City Updates Frozen Water lines

The city's operations manager is asking for patience.

That's the plea by Rick Perchuck as crews work around the clock to thaw frozen water lines.

Perchuck says all the issues have occurred because frost levels are well below the city's water infrastructure and leaves pipes susceptible to freezing.

He notes they have received over 300 calls this winter and that 89 homes are on the wait list to have lines unthawed.

Kenora MP Hosts Passport Clinic

If you're travelling out of country you'll want to stop here first.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford is holding a passport clinic in the city today.

Rickford says the clinic is a one stop shop to re-new a passport or if you're starting from scratch.

The clinic runs from 12 to 6 at the Kenora Legion.

Watershed Forum Underway

Focusing on water quality in the region.

That's the goal as the 11th Annual International Rainy lake of the Woods Watershed Forum gets underway in Intentional Falls today.

Todd Sellers is one of the organizers and says he's looking forward to a presentation calling for multi-jurisdictional action on invasive species.

Other topic being discussed over the next 2 days include Nutrients, Climate Change, and groundwater contamination.

Kenora Contractor Fined

A Kenora contractor is 5 thousand dollars lighter in the pocket.

Michael Klassen was issued the fine for illegally building a garage on a property in Clearwater Bay last March.

In court the MNR said the garage was built without permits and that it violated the Public Lands Act to protect water quality and trout populations in the lake.

It's the second time Klassen has been fined for violating the act.

In April last year he built a cottage without a permit.

Family Re-calls Fire in Waldhof

A major house fire in Waldhof is impacting the family that owns Kokom's Banock Shack in Dryden.

Owners, Josie Racicot and Bruce Dowswell, as well as, their daughter Kayla and grand-daughter Kaizly were able to escape only with what they were wearing.

The Sunday morning blaze destroyed the home within a half hour recalls sister-in-law Tammy Hourie.

The Machin Fire Service are investigating and at this point the cause is unknown.

Health Coalltion Pushes Against Privitization

The Ontario Health Coalition wants to bring people to the ballot box next month.

It plans to hold a voluntary referendum April 5 as part of a campaign denouncing the privatization of hospital services.

Executive Director Natalie Mehra says they are in the process of getting organized in northwestern Ontario.

Mehra says if certain medical procedures are shift from hospitals to private clinics, patients in northern Ontario would likely be forced to travel out of town more often for access.

Kenora OPP Seize Percocet Pills

The OPP have charged 2 Manitoba men with drug charges.

57 year old Dean Fagnan and 68 year old Abie Parenteau were arrested on Friday last week after police pulled their vehicle over on Highway 17.

Police found 452 Percocet pills valued at 45 hundred dollars.

Both have been charged with trafficking a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

They will answer to the charges in May.

Police ID Man Found in Washagamis Bay

Police have identified the body of a man found dead inside a Washagamis Bay First Nation residence last weekend.

Treaty 3 Police confirm that 39 year old Matthew Cherry of Washagamis Bay was found Saturday afternoon.

A post mortem was performed yesterday at the Lake of the Wood District Hospital.

Police say the death is not suspicious.

The investigation is continuing with assistance from the OPP's Northwest Region Crime Unit and Forensic Identification unit.

Boil Water Advisory Not Going Away

Despite some warm weather water issues continue to be problem number 1 for the city of Kenora.

However no new water main breaks have been reported since Friday on Tenth street in Keewatin.

Crews are continuing to repair breaks on 5th Avenue North, 1st Street South, 2nd Street South, and River Drive.

Along with the water mains there is still a large water list waiting list of frozen water lines to thaw.

The boil water advisory remains in effect for the entire city.

Nominations Sought for Influential Women Awards

A unique awards program for woman is accepting nominations.

The Influential Women of Northern Ontario awards will be presented in June.

Spokesperson Kimberley Wahamaa says along with six awards to be given out, they're also offering up a scholarship.

The awards have also been expand to include new categories in aboriginal leadership, tradeswoman and community trailblazer.

To more information visit www.influentialwomen.ca

KPDSB Downplays Fraser Report

The Director of Education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is firing back at the Fraser Institute and its lastest report on student achievement.

The right-wing think tanked ranked area High Schools near the bottom of the list in student achievement.

Sean Monteith is inviting Author Peter Cowley to a visit of our schools.

Monteith notes the graduation rate is well above the provincial average.

Thunder bay Tackles Dementia

Thunder Bay will be one of the many communities to push for the Federal Government to create a national dementia strategy.

Councillor Andrew Foulds says the cause is gaining traction with 102 communities in Ontario passing a resolution on the issue.

Canada is currently the only G8 country to not have a strategy in place.

Winter Carnival Wraps Up

Another Winter Carnival has come and gone in Kenora.

The Great Canadian Canoe race wrapped up festivities of Sunday.

Jacob Jeswiet of the winning 4-some says it was quite the challenge.

Meanwhile the Brooms for beds funspiel hosted by CJRL raised just over $3500 for the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

Police Investigate Washagamis Death

A death on Washagamis Bay First Nation is under investigation by the Treaty 3 Police.

A 39 year old man was pronounced dead inside a residence on Saturday after police were called.

A post mortem exam is taking place today at the lake of the Woods District Hospital.

The investigation is being assisted by the OPP's Northwest Crime Unit and Forensic Identification Unit.

The man's name has not been released at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP or Crimestoppers.

City Supports Private Member's Bill

City Council is trying to lower property taxes by changing the rules surrounding joint and several liability.

Current rules can see municipalities held fiscally responsible for traffic accidents such as hitting a pothole while speeding.

Mayor Dave Canfield says a resolution passed last month is calling for a level playing field.

The Private members bill tabled by MPP randy Pettapiece is currently before the legislature.

Elk Not Affected by Weather

The harsh winter conditions aren't expected to affect the elk population in northwestern Ontario.

Elk were released into the Cameron Lake area southeast of Kenora about 15 years ago.

Murray English is the co-chair of the Elk Restoration Committee and says the animals are pretty well adapted to surviving deep snow.

English says the elk population ranges between 40 to 50 animals, but they do see more calves every year.

KDSB Upgrading Homelessness Plan

The Kenora District Services Board says it's continuing to work on it's Homelessness Plan.

The Board recently submitted it's 10 year plan to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Dan McNeil is the Chief Administrative Officer and admits ministry officials found their plan waning.

McNeil says they are working to fill out the plan, providing time lines for certain goals to be completed.

Ministry Focused on All Mining Projects

The Ring of Fire may be get all of the attention, but Ontario's Mine's Minister says he has a good sense of the other mining projects that could be in production well before that in the remote north.

Among them, New Gold's project north of Barwick which the company says is prepared to start construction next year.

Michael Gravelle says the Ministry's not ignoring those other projects.

Gravelle adds his Ministry is working well with New Gold and shares in the excitement of the economic opportunities.

Broncos Win Bronze in Boys Hokcey

Another medal for the Beaver Brae boys hockey team.

This weekend the Broncos took bronze at the tournament of champions.

Cole Forsyth and Adam Withers each had a pair of goals as the team doubled up Thunder Bay's Westend Bruins 4-2 for the medal.

It was another mark to end a strong season for Beaver brae after winning silver in NorWOSSA league play.

Kenora Wrestler Wins Bronze

A Beaver Brae wrestler is coming home from OFSAA with a medal.

Tyanna Carpenter used the momentum of a great season to finish with a bronze medal in her weight class.

In her second provincial championship Carpenter fought her way to a 6-1 record.

Her only loss came to the eventual gold meadlist.