OPP Investigate Stolen Boating Gear

The OPP are investigating the theft of some items from a boat in Minaki.

Police say last night, someone stopped by a Front Street residence and stole several pieces of boating gear.

Stolen items included a Minnkota trolling motor, three Troll master batteries and the Wave Wacker splash guards from the rear of the boat.

Anyone with information about the theft can call the Kenora OPP or Crimestoppers.

City Council Looking at Expanded Bow Hunt for Deer

The City of Kenora continues to grapple with our expanding deer population.

Council has agreed to expand the time period for a bow hunt in city limits this fall.

Councillor Sharon Smith says that's about the only thing the city can do to try and curb our deer numbers.

The bow hunt within city limits will be expanded by a full month this year to the end of deer hunting season on December 15th.

Smaller parcels of land will also be eligible for the hunt, going from 5 hectares down to 4.

Councils Asked to Support ELA Resolutions

Opposition to a Federal Government decision to close the Experimental Lakes area east of Kenora continues to ramp up.

Jill Wilkenson is calling on local municipal councils to pass a resolution denouncing the move.

She says the ELA is important to our community.

She says the ELA is the world's top fresh water research facility and is something we should fight to keep.

Sod Turning for Habitat for Humanity

All systems are go for the Habitat For Humanity build in Kenora.

A sod-turning ceremony took place on the property located just off Main Street Rideout.

Thelma Wilkens-Page is a one of the Habitat members and says they have raised about 75 percent of the money they need.

Meanwhile, Ashley Neniska will be the recipient of the new Habitat home.

She and her daughter are looking forward to finally moving in.

Actual construction will begin next Monday, when the site is excavated and work begins on the foundation.

M.P.'s Summer Holiday's Delayed

It could be a few more weeks before M.P.'s get back to their ridings for the summer.

The Federal budget Omnibus bill has been delayed by back to work legislation for CP rail workers, and now hundreds of budget amendments from the Opposition.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says at this point he's not sure when the current sitting will actually end.

M.P.'s are now preparing for what's could top 24 hours of voting on more than 800 proposed amendments to the Tory government's massive budget-implementation bill.

CUPE Protests Provincial Budget Bill

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is warning about what it sees as possible adverse consequences of a new bill moving through provincial legislature.

Jules Tupker of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, believes that a section of Bill 55 will lead to mass privatization of public services.

CUPE held a protest out side the offices of Natural Resources minister Michael Gravelle yesterday.

Operation Corridor this Week

A 24-hour crackdown on transport drivers is coming to Northwestern Ontario.

"Operation Cooridor" starts Thursday evening.

The 24-hour initiative targets commercial vehicle speeding and aggresive drivers.

Sergeant Shelley Garr is asking all motorists to slow down and be safe.

Rain Dampens Fire Hazard

Widespread thunder storms and heavy down pours have put a damper on the forest fire hazard across northwestern Ontario.

The Fire hazard is now considered "Low" across the Northwest region.

A number of fires were called "Out" in the last two days, including Kenora Fire #36, which had grown to 588 hectares in size on Falcon Island on Lake of the Woods.

There are now 15 active fires in the region.

Stanley Cup to Return to Kenora

The Stanley Cup will be coming home to Kenora this summer.

Mike Richards and the Los Angeles Kings put an emphatic finish on the NHL finals with a 6-1 shelling of the New Jersey Devil's to win the best-of-seven series 4-2.

Richards had a pair of assists in the game.

Richards now adds his name to the Stanley Cup along with the Calder Cup, the Memorial Cup, the World Junior Hockey Championships, and an Olympic Gold medal.

Jonathan Quick was named the Conn Smythe Trophy Winner as the play-off MVP.