Break and Enter at Old Market Square

Kenora OPP are investigating a break and enter of a business in Market Square.

Police say the break in took place over night and the suspects made of with a quantity of cash.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Kenora OPP Search for Suspect in Sexual Assault

The Kenora OPP are on the lookout for a suspect of a reported sexual assault.

Police say a woman reported the assault on Monday evening.

The suspect is described as man standing 5 foot 7 with light skin, brown hair, and brown eyes.

He was driving a silver or grey van at the time of the assault.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Ivall Sentenced to 16 Years in Prision

Kenneth Ivall will serve at least 16 years in jail for the death of Ed Wilson.

Justice Terrance Platana sentenced Ivall this morning to 16 years in prison starting from the day he was arrested on March 21st, 2009.

The 43 year old Ivall was found guilty of second degree murder back in February.

Justice Platana described the beating of Ed Wilson as vicious and says the action of placing his body on the Railway tracks in Norman was an effort to cover up the crime.

Justice Platana also says he is concerned that Ivall has not taken any acceptance of the crime and has shown no remorse.

He is not eligible for parole until 2025.

KDSB Ready for Comment on Housing Plan

A long awaited housing and homelessness plan for the Kenora District is about to move forward.

Pubic meetings in communities the Services Board services are expected to begin next month.

KDSB Chair Barry Baltessen says determining the needs of area communities will be a team effort.

Baltesson says they have to submit their draft plan to the board by September.

He adds that t
here is no provincial funding attached to the 10-year strategy.

Lake of the Woods Brewing Company Set to Open

Kenora's newest eating experience will be open in time for the Canada
day long weekend.

The Lake of the Woods Brew Pub will be opening its doors on Saturday.

Taras Manzies says the push is on to have everything ready in time.

Manzies says their first batch of beer may not be ready for the opening
weekend, but says they should be able to start selling it within the next
week or so.

Keewatin Plays Host to Canada Day Festivities

Keewatin will be a hub of activity this Canada Day long weekend.

Councillor Sharon Smith says they have events planned all weekend long for the Keewatin Summer Splash.

She says that includes a long list of activities,  such as a parade along
Ottawa Street on July 1st.

There will also be a fish fry tomorrow night at St. Andrew's United Church to kick things off.

Things will wrap up Monday night with the traditional fireworks display on the Harborfront starting
at 10:45.

Pinecrest Loses Administrator

Kenora's loss is Fort France's gain.

The Pinecrest Home of the Aged is losing its assistant administrator.

Darryl Galusha is moving to the Rainycrest Long Term Care home.

Galusha says there may be some things at the Kenora home he might be able to bring to his new job.

Galusha takes on the post July 15.

MNR Readies for Long Weekend

Another long weekend, another safety reminder from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Spokesperson Deb McLean says the fire hazard isn't super high right now, but folks can do their part to make sure it stays that way.

Recent lightning strikes across the region has the Ministry of Natural Resources keeping a close eye on the forest fire situation.

Lightning sparked a number of new fires in the far north, most of them burning in remote locations.

McLean says if you plan on having a campfire, always stay with it and put it out completely if you plan on leaving the area.

Lucky Ducky Race this Weekend

Time to get racing.

The annual Rotary Lucky Ducky race is taking place at McLeod Park on Canada Day.

Tickets are still available for the fundraiser for the Kenora Rotary Club.

Organizer Rod Riopel says there are multiple locations to get tickets throughout the city.

The Lucky Ducky race takes to McLeod Park on Canada day and has 20 cash prizes up for grabs including 15 hundred dollars for first place.

Tom Sawyer Fishing Derby this Weekend

No rods and reels can help you in this fishing derby.

The 3rd annual Tom Sawyer Fishing Derby is this Saturday and organizer Dave Cain from the OPP says kids will have to make their own fishing poles.

The event is free to attend and Triple Play will also be hosting a charity Bar-B-Que starting at 11.

All children who register will also get a voucher for a free lunch.

This year the fishing derby will take place on the Harborfront Docks.

Highway 17 East Closed Twice in Six Hours

Heavy rain may be responsible for at least one of two accidents on Highway 17 east.

A two vehicle collision closed the Trans-Canada down around 8:30 last night near Hertz's corner for about an hour.

While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, a thunder storm had just rolled through the area prior to the collision.

Highway 17 was also closed just west of the Jones Road intersection yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours.

A pick-up truck went of the north side of the road and down an embankment.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services was called out to help get the two
occupants out.

They sustained only minor injuries.

Gold Project Moving Forward Despite Low Prices

Work continues on the Goliath Gold project in the Wabigoon area.

Treasury Metals is currently involved in an environment assessment.

Vice-President of the project Norm Bush says the project is moving forward despite slumping gold prices.

Gold prices dropped 7-percent last week and show no sign of turning around.

City Applauds New Recycling Initiatives

Changes to the Waste Reduction Act are getting two thumbs up from Kenora City Council.

Under the proposed changes, industry will have to pick up more of the cost of recycling programs.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says that's good news because the city ends up subsidizing recycling programs for not only local taxpayers for for residents in the unincorporated areas as well.

Canfield says currently the city pays 50 percent of the cost of blue box programs, but that's expected to change over the next couple of years with industry contributing more, based on the amount of packaging used
in their products.

Quiet Week For MNR Fire Crews

Not much in the way of forest fire activity this week for MNR fire crews.

Just one new blaze reported yesterday.

It was located at the south end of Lake of the Woods.

Fire crews are also looking into reports of a second blaze in the same area.

With all the rain and humidity this week, the fire hazard has dropped to the
low to moderate range across the region.

WSO Set To Perform Under the White Cap Pavillion

Another perk about living in Kenora.

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will be performing under the Whitecap Pavilion Friday night.

Len Mark with the Lake of the Woods Concert Group says we are lucky that we are so close to the WSO's home
.
The WSO will also be performing with the Ladies of the Lake from Kenora starting at 7:00 tomorrow night.

Admission is free, but there are reserved seats available for 25 dollars.

Highway Re-Opened

Highway 17 in Kenora was shut down for a couple of hours afternoon due to a single vehicle accident.

The accident took place in the area of the Jones Road around 2:00.

No-one was seriously injured and the OPP have since re-opened the highway to two-way traffic.

The Trans-Canada was closed for about two hours in that area.  

City Donates Clock to Retired Railroaders

Time is standing still at city hall these days.

Yesterday, council made a special presentation to the
Canadian Pacific Retired Railroaders Club.

The old CP station clock, which has been housed in council
chambers for several years, was presented to the Railroaders
group.

The clock will find a new home at the CP Railroad Museum in Norman.

The city is planning to order a replica clock, at a cost of about 700 dollars.

Camper Dies Overnight at Falcon Lake

One person is dead and another has been taken to hospital following a
bizarre incident at the Falcon Lake Campground in eastern Manitoba.

The RCMP say a 45 year old Quebec man was killed early this morning after a tree fell on a tent.

Corporal Miles Hiebert says severe weather is likely to blame.

The Mounties says a 44 year old woman has been taken to hospital for
treatment of minor injuries.

The name of the person who was killed is not going to be released by police.

Body of Missing Thunder Bay Man Found

Ontario Provincial Police say they have found the body of 26-year-old cliff diver Larry Larivee.

Police were called to the McKenzie River near Thunder Bay last night after someone said they found a body.

Larivee failed to resurface after jumping into the river a week ago today.

The cause of death at this time is unknown and a post mortem has been ordered.

LOWDPOA Gaining Ground in Campaign Against Flying Lanterns

Kenora city council has gotten more information about the dangers of flying lanterns.

Executive Director with the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association Susan McLeod gave another deputation this week and says they are more dangerous now despite previous attempts to ban them.

McLeod did say that a number of local stores have agreed to stop selling the lanterns.

She also wants to remind the public that they are responsible for any damage caused by lanterns that they release.