Highway 17 East Closed Twice in Six Hours

Heavy rain may be responsible for at least one of two accidents on Highway 17 east.

A two vehicle collision closed the Trans-Canada down around 8:30 last night near Hertz's corner for about an hour.

While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, a thunder storm had just rolled through the area prior to the collision.

Highway 17 was also closed just west of the Jones Road intersection yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours.

A pick-up truck went of the north side of the road and down an embankment.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services was called out to help get the two
occupants out.

They sustained only minor injuries.

Gold Project Moving Forward Despite Low Prices

Work continues on the Goliath Gold project in the Wabigoon area.

Treasury Metals is currently involved in an environment assessment.

Vice-President of the project Norm Bush says the project is moving forward despite slumping gold prices.

Gold prices dropped 7-percent last week and show no sign of turning around.

City Applauds New Recycling Initiatives

Changes to the Waste Reduction Act are getting two thumbs up from Kenora City Council.

Under the proposed changes, industry will have to pick up more of the cost of recycling programs.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says that's good news because the city ends up subsidizing recycling programs for not only local taxpayers for for residents in the unincorporated areas as well.

Canfield says currently the city pays 50 percent of the cost of blue box programs, but that's expected to change over the next couple of years with industry contributing more, based on the amount of packaging used
in their products.

Quiet Week For MNR Fire Crews

Not much in the way of forest fire activity this week for MNR fire crews.

Just one new blaze reported yesterday.

It was located at the south end of Lake of the Woods.

Fire crews are also looking into reports of a second blaze in the same area.

With all the rain and humidity this week, the fire hazard has dropped to the
low to moderate range across the region.

WSO Set To Perform Under the White Cap Pavillion

Another perk about living in Kenora.

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will be performing under the Whitecap Pavilion Friday night.

Len Mark with the Lake of the Woods Concert Group says we are lucky that we are so close to the WSO's home
.
The WSO will also be performing with the Ladies of the Lake from Kenora starting at 7:00 tomorrow night.

Admission is free, but there are reserved seats available for 25 dollars.

Highway Re-Opened

Highway 17 in Kenora was shut down for a couple of hours afternoon due to a single vehicle accident.

The accident took place in the area of the Jones Road around 2:00.

No-one was seriously injured and the OPP have since re-opened the highway to two-way traffic.

The Trans-Canada was closed for about two hours in that area.  

City Donates Clock to Retired Railroaders

Time is standing still at city hall these days.

Yesterday, council made a special presentation to the
Canadian Pacific Retired Railroaders Club.

The old CP station clock, which has been housed in council
chambers for several years, was presented to the Railroaders
group.

The clock will find a new home at the CP Railroad Museum in Norman.

The city is planning to order a replica clock, at a cost of about 700 dollars.

Camper Dies Overnight at Falcon Lake

One person is dead and another has been taken to hospital following a
bizarre incident at the Falcon Lake Campground in eastern Manitoba.

The RCMP say a 45 year old Quebec man was killed early this morning after a tree fell on a tent.

Corporal Miles Hiebert says severe weather is likely to blame.

The Mounties says a 44 year old woman has been taken to hospital for
treatment of minor injuries.

The name of the person who was killed is not going to be released by police.

Body of Missing Thunder Bay Man Found

Ontario Provincial Police say they have found the body of 26-year-old cliff diver Larry Larivee.

Police were called to the McKenzie River near Thunder Bay last night after someone said they found a body.

Larivee failed to resurface after jumping into the river a week ago today.

The cause of death at this time is unknown and a post mortem has been ordered.

LOWDPOA Gaining Ground in Campaign Against Flying Lanterns

Kenora city council has gotten more information about the dangers of flying lanterns.

Executive Director with the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association Susan McLeod gave another deputation this week and says they are more dangerous now despite previous attempts to ban them.

McLeod did say that a number of local stores have agreed to stop selling the lanterns.

She also wants to remind the public that they are responsible for any damage caused by lanterns that they release.

Rickford Welcomes new Baby to his Constituency

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford will have a larger entourage than usual as he tours the riding this summer.

Rickford and his wife had a baby this spring.

He says he hopes to do some touring with his new baby girl Abigail.

Rickford says despite his new parental responsibilities he plans to get to most parts of the riding this summer.

Dryden Loses Battle With MPAC

A major setback for Dryden.

The City has failed in its first attempt to overturn the property assessment of the Domtar Mill.

Mayor Craig Nuttall says they aren't giving up the fight and plan to go to the Ontario Divisional court to appeal.

The city will be joined by Espanola, which is also facing a similar situation.

Nuttall says the City can't afford to repay Domtar 5.4-million dollars and notes he wants to wait and see what happens with the appeal.

Temperatures Soar in Kenora

Yesterday was warm, but not hot enough to trigger an ice cream party.

The thermometer at the Kenora Airport topped out a 30.3 yesterday.

That was still a little less than the record high for June 25th, which was
33.3 celcius, set back in 1941.

89.5 The Lake plans to hand out ice cream sandwiches once the
temperature tops 32 celcius.

Sharks Post Good Results in Grand Forks

A pretty good showing for the Kenora Sharks Swim club in Grand Forks over
the weekend.

12 year old JC Drygasuk led the way with  six first place finishes and one 3rd.

Aly Stoliker was close behind with five firsts, a second and a third, while 14 year old
Hannah Stoliker brought home five firsts, and a second.

Other results:

9/10 year old girls:

Emilia Mastromateo (9), three 3rd's, one 2nd
Amelia Illman (9), one 3rd

11/12 year old girls:

Alex Illman (11), two 2nd's, one 3rd
Natalie Peterson (11), three 1st's, two 2nd's, two 3rd'sEmilie McDonald (12), two 3rd's
Breeze Boucha (12), one 2nd

11/12 year old boys:

Joe Morrison (12), two 1st's, four 3rd'sJacob Weedon (12), two 2nd's, two 3rd's

13/14 year old girls:

Claire Stefansson (13), one first, one 2nd, one 3rd
Winnie Boucha (13), two 1st's, two 2nd's, two 3rd's
Clara Rogers, (13), one first, one 2nd, two 3rd's

 15 and over girls:

Keely Mash (15), two 1st's
Alex Olsen, (15), two 1st's, one 2nd

15 and over boys:

Jarrett Weedon (15), five thirds

 Finally, the relay teams also did very well. Both the 12 and under Girls and Boys teams came in first in the 200 Free and 200 Medley Relays, while the 13/14 year old girls team grabbed a 1st in the 200 Free and 2nd in the 200 Medley.



A total of 22 members of the Sharks attended the Red River Valley 50 meter Challenge.

The next action for local swimmers is the Man/Sask championships the first weekend of
July.

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.