Stolen Vehicle

A Balmertown resident has their Ram Pick-up truck back but OPP are still looking for the person who orignally stole it. The truck was found stuck in the mud near the Northwood Lodge. OPP say the vehicle was stolen and abandoned in Red Lake. Anyone with information is asked to call OPP or Crime Stoppers.

New Non Profit Housing Units

Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout should have 63 new non-profit housing units up and running in the next six months or so. Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services has funded projects in each of those communities.Executive Director of the agency, Don McBain says the projects are really a bonus for the non-profit housing agencies in these communities. The Kenora District Services Board has agreed to provide rent subsidies for these new housing units, once they are ready for occupancy.

Ministry of Natural Resources warns of drying trend

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the long term forecast suggests that smoke isn't expected to be an issue in Northwestern Ontario the next 7 to 10 days. However, Information Officer Carin Glassford warns that a drying trend is expected to roll in from Western Canada that could increase fire activity and bring back smokey conditions. Glassford says 2-thousand firefighters continue to battle 116-forest fires. Glassford notes that out-of-Province firefighters are starting to be recycled with new crews coming in.

First Nations Evacuation Update

It could be some time yet before forest fire evacuees are allowed to return to their First Nation homes.
153-evacuees of New Osnaburgh First Nation decided to go home, however no more return trips are expected any time soon.
Ian Davidson is the Deputy Minister of Community Safety and he says safety is their top priority right now.
Over 34-hundred evacuees are staying in 13-communities.

Kenora Library Board Meeting

The Kenora Library Board will be meeting this week to finalize the terms of reference for its operational review. Chair of the board, Marj Curtis-Poirier says their goal is to put the contract out for tender by the end of the summer.Curtis-Poirier says they would like the operational review complete by the fall, so they can be ready when the city begins its budget process.