Fletcher Holds Round Table Discussion

Canada's Minister of State for Transport is touring western Canada getting feed back for a new federal infrastructure program.

Stephen Fletcher met with municipal, tourism and business leaders in Kenora Thursday.

He says the one comment he heard frequently is that the next program needs to flexible to reflect the needs of individual communities.

The current infrastructure program will run out in 2014, and Fletcher says most of the feedback he received yesterday suggests a new program should last for at least 10 years.

Zeller's closing its Doors in Kenora

The last Zellers standing in Northwestern Ontario is shutting its doors for good.

The Zellers store in the Kenora Shopper's Mall will be closing for good.

Hudson's Bay has announced it is closing most of its 64 remaining Zellers locations across the country.

Earlier this year, the company announced the Zellers store in Thunder Bay would close.

That location is being altered into a Target retailer.

The Kenora store is set to close by March 2013.

No future tenant has been confirmed.

OPP Launch Campaign to Reduce Break-Ins

The OPP in Kenora is working with local residents to reduce the number of break and enter and petty thefts.

Police say they've had to deal with dozens of break-ins to unlocked vehicles, garden sheds and garages each week.

Contable Dave Cain says these are crimes of opportunity and are preventable.

Cain says officers will be going door-to-door in the weeks ahead to talk to home owners about how to improve the security of their property.

Dryden Mill Workers Ratify Deal

Mill workers at Dryden's Domtar operation have a new deal.

500 Canadian Energy and Paper Union workers voted 70-percent in favour of a new five year contract last night.

Highlights of the deal for employees include a modest wage increase over the next two years, larger meal allowances and an additional 15-dollars per month being contributed to their pension.

Rain Helps out Fire Crews

Two days of rain is helping to dampen the forest fire number here in Northwestern Ontario.

Ministry of Natural Resources officials now say they are battling more than 60 forest fires in our region, that's down from 80 on Wednesday.

The M.N.R. is keeping an eye on the forecast, saying that the forest fire rating will rise again with sunshine and warm temperatures expected in the days ahead.

New Exhibit for the Museum

Lake of the Woods Museum is paying homage to some modern day explorers.

The museum's latest exhibit is called "By the Seat of your Pants", a history of bush flying.

Curator, Lori Nelson says the nature of the business has changed over the years.

The exhibit opened on Monday and will run until September 29th.

1st Day in the Books at the Fort France Bass Championship

A 19.73 pound bag of smallmounth bass has given the team of Mark Raveling and Mike Luhman the first day lead at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.

Last year's co-winners Glenn Leroux and Trevor Zimak sit over a pound back in second.

Jeff Gustafson and his partner John Peterson currently sit in 9th.

The second day of fishing is already underway.

Weigh-in resume at 3:30 this afternoon.

Men's Soccer Tournament Results

Three shutouts to start the Kenora Men's Soccer tournament.

The Centuries blanked the legends 3-0, while the Dynamo dropped a 2-0 decision to the Gunners, and the Stingers scored on a penalty shot to edge the Fury 1-0.

Action resumes this evening at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex with several out of town teams taking

to the field.

A total of 16 teams from across northwestern Ontario and Manitoba are entered in the four day tournament.

Five Sharks at Nationals in Calgary

Five members of the Kenora Sharks Swim Club are in Calgary this week for the National Age Group championships.

So far, 12 year old Winnie Boucha has qualitied for one final.

Boucha placed eighth in the 400 meter individual medley.

17 year old Michelle Belcaen and three 14 year olds, Bryce Jones, Kira Kuzemchuck and Alex Olson are also in the competition.