Gallager Wins Mother's Day Road Race Again

A familiar name was atop the leaderboard at the 2013 Mother's Day
Charity Road Race.

Winnipeg's Cory Gallagher took top honors yet again after completing
the 10 kilometer route in just over 33 minutes.

The fastest Kenora runner was Ben Gustafson, who finished second, 6 and
a half minutes behind.

In the women's 10 K run, Victoria Alexander placed first in a time of 42 minutes,
34 seconds.

Kenora's Janet Findlay was second, just under a minute behind.

Lisa Doerksen won the women's 5 K road race, while Kyle Derouard won the
men's 5 K event.

Fire Marshall to Investigate Weekend Blaze

An investigator from the Ontario Fire Marshall's office is now at the scene of a fire that took place late Saturday night on Highway 17 East.

The blaze broke out in the old Kenora Machine Service building, between A&W and  Dingwall Ford around 11:40 Saturday night.

The fire took a couple of hours to bring under control.

The cause still hasn't been determined, but the OPP are holding the scene until investigators can go through the building.

Jobs Funding Available for Women

Opening doors to the economic opportunities for women in Northwestern Ontario.

The theme of a new initiative by the Federal Government that focuses on three key areas.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the call for proposal will provide more options for women.

The call also focuses on improving prosperity for immigrant women and advancement in non-traditional occupations.

MNR Keep Busy with Weekend Grass Fires

It wasn't a very warm weekend, but that didn't put much of a damper on the
fire situation in the Kenora District.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says crews responded to another five
new wildfires over the past two days.

Four were located on the Wabaseemung First Nation and have been brought under
control.

The other was located near Grassy Narrows.

The Kenora District was responsible for half of the new fires that started up
this past weekend.

More Evacuees from northern First Nations

Flooding is forcing more people from their homes in northern Ontario.

Emergency Management Ontario says 144 people from Attawapiskat First Nation have been moved to Thunder Bay, and there are plans to
move another 200.

Twenty-nine residents of Pic Mobert First Nation will also be calling Thunder Bay home.

And Fort Frances will be home to an additional 81 long-term evacuees.

Ten Ontario communities have now declared emergencies due to weather conditions.

OPSEU Bracing for Possible Strike at LCBO

Part-time work is a big focus of a new ad campaign by the union representing workers at the LCBO.

President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Smokey Thomas says the goal is to inform the public about what they are bargaining for.

Thomas says their strike deadline is May 17th, and he hopes it won't result to that.

The local union is planning to open the doors of its strike headquarters in
Kenora this evening, in case there is a job action.

Campbell Upset with WSIB

Calls for reforms to the Workers Compensation and Insurance Board.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the board needs to be more respectful to injured workers.

Campbell raised her concerns in the Ontario Legislature last week.

She accuses the WSIB of treating injured workers like criminals and denying them the benefits they are legitimately entitled to.

Northwest Sting Place Second in Weekend Tournament

Spring hockey is alive and well in northwestern Ontario.

The Northwest Sting Under 12 girls team traveled to Duluth, Minnesota this past weekend for the Northern Wings Showdown.

The team is made up of players from Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Emo and Sioux Lookout and finished the round robin with a perfect 4-0 record.

In the A-side final, the Sting fell short, losing 6-1 to the Lake Superior Stars.

Saints Soccer Teams Finish Second in Weekend Tournament

A strong showing for Thomas Aquinas soccer teams this past weekend at the Beaver Brae High School Tournament.

Both the Saints boys and girls teams advanced to the A-side final of the tournament yesterday afternoon only to fall to the Miles MacDonnell Buckeyes.

The T.A. boys faced the Buckeyes in the final for the second year in a row, with the same result
as last year, as Miles Mac held on for a 1-0 win.

In the girls final, the Saints also met the Buckeyes, but after holding off the Winnipeg squad in
the first half, Miles Mac came on strong in the second to secure a 4-0 win.

Beaver Brae's girls team finished fourth overall, dropping a 1-0 decision to Dryden in the B-side final.

Fire on Highway 17 East Inside Kenora

 A vacant build on Highway 17 East has gone up in flames.

OPP say a call was received around 11:40 Saturday night to the building between A&W and Dingwall Ford.

A&W owner Randy Nickle says he was surprised to hear of the fire and  what caused it to burn so hot.

Other spectators pointed to an open door on the backside if building hinting that someone may have been inside.

Soeaking with the OPP there are no details as to what caused the fire and there is no injuries reported.

By 1:00 firefighters had contained the blaze inside the building.

More details to follow.

Annual Mothers Day Race Goes This Sunday

The annual mothers day 5k and 10k charity road race takes to the streets this Sunday.

Jennifer Findlay says participants will not have to collect sponsors as all the proceeds raised will be from registration costs.

Youth registration is $25 while adult registration is $35.

Registration is available at www.kenoraborealis.com/

The race takes place at 10:00 on Sunday morning from the Whitecap Pavilion.

Registration will begin at 8:00.

Tourism Program Extended another Year

American Tourists with a minor conviction will get a one time entry to Canada once again this year.

This week Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced the extension of the Tourism Facilitation Action Plan that allows a one time entry into the country.

Rickford says border guards are given very specific rules to ensure public safety.

Rickford stressed that the program is being extended and that anyone who has entered once under the program will not be allowed entry again.

Manitou Gold Continues Drilling Program

Manitou Gold continues its exploration southeast of Kenora.

It's released the latest results of drilling in its Elora property.

President Todd Keast says the exploration continues to demonstrate indications of a potentially large gold bearing deposit.

More drilling is expected once ice from lakes is gone.

Hope and the City Tomorrow Night

A major fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society tonight.

Hope and the City has been sold out for months now.

Nicole Burton is one of the organizers and says this is a ladies
only event.

Last year Hope and the City raised about 25 thousand dollars for
the Cancer Society.

Drug Drop-Off Tomorrow

It's a chance to prevent prescription drug abuse.

The OPP will be participating in prescription drug drop off day tomorrow.

Constable Ronni Grosenick says the program will take away an option for kids to find the drugs.

Grosenick says the drop off will be a drive thru set-up at the detachment by Wal-Mart from 10 to 3.

Former Kenora Resident to Head up SIJHL Expansion Team

The Superior International Junior Hockey League has approved a franchise for Ear Falls-Red Lake.

The team will be known as the Eagles and will begin play at the Ear Falls Arena this upcoming season.

Kevin Kahoot has been named head coach and general manager and says its a great opportunity.

The organization's executive is expected to be finalized in the coming days.

Budget Pressures Easing At MNR?

There's still challenges, but Ontario's Natural Resources Minister says the provincial budget is relieving some of the pressures his Ministry is facing.

Natural Resources spending is up slightly over last year.

David Orazietti says it may help ease somewhat the notion of having to close MNR offices.

Orazietti is hopeful the NDP will support the budget.

Water Levels Starting to Rebound

Campowners on Lake of the Woods are concerned about low water levels
this spring.

The Lake of the Woods Control Board attended this week's Campowners
Association meeting this week in Winnipeg.

Rick Cousins from the Control Board says things are starting to turn around.

Cousins says most of the lake remains covered in ice, and it could take another couple of weeks before it eventually melts.

Students Take Part in Emergency Preparedness

30 local high school students are
getting a crash course in emergency preparedness tonight.

As part of emergency preparedness week the students are taking part in an overnight evacuation drill.

Firefighter Earl Bichon says the drill will cover every step of an evacuation.

Bichon says the students will also get presentations from different services about what their roles are during an emergency situation.

Wunnumin Lake Grieves over Fatal Fire

The Wunnumin Lake First Nation is devastated following a housefire that took the lives of three females yesterday.

Chief Rod Winnepetonga says the community is shocked and distraught over the tragedy that killed a one-year-old, a six-year-old, and a 21-year-old, who was the aunt of the two children.

He adds that a member of the First Nation Council tried to save them, but was overcome by smoke and flown to hospital in Thunder Bay.

He was released this morning.

A crisis team is in the community, which has a population of just over 600, and the cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal.