Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Catholic School Board Approves Budget

A bit of red ink for the Kenora Catholic District School Board this year.

Trustees approved a budget last night which will include a deficit of 184 thousand dollars.

Erica Baily is the superintendant of business and says this is the second year in a row they've post a deficit, but suggest last year's 350 thousand dollar shortfall has already been taken care of.

Baily says the main reason for the shortfall this year is because the board has agreed to borrow money from reserves to help develop an outdoor area for grade seven and eight students at Thomas Aquinas.

Matiowski Farmer's Market Opens Today

The annual farmer's market season kicks off today.

This year, the Farmer's market is being moved under the new Harborfront Tent.

Tourism Development officer, Heather Paterson says in addition to the Farmer's Market, they will be introducing a flea market once a month this summer.

The Matiowski farmer's market will run from 9:00 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon.

Public School Board Holds Adult Education Graduation

Hard work really does pay off.

Especially for the 27 graduates of the Keewatin Patricia District School Board Adult Education Program.

The ceremony was held yesterday.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says it's a day of celebrating for everyone.

There are 524 students in adult learning programms in Dryden, Ignace, Kenora and Red Lake.

Torch of Life Relay Wraps up at Queen's Park

It touched a lot of us during a stop through Dryden and Kenora back in March and the crusade has come to an end for now.

The Torch of Life walk through 71 communities to highlight the needs for transplant organs ended yesterday at the Ontario

legislature with a rally and a plea for people to sign donor cards.

Double-lung recipient Helene Campbell of Ottawa, who has attained celebrity status with her campaign urging people to register as donors, carried the torch on the final leg.

The Torch Relay began in Kenora on March 2nd. 

Lakewood an Eco-Friendly School

Lakewood School in Kenora has acheived Eco-status.

The elementary school is one of five in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board being recognised for their commitment to the environment.

The four key areas are energy conservation, waste minimization, ecological literacy and school ground greening.

Kathy Boone is an environmental education teacher who says she hopes it will continue outside of school.

Other schools on the list are Crolancia Public School in Pickle Lake, Golden Learning Center in Balmertown, New Prospect and Open Roads in Dryden.

City Council Asks Federal Government to Keep ELA Open

The pressure to keep the Experimental Lake area open isn't letting up.

Kenora City Council has approved a motion calling on the Federal Government to reverse it's decision to close the research facility.

Mayor Dave Canfield says this isn't partisian politics, it's a matter of keeping an important service available in our area.

A similar resolution was also endorsed by Dryden City Council this week and is being sent to a number of officials including the Prime Minister.

OPP Crack Down on Bail Violations

The provincial government admitted this month it doesn't know how many people are out on bail, or have open custody conditions on them.

The Kenora OPP says that's an area they've actually tried to address in recent years.

Inspector Dave Lucas says they've tasked their Street Crimes Unit to keep track of people who have been released from custody.

Lucas presented his 2011 policing report to Kenora City Council this week.

Path of the Paddle being Promoted

A water route linking Dryden and Kenora is now looking at involving the Rainy River district as part of the Trans Canada Trail.

The Path of the Paddle would take paddlers through five provincial parks including Quetico and Turtle River.

Project manager Vicki Kurz says it will help capitalize on a growing industry.

The route spans roughly 900-kilometres.

An open house on the canoe route will be held at the Discovery Center on July 10th. 

Iowa Man Fined for illegal Cabin

Setting up camp in the Ear Falls area has cost an Iowa man 2-thousand dollars.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says Dan Hupfer of Cedar Rapids has pleaded guilty to illegally constructing a cabin on Crown land without a permit.

He has been ordered to remove the structure.

He neglected to contact the proper authorities before starting construction near the English River, about 20-kilometres east of Ear Falls.

Hupfer is a part owner of the property.