Welfare Rates Declining in the Kenora District

The number of people relying on welfare in the Kenora District is dropping.

The Kenora District Services board says its seen a decrease in it's Ontario Works caseload over the past couple of years.

As of the end of June, there were 576 cases compared to 660 at the same time two years earlier.

The Services board says so far in 2012, they have seen 104 Ontario Works recipients leave to pursue employment opportunties.

Campaign to Save the ELA Continues

The fight to save the Experimental Lakes are isn't over yet.

Diane Orihel is leading the crusade to save the outdoor laboratory east of Kenora.

She asked Kenora City Council this week to work with her to ensure the ELA remains open.

The ELA is scheduled to close at the end of March 2013, but Orihel says its too important a facility to get rid of.

NOTO Suggests Visitor Numbers are Up

The Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association is reporting a slightly better tourist season this summer.

Executive Director Doug Reynolds says camp owners are seeing better turnout than in previous years.

He suggests the warm weather has also resulted in more last minute trips this summer.

Reynolds says it seems American anglers are less nervous about their economy and are coming back to vacation in Northwestern Ontario.

Rainy River Wants to Buy Tourism Center

The town of Rainy River is expressing interest in taking ownership of one of Ontario's now-shuttered tourism centres.

The centre in Rainy River was among those closed in May as part of costing-saving measures.

Mayor Deb Ewald says they've since inquired about buying it for a dollar.

Ewald says the Province is now considering their offer.

Changes Planned for Downtown Parking

The City of Kenora is once again tinkering with is Parking Policy to try and free up more space in downtown Kenora.

Council has agreed to reduce the number of long-term parking spots available in the South Parking lot on the Harborfront, and designate them for short term parking.

Starting next spring, the city will be eliminating half of the long term parking spaces and will be converting them to hourly spots.

The city is also planning to increase rates for parking in the South Parking lot as of October 1st.

New Policy Guide For White Cap Pavillion

It took a while, but the city has finally come out with a user's guide for the White Cap Pavillion.

The guide outlines exactly how many people the tent can hold safely for certain events, depending if there is seating and/or alcohol being served.

The city wants the Chief Building Official and the Fire chief to review event plans at least 30 days in advance.

Council also has officially approved the name White Cap Pavillion and a grand opening ceremony is currently being planned.

Bike Ride for Muscular Dystrophy Canada

Two firefighters are going a step farther to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Atikokan firefighter Graham Warburton and Dryden's Reagan Breeze will bike from Kenora to Thunder Bay on September 10th.

Warburton says the public can help them raise money.

All funds collected will be handed over at a regional firefighters conference on September 13th.

Treaty #3 Upset with Dryden Hospital

The Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty 3 says he's disappointed with the Dryden Regional Health Centre.

Chief Warren White says a Dryden doctor received a slap on the wrist after he was found breaching code of conduct by making racist comments to an Anishinaabe family during an emergency visit.

White says the impacts of hatred can't be minimized and stresses progress can't take place when events like this occur.

White is calling on the hospital to send a message that it adheres to zero tolerance of racism.

He says the response to the incident by delivering cultural sensitivity training isn't enough and the doctor must be disciplined.

Yesno Elected NAN Grand Chief

One of the original founders of the Nishinabe Aski Nation is now its head man.

Harvey Yesno was elected yesterday as grand chief during elections held on the Kaseshewan First Nation.

Yesno needed three ballots to edge out deputy grand chief Terry Waboose 22-21.

Yesno had been the top candidate on all three ballots.

Union Seeks Court Injunction against Daycare Closure

The Union representing the 17 workers at the Castle of Learning Daycare Center say it plans to get an injunction against the closure.

Council voted last night to shut down the municipally run daycare at the end of December.

Carol Bruneau is vice-president of CUPE Local 191 and says the city is violating the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

CUPE is the City's largest Union and Bruneau says the lay-off of staff at the Castle of Learning could result in a lot of bumping of employees from their jobs.

Local School Boards Ready to Provide Daycare Services

Both the Kenora Catholic and Keewatin-Patricia District School Boards say they will do what they can to accomodate parents who have kids at the Castle of Learning Day Care Center.

The City announced it will close the municipally run daycare at the end of this year.

Jack McMaster is the director of education with the public school board and admits they are dealing with fairly tight timelines.

The Castle of Learning is already located in King George School, so McMaster is hoping they can get another provider to take over the daycare with little disruption to the parents.

Fellowship Center Develops Action Plan

The Kenora Fellowship Center on Water Street is starting to develop and action plan to deal with the homeless population in the city.

Colin Wasacase spoke to Kenora City Council yesterday about some of their programs and is hoping the city will be involved in some of their solutions.

Wasacase says there are a number of different agencies in the community that can help out.

Wasacase says they feed as many as 100 people each day at the Fellowship Center and receive about 60 thousand dollars a year in donations from the local community to keep the program going.

Pink Bus Tours Kenora Today

You might have noticed a large pink bus in town over the past couple of days.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is taking its "Pink Tour" across the province.

Its aimed at educating the public on breast cancer and screening.

Vice President of Development Karen Malone says they have a target of 30,000 visitors to the bus.

The bus will be stopping in front of the CIBC on Main Street this morning and Shoppers Drug Mart this afternoon.

Special Designation Planned for Norman Park

There could be soon better protection for Norman Park.

Kenora city council has agreed to amend its official plan and give the park a special designation.

Last week a number of Norman Residents asked city council to put a covenant back on the park to ensure it would never be be used for anything but recreational purposes.

Instead council is directing the Planning Department to draft a policy for Norman Park and present it at the next Property and Planning meeting in September.

Resolute Sets Tree-Planting Milestone

One billion trees and counting.

Resolute Forest Products says its now hit a milestone in tree planting in northern Ontario.

The company celebrated by planting a two-meter tall white spruce tree at it's mill sites at Fort Frances, Iroquos Falls and Thunder Bay.

President and CEO Richard Garneau says the ceremony represents the unwavering commitment to forest renewal and sustainable forestry.

Stanley Cup to Arrive Saturday

Plans have now been finalized for the arrival of the Stanley Cup in Kenora.

The Cup will be here Saturday and will be making a two hour pit stop under the White Cap Pavillion.

Mike Richards is scheduled to bring the Cup by boat to the Kenora Harborfront at Noon.

Richards and the Cup will then be available for photographs for about two hours.

Richards won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Los Angeles Kings this past June and

gets to spend 24 hours with the trophy. 

Council Votes to Close Castle of Learning

Despite the pleadings of hundreds of parents, employees and even union leaders, Kenora City Council has decided to close the Castle of Learning Daycare center.

The issue was discussed at some length last nigh at City Hall.

Sue Devins is one of the parents affected by the decision and says the city has the resources to continue the program.

Council voted 4-2 in favour of closing the daycare with Rory McMillan and Sharon Smith voting against the closure.

Smith feels the city hasn't done its due diligence.

The union representing the 17 workers at the Castle of Learning says its looking to get a court injunction against the closure, claiming it violates their collective agreement.

Council Approves Indoor Soccer Complex

The Lake of the Woods Soccer Association now has the green light to proceed with plans to transform the Jaffray Melick Community Center into an indoor soccer complex.

Last night, council voted unanimously in favour of a three year agreement with the soccer association for the re-development of the arena.

Plans call for artificial turf to be installed for a year round indoor soccer and sports training facility.

The Soccer Association says its working on plans for the complex and isn't sure when it will be ready for use.

OPP Concerned about Increase in MVA's

The OPP say they are developing a new policy to inform motorists about lengthy highway closures.

Inspector Dave Lucas of the Kenora Detachment says they've notice a bit increase in the number of accidents on Highway 17 west, especially during the weekends.

Lucas says the accidents can cause significant delays for motorists.

Lucas says they will be using signage and asking officers to speak with motorists waiting in line,

keeping them informed about the length of the road closure.

MP Launches Campaign to save Katimavik

A young member of parliment is taking a stand for youth across Canada.

The Katimavik Program, which provides oppertunities for youth to volunteer and gain working experience in different organizations, was recently cut by the government.

MP for Terrebonne-Blainville Quebec Charmaine Borg says it is completley unfair.

Allison Wight attended the program in January, and is also very upset with the government's decision.

Borg has started a petition to keep the program, which already has over 7000 signatures.