Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Richards Way signs AWOL

Kenora's decision to name a street after Philadelphia Flyer's captain Mike Richards is proving to be popular.

Maybe too popular.

The signs for Mike Richards Way were installed earlier this month, but have already been stolen.

Kenora City Councillor Chris Van Wallenghem says they'd like to get the signs back.

The signs were stolen just two days after being unveiled at a special ceremony on July 2nd at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Priesentanz says goodbye to council

Kenora City Council has bid a fond farewell to a long time employee.

Bill Preisentanz attended his final meeting as Chief Administrative Officer
Monday night.

Councillor Rory McMillan says Preisentanz will be missed after 18 years on the
job.
Preisentanz's last official day on the job is July 31st.

The City's Chief Financial Officer, Karen Brown will take over his duties as of
August 1st.

Stafford rides into Northwestern Ontario


Rodney Stafford and his son, Daryn, are crossing into Ontario today in their bicycle journey from Edmonton to their hometown of Woodstock, Ont.

This is Day 21 of their 3,500-kilometre trip to raise money and awareness for Child Find Ontario.

In recent days, the Staffords have contended with road construction near West Hawk Lake, Manitoba where they attended a parade on Saturday.

They are due in Woodstock on August 8.

The bike ride is in memoray of his eight-year-old daughter Victoria, who was
abducted from her school and killed last year.

Highway 17 North campaigns


A campaign to have the twinning of the Trans-Canada moved north of the current road bed seems to be gaining momentum.

A group called Highway 17 North made a deputation to Kenora City      Council last night.

Rob Giguere is a spokesperson for the group and says they just want the Ministry of Transportation
to abide by the MNR's regulations regarding development in the Clearwater Bay protected zone.

Kenora City Council has passed a resolution in support of keeping the Trans-Canada twinning north
of the current road bed.

The issue will be the subject of another public meeting scheduled for later this month at the
McKenzie Clearwater Bay Fire Hall.

India signs mining deal with Ontario

India and Ontario have formed a partnership when it comes to mining.


A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two party's mining ministries.

Minister Michael Gravelle says the agreement will benefit companies in the Northwest.

The agreement was signed recently with India's Mining Minister touring Ontario.

Abitibi Fined for Workplace Injuries


Abitibi-Consolidated has been fined 125-thousand dollars for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that caused injuries to 2-workers and a student in Fort Frances.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that a tool was not used near a live electrical installation.

The 3-people were injured by an arc flash while working on a paper machine on August 20th, 2008.

The two electricians suffered first-, second- and third-degree burns.

A student who was watching them suffered first-degree burns.

In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, which is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Deer Lake fatal investigated


The OPP's Criminal Investigation's Branch is looking into the death of a Deer Lake First Nations man over the weekend.

The Nishinabe Aski Police Service was called to the Deer Lake Nursing Station
Saturday evening.

A 27 year old man had been pronounced dead, while a second male had been injured and was airlifted to hospital in Thunder Bay.

Police say the deceased has been identified as Joey Crowe.

A post-mortem exam was conducted at Lake of the Woods District Hospital and foul
play is suspected, though the cause of death has not been released.

26 year old Jason Miller from Deer Lake has been taken into custody and charged with attempted
murder in relation to injuries sustained by Nielson Meekis.

Miller appeared in Kenora Court yesterday on the charges.