Keewatin Teams leads after Day 1 of KBI

The Keewatin duo of Behn Carlson and John Pearson have the distinction of leading the Kenora Bass International after day one.

They hauled in 19.55 pounds of bass yesterday, more than two pounds better than the second place team of Darren Marcine and Bart Stebnitsky.

In third place is the local team of Bruce and Tony Griffiths, at 16.85 pounds.

Team Canada leads the Can/Am Challenge by over 19 pounds after the first day of fishing.

Second day weigh-ins will take place at 4:00 this afternoon.

Harborfest Breaks Even

Harborfest organizers suggest that despite huge crowds over the weekend, the weekend event likely only broke even.

Dave Blake is one of the directors and says despite record bar sales Friday and Saturday night, they probably only managed to cover their costs.

Blake says they will be evaluating the success of the event over the next few weeks.

Blake says they expect to have a final report on Harborfest 2010's finances in the
next few weeks.

More Beach Closures announced

The Health Unit has been forced to close down three more beaches
for the weekend.

Recent test results for Rabbit Lake Beach, Garrow Beach and Anicinabe Beach show unacceptible bacteria levels.

The Health Unit conducts routine testing of the beaches during the summer and says water quality tests at the three beaches showed high levels of e-coli.

The beaches will be closed until water quality tests improve.

Council opposes Beach Warning Notices

Beach warnings being posted by the Northwestern Health Unit aren't being well received by Kenora City Council.

The Health Unit has started posted warning signs following heavy rain events about possible bacterial contamination.

Colleen Neil is Kenora's Recreation Services Manager and says right now the signs are causing a lot of confusion.

Council says that Kenora's beaches are part of our Tourism Marketing Campaign and having a blanket warning sign posted at them is not very tourist-friendly.

Council wants to work with the health unit on making the signs less alarming.

Funding Announced for Wincrief

A Kenora forest company is getting just over 1.2 million dollars in funding from the proincial government.

Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle announced  the funding at Wincrief Forestry Products Thursday morning.

Gravelle says the joint partnership between Moncrief Construction and Wabaseemung First Nation is the type of activity the province is interested in promoting.

The manufacturing facility on the Redditt Road currently employs about 20 people with
plans to double that number when the facility is fully operational.