Police Set to Hold Drug Investigation Press Conference

Details of a lengthy drug investigation involving the Provincial Police, the Dryden Police, the Treaty Three Police, & the Anishinabek Police Service will be unveiled tomorrow.

A media conference has been scheduled for 10:00 in Kenora.

Officials say the conference will address the results of a lengthy undercover investigation which has led to significant cash, drug, and property seizures.

Kenora OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Dave Lucas, Chief Rob Davis of the Dryden Police Service, Interim Chief of Treaty Three Police Dan Davidson, & Inspector Derek Johnson of the Anishinabek Police Service will be in attendance.

Canfield Applauds Throne Speech

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says it was a worth while junket.

Canfield is returning home today after spending yesterday in Ottawa for the Speech from the Throne.

He says even though there was no specific mention of the Ring of Fire in the speech, there were a number of references to skills training, which will help the mining sector in the north.

Canfield says he had a chance to talk with both finance minister Jim Flaherty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Rainy River Resources Now New Gold

A friendly takeover of Rainy River Resources is now complete.

New Gold says it now controls all of the company's shares, completing a deal announced in June.

Executive chair Randall Oliphant says he's pleased the acquisition is now complete and they can focus attention on advancing Rainy River's gold project south of Kenora.

New Gold is in the process of completing a detailed review and update of the feasibility study as well as advancing the permitting efforts for the project.

Catholic Board Addresses Safety Concerns At St. Louis

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is making some moves
to improve safety in the area of St. Louis School in Keewatin.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre admits safety has been a concern
for a number of years, and they've been able to make some changes
to improve the situation.

Eikre says they have moved a dumpster in front of the school and also
a bike rack to make more room for student drop-off and pick up in the
area.

FoTenn Gets City Planning Contract

The City of Kenora is going to be out-sourcing some of its future planning needs.

Council agreed to a three year agreement with FoTenn Consultants out of Ottawa this week.

It wasn't a unanimous decision with two members of council voting against.

Mayor Dave Canfield cast one of the dissenting votes.

The city received three bids for planning services, including one from former city planner Jeff Port.

Long Time Councillor Passes Away

A long time member of the old Kenora Town Council has passed away.

Helene Dubenski, often known as the hat lady, died earlier this week at the age of 96.

Kenora City Council paid special tribute to Dubenski last year for her years of service to the community.

Local School Board Officials Meet with Education Minister

The Minister of Education is gathering some feedback from educators in
northwestern Ontario about how to improve local schools.

The session was held yesterday in Thunder Bay called moving from Good To Great.

Phylis Eikre is the director of Education with the Kenora Catholic District School Board and was one of the invitees.

She says while they have had good results in the classroom, she feels more needs to be done for students at risk.

The session also included educators from across the region as part of a video web conference.  

Province Announces New Youth Job Strategy

The Provincial Government is touting its new Youth Jobs Strategy.

Education Minister Liz Sandals unveiled the strategy yesterday in Thunder Bay.

Sandals says they're spending over 200 million dollars will go towards creating four new funds that will help young people find work, build job skills and start their own business.

Sandals also met with school board officials, students and other education representatives about the needs of students in Ontario.

Less Snow This Winter?

Don't expect a lot of white stuff in northwestern Ontario this winter.

AccuWeather is out with its annual forecast and it shows below normal snowfall for the Lake of the Woods area.

The long range winter forecast also suggests temperatures should
be about normal.

OFSAA Golf Championships Resume Today

A couple of high school golfers from northwestern Ontario are in contention at the All-Ontario championships taking place near Windsor.

Matt Krolyk from Beaver Brae and Kirk Markowski from Dryden each shot 79's yesterday at the OFSAA finals taking place at the Essex Golf and Country Club.

They are tied for 38th place.

Krolyk will tee off at 9:12 this morning on day two of the championships.

Eastman Drops Thistles

A tough outing for the Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles.

The Thistles dropped a 6-1 decision to the Eastman Selects last
night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Coach Doug Novak admits he was disappointed with his teams's effort.

Josh Brunton scored the lone goal for the Thistles.

This weekend the Kenora Midgets hit the road to Dauphin for a game against
the Parkland Rangers on Saturday.

Man Charged Following Police Chase

The Kenora Provincial Police have laid charges against a 30 year Kenora man following an early morning police chase.

The pursuit began when police arrived on Second Street North around 5:00 this morning to investigate a stolen car and the suspect drove off.

The chase led into the Pinecrest area where the man then ran by foot into the Minto area.

Police say a K9 unit and the Emergency Response Team located the man around 8:00.

As a result Mark Fontaine has been charged with driving while disqualified, flight while pursued by a peace office, dangerous operation of motor vehicle, theft over 5 thousand, possession of a weapon, and trespassing at night.

Non-Profit Housing Boards Re-Appointed

It looks like things will be status-quo for the Non-Profit Housing Corporations in Kenora and Keewatin for at least another year.

Kenora City Council agreed to re-appoint the boards of both organizations at it's open meeting yesterday afternoon.

The city has been talking about merging the two boards for several months, but neither Non-profit Housing agency has been in favour of the move.

Until the city decides how it wants to proceed, members of both boards have been asked it they would be willing to remain in their respective positions.

Man Arrested After Police Chase Through Kenora

A 30 year old man is in custody after a police chase in the Pinecrest area of town.

Provincial Police say they were called about a stolen car on Second Street North early this morning.

Upon arrival the suspect drove off and police followed suit.

The man ran off by foot in the Minto area before a police K9 unit and the Emergency Response Team were able to locate him around 8:00.

The investigation is continuing and there has been no word on possible charges.

Canfield Heads to Ottawa for Throne Speech

An interested by-stander for today's throne speech in the House of Commons.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield has been invited to attend today's opening session.

Canfield says there are some other perks for the junket as well.

Canfield says he will have about two hours today to meet with the federal cabinet and talk about those issues.

LOWAC Asks Council for Performing Arts Center

Kenora City Council is being asked to include a performing arts center to its plans for the expansion of the Kenora Rec. Center.

Plans are currently being developed for an Events Center.

Dean Carrie is with the Lake of the Woods Arts Collective and says a performing arts space would be a natural fit for any new construction.

City Council is expected to have a final proposal for the Events Center by August of 2014.

Jarnel Wins Contract to Build SMB Expansion

A local construction company has won the bid to build a 10 thousand square foot extension to Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys.

Jarnel Contracting was given the contract last night by the Kenora Catholic District School board.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says work on the project has already
started.

The tender came in  at just under four million dollars.

Numbers Down in Operation Impact

Provincial Police in Northwestern Ontario have officially wrapped up their Operation Impact Campaign.

Constable Dave Shaw says all of their statistics were down from last year.

There were 244 speeding charges, one stunt driving charge, 34 for seat belt violations and 4 distracted driving charges.

Shaw adds they laid one impaired driving charge, compared with one from last year.

They also laid only one warn-range suspension.

Shaw says no matter what time of year, it's important to keep your hands on the wheel and stay focused on the road.

Drug Bust On Highway 17

Two Fort Frances men are in some hot water following a drug bust in Kenora.

Provincial Police stopped a vehicle along Highway 17 Monday night, and learned that the two people inside had marijuana on them.

Officers seized 12-pounds of pot, worth roughly 36-thousand-dollars.

Police say 20-year-old Dylan pattison and 26-year-old Jason Thomson have been charged with possession of a controlled substance.

They're both expected to appear in court in December.

American Hunter Dies Near Fort Frances

Provincial Police are investigating a sudden death in the Rainy River District.

On Monday evening, police were called about a body that was found about 30-kilometres north of the junction of Highway 11 and Highway 611 North in an unorganized township.

Police say the man had been hunting with a group of friends, but didn't return to camp.

Police add a hunting party came across the body, and the death is not considered suspicious.

The man is reportedly from the United States.