Rat Portage Says It Wants Kenora Casino Licence

The Waushusk Onigum First Nation says it wants to be one of the proponants of a new casino.

Eric Luke is a consultant working with the band and says they have spent the past six years meeting with the OLG trying to get their casino licence back for the Golden Eagle Charitable Casino.

Luke says they have ambitious plans, if they get the green light.

Luke says the first phase of the Casino Development would cost about 23 million dollars and employ as many as 120 people.

Casino Meeting Well Attended

The casino debate continues to generate a lot of interest in Kenora.

Over 100 people attended the final public meeting on the casino issue last night.

Andy Scribilo is president of the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce and says his organization strongly supports the concept.

The Kenora Ministerial Association was one of the few groups to speak out against a casino.

Frank Kowal says gambling can cause serious financial hardship for some.

Kenora City council is expected to make a final decision on the casino at a special meeting on October 4th.

Dryden's Finances A Mess

Dryden Mayor Craig Nuttall says his city is in rough shape and can no longer spend money.

Nuttall says Dryden's debt and overdraft limits are so high that banks are telling them ``enough is enough'' and he's calling on city departments to find cost savings.

Acting treasurer Adrienne Bodnarchuk says Dryden is carrying more than 27-million dollars in debt and has only has 163-thousand dollars in reserves.

Nuttall says if residents aren't using city facilities such as rinks and ball diamonds they may be shuttered to save money.

OPP Recover Stolen Van

The OPP say they have recovered a van reported stolen in the City of Kenora.

Police received the report Monday morning, and later in the day, officers spotted the stolen vehicle near a hotel on Lakeview Drive.

A male and a female occupant were arrested.

Reannah Muckle and Elliot Hyacinthe has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime.

Hyacinthe has also been charged with impaired driving.

NAN Issues Complaint Against Thunder Bay Police

The decision by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation to take the legal route over a fake police news release is disappointing for Thunder Bay Police Chief J.P. Levesque.

Levesque had hoped that the issue could have been settled in another way.

He says they have already admitted the release was innapproprioate for suggesting that The Fresh Breath Killer had been captured in Kenora.

Levesque the incident overshadows efforts to build bridges with the Aboriginal community.

Aboriginal Trades Symposium A Success

The first ever Aboriginal Trades and Employment Symposium is being described as a success.

The one day event was held in Dryden and attracted aboriginal students from across the region.

There were displays by 15 different trade unions across Northwestern Ontario, as well as educational opportunities.

Coordinator Bob Bruyere says it was a great opportunity to see what's out there.

Bruyere says the symposium also encourages those who haven't, to get their grade 12 diploma.

OPP Issue Warning about another Scam

Yet another scam is being reported in northwestern Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police want to warn the public about a letter that has been circulating.

It involves the fraudster sending a document, saying they have a large amount of money and then asks for help, including personal information, name, birthday and of course, banking information.

Police are reminding people to never give personal and banking information freely over the phone when not sure it is a legitimate business.

Broncos Hit the Road for NorWOSSA Court Sports

The NorWOSSA "AA" court sport season tips off today.

Beaver Braes girls basketball teams and boys volleyball teams are travelling to Dryden to take on the Eagles.

The junior boys are coming off their first action of the season, at  the Kenora Invitational Tournament this past weekend.