NOMA Applauds new Infrastructure Fund

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is hoping for more details this weekend about a new infrastructure program.

The province announced 60 million dollars for rural and small municipalities yesterday.

Vice-President of NOMA Dave Canfield says while its not a lot of money, he's hoping its the start of bigger things.

The funding also includes nine million dollars to help municipalities prepare asset management plans for their infrastructure.

Non-Profit Housing Boards to Merge

More than a decade after Kenora, Keewatin and Jaffray Melick amalgamated, a move is afoot to merge the Non-Profit Housing Corporations.

Kenora City Council is expected to approve the amalgamation of the two boards by October.

Councillor Louis Roussin suggests this is something that should have taken place 12 years ago.

The city estimates it will save about 20 thousand dollars by bringing the Kenora and Keewatin Non-Profit Housing Corporations together.

Household Hazardous Waste Day Sunday

This might be a good weekend to clean out the garage.

The City of Kenora is holding its annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day at the Waste Transfer Station on Barsky's Hill.

Things like old paint, batteries, used motor oil, and propane cannisters can all be dropped off this Sunday.

In order to defray the cost of Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day, there is a 10 dollar charge for each vehicle through the gate.

You can drop off items for disposal between 9:00 and 4:00 on Sunday.

Arson Charges Laid in Sioux Narrows

A 25-year old woman remains in custody and is charged with arson.

Provincial Police laid the charge after investigating a rash of fires that caused structural damage in the Sioux Lookout area.

O.P.P. were looking into 3 fires in particular and with the help of the Northwest Crime Unit, were able to arrest and charge the woman.

She is scheduled to appear in a Sioux Lookout court today.

Fire Hazard Drops to Low across NWO

Cooler temperatures and rain throughout the rgion are keeping the forest fire situation at bay.

There were no new fires confirmed yesterday in the Northwest Region.

Widespread rain has reduced the forest fire hazard to low for the entire region and is keeping the fire situation quiet.

There are 53 active forest fires in northwestern Ontario; of those 53 fires, 51 are being monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

OPP Look At Programs to Combat Drug Crime

The Kenora OPP are looking at a couple of new programs to try and reduce the amount of crime caused by drug and alcohol abuse.

Inspector Dave Lucas says they are looking at setting up a drug court to deal with frequent offenders.

He says their goal is to get these people some help.

Lucas another program they are looking at is an alcohol maintenance program, which allows people dealing with alcoholism a way of dealing with their addiction in a more controlled way.

KPDSB Says Deal Not Possible Before Classes Begin

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says there's no way it will reach an agreement with local teachers before the start of the school year without legislation.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says its not realistic to negotiate a settlement in the next two weeks with seven separate bargaining units.

McMaster says the board is moving into negotiations in a couple of weeks under the parametres that both sides agreed to last spring.

DSAB Looking to Trim Draft Budget

Municipalities in the Kenora District Could be looking at another increase in the amount it pays for social services.

The Kenora District Services Board says its initial draft budget for 2013 shows an increase of 1.2 percent in the municipal levy.

The Board says it is committed to reducing that number.

A final budget is expected to be tabled by December.

The District Services Board pays for such things as land ambulence, social housing, and Ontario Works.

Head Injury Symposium Tomorrow

Hockey experts are gathering in Dryden tomorrow for a one day symposium on head injuries.

NHL legend Ken Dryden is the keynote speaker and he says it's a great opportunity for everyone to sit down and share ideas on how to prevent concussions.

Other speakers include doctors, coaches and local players who have suffered concussions.

The event is free and starts at 1 at the Training Center in Dryden

109th NWIRA Regatta Starts Today on Rabbit Lake

Another weekend, another major sporting event in Kenora.

The 109th annual Northwestern International Rowing Regatta begins this morning on Rabbit Lake.

Over two hundred paddlers from northwestern Ontario, Minnesota, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are expected in town for the two day event.

While the Kenora Rowing Club is hosting, fewer than a dozen local rowers are expected to compete.

Organizers are still looking for volunteers to help out with the regatta.