Crime Stats down so far in 2012

The OPP say they've been trying to crack down on drug related crime in Kenora and that effort seems to be paying off.

Through the first six months of 2012, the amount of crime in the city is down slightly compared to the same period last year, with a significant drop seen in the number of break and enters, mischief complaints and minor thefts.

On the other hand there have already been six thefts over five thousand dollars this year, compared to none for the first half of last year.

The OPP have also noticed an increase in the number of sexual assaults and Inspector Dave Lucas says they are looking into why those incidents have gone up this year.

Waiting list for Social Housing in Kenora District lengthens

There was a slight increase in the Kenora District for social housing last year.

That's a trend that's pretty similar to the rest of the province.

Shared Karur of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association says there has been some help from the provincial and federal governments to decrease that list.

The Association says there was an increase of 69 families waiting for social housing in the Kenora District in the past year.

Funding Continued for Aboriginal Youth

A key initiative for aboriginal youth is being continued by the Federal Government.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan is renewing the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth program.

The program encourages youth to get involved in cultural development, community engagement and leadership programs.

Duncan says the programming helps aboriginal youth with job readiness skills and prepares them to enter the labour market.

The program is run through Friendship Centres across Canada.

Canfield Appointed to AMO Board

Dave Canfield's daytimer is starting to get filled up.

The Kenora mayor has returned from the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa with some new duties.

Canfield is now a member of the AMO board.

He will sit on the northern caucus.

AMO is responsible advocating on behalf of towns and cities across Ontario to both the federal and provincial government's.

Federal Government begins Pre-Budget Consulations

The Federal Government is already working on the 2013 budget.

Parliamentary Secretary to Finance Shelly Glover toured northwestern Ontario last week for pre-budget consultations.

Glover says they still want to hear from local residents.

Glover says the budget will focus of maintaining and creating jobs as well as growing the economy.

Fire Crews Heading Home from B.C.

Forest Firefighters are coming back today from British Columbia.

All personnel that went to British Columbia on August 19th will be back in Ontario by the end of today.

British Columbia has had a chance to recycle their staff and the fire situation has decreased.

Typically, FireRangers and other fire response personnel can be out of province on deployment for up to 19 days.

OPP Investigate Ignace Break-Ins

A rash of thefts in Ignace has Provincial Police searching for answers.

Seven reports of break, enter and thefts have been reported in the past few days.

Someone entered a Pine Street home and stole 4-thousand dollars, while someone entered an unlocked garage on Davy Lake Road and stole 5 jerry cans of gasoline and loose change.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or Ignace OPP.

A Good Turn-Out for Ride For Memories

A big weekend for the Alzheimer Society for Kenora and Rainy River.

Initial estimates show that over 36 thousand dollars was raised in the 10th annual Ride for Memories.

This year, the ride ended up in Sioux Lookout, with a total of 160 motorcyclists taking part in the fundraiser.

Next year, the Ride For Memories will head to Dryden.