Harbourtown Biz Ice Rink opens this Saturday

The much awaited skating rink under the whitecap pavillion opens tomorrow.

Special Events Coordinator Mark Duggan says the Harbourtown Bic Ice Rink the will open at 9:00 tomorrow morning.

Duggan also wants to remind the public that rink will be for skating only.

Fort Frances High School Locked Down

The presence of what turned out to be a replica firearm put the Fort Frances High School into a lookdown situation yesterday.

OPP Acting Sergeant Anne McCoy says the measure was necessary to secure the area while police searched for the person seen carrying it.

The lockdown was lifted about an hour later after a 16-year-old boy was taken into custody without incident off school property.

Elementary Teachers to Hold One Day Strike

Job actions by public school teachers are starting to hit close to home.

The Elementary School Teachers Federation says it will be staging a one day strike on December 11th.

All local elementary schools will be closed as the teachers head to Dryden to hold a rally there.

Yesterday, Education Minister Laurel Broten indicated she would not stop the one day strikes.

Local elementary school teachers are in a legal strike position as of this Monday.

Public School Board Suspends Extracurricular Activities

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board has also announced that it will be suspending all extracurricular activities at their high schools because of the teachers job action.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation says it will not be participating in after school programs starting on Monday.

As a result all NorWOSSA League play is being suspended until further notice.

Jack McMaster says he regrets having to make that decision.

McMaster says the suspension of extracurricular activities will also affect drama productions, arts and travel clubs and any noon hour activities that require teacher supervision or coaching.

Theory of a Deadman to Headline Harborfest

Harborfest is still eight months away, but the entertainment for the summer festival is starting to come together.

Theory of a Dead Man and Faberdrive have been confirmed for the Saturday night concert.

Entertainment Director Dave Blake says they are now working to fill the Friday night and Sunday night shows.

Blake says they are hoping to confirm more acts before Christmas.

Tickets will go on sale for the Saturday show tomorrow morning.

Fire Crews Battle Chimney Blaze

A fire in a chimney is being blamed for a blaze at a home in the Lakeside area.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department was called out last night.

While no-one was hurt, damage is said to be extensive, expecially in the attic area.

Fire crews were finally able to leave the scene around 9:00 last night.

NOMA Wants More Autonomy for Northwestern Ontario

Queens Park doesn't understand the needs of the North.

That's the message from the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Assoication, which is asking for more regional authority to enchance economic development in the region.

Vice President David Canfield says that policies that are developed in Queens Park do nothing for Northwestern Ontario.

NOMA will be working with all provincial parties and local party canidates to bring this issue to the forefront, in preparation for a possible 2013 election.

Conservatives Planning to Take a Run at the Kenora-Rainy River Riding

Progressive Conservatives intend to focus a lot of attention on the Kenora-Rainy River riding in the next election.

The riding has been an NDP stronghold for many years, but MPP Garfield Dunlop believes there's enough support out there for the Tories to grab.

Dunlop was in the Fort Frances area to talk to area leaders about ways to get more young people interested in the trades.

Craft Market Making a Winter Comeback

A summer staple is making a winter come back.

The Matiowski Craft and Market show will be expanded in the new year.

Special Events Coordinator Mark Duggan says they will be holding the Craft Markets in the Discovery Center three times in the new year.

Duggan adds the idea was spiked by the vendors who normally participate in summer events.

The dates for the shows are January 12th, Febuary 9th, and March 2nd.

Broncos Beat Up on the Rams

It might be the last regular season high school game for several weeks.

And Beaver Brae's boys hockey team made it count.

The Broncos defeated the Red Lake Rams 14-2 in yesterday afternoon's matinee at the Kenora Rec. Center.

The Broncos started off quickly and didn't take the pressure off the Rams until late in the game.