Discovery Center Broken Into

It didn't take long for the new Discovery Center on Lakeview Drive to become a target of thieves.

A day before the new tourism bureau was to open to the public, someone managed to break-in.

The OPP say on the evening of July 20th, someone gained access to the building and stole a lap-top computer.

Anyone with information about the break and enter is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

MNR making headway on Fires in NWO

The Ministry of Natural Resources continues to try and gain the upper hand on several massive forest fires burning in the Far North.

The fires have resulted in the total evacuation of 4-First Nation communities and partial evacuation of 7-others.

Information Officer Owen Vaughan says they are greatful for the support of local communities.

Vaughan says the weather has helped firefighting efforts, but notes significan rain is still required.

OPP Investigate Downtown Assault

The OPP say one man has been arrested in connection to an assault in downtown Kenora.

On Saturday, police say they located the body of a 36 year old Rat Portage man in the alley behind Second Street South.

The victim had to be taken to Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment, and then was transported to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center for treatment of a head injury.

His condition of the victim isn't known at this time.

Officers managed to arrest the suspect at the scene.

Rickford responds to Water Quality Report

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says he's actually encouraged by a report on water quality on first nation communities.

The federally-commissioned assessment shows that about 39 per cent of drinking-water systems in  First Nations communities are at high risk of being unsafe, while another 34 per cent are at moderate risk.

Rickford says the government takes the report seriously and has begun to address some of the problems.

Rickford says training people to operate treatment facilities is one of the big issues in terms of maintaining water quality, and says the government is actively working to tackle that problem.

Police Investigate Fatality on Poplar Hill

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is trying to determine whether or not the death of a 20-year-old man and the injuries to a 21-year-old man are related.

Police were dispatched to Poplar Hill First Nation, about 120-kilometres north of Red Lake, last Friday after a man was found on a road with serious injuries.

Police say Aaron Strang was transported to the community nursing station where he was pronounced dead.

The following day Jobby Strang of Poplar Hill drove himself to the nursing station seeking medical attention and he was transported to Winnipeg Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police are looking for answers in this case.

Vermillion Bay youth charged in Connection to two Break In's

A Vermillion Bay youth has been arrested in connection to a couple of break-ins in that community.

The OPP say that between July 14th and 18th, the same residence was entered twice.

Following an investigation, police arrested a suspect.

He has been charged with break and enter and two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking.

He is due to appear in Dryden court in September.

Con College Raises money for Scholarships

Confederation College has managed to raise 15 thousand dollars for its students.

Organizers have tallied up the reciepts from a charity golf tournament held last week at the Kenora Golf and Country Club.

A total of 12 teams took part. 

The college says the money raised will go towards scholarships and bursaries for local students.