Kenora's Phillip Scribilo Wins Dryden Walleye Masters

Kenora's Phillip Scribilo is in the Winners circle at the Dryden Shaw Walleye Masters Tournament.

Scribilo and his partner Jason Rostek from Dryden jumped from second to first on the final day to win the event.

Rostek admits the Sunday fishing wasn't easy.

The two caught 29.62-pounds to win the 20-thousand dollars cash and prizes.

Campbell Promotes Region in Legislature

The perks of Northwestern Ontario have reached the Provincial Legislature.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell took a few moments to talk about the endless amount activities that are happening here right at home, stating that it's a hot spot for people from all over.

Campbell encouraged fellow MPP's to make a trip to the region and experience the Northern life.

NAN Happy With Aboriginal Jury Rolls Decision

The Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation welcomes an Appeals Court ruling on Aboriginal jury rolls.

The court threw out a manslaughter conviction on the basis that not enough Aboriginals were on the man's jury.

Alvin Fiddler says now it's time to move forward on the issue.

Fiddler says the ruling validates what NAN has been saying all along.

Premiere Concerned About Municipal Policing Costs

Concerns about policing costs by municipalities are on the mind of Ontario's Premier.

The town of Fort Frances is passing a resolution around calling on the province for more financial support.

Kathleen Wynn says efforts are underway to help contain policing costs.

No time frame was given as to when the team's will bring forward recommendations.

5 Die in Single Vehicle Accident

Tragedy has struck the community of Slate Falls First Nation.

On Saturday evening Sioux Lookout OPP were called to a single vehicle accident south of the community where a GMC Terrain fell into the Broken Mouth River.

The OPP have confirmed the deaths of 23 year old Kimberly Whiskeyjack of Sioux Lookout, 55 year old Gordon Carpenter of Slate Falls First Nation; 23 year old John Bighead of Slate Falls First Nation, 26 year old Samantha Loon of Slate Falls First Nation, and 20 year Claudia Loon of Slate Falls First Nation.

Post morterms have been scheduled at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Forensic Identification Unit Opens in Kenora

The Northwest Region of the OPP have a new forensic identification unit in Kenora.

Commissioner Chris Lewis was in town for the grand opening of the facility on Friday.

Lewis says the building was needed for the safety of officers.

He added the facility ensures no evidence they inspect gets contaminated.

MP Rickford Discusses First Nation Police Funding

The Federal and Provincial Governments plan on working together to address the lack of funding for First Nations policing.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says their top priority was more stable funding for more than just one or two years.

Rickford adds they will have further discussions with the province.

The Treaty Three Police will likely see massive cutbacks in hours, wages and benefits.

Public School Board Approves Strategic Plan

Working to achieve more success at local schools.

Director of Education at the Keewatin Patricia District School Board Sean Monteith says they have passed their 5 year strategic plan.

Monteith says the goals are heavily focused on all students.

He adds their is a strong focus on the whole child and defining what success is.

Community Foundation to Hold Granting Ceremony

Generosity continues to grow in Kenora.

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation will be presenting 130 thousand dollars in grants to 25 local charities.

Executive Director Darlene MacGillvary says everyone can take part in the ceremony.

The ceremony is this Wednesday at 7:00 at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.

Kenneth Ivall Sentencing Delayed

Justice delayed.

The sentencing of Kenneth Ivall has been put on hold for another two weeks, while Justice Terrance Platana
considers a join submission from the crown and Ivall's lawyer Chris Watkins.

Ivall was found guilty three and a half months ago in the second degree murder of Ed Wilson the early morning hours of March 21st, 2009.

In a sentencing hearing this morning it was suggested that a 16 year sentence be given Ivall without chance of parole, minus the 51 months he's already served.

Crown Attorney Mary-Anne Mousseau says Ivall has a 20 year criminal history of violence, domestic violence and drug dealing.

Justice Terrance Platana says he wants to give serious consideration to the joint sentencing submission and
will instead hand down his decision on June 28th at the Kenora Court House.

Friday Night Concerts At Harbourfest Finalized

Classic Rock acts will dominate this year's Harborfest.

The line-up for the Friday night concert has been finalized.

Dave Blake is the director of entertainment and says Bachman-Turner
will be the headliners.

70's group rock group Sweet and Kenny Shields and Streetheart will round out the Friday night concert.

Tickets go on sale at noon today.

Coney Island Challenge Launched

A new challenge is coming to Kenora.

The Coney Island Challenge is a paddleboard event that will circumnavigate the island.

Steve Strachan from the Hardwear Company says you only need a few supplies to join, including your own paddleboard, paddle and life jacket.

The Challenge will depart from the Harbourfront on July 1st.

All proceeds will go towards the Kenora Association for Community Living.

More details can be found at the Hardware Company.

Kenneth Ivall To Be Sentenced This Morning

The family of Ed Wilson should be able to get some closure today.

Wilson was killed behind the Tower Motel in Norman back in March of 2009.

Today, Kenneth Ivall, who was found guilty of second degree murder back in February, will be sentenced in Kenora Court.

Ivall's co-accused, Angela Duchesne plead guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter midway through the trial and is currently serving a three year sentence in federal penitentiary.

Relay for Life Tonight

One of the biggest fundraisers for the Canadian Cancer Society takes place this evening.

Relay for Life takes center stage at Lakewood School.

Organizer Danielle LaJeunesse says the relay has 3 main messages.

LaJeunesse says anyone can come down to offer their support.

All donations raised during the relay will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Concerns Raised Over Flying Lanterns

They are pretty, but also pose a potential fire hazard.

Flying lanterns have become a big concern for the Lake of the Woods
District Property Owners Association.

Executive Director Susan McLeod says they are working to control how many lanterns make their way into the air.

McLeod says if the lanterns fall into a dry tree it's like lighting a giant candle in the forest.

Municipal Paving Tender Approved

The city will be spendng just over 836 thousand dollars on the municipal paving budget this year.

Council approved the low bid from Moncreif Construction at a special meeting yesterday.

Operations Manager Rick Perchuck says there several componants to the paving contract, including the resurfacing a half-kilometer section of Valley Drive.

Perchuck says he wanted the paving tender awarded as soon as possible so the work would be complete prior to the beginning of the new school year.

School Board Provides Update on Valleyview

Work to expand Valleyview School will be starting soon.

Sean Monteith is the Director of Education at the Keewatin Patricia District School Board and says they are are almost ready to select a tender for the project.

Monteith says in case the construction is not completed by the start of the school year that they still have the capacity to handle the influx of students.

Monteith adds that with three additional kindergarten programs at Valleyview, including a french immersion
class, the school is getting close to capacity.

Cliffs Defends Decision to Delay Ring of Fire Project

Cliffs Natural Resources says it still plans to stay in the Ring of Fire chromite project.

Spokesperson Bill Boor says the company decision to put the project on hold is necessary because of government and court delays in the environmental assessment process.

Boor can't say if the move will end up delaying the start up of the mine

Boor says he can't see any reason the issues can't be resolved quickly.

Elementary Teachers Agree to Deal with the Province

The union representing public elementary teachers has reached a tentative agreement with the government that freezes wages, but guarantees a two per cent raise starting next year.
   
Members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation are paid two per cent less than teachers in the French and Roman Catholic school systems.
   
Education Minister Liz Sandals says that situation that will be fixed before the next round of bargaining.
   
The extra money for the 76 thousand public elementary teachers will cost the province 112 million dollars a year on top of whatever
raises the union negotiates next time.

Museum Book Launch Tonight

The seasons of Kenora have been turned into poetry.

Diane Clarke is set to launch her new book of poems called Lake of the Woods Seasons.

Clarke says she is inspired directly by the area we live in.

The book launch takes place tonight at the
Lake of the Woods Museum.