Rotary Auction Starts Today

A major fundraiser for the Kenora Rotary Club is

now underway. 

The annual Rotary Auction began this morning just after 9:00.

Fred Wright is a spokesperson for the local Rotary Club and says they have over 200 items up for bid this year.

The Rotary Auction will run until next Wednesday.

Campbell Re-news Calls for Prescription Drug Strategy

There's a renewed call for more help to those dealing with the withdrawal of oxycontin in Ontario.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says she first raised the need for a Substance Abuse Strategy for First Nations two months.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says she is responding and has established an expert panel to

provide recommendations to her ministry.

Matthews the strategy also includes sending more doctors to support a methadone treatment program and strengthen support through Telehealth.

Water Levels Rising Slowly on Lake of the Woods

Despite a dry spring, water levels on Lake of the Woods are starting to rise slowly.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board says water levels have gone up a couple of centimeters in the past week, and are expected to go up another couple of centimeters in the coming seven days.

Spokesperson Rick Cousins says despite some concern about water levels, the lake is at a pretty good level for this time of year.

Cousins says they'd like to see the lake level go up another foot or so before summer, but that will be dependant on spring rains more than anything else.

Performers Sought For Canada Day

Plans are already in the works for Canada Day festivities in the City of Kenora.

This year, July 1st celebrations will be split between Keewatin and Kenora.

Crystal Stokes is the city's special events coordinator and says they are looking for volunteers to come forward for the evening entertainment under the big tent.

Daytime activities will take place in Keewatin, while the nighttime will belong to the Harborfront in Kenora on Canada Day.

City to Hold Emergency Expo

The City's Fire and Emergency Services Department is eager to show off its Emergency capabilities.

The fire department, police agencies and other groups in the city are planning to hold an Emergency Expo in May.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says they will be doing the expo in conjunction with Emergency Preparedness Week.

The Emergency Expo will take place on Saturday, May 12th.

Good Marks for Confederation College

Confederation College continues to perform ahead or at the provincial average.

A new report suggests that student and employer satisfaction has risen, as well as the school's graduate employment rate which is number one in the province.

School President Jim Madder says they are always looking to improve.

Madder also credits excellent dedication and work ethic for the success of the school.

Pickle Lake Motel Evacuated due to fire

The OPP say it was able to evacuate a motel in Pickle Lake following an early morning fire.

The blaze broke out in the kitchen area of the Winston Motel, just before 3:00 this morning.

Police evacuated the building because they were concerned about three large propane tanks that were attached to the building.

A radius of 500 meters was evacuated around the motel as a precaution.

The Pickle Lake school was opened up to lodge the evacuees.

The local fire department was able to contain the blaze and bring it under control.

Beaver Brae Juniors excel at NWOSSA Badminton Finals

Beaver Brae's junior badminton squad made its mark at the NWOSSA championships yesterday in Thunder Bay.

The Broncos won the overall junior title with 42 points.

Tyler Neil won the junior boys singles title, while Logan Gin took the silver medal.

Beaver Brae also won gold in the junior boys doubles, with Bo Rogers and Alex Smith compiling a perfect 5-0 record.

The Broncos took silver in the junior mixed doubles division with Davin Iverson and Kaitlin Sparkman finishing with a 4-1 mark.

Kenora senior players had less success. There were no medals at NWOSSA this year.

Thistles Drop their Second Game at Allan Cup

Its do or die time today for the Kenora Senior Thistles.

The Thistles lost their second game in a row last night at the Allan Cup in Lloydminster, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Stony Plain Eagles.

Jonathan Poirier scored the lone goal for the Thistles, his second of the tournament.

The Kenora Seniors are now into the quarter-finals today and will play Rosetown in an afternoon tilt.

That game is scheduled to start at 5:00 Kenora time.