Record Rain over the Weekend

Noah's Arc can't be far behind.

The City of Kenora endured more than a month's worth of rain over the weekend.

Figures from Environment Canada show 90 millimeters of precipitation between Friday and Saturday.

Friday set a record for rainfall for September 27th, with over 48 millimeters, shattering
the previous record by more than 25 millimeters.

The average amount of rain in the month of September in Kenora is just 70 millimeters.

Kenora got more rain this past weekend than any other community in northwestern Ontario.

Only Minor Boundary Changes for Kenora Riding

No major changes for the Kenora Riding in the final report from the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission.

The report was presented to parliament yesterday.

Last year, the Commission had proposed moving Lake of the Woods Township into the Kenora Riding.

But a number of residents of the community complained when public hearings were held last year.

Instead, the Township will remain in the Thunder Bay-Rainy River Riding.

The Commission did agree to move Sabaskong Bay into the Kenora Riding from Rainy River to unite it with the Onigaming First Nation. 

Cross-Canada Marathon Runner Due in Kenora

An English marathon runner is expected to pass through Kenora this week.

Jamie McDonald is on a five thousand kilometer run across Canada for the Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto.

McDonald has been stopping at schools along the way and says he has a message
for the students he meets.

He encourages them to stay positive and not to get mired down in the negativity of some of the messages out there in social media.

McDonald has raised about 30 thousand dollars so far during his cross-country marathon.

For more information you can check out:  www.jamiemcdonald.org

Northern Policy Institute Up and Running

The Northern Policy Institute is alive and well and getting up to speed.

The Policy Institute was created by the provincial government to look at
economic development issues and opportunities for northern Ontario.

They've been up and running for 13 months and CEO Charles Cirtwell says they're trying to create an online community consultation tool that will gather public feedback on Provincial Government policies.

Cirtwell addressed members of the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference in Thunder Bay last week.

Campbell Applauds Bill To Create Accountability Officer

The Provincial Government is one step closer to having a financial accountability office.

The bill has passed third reading in the legislature, and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says it's great news.

Campbell says it will make sure instances like the scandal with the gas plants in southern Ontario, never happens again.

The creation of an accountability office was a key demand from the NDP in the 2013 budget.

Fire Season Quickly Winding Down

All is quiet on the forest fire front across northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is dealing with no active fires.

Information Officer Heather Pridham says this allows them to concentrate their efforts elsewhere and get ready for winter.

The final fires in the region were declared out last Monday.

The forest fire season officially ends on October 31st in northwe
stern Ontario.

OFAH Urges Hunters to Be Safe

The Ontario Federation Hunters of Anglers is reminding all hunters to be cautious this season.

Spokesperson Shannon Gutoskie says it's a popular activity, especially here in Northwestern Ontario and is reminding everyone to be safe and use caution.

Gutoskie says it's important to know the current regulations before hitting the bush, water or field.

For more information visit  http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en

Gravelle Says He'll Support Bill to Expand Bear Hunt

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says he's going to back his fellow Thunder Bay area MPP's private members bill.

Bill Mauro's proposed legislation looks at reducing the number of nuiscance bears in the region, even if it means bringing back the spring bear hunt.

Gravelle says he's got Bill's back and says he'll support the bill.

Mauro's bill also looks at expanding the hunt as well.

Gas Prices Continue to Fall

A good time to fill up your tank.

Gas prices dropped in Kenora over the weekend by three cents a liter.

This morning, the price at the pump is 1.33.9 cents a liter at most service stations in town.

That's down from 1.36.9 on Friday.

Kenora's price is still about 10 cents a liter higher than the national average this morning.

Thistles Drop Pair of Exhibition Games

Still a work in progress.

The Kenora Triple "a" Midget Thistles played their first and only exhibition games of
the pre-season over the weekend and lost both to the Eastman Selects.

Yesterday, the Selects skated to a 3-1 win over the Thistles in Beausejour.

On Saturday night, the Kenora Midgets were doubled up 4-2 by Eastman.

The Thistles open the regular season on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Wild.

Broncos win third in a row in WHSFL

Another statement game by the Beaver Brae Broncos football team.

The Broncos improved to 3-1 on the season with a dominating 35-9 win over the Maples Mauraders.

Defensively Jackson Penner led the way with 3 interceptions one of which was brought back for a touchdown.

Also finding the end zone for Beaver Brae was Tyler Neil, Aiden Farrell, and Eric Melillo.

The Broncos next game is Friday at Pete Fair Memorial Field against the Fort Frances Muskies.

LOWBREWCO Gets Ready to Celebrate Octoberfest

Lake of the Woods Brewing Company says it plans to expand its operations this winter.

The brew/pub started producing its own beer this summer.

Taras Manzies is the owner of LOWBREWCO and says one of things they want to do is expand their product line.

LOWBREWCO is launching its own version of a German lager this afternoon.

Manzies says they hope to produce at least one new beer a month during the
course of the winter.

Manzies says they are looking to add a canning line to their brewing operation over the winter to go along with their "growlers".

Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Wabauskang Appeal

The Supreme Court of Canada has decided to hear Wabauskang First Nation's appeal of an Ontario Court of Appeal's decision on mining activity in it's traditional land use territory.

The Supreme Court will now consider whether or not Ontario has the authority to make land-use decisions in Treaty 3.

Chief Leslie Cameron says Ontario doesn't have the right to allow mining and other companies in their traditional territory.

Cameron adds Canada needs to be involved to ensure their treaty rights are respected.
Wabauskang has an outstanding lawsuit against Rubicon Minerals.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the appeal in late 2014, with a decision not expected until 2015.

The decision comes a week after the Supreme Court also agreed to hear
an appeal of Grassy's Narrows land use appeal of an Ontario Court ruling.

Wet Weekend In Store

Be prepared to get wet this weekend.

A low pressure system is moving across northwestern Ontario that's expected to bring a couple of inches of precipitation.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says there's a lot of moisture
being carried into the region.

Laidlaw says things should start to dry out by Sunday.

Thistles Play Exhibition Games This Weekend

A chance to check out this year's edition of the Kenora Triple "a" midget
Thistles.

The Thistles will play a pair of exhibition games this weekend against the
Eastman Selects.

The first game is tomorrow night at 7:30 at the Thistle Rink.

The same two teams will meet Sunday afternoon
at 2:00 in Beausejour.

The Thistles open the regular Wednesday on the road against the
Winnipeg Wild.

Bronco Golfer Medals At NWOSSA Championships

A silver medal for a Beaver Brae golfer at the NWOSSA championships.

Matt Krolyk had a second place finish yesterday in Geraldton.

Krolyk finished ahead of three other golfers to earn a trip to the OFSAA
championships in Windsor next month.

Overall, Beaver Brae placed fifth in the team competition at NWOSSA.

Thomas Aquinas placed just outside the medals in 4th place.

Northwest Municipal Leaders Upset with Queen's Park

Members of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association are telling the Minister of Northern Development and Mines that they are frustrated.

Several municipal leaders spoke today with Michael Gravelle about their growing concerns about the future of the Thunder Bay Generating Station and the Ring of Fire development.

NOMA President Dave Canfield says they're understanding but something more needs to be done to help speed up the process.

Canfield made the comments during the annual Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference taking place in Thunder Bay.

Lay-Offs Begin At Boise Mill in IFalls

Layoff at the Boise Mill in International Falls are starting to kick in.

Many of the 265 employees have been working their last shifts this week as the company prepares to idle two of its paper machines and a coating machine, a decision announced in May.

The mill will still employ about 580 people.

Youth In Philanthropy Back At Beaver Brae

Youth In Philanthropy is back at Beaver Brae for the seventh year.

The program is run through the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

Teacher Holly Barber says selecting charities for the grants is always a challenge for the students.

The students hold a granting ceremony every spring after meeting with and selecting 4 local charities.

Bill Introduced to Expand Bear Hunt

A northwestern Ontario MPP is trying to expand the bear hunt in the north.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro has introduced a private members bill at Queens Park.

Mauro says the bill is aimed at reducing the nuisance bear population, and could include the re-introduction of the spring bear hunt.

Mauro hopes other parties support his proposal so it can pass into law.