Police at Norman Dam

Some details have been released after police and emergency crews responded to a call in the area of the Norman Dam this morning.

Kenora O.P.P have confirmed that with the assistance of emergency crews that a body has been recovered from the intake area of the dam.

Police says the body has been transported to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital and that a post mortem is schedule for Friday.

Campbell Demands Action on MPAC Assessments

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is demanding
the government hold off on property assessment changes.

In the Ontario Legislature today, she says communities across the north
are facing hardship as a result of the decisions being made by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Finance minister Charles Sousa confirmed that his department is reviewing
the situation.

Canfield Speaks Out Over Policing Costs

There needs to be a level playing field when it comes to policing costs.

That's the suggestion of Kenora mayor Dave Canfield.

He was speaking at the Police Service Board meeting yesterday
and says Kenora continues to pay more than twice as much as the
provincial average.

Canfield says he did bring the issue back up in Toronto last week in his
meetings with provincial cabinet ministers and hopes they were taking
note.

Council Resumes Budget Talks Today

Kenora's budget committee will be hitting the books today.

A day long budget meeting is scheduled at city hall.

Councillor Ron Lunny admits the city faces some financial hurdles, partially
due to changes in the Municipal Property Assessments.

Lunny says while residential waterfront property assessments continue to go up, industrial and commercial assessments are going down.

NTAB Embraces Mining Report

A new report on employment needs in the Kenora District is being welcomed by the Northwest Adjustment and Training Board.

The document calls for the need of 32-hundred workers in the mining sector, 17-hundred alone in the skills trades industry.

NTAB Executive Director Sonja Wainio says this report will pay off in the long run.

Wainio stresses it's important to work with area schools to promote the opportunities facing the area.

New Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gains Endorsement

The provincial Liberal candidate in Kenora-Rainy River believes David Zimmer is the right man for the new Aboriginal Affairs Minister position.

Anthony Leek says the government has promised to make aboriginal issues a top priority.

Leek notes Zimmer is familiar with some of the issues facing aboriginals, noting he spent time as the Parliamentary Assisstant of Aboriginal Affairs.

Con College Hands Out Student Awards

Hard work has paid off for a number of student at the Lake of the Woods Campus of Confederation College.

The school presented awards and bursaries to recognize the academic achievements of students.

Laura Christie is the Acting Director at the College and says they were able to give away a number of bursaries thanks to a number of local events, including their annual charity golf tournament.

Winners included:

Tanisha Granbois-Entrance Award
Chantelle Nault-Accounting Achievement Award/Scotiabank Award
Vyctoria Barling-SUCCI Award Kenora
Laura Frenette/Chelsea Lanteigne/Devon Schneider-Kenora Golf Committee Awards
Andrea Glasman/Katelyn Harris/Brittany McNee-SUCCI Inc. Endowed Awards
Sarah Hendrickson/Clarissa Kuepfer-Dr. Charles M. Johnson Award

3 Medals at OFSAA for Thomas Aquinas Swimmers

The Thomas Aquinas boys swimming team has earned 3 medals at the All-Ontario championships in Etobikoke.

Connor O'Flaherty has had a great outing with a silver in the men's 200 meter freestyle and a bronze in the 100 meter freestyle.

The team also earned the silver medal in the 4 by 100 meter freestyle relay.

Other results saw Bryce Jones place 4th in the 100 meter backstroke and 5th in the 100 meter butterfly.

2 swimmers achieved personal bests during the meet with Bryn Jones in the 100 meter individual medley and Jarrett Weedon in the 50 meter freestyle.

The two day meet wrapped up this afternoon.

Tickets on Sale for Boobie Nights 4

A very popular annual event is on track to sell out again this year.

Angela Kuchma with Boobie Nights says tickets are going fast for the annual fundraiser supporting the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

This years Boobie Nights slogan is "proudly supporting second base."

Tickets are on sale for 20-dollars and can be found at Century 21, Keric Funk Salon, Ho-Joe's, and The Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

Gas Prices Jump Again

Its going to cost a bit more to fill up your tank this morning.

The price at the pump is up about five cents a liter.

Gas prices jumped from 123.9 cents to 128.9 in the
last 24 hours at most service stations in Kenora.

According to Gasbuddy.com, that's near the average to
the rest of the province.

The average price in Ontario is currently 1.28 a liter.

Beaver Brae Prepares for Influx of Grade 7 and 8 Students

Parents can expect a smooth transition when Beaver Brae opens its doors to grade seven and eight students next year.

Clinton Bruetsch is the principal of the high school and provided trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and update of their process to date.

Bruetsch admits some parents have concerns about sending younger kids into a secondary
school environment.

Bruetsch says the grade seven and eight students will be using the upper east academic wing when school
starts in the fall, giving them their own space.

As many as 160 students are expected to be added to Beaver Brae's student population in the fall.

Good Turn-out for Save ELA Forum

Save ELA feels their efforts have been paying off with the government.

Peter Kirby who Organized the forum in Kenora last night says that the government has already shown some willingness to change their stance on the facility.

Kirby says he is hopeful that the government is sincere in their claim to find a new ownership group for the facility.

He adds that the public should continue to pressure their government by continuing to write letters to members of legislature and parliament.

Just over 100 people attended the forum held at Knox United Church.

KPDSB Responds to EFTO Job Action

Its unclear what if any extra-curricular activities will be carried out
at local public elementary schools this spring.

Last week the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario indicated it's
members would not particpate in activities outside the classroom.

Director of Education with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
Jack McMaster says that could impact on some activities such as track,
soccer and baseball.

Elementary teachers are upset about the contracts that were imposed on
them by the provincial government at the beginning of the year.

Need for Skilled Trades Expected to Skyrocket

The Kenora District is facing a severe shortage of workers, especially if the mining industry takes off as expected.

The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board released its statistics in a 10-year mining hiring requirement forecast.

Labour Market Economist Jamie Wolcott says this forecast will help those in education, industry and government make decisions.

The report indicates the Kenora District will need nearly 33-hundred workers by 2022, 17-hundred in the trades industry alone.

Project Safe Hallowe'en Gains Recognition

OPP are recognizing a local woman for her role in a safety program that's now spread across the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

Betty-Anne Johnson of the Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services has received a letter of commendation from the regional commander for Project Safe Halloween.

Johnson says its recognition for everyone involved.

The program, which includes giving glows sticks to youngsters every Halloween, is now in its 11 year.

Saints Ousted from OFSAA Championships

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball team is out at the All-Ontario Single "a" championships.

The Saints were eliminated from further play yesterday afternoon losing two sets to one in the consolation quarter-finals.

T.A. was by the Lajeunesse Royals from Windsor.

The Saints won just one match over two days at the OFSAA tournament.

Missing Snowmobiler Found Safe

A missing sledder is safe and sound after spending the night on Lake of the Woods.

The OPP were contacted about a snowmobiler who was reported missing around 7:00
last night.

The Emergency Response Team was dispatched along with a Search and Rescue Aircraft
from Winnipeg.

Around 6:30 this morning, a fire was spotted on Bigsby Island, about 80 kilometers south of
Kenora.

An OPP snow machine was dispatched and the sledder was picked up.

He was cold but otherwise in good health.

Police say the sledder became bogged down in slush at the south end of the lake and
became disoriented.

Save ELA Forums Tonight

Its Save the ELA day in northwestern Ontario.

Two separate forums are taking place:  one in Kenora the other in Sioux Lookout.

Peter Kirby helped organize the Kenora gathering and says the morale at the Experimental Lakes Area isn't very good right now.

Kirby says the have four former scientists and some area political figures attending the forum.

The forum is at the Knox United Church and starts with a spaghetti dinner at 5:30 and discussions at 6:30.

NOMA Declares Victory in Battle Over ESA

Proof that working as one can pay off!

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has won its battle against the province and proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield is Vice-President of NOMA and says the appeal period ended on February 25th and says the changes have been left out.

Canfield says the revisions would have impacted the rebound that the forest sector is starting to see.

Northwest Business Center Brings in Guest Speaker

International Women's Day will celebrated in Kenora a little early this year.

Tomorrow, Zahra Al-Harazi,, originally from Yemen, will be a keynote speaker at an event being put on tomorrow by the Northwest Business Center.

When her teaching degree was rejected in Canada, she return to school, later becoming the owner of marketing firm she help start in Calgary.

She is also a Chalelaine's Magazine Woman of the Year.

Tickets can be purchased through the city's web portal at Kenora.ca or at the door.

The  breakfast will take place at 8:30 tomorrow morning at the Super 8 Minis Hall.