Monday, May 7, 2012

OPP Investigate Weekend Break-ins

The OPP are investigating a couple of break-ins on the west end of town.

Over the weekend, a camp owner told police that some one had broken into their cottage on Middle Lake sometime in the past two weeks.

Some alcohol, propane tanks and some gas were stolen.

Meanwhile, someone also broke into the Keewatin Legion.

The coolers were entered, but police haven't indicated if anything was stolen.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Unicycle Tour of Ontario starts in Kenora

A unique cross-province tour is now making its way across northwestern Ontario.

Derrick Ferguson began his Wheel In Motion Tour in Kenora yesterday.

Ferguson is riding a unicycle across the province to raise money for spinal cord research.

Ferguson says he was inspired by Rick Hanson's Man in Motion tour, and plans to ride across Ontario over the next month.

The Stratford resident hopes to raise 25 thousand dollars over the next four weeks.

Fire activity expected to slow this week

The Ministry of Natural Resources says it's seen an increase in the number of spring fires this year.

There have been over 100, mostly grass fires, since the start of the fire season April 1st.

Fire Information Officer Heather Pridham says the weather is now reducing the threat.

Pridham says it's also allow crews to resume training in preparation of the warm months.

Property Owners Association Turns 50

The Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association is celebrating a major milestone this year.

The cottagers group turns 50 years old today.

Susan McLeod says they've always been a voice for people who live on and near Lake of the Woods.

The Property Owners Association will hold its annual general meeting and Cottage Show in Winnipeg tomorrow at the Victoria Inn.

Dreams of a new hospital in Kenora a long ways off

It could be a decade or more before Kenora gets a new hospital.

That's the suggestion of the Chief Executive Officer of Lake of the Woods District.

Marc Belcaen says with the recent austerity measures of the provincial government, even hospital projects that had previously approved are being delayed due to a lack of funding.

In the meantime, Belcaen says they need to improve their surgical units, but the Ministry of Health says it doesn't have a lot of money for smaller capital projects.

Belcaen says a new surgical unit would be a multi-million dollar project for the hospital.

Brand Leadership Team Announced

It may sound more like a sandwich than a new city committee.

But the membership of the BLT has been announced.

The Brand Leadership team has the task of rolling out Kenora's new brand of being North America's premier Boating Desitnation.

The 13 member committee will be headed by Randy Nickle, who is also chair of the city's Tourism Committee.

The committee will work with the local business community, community partners, residents and the boating industry to implement all 60 recommendations made by Roger Brooks in creating Kenora's new brand.

Injured Workers Upset at Witmer's WSIB appointment

Injured Workers Advocate Steve Mantis is the latest to disagree with the Premier's appointment of former Tory MPP Elizabeth Witmer to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

Mantis says the Premier should never have appointed the former Minister of Labour that was responsible for opening up the board to include the interests of both workers and employers.

He suggests Dalton McGuinty saw the opportunity for a by-election with the appointment and jumped at the chance of getting a majority.

Float Plane Crashes Northwest Kenora near Manitoba Border

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton says a float plane that crashed near the Ontario/Manitoba border had an emergency locator beacon on board, but it was a friend of the pilot who alerted authorities to look for the aircraft.

CaptainJean Houde says the plane was found upside-down in Lake Kapekun just west of Woodland Caribou Park.

Houde says the rescue centre didn't receive a signal, and suggested it could have been because the beacon may not have transmitted well underwater.

The 81-year-old pilot,who took off Saturday morning from Gimli, was found dead inside the plane.

Home and Leisure Show a Big Success

Maybe the weather had something to do with it.

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce says its pleased with the attendance from this past weekend's Home and Leisure Show.

A couple of thousand people are estimated to have passed through the doors between Friday and Sunday afternoon.

Exhibitors also say they were pleased with the traffic, reporting good numbers all three days of the Home Show.

A portion of the money collected at the door went to the Habitat for Humanity build in Kenora.