Thomas Aquinas Students Work on Soccer Complex

The job of transforming the Jaffray Melick Rink into an indoor soccer complex is nearing completion.

Today, a number of shop students from Thomas Aquinas are helping prepare the floor for artificial turf.

Steve Merry is their teacher and says its a valuable experience for them.

The turf is supposed to be installed by November 10th.

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Do something unexpected and nice for someone today.

That's the idea behind the third annual Random Acts of Kindness
Day.

Darlene MacGillvray is executive director of the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation and says it doesn't have to be big, bold gesture.

McGillvray says they have a Kindness hotline set up at 465-4042.

Treaty Three Firearms Amnesty Begins Today

Surrender a firearm and get a gift card.

That's an incentive this month as the Treaty 3 Police hold a firearms amnesty program.

Detective Constable Aaron Genaille says they don't know how many guns they might actually collect.

Genaille says flyers have been posted up for when the amnesty program will be held in separate communities serviced by the Treaty Three Police

FedNor Has High Profile at Royal Winter Fair

Good things grow in northern Ontario.

That's the message FedNor is trying to send at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Greg Rickford is the minister responsible for FedNor and says they have sponsored a major exhibit at the annual agricultural showcase.

Rickford says things like barbeque sauce, salad dressing and wild rice are just some of the products that will be on display at the Northern Agri-foods Exhibit.

Motion To Create Bear Management Committee Passes

A motion to create an all-party bear management committee is a success.

It was passed yesterday in the legislature, and NDP Natural Resources Critic John Vanthof says it is a victory for Northern Ontario.

Vanthof says they need to do something to curb the number of incidents involving black bears.

Vanthof says he's not impressed by the Conservative Party who opposed the decision.

Vanthof adds it's further proof Tim Hudak and the Tories are turning their backs to the North.

Con College Bridges the Distance

Confederation College is promoting it's "Bridging the Distance" project.

Coordinator of Counselling Services Jim Lees says it aims to increase access to counselling and other student services for those across the northwest.

Lees says there's an actual office in each of the campuses with a video terminal that allows quick access to service providers in Thunder Bay.

He says they will offer everything from counciling services to financial aid.

Lost Cat Going Home

A real heart warming story about a cat from Alberta who was found near Ignace.

Vice President of Northern Critters Tanya Hazelaar says "Uncle Kitty" was dropped off to them, and fortunately he was microchipped.

The cat had escaped as the owner's family was traveling from Alberta to southern Ontario.

His condition is getting better, and Hazelarr says on Monday he will be on a flight back to his owner.

Movember Kicks off Fundraising Effort Today

It's time to grow you your Mo.

Movember's fight against prostate cancer is back for the 7th year in Northwestern Ontario.

Pete Bombaci is the national director of the movement and says they support over 45 programs nationally.

He says the movement supports research and programs to support patients.

Bombaci says Canadians raised over 42.2 million dollars last year during Movember.

Visit the Movember Canada website for more information at http://ca.movember.com

Broncos Lose Football Semi-final

Beaver Brae's football team won't be playing into November.

The Broncos were eliminated from the Play-offs yesterday with a 25-3
loss to West Kildonan in the semi-finals.

Broncos coach Chris Penner says despite the loss, it was far from a disappointing season and feels his players performed better than expected.

Logan Ginn scored the only points for the Broncos on a field goal.

Beaver Brae finishes the season with a 6-3 win/loss record.

NorWOSSA Regular Season Wraps Up

A tough day to be a Bronco fan.

Beaver Brae's court sport teams were winless on the road in their
final regular season games in Fort Frances.

The Bronco senior girls were beaten 45-11 by the Muskies, while the
Junior squad was upended 42-26.

Not any better on the volleyball court, as the Bronco seniors were beaten three sets to one, while the junior team lost in three straight sets to Fort Frances.

Over at the Thomas Aquinas gym, the Saints took three of four games from Red Lake.

The T.A. junior girls suffered the lone loss of the day, dropping a close 26-24 decision to the Rams.

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls finished the regular season with a win, but it was too little too late, as they failed to make the play-offs.

The T.A. junior boys also won, but won't make the NorWOSSA play-offs either.

The Saints senior boys managed to beat Red Lake, and will advance to next week's play-offs.

Treaty Three Police Lay Fraud Charges

The Treaty Three Police have laid fraud charges against a 57 year old
Rat Portage Resident.

Members of the Crime Unit have charged Terry James Skead with one count
of fraud and another count of Breach of Trust.

Skead had been employed as the band manager at Wauzhushk Onigum

Skead is scheduled to make a first court appearance on Novemeber 28th to answer the charges.

Treaty Three Police say they are not releasing any other details about their
investigation.

OPP and Consumers Warns of Possible Fraudsters

The OPP have issued a warning about a possible fraud going on around
town.

Someone has been using a photocopy of a Consumers Frosted Foods
order form and asking for cash to place an order.

Constable Ronni Grosenick says there are ways of dealing with possible
fraudsters.

She says usually credible charities have a phone number or a website you can contact to see
if in fact they are doing any fundraising locally.

Consumers Frosted Food says this is the first time in 30 years, someone has tried to
use their fundraising forms to try and defraud someone.

They add that they only deal in cheques and never ask for cash.

Campbell Offers Lukewarm Support For Wireless Services Act

Better protection for wireless and cellphone customers.

The Wireless Services Agreement Act has become law and it will provide Ontario consumers with clear information and few surprises when they enter into service agreements by Spring 2014.

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell supports the legislation but notes it still leaves customers powerless if they encounter problems.

Campbell says she would like to see the establishment of a consumer advocate who can actually be responsible for people having trouble with their contract.

NorWOSSA Regular Season Wraps Up Today

The Thomas Aquinas boys volleyball and girls basketball teams are wrapping up the regular season
today at home against Red Lake.

Yesterday, the Saints suffered a rare three game sweep at the hands of Sioux Lookout.

The T.A. senior boys volleyball team lost in three straight sets to the Warriors.

No different in girls basketball, as the Saints junior team were edged 25-22, while the Thomas Aquinas Senior girls dropped a 26-18 decision.

The NorWOSSA play-offs begin next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Beaver Brae court sport teams are also playing their final games of the regular
season, as they head Fort Frances this afternoon.

OPP Offer Tips for a Safe Hallowe'en

Every year at Halloween, The OPP makes a conscience effort to promote trick or treat saftey to children.

And, while young people need to be cautious tonight, drivers need to be mindful of the holiday as well.

Constable Anne McCoy says the kids aren't always paying attention to traffic while they are trick or treating.

Being visible and travelling in groups will also help to makes this a safe Halloween.

Immigration Portal Upgraded for NWO

The Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal is getting a face lift.

The site now has update content and new features.

Executive Director Cathy Woodbeck says one of the new online tools includes an interactive map.

Other new features are a jobs database and businesses that are up for sale.

Construction Boom in Atikokan

A new saw mill is taking shape on the site of the former Buchanan Mill outside of Atikokan.

The $50 million  project could provide the area with 90 new jobs.

The new mill should begin operating in  2015.

In the meantime, Rentech is putting $22 million into the construction of a new wood pellet facility on the other side of town.

It will supply the Atikokan Generating Station.

This project  might be running as early as April 2014. It is expected to create 20 in the region.

New Programs Announced for Heritage Fund

Some changes for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

The provincial government has announced five new programs.

In the Ontario Legislature today, Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle says the grants will target a couple of key areas.

The new programs include Northern Innovation, Northern Business Opportunities and the Northern Ontario  Internship Program.

The Heritage Fund began accepting applications for the new programs
last week.

Early Bird Snowmobile Trail Permits Still on Sale

Trying to make snowmobiling more affordable.

Trail permits are now on sale and the early bird permits will be on sale until tomorrow.

Richard Wilkening is president of Sunset Trailriders and says there will also be a discount on prices until December 1st.

The early bird permits are 180 dollars and then go up to 210 dollars as of November 2nd.

The regular season price is 260 dollars.

Broncos Take on West K in Semi-Finals of WHSFL

A chance at redemption.

The Beaver Brae Broncos football team are in Winnipeg tonight for their semi-final match up with the West Kildonan Wolverines.

The Broncos had their 5 game win streak snapped by the Wolverines 3 weeks ago.

Head Coach Chris Penner says they have picked up their preparation this time around.

Kick off is set for 4:00 at East Side Field.

We will have live updates on Twitter @CJRLnews.