown Red Wings.

Health Centres Receive Provincial Funding

Aboriginal Health Access Centres in Kenora and Fort Francis are getting a boost by the provincial government.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer made the announcement in Kenora today.

Each center will receive 2.3 million dollars to retain and recruit primary care physicians and nurse practitioners.

Zimmer adds that the centres will also be receiving capital for building renovations.

New Forest Management Plan for Wabigoon Forest

Changes are coming to the Wabigoon Forest.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Domtar are developing the second five-year term for the Forest Management Plan, and are looking at proposed areas for harvest and road locations.

Plan Author Penny Rathushniak explains the harvesting process.

Rathushniak says it also tells the species of the forest and the age class.

MPP Wants Drilling Resources to Stay Inside the Province

The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River says we need to keep control of the mining resources drilled in the province.

Sarah Campbell says it's unfair that foreign companies are taking our profit and jobs.

She says our resources can't be given away, unless we ask for a fair price in return.

Campbell add the Federal government needs to close the loopholes it created.

Local MP Says ELA Talks Are Continuing

Work is still being done on finding a third party to run the Experimental Lakes Area, East of Kenora.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford wants folks to know that they continue to have discussions, but majority of them are in confidentiality.

Rickford says the issue that has to be addressed is the provincial and federal government's roles.

Allan Cup Begins Tonight for Senior Thistles

The Kenora Triple "A" Senior Thistles have plenty of confidence ahead of their first game tonight at the Allan Cup.

Captain Sean Hughes says they are going to rely on their defensive play.

The Thistles are playing against the host Bentley Generals tonight at 8:00.

The second game for the Thistles is tomorrow night against the Rosetown Red Wings.

Hockey for Health Kicks Off With a Bang

A great start to the Hockey for Health Tournament.

the goal of reaching 55 thousand dollars in fundraising started with 13 thousand announced as of yesterday.

The Hockey for Health continues today with the Bantam division on the ice.

You can get involved by attending games, buying raffles, and support the Don your Cherry jacket contest.

Money raised goes towards the District Hospital Foundation, Twinning the Ice at the Rec Centre, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Woman Charged With Assault in Kenora

 Kenora OPP have charged a woman with multiple assault charges.

On Saturday afternoon police were called to the Cambrian Dr area after a cab driver was threatened with a knife.

Police say they were also called to the Mascott Ave area that evening where a woman had been assaulted.

On Sunday police say 22-year old Marcella Jordain of Couchiching was arrested for the incidents.

Jordain has been charged with assault, assault with a weapon, and obstructing police.

Swimming Sharks Gain Experience at NWO Swim Meet

A great learning experience for members of the Kenora Swimming Sharks.

The Sharks hosted the annual NWO Open Swim Meet this weekend with over 170 competitors.

Kenora used the meet to give some of their younger swimmers the experience of competing in a swim meet.

It was a first experience for many of the junior pre-competitive swimmers on the team.

The event was a precursor to the "Wavemaker Long Course Invitational," in Victoria later this month.

Work Continues to Open Mine in Barwick

Rainy River Resources says it has its road map to begin development of an open pit mine north of Barwick late next year.

The company's released it's feasibility study identifying project costs at a billion dollars, creating 400 jobs during construction and 600 when the mine opens.

President Raymond Threlked doesn't foresee anything sidetracking plans.

The project currently going through the environment assessment process the company expects to be complete in time to begin construction.

Kenora MP Annoucnes Funding for Lac Seul

Some federal dollars for the Lac Seul Training Center of Excellence.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford was in Hudson last week, where he announced 132-thousand-dollars in funding that will help with upgrades to the facility and the Culinary School that will soon be offered.

Rickford adds the government remains committed to helping First Nation communities.

Lac Seul has partnered with Goldcorp and the Seven Generations Education Institute to create the facility.

Cross Lake Wins NAFN Title

A changing of the guard at the North American First Nations Hockey Tournament.

Last night the Cross Lake Islanders won the title with a 5-3 win over Fisher River.

Captain Kajon McKay says its nice to end the OCN's championship streak.

McKays says the NAFN tournament is the best that he has played in all season.

Locals Liberals Ready to Select Candidate

The president of the Kenora-Rainy River provincial Liberal riding association is making plans to run in the next election.

Anthony Leek of Emo says by declaring early, it avoids some of the problems faced in an unsuccessful bid in 2011.

The Riding association will hold a nomination meeting in Fort Frances April 27.

Summer Job Opportunities

The Northwest Business Centre and the Ontario government is offering multiple programs to students in the region to start up their own business.

The Make Your Pitch Program is for high school students only.

More information is available at http://www.makeyourpitch.ca/

The Summer Company Program is being offered to students between 15 and 29.

More information is available at http://www.ontariocanada.com/ontcan/1medt/smallbiz/en/sb_ye_summerco_en.jsp

Sportsplex Receives Funding

A sportsplex for all will be soon be running in Kenora.

The renovation to the Jaffray Melick Arena got a big boost by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Jess Rheault is the Vice Chair of the Kenora Soccer Association and says they received over 122-thousand dollars for the project.

Rheault says a lot of groups are interested in the facility including lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, and the school boards.

Rheault adds they are currently working to get the turf installed.