Ministry of Labor Called in to Investigate Boating Fatals

The Ministry of Labor has been called in to help investigate a fatal boating accident on Lake of the Woods.

Two American men died Saturday night in Ash Bay after the boat they were in ran into a rock face.

The anglers were staying at a local fishing resort and were fishing with a guide at the time.

The deceased have been identified as 71 year old Robert Foster of Frankfurt, Michigan and 71 year old James Saney of Sylvania, Ohio.

A 62 year old Kenora man remains in Winnipeg Hospital in stable condition.

Local School officials Asked to Cut costs

Local school officials say they are ready to work with the Ministry of Education to find cost savings.

Directors of Education and school board chairs took part in a conference call with Ministry officials last week.

Phylis Eikre is director of Education with the Kenora Catholic District School Board and says broader consultations will begin in the fall.

Eikre says no-where in the discussions did ministry officials talk about the need for forced amalgamations.

Three Summer Businesses Being Set up

The creative minds of three high school students has resulted in three new businesses popping up in the North West.

Jennifer Brown, Ryan Milne and Shawnee Morrisseau will soon be opening their own business through the provincial government's Summer Company Program.

Small business Advisor Stephanie Armstrong says they offer the program each summer.

They will be given up to three thousand dollars and business training to help them get going.

Effects of Mercury Poisoning Still being Felt

A report says two First Nations communities devastated by mercury poisoning nearly 50 years ago are still feeling its impact.

The report is from Masazumi Harada, a Japanese expert on the subject.

The communities of Grassy Narrows and White Dog were ravaged by mercury poisoning in the 1960s when the Dryden paper mill began dumping toxins into the English-Wabigoon River.

Harada has been to the communities several times since the mill stopped dumping mercury in 1970.

He says his most recent examinations in 2010 found 59 per cent of the people he assessed were still showing signs of poisoning.

Thunder Bay sets up Flood Fund

Thunder Bay City Council is moving a half-million dollars from their savings to a new flood relief fund.

Money in the fund will be used to cover cleaning up the homes of flood victims and covering their insurance claims.

City Manager Tim Commisso says no Provincial or Federal funds will flow until the Province declares Thunder Bay a disaster area.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Relief team came to the City yesterday to asses the flood and decide if it's a disaster area.

Alarmed For Life in the North End

Don't be alarmed it you see a couple of fire trucks cruising through your neighborhood tonight.

Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services is going door with its Alarmed for Life campaign in the north end of town.

Fire fighters will be visiting homes on 2nd, 3rd and 4th Streets north.

They be knocking on doors between 6:30 and 8:30 checking to make sure each home has a working fire alarm on every floor.

Boobie Nights Raises Record Amount

Organizers of Boobie Nights say they exceeded their own expectations this year.

The fundraiser generated 53 thousand dollars Saturday night, which will go to the Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation.

Bill Scribilo from Century 21/Reynard Real Estate says they sold out early.

Boobie Nights this year raised about 20 thousand dollars more than last year, and proceeds will go towards the purchase of a new Digital Mammography Unit for the Hospital.

Richards a win away from Stanley Cup

The Los Angeles Kings are on the brink of their first Stanley Cup.

Jonathan Quick made 22 saves, and Mike Richards had an assist as the Kings beat New Jersey 4-nothing, to take a 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup final.

 

The Kings can cap the series with a win tomorrow night on home ice.

 

The Kenora Rec. Center will be broadcasting the game live on a big screen TV

starting at 7:00.