Friday, February 25, 2011

Ontario Heritage Trust Volunteer Awards

Two Keewatin Residents have picked up volunteer awards from the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Ted Szjewski and Laureen Parsons were presented plaques for their work in restoring the old cemetary in Keewatin.

The cemetary dates all the way back to the early 1900's but had been abandoned and overgrown.

Szjewski and Parsons and a number of other volunteers have been working over the past few years to clean up the gravestones and spruce up the property. 

Police Board gets unexpected windfall

The Kenora Police Services board is a little richer today.

The board has been presented over 16 hundred dollars in found money.

OPP sergeant Kelly Fitzsimmons handed over the cash this week.

She says the money was collected over the past six years by the
former Kenora Police Service and either the owner was not found, or
the money was seized as part of a criminal investigation.

She says if there was no forfeiture order, the money has to by law
turned over the Police Board.

Chair of the board Colin Wasacase says the money will be put into
reserves for future use.

Fantino tours Northwestern Ontario

The Federal Government is providing almost 400 thousand to help seniors and people with disabilities in the region.

Minister of State for Seniors Julian Fantino made the announcement yesterday while touring the region yesterday and says its an important issue that needs support.

The funding is part of the 2010 Federal Budget and is being distributed through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

District Services Board Approves Budget

The Kenora District Social Services Board has passed it's 38 million dollar budget.


The 2011 budget includes cost increases for Land Ambulance, Social Housing, and Ontario Works programs.

CAO Sten Lif says that's a 1.8 percent increase for local area municipalities.

Kenora's share of the budget will be increasing this year by 42 thousand dollars. 

Jeffrey won't budge on Land Permit Fees

If angry tourist outfitters were expecting help from the Natural Resources Minister they're out of luck.

Linda Jeffery doesn't give any indication she's willing to budge on the issue of increase land permit fees.

Some outfitters say they're fees have shot up 700 per cent, but Jeffery indicates it's a done deal with the Outfitters Association

Jeffery doesn't believe the fee increase will cause some fishing lodges to close as the outfitters claim.

OPP Investigate fatal accident in Sioux Lookout

A 50 year old Manitoba man is dead after an industrial accident in Sioux Lookout.

Abram Guenther and another man who is seriously injured were working on modular home units at McDiarmid Lumber.

Constable Jodi Peckford says they were were airlifted to Winnipeg for treatment on Wednesday night.

The Ministry of Labour is conducting an investigation into the incident.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Heatherington finishes out of medals at Canada Winter Games

Still no medals for Kenora athletes at the Canada
Winter Games in Halifax.

Luke Heatherington saw his first competition yesterday
and finished 7th overall in the men's under 66 kilo division.

Heatherington lost his first fight, won his second, then
dropped his third and final match.

He's back in action on Saturday in the team event.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Canada, Kaitie Dennis
won a bronze medal at Pacific International Judo Championships in Vancouver.

She finished with a 2-1 record in the women's 57 kilo event.