Thistles win first game at Allan Cup

An impressive win for the Kenora Triple A Senior Thistles to start the Allan Cup.

The host team cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Dundas Real McCoys last night at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Tyler Gordon backstopped the Thistles to the victory with 36 saves, including a couple of key break-aways.

He says the team played solidly in front of him.

Sean Hughes was the player of the game with a pair of goals and two assists, while Jon Johnson had a pair of goals, and Jeff Richards scored once and added two assists.

The Thistles next game is tomorrow night against the Bentley Generals.

Meanwhile, the Fort Frances Thunderhawks squandered leads of 1-0 and 2-1, and eventually fell 6-3 to the Southeast Prairie Thunder from Steinbach in the early game.

Council Approves 1.61 percent budget increase

After months of review, Kenora City Council has finally put the 2011 municipal budget to bed.

Council yesterday agreed on a 1.61 percent increase in the mill rate.

Ron Lunny is chair of the finance committee and says they were able to trim the budget down a bit, but increasing the industrial tax rate for the first time in more than 10 years.

Lunny points out that some property owners could face a much higher tax increase than the 1.61 percent, because municipal property assessments went up an average of 2.4 percent.

Council is expected to formally approve the budget next Monday.

Nuclear Waste up for Discussion in Ignace

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is hosting community sessions in Ignace today and tomorrow.

The group will present the results of initial screening held last year in the community.

Officials are trying to determine whether there are obvious reasons that would eliminate Ignace from continuing in the site selection process for a deep geological Nuclear repository.

If residents and Council are in favour of the findings, the community can then decide if it wants to request a feasibility study, which would take 2 to 3 years to complete.

Today's and Wednesday's sessions are from 1 to 4 and 6:30 until 8:30 at the Curling Club Gallery.

Black Bear Hotline Up and Running Again

The provincial bear reporting hotline is up and running.

The toll-free number is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources Bear Wise Program, to educate people on how to avoid attracting bears.

As black bears come out of hibernation, the ministry says people should be taking steps to prevent encounters with them.

MNR conservation officer Ross Johnston says people should be thinking about taking down bird feeders before they receive unwelcome visitors.

Summer Company Applications now available

The Northwest Business Centre is offering students a unique summer job opportunity.

Spokesperson Mike Greaves outlines the 'Summer Company' program.

The Centre will assist those interested in owning and operating their 8 to 12-week business over the Summer.

Over the past 5 years, the Kenora-Rainy River District has developed over 15-young entrepreneurs.

NOACC Makes presentation on Forest Tenure Legislation

The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce is giving the provincial government a piece of his mind.

Chief Operating officer of NOACC, Harold Wilson was in Toronto yesterday to share his concerns about the forest tenure bill.

Wilson says the province isn't listening to their recommendations.

Bill 151 would create a number of crown corporations to manage area forests.

OPP nab a pair of impaired drivers

An 18 year old man faces drunk driving charges following a single vehicle accident early Saturday morning.

The OPP say they responded to a vehicle roll-over on the Airport Road around 12:30 Saturday morning.

The driver was was taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

In another incident, Police were conducting a RIDE Check Stop early Sunday morning on Darlinton Drive when a vehicle approached and tried to avoid officers.

The OPP managed to stop the vehicle and charged the driver with impaired operation of a motor vehicle.