EQAO literacy test results

The Kenora Catholic District School Board is crowing about the most recent grade 10 literacy test results.

89 percent of Thomas Aquinas students who wrote the test were successful, which is a 14 percent improvement over last year, and 5 percent higher than the provincial average.

Assistant to the Director of Education, Murray Delorme says the results represent a lot of hard work and effort by their             teachers, parents and the students.

Over at Beaver Brae, the results weren't as positive.

68 percent of students who wrote the test were successful, down from 72 percent
last year.

Beware of Blue Green Algae

The Northwestern Health Unit is warning local residents to be on the lookout for blue/green algae blooms this summer.

The toxicpoisonous algae has shown up in recent years in local lakes and rivers.


Health inspector, Brian Norris says the algae is recognizeable by the smell of fresh mown grass in newer blooms and rotting garbage in older blooms.

Side effects in humans can range from skin irritation to vomiting.

If you think you have come into contact with the algae you should contact your doctor.

MaxMillions winner in Kenora?

                                                                                    A Northwestern Ontario resident may be a    million richer after buying a winning Lotto Max ticket.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation spokeswoman Sarah Kiriliuk says the identity of the winner has yet to be announced.

The five dollar ticket was purchased at a Kenora store.

The Maxmillions prize is one of twenty one-million dollar prizes associated with a bigger jackpot worth $50 million.

Kiriliuk said nobody has won the jackpot yet.

That means the $50-million jackpot is still up for grabs on Friday, along with an estimated 45 Maxmillions draws.

Human Remains still unidentified

Local police say they still don't know the identity of a woman whose body was

found near Miller's Rapids Road last year.

The human remains were found in a tent in a wooded area just off the D-2 one
year ago today.

The OPP say the woman was camping in the area no longer than a week before
her body was discovered.

She is described as a light-skinned female, between the ages of 26 and 50, about
5 feet 5 inches tall, about 110 pounds with shoulder length light brown hair.

She was wearing oval shaped eyeglasses with wire rims and three colored bead
necklaces.

Anyone who might have information as to her identity is asked to contact the OPP.

Parks, Beaches and Trails plans

Kenora's green spaces are due for some upgrades.


That's the feeling of the Lake of the Woods Economic Development
Commission.

Conceptual plans have been presented for local beaches, trails and
parks to upgrade them.

The city's economic development officer Jennifer Findlay says they want
to get some feedback from local residents on their plans.

Plans have been unveiled for Anicinabe Park, Coney Island, Garrow Park,
Portage Bay and Beatty Park.

Movie Gallery Closing outlets

Its going to be a little harder to rent a movie this weekend in Kenora.


The Movie Gallery has announced its closing all of its stores in
northwestern Ontario.

The company has 181 outlets across the country and says it will be
liquidating the merchandise from its stores over the next few weeks.

The Movie Gallery Corporation says its being affected by internet downloads,
video rentals from cable providers and subscription-based male delivery services.