Richards Raises 40 Grand in Charity Golf Tournament

Mike Richards second annual charity golf tournament proved to be a big financial success.

This year, the tournament, which was held last month at the Kenora Golf and Country Club, raised over 40 thousand dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

Richards presented cheques to the two organizations this week.

Last year the tournament genrated 11 thousand dollars for those charities.

NOHFC Announcements expected this evening

There will be some interested by-standers this evening when Northern Development and Mines Mininister Michael Gravelle makes an appearance in Kenora.

Gravelle will be making a number of funding announcements from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

The board of NOHFC is meeting in Kenora this week.

Gravelle is also expected to make a wood supply announcement for a local sawmill.

He's scheduled to announce the details at 6:00 at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Kenora Stands Down on Emergency Order

The City of Kenora has decided to terminate its state of emergency, which has been in place for the past two weeks.

The city approved the declaration in order to help out Emergency Measures Ontario, as it tried to find temporary homes for thousands of people who had to be evacuated due to forest fires which  were burning out of control across the far north.

Emergency Measures Ontario says municipalities can now stand down.

In the interim, the city will be providing the province with information on timelines to get ready to accept evacuees, should the situation change.

Liberals get their man for Provincial Election

Liberals in Kenora-Rainy River have their candidate in place for this October's Provincial election.

Emo Councillor Anthony Leek was the only person to put his name forward at a nomination meeting last night in Fort Frances.

Leek says he's ready to begin the campaign.

Leek says he'll have his campaign team in place within the next few weeks.

Conservatives Still Seeking Candidate for Kenora-Rainy River

The Provincial Conservatives may be close to announcing a potential candidate in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding for the Fall Election.

Party officials say they had several people interested in running but were hesitate to do so with Howard Hampton sitting as MPP.

Now that the incumbent has announced he won't seek re-election, officials say the situation has changed.

Sources say the Conservatives are days away from announing at least one candidate.

OPP Investigating Thefts in region

The OPP are asking for public assitance to solve a couple of reports of theft.

Police received a report last Wednesday of the theft of 5-thousand dollars worth of tools from the CN yard property in Vermilion Bay.

Police were also contacted Tuesday after a guitar was stolen from a Waldhof home.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Organizers ready for KBI

Organizers are gearing up for one of the biggest sporting events of the summer in Kenora.

The 24th Annual Shaw Kenora Bass International hits the water of Lake of the Woods this morning.

Duncan McEwan says so far they have 136 teams entered in the three day fishing tournament.

This year 25 thousand dollars is up for grabs to the top team in the tournament.

Ag Fair Turns 100

One of the longest running summer events is celebrating a major milestone this year.

The Kenora Agricultural Festival is turning 100 years old.

Carol Kurtz is president of the Agricultural Society and says they will be paying homage to their past.

This year, the Agricultural Fair will have an outdoor music venue beside the midway.

Doors open at 6:00 this evening.

NAN Calling for Support of Sandy Lake Family

Stan Beardy is calling for taxpayer support for a Sandy Lake family of forest fire evacuees.

The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation says the family should get immediate support from both the Provincial and Federal Governments.

He says it's because their home was destroyed by fire while they were gone.

Forest Fires Continue to Burn

There are currently about 135 forest fires burning in Northwestern Ontario according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Most of the serious fires continue to burn in the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout District's.

However, Information Officer Stephanie Pagnucco says additional fires are popping up elsewhere.

Emergency Management Ontario and the MNR continue to work closely with First Nation communities to conclude the return of evacuees.

Smoke remains an issue in several communities.

24th KBI Underway

The 24th Kenora Bass International is officially underway.

The first flight of boats left the Kenora Harborfront at 6:30 this morning.

Jason Carpenter and Dennis Mandamin are the defending KBI Champs and Mandamin says pre-fishing hasn't been easy this week.

Carpenter and Mandamin will captain team Canada in the Can/Am challenge this year.

First Day weigh-ins begin at 4:00 this afternoon.