Fire at Willard Lake

Fire crews continue to battle a major fire at the Willard Lake gas station and hotel on Highway 17, about 40-kilometres East of Kenora. 

The fire was reported around 3:00 this afternoon. 

There are reports of serious damage. 

No other details are available at this time.

Hunter Fined $2,000 by MNR

Careless hunting as landed a Northwestern Ontario man a 2 thousand dollar fine.

Conservation Officers say they received a complaint on November 2nd about a deer being shot on a Dryden area property without the owners consent.

Officers investigated the call and found that Clinton Catlin had shot a white tailed deer inside a yard after spotting it from the roadway.

Along with the fine, Catlin has been banned from hunting in the province for 1 year and must re-complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course.

His firearm was seized until the fine is paid.

H1N1 Virus on the Rise

A good reason to got the flu shot.

The Northwestern Health Unit has confirmed 16 cases of the H1N1 influenze strain this season.

Doctor Jim Arthurs is the medical officer of health says one stat is alarming to him.

He says of all the confirmed cases, none of the patients has received the flu vaccine this year.

Arthurs says flu shots are available at most pharmacies throughout the region.

Cold Weather Warnings Issued

With another day of dangerous cold across our region, warnings to bundle up and protect yourself if you have to go out doors.

Emergency room doctor Jeffrey Sather says when it gets this cold, frostbite is a possibility and you can develop a freeze burn.

With prolonged exposure, the risk moves to hypothermia, where one's core body temperature actually drops and can lead to confusion, unconsciousness and even death.

Nomination Papers Ready for Municipal Election

Calling all candidates.

You can now nominate yourself to run for mayor, city council, or the school board.

Joanne McMillin in the City Clerk and says the first step of the municipal election is under way.

The elections will take place on October 27th, while the deadline to file nomination papers is
September 12th.

This year, the city will be using internet balloting for the first time.

Control Board Provides Mid-Winter Update

No concern over water levels in the area.

Matt Dewolfe with the Lake of the Woods Control Board says levels are just below normal for this time of year.

He does say they are still looking at the spring run off.

Since the start of November DeWolfe says the water level has dropped 10 centimeters.

He says they want to see it fall another 20 before the spring.

Alzheimer Society Launches Coffee Break Challenge

Drink coffee, win prizes.

That's what local businesses can do during the Alzheimer Society's Coffee Break Challenge.

Rosanna Tomashowski is the acting executive director and says there are multiple ways to participate.

The winners of the challenge will be announced on February 17th.

Any local businesses can register directly with the society.

Midget Thistles Split Again

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles continue to alternate wins and losses.

The Thistles were edged 2-1 yesterday at home by the Parkland Rangers.

On Saturday night, the Kenora Midgets started the weekend series with a
5-3 victory.

Not a lot of time for rest for the Thistles as they hit the road Wednesday
for a date with the Winnipeg Thrashers.

Local Girls Hockey Teams Excel at Own Tournament

(Photo courtesy Kelly Alcock)

A good weekend for a couple of local girls hockey teams.

The K-Town Rednex took top honors in the midget division of the Lake of the Woods Girls Hockey tournament.

The Rednex finished second in the round robin portion of the tournament, but advanced to the final.

In the A-Side championship the Rednex blanked the Steinbach Millers 2-0 to take top honors.

In the bantam division, the Dy-no-mite 4.0 advanced to the A-side final after topping
their nine team pool.

The Dy-no-mite shut down the Dryden Drillers in the championship game 3-0.

The other Kenora team, the Lake of the Woods Chaos placed fourth, after losing 6-3 to
Fort Frances in the bronze medal game.

School Buses Running This Morning

Despite the cold conditions, all school buses in the Kenora area should be running today.

The Northwest Student Services Consortium says bus operators have been checking their vehicles over the two week Christmas break due to the intense cold.

Because the region is under a windchill advisory, parents are being urged to bundle up their children as they wait for their bus.