Black Sturgeon Water Quality Study Completed

A two year study of Black Sturgeon Lake shows water quality is actually pretty good.

Ryan Haines was contracted by the city to conduct the study and says they set up three
check points on the lake to test for phosphorous, Chlorophyl A, water temperatures and
oxygen levels.

Haines says says overall, the lake is still in pretty good shape.

The last edition of city council requested the water quality study to decide how much
more development the lake could take.

There are as many as 135 available lots on the lake that could be developed.

Thistles upset the Wild

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles may have played their best game of

the year.

The Thistles upset the Winnipeg Wild 3-0 last night a the Kenora Rec. Center.

Jordan Davidson scored all three goals for the Thistles, while Matt Benson turned aside 28 shots for the shutout.

The Wild are the top team in the Manitoba Midget Hockey League, while the Thistles are tied for last in the East Divsion.

Kenora Skiiers medal at NorWOSSA Cross Country Championships

Some good results from Kenora cross-country skiiers at the NorWOSSA ski Championships
in Dryden.

Sami Burkhart from Thomas Aquinas placed first in the Junior girls 3.5 kilometer event,
while Maya Boivin, also from T.A. was second.

In the senior girls six kilometer race, Manon Magnon of Beaver Brae won gold followed by Kaitie
Dennis from Thomas Aquinas.

In the girls grade 7/8 4 kilometer event, Rowan Schott of T.A. claimed the gold while Karley Lockhart finished second.

Work on New OPP Forensics Lab expected to start this year

Work is expected to begin sooner, rather than later on a new OPP forensics labratory out by the

Kenora By-Pass.

The city's planning department says it has received the proposed building plans for
the facility and has been asked to provide any comments it might have.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says the lab will be located just east of the
existing detachment office.

The province still hasn't indicated when construction on the lab might begin.

Public School Board defends Evergreen Closure

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says it followed its own procedures
when it decided to close Evergreen School.

The public school board has responded to a letter from the Evergreen Parents
who have sent a petition to the Ministry of Education, complaining about the
accommodation review process.

Superintendant of Business Dean Carrie says they have responded in writing to the
parents concerns.

Carrie says the Ministry of Education now has 30 days to decide whether to assign
a facilitator to decide whether the school board did follow its policies properly in making
the decision to close Evergreen at the end of this school year.

Montague released from Thunder Bay Jail

Former Dryden Gunsmith Bruce Montague is out of jail and has returned home.


Montague is embroiled in a fight over the Federal long gun registry.

His wife, Donna says they'll be facing a civil forefeiture trial over the May long weekend.

Bruce Montague was released from jail yesterday afternoon after spending four months in the district facility in Thunder Bay.

Council unsure how to finance new fire hall

Kenora City Council says it wants a more thorough discussion about its financing

options for the new Kenora Fire Hall.

Administration is suggesting the city take out a five million dollar loan with the
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to cover the cost of the project.

But chair of the finance committee, Ron Lunny says he'd rather see the city
borrow from its own reserves to cover the cost.

Mayor Dave Canfield, whatever way you slice it, city taxpayers are going to be
on the hook for the cost of the project.

kenora hockey teams split against Fort and Dryden

The Kenora Senior Thistles had a tough night on the road.

The Allan Cup hosts were in Fort Frances last night and were doubled up

10-5 by the Thunder Hawks.

The Senior Thistles are back in action this weekend with a game at home
against a team of all-stars from eastern Manitoba.

Also in Fort Frances last night, a better story for the Thomas Aquinas girls hockey team.

The Saints re-bounded from a three goal deficit in the first period and came back

for a 5-4 win.

The victory improves T.A. to 4-2 on the season.

It was a split for Beaver Brae's hockey teams last night.

The Bronco girls got back on the winning track with a 4-1 decision over

Dryden.

At the Kenora Rec. Center, the Beaver Brae boys dropped a 3-2 decision to

the Eagles in a shootout.

Status of Women Committee Visits NWO

A federal committee focusing on violence against aboriginal women will be paying a visit to northwestern
Ontario this week.

The Status of Women committee is traveling across Canada, and B.C. MP Cathy McLeod says they want to hear about community solutions to violence against women.

McLeod says they will be releasing a report with recommendations to the Federal Government in the Spring.

The committee will be stopping in Sioux Lookout and Thunder Bay.

OPP investigate Snowmobile Accident

OPP are once again asking outdoor enthusiasts to take it easy when hitting the trails.


Kenora OPP say an 11-year-old girl is in Hospital in Winnipeg after falling from a snow machine and being struck by a machine following behind.

The girl is in stable condition.

Police are asking young riders to ensure they are properly trained to drive machines in a safe and fun manner.

Hospital Bed Shortage Easing

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says its seen a slight easing of its bed shortage.


Chief Executive Officer, Marc Belcaen says at the end of December that had 24
alternate level of care patients in the hospital.

That's down from 26 the month previous.

He adds that only 10 of those patients were actually waiting for a long term care bed
to open up.

That's down from 13 in November.

Belcaen says the number is still high, but suggests the situation isn't as critical
as it had been earlier this fall.

Northern Harbor seeking support for expansion

A local businessman is looking for support from city council for his plans to expand
Northern Harbor.

Gary Hall is looking to add 400 docking spaces over the next 30 years, and add an R.V.
park and an arts park.

Alex Clark is working with Hall on the project and told council that there is support in
the community for the expansion.

Clark says they are having a difficult time convincing the MNR that the project should
proceed, and they are looking for support from as many groups as possible as they
go to the next level and start talking to government ministers.

Thistle Pavillion due for renovations

The Thistle Pavillion is due for some much needed renovations.


City council is being asked to support the work, which includes
replacing the roof, and refurbishing the wash rooms.

Councillor Sharon Smith says there is already money set aside for
the work.

The total project will cost over 150 thousand dollars.

Smith say they also want to increase storage down at the pavillion
so its easier to set up for special events on the Harborfront.

New Fire Hall ready to move into

It looks like Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services Department will be moving into the new fire hall on Barsky's Hill a few days ahead of schedule.

Last week, fire chief Warren Brinkman indicated they wanted to have the move complete by the middle of the month.

Yesterday, Brinkman indicated that the move into their new building is substantially complete and should be done by today or tomorrow at the latest.

He says the final items to make the move are some fire hoses, fire trucks and some
files.

Hospital ready to comply with new legislation

Lake of the Woods District Hospital says its nearly 70 percent compliant with new patient care legislation drafted by the provincial government.

The Excellence in Care for All Act goes into effect as of April 1st.

Under the act, the Hospital has to create a Quality Control Committee that will report directly to the board of directors.

The Hospital also have to have a Quality Improvement plan in place by April 1st.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen says they have tight timelines, but should
be able to meet them.

Just over 50 percent of hospital workers have flu shot

Concern has been raised about the number of employees at Lake of the Woods District

Hospital who have received a flu shot this year.

Chief Executive Officer Marc Belcaen estimates that only 55 percent of staff at the hospital have had their flu shot this year.

He adds that administration and medical staff try to lead by example, and almost 100 percent

of doctors have had their vaccinations.

He adds that they can't force employees to get a flu shot, but they make it as convenient

as possible.

So far this year, the hospital has held 20 clinics for staff, including some during evening shifts.

Gas Prices Up

Higher oil prices have pushed up the price at the pump.


Over the weekend, the price of a liter of unleaded gas went up four cents to
116.9 at most outlets across the city.

The average price in Ontario is 112 a liter.

Kenora is by no means the most expensive place in northern Ontario to fill up.

In Thunder Bay, gas is selling for 1.24 cents a liter at many service stations.

Thistles lose two on the road

The Kenora Triple "a" midget Thistles managed to pick up two points on a western road trip over the weekend, despite a pair of losses.

The Thistles were edged 5-4 by the Yellowhead Chiefs yesterday in a shootout.

It was the same scenario Saturday night in Brandon as the Kenora Midgets were shaded 7-6 by the Wheat Kings, also in a shootout.

Kenora Hydro Expansion

Kenora Hydro will be expanding its workforce this year.

The municipal utility will be hiring a conservation expert.

Hydro president and CEO Dave Sinclair says the position is mandated by the provincial government.

Kenora Hydro is just finishing a 350 thousand dollar renovation to its building on Mellick Avenue to increase office space.

Saints win gold in weekend tournament

 The Thomas Aquinas Saints senior Girls volleyball team capped a perfect weekend with a gold medal.

The Saints were the co-hosts of the Winter Smash tournament, and didn't drop a set in the
round robin or the play-offs.

T.A. faced their NorWOSSA rivals from Dryden in the A-side final, and beat the Eagles two sets to none.

In Winkler, Manitoba Beaver Brae's boys hockey team had to settle for a silver medal.

The Broncos were blanked by the Dryden Eagles 1-0 in a shootout in the tournament final.

Beaver Brae was unbeaten in the round-robin.

Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, the Beaver Brae Girls hockey team skated away with a silver medal from the Piper Classic.

The Broncos faced the St. Mary's Flames in the final, and dropped a 2-1 decision.