Police at Norman Dam

Some details have been released after police and emergency crews responded to a call in the area of the Norman Dam this morning.

Kenora O.P.P have confirmed that with the assistance of emergency crews that a body has been recovered from the intake area of the dam.

Police says the body has been transported to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital and that a post mortem is schedule for Friday.

Campbell Demands Action on MPAC Assessments

Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Sarah Campbell is demanding
the government hold off on property assessment changes.

In the Ontario Legislature today, she says communities across the north
are facing hardship as a result of the decisions being made by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

Finance minister Charles Sousa confirmed that his department is reviewing
the situation.

Canfield Speaks Out Over Policing Costs

There needs to be a level playing field when it comes to policing costs.

That's the suggestion of Kenora mayor Dave Canfield.

He was speaking at the Police Service Board meeting yesterday
and says Kenora continues to pay more than twice as much as the
provincial average.

Canfield says he did bring the issue back up in Toronto last week in his
meetings with provincial cabinet ministers and hopes they were taking
note.

Council Resumes Budget Talks Today

Kenora's budget committee will be hitting the books today.

A day long budget meeting is scheduled at city hall.

Councillor Ron Lunny admits the city faces some financial hurdles, partially
due to changes in the Municipal Property Assessments.

Lunny says while residential waterfront property assessments continue to go up, industrial and commercial assessments are going down.

NTAB Embraces Mining Report

A new report on employment needs in the Kenora District is being welcomed by the Northwest Adjustment and Training Board.

The document calls for the need of 32-hundred workers in the mining sector, 17-hundred alone in the skills trades industry.

NTAB Executive Director Sonja Wainio says this report will pay off in the long run.

Wainio stresses it's important to work with area schools to promote the opportunities facing the area.

New Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gains Endorsement

The provincial Liberal candidate in Kenora-Rainy River believes David Zimmer is the right man for the new Aboriginal Affairs Minister position.

Anthony Leek says the government has promised to make aboriginal issues a top priority.

Leek notes Zimmer is familiar with some of the issues facing aboriginals, noting he spent time as the Parliamentary Assisstant of Aboriginal Affairs.

Con College Hands Out Student Awards

Hard work has paid off for a number of student at the Lake of the Woods Campus of Confederation College.

The school presented awards and bursaries to recognize the academic achievements of students.

Laura Christie is the Acting Director at the College and says they were able to give away a number of bursaries thanks to a number of local events, including their annual charity golf tournament.

Winners included:

Tanisha Granbois-Entrance Award
Chantelle Nault-Accounting Achievement Award/Scotiabank Award
Vyctoria Barling-SUCCI Award Kenora
Laura Frenette/Chelsea Lanteigne/Devon Schneider-Kenora Golf Committee Awards
Andrea Glasman/Katelyn Harris/Brittany McNee-SUCCI Inc. Endowed Awards
Sarah Hendrickson/Clarissa Kuepfer-Dr. Charles M. Johnson Award