Downtown Revitalization

The second phase of the downtown revitalization project has begun in the City of Kenora.

Titan Contractors is removing the bridge beside Scotia bank.

The construction company is is preparing the site for further work in the area.

On Monday, crews will begin to dig on First Street South between Main Street and Bernier.

Pedestrian access will be closed in that area.

Construction is expected to wrap up by November 30th.

CBS Clinic Day One Results

Some 152-donors gave the gift of life yesterday at the Canadian Blood Donor Clinic at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

The 118-units of blood collected will help some 354-patients.

Spokesperson Harvey Heather says to make an appointment call 1-888-2-donate.

Today's blood donor clinic runs from 9:30 until 12:30.

Boating Deadline

If you want to enjoy the warm weather out on the lake, you will need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card starting today.

Boaters can complete the online exam at boatsmartexam.com.

Cameron Taylor is the president of the company and says taking the exam is cheaper than thefine for not having a licence.

You can take the test at any time, however starting today you will need the new boating license.

Failing to have an operators card will cost you 250-dollars.

Officials say 8-million Canadian boaters still need to be certified.

Rafferty on Fall Session of Parliment

The fall session of the House of Commons got under way yesterday but just how long Parliament will sit is anyone's guess.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty says he want to see parliament make it through the session as long as it can.

Rafferty says his party is also reviewing a proposal for E-I reform which on the surface has some benefit for many unemployed workers.

Council Position

The manager of the CP Rail station in Kenora could have a new job next week.

Jim Parson was one of eight people who submitted applications to fill avacancy on council created by the resignation of Andrew Poirier earlier this summer.

Each councillor was asked to vote secretly for the candidate of theirchoice, and Parson was the overall winner.

If he agrees to sit on council, he will be sworn in at the end of next Monday's open meeting.

Initially, nine people submitted applications, but one person with drew due to a conflict of interest.

Abitibi Bowater Cuts

About 400 workers who supply logs and chips to AbitibiBowater's Thunder Bay pulp, newsprint and lumber operations have agreed to a pay cut.

The workers hope the move will help keep their employer in business.

A new three-year contract, to take effect November 1st, will shave hourly wages by a-dollar-50 and reduce overtime and benefits.

Workers currently earn around 27 dollars per hour.

Firehall Tender

Kenora City Council is leaning towards approving a 5.9 million dollar tender to build a new firehall on Barsky's Hill, despite the inflated cost of the project.

Council spent a lot of time debating whether it is willing fund the project without federal or provincial assistance.

David Nelson is the Architect on the project and says they have already scaled back the original cost of the project.

The lowest initial bid came in at 6.3 million dollars, which is about 1.3 million higher than initially budgeted.

Council will vote on whether to approve the tender on Monday night.