Friday, July 17, 2009

Opawica Mining

Opawica Explorations has updated its resource estimate for its Atikwa Lake property near Kenora.

The new figures were derived from a database of new information from recent drilling activity.

A total of 16 holes were drilled.

The study shows other exploration targets on the property seperate from the Maybrun gold copper zones.

Keewatin Fire

An electrical malfunction is being blamed on a small house fire inKeewatin.

The fire broke out shortly after 1:00 yesterday afternoon in the kitchenarea.

Five trucks were dispatched to the scene and were able to containthe fire to the room of origin.

No one was injured and there was minimal water damage as a resultof the blaze.

Women's Place Funds

Women's Place Kenora is welcoming 64-thousand dollars from the Federal Government.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford was in Kenora yesterday to announce the funding on behalf of the Minister of State for the Status of Women.

Rickford says he's happy the Conservatives can help shape the lives of Northwestern Ontario's youth.

The money will go towards domestic abuse training and teen workshops.

Treaty Three Residential School

Grand Council Treaty #3 says it would like to see the Indian Residential School Truth and Reconciliation Commission to hold at least onehearing in northwestern Ontario.

The new co-chairs of the commission were officially sworn in yesterday.

Grand Chief of Treaty Three, Diane Kelly attended the swearing inceremony and says residential school survivors in the region wantto put their experiences on the public record.

She adds that there were 11 residential schools in the Treaty Threearea and at least one hearing should take place in their territory.

OPP Take over

The OPP promise to have a high visibility in the community when theytake over policing in the City of Kenora today.

Inspector Dave Lucas from the Kenora Detachment says they want to make Kenora one of the safest in the country.

He adds that they will also be keeping a close eye on the bottom line.

A total of 33 members of the Kenora Police Service have been hiredon by the OPP and will be sworn by OPP commissioner Julian Fantino at a special ceremony tomorrow morning.

Fire Hazard Update

3-new forest fires were reported yesterday across Northwestern Ontario.

One of the blazes burned in the Northern section of Quetico Park and crews acted quickly to hold the flames.

Another fire is burning in Quetico, but it is being allowed to run its natural course.

Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Travis Moffatt says the fire hazard has taken a 180-turn.

Another fire was reported near New Osnaburgh First Nation and it was contained after burning point-1 hectare.

KPS Last Day

The Kenora Police is starting to wind down its operations.

Friday is the last day of existance for the KPS.

The OPP will take over policing duties as of 7AM.

Kenora Police Chief Dan Jorgensen says they are still sorting throughsome last minute issues, such as the disposal of KPS property.

Jorgensen says one of his last duties will be to oversee a farewellceremony Friday afternoon at the Kenora Police station at 2:00.

Lake Study

Environment Canada is giving the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation 135 thousand dollars to study the water quality of the lake.

The Foundation has embarked on a Nutrient Budget for Lakeof the Woods.

Executive Director of organization, Todd Sellars they want to find outwhere nutrients like phosphorous are coming from, and where they are ending up.

Sellars says they have also received funding support from the Province's of Ontario and Manitoba and also the State of Minnesota for the Nutrient study.

Downtown Revitalization

Design plans for phase two of the downtown revitalization project are getting mainlyfavorable reviews.

Conceptual design plans were unveiled at a public meeting last night.

Councillor Wendy Cuthbert was a member of the design team and says therecould be some substantial changes to the way the harborfront looks in the future.

The phase two of downtown revitalization is scheduled to begin this summer with the development of Lake of the Woods Plaza.

Design plans also call for a pier, less parking on the Harborfront, and the development of a large festival space.