Igance Re-Instates Kennerd as Mayor

Ignace Council is going back to a familiar face as Mayor.

Council has agreed to appoint Lee Kennard as Mayor, citing the significant cost of a by-election as one of the reasons behind the decision.

A delegation asked Council to put Kennard back in the top position, citing his huge electoral win last October and his strong performance as Mayor.

Kennard resigned on January 27th, but had a change of heart 5-days later.

Council legally deemed the position open, prompting a debate on what should happen next.

He will be sworn back in as Mayor on March 13th.

Province withdraws land from exploration near Big Trout Lake

The Provincial Government is withdrawing over 23-thousand square kilometers of land around the Big Trout Lake First Nation from any new mining activity.

The First Nation recently asked for a moratorium on mineral exploration and

Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci says they have taken action.

Bartollucci says God's Lake Resources mining lease and claim are not affected by the withdrawl.

Saints win first two games at OFSAA

The Thomas Aquinas Girls volleyball team is off to a good start at the All-Ontario Single A championships taking place in downtown Toronto.

The Saints have won their first two games of the round robin, beating two of the host teams.

T.A. just finished off a two set sweep over University of Toronto Schools by scores of 25-22 and 25-17.

Earlier in the day, the Saints started off with a straight sets win over Toronto District Christian School.

Up next for the Saints is the 5th ranked team in the tournament, Chippewa Secondary School from North Bay.

Tonight, T.A. wraps up the round robin against Acton.

OPP Investigate Hit and Run in Lakeside

The OPP are investigating a hit and run collision in the 3rd Street South area of town.

Police say the incident took place around 8:30 Friday night after an older model white pick-up truck lost control and struck a GMC Sierra that was parked on the street.

The white truck left the scene without stopping.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contract the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Winter Carnival Called a Big Success

Organizers of Kenora's Winter Carnival are hoping to build on this year's event.

Tourism Development Officer, Heather Paterson says they were pleased with the turn-out, but would like to expand in the years to come.

Paterson suggests that attendance was up at most events this past weekend and wants to Winter Carnival to be a feature event in the city in the years to come.

Winter Carnival Winners announced

The Kenora Winter Carnival Charity Challenge is going to the dogs.

Its a Dog's Life ran away with the fundraiser for the second year in a row.

It's A Dog's Life sold over 25 hundred of the two dollar buttons.

Triple Play was well back with 800 buttons sold.

In the snow sculpture contest, Laura Cotton's team from KACL won best overall with their Tobagganers, while Lori and Lyn Grey had the best theme with their ice fishing sculpture.

Polar Paddlers win Great Canadian Canoe Race

The Polar Paddlers are return champions of the Great Canadian Canoe Race.

The team braved deep snow, slush and lots of broken ice en route to victory yesterday.

Jordan Charlebois says this year's race was definitely a challenge.

The Flying Trappers finished second.

Only three of the four boats entered actually finished the gruelling race.

Fraser Institute released annual report on Elementary Schools

Mixed results for elementary schools in the Kenora District in terms of academic achievement.

The Fraser Institute is out with its yearly rankings.

Spokesperson Michael Thomas says there are some low with Lakewood and Pope John Paul II getting 3.5 out of 10. 

At the other end of the scale, Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys topped the list in this region with a score of eight out of ten, and King George saw the biggest gain, moving up to 7.2 out of ten, from 4.7 last year.

Bronco Girls beats Dryden to advance to OFSAA Hockey Finals

Beaver Brae's Girls hockey team seems to be peaking at just the right time.

The Broncos knocked off the Dryden Eagles in the best-of-three NorWOSSA final last night at the Kenora Rec. Center 3-0.

Beaver Brae wins the series two games to none.

Rylee Smith, Hannah Rose and Kaitlyn Sparkman each scored for the Broncos, while Aryn Puls was named player of the game with the shutout.

Beaver Brae now travels to Belleville for the OFSAA championships starting March 21st.

Meanwhile, the Bronco boys hockey team were unable to solve the Fort Frances Muskies.

Saints head to OFSAA Volleyball and Basketball championships

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball and senior boys basketball teams are in southern Ontario today for the start of the All-Ontario Single A championships.

The Saints girls squad has won silver the last two years at OFSAA and are gunning for gold this year.

They are the second ranked team in the tournament and take on the host team, Toronto District Christian School at 8:00 this morning in their first round robin game.

The Saints boys meanwhile are down the QEW in St. Catharines.

T.A. is ranked 13th at the OFSAA basketball championships and play their first game at 7:00 tonight against Ecole Secondaire Lejeunesse.