New Website Launched

A new look for 89.5 The Lake FM and CJRL News.

We have launched a new more user friendly website.

The new site features all the things you loved on the old site like our listener poll, events calendar, swap and shop, and birthday requests.

It now also directly incorporates all of our news stories to keep you informed of whats happening in Kenora, Northwestern Ontario, and everywhere.

Feel free to come by for a visit at www.895thelake.ca.

Advance Poll Numbers Down

More than 26-hundred voters have cast ballots already in the Kenora-Rainy River riding this election.

That's about 800 less than the turnout to advance polls in the 2011 provincial election.

But that year there were 10 days of advanced voting, compared to the seven this year.

Provincially, more than 566-thousand people used advance polls compared to the over 603-thousand in 2011.

Candidates Into The Stretch Run in Kenora-Rainy River

It's into the final stretch in the Ontario election campaign.

In Kenora-Rainy River, Sarah Campbell is, this time, the incumbent and is standing on her record as she seeks a second term.

Campbell says the desire for a change in government is among the most frequent topic coming up when she's met with voters.

It may not be statistically significant, but the results are interesting none-the-less.

In our recent on-line poll on 895The Lake.ca, 49 percent of respondants feel
the Conservatives will win this Thursday's provincial election.

Surprisingly 37 percent picked the NDP and just 12 percent think the Liberals
might pull out a victory.

This week we're asking you who you think will win the Kenora-Rainy River
Riding.

You can log onto 895thelake.ca and cast your vote.

OPP Advise Caution On Area Roads

OPP say they are busy responding responding to vehicle collisions with moose and deer.

They say they are responding to deer collisions on a regular basis.

The summer months more animal collisions occur because mosquitos and blackflies are chasing the animals out of the bush and onto the highway.

The majority of the crashes occur during the hours of darkness between dusk and dawn.

Two New Forest Fires In NWO

With all the rain lately, not a surprise it's remained fairly quiet on the
forest fire front across northwestern Ontario.

The MNR says there were just two new blazes reported across the region over the weekend.

One was a small fire in the Dryden District, the other located near Long Lac in the Nipigon district.

Both fires were human caused.

The MNR says recent rains are helping crews get the upper hand on a forest fire in the Red Lake District which has grown to about 95 hectares in size.

Influential Women Honored

A Red Lake resident has been named one of the most influential women in northern Ontario.

Dani Drewek received the Tradeswoman of the Year award at the 17th Annual Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards in Thunder Bay last week.

Drewek is a Cage Tender at Goldcorp in Red Lake.

Meanwhile, an Atikokan teen is among the winners of the Influential Women of Northern Ontario awards.

Kiara Gannon is the recipient of the Essay Scholarship award.

The awards were handed out in Thunder Bay recently.

A total of 13-women were honoured at the event.

Richards A Win Away from a Second Stanley Cup

The Los Angeles Kings are one victory away from their 2nd Stanley Cup title in 3 years.

Jonathan Quick was solid making 32 saves and Kenora's Mike Richards scored his 3rd goal of the playoffs as the Kings shutout the Rangers 3-0 in New York.

In a post-game interview, Richards downplayed the importance of his goal and suggested Jeff Carter's first period goal was the key one of the game.

 Carter scored with less a second on the clock at the end of the first period to give the Kings their first lead of the Stanley Cup final.

Richards wrapped up the scoring with a second period marker.

The Kings can wrap things up tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden

Elementary Track and Field Meet Starts Today

For the first time in years, Beaver Brae will be track and field central this week.

Pete Fair Memorial Field will be the site of today's elementary track and field meet.

Today, the grade four, five and six students will be in competition starting at 9:00 this morning.

Tomorrow, the Grade six, seven and eights will take their turn.

OPP Make Arrest Following Break ins

Kenora OPP are getting the upper hand on the rash of break and enters in the community.

Police say a suspect has been arrested in relation to 2 cases.

18 year old Donovan Perrault of the Dalles First Nation has been charged with 2 counts of break and enter.

The charge stems from an investigation into break ins on May 30th and 31st in the Airport Road and Rabbit Lake areas.

He will answer to the charges in Kenora court next month.

Spring Feast Today on Tunnel Island

Looking for someplace different to eat lunch today.

How about Tunnel Island.

The annual Spring feast is scheduled to take place today.

Food will be served about noon.

This is the 13th spring feast sponsored by the Tunnel Island Partners.

Local School Board Getting Ready to Pass Budgets

Local school boards are crunching the numbers these days.

Most boards in the region will be passing their 2014/2015 budgets later this month.

Dean Carrie is the Superintendant of Business with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
and says the news is mostly good for them.

Carrie says they will have roughly 1.88 million dollars more to spend this year than last year.

The public school board will bring down it's budget on Tuesday.

City Announces Another Detour Today

As if there aren't enough detours in town already.

The City of Kenora has announced another road closure.

This time in the Valley Drive area.

Starting today, Valley Drive at Hillside Crescent will be closed due to
some sewer and water work taking place in the area.

The street will be shut down until at least June 30th.

The city says traffic will be re-routed around the construction zone.

Environment Canada Offers CanWarn This Week

Environment Canada is looking for a few more eyes in the sky in northwestern Ontario.

The weather forecasting agency is offering a program called CanWarn in Kenora next week.

Severe Weather Specialist Geoff Coulson says they are offering the course to emergency service personnel as well as civilians.

Coulson says there will be two training sessions on June 12th at 1:00 and 7:00 at the Red Cross Office in Keewatin.

Bike Ride for Children's Wish Foundation Stops In Kenora

An Edmonton man is cycling for wishes.

70-year-old Art Brochu is biking across Canada in support of the Children's Wish Foundation.

During a stop in Kenora this weekend, Brochu explained the reasoning behind the trip.

He started the venture in Port Hardy, B.C. in May and plans to end it St. John's, Newfoundland.

Funeral Services for Three Slain Mounties Tomorrow

A regimental funeral will be held tomorrow for the three fallen officers in last week's mass shooting in Moncton.

Constable Dave Ross, Constable Fabrice Gevaudan and Constable Douglas Larche were all gunned down by 24-year old Justin Bourque.

A parade of RCMP employees and law enforcement officials from across the country will be taking place before the funeral, which will be held at the Moncton Coliseum.

OPP Investigating Two More Break-Ins

An advisory from the OPP to lock you home and vehicles.

That after two more break-ins were reported late last week.

Police say they had reports of break and enters in Keewatin and
the south side of town last Thursday.

In both incidents, nothing seemed to be stolen.

The OPP's Forensic Identification Unit and Scene of Crimes Unit continue
to investigate the rash of break-ins.

Clara's Big Ride Arrives Next Week

Looking to end the stigma around mental health.

That's the big message as Kenora prepares to welcome Olympic Champion Clara Hughes to town.

Sue Portengen helped organized the event as part of Bell Let's Talk and says the community can easily get involved.

Hughes will be arriving in the evening of Monday June 16th at the Whitecap Pavilion.

Copperfin Receives Marketing Award

Some bragging rights for Copperfin Credit Union.

Marketing Manager Kayla Renaud says the recently were given an Achievement in Marketing Excellence award.

Renaud says she was excited to accept the honor.

She notes the campaign chosen was last year when Copperfin merged with Superior Credit Union from Thunder Bay.

Garbage Bins Get A Makeover

A chance to have your art display throughout the community.

Tourism Development Officer Heather Gropp says they are bringing back the garbage bin beautification program.

Gropp says any interested artists can contact Kenora Tourism.

Those selected to paint the bins will receive a five hundred dollar honorarium.

She notes the brand new bins are being provided by Johnson Waste Management.

OPSEU To Hold Rallies At Northern Jails Today

All nine Northern Ontario Correctional facilities are holding information rallies today.

They feel their employer is prematurely preparing for a strike.

OPSEU spokesperson Mike Lundy says they've seen their employer start building strike shacks for managers to live in, in the event of a labour disruption.

Lundy says it's dumb founding and they want to spread the word that this is happening at Northern facilities.

Locally, OPSEU will be holding a rally at the old Tourist Information site beside the Kenora Jail at 11:30 this morning followed by a charity barbeque.

Student Vote Prepares for Provincial Election

It's not just the adults who are head to the polls this week in the Ontario election.

Students at more than 20 schools across the Kenora-Rainy River Riding will be holding votes as part of the Student Vote program.

Spokesperson Conor Holash says its helps young people take a greater interest in the electoral process.

In 2011, the Ontario students voted for a an NDP minority government while NDP's Sarah Campbell got the nod from students in her riding.

Candidates Speak Resources

Resource Development.

That is a key concerns for Northerners in the provincial election.

At an all-candidates forum this week NDP member Sarah Campbell warned of changes by other parties that will kill development.

Countering that point PC Candidate Randy Nickle says they guarantee new 10 new mines in 5 years.

Anthony Leek of the Liberal party was bullish on mining but also highlighted the untapped agricultural sector in Kenora Rainy River.

Street Closures Numerous in Kenora

It's construction season in Kenora.

The Big Spruce Second Project as closed a few more areas of downtown.

Second Street South is closed from the Main Street South Corner to the Chipman Street Intersection.

However all businesses remain open.

Elsewhere construction work on Valley Drive begins Monday.

The road will be closed at Hillside Crescent from the 9th to the 30th.

Residents of Keewatin can also expect a closure of the Portage Bay Bridge next week.

Crews will be performing a bridge inspection for 3 hours on Thursday morning.

Hospital Balances Budget

A strong financial report for the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Vice President of Financial Services Cindy Gasperini says the Ministry of Health no longer recognizes a deficit at the hospital.

However, Gasperini says that's not entirely correct.

The ministry doesn't account for building amortization which was just over $300,000 which creates a surple of $158,000.

However with that aspect taking into account the hospital recognizes a deficit around $188,000.

Rain Raising Water Levels

Recent rainfall is wrecking havoc on water levels in the Lake of the Woods basin.

Matt Dewolfe is the executive engineer with the Lake of the Woods Control Board and says they already have the Norman Dam operating at 87% of maximum capacity.

Dewolfe says water in the Rainy Lake will see Lake of the Woods rise by a few inches in the coming weeks.

He notes the board will reassess outflow at the time.

KLWCF Raises $75,000

A huge thanks to the community.

Darlene McGillvary is the Executive Director with Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

McGillvary says they crushed their 10 hour giving challenge goal last week.

The biggest donation was the start of a new 25 thousand dollar endowment fund by the Golden Eagles Charitable Casino for First Nations Education and Scholarships.

Correction on Waste Transfer Station Hours

A correction to yesterday's story regarding hours at the Waste Transfer Station.

City council has agreed to increase hours of operation on Sunday starting June 15th.

The trial hours will run for 5 months this year.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says since the spring weather arrived, they've noticed a significant increase in traffic on Barsky's Hill.

The Waste Transfer Station will now be open from 9:00 til 4:30 on Sundays starting the 15th.

Kenora Increase Waste Transfer Station Hours

By popular demand, the hours of operation of the Waste Transfer Station are being increased.

Kenora City Council has agreed to extend hours of operation on Sundays for the next five months.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says they've noticed a big increase in traffic in recent weeks.

Starting this weekend, Perchuck says the Waste Transfer Station will open at 8:30 and close at 5:00.

4 More Break and Enters in Kenora

The Kenora OPP are investing a rash on new break and enters in the community.

Over the past week 2 houses in the Lakeside area were broken into.

In one case the resident was not home, in the second the resident woke up and scared off the suspect just like in previous break ins.

Police also say 2 garages on First Street South were also broken into.

If anyone as information they are asked to call the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Police have released a sketch of a suspect following previous break ins last month.

Hudak Puts Job on the Line

PC leader Tim Hudak is prepared to put his job on the line.

Hudak says if he's elected Premier, and doesn't deliver on his everyone campaign promises, he'll resign.

That includes balacning the budget within 2 years.

He made that promise during a town hall gathering in Ajax.

On Tuesday, Hudak pledged to hold his cabinet ministers to a high level of accountability by signing an oath that includes a promise never to raise taxes.

Wynne Promises Quick Return to Queen's Park

Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne says the break between next Thursday's election and when elected MPP's go back to work will be short.

20 days to be exact.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, Wynne stated her party has been clear about their plan during the election campaign and is ready to take action as quickly as possible.

Wynne also believes the Liberals are defining the election debate as having the only plan that will move Ontario forward in a positive way.

Summer Forecast Released

It won't be a dry summer across northwestern Ontario.

The Weather Channel says the southern portion of the region will receive below normal precipitation, while the northern portion will receive more rain.

Meterologist Doug Gilham offers a sneak peek on temperatures, noting the average high is 20-degrees and it usually peaks around 24.

Manhunt for Moncton Shooter Continues

Codiac RCMP are confirming 3 officers were shot dead by a shooter in north moncton.....2 additional officers were also injured. They're listed in stable condition.

24-year old Justin Bourque...... who went on a shooting spree in north Moncton last tonight....is still at large and is considered armed and dangerous....the RCMP have released a picture of the young man dressed in camo carrying numerous weapons.

Emergency Tactical Units from Saint John and other municipalities - rushed to Moncton to assist in the hunt. Many residents in the area of the Moncton Coliseum, Worthington, Preston, and the Elmurst area reported hiding in their homes and hearing gunshots. Around 10 after 11, the RCMp re-issued a warning for people around the Moncton Coliseum and Pinehurst Subdivision to stay inside with the doors locked.

The hospital has been locked down to all except family members of critically ill patients and additional nurses are being called in

The RCMP believes Bourque is in the woods near Pinehurst.

City Warns Residents of Deer Interaction

It's fawning season and local residents are being urged to leave baby deer alone.

Councillor Sharon Smith says there have been numerous posts on social media of people trying save abandoned fawns.

She says the mothers are likely not that far away and can be very protective.

Smith says she would like the city to put out a media release on how the public should treat our urban deer population and baby deer particularly at this time of year.

KPDSB Selling Board Office

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is actively looking for a buyer for it's board office in Norman.

The property was declared surplus last month.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says they have to offer the building to other school boards and the three levels of government first.

Carrie says the building is on a couple of acres of land and suggests it could be an attractive piece of property for the right owner.

Candidates Talk Hydro

 People in the region want to see Hydro rates lowered.

That was a resounding theme during a candidates forum yesterday afternoon in Kenora.

NDP MPP Sarah Campbell says her party will take immediate actions by eliminating the HST on bills along with the Debt Retirement Charge.

Campbell also highlighted plans to merge 4 power agencies into one.

Anthony Leek with the Liberal party also spoke of cost savings measures on your bill including the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and the 10 percent Ontario Clean Energy Credit.

PC candidate Randy Nickle says their plan focuses on stopping power subsidies, eliminating bureaucracies, and and partnering with Manitoba Hydro.

Green Party Will Create New Foundation

The Green party in Kenora-Rainy River is promoting its plan to form a Social Innovation Foundation.

The group would provide grants, loans  and mentorship to support young entrepreneurs.

Candidate Tim McKillop says they will divert 300-million dollars from regional development funds to the operation of the Foundation.

McKillop and his party say that local enterprise is the engine of economic growth and thriving communities.

Advanced Poll Starting to Close

Some advanced polls across the Kenora-Rainy River district will close today.

This is the last day to vote at polls in Ignace, Emo and Rainy River before the main vote June 12.

Advance voting is still being conducted at the returning office in Fort Frances and its satellite offices.

An advance poll is also now open at the Emo Legion until Friday night.

Tim Horton's Sends Kids to Camp

Tim Horton's is giving underpriveleged children a camping experience.

Btoh coffee shop's in Kenora are participating in today's Camp Day.

Tim Horton's will send all proceeds from coffee sales to the Tim Hortons Childrens Foundation for the cause.

Dryden Moves to Build Solar Farm

Dryden is moving forward on plans to possibly construct a massive solar farm.

The idea was presented by consulting firm KPMG.

Larabie says the farm would provide 600-thousands dollars in revenue and isn't costing the City a single cent.

It's not clear how the provincial election is impacting the application.

No Parking Zone Added to Mike Richards Way

Some changes are being made to accommodate truck traffic along 5th Street South during Phase Three of Downtown Revitalization.

City council agreed to remove the parking zone on the south side of Mike Richards Way this morning.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says they want to give trucks as much room as possible making turns onto the street.

The Big Spruce Second includes replacing century old sewer and water lines, building new
curbs and sidewalks, landscaping and repaving the roadway.

City Awards Roads Contract

The City of Kenora will be spending a bit more on road repairs this year.

Council has approved the tender from Pioneer Construction worth 1.7 million dollars for
it's road works contract.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says most of the work will be done in the Valley Drive and Minto areas.

Perchuck says they will be re-paving some of the areas in the Minto area that eroded last year during heavy
rain storms.

Sioux Lookout OPP Cracking Down on Bootlegging

Provincial Police in Sioux Lookout continue their crackdown on the illegal sale of alcohol.

Two people have been charged in separate incidents.

Officers were called to an assault where alcohol was a factor and some involved in the incident were under age.

Police investigated and 22-year-old Terry Legros was charged with unlawfully selling liquor and supplying liquor to a person under 19-years of age.

OPP also charged 42-year-old Chris Koostachin after officers observed the exchange of money for liquor in
front of the LCBO store.

Northern Ontario Heritage Party Looking to Elect 3 MPP's

The Northern Ontario Heritage Party are going after 3 spots in the Ontario legislature.

Party spokesperson Paul Sloan says the party has one key belief:  more representation for the people of the north.

Sloan adds separation is a very long way off and that in the meantime the party is focused on getting the North better representation in Queen's park.

That includes adding new Northern specific ministries and more ridings.

Forest Fire Hazard Dropping

The Ministry of Natural Resources has completed a successful prescribed burn on 3-islands on Lac Seul.

The work was conducted last Friday and was aimed at renewing the ecological health on the islands and to spur the Woodland Caribou habitat.

The forest fire hazard is moderate to high in Sioux Lookout and Red Lake but low across other parts of the region.

There were two confirmed fires in the northwest region between May 30 and June 1 in the districts of
Nipigon and Thunder Bay.

No problems were encountered with these fire and they are now out.