26th Annual KBI a huge Success

The 26th Annual Kenora Bass International is a resounding success.

KBI Chair Tyler Johnson says the event was fantastic and went off with only a few minor bumps along the way.

Johnson says KBI could not have happened without the Board of Directors, Tournament Advisers, Sponsors, and Volunteers.

Province Funds Bridge Repairs

The city has been cleared of the cost to repair the Winnipeg River West Branch Bridge.

Minister of Infrastructure Glen Murray says the government has stepped up to the plate.

Murray says the government will provide funding to cover the $4.5M price tag.

Murray adds that the province is committed to working on the remaining 17 bridges in the city.

Ontario Energy Board Moves Ahead with Transmission Line

The process is now underway for the construction of a new transmission line to provide electricity between northwestern and southern Ontario.

The Ontario Energy Board's Vanda Wall says a company has been chosen to begin the initial design, the environmental assessment and land acquisition.

Wall says this stage can last up to 18 months.

Emo Upgrades Water Lines and Treatment Plant

 Some major upgrades to Emo's water system.

The township will use 2-million dollars in provincial money towards the installation of new water lines and upgrades to its water treatment plant.

Councillor Anthony Leek says it's a project they've been working on for several years.

Leek is hoping they can start the work this fall

Deadline Looms for Rainy River Resources Shareholders

Nearly all of the shares in Rainy River Resources are in the hands of New Gold.

New Gold had given Rainy River shareholders until the end of the day Thursday to accept its take-over proposal.

New Gold says 97 per cent of shares have been transferred.

The rest will be acquired by the way of a compulsory acquisition as permitted under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act.

MP Greg Rickford Settles Into New Role

Kenora MP Greg Rickford continues his northwestern Ontario swing, but the work continues in Ottawa.

The Conservative is in a transition stage as he continues to be briefed on his new duties as Minister of State of Science and Technology and Minister responsible for FedNor.

Rickford says he's hired Thunder Bay's Mark Wright to lead FedNor duties.

Wright was also an aid for former FedNor Minister Joe Comuzzi.

OPP Recover Body of Drowning Victim

 A 73-year old Kingston man drowned over the weekend while canoeing on Lake Superior near the mouth of the White River.

Marathon provincial police say Erhard Frenzl and another man were in the canoe when it capsized.

One man was able to safely make it to shore, but one was swept away by the current.

A search and rescue effort later found Frenzl's bosy 500 metres off shore.

Day 3: Kenora Bass International

The third and final day of the 26th Annual Kenora Bass International had the Whitecap Pavilion buzzing. This year's winners are Bill Godin of Devlin, Ontario and Leroy Wilson of International Falls, Minnesota with a total weigh in of 52.50 lbs. Day three of the tournament didn't prove to be a lucky one for Jeff Gustafson and Chris Savage who lead the tournament on August 8th and 9th.

For complete results visit: www.kbifishing.com

1	35	18.44	15.46	18.60	52.50	BILL GODIN	DEVLIN	LEROY WILSON	INTERNATIONAL FALLS
2	16	15.31	17.70	18.55	51.56	BRIAN MCNANNEY	SIOUX NARROWS	MATTHEW RYDBERG	SIOUX NARROWS
3	3	15.60	16.05	18.17	49.82	JESS SWENSON	SIOUX NARROWS	MICHAEL REID	SIOUX NARROWS
4	130	17.63	16.68	15.14	49.45	JULES GIBBINS	MORSON	JOHN GIBBINS	MORSON
5	32	15.79	16.98	16.50	49.27	MIKE MILLER	OSHAWA	SCOTT BONNEMA	ZIMMERMAN
6	7	18.20	14.20	15.89	48.29	PAT GIBBONS	MORSON	PAT HANDORGAN JR	MORSON
7	123	16.07	17.27	14.82	48.16	MARK PENTNEY	SLEEMAN	PETER TIBIONI	RAINY RIVER
8	5	16.33	16.93	14.60	47.86	OLIVER GIBBONS	SLEEMAN	JASON GIBBONS	SLEEMAN
9	18	19.78	16.63	11.01	47.42	CHRIS SAVAGE	KEEWATIN	JEFF GUSTAFSON	KENORA
10	8	15.91	14.86	16.31	47.08	DEREK WAGENAAR	KENORA	JAMES HENDY	KEEWATIN

KBI:OFFICIAL DAY 2 STANDINGS

They've got their eye on the prize! Day 2 of the Kenora Bass International proved to be a successful one for Chris Savage and Jeff Gustafson who remain at the top of the tournaments leader board with a total weigh in of 36.41 lbs. The final day of the KBI starts at 6:30 tomorrow morning with over 125 anglers vying for the $25,000 top prize. CJRL'S Darell Plummer and Stephanie Belec will have your official KBI results starting at 3 O'clock tomorrow afternoon from the Whitecap Pavilion. For event details visit: kbifishing.com

POS	TEAM	DAY 1	DAY 2	DAY 3	TOTAL	CAPTAIN		PARTNER		CANAM
1	18	19.78	16.63	0.00	36.41	CHRIS SAVAGE	KEEWATIN	JEFF GUSTAFSON	KENORA
2	130	17.63	16.68	0.00	34.31	JULES GIBBINS	MORSON	JOHN GIBBINS	MORSON
3	35	18.44	15.46	0.00	33.90	BILL GODIN	DEVLIN	LEROY WILSON	INTERNATIONAL FALLS
4	123	16.07	17.27	0.00	33.34	MARK PENTNEY	SLEEMAN	PETER TIBIONI	RAINY RIVER
5	5	16.33	16.93	0.00	33.26	OLIVER GIBBONS	SLEEMAN	JASON GIBBONS	SLEEMAN
6	16	15.31	17.70	0.00	33.01	BRIAN MCNANNEY	SIOUX NARROWS	MATTHEW RYDBERG	SIOUX NARROWS
7	32	15.79	16.98	0.00	32.77	MIKE MILLER	OSHAWA	SCOTT BONNEMA	ZIMMERMAN
8	96	14.76	17.88	0.00	32.64	BEHN CARLSON	KENORA	JON PEARSON	KENORA
9	22	15.17	17.30	0.00	32.47	DARREN MARCINE	KENORA	WADE COX	KENORA
10	56	16.55	15.92	0.00	32.47	BART STEBNITSKY	KENORA	OWEN STEBNITSKY	KENORA

How Mental Illness Affects Seniors

Studies show that Canada's elderly are at a much higher risk of suicide than young people.
Statistics Canada released a report in 2009 that showed men between 85 and 89-years old have the highest rate of suicide among any age group in Canada.
Elaine Lindgren is a Geriatric Mental Health Worker with the District Mental Health Services for Older Adults Program, and says that depression is not a normal part of aging. As people get older, there are different factors that come into play with depression. These include loss of independence, loss of a spouse or relatives, retirement, changes in financial status and worrying about being placed in a retirement home. Lindgren says it's important for friends and family to watch out for signs of depression, such as:

- a persistent sad mood for more than 2-weeks
- loss of pleasure or interest in most activities
- physical changes
- excessive worrying
- social withdrawal
- loss of energy
- difficulty concentrating
- feeling of worthlessness, helplessness or guilt
- frequent tearfulness
- repeated thoughts of death or suicide

If you know someone who is battling mental illness, it's important to get help. Nathalie Legros is another Geriatric Mental Health Worker with the Older Adults Program, and says they are there to help. They visit homes, whether they're private or institutionalized, provide care and treatment planning, facilitate referrals, monitor a person's mental health and work closely with other organizations that assist with the person's care.
Legros says there are also many things seniors and their families can do to help with the symptoms of depression.

- read about depression in order to recognize the symptoms
- talk to a friend, family member or counselor
- take up a hobby 
- exercise
- spend time caring for a pet or tending to a live plant
- volunteer
- meditation
- make a list of self-rewards
- take a day trip

For more information on services available, contact the Older Adults Program at 807-274-9400 or 1-888-813-6503.

Disturbance Results In Charges In Sioux Lookout

Provincial Police in Sioux Lookout have two men in custody following a disturbance on Front Street yesterday.
Officers noticed two intoxicated men yelling and swearing at each other.
OPP say the two were arrested and as they were transferred into cells, one of them assaulted an officer with a prisoner property storage bin.
Police say 21-year-old Levi Whiskeyjack and 21-year-old Harry Whiskeyjack have both been charged with causing a disturbance.
Levi has also been charged with assaulting a police officer.

RCMP Resume Search For Remains And Evidence

The RCMP’s historical case unit will conduct a search of the Sakimay First Nation in Saskatchewan looking for remains or evidence in the death of a Kenora area man who vanished 10 years ago.
About 25 people, including RCMP officers, civilian employees of the force and volunteers, are combing through a wooded area on the reserve.
Robin Cocks, who was in his mid-30s, vanished in 2003 but his skull was found in the area on April 13, 2012.
Cocks was born Robin Timothy Jamieson and was originally from the Dalles First Nation, before being adopted.
He was believed to be hitchhiking to Vancouver when he vanished.

KBI

The results for day one of The Kenora Bass International are in! Heading into the competition with an advantage today are Chris Savage and Jeff Gustafson who lead the pack with an official standing of 19.78 lbs. Bill Godin and Leroy Wilson are in at a close second with 18.44 lbs.

The official weigh-in for day two of the KBI starts at 4 p.m under the Whitecap Pavilion.

Aspenware Still Has Eyes On Northwestern Ontario

B.C. based Aspenware still has plans for expansion but the exact location isn't known.
There was talk that the successful wooden cutlery manufacturer would set up shop in Dryden.
President Terry Bigsby says he still has his eye on northwestern Ontario.
Bigsby tells CKDR News that they have to ensure there's a proper fibre supply in place and they have partnerships in place.
He says they can build machines and factories but notes they need all "I's dotted and T's crossed" before expanding to northwestern Ontario.
Aspenware recently signed an agreement with the Wabauskang First Nation for harvesting operations in the Whiskey Jack Forest near Kenora.

The 18th Annual Trout Forest Music Festival

The 18th Annual Trout Forest Music Festival starts tomorrow at 6 o'clock.
David Hoey says a number of great performers are lined up for the weekend festival such as Fred Eaglesmith, Washboard Hank and Romi Mayes. There will be food booths, a family stage and the always popular "Jam Pit". 
More information is available by visiting www.troutfest.com

Call Made For The Return Of The Spring Bear Hunt

The Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen's Alliance is calling for the return of the spring bear hunt.
Executive Director John Kaplanis says by bringing back the spring hunt, it would help the bears develop a greater fear of humans and not consider us as food. Kaplanis says since the spring hunt was scrapped, the region has seen a huge economic loss and cases of nuisance bear-related activity are on the rise.
NOSA believes the Ministry of Natural Resources and local politicans need to revisit the issue and look at having a black bear management season in the early months of spring.

Feds Invest In Training For Ring Of Fire Project

The Ring of Fire Training Alliance is receiving $5.9 million from the Federal Government to provide training for employment for the project. The program will be delivered by Confederation College and Noront Resources. Kenora MP Greg Rickford says they want to make sure First Nations communities have access to training and skills development so they can participate in the workforce.
The program will include nine specialized training and six pre-trade courses in Matawa First Nations communities and others in Thunder Bay.
The programs include:
- Mining Essentials
- Environmental Monitoring
- Basic Line Cutting
- Security Guard
- Remote Camp Cook
- Remote Camp Support
- Underground Common Core
- Underground Diamond Driller Helper
- Heavy Equipment Operator

As well as carpentry, pluming, welding and much more.

Company Chosen For Energy Transmission Line

Work is expected to get underway to create a transmission line to carry electricity between Northwestern and Southern Ontario.
The line will be roughly 400-kilometers long and run between Thunder Bay and Wawa.
Ontario Energy Board Spokesperson Vanda Wall says a company has been chosen to begin the initial design as well as the environmental assessment and land acquisition. 
Wall says this doesn't mean the line is being built, but that they can start the development work. 
That stage is expected to last 18-months.
Iain Angus is the Chair of the Common Voice Northwest Energy Task Force, and says the selection of a company is great news for the region.
However, fellow co-chair Larry Hebert says Ontario planners are fixated on the needs of southern Ontario and aren't taking into account the needs of the North and First Nations.

Province Invests $100 Million In NWO

The Provincial Government is spending $100 million to improve infrastructure in Northwestern Ontario.
Minister of Infrastructure Glen Murray says the new funding program is heavily based on input from municipal leaders and allows them to write the funding policy.
Murray says they are asking how they want to spend the money and what does the long term plan look like.
The money will go to larger projects like water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, and bridge repairs.

Exotic Pet Laws Under Review

Ontario Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur says she wants to talk with municipalities about having the province regulate exotic animals like the python believed responsible for killing two New Brunswick boys on Monday.

Meilleur says there should also be regulations to protect people from dangerous animals that some people keep as pets.

Police say Noah and Connor Barthe, aged four and six, were found dead Monday after a 45-kilogram African rock python escaped from its enclosure in the apartment where the boys were sleeping and apparently crushed them to death.