Downtown Revitalization = Job Creation

The Downtown Revitialization project is paying dividends for Kenora's Job market.

A new survey conducted by the Lake of the Woods Development Corporation shows that since Phase One of Downtown Revitalization began, 261 jobs have been created.

The Commission interviewed 59 restaurants and retail businesses in the Harbortown area recently.

It found that 129 full-time and 132 part time jobs have been created over the past five
years.

More details on the report will be released this morning at City council's Committee of the Whole meeting.

Rain Reduces Fire Hazard in the Region

Recent rain has helped put a damper on the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.

The MNR says it saw a couple of small, new forest fires over the weekend in the Kenora District.

Both were less than a hectare in size and the Fire Rangers crews don't expect any problem with those blazes.

This week's rain has reduced the number of active fires in the region to
just nine including three in the Kenora District.

OPP Working On New Business Plan

The OPP in Kenora is working on a business plan for next year.

Inspector Dave Lucas says they usually do a three year plan and the current one will expire at the end of this year.

He says they've already started to consult local groups and agencies.

The Police Services Board has also suggested that a public meeting be held in November so local residents can give their input on what should be in the OPP's
business plan.

Wynne Says Government Trying to Bring Costs Down

Catching up to Manitoba.

A new report shows Manitoba pays almost 5 thousand dollars less a year in a utility package than Ontario.

Premiere Kathleen Wynne says the cut in auto insurance premiums will help lower the gap.

Wynne says the government remains committed to lower electricity rates and maintaining the rebate programs in Northern Ontario.

Bears Hunt Bear Hunter

A long ordeal for a hunter at a camp in the Dryden area.

Provincial Police received a report from a camp owner that a hunter had left for a tree stand around 2:30 Saturday afternoon and had not returned.

The camp owner checked on him and found 4-cubs and 3-adult bears around the stand not allowing him out of the tree.

Officers arrived and managed to remove the hunter from the tree without incident and without any shots being fired.

No injuries were reported.

The incident happened in the Detour Point area.

Premier On the Hot Seat Over Energy

Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is bringing up the failed conversion of the Thunder Bay Generating Station at Queen's Park.

Horwath used the first Question Period yesterday to ask the Premier  what her government's plan is for the local plant.

Northerner leaders stress that the plant needs to be converted to meet our emerging energy needs.

The Premier responded but only spoke about the funding for roads and the Experimental Lakes Area.

55+ Expo Tomorrow

The 55+ Expo is being brought back for a third year in a row in Kenora.

The Expo presents a wide range of information for local seniors.

Patti Letourneau is one of the organizers and says they have a number of exhibitors and activities lined up.

The 55+ Expo will take place this Wednesday at the Kenora Curling Club from 9:00 to 4:00.

School Stress An Issue

It's a problem we often associate with adulthood, but a national survey reveals high school students are majorly stressed out.

The study shows that 68% worry about finding a job in their field, 58% worry about not getting into their chosen post-secondary program and 51% worry about not being able to pay for it.

Big Brothers-Big Sisters CEO Bruce MacDonald says the difference in attitudes between the students who were sure about going on to post-secondary and those who weren't all that certain stuck out to him.

MacDonald says it speaks to a loss of hope and optimism far too early in a student's high school career.

Blood Donor Clinic Wraps Up Today

Canadian Blood Services is in need of more young people.

The agency is wrapping up its two-day clinic in Kenora this afternoon.

Spokesperson Mike Choi says with an aging donor base, it's important to attract new people every year.

Today's blood donor clinic will run from 9:30 to 12:30 at the Thomas Aquinas
Gym.