Harbortown Biz Ice Rink Officially Opens

The Harbortown Biz Ice Rink recieved the approval of local residents today.

The rink was opened with an official snow spray of memebers of the development committee.

Councillor Sharon Smith laced up her skates and said "the rink is in great shape and brings back memories from her childhood."

The rink is now open 24/7 throughout the winter months.

Lake of the Woods Brewing Seeks Zoning Change

The beer could be flowing in the old Kenora Fire Hall in three months or less.

The owner of the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company is seeking a zoning change to allow brewing in the heritage building.

Taras Manzies updated city council on his plans this morning and says the good news is they don't need a permit from the Ministry of the Environment.

Manzies says his brewing equipment will be shipped from South Korea tomorrow and is expected to be in Kenora by the end of the month.

OPP Lay Trafficking Charges

A 50 year old Kenora man faces drug charges after being arrested in the downtown area.

The OPP say they noticed a man engaged in suspicious activity yesterday afternoon in Hennepen Lane.

He was taken to the Kenora Detachment and officers seized about 120 dollars in cash as well as eight morphine pills.

Kevin Billard has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

School Buses Operating Today

All school buses will be running as usual this morning despite the one-day walkout by elementary teachers.

The buses will be picking up secondary school students and also students who attend the catholic schools.

The Northwest Student Services Consortium says that bus schedules and timing may fluctuate due to the reduced numbers of riders, however drivers will do their best to maintain the regular schedule.

EFTO Holds One Day Strike In Kenora Today

Lights will remain off in elementary schools operated by the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board today.

A one-day strike is taking place today by members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario.

Local Union president, Ann Saltel says their members will be gathering in Dryden today for a mass rally.

The one-day strike is against Bill 115, which imposes contracts on the teachers, and is supposed to take away their right to strike.

The rally will take place from 11 till 2:00 this afternoon.

Canfield Optimistic Funding Coming For Bridge Repairs

A glimpse of daylight in the battle to get funding for Kenora's crumbling bridges.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield is optimistic a new 51 million dollar fund will be able to help the city pay for repairs to the Winnipeg River West Branch Bridge.

Canfield says there is funding set aside for emergency situations.

Canfield says the city is also applying for funding to begin Phase Three work on the Downtown Revitalization Project, which includes sewer and water replacement along 2nd Street South.

Liberal Leadership Hopefuls Gathering Support

Liberal leadership hopefuls have been picking up some support in northwestern Ontario.

Thunder Bay Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle is throwing his support behind Sandra Pupatello.

Gravelle believes she will be a dynamic leader of the Liberals if elected.

Meanwhile, former Liberal leader Lyn McLeod has given her endorsement to Kathleen Wynne, who is also seen as a front-runner in the race to become Ontario's next Premier.