A record Warm Weekend Expected

It's the middle of March, but its going to feel more like the middle of May this weekend.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says temperatures will soar into the 20's by Sunday.

Kenora set a record high yesterday of 11.2, and is expected to smash the temperature record again today and tomorrow.

Mount Evergreen Scheduled to Open this Weekend

Despite the warm weather, Mount Evergreen plans to be open one final weekend.

The ski hill has been closed the past few days because of heavy rain on Monday and warm temperatures the rest of the week.

There is snow cover on all the runs, though the base is soft.

On Sunday, the annual slush pit will open up at noon for anyone who wants to try and jump the 15 foot wide pool of water.

Rickford Defends Safe Streets Act

The Safe Streets and Communities Act has passed in the House of Commons despite the objections of a local lawyers group.

The Kenora Lawyers Sentencing Group has opposed changes to bill C-10 saying it will result in more youth and aboriginal people ending up in jail.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford is defending the act and says they did consult local residents.

Rickford says the government plans to phase in a number of elements in the bill, so the provinces will have time to absorb some of the increased costs resulting from the legislation.

Major Oxy bust in two First Nation Communities

A major prescription drug bust for Nishnawbe-Aski Police.

Police searched two homes in Webequie First Nation and Deer Lake First Nation and officers seized nearly 62-thousand dollars worth of oxycodone pills.

Officers also seized nearly 3-thousand dollars cash and several firearms.

Police say 41-year-old Ricky Jacob, 33-year-old Valerie Shewaybick and 24-year-old Purvis Crowe all face possession for the purpose of trafficking charges.

Police say 54-year-old Wesley Shewaybick has been charged with careless storage of a firearm.

Coney Shuttle To Operate Again this Summer

You should be able to enjoy a day trip to Coney Island once again this summer.

Kenora City Council has given approval for the Coney Shuttle to operate once again in 2012.

The only hitch is that the city is reducing the annual grant to operate the service.

This year, the company that operates the shuttle will get 25 hundred dollars, which is half of what the city paid last year.

The MS Kenora had also expressed interest in operating a daily shuttle service to Coney, but raised concerns about the structural safety of the municipal docks on the island.

Non-Union Staff at City due for a pay raise

The City of Kenora's Non-Union employees will be getting a pay raise this year.

City Council is expected to approve a 2.75 percent wage increase in 2012 on Monday night.

Councillor Ron Lunny says they are just trying to keep administration at the same level as unionized workers.

He suggests the pay raise is fair and necessary.

OPP step up Oxy enforcement

OPP in the region are helping to educate the public of the steps they can do to avoid their prescription drugs from ending up on the streets.

The removal of oxycontin in Ontario has some thinking addicts will seek out alternatives.

Constable Anne McCoy says safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs can avoid problems for residents.

Police area also promoting crime prevention with area pharmacies.

Injured Workers Upset with WSIB

The salary of the head of a government organization is not sitting well with injured workers groups.

They are upset David Marshall's gig as the President of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board includes a bonus of up to 400-thousand dollars on top of his annual salary of 400 thousand.

Local spokeserson Steve Mantis says it's absurd to think Marshall is being paid to cut injured workers benefits.

Ontario's Injured Workers have sent a letter to the Premier to stop making cuts to the WSIB and scale back the President's pay.

Fishing Fine on Lake of the Woods

Taking one for the team!

A Rainy River man has been fined 1-thousand dollars for possessing 10-walleye over the legal limit.

Dorion Ozykowski was found by U.S. authorities at the Baudette-Rainy River International Bridge.

The man told officers that he didn't know how many fish he actually had or was entitled to.

He went on to say he was fishing with a group on Lake of the Woods and they gave him the fish.

He refused to give up any names.

City Planning Fees Going up

They say you can't fight city hall, that's not true in Kenora, but it will cost you.

The Property and Planning Committee is looking to re-vamp its planning fees.

That includes the costs associated with appealing planning decision to the Ontario Municipal Board.

The Committee is proposing to make the complainant pay for any and all costs associated with a planning appeal to the OMB.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the idea is to deter any frivolous challenges.

Planning Administrator Tara Rickaby says the city has had only two appeals taken to the OMB in the last five years, so its not a very common occurance.

Sharks take to the pool in Winnipeg

Several members of the Kenora Sharks Swim Club are in Winnipeg this weekend for the Manitoba/Saskachewan championships.

Racing began last night.

Bryce Jones had the best result in the 200 IM preliminary heats, with the best time in the 14 year old boys division.

Winnie Boucha had the second fastest time in the 12 and under girls 200 meter I preliminary
heats.

Thistles In Thunder Bay for Branch Playdowns

Its the last chance for the Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles to do some damage.

The Thistles are in Thunder Bay for the start of the Northwest Branch Playdowns, where they will take on the Kings in a best-of-three series.

Coach Doug Novak says his team should be ready after taking some time off from a gruelling regular season in the Manitoba Midget Hockey League.

Two other branch playdowns will also take place this weekend in Thunder Bay, with the Northwest Triple "a" Bantam All-Stars and Triple "a" Peewee All-Stars facing Thunder Bay.