City Finalizing Canada Day Plans

Canada Day plans are starting to come together in Kenora.

Once again, Keewatin will be the main hub for daytime activities on July 1st.

Joyce Murray is a member of the Keewatin Summer Splash Committee and says they have a number of events for the whole family.

Murray says once again, the Canada Fireworks will be back in K
enora on the Harbourfront.

City Increases Funding to Fix Up Downtown Businesses

Businesses in downtown Kenora will have access to a little bit more money to help fix up their buildings.

Kenora City Council has tentatively approved an additional 50 thousand dollars for the Harbourtown Community Improvement Fund.

Initially council had approved 100 thousand dollars in the 2013 budget, but a couple of major projects, including the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company ate up a lion's share of the money that was available this  year.

The CIP fund allows businesses or building owners to access money to fix up their facades or install  new signage.

City Insurance Cost Increase Slightly

The city will be spending a little bit more for its insurance coverage this year.

City council has approved a policy worth 329 thousand dollars, that's a 1.7 percent increase over last year.

The city's Health and Safety Officer Bruce Graham says they'd like to be able to find a cheaper rate, but there just isn't a lot of competition for their business.

Councillor Louis Roussin feels the city should be able to get a better rate by going to a request for proposal.

Community Foundation Holds Spring Granting Ceremony

Kenora area residents continue to show they are a generous bunch.

Last night, the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation handed out over 146 thousand dollars during its spring granting ceremony.

The Keewatin Summer Splash received 15 hundred dollars and committee member Joyce Murray says they will use that money to help stage Canada Day Celebrations in their community.

The Minto Parent Child Resource Center was the big winner last night picking up over
16 thousand dollars worth of cheques.

Catholic School Board Projects Increase in Enrollment

The Kenora Catholic District School Board continues to defy education trends.

Enrollment is expected to be up slightly once against this fall.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says its too early to say how many more students
might be enrolled in their schools this fall.

Eikre says they have managed to maintain their teaching staff numbers and adds
there will be no redundancies this year.

BB Gun Seized At Dryden Elementary School

A scary incident at a Dryden elementary school.

The Public School Board says a student brought an air-soft gun to Open Roads School yesterday and started shooting small, plastic BB's on the school yard during a nutrition break.

A few students were hit by the BB's but no one was injured.

Officials say staff were not aware the student had the air gun and it was confiscated immediately.

School administration contacted the families of students who were directly involved and the Dryden Police Service was also contacted.

Northwest M.P.'s on their Summer Break

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is welcoming the summer break.

MPs adjourned Parliament earlier this week.

Rafferty says it was good news for Conservative MPs who were dogged by spending scandals.

Rafferty notes he'll be using his summer break to go door to door and listen to his constiuents concerns.

Triple Play Takes Kids Fishing this Weekend

There is still time to sign your child up for the 14th annual take your kid fishing day.

The event takes place this Saturday starting at 11:00

Organizer Debbie Novak from Triple Play says you can get registration forms from the Rec Centre, the Library, Minto Resource Centre, or by calling her at 466-2785.

Novak says the kids will go start fishing around 11:00 and then come back in for a Bar-be-que.