Wynne announces funding for ELA

Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne says she's committed to the future of the Experimental Lakes Area. 

This morning she confirmed the province will provide up to two million dollars towards the operation of the outdoor laboratory annually.

Wynne made the announcement this morning at the Discovery Center along with Manitoba premier Greg Selinger And Kenora mayor Dave Canfield.

Wynne also took time out of her schedule to visit the Labor Day  picnic at Beatty Park and gave an impromptu speech in support of the union movement.

Labor Day Picnic Back Again this Year

Back by popular demand.

The annual Labor Day Picnic.

Last year, the picnic was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers.

But president of the Kenora and District Labor Donna Wiebe says
all their union locals stepped up to the plate this year.

The Labor Day picnic will take place on Monday starting at 11:00 at
Beatty Park in Keewatin.

Wiebe says in addition to guest speakers and musical entertainment,
the Circus Kids will be performing and minnow races will also be
back.

Birth Control Drug Recalled

Some concerns for women taking Freya-28 for birth control.

The Northwestern Health Unit says there has been a recall on the drug.

Gillian Lunny is the Manager of Sexual Health and Harm Prevention and says the recall regards a package with to many placebos.

Lunny says anyone who may be affected can get the pills replaced at their pharmacy.

Longbow Lake Fire Brigade Yard Sale This Weekend

A Labor Day tradition is expected to attract hundred of people.

The Longbow Lake Fire Brigade is holding its annual yard sale
tomorrow.

Art Friesen is one of the organizers and says they have a wide variety of
goods for sale.

Last year, Friesen says the Yard Sale generated 23 thousand dollars for
the Volunteer Fire Department.

The yard sale starts at 9:00 sharp and will run until 1:00.

Ontario Lags Behind in Utility Costs

A study by the Province of Manitoba shows that a utility bundle costs almost
five thousand dollars more in Ontario.

The Manitoba government compared electricity, home heating and insurance costs in each province.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's not surprised Ontario has the highest
costs in Canada.

The report shows the Utility Bundle in Manitoba cost 27 hundred dollars compared to 76 hundred in Ontario.

Local Groups Get Funding For Griffith Mine EA

Two First Nations groups are getting Federal funding to participate in the environment assessment for the Griffith Iron Ore redevelopment project in Ear Falls.

Wabauskang First Nation is receiving 50-grand, while the Metis Nation of Ontario is welcoming 37 thousand dollars.

Both groups will be able to review and provide comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and draft Environmental Assessment Report.

Northern Iron is hoping to re-open the Griffith Mine, with plans to produce roughly 16-thousand tonnes of ore per day.

OPP Get Ready for Labor Day Long Weekend

We are approaching the last long-weekend of the summer.

And the Ontario Provincial Police are reminding folks to be careful.

Sergeant Shelley Garr says they have seen an increase in water related accidents in the region this summer, so they will have their Marine Units out in full force.

Garr is also reminding motorists to slow down now that kids are back in school.

Gravelle Looking Forward to Premier's Visit to the Northwest

Not much is being said about Premier Wynne's planned trip to northwestern Ontario this weekend.

After leaving Kenora Monday, she'll be heading to Thunder Bay.

Area business leaders are being invited to the Tuesday event and MPP Michael Gravelle says it's going to be helpful to discuss to the region's economy.

Gravelle says he will be there, as will the Chamber of Commerce but other invitees haven't been announced.

Youth Trapping Program Announced

A new program in Northwestern Ontario targeting youth with an interest in trapping.

It was introduced by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and will be available to those age 12 to 15-years old.

Shannon Gutoskie is a spokesperson with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and says it's great news for the region.

Gutoskie says there's a course youth must take, and they also need their parents or guardians consent.

Ladies Slo-Pitch Picture A Little Clearer

The play-off picture is a little cleared today in the Days Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch League.

Northern Harbor has earned a berth into the A-side final with an 8-3 win over the Shoal Lake Troopers.

Shannon Robinson had a pair of in-the park home runs in that game.

Meanwhile, Dunit Contracting stayed alive in the A-side play-offs with a 6-4 win over the Trashers.

They'll play the Troopers tonight for the right to advance to next week's finals.

In the C-side play-offs, Riverview Industries got by the Hoggettes 16-5 while Guns and Roses upended the Bimose Angels 29-9.

Riverview will play Guns and Roses tonight for the right to advance.

Broncos Football Team Ready for Regular Season

The preseason is over for the Beaver Brae Broncos football team.

The Broncos had a tough exhibition losing all 3 games of a super scrimmage.

Beaver Brae fell 1-0 to Fort Frances, 14-0 to Grant Park, and 8-0 to Dryden.

Head Coach Chris Penner says the preparation for the scrimmage was different than it will be in the regular season when they can game plan for one team.

Penner says he was happy with how the team competed and that every player got a chance to play and learn at game speed.

The Broncos open the regular season at Elmwood next Thursday.

Boil Water Advisory For Coney Island

A bit of an inconvenience for residents of Coney Island.

The City of Kenora has issued a boil water advisory.

Some problems have been experienced with the water supply and
the advisory is expected to be in place for the entire Labor Day long weekend.

The city's water and sewer supervisor, Biman Paudel says they need at least two clean water tests back before they can lift the boil water advisory.

Falcon Lake Business Man Faces Fraud Charges

The RCMP have laid fraud charges against a Falcon Lake business man.

The Mounties say that 37 year old Colin Durward reported the theft of over
a half a million dollars of equipment from his construction business back
in June.

The Falcon Lake Detachment investigated the thefts and managed to recover some of the tools and equipment that were reported stolen.

The RCMP believe that many of the items such as welders, drills and a
table saw were never stolen.

Police say a 28 thousand dollar pick-up truck Durward also reported stolen in 2010 has been recovered, as was a hot tub reported stolen last year from a Falcon Lake cottage.

Durward has been charged with three counts of fraud over five thousand dollars and public mischief.

Yesterday Officially the Hottest Day of the Summer

No records were set, but yesterday was officially the hottest day of the summer in Kenora.

One of the weather stations at the Kenora Airport hit 32.3, which was marginally warmer than the previous hottest day, which hit 32.2 celcius last week.

The hottest day on record for August 28th is 34.9 back in 1984.

The normal high for this time of year is just 21 degrees.

Local School Boards Mulling Over Latest EQAO Results

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says their concerns are consistent with the concerns of the Ministry of Education.

The latest figures from the Education Quality and Accountability Office show that one in five Grade 6 students in the province did not meet the provincial math standard.

Director of Education Sean Monteith says they are looking over the test results.

The local figures will be released next month.

Campbell Pleased With Auto Insurance Changes

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is happy the Liberals have gotten the ball rolling to lower auto insurance premiums.

Campbell says she heard from folks that they weren't happy with their current rates.

Campbell says the NDP originally asked for the 15 percent cut to be implemented immediately, but it sounds like they are starting off with an 8 percent cut.

She says people should expect a reduction of 100 dollars by next August, and then 200 dollars once the whole 15 percent reduction is complete.

Dangerous Driver Arrested in Vermillion Bay

A 23 year old Dryden man faces a number of changes in connection to
some damage reported in Vermillion Bay.

Sunday night, the OPP say a number of lawns and some private property was damaged by a vehicle in Machin Township.

Benjamin McNabb has been charged with dangerous driving and leaving
the scene of an accident.

He's due to appear in Dryden Court September 30th to answer the charges.

Radio Tower Down in Hudson

Provincial Police are seeking the public's help after someone knocked down a radio tower in Hudson.

OPP say sometime last weekend someone struck the tower operated by our sister station in Dryden, with a vehicle and drove off.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sioux Lookout OPP or Crimestoppers.

CKDR says its working at replacing the tower.

Broncos Ready for Super Scrimmage

It football season in Kenora.

The Beaver Brae Broncos are hosting a 4 team exhibition series this afternoon.

Head Coach Chris Penner says it will be the last chance to finalize the starting roster.

Penner says the super scrimmage includes Dryden, Fort Frances, and Grant Park.

The games will be played at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex at 12:00.

Beauty Bay Wins Men's Slo-Pitch Title

The Beauty Bay Cubs are the champions of the Casey's Men's Slo-Pitch League.

The Cubs came back with a dramatic 9th inning, hitting back to back home runs for
a 17-16 win over the Sierra Construction Centuries.

Beauty Bay wins the best-of-three A-side Final two games to one.