3 Medals at OFSAA for Thomas Aquinas Swimmers

The Thomas Aquinas boys swimming team has earned 3 medals at the All-Ontario championships in Etobikoke.

Connor O'Flaherty has had a great outing with a silver in the men's 200 meter freestyle and a bronze in the 100 meter freestyle.

The team also earned the silver medal in the 4 by 100 meter freestyle relay.

Other results saw Bryce Jones place 4th in the 100 meter backstroke and 5th in the 100 meter butterfly.

2 swimmers achieved personal bests during the meet with Bryn Jones in the 100 meter individual medley and Jarrett Weedon in the 50 meter freestyle.

The two day meet wrapped up this afternoon.

Tickets on Sale for Boobie Nights 4

A very popular annual event is on track to sell out again this year.

Angela Kuchma with Boobie Nights says tickets are going fast for the annual fundraiser supporting the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

This years Boobie Nights slogan is "proudly supporting second base."

Tickets are on sale for 20-dollars and can be found at Century 21, Keric Funk Salon, Ho-Joe's, and The Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.

Gas Prices Jump Again

Its going to cost a bit more to fill up your tank this morning.

The price at the pump is up about five cents a liter.

Gas prices jumped from 123.9 cents to 128.9 in the
last 24 hours at most service stations in Kenora.

According to Gasbuddy.com, that's near the average to
the rest of the province.

The average price in Ontario is currently 1.28 a liter.

Beaver Brae Prepares for Influx of Grade 7 and 8 Students

Parents can expect a smooth transition when Beaver Brae opens its doors to grade seven and eight students next year.

Clinton Bruetsch is the principal of the high school and provided trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and update of their process to date.

Bruetsch admits some parents have concerns about sending younger kids into a secondary
school environment.

Bruetsch says the grade seven and eight students will be using the upper east academic wing when school
starts in the fall, giving them their own space.

As many as 160 students are expected to be added to Beaver Brae's student population in the fall.

Good Turn-out for Save ELA Forum

Save ELA feels their efforts have been paying off with the government.

Peter Kirby who Organized the forum in Kenora last night says that the government has already shown some willingness to change their stance on the facility.

Kirby says he is hopeful that the government is sincere in their claim to find a new ownership group for the facility.

He adds that the public should continue to pressure their government by continuing to write letters to members of legislature and parliament.

Just over 100 people attended the forum held at Knox United Church.

KPDSB Responds to EFTO Job Action

Its unclear what if any extra-curricular activities will be carried out
at local public elementary schools this spring.

Last week the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario indicated it's
members would not particpate in activities outside the classroom.

Director of Education with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
Jack McMaster says that could impact on some activities such as track,
soccer and baseball.

Elementary teachers are upset about the contracts that were imposed on
them by the provincial government at the beginning of the year.

Need for Skilled Trades Expected to Skyrocket

The Kenora District is facing a severe shortage of workers, especially if the mining industry takes off as expected.

The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board released its statistics in a 10-year mining hiring requirement forecast.

Labour Market Economist Jamie Wolcott says this forecast will help those in education, industry and government make decisions.

The report indicates the Kenora District will need nearly 33-hundred workers by 2022, 17-hundred in the trades industry alone.

Project Safe Hallowe'en Gains Recognition

OPP are recognizing a local woman for her role in a safety program that's now spread across the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.

Betty-Anne Johnson of the Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services has received a letter of commendation from the regional commander for Project Safe Halloween.

Johnson says its recognition for everyone involved.

The program, which includes giving glows sticks to youngsters every Halloween, is now in its 11 year.

Saints Ousted from OFSAA Championships

The Thomas Aquinas senior girls volleyball team is out at the All-Ontario Single "a" championships.

The Saints were eliminated from further play yesterday afternoon losing two sets to one in the consolation quarter-finals.

T.A. was by the Lajeunesse Royals from Windsor.

The Saints won just one match over two days at the OFSAA tournament.