Pikangikum Achieves Forestry Milestone

A major milestone for the Pikangikum First Nation.

The first nation has become the forst far north reserve to receive a Sustainable Forest Licence.

The Licence is for the Whitefeather Forest, 90 Kilometers North of Red Lake, and will require the Whitefeather Forest Cummunity Resource Management Authority to implement a Forest Management Plan.

Chief Dean Owen says he is thankful to the Elders, the Whitefeather Forest Initiative Team, the MNR staff who helped the community reach this milestone.

Owen added he is excited for the economic opportunities the licence will create for the people in the community

Matiowski's Farmers Market Starts Tomorrow

A summer staple in Kenora comes back to the Whitecap Pavilion tomorrow.

The Matiowski Farmers Market will be open tomorrow as of 8:30 under the Whitecap Pavilion.

Chrystal Stokes says the market will be as big as ever this year with the markets sold out with vendors through the the end of August.

Stokes said the market includes some well known vendors including Honeymill farms, Gerber Farms, Rainy River Meat, and also includes many different types of jewellery and art.

OPP Commissioner Defends Rising Costs

The Commissioner of the OPP is trying to put a positive spin on the cost of their service.

Chris Lewis was in Kenora last week and admits municipalities are concerned about an 8.5 percent increase in officer salaries that's slated to kick in next year.

Lewis says despite the increase, the OPP provides good value for the service.

Lewis says the OPP is currently 32nd in terms of police costs in Canada.

Enough is Enough Bikers Ride Into Kenora

Two people are trying to bring the issue of mental health into the open.

Ginny and Kerry Dennehy are riding across Canada as part of their Enough
is Enough Campaign.

Kerry says the ride is really in support of their son who committed suicide 13 years ago.

The Dennehy's arrived in Kenora yesterday to talk about the foundation they set up on behalf
of their son to tackle depression and mental illness.

Attawapiskat Residents Finally Returning Home

Residents of Attawapiskat First Nation evacuated to Fort Frances last month because of flooding are beginning to return home.

About 30 were flown back last Thursday.

Emergency officials are now looking honouring a request by the remaining thirty to relocate to towns closer to their community where family and friends may be.

The residents have been living out of a local hotel since May 11th.

Funding For Aboriginal Youth Announced

Helping Aboriginal people in Northwestern Ontario get off welfare.

That's the focus of a new plan being pushed by Canada's Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says 241 million dollars will go to help youth achieve the same job opportunities as other Canadians.

Aboriginals who choose to participate in the program will work with  the Income Assistance Program to undergo personalized case management.

Northern Communities Continue to Lobby over MPAC Assessments

The fight isn't over between towns in northwestern Ontario and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says they had some good discussions at their meeting in Toronto last week.

Nuttall says MPAC was on the hot seat.

Nuttall says another problem is how the municipalities are going to pay back what they owe.

Memorial Service for Ornge Employees

A memorial service is scheduled for this afternoon in Toronto for the two pilots and two paramedics who died late last month in an air ambulance crash in northern Ontario.

Premier Kathleen Wynne is among those who will be attending.

The helicopter had just left its base at the Moosonee airport to pick up a patient in the remote Attawapiskat First Nation when it crashed early on May 31st.

Transportation Safety Board officers investigating the crash have said mechanical failure did not appear to be the cause.

Kenora's Phillip Scribilo Wins Dryden Walleye Masters

Kenora's Phillip Scribilo is in the Winners circle at the Dryden Shaw Walleye Masters Tournament.

Scribilo and his partner Jason Rostek from Dryden jumped from second to first on the final day to win the event.

Rostek admits the Sunday fishing wasn't easy.

The two caught 29.62-pounds to win the 20-thousand dollars cash and prizes.

Campbell Promotes Region in Legislature

The perks of Northwestern Ontario have reached the Provincial Legislature.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell took a few moments to talk about the endless amount activities that are happening here right at home, stating that it's a hot spot for people from all over.

Campbell encouraged fellow MPP's to make a trip to the region and experience the Northern life.

NAN Happy With Aboriginal Jury Rolls Decision

The Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation welcomes an Appeals Court ruling on Aboriginal jury rolls.

The court threw out a manslaughter conviction on the basis that not enough Aboriginals were on the man's jury.

Alvin Fiddler says now it's time to move forward on the issue.

Fiddler says the ruling validates what NAN has been saying all along.

Premiere Concerned About Municipal Policing Costs

Concerns about policing costs by municipalities are on the mind of Ontario's Premier.

The town of Fort Frances is passing a resolution around calling on the province for more financial support.

Kathleen Wynn says efforts are underway to help contain policing costs.

No time frame was given as to when the team's will bring forward recommendations.

5 Die in Single Vehicle Accident

Tragedy has struck the community of Slate Falls First Nation.

On Saturday evening Sioux Lookout OPP were called to a single vehicle accident south of the community where a GMC Terrain fell into the Broken Mouth River.

The OPP have confirmed the deaths of 23 year old Kimberly Whiskeyjack of Sioux Lookout, 55 year old Gordon Carpenter of Slate Falls First Nation; 23 year old John Bighead of Slate Falls First Nation, 26 year old Samantha Loon of Slate Falls First Nation, and 20 year Claudia Loon of Slate Falls First Nation.

Post morterms have been scheduled at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Forensic Identification Unit Opens in Kenora

The Northwest Region of the OPP have a new forensic identification unit in Kenora.

Commissioner Chris Lewis was in town for the grand opening of the facility on Friday.

Lewis says the building was needed for the safety of officers.

He added the facility ensures no evidence they inspect gets contaminated.

MP Rickford Discusses First Nation Police Funding

The Federal and Provincial Governments plan on working together to address the lack of funding for First Nations policing.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says their top priority was more stable funding for more than just one or two years.

Rickford adds they will have further discussions with the province.

The Treaty Three Police will likely see massive cutbacks in hours, wages and benefits.

Public School Board Approves Strategic Plan

Working to achieve more success at local schools.

Director of Education at the Keewatin Patricia District School Board Sean Monteith says they have passed their 5 year strategic plan.

Monteith says the goals are heavily focused on all students.

He adds their is a strong focus on the whole child and defining what success is.

Community Foundation to Hold Granting Ceremony

Generosity continues to grow in Kenora.

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation will be presenting 130 thousand dollars in grants to 25 local charities.

Executive Director Darlene MacGillvary says everyone can take part in the ceremony.

The ceremony is this Wednesday at 7:00 at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Kenneth Ivall Sentencing Delayed

Justice delayed.

The sentencing of Kenneth Ivall has been put on hold for another two weeks, while Justice Terrance Platana
considers a join submission from the crown and Ivall's lawyer Chris Watkins.

Ivall was found guilty three and a half months ago in the second degree murder of Ed Wilson the early morning hours of March 21st, 2009.

In a sentencing hearing this morning it was suggested that a 16 year sentence be given Ivall without chance of parole, minus the 51 months he's already served.

Crown Attorney Mary-Anne Mousseau says Ivall has a 20 year criminal history of violence, domestic violence and drug dealing.

Justice Terrance Platana says he wants to give serious consideration to the joint sentencing submission and
will instead hand down his decision on June 28th at the Kenora Court House.

Friday Night Concerts At Harbourfest Finalized

Classic Rock acts will dominate this year's Harborfest.

The line-up for the Friday night concert has been finalized.

Dave Blake is the director of entertainment and says Bachman-Turner
will be the headliners.

70's group rock group Sweet and Kenny Shields and Streetheart will round out the Friday night concert.

Tickets go on sale at noon today.

Coney Island Challenge Launched

A new challenge is coming to Kenora.

The Coney Island Challenge is a paddleboard event that will circumnavigate the island.

Steve Strachan from the Hardwear Company says you only need a few supplies to join, including your own paddleboard, paddle and life jacket.

The Challenge will depart from the Harbourfront on July 1st.

All proceeds will go towards the Kenora Association for Community Living.

More details can be found at the Hardware Company.