Headwaters Groundbreaking

Qualico has broken ground on its Headwaters condominium project on Tunnel Island.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held this morning with company and city officials on hand.

Barry Hedgecock is heading up the project for Qualico and says they have sold enough units to begin construction, and isn't worried about the lack of sales so far.

The first building, which will have 10 condo units is slated to be completed by next summer.

About 90 units in all are expected to be built over the next four to five years.

Houston Lake Mining Update

Houston Lake Mining is pleased with its recent results from its Dubenski property.

President and C.E.O. Grayme Anthony says the results have exceeded their expectations and increased the indicated mineral reosource by 84 percent.

Anthony adds that since the gold resource is near surface, they've only just started to reveal the real potential at the Dubenski property.

The property is considering a second drilling program on the property.

United Reef Limited

United Reef Limited is buying five mining claims in the Kenora Mining District.

The claims take up 435 acres of land and are located 45 kms south east of Dryden.

The Santa Maria Project lies within the Eagle-Wabigoon-Manitou Lakes Greenstone Belt, and has gold and quartz properties.

Inititial work on the property is expected to continue into the coming months.

Royal Agricultural Fair

Northern Ontario will have a strong presence at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

The annual event, now in its 87th year, showcases Canada's agricultural industry.

CEO Bill Bill Duron says the fair has led to some success for northern Ontario producers who attend.

The fair opens Friday and runs through to the middle of the month.

Royal Agricultural Fair

Northern Ontario will have a strong presence at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

The annual event, now in its 87th year, showcases Canada's agricultural industry.

CEO Bill Bill Duron says the fair has led to some success for northern Ontario producers who attend.

The fair opens Friday and runs through to the middle of the month.

Dryden Theft Ring

Three people face charges after Dryden Police broke up an internal theft ring.

Officers arrested the trio after searching a Highway 502 home and a Boyd Road residence.

Police recovered more then 12-thousand dollars worth of merchandise stolen from a local business.

20-year-old James Anthony Shearer and 18-year-old Geoffery Shearer have been charged with possession of stolen property, theft over 5-thousand dollars and posession of property obtained by crime.

28-year-old Adrian Piche has been charged with possession of stolen property.

Most of the goods were taken from a local store where Geoffery was employed.

Northwestern Ontario Agriculture Study

A new study on agriculture in northwestern Ontario shows the industry in the Rainy River district is strong.

The study reports the industry generated more than 13-million dollars in agri-related business in the district and created over 300 jobs in 2008.

Author Don Murray says the Rainy River district also showed an increase in the amount of land used for farming over the past forty years.

Murray says the presence of a research station and new abatoir bode well for the future of agriculture in the district.

Hampton on Buchanan

Criticism in the legislature yesterday over the lack of severance pay given to employees with the Buchanan Group of Companies.

Kenora-Rainy River NDP MPP Howard Hampton told the house while the forest company received millions of dollars from the government, none of it went to laid-off workers.

Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle did not say if the government would force the company to comply with provincial laws, but say it is working with those impacted.

Long Gun Registry Rickford

A private members bill calling for the repeal of the federal long gun registry has crossed another hurdle.

Members of Parliament voted in favour of scrapping the legislation this week.

Kenora M.P. Greg Rickford says was good to see members of otherparties vote in favour of the Conservative motion.

Rickford says the bill still has to go before a parliamentary committeefor review and possible revision, before its goes to a third and finalvote.

AFN Chief Visits Whitefish Bay

Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo was impressed with his visit to the Treaty Three Community of Whitefish Bay.

Atleo was in the first nation yesterday for the Kenora Chiefs Advisory's first Public Health Day.

The new National Chief says he was pleased to see the preparedness and cooperation in the first nation community.

Atleo also unveilled the AFN's Influenza Surveillance Guide for all first nation communities across Canada.

The plan includes a checklist for schools, and helps teachers keep track of students showing signs of influenza.

Hospital Surplus

A good turn around for Lake of the Woods District Hospital financially.

The hospital is reporting a surplus of 484 thousand dollars in the first six months of the 2009/2010 fiscal year.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen believes the surplus isa credit to their staff rather than a third party review conducted last year.

At this point last year, the hospital had a modest surplus of 412 thousand dollars.