No Water Service for Coney Island

Some disappointment for Coney Island residents.

The City of Kenora says the summer water service will not be ready for this weekend.

The Operations Department says due to a late spring, crews have found sections of water line still in a frozen state.

The water also has to be tested before it can be used by the public.

The city says the summer water line should be in service by May 24th.

OPP Vow to Be Out in Force this Long Weekend

The Ontario Provincial Police want to make sure everyone stays safe this Victoria Day Weekend.

Sergeant Shelley Garr with the Northwest Region says this year's theme is "Take Charge Of Your Own Safety".

Garr says the public is the first line of defense against any tragedy.

She says officers will be out looking for distracted and aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and those not wearing their seat belts.

Local Provincial Parks Set to Open for Camping this Weekend

Not all provincial parks will be opening this long weekend.

Bruce Van Staalduinen  with Ontario Parks says 10 Northern parks were closed by the province last year.

However Staalduinen says there is good news for 3 of the parks in northeastern Ontario, which will be re-opened under local control.

He adds that some parks won't open this weekend as planned because there is still some snow on
the ground and ice on the Lake.

He suggests parts of Quetico Park will be out of service for opening weekend.

Rushing River and Blue Lake will be open.

Visit ontario parks.com to reserve your campground.

Council To Decide Fate of Non Profit Housing After RFP

The fate of the Kenora and Keewatin Non Profit Housing Corporations should be known later this year.

Kenora City Council has agreed to send out a request for proposals for management services of Non Profit Housing services.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the request will look at a couple of different scenarios.

Back in the fall, the city had set up a Non Profit Housing Review Committee, which was supposed to determine whether the Kenora and Keewatin Corporations should be amalgamated.

Boating Safety Urged this Weekend

Don't be caught on the water unprepared.

This long weekend is the unofficial start to the boating season in the region and BOATsmart Canada is offering up some important safety tips.

President Cameron Taylor says having the proper knowledge is the most important tip.

Taylor says that anyone caught without an operator card could face a minimum fine of 250 dollars.

Strike Averted at LCBO

The union representing about 67-hundred LCBO workers is recommending they vote in favour of a tentative contract worked out last night.
   
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario and OPSEU signed a deal about two hours before a midnight strike deadline.
   
The length and terms of the agreement won't be made public until after the employees hold a ratification vote.
   
The prospect of a strike brought many Ontarians to LCBO outlets to stock up ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend.
   
The L
CBO says pre-deadline sales were brisk.

Pellatt Gearing Up for Long Weekend Bash

The Pellatt Community Center and Fire Hall will be rocking this Saturday when they host the May Long Bash.

The event is a fundraiser for the facilities.

Pat Moeller says there are multiple locations you can get tickets.

Moeller adds they will also be holding a pancake breakfast on Sunday Morning.

Saints Excel at Track and Field Meet

A strong showing from Thomas Aquinas students at the Annual Track and Field meet in Dryden.

Taylor Tom led the way with a pair of first place finishes and two seconds.

Tom won the junior girls 400 meter dash and the long jump.

Sarah Frankcom also won a pair of gold medals, finishing first in the junior girls 800 and 15 hundred meter
races.

Antwan Fair-Gilstrae finished first in the junior boys 800 meter race and second in the long jump, while
Leah Alvestad won the junior girls high jump and Eric Sundmark placed first in the senior boys shot put.

Transport Load Catches Fire on Highway 17 East

Highway 17 east of Kenora is open again after being shut down for several hours last night.

The OPP shut down the Trans-Canada just east of the Highway 71 intersection for about four
hours due to a fire on a semi tractor trailor unit.

The transport was hauling a load of hay bales, and some of the bales went up in flames
just after 9:00.

The Longbow Lake Volunteer Fire department was called out to help douse the flames.

Provincial Parks Set to Open for Long Weekend

The May long weekend means provincial parks will be opening for the first time this season.

Van Staalduinen from Ontario Parks says the majority of parks in Northern Ontario will be open as of tomorrow.

He adds that Fushimi Lake, Ivanhoe Lake, and Rene Brunelle were 3 of the 10 parks set for closure but will remain due to municipal support.

Information on all parks, campgrounds, and services including reservations are available at http://www.ontarioparks.com.

NorWOSSA Soccer Season Reaches Halfway Point

Mixed results for Beaver Brae's soccer team in Dryden yesterday.

The Bronco boys opened with a 3-1 win over Fort Frances, but then were blanked 4-0 by Dryden.

Beaver Brae's girls played to a 3-3 tie against the Muskies, but then were doubled up 2-1 by Dryden.

The teams will resume their NorWOSSA schedule next Wednesday in Kenora.

Funerals Today for Wunnumin Lake Fire Victims

Funeral services are being held today in the remote northern community of Wunnumin Lake First Nation for three young victims of a house fire.

One year old Rebecca Sainnawap, six year old Kaylene Nothing and 21 year old Roxanne Nothing perished when their home was destroyed in an early morning fire on May 8th.

Officials say the small community continues to mourn their loss.
Today's service starts at 1 o'clock.

There is still no word on the cause of the blaze.

Concern Raised About Black Sturgeon Developments

Kenora city council is debating whether to put a moratorium on any future development on Black Sturgeon Lake.

Currently there are development agreements in place for 89 more lots.

Mayor Dave Canfield says council is willing to work with the property owners to ensure no new subdivisions get the green light.

Canfield says there is very little undeveloped shore-line left on Black Sturgeon and is worried the lake is being over-developed.

Coventry Says Poor Markets Affecting Cameron Lake Project

The resources may be plentiful but the markets are not.

Don Halliday is the Director and VP of Investors Relations with Coventry Gold and says a decline in the market has slowed down their work in the region.

On a positive note Halliday did say they have added almost 25 thousand ounces to estimate of the Cameron Gold Project South East of Kenora as a result of exploration in the Dogpaw gold zone.

Halliday says they now
have estimated the project has around 1.5 million ounces of resources.

Government Needs to Support Rainy River Gold Project

The MPP for Kenora Rainy River is pushing the government to support the Rainy River Gold Project.

Sarah Campbell says the Liberals are delaying the projects even though the company has done everything asked of them.

She blames cutbacks at the Ministry of the Environment for delays in getting the Terms of Reference
approved.

Campbell says the project will create over 700 million dollars in investments and 500 full time jobs.

Cancer Care Northwest Responds to Latest Report Card

The Regional Cancer Care Northwest Program is implementing new initiatives to help improve the Cancer patients experience.

Regional Cancer Care Director Joanne Lacourciere says the Province's annual cancer score card gives them
 poor marks for integrating patient services and checking up on patients symptoms.

The report card shows the Northwest has a higher incidence of prostate, colon, lung and breast cancer than the rest of the Province.

MNR Preparing for Busy Long Weekend

Some new forest fires have ignited in the region over the past couple of day..

Heather Pridham is with the Ministry of Natural Resources and says the most recent activity is a result of Mother Nature.

She says high winds have knocked power lines onto trees, causing some small fires.

She adds that the brisk winds are causing fires to grow much more quickly.

With the long weekend upon us Pridham says the Ministry is preparing for an increase in human caused fires.

Work on Valleyview Expansion to Begin this Spring

The tender for the Valleyview School Project is expected to go out
for bid in the next couple of weeks.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board gave trustees an update on
the project last night.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says their goal is still to start the
construction this spring, with completion near the beginning of September.

He says they do have a contingency plan in place in case the work isn't
completed in time for the new school year.

Indoor Soccer Complex Should Be Ready before End of Summer

A new indoor soccer complex should be ready by the middle of the
summer.

Work is continuing to install artificial turf in the Jaffray Melick Arena.

Jess Rheault is with the Lake of the Woods Soccer Association and says
user groups are already lining up to make bookings.

Kenora City Council is expected to approve a five year lease agreement with the
Soccer Association for the JM Arena on Monday.

Flood Evacuees Returning Home

Flood concerns have subsided up north and that has allowed some residents to return home.

Emergency Management Ontario says 90-Attawapiskat First Nation residents currently staying in Greenstone are due to return today, and another 260 should begin flying back from Thunder Bay tomorrow.

EMO says 64 residents who were moved to Fort Frances will have to remain there a while longer until their homes are cleaned and repaired.

Nearly 400 members of the Kashechewan and Pic Mobert first nations remain evacuated.