Thursday, May 26, 2011

Final Draft from Lake of the Woods Task Force Complete

A task force set up by the International Joint Commission to look at water issues on Lake of the Woods has come up with its final draft report.

The final report will be presented to the IJC in July, but between now and then local residents will get a chance to comment on the recommendations that are being made.

Kelli Saunders is the Canadian secretary on the task force and says one of the main recommendations is representation by first nation groups in the decision making process.

Other recommendations, include streamlining the number of agencies working in the Lake of the Woods
and Rainy River drainage basins, and reviewing water level guidelines for the lake.

A public consultation session is scheduled to take place in Kenora on June 16th.

MNR sending more Fire Rangers Out West

The Ministry of Natural Resources is sending more firefighters to Alberta.

An additional 82 forest fire staff will leave today for the Western Province, bringing the total of Ontario staff to 191.

Half of the resources are from Northwestern Ontario.

There were no new fires reported yesterday in this Region and crews are making good progress on a large fire currently being held near Savant Lake.

The MNR is also controlling a small fire about 22-kilometres southeast of Red Lake.

OPP see an increase in drug related crime in Kenora

The Kenora OPP says there has been an increase in the number of assaults, break and enters and mischief complaints in the first three months of 2011.

Inspector Dave Lucas presented his most recent report to the police services board Wednesday morning.

He says they are noticing a trend in those areas and are taking action to address those problems.

Lucas also submitted his 2011 business plan to the Police Services Board, which was drafted following community consultations and an analysis of crime in the city since the OPP took over in the summer of 2009.

Cancer Care Northwest sees room for improvement

Cancer Care Northwest has made improvements to its colorectal cancer programs.

That's one of the areas they saw improvements in a province wide cancer index.

Vice President Micahel Power says even though they did well they will continue to work towards improvement.

The screening rates for that cancer are below the provincial average and came in at 26 percent.

Search continues for missing angler near Morson

An OPP dive team is expected on Lake of the Woods near Morson today in search of a missing boater.

The man was with another fishing on the lake and reported overdue Monday.

OPP found their capsized boat Tuesday and the body of the other man on the shore.

No names have been released.

Bronco Girls win NorWOSSA Gold

Beaver Brae's girls soccer team is heading to the provincial championships.

The Broncos edged the Dryden Eagles 2-1 in penalty shots yesterday in the gold medal game.

They now head down to Windsor next week for the OFSAA Championships.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's boys had less success.

The Broncos dropped a 1-0 decision to Fort Frances in the gold medal game, and had to settle for silver this year.