Council endorses 2011 Budget

The chair of Kenora's finance committee says he'd like to see more fairness in the tax system.

Yesterday city council approved a 1.6 percent increase in the mill rate.

But Ron Lunny says because of an increase in the city's assessment this year, some property owners will actually be looking at a tax hike of as much as 4.1 percent.

Lunny says considering the city was faces with a 2.3 percent increase based on projects like the new firehall, the Discovery Center and the Harborfront tent, council did what it could to minimize the tax increase this year.

Harper Touches down in Northwestern Ontario

Prime Minister Harper continues his campaign stumping through northwestern Ontario today.

Last night he pumped up about 400 Conservative supporters in Thunder Bay for the May 2nd election.

Harper says electing a Conservative in the northwest is not a dream anymore.

Harper will be at the Regional Health Sciences Centre for an announcement this morning.

MNR on the Lookout for Pine Beetles

The spread of the pine beetle is on the minds of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The bug already hurt B.C's forest industry and is making it's way east through Saskatchewan.

Spokesperson Taylor Scarr says it will eventually impact Northwestern Ontario as well.

Scarr says because of the high winds last year the bug flew through Alberta in just one season.

Second All-Candidates forum tonight in Sioux Lookout

Its Round 2 of 3 for the Federal Candidates in the Kenora Riding.

An All-Candidates forum is being held in Sioux Lookout tonight.

Its an open mic format and the forum is being held at the Legion from 7 until 9 o'clock.

Conservative Greg Rickford, Tania Cameron of the NDP, Liberal Roger Valley and Independent Kelvin Chicago-Boucher are scheduled to participate.

Mike Schwindt of the Green Party won't be in attendance.

The final All-Candidates forum will be next Monday in Kenora.

Drinking Water Crisis on Pikangikum

A state of emergency is in effect in Pikangikum First Nation.

In a press release, Chief Jonah Strang stated there has been no supply of potable or running water in the community.

Strang added that residents have been drawing water from a nearby lake, which is unsafe to drink.

Over 40-thousand litres of bottled water were ordered and its not known if that supply has arrived.

Strang says the water system in Pikangikum requires an immediate and complete overhaul and notes they are footing the bill to have water shipped in.

The issue has been compounded by reports of flooding in the area.

Police Nab Drunk Driver in Seatbelt blitz

The OPP's seasonal seatbelt campaign has been effective in not only nabbing motorists who fail to buckle up, but its also taken at least one impaired driver off the road.

Police say they pulled over a vehicle yesterday for a seatbelt violation.

In speaking with the driver, they noticed he had been drinking and was given a roadside breath test.

The driver failed and was taken to the Kenora Detachment office.

A 37 year old Winnipeg man is due to appear in court next month on impaired driving charges.

Bronco Cheerleaders win Bronze at Provincial Championships

The Beaver Brae Cheerleaders will be advancing to the national championships next month in Niagara Falls.

The Broncos cheer team was in Missisaugua for the provincial championships this past weekend.

Beaver Brae competed in the small team, all girls division and were 5th after the first day of competition.

On day two, the Broncos were in second, and their two day score gave them the bronze medal.