Harborfest Parking Approved

Parking in downtown Kenora will still be at a premium this August Long weekend during Harborfest.

The Harborfest Committee has requested and received approval from city council to close down the south parking lot starting the Friday night of the long weekend.

In the past, the parking lot has been closed because a large tent was set up on the site.

Now with the new Harborfront tent in place, Harborfest is hoping to use the south parking lot as a staging area for some of their events.

Black Sturgeon Lake Management Study to Continue

The City of Kenora says it plans to continue monitoring water quality on Black Sturegon Lake.

Council has agreed to include the Black Sturgeon Lake management Plan into its 2013 capital budget.

The city conducted a water study a couple of years ago, and had agreed to test the water every five years as part of its on-going study.

The Management Plan was created due to concerns about all the development which is taking place on the lake.

Tourism Numbers up over the long weekend

Local tourism officials are crowing about their most recent numbers.

Tourism Kenora had both the Discovery Center and the Thistle Pavillion open to the public and more than 540 visitors passed through their doors.

That's a huge increase over last year when only 36 people came into the old Tourist Information bureau on Highway 17 east.

The M.S. Kenora also reported its best opening weekend in nine years.

55 Plus Expo Tomorrow

Kenora's 55 Plus Expo is a growing concern.

This is the second year in a row, Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford's office has staged the event.

Patti Letourneau is one of the organizers and says they'll have lots of information available this year.

The 55 Plus Expos will take place at the Discovery Center tomorrow from 9:00 to 3:00.

AbitibitBowater Now Officially Resolute

It's now official.

AbitibiBowater will officially be known as Resolute Forest Products starting today.

The name change was approved at the company's annual general meeting yesterday.

A mill employee at the Fort Frances mill was one of two to suggest the name in a company wide contest held last year.

Habitat For Humanity Sets Date for Kenora Build

June 18th is circled on Habitat for Humanity's calendar.

That's the day construction on Kenora's first Habitat home is scheduled to start.

Before that, the local committee still has some fundraising to do.

Thelma Wilkens-Page says they will be collecting donations at the Operations Center for their Re-store day this Saturday.

The actual sod turning ceremony for the Habitat Home in Kenora will take place on June 11th.

Plans for Youth Center moving forward

Plans are starting to come together for a new youth Drop-In center in Kenora.

The Kenora Youth Council is working to put the Drop-In Center in Lakewood School.

Spokesperson, Jarod McLean they they are working with a number of community partners to make this work.

McLean is hoping the city will be able to help get a grant for the youth drop-in center to help staff it.

NAN asks for Ontario Coronor's Inquest

The pre-inquest into the death of 15 year old Reggie Bushie is over.

It was adjourned today after the Nishnawbe Aski Nation applied to have the case sent to Ontario's Chief Coroner.

Regional Coroner Spokesperson Derry Miller says the joint inquest would examine the deaths of Reggie Bushie as well as six other teens who died while attending high school in Thunder Bay.

Ontario's Chief Coroner Dr. Andrew McCallum will decide whether or not to hold an inquest into the deaths of the First Nation teens.

Busy Long Weekend for Traffic Police

A busy weekend for Provincial Police across Northwestern Ontario during the Victoria Day long weekend.

Police charged 249 drivers for speeding, 21 for seatbelt infractions and seven with distracted driving.

Four careless charges were laid and one ticket was handed out for impaired driving.

The OPP laid roughly 8-thousand charges across the Province.

NorWOSSA Regular Season Wraps Up

Homefield didn't provide much of an advantage for Beaver Brae's Soccer teams.

The Broncos failed to win a game on the last day of the regular season yesterday at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex.

The Bronco boys started the day with a 1-0 loss to Dryden and followed that up with a 2-2 draw against Fort Frances.

The Beaver Brae girls started the day with a 1-1 tie against Dryden, then lost their second game 1-0 against Fort Frances.

The NorWOSSA Championships will take place next Wednesday in Fort Frances.