NWHU Battles Possible HIV outbreak

The Northwestern Health Unit is battling a possible HIV outbreak in the region.

Public Health Nurse Kim Elke says we are facing the same problems as Saskatchewan was 10 years ago.

Elke says that the region is also facing chlamydia rates that are 3 to 4 times higher then the provincial average.

She adds that the leading cause to possible break out is IV drug users reusing needles.

This year the NWHU is on pace to hand out over 150,000 needles in Kenora to ensure users have clean needles to prevent any transmission.

Along with the needle exchange program Elke says the unit has cocaine and crack kits to prevent transmission by snorting, and is hiring a peer position from a drug abuse background to have a deeper impact with the drug community about the programs.

Anti-Tobacco Funding Available

Another measure to attract area youth to anti-smoking initiatives.

A $1,000 grant is being established by the Northwest Area Tobacco Control Network.

The money will go towards youth engagement projects with a focus on tobacco prevention.

The deadline for area schools and community groups to apply is November 15th.

Habitat Gets Ready To Build Second House in Kenora

Habitat for Humanity is getting ready to launch its second build in Kenora.

Fundraising letters are starting to go out.

Thelma Wilkens-Page is on the local committee and says they have to raise about 150 thousand dollars to make sure the project is a go.

 Wilkens-Page says their goal is to turn sod on their second Habitat house next May and begin construction in June.

Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Looking for a New Name

What's in a name.

Quite a bit if you're called Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls.

Mayor Bill Thompson is launching a campaign to have the town's
name changed.

Thompson says they still haven't worked out the process for deciding on a new name, but promises local residents will be consulted.

He's hoping to have the new name in place by the next municipal
election.

Campbell Complains About High Hydro Prices

Hydro prices in Northwestern Ontario continue to be an issue for Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell.

Campbell says she has been flooded with calls and e-mails from residents who can't afford their bill.

She blames the Liberals and the gas plant scandal for the increased cost of electricity.

Campbell says that since 2007, the off-peak hydro rate has gone up by 140-percent.

Good Turn Out for Cardboard Boat Races

18 elementary schools from across the region competed in the Cardboard Boat Races in Dryden.

The Grade 7 and 8 students were handed cardboard, duct tape and contact cement and were tasked to construct a boat that would stay afloat.

The event was hosted by Skills Canada-Ontario and Spokesperson Karen Troupe explains the purpose of the event.

Troupe says they hope that these students will gravitate to skills trades and tech programs once they get to High School.

Buffalo Point Chief Facing Extortion Charge

The Chief of the Buffalo Point First Nation on the Manitoba side of Lake of
the Woods is facing extortion charges.

The RCMP in Sprague say they began their investigation back in July in response to a letter to a federal government official.

Police say the civil servant had some involvement with the Buffalo Point Cottage Owners Association.

The investigation showed the correspondence from Chief John Thunder made an attempt to derail a civil legal proceeding between the first nation and the Cottage Owner's Association.

Thunder was arrested yesterday and will appear in Winnipeg Court on
November 25th to answer to the extortion charge.

Cliffs Threatening Again to Pull Out of Ring of Fire

Cliffs Natural Resources is again threatening to pull out of the Ring of Fire mining development.  

The company is repeating its threat that it may give up on the project altogether if it can't get proper road access to its property.

Cliffs spokesperson Jason Aagenes says they are throwing it in the province's court.


Cliffs doesn't believe any one company should have restricted access to the Ring of Fire

OPP To Hold Car Seat Clinic

The Kenora OPP are hosting a car seat clinic this Friday.

The clinic will have technicians on hand to assist in the installation of the seats or inspect ones already installed.

No appointments are required to attend.

The clinic runs from 11 to 1 at the fire hall.

Home Court No Advantage for Broncos

A tough day on the court for Beaver Brae teams.

The Bronco senior girls dropped a 29-20 decision to Fort Frances.

With the win, Fort clinches first place in the division.

In junior boys volleyball action, the Muskies also prevailed three sets to two.

Fort won the fifth and deciding set 16-14.

Saints Dominate Falcons and Rams

It's been a busy couple of days for Thomas Aquinas Sports teams.

The Saints played both Red Lake and Ignace teams this week.

Just the junior squads were on the court yesterday with the T.A. junior
boys volleyball team beating the Falcons in three straight sets.

The Thomas Aquinas junior girls enjoyed similar success over Ignace in
basketball.

On Monday, the Saints took three of four games against Red Lake.

The Junior boys needed five sets to get by the Rams, while the senior
team beat Red Lake three sets to one.

In girls basketball, the junior girls got by the Rams, while the senior
team suffered the lone loss of the day.

OPP Host Public Initiatives

Students in Kenora are going to get more face to face lessons about everyday issues from OPP officers.

The Kenora Provincial Police have launched the new OPP KIDS program this week.

Officers will speak to students in the classroom regarding situation they see everyday like the uses of social media.

Detachment Commander Inspector Dave Lucas says the program is an example of how officers are working proactively to make a difference.

Some other topics of discussion include peer relationships, and mental health awareness.

Also some lessons on installing car seats.

The Kenora OPP are hosting a car seat clinic on Friday from 11 until 1 at the fire hall.

Technicians will be on hand to assist in the installation of the seats or inspect ones already installed.

No appointments are needed to attend.

Men Killed in English River Crash Still Unidentified

The OPP say they are still unable to release the names of four of the
people killed in a fatal collision on Highway 17 near English River.

Post-mortem exams are being carried out in Toronto and police say until
they get positive identifications, they won't be released the names of
the deceased.

The four adult males were in a pick-up truck that collided with a semi tractor-trailer  unit between Ignace and Upsala last Saturday night.

The driver of the transport was also killed in the crash.

First Ever Bark For Life a Modest Success

Call it Canines for Cancer.

The first ever Bark for Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society came up just a little short of its goal.

Just under two thousand dollars was raised on Saturday in the inaugural
event.

The Cancer Society had hoped to raise about 25 hundred dollars.

Almost a dozen people came out to walk their dogs and support the Cancer Society.

Kenora Cancer Patients Case Raised at Queen's Park

A Kenora man's attempt to get treatment for cancer has landed at
Queen's Park.

Sarah Campbell asked the Health Minister yesterday in Question Periods why Wes Bland wasn't approved for a PET scan in Winnipeg.

Deb Matthews claims it was a misunderstanding which has since been
cleared up.

Campbell is upset that northwestern Ontario residents still have to get prior approval from OHIP before they can get their test done in Winnipeg.

Control Board Adopts New Winter Regulations

Control water levels all winter long.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board has created it's new winter strategy following consultations last week with local stakeholder groups.

Executive Engineer Matt DeWolfe says they are happy with the current water levels.

The current level is 322.7 meters, which is just below normal for this time of year.

The strategy also includes the target winter level before the spring melt.

New MOU with Development Commission Signed

A bit of a change for the Lake of the Woods Development Commission.

City council has re-drafted the memorandum of understanding with
the Economic Development group.

Councillor Sharon Smith says the new agreement takes away some of
the staffing and operational issues the Commission used to deal with.

Under the new agreement, the Commission no longer has responsibility
for maintaining or booking the Whitecap Pavilion or the Discovery Center.

NAPS Investigate Two Shooting Incidents in the Far North

A 17-year-old is facing charges including attempted murder following a shooting in Wunnumin Lake First Nation.

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Police Sergeant Jackie George says the incident happened on Friday evening, and believe the suspect is involved in more than one shooting.

A 25-year-old was taken to hospital with injuries, and is listed in stable condition.

The name of the victim has not been released.

Meanwhile, an armed man has been arrested in the remote northern community of Deer Lake.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police say they received a report of gun shots being fired in the community around 2 o'clock Friday morning.

22-year-old Quinton Meekis of Deer Lake was arrested and charged with careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Flu Shot Clinics Open Today

A perfect opportunity to get your flu shot.

The first seasonal flu-shot clinic will take place in the City of Kenora
today.

The pharmacy at Ted's No Frills in the Kenora Shopper's Mall will be
administering the flu shots today from 9:00 to 5:00.

You are asked to call ahead for an appointment.

For a complete list of flu-shot clinics you can check the Northwestern Health Unit web-site and follow the links.

Beaver Brae Hosts One Day Volleyball Tournament

Beaver Brae's gyms were a bee-hive of activity yesterday.

A total of 11 grade seven and eight boys and girls volleyball teams
took part in a one-day tournament.

In the boys division, the Bronco boys went undefeated, while the
Thomas Aquinas Grade seven squad placed second.

In girls action, Beaver Brae and Whitefish Bay finished in a two-way tie
for first, while Thomas Aquinas was third.