Hope in the City a big financial success

Another big payday for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Hope in the City raised almost 23 thousand dollars this past week.

The red carpet event is into its second year and organizers says they are already starting to think about next year.

The next major fundraiser for the Cancer Society is the Relay for Life on June 8th at Lakewood School.

Richards Scores Early to Lead Kings to Victory

The Los Angeles Kings made it five straight playoff wins on the road.

The Kings overwhelmed St. Louis in the opening period in a 5-2 victory, to take a two-games-to-nothing lead in the Western

Conference semifinal. Mike Richards set the tone scoring 31 seconds in.

Richards says the eighth-seeded Kings are making the most of their playoff opportunities.

The Kenora hockey product finished the night with one goal and an assist.

Drug Abuse Task Force Celebrates One Year of Service

Kenora's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force is celebrating its first year as a committee.

The Task Force has put together information for its first annual report.

Michelle Ott is one of the members and says one of the things they were able to accomplish this year was a survey of local parents.

She says they asked them what their biggest concerns were for their children.

Ott says they also asked the parents what they would like for their top three supports to deal with these issues

and that included a list of list of community resources, workshops and a website they could turn to for more information.

Plans for Northern Policy Institute appear to be on Hold

Plans to establish a Northern Policy Institute in Ontario are still on track.

The presidents of Lakehead University and Laurentian presented their proposal for the Institute to the government nine months ago.

Parliamentary Assistant for Northern Development and Mines, Bill Mauro says the actual implementation of the Institute is still being worked out.

The provincial government announced five million dollars to fund the Northern Policy Institute two years ago, and municipal policiticians are wondering where it is.

OPP Investigate Theft of Snowmachine

Someone must be thinking ahead to next winter.

The OPP are investigating the theft of a snowmobile from a garage on the Oldford Road in Pellatt Township.

Police say someone kicked in a door to the garage and stole a a white 2009 Artic Cat 800 "Crossfire".

The theft took place sometime in the past two weeks.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Changes made to proposal for Regional Development Agency

Some concern is being raised about a new Regional Economic Development agency for Northwestern Ontario.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association says its not prepared to increase its levy to municipalities to support the REDA.

Ian Angus has been championing the cause and says they have decided to scale back their proposed budget for the agency.

Angus says they are also proposing just a 11 member board for the Economic Development Agency, comprised of four aboriginal reprentitives, four from each of the municipal organizations in the region, and three board members selected at large.

Parents Consults on Changes at Beaver Brae

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is starting to consult local parents about what they think about the idea of adding grades seven and eight to Beaver Brae Secondary School.

The first of two public consultations took place last night at Beaver Brae.

Parents were also given a chance to tour the school prior to the meeting.

The next chance for input into the proposed changes is on May 14th.

Future of Winston Motel up in the Air

The mayor of Pickle Lake is hoping the Winston Motel is re-built.

Last month, a large section of the motel burned down.

Roy Hoffman says they still don't know what's going to happen, but he's optimistic.

While several of the motel rooms were undamaged, the water supply to the building was destroyed in the fire, which started in the kitchen area.

The blaze also gutted the bar and caused extensive water and smoke damage to some connecting rooms.

The Winston was one of just two motels in the community.