Kenora Racer Wins Gold

Kenora has a new national champion.

Over the weekend Tim Wehner won a gold medal at the Canadian Biathlon Championship.

Wehner posted a time of 23:54 in the 6 kilometer master men's event.

Green light Initiative Seeks to End Violence

A new stragegy in is place to prevent violence in Treaty 3 communities.

The Green Light initiative was launched in Onigaming First Nation last night.

Karen Kejick says they need the support of the provincial and federal governments as well as others to put an end to violence.

The green light is a symbol of a community safe house for individuals who are in need of safety in the event of a domestic violence situation.

Kenora Dispatches Water Trucks

The city is offering water to those in need.

Starting today a water truck will be made available everyday to fill jugs.

Residents can find the trucks at the Rec Centre boat launch from 9-12.

In the afternoon it will move to the Keewatin Memorial Arena boat launch from 1-4.

The city notes the water will still need to be boiled if used for consumption.

OFIA Opposes Bill 83

Working to stop Bill 83.

President of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Jamie Lim fears the bill will "shield" groups who slander industry.

Lim says the whole bill is pointless.

The bill seeks to allow opposition activity without fear of a SLAPP lawsuit.

Lim is worries that it'll allow groups to spread malicious information with no penalty.

Red Lake Mayor Preaches Mining

The Mayor of Red Lake says the future looks bright for the mining industry in northwestern Ontario.

Phil Vinet is making the comment following positive talks with officials at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada International Convention in Toronto.

Vinet says he was able to make some headway with several junior mining companies.

He notes market confidence in the sector is on the rise.

Key Tags in the Mail

War Amps key tags are being mailed out to people in Ontario.  

Spokesperson Jamie Lunn says that 3.7 million of them are being distributed throughout the province.

As for northwestern Ontario, we won't receive them until next month.

Money from donations is used to help war amputees in Canada.

Union Gas Annoucnes Increases

Union Gas customers users could be in line for an increase in their natural gas costs.

An application before the Ontario Energy Board proposes a rate increase that see Union Gas northern Ontario customers pay about 190-dollars more over a 12 month period.

Forecasted increases for Union Gas' purchase and transporting costs cites as the reasons.

If approved, new rates would take effect April 1st.
     

Ontario Pushes Against Paird Blood Donations

The Liberal government intends put a stop to donors from being paid for blood and plasma in Ontario.

Health Minister Deb Matthew says new legislation will be introduced in the near future.

Health Canada has received a licence application from at least one private, for-profit company wanting to open plasma collection sites in Ontario that would pay donors.

Matthews says she's taking action so ensure the voluntary donor system is not compromised and has written to her provincial and territorial counterparts asking to do the same.

UFO Sighting on the Rise

It's a war of the worlds.

That may be a little extreme but UFO sightings are on the rise in Canada.

UFO report author Chris Rutkowski says the increase is easily explained by the fact more people are curious of wha tthey see in the sky and there are so channels to report sightings.

Rutkowski notes that 15 percent of sightings are considered unexplained.

He notes there was one sighting in Thunder Bay last week.

In the 2013 report 2 sightings took place in Kenora and 3rd was spotted in the Whiteshell.

Acadia Broadcasting Adds to Radio Family

The parent company of CJRL - 89.5 The Lake has received approval from the Canadian Radio - Television - and - Telecommunications Commission to purchase Moncton, New Brunswick radio station CKNI-FM from Rogers Broadcasting.

Acadia plans to move the station to newly constructed studios and launch its new music and information format later this year.

The purchase increases the number of Acadia stations to 13 spanning New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - and - Ontario.

Local Festivals Receive Provincial Funds

Northwestern Ontario is going to be lively this spring and summer thanks to new money from the Provincial Government.

Through the Celebrate Ontario 2014 program, the province is helping 229 festivals and events.

In Kenora the Muskies on Main Summer Arts Festival is receving $22,631.

Elsewhere in the reigon Thunder Bay's May long weekend Franco-Festival, celebration of pop culture, and Hunter jump show have gotten funding..

Fort Frances will get 73-thousand dollars for a music festival.

City Changing Highway 17E Speed Limit

It's time to slow down.

The City of Kenora is working to drop the speed limit on Highway 17 East.

Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says it's about safety following a complaint about school bus pick up.

The move is supported by the Kenora OPP.

Perchuck says \tThe affected highway is from Whitehead road to the Kenora sign at the city limits.

HST and Gas Tax Won't Fund Metrolinx

The Liberal government says it will not increase gas taxes, HST or personal income taxes to help pay for an expansion of rapid transit services in southern Ontario.

But it's not saying immediately how they're cover the billions of dollars needed.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says that will come in the upcoming budget.

PC Critic Vic Fedeli calls it a pre-election mirage intended solely to get the Liberals past the next vote.

Terrace Bay Mill Tests New Technology

The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy, or CRIBE, are announcing an extension in their partnership with Greenfield Specialty Alcohols.

Greenfield is currently working on making pulp mills more efficient and will be testing new technology at the Terrace Bay Mill.

CRIBE CEO Lorne Morrow says if successful it would mean less waste for mills.

The project has two phases, the first of which saw CRIBE invest 1.5-million dollars, this most recent phase included an investment of 1.3-million dollars.

Kenora Teams Head to Thunder Bay

Lots of hockey hitting the ice in Thunder Bay.

The branch championship are at the Fort Williams Arena today through Sunday.

The Kenora Triple "A" Midgets will look to keep it's dominance over the Thunder Bay Kings to earn a berth into the Telus Cup Western Playdowns.

In Bantam and Peewee action the NWO All-stars made of players from Kenora, Dryden, and Fort Frances will also face off with the Kings.

Winter Fish Off Tomorrow

The 11th annual Winter Fish Off takes over Falcon Lake this weekend.

Organizer Andrew Klassen says they have some huge prizes up for grabs with $40,000 guaranteed.

Klassen says there is also 50 thousand dollar hidden weight prize.

Registrations are still being
accepted until the tournament gets under way tomorrow.

Visit the Winter Fish Off page for more details.

Another Drug Bust in Kenora

The drugs busts continue in Kenora.

On Tuesday Kenora OPP executed a search warrant in the North end of the city.

Police seized a pound of pot valued at 3 thousand dollars along with cash, cash, and a rifle.

As a result 48 year old Patrick Savoyard, 45 year old Gloria Savoyard, and 18 year old Shane Savoyard are facing multiple drug related charges.

All 3 will make court appearances at a later date.

Dryden Fire Continues Move to Kenora

The Dryden Fire Service is on schedule for a switch-over to a new provider at the Kenora Ambulance and Fire Dispatch Service.

Chief Ken Kurz says new equipment is being installed this week and testing will start next week.

He notes the move will mean all emergency service providers will be on the same network and it will allow for greater communication.

Kurz anticipates the move will be completed before the end of March.

Boil Water Necessary

The city's operations manager is supporting the action of the city wide boil water advisory.

Rick Perchuck says recent water main breaks affected the entire water system.

Perchuck says that they are working on 2 major leaks on 8th Avenue North and 1St Street South.

He is hopeful repairs could be complete next week.

Adding that if no other issues arise, they can then start testing water to lift the advisory.

Council Talks Rec Centre Expansion

Kenora city council continues to focus on expanding the Recreation Centre.

Councillor Rory McMillan says talks are planned between the city and the events centre committee.

McMillan says some topics in the business case will include required fundraising and what's realistic for the project.

Councillor Sharon Smith wants to see concrete figures related to community support and financial challenges.