Hospital expects small surplus

Members of the Lake of the Woods Hospital Board will have to wait until next month to find out if they managed to stay in the black this year.

The hospital's year end was March 31st, but Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says they are still finalizing their figures.

He suggests the hospital should finish with a small surplus,but just how large the surplus is still to be determined.

Belcaen says their auditor is currently going over their books and a final report on their finances will be presented at their annual general meeting next month.

Robber caught red-handed

A 39 year old man was caught red-handed trying to rob a store in downtown Kenora.

The OPP say one of their officers noticed an altercation between a store employee and another person last night.

Police approached the store and noticed the suspect was holdinga knife and was trying to commit a robbery.

The officer intervened and arrested the suspect.

Steve Jackson has been charged with robbery, wearing a disguise with the intent to commit a criminal offense and possessionof narcotics.

We're #121

Kenora's ranking in the annual Best Places to live index continues to fall.

The city is rated 121st out of 179 communities across the country by Money Sense Magazine.

Kenora's standing has fallen from 37th place just three years ago.

The survey looks at issues such as income, housing costs, crime, health, lifestyle and weather.

Kenora falls just behind Montreal, but just ahead of Kentville, Nova Scotia in the annual survey.

Energy Credit Criticized

The McGuinty governments' Northern Energy Credit is being called an insult.

Randy Hillier, the Progressive Conservatives' Northern Development critic, says the program is laughable.

He says thats because 200 dollars is the most any family will get.

Hillier says in some parts of the north this credit won't even cover one month of the HST

More on Couchiching Toll Booth

The federal government is responding to Couchiching First Nations plans to set up a toll booth later this month.

Michelle Yao, a spokesperson for Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl says the government is committed to working with the band and the province in resolving the issues.

But Yao says an open dialogue is much more constructive and effective in dealing with the band's concerns.

The band council held a community meeting this week to update residents on their plans for the May 21st toll.

Education Week

Education Week is coming to a close for the Keewatin Patricia District School Board.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says they met with Southern Ontario School Board professionals and told them about their oral language program.

McMaster says he is also taking time during Education Week to thank school board staff.

Fort Frances Escapee back in Custody

The 7-day search for a wanted Emo man has ended.

OPP arrested Matthew Meyers yesterday without any difficulties.

The man was located in the Clearwater Lake area, about 30-kilometres north of Emo.

Police had been looking for Meyers since April 29th when he escaped from the Fort Frances OPP Detachment during a criminal investigation.

He remains in custody and faces possession of stolen property, breach of probation, assault, uttering threats and escaping custody.

More Presciption Drugs Seized

A 29 year old resident of the New Osnaburgh First Nation has been arrested on drug charges.

The Combined Forces Drug Unit arrested a man in Hillcrest Park in Thunder Bay early Thursday morning.

Police say they seized about 100 oxycodone pills, almost 300 percocets, and about 65 hundred dollars in cash.

The street value of the drugs is estimated at about 16 thousand dollars.

During their search of the vehicle, officers also located a 30-30 rifle, amunition and a machete.