Schools buses running today

Despite some snow overnight, its going to be business as usual for local schools.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says its buses will be running in the Kenora area this morning.

Already, road crews are out plowing local streets and highways.

The Kenora area has been hit with about five centimeters of snow so far, and Severe Weather Specialist, Geoff Coulson says about the same amout of snow will likely fall today.

Roads in the Kenora area are listed as snow-covered with some slushy sections and

poor visibility.

The OPP say further to the east in the Dryden area, travel is not advised this morning.

Bell admits problems with PST rebates

Bell Canada is working with the Union of Ontario Indians to provide PST rebates to its first nation customers.

Spokesperson Jacqueline Michelis says they were overwhelmed with the amount of calls they received about the refund.

The rebates will be retroactive to September 1st when the PST was to be exempt from phone, satelite and cable bills for first nation residents.

Kenora Figure Skaters medal in Winnipeg

The Kenora Figure Skating Club took part in its first major competition of the year and had a strong showing at the Super Skate in Winnipeg.

The club brought home 23 medals including nine gold, nine silver and five bronze.

Josh Cariou ended up with four gold, finishing first in every event he was entered in.

Julia Withers, Haylee Creed, Cassandra Moncrief and Emily Whiting also medaled in every event coming back with multiple medals.

Fort Frances Man charged in connection to stand-off.

A man remains in police custody, facing a number of charges including attempted murder in connection to an incident in Fort Frances over the weekend.

Richard Kabatay is to return to court next Monday after making a brief court appearance yesterday.

Police have not confirmed whether Kabatay is connected to a weekend incident in which one man was sent to hospital with serious injuries while another was holed up in a home on Scott Street in Fort Frances for much of the day Saturday.

More Money for Winter Roads

The Provincial Government has increased the funds for this year's winter roads network.

4.5 million dollars is allocated for the road network that spans 3-thousand kilometres.

Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle doesn't foresee a problem with the warm weather we're experiencing.

Gravelle notes the winter roads will connect 31 northern First Nation communities.

New Fire Hall Officially Open

Kenora's fire and emergency services department is hoping the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill lasts as long as the century old fire hall on Second Street South.

The grand opening for the new fire hall took place yesterday with more than 100 guests on hand for the ceremony.

Charito Drinkwalter is the chair of the emergency services committee and says it was exciting to see the new building opened.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says even though they had their ribbon cutting yesterday, its going to be a couple of more weeks yet before they can move into their new digs.

Brinkman is hoping they can move in by the middle of December at the very latest.