Wednesday, August 7, 2013

City Council Expands Bow Hunt

Tighten those strings and sharpen your arrows.

Kenora city council is making changes to the city bow hunt.

The season will now begin on September 1st with hunting allowed on private land larger than 5 acres.

Mayor Dave Canfield says that's just the start as the city is continuing to work with the MNR regarding the hunt.

Canfield says controlling the deer population is a balancing act.

KBI Introduces teams Canada and USA

Team Canada and team USA has been introduced for the Kenora Bass International.

The teams were introduced during the KBI breakfast this morning.

Team Canada consists of Aaron Wiebe & Peter Tully, Jim Gustafson & Ben Gustafson, Jess Swenson & Michael Reid, Jeff Dingwall & Blair Dingwall, and Oliver Gibbons and Jason Gibbons.


Team USA is made of Kraig Dafick & Janice Dafick, Jim Flack & Andy Flack, John Liestman & Todd Tougas, Ernie Hearn & Forest Green, and Bill McGhie and Ken McGhie.

The 2 teams compete every year for the Frank Townsend Can-Am Challenge Trophy.

Team USA leads the overall tally 13-12.

National Aborigal Committee Welcomes Brad Maggrah

Added responsibility for Wabigoon's Brad Maggrah.

Maggrah has been appointed
to the National Aboriginal Committee on Species at Risk.

The Committee was created with the mandate to provide the Minister of Environment with advice on the handling of the Species at Risk Act.

His term will last 3-years.

Maggrah is the current President of the Ontario Coalition of Aboriginal People.

Con College Adds New Mining Course

Good news for folks in the region who are interested in a career in the mining sector.

Confederation College is expanding its mining program thanks to a new partnership with the Haileybury School Of Mines in Timmins.

President Jim Madder says the end result will be a ready work force for future mining employment.

The College will deliver the mines program through its Thunder Bay campus.

Sarah Campbell Applauds Youth Job Creation

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is applauding the provincial government for its new youth jobs program.

The province will provide up to 78-hundred dollars for each eligible youth, starting in September.

Campbell says it was one of the NDP's demands in the spring budget.

The grant also includes up to one-thousand-dollars to hep youth pay for costs like tools and transportation to work.

Quiet Long Weekend for area OPP

A pretty quiet weekend for Provincial Police in Northwestern Ontario.

Sergeant Shelley Garr says they laid 286 speeding charges, nineteen seat belt charges, six charges for impaired driving and three for distracted driving.

According to OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis, the 2013 Civic Long Weekend saw the lowest number of fatalities in almost 20-years.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Treaty 3 Police Chief Resigns

The Treaty 3 Police saga has taken another turn.

Board Chair Chief Eli Mandamin says Conrad DeLaronde has resigned as the chief of police.

DeLaronde has recently fallen under intense pressure due to the financial troubles facing the force the lead to a 45 day lay off notice for all officers.

Mandamin says the board will meet next week to discuss how to proceed, but he doesn't expect the change to affect union negotiations.

City Council Discusses Parking Concerns

City council is opening up parking on Lakeview drive.

Council is working to change parking regulations near Husky the Musky during special events like the farmers market.

Mayor Dave Canfield says ticketing people is not the right thing to do.

Canfield says the city is talking to the OPP to change the by-law.

He does say the area will be open to park tomorrow during the farmers market.

Boat Parade Kicks Off KBI

KBI festivities kick off tonight.

The boat parade will head through the streets of downtown.

The parade starts at the rec centre and heads down first avenue south to Matheson street where the boats will the head over to Main Street.

The parade gets underway at 6:00.

NWHU Releases Health Report Card

The Northwestern Health Unit has released its annual health report card.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Arthurs says a main focus is chronic disease prevention.

Arthurs says the report card also includes information about programs and services in the region.

Arthurs says they also need to identify better with vulnerable populations that need this information.

head to www.nwhu.on.ca to view the full report.

MPP Sarah Campbell Going Door to Door

If you have concerns, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell wants to hear them!

Campbell says she has been going door-to-door across the riding, getting input from people on what they want to see changed.

Campbell says she welcomes phone calls, emails, and letters from anyone who wants to offer their two-cents.

MP Greg Rickford Donates to Dryden Library

A generous donation by Kenora MP Greg Rickford to the Dryden Library.

The Minister of State has handed over 24-books from some well-known Canadian Authors.

Rickford says it's important to help support small libraries.

Rickford is expected to make a similar donation to the Ignace Library.

Mine on Hold in Atikokan

Lower than expected gold prices is having an impact on a planned mine for the Atikokan area.

Osisko Mining has been working on its Hammond Reef project since taking it over from Brett Resources in 2010

President Sean Roosen says its still a valuable asset, but better prices are needed.

Roosen says the company still plans to complete a permitting process which is underway.

OPP Cracks Down on Life Jackets

OPP are seeing a dangerous trend on area waters this summer.

Police say their marine patrols are seeing an increase in boaters not only not wearing life jackets, but not even having them on board.

Constable Anne McCoy says its something they'll be watching throughout the summer.

McCoy says anyone not having a life jacket face an immediate fine of 240-dollars.

Quetico Park Turns 100

A major milestone for a popular northwestern Ontario destination.

It was 100-years ago that Quetico Park was designated a provincial park, one of the first in the Ontario Provincial Parks Act.

Several events took place this past weekend including a barbecue, guided hikes, and native drumming.

Biz Kids Camp Come to Kenora

Young entrepreneurs are getting a chance to showcase their skills once again this summer.

The Biz Kids camp is being held once again in Kenora this month.

Diane Schwartz-Williams is the Manager of the Northwest Business Centre and she provides some details about the program.

The Kenora camp will take place August 12th to 16th.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Quetico Celebrates Milestone

A major milestone for a popular northwestern Ontario destination.

It was 100 years ago that Quetico Park was designated a provincial park, one of the first in the Ontario Provincial Parks Act.

Several events are planned including a barbeque, guided hikes and native drumming.

Speaking of great destinations, Eagle Lake First Nation is holding its annual Pow-Pow.

Festivities continue throughout the weekend.

Lengthy Waits Expected At Northwest Border Crossings

Expect delays at northwestern Ontario border crossings this long weekend.

Canada Border Services says Friday afternoon is the peak time for travel and for those coming back to Canada, the agency says Sunday evening, and Monday afternoon, are typically the busiest times

And while there's no magic solution to avoiding long lines, the agency says travellers should remember to have all their documents in order, to cut down on unnecessary delays.

NOSM Increases Student Grants

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is doling out cash to future MD students.

16 students are getting six thousand dollars each in grant money.

The medical school doubled the amount of grants awarded this year from 8 to 16 to provide more opportunities to potential students.

OPP Confirm Arson Cause of Central Fire

The OPP have confirmed that a fire that took place in the
Central area of town earlier this week was deliberately set.

Fire crews and police showed up at a house around 7:30
Wednesday night.

Police say the fire caused only minor damage to the home, and
was extinguished before the fire department showed up at the
scene.

The OPP say they are continuing their investigation into the incident.