OPP wrap up investigation of Ear Falls Snowmachine Fatality

The OPP have released more details surrounding a snowmachine

accident near Ear Falls.

23 year old Marcel Santerre was badly injured around 2:30 Tuesday
afternoon after he ran into a hydro guide wire.

He had been travelling with two other people on the Hydro line trail at
the time.

The other two sledders took Santerre to hospital in Ear Falls, but
he succumbed to his injuries.

Police say neither drugs nor alcohol were involved in the fatality.

Martin Falls Begins Blockade of Ring of Fire

The Marten Falls blockade is underway.

The First Nation community wants more input when it comes to ring of fire development.

NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy says some companies working in the region already get the message.

Beardy says First Nations in the region aren't against development; they just want to make sure there are long term benefits for their communities.

Hospital Experiencing another Bed Shortage

Lake of the Woods District Hosptial is experiencing another severe bed shortage.

In fact, the hospital has asked for and been granted

1-A status by the Northwestern Local Integration Network.

Director of Patient Care, Leslie Brown says that gives patients waiting for long term care, first priority for any beds that open up.

Brown says they have requested that the 1-A status be extended for at least four weeks to address their overcrowding issues.

Catholic Board Looks Forward to expanding All Day Kindergarten

The Kenora Catholic District School Board says it should have no problem accomodating an all-day, everyday program at Pope John Paul II school.

PJP and Lakewood will be getting all day learning at the kindergarten level by the fall of 2012.

Director of Education, Phylis Eikre says the all day program has been a big success at St. Louis in Keewatin this year.

Eikre says Pope John Paul was designed with all-day, everyday kindergarten in mind, so they should be able to roll it out next year with no problems.

Northern Growth Plan to be released today

After three years of consultation, the Northern Growth Plan will be released today.

The opposition, though, is not impressed.

NDP Critic Gilles Bisson says several towns across northern Ontario have already lost their major employer and the Liberals response so far has been inadequate.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the document is an economic vision for northern Ontario for the next 25 years.

Canfield honored for Support Forest Industry

The Ontario Forest Industries Association still has fond memories of Kenora

mayor Dave Canfield.

Canfield was one of six people who were presented awards for their contribution

to the forest industry yesterday at the OFIA's annual general meeting.

Canfield says he really wasn't expecting the honor.

Canfield also accepted an award on behalf of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association for its work in support of the forest industry in Ontario.

Winter Carnival Begins Tonight

A busy weekend in Kenora.

The Winter Carnival begins this evening.

Tourism Development Officer Heather Paterson says they have a full slate of events this weekend.

Things get underway this evening with a bang.

The fireworks will start at 7:00 followed by an Al Simmons concert at Lakewood and the BluesFest at Shooters.

OFSAA Nordic Championships underway in Ottawa

One medal so far for Kenora's cross country skiiers at the All-Ontario championships taking place in Ottawa.

Jamie Triskle of Thomas Aquinas won gold in the para-nordic event yesterday.

The top finish in the junior girls 5 kilometer freestyle race was Sammi Burkhart from T.A. in 5th, while Maya Boivin placed 8th.

In the senior boys 7.5 kilometer freestyle, Erik Lockhart placed 31st out of over 160 racers.

Meanwhile, Manon Magnon was 15th overall in the Senior girls division.

Beaver Brae's junior girls were 6th in the team event.

Today, the team relays will take place.

Saints boys hockey team OFSAA Bound

The Thomas Aquinas Boys hockey team is heading to OFSAA.


The Saints doubled up the Sioux Lookout Warriors 8-4 last night at the

Kenora Rec. Center to win their best-of-three NorWOSSA single "a" final series two games to one.

T.A. now travels to Timmins after the March break for the All-Ontario championships.

Meanwhile, the NorWOSSA finals begin on two fronts for Beaver Brae's hockey teams.

The Broncos girls will host the Dryden Eagles in Game one of the best-of-three series
tonight at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The puck drops at 8:30.

The Bronco boys are on the road tonight.

They travel to Fort Frances to take on the Muskies in game one of their

best-of-three series.

Game two is back at home at 7:00 at the Thistle Rink.