Three people arrested in downtown robbery

The OPP says it now has arrested three suspects in connection to a robbery in downtown Kenora over the weekend.

The incident took place at an apartment on 1st Street South around 10:00  Saturday evening.

Police say three men wearing masks forced their way into the residence and threatened three occupants with a weapon.

They then made off with a quantity of cash.

An investigation by the OPP and its Street Crimes Unit has resulted in the arrest of 28 year old Chris Jack of Washagamis Bay,  29 year old Vernon Jack and 26 year old Ricky Payash, both of Kenora.

They have been charged with multiple offences including Break and Enter, Robbery and Assault with a Weapon.

All three have been remanded into custody and are to appear in Kenora court later today.

Health Unit approves 2011 Budget

TheHealth Unit has passed its spending  requests on to local municipalities.

The Health Unit finalized its budget last month, and it calls for a three percent increase in spending.

The good news is that the province is picking up the lion's share of the increase.

Most municipalities in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts will see a decrease in their health unit levy of between 2.6 and 23 percent this year.

NAN Police reacts to Federal Budget

The Federal Government is giving more support to policing in aboriginal communities.

30-million dollars is being set aside in the budget for First Nations policing.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Chief Claude Chum says it's not much when you look at the big picture.

The budget also includes 22-million over 2-years to help First Nations ensure fuel tanks that power their community meet environmental safety standards.

Local Liberal Candate pans federal budget

Don't trust the Conservative Government is the message today from the Liberal Candidate for the Kenora Riding.

Roger Valley is not in support of the Federal Budget.

Flaherty's new budget calls for total spending of 278.7-billion dollars.

Valley says the Liberals introduced a good chunk of the programs announced yesterday, including a tax credit for volunteer firefighters.

Rickford Reacts to Federal Budget

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is questioning the NDP's motives in suggesting they will vote against the Federal budget.

The New Democrats opposition to the budget is likely to pave the way for a Spring Election.

Rickford believes the Conservative Government struck a perfect balance in the budget.

Rickford says turning down the budget will result in a loss of funds for FedNor and Northern Ontario.

Council agrees to rate increase for Sewer and Water

Kenora City council continues to grapple with the harsh realities of

the budget process.

Council met for several hours yesterday to go over the Sewer and Water and

Solid Waste budgets.

Operations manager, Rick Perchuck says the city has a severe infrastructure

deficit, which is going to have to be addressed eventually.

Chief Administrative officer Karen Brown says the city spends about 500 thousand dollars each year to fix up aging sewer and water infrastructure, far short of the three million needed to properly maintain the system.

Northern Diabetes Network Opens Office In Kenora

More support is available for those with diabetes in the Kenora area.

The Northern Diabetes Health Network has set up a regional office in town in the Bannister Center.

Lauri Ann Marshall says while about 10 percent of the local population has diabetes, that number is much higher in aboriginal communities.

Marshall says the office in Kenora provides support services for primary care workers in the region, rather than diabetes patients themselves.

Broncos and Saints hockey teams at OFSAA

Two Kenora high school hockey teams are in southern Ontario today for the start of the OFSAA championships.

Beaver Brae's girls team is in Stratford for the All-Ontario Double "a" championships.

The Broncos first game is at 8:45 this morning against Kincardine.

Yesterday in an exhibtion game, Beaver Brae got by Listowel 4-1 in a warm-up for the OFSAA finals.

In Timmins, the Thomas Aquinas Boys teams is set to begin play in the All-Ontario single "a" championships.

The Saints first game is 8:00 this morning against the host team from Timmins.

Sharks win gold at Man/Sask Championships

A strong performance for the Kenora Sharks Swim Club at the Man/Sask championships in Saskatoon over the weekend.

Several Sharks won gold medals, with Paige Murphy leading the way with six first place  finishes.

Winnie Boucha also won seven medals, including three gold, three silver and a bronze, while Bryce Jones had four gold and two bronze.

Michelle Belcaen also won gold in the 50 meter freestyle and qualified for the senior nationals with her time.

Fiecek in the Win Column at National Wheelchair Championships

The Wayne Fiecek Foursome is finally in the win column at the National Wheelchair curling championships taking place in Edmonton.

In the late draw last night, team Northern Ontario got by Saskatchewan 9-4 to improve their record to 1-2 after three draws.

Earlier in the day, the Fiecek rink dropped an 8-1 decision to Nova Scotia, which is one of three unbeaten teams at the nationals.