OPP Investigate Sudden Death

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a sudden death in Vermilion Bay.

Dryden OPP say the death was reported around 5:00 on Christmas Day.

No foul play is suspected and a post mortem has been conducted at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The name of the deceased has not been released.

Kenora Mayor Undecided on Future With City

There could be some change to the political landscape across northwestern Ontario next year.

Municipal elections will take place in October.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's still undecided whether he'll run again.

Canfield says he still has one more year at the helm of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and that may be enough to convince him to run again.

Nomination papers will be available on January 2nd and the municipal election will take place in October.

New Fishing Regulations

Anglers face some new rules when they drop their lines in area lakes next year.

As of January first, catch limits for crappie and bass will be lower while a new size limit has been placed northern pike caught in lakes within the Ministry of Natural Resources zone 5.

Richard Boileau was part of a citizen committee that helped craft the new rules.

Boileau says the measures will help sustain the fisheries for generations to come.

Home Safety Tips for the Winter

Area residents planning to leave the snow and ice for warmer climates might want to think about getting their homes ready for vacation.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada's Pete Karageorges says simple things like draining water pipes and clearing vents can prevent the potential of a disaster.

Karageorges says also advises having someone check on your home regularly.

Campbell Protests Electricity Rates

The soaring cost of electricity continues to catch the attention of Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell.

The NDP member says the province must do something to reign in electricity rates.

Campbell says northerners can no longer afford to pay their bill with many seniors saying they may have to move out of their homes as their pensions can;t keep up with the soaring rates.

Campbell says since 2007 the off-peak rate has risen 140-percent and the on-peak rate has jumped 48-percent.

Kenora MP Defends Senate

The Senate scandal is likely not going away in the new year as the opposition finished the Fall session hammering the Conservative government over the issue.

Minister of State and Kenora MP Greg Rickford believes the Senate still serves a useful purpose.

Rickford says he's always felt that the Senate should be more accountable to the public.

He notes a few people have ruined the image of the chamber and highlights Dryden's Lynn Beyak's work in the Senate.

Labor Unrest for Personal Care Workers

Around 20 personal support workers with the Red Cross Care program in Thunder Bay are heading back in to work today.

Their union the SEIU announced that the strike was over on their website Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, more labour unrest in the region....Unifor is applying for conciliation this week after talks with Dryden's Revera Home Health Care broke down on Monday.

The health care workers last contract expired June 1st and the two sides met numerous times since October in an attempt to reach a new Collective Agreement covering the 35 Personal Support Workers.

Unifor will also resume conciliated talks with Revera in mid-January for over 25 office and client services staff based in Thunder Bay who are seeking their first contract.

OPP Investigate Accident on Airport Road

The holidays weren't without incident in Kenora.

The OPP say they are investigating an accident involving a pedestrian on the Airport Road on Christmas Eve.

Police say a 37 year old man was walking in the northbound lane near Tetroe road around 6:15, when he was struck by a pick-up truck heading in the same direction.

The pedestrian was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital with a broken leg.

The OPP say they are continuing their investigation.

More Snow on the Way

Brace yourself for another shot of winter.

More snow is on the way.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says there is also a slim possibility of freezing rain later this morning.

Laidlaw adds that we can expect another 10 to 15 centimeters of snow to fall tomorrow as well.

Catholic School Board Deficit Increases

The Kenora Catholic District School Board will enter 2014 with a little
larger deficit than expected.

Figures submitted to the Ministry of Education shows the Separate School Board's deficit this year will be about 39 hundred dollars more than projected back in June.

Phylis Eikre says despite the larger deficit, they are still well within Ministry guidelines.

Eikre says spending was actually up about a half a million dollars from their  June estimates, but says all that money was accounted for through increased funding from the province.

Public School Board Hires Two Nurses

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is addressing mental health and addictions needs in Sioux Lookout and Red Lake.

The Board has placed a nurse in Queen Elizabeth High School and Red Lake District High School to help students.

Director of Education Sean Monteith says the nurses will provide short-term assessment.

The nurses are funded by the provincial government.

New Year Will Bring Tax Exemptions for Airport and Local Legions

A balancing act for the city of Kenora.

Just before Christmas, city council approved tax exemptions for the Kenora Airport Authority and the Kenora and Keewatin Legions.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the airport exemption is the best option.

Canfield says the Authority breaks even operating the airport every year.

He also notes that if the Keewatin Legion is sold as expected then the taxes would be reinstated.

Gravelle Bullish On Mining Industry in 2014.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle is reflecting on 2013.

Gravelle says he understands that Cliff's announcement that they were ceasing their work on the mining project will be one of the biggest events in 2013.

He feels the development isn't dead in the water and will move forward in 2014
.

Gravelle does say he's pleased the premier has made northern Ontario a priority, going so far as to
hold a cabinet meeting in Sault Ste. Marie this year.

Project Elf Helps Families Over Christmas Holidays

More than 80 kids and their families in Kenora have been helped in
Project Elf this year.

Sally Hunt from the Northwest Community Legal Clinic says they've had great support from the community once again.

Hunt says they support a number of organizations, such as Changes Recovery Homes,
the Fellowship Center and Jubilee Church.

Senior Thistles See First Action of the Season this Weekend

The Kenora Triple "A" Senior Thistles are back on the ice this weekend as they prepare for their 4th straight Allan Cup appearance.

The Thistles will have an automatic berth to the national championship this year, because it's being hosted in Ontario by the Dundas Real McCoys.

General Manager Bryan Booth says the berth has helped to bring in players.

The seniors welcome the Manitoba triple "A" Lightning to the Thistle Arena on Sunday.

Puck drop is 1:00.

Stolen Vehicle Leads to Drug Chagres

A 43 year old man has been charged following a car theft in Kenora.

Provincial Police were called on Saturday to a stolen vehicle in the downtown area.

OPP located the vehicle and pulled the driver over around 1 in the morning.

As a result 43 year old James Spencer Puls of Kenora was charged with theft over 5 thousand, impaired driving, and possession of marijuana.

He answered to the charges in Kenora court yesterday.

Rickford Celebrates 2013

The MP for Kenora is looking forward to a full year as a cabinet member.

Greg Rickford was put in charge of Science and Technology as well as FedNor and the Ring of Fire earlier this year.

Rickford says work on those portfolios will focus on innovation.

He notes a couple of major businesses are looking up scaling their production thanks in part to federal support.

Campbell Addresses Possible Election

Will we be heading to the polls in the new year for a provincial election?

The Progressive Conservatives have been anxious to force and election, however the Liberals continue to live thanks to the NDP.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the party made the right choice to support the most recent budget once the Liberals met their demands.

Campbell says she will speaking with constituents during the Christmas break to hear their concerns.

OPP Warn of New Computer Scam

A 43 year old man has been charged following a car theft in Kenora.

Provincial Police were called on Saturday to a stolen vehicle in the downtown area.

OPP located the vehicle and pulled the driver over around 1 in the morning.

As a result 43 year old James Spencer Puls of Kenora was charged with theft over 5 thousand, impaired driving, and possession of marijuana.

He answered to the charges in Kenora court yesterday.

NOVA Awards Set For January

The Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards are going to be held January 18th.

Shift, Thunder Bay's Young Professional Network is one of the organizations behind the awards and Spokesperson Keith Anderson says he's pleased they've had 72 nominations.

The NOVA top 20 under 40 celebrates area residents who have accomplished great things in their community.