Kenneth Ivall Sentencing Delayed

Justice delayed.

The sentencing of Kenneth Ivall has been put on hold for another two weeks, while Justice Terrance Platana
considers a join submission from the crown and Ivall's lawyer Chris Watkins.

Ivall was found guilty three and a half months ago in the second degree murder of Ed Wilson the early morning hours of March 21st, 2009.

In a sentencing hearing this morning it was suggested that a 16 year sentence be given Ivall without chance of parole, minus the 51 months he's already served.

Crown Attorney Mary-Anne Mousseau says Ivall has a 20 year criminal history of violence, domestic violence and drug dealing.

Justice Terrance Platana says he wants to give serious consideration to the joint sentencing submission and
will instead hand down his decision on June 28th at the Kenora Court House.

Friday Night Concerts At Harbourfest Finalized

Classic Rock acts will dominate this year's Harborfest.

The line-up for the Friday night concert has been finalized.

Dave Blake is the director of entertainment and says Bachman-Turner
will be the headliners.

70's group rock group Sweet and Kenny Shields and Streetheart will round out the Friday night concert.

Tickets go on sale at noon today.

Coney Island Challenge Launched

A new challenge is coming to Kenora.

The Coney Island Challenge is a paddleboard event that will circumnavigate the island.

Steve Strachan from the Hardwear Company says you only need a few supplies to join, including your own paddleboard, paddle and life jacket.

The Challenge will depart from the Harbourfront on July 1st.

All proceeds will go towards the Kenora Association for Community Living.

More details can be found at the Hardware Company.

Kenneth Ivall To Be Sentenced This Morning

The family of Ed Wilson should be able to get some closure today.

Wilson was killed behind the Tower Motel in Norman back in March of 2009.

Today, Kenneth Ivall, who was found guilty of second degree murder back in February, will be sentenced in Kenora Court.

Ivall's co-accused, Angela Duchesne plead guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter midway through the trial and is currently serving a three year sentence in federal penitentiary.

Relay for Life Tonight

One of the biggest fundraisers for the Canadian Cancer Society takes place this evening.

Relay for Life takes center stage at Lakewood School.

Organizer Danielle LaJeunesse says the relay has 3 main messages.

LaJeunesse says anyone can come down to offer their support.

All donations raised during the relay will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Concerns Raised Over Flying Lanterns

They are pretty, but also pose a potential fire hazard.

Flying lanterns have become a big concern for the Lake of the Woods
District Property Owners Association.

Executive Director Susan McLeod says they are working to control how many lanterns make their way into the air.

McLeod says if the lanterns fall into a dry tree it's like lighting a giant candle in the forest.

Municipal Paving Tender Approved

The city will be spendng just over 836 thousand dollars on the municipal paving budget this year.

Council approved the low bid from Moncreif Construction at a special meeting yesterday.

Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says there several componants to the paving contract, including the resurfacing a half-kilometer section of Valley Drive.

Perchuck says he wanted the paving tender awarded as soon as possible so the work would be complete prior to the beginning of the new school year.

School Board Provides Update on Valleyview

Work to expand Valleyview School will be starting soon.

Sean Monteith is the Director of Education at the Keewatin Patricia District School Board and says they are are almost ready to select a tender for the project.

Monteith says in case the construction is not completed by the start of the school year that they still have the capacity to handle the influx of students.

Monteith adds that with three additional kindergarten programs at Valleyview, including a french immersion
class, the school is getting close to capacity.

Cliffs Defends Decision to Delay Ring of Fire Project

Cliffs Natural Resources says it still plans to stay in the Ring of Fire chromite project.

Spokesperson Bill Boor says the company decision to put the project on hold is necessary because of government and court delays in the environmental assessment process.

Boor can't say if the move will end up delaying the start up of the mine

Boor says he can't see any reason the issues can't be resolved quickly.

Elementary Teachers Agree to Deal with the Province

The union representing public elementary teachers has reached a tentative agreement with the government that freezes wages, but guarantees a two per cent raise starting next year.
   
Members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation are paid two per cent less than teachers in the French and Roman Catholic school systems.
   
Education Minister Liz Sandals says that situation that will be fixed before the next round of bargaining.
   
The extra money for the 76 thousand public elementary teachers will cost the province 112 million dollars a year on top of whatever
raises the union negotiates next time.

Museum Book Launch Tonight

The seasons of Kenora have been turned into poetry.

Diane Clarke is set to launch her new book of poems called Lake of the Woods Seasons.

Clarke says she is inspired directly by the area we live in.

The book launch takes place tonight at the
Lake of the Woods Museum.