KFP Uncertain when sawmill will re-open

The Manager of the Kenora Forest Products Mill still isn't exactly sure when the sawmill might re-open.

The province announced 101 thousand cubic meters of wood from the Kenora Forest to expand the mill operations.

Rod McKay says they are tentatively looking at the spring of 2012, but that's still dependant on the American market.

Kenora Forest Products is hoping to hire back 98 of its laid off workers and hire as many as 36 new employees, once things get back up and running.

Red Cross In NWO Accepting donations for Somalia

Red Cross officials in northwestern Ontario are collecting money for famine relief in Somalia as the situation there remains critical.

Spokesperson Rob Zuback says people across the region are starting to respond.

Zuback says more donations started to come in when the Harper government announced it would match them dollar for dollar.

ILevel Gets Electricity Rebate

The I-Level Timberstrand Mill on the Jones Road is getting a much needed boost from the province.

Less than a month after being promised a wood allocation from the Kenora Forest, the company will also be getting a 5.8 million dollar electricity subsidy.

Bill Canline is the mill manager and says the funding is much needed.

The money will give the mill a two cents a kilowatt hour subsidy over the  next three years and comes from the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program.

NOHFC Announces more funding for local Communities

Nine communities in northwestern Ontario will be sharing 5.4 million dollars from the northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

That includes money the Whitefeather forest Management Corporation to develop a business plan for the operation of a new sawmill in Red Lake.

Minister responsible for the Heritage Fund, Michael Gravelle says these projects are deserving of the funding.

The North Caribou First nation will be getting a million dollars to build a community and Recreation Center, while Deer Lake will also get a million dollars to complete a multi-purpose facility.

Goldcorp Donates to Eye Van

Goldcorp is making a 25-thousand dollar donation in support of the CNIB Eye Van.

Red Lake Gold Mine Manager Chris Cormier made the announcement in Red Lake last week.
The vehicle is a mobile clinic that brings the best in medical eye care to remote areas in Northern Ontario.

The Van travels more than 6-thousand kilometres to 30-communities, examining more than 5-thousand patients.

MNR Hoping weather will help their fight against forest fires

The Ministry of Natural Resources is hoping the weather this week will help them combat more than 130 fires burning in the region.

There are 41-forest fires alone burning in the Red Lake area.

Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Kathy Crampton says the lightning caused fire is 32-hundred hectares in size and growing.

Heavy smoke from the fires was blowing into the Kenora area and parts of southern

Manitoba over the weekend.

Walk For Good Life wraps up

A group of walkers has completed their journey around the Kenora-Rainy River district.

The seventeen young people took part in the "Walk for Good Life" that started a week ago on the Eagle Lake First Nation.

16-year-old Justin Morrison of Couchiching says its been a great experience.

The group wrapped up the trek yesterday back at the Eagle Lake First Nation.

Libitka and Bennett win KBI

It came down to the wire, but the Kenora duo of Mark Libitka and Dave Bennett took away top honors at the 24th annual Kenora Bass International.

They reeled in 50.67 pounds of bass, just edging out Jeff Gustafson and Chris Savage, who weighed in

last on day three of KBI on Saturday.

Jess Swenson and Michael Reid from Sioux Narrows placed third with 47.83 pounds.

Libitka and Bennett took home more than 25 thousand dollars for their three days of work on Lake of the Woods.

In the Can/Am Challenge, Team Canada narrowly beat out Team USA by less than four pounds.