Small Earthquake registered north of Kenora

Residents of the Dalles might have felt the earth move under their feet.

The National Research Council says there was a small earthquake located about 12 kilometers north of Kenora early yesterday morning.

According the government agency, the quake registered 1.7 on the Richter scale at 12:08 in the morning.

There has been no reports of anyone even noticing the mild tremblor.

Smoking Restrictions in Store at Lake of the Woods District Hospital

Lake of the Woods District Hospital is going ahead with plans to make their facilities smoke-free places.

Starting April 22nd, each of the hospital four buildings will have only one smoking area.

Hospital CEO Marc Belcaen says they are actually going above and beyond what's contained in Ontario's Smoke-Free Act.

The hospital has also set up a Tobacco Usage Review Group, that will work towards making the hospital a completely smoke-free zone in the next year or so.

Joyride causes Extensive Damage

Who knew a teenaged girl could cause this much damage.

The OPP say a female youth has been charged following a destructive joyride in Keewatin.

Police say the teen took a pick-up truck that was left idling in a driveway Monday night.

She sped away and struck several parked cars before losing control of the vehicle.

She eventually ran into a house, causing extensive damage to the residence.

The girl fled the scene, but was picked up by officers a short time later.

She's been charged with theft over five thousand dollars and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Lakewood School Declared Surplus

It's official. Lakewood School is going on the auction block.

Trustees voted unamimously to declare the elementary school surplus to the board's needs last night.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says just because they've decided to start the process, doesn't mean there's no turning back.

In conjuction with the Lakewood decision, the board has also agreed to start consulting with parents about the concept of moving grade seven and eight students in Kenora up to Beaver Brae.

Superintendant of Education, Sean Monteith says they will be starting that process in the next couple of weeks.

Canfield Questions Tourist Center Closures

Its a mistake.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield believes the provincial government made a math error when it decided to close down the three Tourist Information centers at the border crossings in the Kenora-Rainy River area.

Canfield says its clear, the border crossings locally are busier than elsewhere in northwestern Ontario.

Canfield adds that municipal officials have been in talks with the Ministry of Tourism to provide Ontario Travel Information year round at the Discovery Center, but they still haven't taken the city up on that offer.

Northwest Business Center Hits the Road

The Manager of the Northwest Business Centre is hitting the road in a bid to raise the profile of the Dryden and Kenora based organization.

Diane Schwartz-Williams is taking her road show to Sioux Lookout this week.

She will be meeting with Economic Development offiicials from across the Kenora and Rainy River District to discuss cultural and art opportunities.

Two men charged in downtown Robbery

Two Fort France men has been arrested following a robbery in downtown Kenora.

The OPP say the incident took place Saturday night around 11:00 when two men accosted a man at a downtown insta-teller.

They initially asked the man for a light, but then struck him, knocking him to the ground.

They took the victims wallet, and left the scene.

Both suspects were arrested about an hour later with the help of an OPP canine unit.

28 year old Cote McGinnis and 30 year old John George have both been charged with robbery.

They appeared yesterday in Kenora Court on the charges.

NorWOSSA Badminton Finals On Tap in Dryden

Beaver Brae and Thomas Aquinas badminton players will be going for gold today.

The NorWOSSA finals will be taking place in Dryden.

The top six ranked players and teams in each division will do battle starting at 9:30 this morning.

Medals for boys and girls singles, doubles and mixed doubles will be handed out this afternoon.