Council Approves Sewer and Water Upgrades

The McLeod Park washrooms are expected to be out of service for a while longer.

The water lines servicing the washrooms come through Safety Bay and are in need of repair.

Work won't begin until city council approves a tender for the work.

City council is expected to approve a bid for sewer and water upgrades at its next open meeting on Monday.

Titan Contactors had the lowest of three bids for the work at 973 thousand dollars.

Police Investigate Fatality on Onigaming

The OPP and Treaty Three Police are investigating a fatality on the Onigaming
First Nation near Nestor Falls.

On Wednesday, officers were called about a man in distress.

When they arrived at the scene police found a deceased male in an
apartment.

A woman was also at the scene and in need of medical treatment.

She's listed in serious, but stable condition.

The OPP's Northwest Crime Unit has been called in to help out with the
investigation.

The name of the deceased has not been released.

Police Release Name of Man Killed in crash near Ignace

The OPP have released the name of a man killed in an accident near
Ignace earlier this week.

53 year old Cordell Majcher from Winnipeg was killed when the pick-up  he was driving collided with a transport about 10 kilometers west of Ignace Wednesday morning.

A post-mortem exam will be conducted today at Lake of the Woods District
Hospital.

The OPP say they are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.

Local Aboriginals Rally to Save Treaty Three Police

Working to bring the people of Treaty #3 together.

Tania Cameron has been rallying support to save the Treaty #3 Police Service.

Cameron says one main goal she has is to make sure people know what is happening.

A meeting was held at Anicinabe Park last night to talk about the loss of the aboriginal police service.

Cameron says they are working on a plan to get a large audience with people from Treaty #3 communities to rally at the Police Services AGM in Kenora on July 23rd.

Kenora Student Starts Summer Business

A Kenora student has launched his own company with help from a provincial program aimed at promoting youth entrepreneurship.

Coel Forsythe is launching the Tight Line Guide Service, after his business proposal was accepted by the Summer Company program.

It's just one of three in the Kenora and Rainy River districts to be accepted.

Forsythe receives a grant to start his business and an additional bursary if it proves to be successful.

EAC Issues Annual Report to Council

Kenora's Environmental Advisory Committee is raising some concerns about the city's landfill site.

Teika Newton presented the committee's annual report this week.

She says while there is still lots of life left in the Jones Road Landfill site, the dump isn't bottomless.

Newton says the landfill initially had a life span of 40 years, but that could be extended if more waste can be diverted.

Rates At Rec. Center Due to Increase

Its going to cost you a bit more to go to the Rec. Center this year.

A number of rate increases have been proposed for the fall.

Recreational Services Manager Colleen Neil says they are looking at about
a five percent increase across the board for pool and rink rental rates.

She says this is the first rate increase in almost four years.

She adds that the hike in user rates will help get them closer to the 65 percent cost recovery target set out by city council.

Smoke From Large Fire Blows into Red Lake

Smoke from an 11-thousand hectare forest fire continues to blow into Red Lake.

The fire poses no threat to the community but the Ministry of Natural Resources states that the smoke isn't expected to leave anytime soon.

Information Officer Heather Pridham says this fire is their number one priority.

Reports from Minnesota indicate that smoke from the fire is also blowing into several communities in that state.

Tourist Outfitter Fined

A man from Minnesota has been fined by the MNR.

Mark Zupancich, who run the Zup's Fishing Resort and Canoe Outfitters in Lac La Croix, was fined 2 thousand dollars for not submitting payment to the province for the sale of hunting and fishing licences during the 2011 season.

Zupancich plead guilty to the charge in court and repaid the province to full amount owing of almost 14 thousand dollars.

Highway 17 Re-opens near Ignace

Highway 17 is now open between Dryden and Ignace.

The Trans-Canada was closed yesterday due to a fatal collision, about 15-kilometres west of Ignace.

Provincial Police are confirming one fatality.

Witnesses say the collision involved a half ton truck and a transport.

Trans-Canada Closed Near Dryden

Highway 17 is closed between Dryden and Ignace.

The Trans-Canada is closed due to a fatal collision.

Provincial Police are confirming one fatality.

No other details are known at this time.

There is no word on when the highway will reopen.

Library Releases Report on Operational Review

The Kenora Public Library says its committed to keeping the Keewatin
Branch open, at least for the next two years.

That's one of the recommendations contained in an operational review
conducted last year.

Marj Poirier is a spokesperson for the library board and says they will be
monitoring usage in Keewatin a little more closely.

The Operational Review was actually completed in January 2012, and the
library board has spent the past year and a half implementing a number of
the key recommendations.

Con. College Enrollment Up

Confederation College says early enrollment confirmation numbers are up 5 percent.

That's about an extra 100 students who say they'll be going to Con College in the fall.

President Jim Madder says there are a few courses that are already full, including many of their health care programs.

Madder adds other programs that could see an increase in applications are in the Trades and Technology courses.

Calgary Man Dies in Prawda Accident

The RCMP in Manitoba say a man killed in a single vehicle accident
near Prawda this week was from Calgary.

The 22 year old was killed after a 1999 Subaru rolled over while heading
west on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Police say they are not releasing the name of the deceased, but add they
are continuing their investigation.

The 25 year old driver of the vehicle, from Maple, Ontario has since been
released from hospital, but another passenger from Toronto continues to
be treated for his injuries.

Flavour Gone Campaign Expands

Folks in Northwestern Ontario can help "End the Flavour" of tobacco products.

Kiri Butter is a Community Programs Consultant with the Canadian Cancer Society and says they have a new video out, and one of their goals to bring awareness that these products are out there.

Butter says they are encouraging local residents to
write a letter to their MPP voicing their concerns.

For a link to the video, visit:  http://takeaction.cancer.ca/endtheflavour/#!

Ontario Trying to Save Honey Bees

 Beekeepers, farmers, scientists and government representatives are working together to save the honey bee.
   
The Ontario government is putting together a committee to find a solution to declining bee populations.
   
A pesticide called neonicotinoid, used for corn and soybeans has been attributed to the deaths of millions of bees in the province.
   
According to the Canadian Honey Council, over the last three years Canada's bee population has dropped by 35 per cent.

Event Centre Committee Happy With Survey Results

Kenora's Event Center Committee says its pleased with the response to its on-line survey.

The survey wrapped up on July 1st, with over 400 people taking time to fill it out.

Chris Van Wallenghem is co-chair of the committee and says the feedback was similar to what they received at a public meeting back in May.

Overall, Van Walleghem says local residents want to see the ice surface twinned at the Rec. Center, and the development of a multi-use auditorium with banquet facilities.

Kenora OPP Respond to Multiple Thefts

A 19 year old Kenora man has been arrested following a vehicle theft in the Lakeside area.

Police say Randel Beacham stole the vehicle on Friday evening and was found in a ditch on Autumnwood drive shortly after.

Beacham has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, impaired driving, driving while disqualified, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

He appeared in Kenora court yesterday.

In the meantime, Kenora OPP are investigating a break and enter on Valley Drive yesterday.

Police say an unknown number of suspects broke into a house early in the afternoon and made off with several items of jewellery.

Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP or Crimestoppers.

Rain Helps Reduce Fire Hazard

Today's rain should help reduce the fire hazard across the region.

Yesterday, there were just two new blazes reported.

One was located near Blindfold Lake, and grew to about a hectare
in size before being actioned by MNR fire rangers and air attack.

There were no property values located in the area.

There are currently 45 forest fires burning in the region, most in the Red Lake,
Sioux Lookout and Nipigon Districts.

Developer Sought For Industrial Park

Wanted:  someone to develop the industrial park on the Jones Road.

The city has set up a special committee to try and attract a developer.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says there is interest in the industrial park,
but they need some buildings out there first.

The industrial park property is located across the road from the iLevel Timberstrand Mill on the Jones Road.