T.A. Student Advances to finals of Ontario Technological Skills Competition

A Kenora student is heading to Waterloo at the end of this month to showcase his carpentry skills.

Kevin Schabler from Thomas Aquinas won the individual carpentry competition put on by Confederation College for local high school students.

This was the regional contest to see who would qualify for the Ontario Technological Skills Competition in carpentry, culinary arts, television production and welding.

The top three finishers in each division advance to the provincial championships.

Schabler was the only Kenora student to advance.

Kenora Businessman Faces Hefty Fine

A Kenora businessman is facing a hefty fine for illegally taking gravel from a local pit.

Roland Roen was fined 10 thousand dollars for 13 counts of failing to pay annual fees, another two thousand dollars for operating a gravel pit without a permit and two thousand for harvesting on crow land without a licence.

The court heard that Roen had been hired by Ontario Hydro to repair a road in the Gundy Lake area back in 2008.

Material used for the road repair was removed from a nearby small pit on Crown land, for which Roen did not have a permit.

He also removed trees from three of his aggregate pits without obtaining a forest resource licence.

Boil Water Advisory in Lakeside area

About 30 homes in the Lakeside area are under a boil water advisory today.

The advisory was issued by the Northwestern Health Unit after a water main break in the 5th Street South area yesterday morning.

City operations manager, Rick Perchuck says crews has since found the water main leak and have been able to repair it.

The boil water advisory will remain in effect for at least a couple of days as the Health Unit waits for water tests to come back clear of any contamination.

Plans for Economic Development Agency Get a Rough Ride

Some members of city council are raising concerns about a proposed new regional economic development agency for northwestern Ontario.

Councillor Rory McMillan says he doesn't like some of the proposed governance models for the agency, which potentially could have a board with as many as 32 members.

Mayor Dave Canfield says while he can understand the concerns, he supports the Economic Development Agency in principal.

Canfield adds that the regional economic development agency will be one of the issues up for discussion next week at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference in Kenora.

Another Reminder to Lock it or Lose It

Another good reason to lock your vehicle.

The OPP say they are investigating the theft of a Blackberry Playbook from a vehicle parked in the 5th Street South area on Friday the 13th.

Police say the car wasn't locked at the time.

The OPP have been preaching the message of "lock it or Lose it" for several years, and says leaving valuables in plain view makes it easier for thefts to occur.

Campbell Presents Petitions At Queen's Park

The first petition supporting saving the area's tourist information centre from closures is now before the Ontario legislature.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says studies show this region brings in more money per stay than any other part of Ontario, in part due to visitors attending attractions they learned about by visiting the tourist information centres.

Campbell expects to bring more petitions in the near future.

Positive Reviews for Computers in the Classroom

Classroom computers aren't going to be a passing fad.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board recently completed a survey of staff, students and parents about the use of netbooks and computer tablets.

Lakewood principal Lynn McAughey says 99 percent of parents supported the use of the technology.

The surveys also found an overwhelming majority of students liked using computers to do their school work, and found it helped them complete their work more easily.

Thistles lose First Game at Allan Cup

The Kenora Thistles weren't able to hang onto a 3-2 second period lead and lost 7-4 to the host team from Lloydminster in their first game at the Allan Cup.

Lloyminster scored five third period goals in the come from behind victory.

Penalty trouble hurt the Thistles, who went to the penalty box seven times and received two misconducts in the third period.

The Border Kings capitalized with four power play goals in the third to put the game away.

Sean Hughes, Jon Johnson, Jonathan Poirier and Ryan Bowen each scored for the Thistles in a losing cause.

Their next game is Wednesday night against the Pacific Division Champions from Stoney Plains.