Monday, July 6, 2009

Outflow Control Board

For the first time in more than a month, outflow from the NormanDam into the Winnipeg River has been reduced.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board says outflow has been reducedby about 80 cubic meters per second, as water levels on the lake continue to drop.

Lake levels went down almost three inches this past week, and expected to drop a similar amount over the next seven days.

As for the Winnipeg River, its expected to decrease by about eight inches over the next week with the reduction of outflows from the Norman Dam.

Health Unit Flu

Northwestern Ontario continues to be one of the busiest in termsof active cases of the swine flu virus.

The Ontario Ministry of Health says there were 15 new confirmed casesof the H1N1 virus this past week in the Northwestern Health Unitcatchment area, which includes remote first nation communities in the far north.

There are currently 49 active cases of H1N1 in this region and justfive in the Thunder Bay Health Unit.

Wincrief Forest Products

One of Kenora's newest industries was shown off to the public Friday.

Wincrief Forest Products is a partnership between Moncrief Construction and the Wabaseemung First Nation.

Since the beginning of April, the company has been building prefabricated homes, most of which will end up on first nation communities.

Chief Eric Fisher from Wabaseemung says the first eight homes willbe placed in his community.

He's hoping that by next year, they will be able to build as many as28 new modular homes.

Cansfield Visits Kenora

Bureaucrats with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry ofNorthern Development and Mines have started work to move forestry out of the MNR.

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced last month that he wanted Northern Development and Mines to take over responsibility for forest issues.

Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield says there are a number of issues that still have to be worked out.

Cansfield suggests that her ministry will still have some responsibility for forest issues that pertain to the Species At Risk Act, Invasive Species and maintaining water quality.

She made her comments during a short visit to Kenora on Friday.

Blood Donor Clinic

Canadian Blood Services is hoping for over 280 donors to its annualsummer blood donor clinic this week in Kenora.

The clinic will start this afternoon at the Thomas Aquinas Gym.

Michael Hyduk is a spokesperson for CBS and says they have changedtheir hours slightly for the clinic.

The clinic will run from 4:30 to 9:00 this evening and again tomorrowfrom 9:30 in the morning until 12:30.

Biz Kids Camp

The Northwest Business Centre is holding its week long Biz Kid camp again this summer.

Outreach Co-ordinator Mike McCaffrey says the region's future depends on a thriving business community.

The day long camp sessions will run from July 20th until the 24th.

Anyone interested in signing up their kids can contact the NW Business Centre at 467-4635.

Boil Water Advisory Kenora

The entire City of Kenora is under a boil water advisory.

The safety of the municipalities drinking water can not be guaranteed at this time.

Until the safety of the water supply can be assured, all water from the City distribution system must be boiled for at least a minute.

Water must be boiled if it is to be used for human consumption, that includes brushing your teeth and washing dishes.

The boil water advisory will remain in effect until it is rescinded by the City of Kenora and Northwestern Health Unit.