King George and Beaver Brae Hockey Academy Join Forces

Grade 5 and 6 students at King George can now join the Beaver Brae hockey academy.

The students will be able to join the academy as part of the rec program at King George.

Coach Dave Tresoor says they will be able to teach kids of all skill levels.

Tresoor adds it made sense to expand the academy with the grade 7 and 8 students moving into Beaver Brae next year.

City Council Creates a Docking Committee

A change of heart by the Mayor of Kenora regarding a committee to review docking in the city.

Council passed a resolution today to create the committee.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the purpose will be to report on what the docking situation is in the city including what current marinas provide and what the city could do differently.

He says that the committee will only be used to make a report when the time arises.

Canfield adds a private developer is already looking at building a marina in Cameron Bay.

Outlive Yourself Cyclist Arrives in Kenora

Canada has one of the lowest rate of organ donors in the industrialized world.

Cayse Ruiter cycled into Kenora yesterday as part of his Outlive Yourself campaign to raise awareness around the issue of organ donations.

He says that only around 20% of Canadian are registered organ donors, and that over 4000 people are awaiting transplants in Canada every year.

Ruiter is continuing his journey today by cycling to Thunder Bay.

You can get updates on Cayse's ride at http://outliveyourselfcanada.wordpress.com/.

To register online to become an organ donor visit https://beadonor.ca/.

City Council To Look At Docking Issues

Kenora city council will vote today whether to set up a committee
to look at creating more docking.

The committee will be in charge of creating a request for proposals
from private sector partners.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield feels the creation of the committee is premature and suggests they should just let the private sector take the bull by the horns.

The shortage of docking was identified as one of the key issues last year
when the city adopted its new brand of being North America's premier Boating
Destination.

Air Show Line-Up Announced

Look up, way up.

The Kenora Air Show is coming to town on July 3rd and organizer John Gale is excited about the line up that is set to perform.

He says in addition to the Snowbirds, other acts include Super Dave Mathieson, and Air Racer Pete McLeod from Red Lake.

Gale says the static displays also include a Russian Albatross Attack Jet, an Ornge Air Ambulance, and others.

The Kenora Air Show is at the airport on July 3rd and tickets are on sale.

Gale adds that they will have a free bus shuttle to and from the show.

Red Cross Accepting Donations for Alberta Flood Victims

It's a chance for local residents to help the flood situation in Alberta.

Local Red Cross Manager Shana Hansson says they are looking for financial donations.

She adds it's the easiest way to help.

Hansson says the money goes to providing cots, blankets, hygiene kits as well as food and water.

She adds that donations are being accepted at any Red Cross office.

Police Looking into Another Railway Street Break-In

The OPP are investigating a break-in to a business along Railway Street.

Police say the culprits entered the premises sometime later Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

A quanity of cash was stolen.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Public School Board Prepares for New Academic Year

One school year may be over but the next is just around the corner.

Incoming Director of Education with the Keewatin Patricia District School Board Sean Monteith says they are hard at work planning for next year.

Monteith says he feels the board is heading down the right path.

Monteith also offered his thanks to outgoing director Jack McMaster for putting the board on the path to success.

Search Called Off for Missing Cliff Diver

The active search for 26 year old Larry Larivee of Thunder Bay is over for the moment.

Police say OPP divers were unable to find any sign of Larivee at the McKenzie River falls location where witnesses say he disappeared last week after he dove in off a cliff.

Police say some areas of the river are just too dangerous to search and will be reassessed once water levels are lower.

City Approves Demolition Permit at Old Abitibi Mill Site

Another landmark on the old Abitibi mill site on 9th Street North will soon be disappearing.

The Old TMP building is scheduled to be torn down over the next few
weeks.

Mayor Dave Canfield says the owners of the property were not just able to find a tenant for the building.

The city's economic development officer, Jennifer Findlay says City Hall has issued a demolition permit for the TMP plant on the former mill site and work is expected to begin shortly.

OPP Officer Finds Out Next Month Whether He'll Stand Trial

A Kenora OPP officer will find out next month whether he will have to
stand trial on a charge of dangerous driving causing death.

A three day preliminary hearing wrapped up at the Kenora Courthouse last
week for Constable Roy Bender.

He was charged by the Ontario Special Investigations Unit last fall in the
death of 42 year old Gloria Assin.

The Grassy Narrows resident was riding in the back of an OPP cruiser when it was involved in an collision with a transport at the intersection of the Kenora By-Pass and the Redditt Road.

Justice David Gibson is expected to decide if the matter should go to trial
on July 12th.

Taxi Companies Appeal for Rate Increase

Another plea to raise taxi rates in Kenora.

Co-Ot Taxi has made a second deputation to council asking
for the hike.

Eric Lovas from Co-Ot says taxi drivers are having a hard time making
ends meet thanks to increased gas prices and insurance premiums.

Mayor Dave Canfield says because they've already rejected a rate increase this year, they won't be able to deal with the issue again until next year.

SMB Expansion expected this Fall

A sod-turning ceremony for the new expansion at Ste. Margarite Bourgeoys is expected to take place in the fall.

Phylis Eikre is the director of Education with the Kenora Catholic District
School Board and says they are just finalizing the plans for the six classroom addition.

She says they are also working on some contingency plans for students
who might be affected by construction work.

Eikre says SMB might lose some of its play-ground area during construction so they will be working with Pope John Paul to ensure students have a place to go for recess.

OPP Advise on Life Jacket Use

OPP want to see people wearing their life jackets while on the waters this summer.

The laws currently only requires life jackets to be readily accessible on a vessel.

Constable Jim Davis says there have been three drownings in northwestern Ontario this month this should be reason enough to wear them.

The fine for not having a life jacket or personal flotation device is 200-dollars.

OPP Commissioner Ready for New 3 Year Term

OPP commissioner Chris Lewis says he's looking forward to another
three year term at the helm of the provincial police.

Lewis was re-appointed by premier Kathleen Wynn earlier this month.

Speaking in Kenora last week, Lewis says he's not ready to retire just yet.

Lewis has already completed one three year term as Commissioner of the
OPP.

UNESCO Defers Decision on Pimachiowin-Aki

The Manitoba and Ontario governments say they will keep going with their push for a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At its annual meeting in Cambodia, UNESCO's world heritage committee deferred a decision on the large stretch of Boreal forest along the inter-provincial boundary.

The committee has asked Canada to refine its submission.

UNESCO advisory groups have raised questions about whether the area is unique enough to warrant a world heritage site designation.

It will be at least another year before the committee makes a decision.

Province Assembles Committee To Look At Jury Rolls

A top Northwestern Ontario Aboriginal leader will co-chair a panel that will oversee tackling the crisis facing First Nations in Ontario's justice and jury system.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief Alvin Fiddler will lead the committee.

Fiddler hopes that with his first hand experience he will be able to contribute significantly to the discussion.

Fiddler will head the committee along with Irwin Glasberg, an assistant deputy minister.

Lower Speed Limit for Railway Street On Hold

Some members of Kenora City Council are resistant to lowering the
speed limit on Railway Street.

A group of residents have signed a petition asking the city to approve
a reduction in the speed limit from 50 kilometers an hour down to 40.

They are concerned about the windy road and the fact there are no sidewalks.

But some council members, including mayor Dave Canfield feel the current
speed limit isn't unreasonable.

Council has agreed to put the matter on hold until their next meeting in July.

You can have your say by logging onto our new poll at 895 The Lake.ca

Kenora Non-Profit Housing Supports Merger with Keewatin

The Kenora Non-Profit Housing Corporation says its supports the concept of merging with their Keewatin counterparts.

Wendy Cuthbert is a member of the Kenora board and says there will be less duplication and therefore immediate cost savings.

However, Cuthbert says the Kenora Board does not support the city's decision to put out a request for proposal to operate an amalgamated service.

She says the city isn't familiar with the service they provide and doesn't trust them to make the right decision.

Kenora Jail Wins Amethyst Award

The Kenora Jail is celebrating it's one of a kind truth and reconciliation program.

Steve walkers is the Superintendent and says the jail was presented an Amethyst Award for the program.

Walker says it's has taken years of hard work.

The program allows the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to collect victim impact statements from inmates who have been affected by the residential school system.