Con College Moves Float Plane Base to Kenora

Taking to the sky over Kenora.

Confederation College has announced a partnership with River Air to move it's float plane training program into the city.

Aviation Chair Paul De Oude says they received tremendous communtiy support from Kenora during the request for proposals and is confident this move provide long term stability for the program.

James Hendy with River Air says they are able to provide Con College a quick transition with docks, offices, and fuel systems.

Arrests Made Following Break in

An early morning break and enter has landed 2 men in police custody.

Kenora OPP say an alarm at a downtown area business went off around 3:30 this morning.

Police say forensic evidence during the investigation led to the arrests.

27 year old James Necanapenace and 30 year old Troy Payash, both of Kenora, have been charged with break and enter.

They will appear in Kenora Court for a bail hearing today.

Council To Mull Over Budget Options Today

Local property owners could know by the end of the day what kind of
tax increase they can look forward to this year.

City council is sitting down for an all-day budget session.

That includes reviews of the sewer and water, operations and capital  budgets for 2014.

A proposed tax rate is also expected to be on the table, although, both finance committee chair, Ron Lunny and Mayor Dave Canfield says they would like to keep any increase at zero percent or less.

Copperfin Closing Keewatin Branch

It's the end of an era in Keewatin.

Copperfin Credit Union is closing it's branch in the community.

CEO Dennis Alvestad says they did everything they could.

Alvestad says the move is a sign of the times as the younger generation transitions to electronic banking options.

The Keewatin branch is slated to close after April 30th.

Control Board Preparing for Spring Run Off

An attack plan is in place at the Lake of the Woods Control Board.

Executive engineer Matt Dewolfe says the board recently created a plan to handle the spring melt.

Dewolfe says the lake level is currently at 322.4 meters.

He notes the want to be at 322.35 when the melt occurs.

Province Won't Intervene In Proposed Natural Gas Hike

There's no intention by the provincial government to intervene on requests for rate increases by natural gas companies in Ontario.

Union Gas is seeking an increase that could result in northern Ontario users paying as much as 190-dollars more over the next year.

Energy Minister  Bob Chiarelli says he's confident in the decisions of the Ontario Energy Board.

Union gas says expected higher prices it pays for gas and transportation are reason for the increase.

Gravelle Says Framework on Ring of Fire Nearing Completion

All parties in the Ring of Fire negotiations are getting closer to a framework agreement on the giant mining project.

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle  says it won't be long before we know more about what direction the project will take but he won't speculate on exactly when.

Gravelle spokes to delegates at the Greenstone Mining Expo last night in Thunder Bay on the latest behind the scene developments and says progress is being made.

Fire Marshall Wraps Up Investigation Into Fort Motel Blaze

The Ontario Fire Marshall's office and the OPP have wrapped up their investigation - at least at the scene - of last Thursday's motel fire in Fort Frances.

But the exact cause of the blaze at Reids Voyageur Inn Motel is still not be released at this time.

Meantime, a 39-year-old man who was taken to hospital is now in Thunder Bay.

He condition continues to be monitored.

OPP Investigate Vehicle Break-Ins

Another reminder from the Kenora OPP to Lock it or Lose it.

Over the weekend, the OPP say they received several complaints of
theft from vehicles.

In each case, police say they were unlocked.

The OPP say if you keep valuables in your vehicle make sure they are out of sight and the doors are locked.

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.