OSSLT Results Questioned

Some trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says they aren't happy with the recent Grade 10 Literacy test rersults.

At last nights board meeting, the 2011-2012 results were revealed and one trustee said that more work needs to be done with students.

However Director of Education Jack McMaster has a different take saying they are always trying to

improve their EQAO results. 

Just 69 percent of the students in the public school system successfully completed the Literacy test, compared to 87 percent at the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

Kenora Supports Thunder Bay Disaster Relief

Kenora is the latest municipality to come to the aid of Thunder Bay.

Thunder Bay has been asking for financial support following a devastating flood at the end of May.

The City is trying to raise five million dollars for a flood relief program, funding which will be more than matched by the provincial government.

So far, Dryden and Fort Frances have committed one thousand dollars to the disaster relief effort.

Councillor Ron Lunny says he'd be willing to provide even more support if its needed.

OPP Continue Investigation into Rainy River Fire

More details are being released about a fire that destroyed a Rainy River landmark.

On Monday, Ontario Provincial Police and fire fighters responded to the fire at the Canadian Northern Hotel.

When crews arrived, they saw a small amount of smoke coming from the roof area.

Officials confirmed that no one was inside the building, and no one was injured as a result of the incident.

The building was destroyed, but crews were able to contain the fire and protect the surrounded buildings.

The investigation is continuing.

Brew Pub Opening Delayed

Its going to take longer than expected to quench your thirst at the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company.

Taras Manzie was hoping to set up a brew pub in the old Kenora Fire Hall before the end of this year.

In an update to city council yesterday morning, Manzie says his goal is to brew beer, sell to patrons at the pub, and also have an off-sale outlet.

Manzie says the licencing requirements are very time consuming so he says their goal now is to open the brew pub in time for next year's May long weekend.

Kindergarten Classes Filling Up

Four and five year olds are filling up classes in the Keewatin Patricia District School Board.

Full-day kindergarten is in it's third year, and 6 new classes were added this year in area schools.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says there's endless opportunities for the children to learn.

After 2015, all schools in the district will have full-day kindergarten.

Council Debates Non-Profit Housing Merger

Kenora city council still hasn't decided whether to merge the boards of the Kenora and Keewatin Non-Profit Housing Corporations.

The city began the process over the summer, but there is still some concern there may not be any cost savings.

Councillor Sharon Smith says she's not opposed to an amalgamation of the boards, but she wants some hard facts first.

Council will vote on whether to put a transition board in place at Monday's open meeting.

That would give the city a year to decide whether to go ahead with the merger.

Fire Hazard on the Rise

Kenora continues to be one of the busier districts in terms of forest fires.

So far this week, there have been four new wild fires.

The MNR says only one was caused by humans, there rest were the result of old lightning strikes.

All four fires were relatively small and have been contained by fire crews.

The fire hazard has risen to high to extreme across much of the region.

OPP in Fort Frances Arrest Suspect in Assault

A woman in Fort Frances is telling a harrowing tale.

Provincial Police say the woman was walking with her two kids on Sunday afternoon when she was approached by a man on a bike who began uttering threats.

Police say the man then took out a knife and held it to her throat.

The woman was able to fight off her attacker and the suspect rode off into the bush.

Treaty Three Police later picked him up and arrested him for Assault with a weapon and Uttering death threats.

He has been identified as 36-year-old Benjamin Budge of no fixed address.

Bronco Golfers Finish Third in Atikokan

A third place finish for Beaver Brae's boys at the second NorWOSSA golf tournament of the season.

The Broncos finished behind Sioux Lookout and Dryden yesterday, at the tournament held in Atikokan.

Brae's Brae's boys had a collective score of 352, which was 39 shots back of Dryden.

The next tournament will take place Monday in Sioux Lookout. 

Saints Start New NorWOSSA Season on the Road

A new year in NorWOSSA sports is underway.

Yesterday, the Thomas Aquinas girls basketball and boys volleyball teams travelled to Atikokan to open the season.

Both boys volleyball teams won, the Senior Saints in three straight games, while the junior squad won three sets to one.

In girls basketball, the T.A. juniors beat the Voyageurs 30-24, while the Saints Senior girls suffered the lone defeat of the day, dropping a 24-23 decision to Atikokan.

Today, all four teams head down Highway 11 to take on Rainy River.

Changes Coming to City Committees

A bit of a shake up to the committee structure at City Hall.

Council is planning to create one new committee and disband another.

The new Event Center Committee will look at expansion plans for the Kenora Rec. Center.

Councillor Ron Lunny says the committee will be looking different ideas for the Rec. Center.

Lunny says one of the issues the new committee will look at is twinning the ice surface.

In the meantime, the Youth Committee is being disbanded by council.

CAO Karen Brown says it really wasn't living up to its mandate of providing a youth voice to council decisions.

Instead she says they will be looking to student volunteers who might want to sit at the council table and provide direct imput on their decisions.

Council to Vote on Casino Next Month

Kenora City council will decide on October 4th, whether it will  agree to be considered a site for a new casino.

Last night, the first of two public meetings were held to gather feedback from the public.

The Lake of the Woods Development Commission says it supports the concept of a casino, but council says it won't support that recommendation until its heard all the feedback.

People who aren't able to attend the public meetings can fill out a survey on the city's web portal.

OPP Release Details of Pickle Lake Stand-off

A 35-year-old man faces charges following a nearly 24-hour standoff in Pickle Lake.

Provincial Police responded to a report of an assault around 3:30 Saturday morning.

The man refused to turn himself in and barricaded himeself inside a home.

OPP negotiators and the Tactics and Rescue Unit were called in and the man was finally arrested outside the home around 2:30 Sunday morning.

OPP say the accused faces counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and assault.

He remains in custody and his first court appearance is Thursday.

No name has been released.

A woman was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

New Events Website for Kenora District almost Ready

"Find Yourself Here" is the new tagline for a cultural mapping website that's aimed at increasing tourism in the Kenora district.

The tagline and logo was submitted by Christine Petre of Winnipeg.

Project Manager Catherine Dashny says they selected the two following an on-line competition.

The cultural mapping project will feature events, activities and attractions across the district.

Fire Destroys Rainy River Hotel

The investigation continues into the cause of a fire that destroyed a Rainy River landmark.

Firefighters from Rainy River and Baudette spent several hours yesterday battling the blaze at the Canadian Northern Hotel.

It was spotted early yesterday morning passers-by early this morning.

The hotel opened in 1903 and had operated up to the fire.

OPP Investigate a Rash of Mischief Complaints

The OPP say they are investigating a rash of mischief complaints.

Over the weekend, police say graffitti was tagged in a number of areas, including 9th Street North, 2nd Street North and 4th Avenue South.

Officers also say that a vehicle parked in the 10th Street North area had its windshield smashed.

An unlocked vehicle on Drewry Drive was entered as well.

A number of items, including some change and a multi-tool were stolen.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

World Suicide Prevention Day

A local organization is looking to help those affected by suicide.

Firefly, which offers support services for children in the Kenora District, is marking the 10th anniversary of World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday.

CEO Karen Ingebrigtson says those who need help should seek it as soon as possible.

Tonight there will be a candle light vigil at McCleod Park for family and friends who have been affected by suicide.

Terry Fox Run this Weekend

The countdown is underway for the 32nd annual Terry Fox Run.

The fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society will take place next Sunday.

Martha McClugh is with the Terry Fox Foundation in Ontario and says the run seems to inspire people.

The Kenora run will start at Valleyview School next Sunday and go around Rabbit Lake.

Bike Ride For Muscular Dystrophy Begins Today

A couple of fire fighters will begin their over 500-kilometre journey today in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Reagan Breeze from Dryden and Atikokan firefighter Graham Warburton are beginning their cycling trip in Kenora and they hope to arrive in Dryden tonight.

They will resume their trip tomorrow with hopes of finishing in Thunder Bay on Wednesday.

Breeze and Warburton are raising money and awareness for M.D.

Police Investigating Theft of Motor Bike

The OPP in Kenora are looking for a dirt bike that was stolen last Saturday.

Police say the bike is a blue and white Yamaha TT-R-90 youth bike.

Police say it was taken sometime between midnight and 7am from the back of a pick up truck parked at a Fourth Street North home.

According to officers, it appears the suspect or suspects pushed the bike down the train tracks towards railway street.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OPP or Crimestoppers.