Mayors seeking meeting over Tourism Center Closures

Local municipal officials are seeking a meeting with Ontario's tourism minister to talk about the pending closure of the region's tourist information centres.

The cash-strapped province has said in its budget it plans to shut down centres in Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River at the end of this month.

Fort Frances mayor Roy Avis says he understands the government's need to save money, but wants to know if there are other options to keep the centres open.

He'd also like the government to delay the closures until at least the end of the busy summer season.

Several other tourism and municipal groups in the area are also looking for an audience with Tourism Minister Michael Chan.

The Future of Lakewood School Up for Discussion tonight

The fate of Lakewood School will be finally decided tonight.

Trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board will be meeting tonight in Sioux Lookout.

One of the items on the agenda is Lakewood.

Over the past few months administration at the public school board has been gathering feedback about whether the school should be sold off so it can be transformed into an adult education center.

Should the school board elect to close Lakewood, Evergreen School, which was scheduled to close later this year, would remain open.

Gravelle Asks for Review of Northern Health Travel Grant

The Ministry of Health is being urged to review Northern Ontario Travel Grant applications on a case by case basis.

Thunder Bay-Superior Liberal M.P.P. Michael Gravelle made that request on the behalf of one of his consituents.

The northwestern Ontario woman recently had to travel to Calgary for a special cancer surgery, but was unable to collect the travel grant.

Gravelle wrote his letter last year and hopes to hear back soon.

Electoral Boundaries Commission Seeking Input

Input is now being sought on possible changes to Ontario's federal ridings.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says its important area residents tell the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission of Ontario to keep northern ridings as they are.

Rafferty says if anything, the north should have at least one more seat in Ottawa.

He doesn't expect a decision on the new riding boundaries until at least next year.

Festival of the Arts gets underway today

An annual cultural tradition in Kenora gets underway today.

The Festival of the Arts will run for the next two and a half weeks at venues throughout the city.

Len Mark is one of the organizers and says the festival gives people of all ages a platform to showcase their talents.

Mark adds that the Highlights concert will wrap up the festival on April 28th at Knox United

Church. 

Local Young Drivers Office Wins National Award

National recognition for Young Drivers of Canada in Kenora-Dryden.

The organization has received the Centre of the Year award.

President of Young Drivers Canada Peter Christianson says Maria Bagdonas and her staff have worked hard at providing customer service and high quality education in the District.

He adds she managed to grow her business in a challenging economic climate.

Treaty Three Lashes out at new Mining Group

Grand Council Treaty #3 is taking a hard line against a group of junior mining companies called "Miners United".

The mining group spoke out at a recent conference in Toronto.

They said a revolt was taking place against first nations that were requesting revenue benefit sharing agreements.

Treaty Three Chief Diane Kelly says the comments of the group are unacceptible.

While she agrees the crown must do more under the Mining Act, she disagrees strongly with the tactics of Miners United.

She says in many instances Treaty Three has developed strong partnerships with mining companies because of their committment to talk.

Health Unit warns of Water-borne illness

The presence of a water-borne bug at two water parks in Minnesota has the Northwestern Health Unit issuing an advisory.

Cryptosproidum was recently identified at Edgewater Water Park in Duluth and the Paul Bunyan Water Park in Brainaird.

The Northwestern Health Unit says there have been three known related illnesses in this area, all occurring around the recent March break.