Another Drug Bust in Kenora

The drugs busts continue in Kenora.

On Tuesday Kenora OPP executed a search warrant in the North end of the city.

Police seized a pound of pot valued at 3 thousand dollars along with cash, cash, and a rifle.

As a result 48 year old Patrick Savoyard, 45 year old Gloria Savoyard, and 18 year old Shane Savoyard are facing multiple drug related charges.

All 3 will make court appearances at a later date.

Dryden Fire Continues Move to Kenora

The Dryden Fire Service is on schedule for a switch-over to a new provider at the Kenora Ambulance and Fire Dispatch Service.

Chief Ken Kurz says new equipment is being installed this week and testing will start next week.

He notes the move will mean all emergency service providers will be on the same network and it will allow for greater communication.

Kurz anticipates the move will be completed before the end of March.

Boil Water Necessary

The city's operations manager is supporting the action of the city wide boil water advisory.

Rick Perchuck says recent water main breaks affected the entire water system.

Perchuck says that they are working on 2 major leaks on 8th Avenue North and 1St Street South.

He is hopeful repairs could be complete next week.

Adding that if no other issues arise, they can then start testing water to lift the advisory.

Council Talks Rec Centre Expansion

Kenora city council continues to focus on expanding the Recreation Centre.

Councillor Rory McMillan says talks are planned between the city and the events centre committee.

McMillan says some topics in the business case will include required fundraising and what's realistic for the project.

Councillor Sharon Smith wants to see concrete figures related to community support and financial challenges.

Canfield Calls PDAC A Success

An overwhelming experience.

That's what mayor Dave Canfield says about his first trip the prospectors and developers meeting in Toronto last week.

Canfield says he had some help taking in the world's largest mining conference.

He notes that Red Lake Mayor Phil Vinet introsuced him to all the movers and shakers.

Canfield says the event opened his eyes to opportunities he didn't know the city had.

Rickford Supports Seniors Centre

The Federal Government is assisting the Happy-Go-Lucky Seniors Centre in Vermilion Bay with $25,000.

The money is being used to help in construction of an addition to their office space.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford made the announcement earlier this week, stating the centre will now be able to offer more services and training.

Garry Parkes is the President of the Centre and says they have money in reserves to match the grant.

He says the office will be established at the back of the centre.

PC's Call for Hydro One's CEO

Progressive Conservatives are calling for the firing of the Hydro One's chief executive officer.

MPP Jeff Yurek says it's prompted by complaints the party's received over billing problems.

Yurek cites one business in his London-area riding received a bill for 233-thousand dollars when it bill normally runs at about 45-hundred a month.

Yurek says if Hydro One were any other business, the people responsible would be fired and a new team put in place.

Microbeads Show up in Great Lakes

A new study is revealing high levels of small plastic beads found in many facial products in water samples from the Great Lakes.

Stiv Wilson with Five Gyres Institute says the microbeads aren't being adequately captured by sewage treatment and could pose a threat to wildlife and fish.

Several Great Lakes states, including Minnesota, are looking at legislation to address the issue.

Busy Time For Swim Sharks

A busy week starts today for the Kenora Swim Sharks.

24 swimmers are at the Pan Am Pool in Winnipeg for the ManSask Short Course Provincial Championships.

The meet runs through Sunday.

Next week the swimmers start the spring session with the annual swim-a-thon.

During the event all the Sharks will swim as far as the can in 60 or 90 minutes.

Peewee Thistles Extend Semi-finals

The Kenora Double A Peewee Thistles have staved off elimination.

Last night the Thistles took down Ile Des Chene 3-1 to tie the Eastman semi-final series at 1 game a piece.

Jacob Frankcom was the star last night scoring all three goals for Kenora.

Game three is now set for next Tuesday in Kenora.

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