Campbell has mixed feelings about the Provincial Budget

Sarah Cambell says she has mixed feelings about the passage of the provincial budget this week.

The Ontario budget was passed Wednesday, and aims to eliminate the deficit by 2017-2018.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP admits she's concerned how the budget will impact the riding, including the closure of three tourist information centers. 

On the other hand, she says 20 million dollar has been allocated for Northern and rural health care.

Rickford Announces Funding for Aboriginal Health Research

A 25-million dollar research program is being launched to improve the long term health of aboriginals.

Minister of Aboriginal Affairs John Duncan and Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcement in Ottawa this morning.

Rickford says a couple of prominent doctors will tackle the best ways to combat suicide, tuberculosis, obesity and oral health.

Rickford also laid a wreath in Ottawa to honour the contributions aboriginal veterans made in the great wars that Canada has been involved in.

Thunder Bay Sued by Flood Victims

The City of Thunder Bay is being sued.

A class action suit has been filed in Superior Court alleging negligence on various levels in connection with the May 28th flood.

Those allegations still need to be proven in court.

Lawyer Sandy Zaitzeff says all his clients want is to get their lives back.

The suit, on behalf of flood victims, is asking for general and special damages in the amount of 300 million dollars.

The city says it will not comment on the lawsuit. 

OPP Investigate Cases of Animal Cruelty

Provincial Police are looking for answers after a case of animal cruelty.

OPP say 4-dogs were poisoned near Dryden in Wainwright Township.

Two of the dogs have died as a result.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP or Crime Stoppers.

Graduation Ceremonies tonight followed by Safe Grad

Its a big night for students at Thomas Aquinas and Beaver Brae.

Graduation ceremonies will be taking place this evening.

For the first time ever, Beaver Brae will be moving out of its gym and holding its grad under the new Harborfront Tent.

About 130 students are expected to don their caps and gowns this evening.

Meanwhile, over at Thomas Aquinas, as many as 90 students will graduate from grade 12.

Following the graduation ceremonies, the Safe Grad will start up at the Kenora Rec. Center.

Things are expected to get rolling around 11:00, and run till about 4:00 in the morning.

Community Foundation Hands out $107,000

(Circus Kids accept $1,000 cheque)

It was an expensive night for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

The Foundation handed out over 107 thousand dollars worth of grants to about two dozen local community groups.

The biggest share of the funding came from the Moffatt Family Foundation with over 42 thousand dollars handed out.

Randy Moffatt says it's been a great pleasure to be able to give back to the local community.

Triple Play was one of the big winners of the night, collecting a couple of cheques totalling over 12 thousand dollars, while the Minto Parent Child Resource Center collected over 11 thousand dollars in funding.

New Sioux Narrows Tourist Center Opens Today

A big celebration in Sioux Narrows today as the long-awaited opening of the Northern Ontario Sports Fishing Center takes place.

The Center will act as the community's tourism center and the grand opening will take place this afternoon.

Mayor Bill Thompson believes people will be impressed.

Activities will be taking place all day today leading up to the official opening ceremonies at 2:00 this afternoon.

Changes in Store for Cigarette Packaging

New smoking packages may leave people thinking twice.

The new lables feature disturbing images of the effects of smoking.

Roberta Lappage at the Northwestern Health Unit says the messages are bigger and bolder then before.

A "quitline" and websites will also be featured on the packs to help people quit.

Provincial Budget Confirms Closing of Tourism Centers

Northernwestern Tourisim is taking quite a hit.

With the passing of Bill 55, the budget bill by the Liberal government, the McGuinty government says that tourism centers are outdated and there is no need for them anymore.

Conservative MPP from Nippissing Vic Fedeli says he's not happy with the outcome of yesterday's vote.

He says decisions for northern Ontario are being made by people who've never been to the region.

Fedeli is also upset with the lack of job promises in the new bill.

Council Approves Food Vendors for Discovery Center

More outdoor eating options for visitors and local residents.

Kenora City Council has agreed, after much discussion, to allow food vendors to set up shop at the Discovery Center and the Harborfront Tent area.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says while some members of council are opposed to the request for proposals, he thinks its a good idea.

Both Councillors Rod McKay and Louis Roussin voted against the request for proposal for two food vendors for the Discovery Center, arguing it would deter visitors from coming downtown and looking for restaurants to eat at.

Catholic School Board Expects Small Enrolment Increase

Student numbers are expected to grow slightly once again at the Kenora Catholic District School Board this coming fall.

Director of Education Phylis Eikre says last year they saw a jump at the kindergarten level when they introduced all-day classes at Pope John Paul School.

Eikre says the good new this year is the provincial government will actually start getting partial funding for their all-day kindergarten classes this fall.

Last year the Catholic School Board had to dip into its reserves to help pay for its all-day kindergarten programs.

Fire Destroys local Garage

Fire has destroyed a garage on East Mellick Road.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department was called out yesterday morning morning to deal with the blaze.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says they called out all their units to ensure the flames didn't spread to other buildings on the property.

Crews managed to contain the fire, though the cause is still unknown at this point.

Damage has been pegged at anywhere from 50 to 75 thousand dollars.

OPP Urge Homeowners to protect their Property

The OPP say they plan to be more proactive this summer to help local residents protect their personal property.

Tuesday night, police say they received a number of complaints of minor mischiefs and thefts around the community.

In one incident, a vehicle on Mill Street in Keewatin sustained some damage as a result of mischief.

In another incident, a bike was stolen from a garage on 4th Street South and some cash was taken from another garage on Agur Street.

The OPP say they plan to go door to door over the next few months educating home owners about the importance of securing their property.

Catholic School Board Approves Budget

A bit of red ink for the Kenora Catholic District School Board this year.

Trustees approved a budget last night which will include a deficit of 184 thousand dollars.

Erica Baily is the superintendant of business and says this is the second year in a row they've post a deficit, but suggest last year's 350 thousand dollar shortfall has already been taken care of.

Baily says the main reason for the shortfall this year is because the board has agreed to borrow money from reserves to help develop an outdoor area for grade seven and eight students at Thomas Aquinas.

Matiowski Farmer's Market Opens Today

The annual farmer's market season kicks off today.

This year, the Farmer's market is being moved under the new Harborfront Tent.

Tourism Development officer, Heather Paterson says in addition to the Farmer's Market, they will be introducing a flea market once a month this summer.

The Matiowski farmer's market will run from 9:00 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon.

Public School Board Holds Adult Education Graduation

Hard work really does pay off.

Especially for the 27 graduates of the Keewatin Patricia District School Board Adult Education Program.

The ceremony was held yesterday.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says it's a day of celebrating for everyone.

There are 524 students in adult learning programms in Dryden, Ignace, Kenora and Red Lake.

Torch of Life Relay Wraps up at Queen's Park

It touched a lot of us during a stop through Dryden and Kenora back in March and the crusade has come to an end for now.

The Torch of Life walk through 71 communities to highlight the needs for transplant organs ended yesterday at the Ontario

legislature with a rally and a plea for people to sign donor cards.

Double-lung recipient Helene Campbell of Ottawa, who has attained celebrity status with her campaign urging people to register as donors, carried the torch on the final leg.

The Torch Relay began in Kenora on March 2nd. 

Lakewood an Eco-Friendly School

Lakewood School in Kenora has acheived Eco-status.

The elementary school is one of five in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board being recognised for their commitment to the environment.

The four key areas are energy conservation, waste minimization, ecological literacy and school ground greening.

Kathy Boone is an environmental education teacher who says she hopes it will continue outside of school.

Other schools on the list are Crolancia Public School in Pickle Lake, Golden Learning Center in Balmertown, New Prospect and Open Roads in Dryden.

City Council Asks Federal Government to Keep ELA Open

The pressure to keep the Experimental Lake area open isn't letting up.

Kenora City Council has approved a motion calling on the Federal Government to reverse it's decision to close the research facility.

Mayor Dave Canfield says this isn't partisian politics, it's a matter of keeping an important service available in our area.

A similar resolution was also endorsed by Dryden City Council this week and is being sent to a number of officials including the Prime Minister.

OPP Crack Down on Bail Violations

The provincial government admitted this month it doesn't know how many people are out on bail, or have open custody conditions on them.

The Kenora OPP says that's an area they've actually tried to address in recent years.

Inspector Dave Lucas says they've tasked their Street Crimes Unit to keep track of people who have been released from custody.

Lucas presented his 2011 policing report to Kenora City Council this week.