Record Rain over the Weekend

Noah's Arc can't be far behind.

The City of Kenora endured more than a month's worth of rain over the weekend.

Figures from Environment Canada show 90 millimeters of precipitation between Friday and Saturday.

Friday set a record for rainfall for September 27th, with over 48 millimeters, shattering
the previous record by more than 25 millimeters.

The average amount of rain in the month of September in Kenora is just 70 millimeters.

Kenora got more rain this past weekend than any other community in northwestern Ontario.

Only Minor Boundary Changes for Kenora Riding

No major changes for the Kenora Riding in the final report from the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission.

The report was presented to parliament yesterday.

Last year, the Commission had proposed moving Lake of the Woods Township into the Kenora Riding.

But a number of residents of the community complained when public hearings were held last year.

Instead, the Township will remain in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.

The Commission did agree to move Sabaskong Bay into the Kenora Riding from Rainy River to unite it with the Onigaming First Nation. 

Cross-Canada Marathon Runner Due in Kenora

An English marathon runner is expected to pass through Kenora this week.

Jamie McDonald is on a five thousand kilometer run across Canada for the Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto.

McDonald has been stopping at schools along the way and says he has a message
for the students he meets.

He encourages them to stay positive and not to get mired down in the negativity of some of the messages out there in social media.

McDonald has raised about 30 thousand dollars so far during his cross-country marathon.

For more information you can check out:  www.jamiemcdonald.org

Northern Policy Institute Up and Running

The Northern Policy Institute is alive and well and getting up to speed.

The Policy Institute was created by the provincial government to look at
economic development issues and opportunities for northern Ontario.

They've been up and running for 13 months and CEO Charles Cirtwell says they're trying to create an online community consultation tool that will gather public feedback on Provincial Government policies.

Cirtwell addressed members of the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference in Thunder Bay last week.

Campbell Applauds Bill To Create Accountability Officer

The Provincial Government is one step closer to having a financial accountability office.

The bill has passed third reading in the legislature, and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says it's great news.

Campbell says it will make sure instances like the scandal with the gas plants in southern Ontario, never happens again.

The creation of an accountability office was a key demand from the NDP in the 2013 budget.

Fire Season Quickly Winding Down

All is quiet on the forest fire front across northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is dealing with no active fires.

Information Officer Heather Pridham says this allows them to concentrate their efforts elsewhere and get ready for winter.

The final fires in the region were declared out last Monday.

The forest fire season officially ends on October 31st in northwe
stern Ontario.

OFAH Urges Hunters to Be Safe

The Ontario Federation Hunters of Anglers is reminding all hunters to be cautious this season.

Spokesperson Shannon Gutoskie says it's a popular activity, especially here in Northwestern Ontario and is reminding everyone to be safe and use caution.

Gutoskie says it's important to know the current regulations before hitting the bush, water or field.

For more information visit  http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en

Gravelle Says He'll Support Bill to Expand Bear Hunt

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says he's going to back his fellow Thunder Bay area MPP's private members bill.

Bill Mauro's proposed legislation looks at reducing the number of nuiscance bears in the region, even if it means bringing back the spring bear hunt.

Gravelle says he's got Bill's back and says he'll support the bill.

Mauro's bill also looks at expanding the hunt as well.

Gas Prices Continue to Fall

A good time to fill up your tank.

Gas prices dropped in Kenora over the weekend by three cents a liter.

This morning, the price at the pump is 1.33.9 cents a liter at most service stations in town.

That's down from 1.36.9 on Friday.

Kenora's price is still about 10 cents a liter higher than the national average this morning.

Thistles Drop Pair of Exhibition Games

Still a work in progress.

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles played their first and only exhibition games of
the pre-season over the weekend and lost both to the Eastman Selects.

Yesterday, the Selects skated to a 3-1 win over the Thistles in Beausejour.

On Saturday night, the Kenora Midgets were doubled up 4-2 by Eastman.

The Thistles open the regular season on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Wild.

Broncos win third in a row in WHSFL

Another statement game by the Beaver Brae Broncos football team.

The Broncos improved to 3-1 on the season with a dominating 35-9 win over the Maples Mauraders.

Defensively Jackson Penner led the way with 3 interceptions one of which was brought back for a touchdown.

Also finding the end zone for Beaver Brae was Tyler Neil, Aiden Farrell, and Eric Melillo.

The Broncos next game is Friday at Pete Fair Memorial Field against the Fort Frances Muskies.