Shoal Lake #40 Joins Lawsuit against Winnipeg

A second first nation has joined a lawsuit against the City of Winnipeg for re-selling water from Shoal Lake to surrounding communities.

Shoal Lake #40 First Nation says it has taken steps to become a full participant in the suit being undertaken by their mainland neighbors, Shoal Lake #39.

Chief Erwin Redsky says they would prefer a negotiated settlement, not litigation.

He says if Winnipeg insists on overstepping its authorization, they are prepared to take whatever measures are necessary to protect their rights.

Shoal Lake #39 is asking for over 100 million dollars a year from the City of Winnipeg for the water it is using and re-selling to other communities.

Countdown to Canada Day

Preparations are well underway for Canada Day in Kenora.

This year, celebrations will be shared between Kenora and Keewatin.

The City's special events Co-ordinator, Crystal Stokes says day time activities will take place in Keewatin.

There will be entertainment under the White Cap Pavillion Sunday night starting at 7:00 followed by  fireworks, which will take place in Kenora Sunday night starting at 10:45.

District Services Board Ready to Launch New Website

The Kenora District Services Board has improved their image on-line.

The Board is in the process of launching a new and improved as well as user friendly website.

KDSB Chair Phil Vinet says they have to be accessible and this does it.

Clients will be able to find out services available in their area with one click of the mouse.

The website is expected to go on-line on August 1st.

Brand Leadership Team Hard at Work

Kenora's Brand Leadership Team is hard at work implementing a long list of goals to re-brand the city of Kenora.

The next big task is awarding a request for proposals for the city's Brand Style guide, including logo redevelopment.

Randy Nickle chairs of the BLT and says they've had a lot of interest in redeveloping Kenora's image.

Nickle says they are going through 13 request for proposals, some from local companies and other from national and even international interests.

San Gold active in the Nestor Falls Area

A Manitoba-based junior mining company is continuing to strengthen its interests in northwestern Ontario.

San Gold Corporation says its entering into an option agreement with Canadian Arrow Mines on a site just northeast of Rainy River.

The company, last week made a deal with Opawica Explorations for its Atikwa Lake project north of Nestor Falls.

Coventry Resources expands Holdings in NWO

Another mining project in the Nestor Falls area is about to change hands.

Houston Lake Mining says its selling all of its interest in its West Cedartree Gold Project to Coventry Resources in a cash and shares deal

The site is located 12 kilometres away from Coventry's Cameron Gold Project.

Harborfront Tent now the White Cap Pavillion

Its been open for almost a full year, but the new Harborfront Tent finally has  a name to go with it.

Kenora's Brand Leadership Team has decided on the White Cap Pavillion.

Mike Greaves is a member of the committee and says they spent a lot of time coming up with the name.

Greaves says their task now is to brand the name in the community and get the name out there.

OPP Investigate more Break-Ins

The OPP are investigating a couple of break-ins in the Jaffray Melick and River Drive areas of town.

Police were called to a business on Rabbit Lake Road Wednesday night.

The owners say a quantity of alcohol was stolen.

In another incident, a homeowner in the Laurenson Creek area indicated he left home for about an hour Wednesday night.

When he returned, his television had been smashed and a computer and a quantity of cash was stolen.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the OPP or Crimestoppers.

WSO Returns to Kenora Tonight

The sounds of classical music will be wafting over the waters of Safety Bay this evening.

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of  Alexander Mickelthwaite, makes its return appearance to Kenora tonight.

Len Mark from the Lake of the Woods Concert Group says they are hoping for a sellout.

The concert will take place in the White Cap Pavillion starting at 7:00 this evening.

Fire Hazard on the Rise in NWO

MNR Fire crews will be on stand-by this July long weekend.

The fire hazard is starting to increase and there are 11 active wildfires in the Northwestern region.

Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Deb McLean says right now there are no plans to impose a fire ban.

The only fire in the Kenora District was reported late yesterday in the Lodgepine Lake area in Ingolf.

The MNR dispatch a fire ranger crew and a water bomber to try and bring it under control.

Water Research Center Proposed for Kenora

Plans are in the works to develop some kind of water research center in Kenora.

The Lake of the Woods Development Commission has hired a consultant to push the project forward.

Kelli Saunders says there's an increasing amount of scientific information being generated about the lake.

Saunders says they've also received funding from the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation to develop a web-site to promote the Water Research Center concept.

Smoking Rates going Down

Looks like more people in the Northwest are butting out.

Health Canada released a report this week saying that smoking rates for men and women are declining.

The most noticeable decreases are among those aged 15-19.

But we aren't out of the water yet.

Officials say the overall smoking rate for our region is still higher then the remainder of the province.

NOMA the Latest Group to Support the ELA

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is the latest group to plead with the Harper government to continue funding the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora.

President Ron Nelson says the nearly 40 municipalities in the organization are troubled by the proposal to close the ELA next year.

The plea comes in a letter to the prime minister.

Nelson says they want the federal government to continue funding the ELA and to help find alternative partners to ensure research there continues.

OPP Ready for Long Weekend

The long weekend is almost here.

Sergeant Shelley Garr of the OPP Northwest division says officers will be out looking for eratic behaviour.

Garr says they'll will be looking for aggressive or distracted drivers, people not wearing seatbelts and  drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Marine and trail units will also be patrolling waterways and trails throughout Ontario over the long weekend.

Garr says to goal is to get people to have a fun weekend and make sure they get home safe.

Six Sharks Heading to Ontario Summer Games

Six members of the Kenora Sharks Swim Club will be heading to Toronto in August for the Ontario Summer Games.

Winnie Boucha, Bryce Jones, Kira Kuzemchuck, Keely Mash, Alex Olson and Kayla Martin have been selected to be part of Team Northwestern.

The swimmers will be competing in two different categories, 14 and under and the 15/16 age groups.

The Summer Games will take place from August 16th to 19th.