Economic Development Commission Delivers Q1 Report

Tourism and housing.

Those are a couple of key points for the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission
in 2014.

In his first quarter report to council, chair of the commission, Don Denver says they are currently
at work on a plan to attract more visitors.

He says the new five year plan should be complete by the end of June.

Denver adds they are also working on a housing report, looking for ways of increasing the
inventory of affordable homes in the community.

Green Party Requests Seat at Northern Leaders Debate

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner wants to take part in the upcoming Northern Ontario leaders debate on Monday in Thunder Bay.

Schreiner says they've written the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association expressing their interest in taking part.

Schreiner says if NOMA says they want him to take part he'll rejig his schedule and make it to the debate to face NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Premier Kathleen Wynne.

PC Leader Tim Hudak's people said scheduling conflicts are keeping him from taking part.

Youth In Philantropy Grants Handed Out

Youth In Philanthropy has presented grants to four local charities.

The grants were handed out yesterday by students from Beaver brae and Thomas Aquinas.

Maddy Gilfix from T.A. says it was tough to only select four organizations.

Thomas Aquinas gave one thousand dollars to both the Morningstar Detox Centre and the Minto Parent Resource Centre.

Beaver Brae also gave one thousand to the Kenora Fellowship Centre and the Cat Shelter.

Stranded Canoer Rescued in Quetico

A harrowing experience for a canoeist in Quetico Provincial Park.

OPP says the man's canoe had drifted away Monday afternoon after he stopped at an island on Kawnipi Lake, leaving him stranded.

He was able to sent a message back to a Minnesota tourist outfitter who notified authorities.

Poor weather delayed rescue efforts until Tuesday morning where the man was found safe and sound.

Officers also helped get the man's canoe back.

Marathon Woman Charged With Embezzling

A Marathon woman is facing charges for involvement in misappropriation of funds.

Police recieved reports in September that an excess of  $15,000 was missing from the Marathon Minor Hockey Association's bank account.

36 year old Trixie Gulliford is being charged with theft over $5000.

She is set to appear in court July 24th in Marathon.

Northwest Senior Games Next Month

The Northwest Senior Games will be held in Thunder Bay next month.

Organizer Ruth Racic says 12 events are scheduled throughout the City.

The winners from this year's events will advance to the Ontario Senior Games.

The games will be held from June 2nd to the 5th.

NorWOSSA Soccer Season Winding Down

A tough day on the pitch in Dryden for Beaver Brae's soccer teams.

The Broncos were 0-4 in both boys and girls games.

In boys play, the Beaver Brae boys lost 6-0 to the Eagles and 5-1 to Fort Frances.

On the girls side it was also a tough day with the Broncos losing 3-1 to Dryden and 2-0 to the Muskies.

Beaver Brae is back in action tomorrow at the Tom Nabb Soccer Complex to finish
the regular season.

Meanwhile, a little better results for Thomas Aquinas in Sioux Lookout.

The Saints boys played to a 0-0 draw with Rainy River and started the day with
a 1-0 win over the Warriors.

The T.A. girls continue to dominate beating Sioux Lookout 3-0 and blanking
Rainy River 3-0.

The Saints play Rainy River again today to wrap up the regular season.

Attawapiskat Evacuees Heading Home Tomorrow

A short visit for residents from Attawapiskat First Nation.

About 140 arrived in Fort Frances on the weekend as part of the one thousand airlifted away from their remote community due to flooding concerns.

Fort Frances public information officer, Patrick Briere says plans call for them to return home Thursday.

Briere says so far they've been able to meet the needs of the evacuees.

All Candidates Forum Set for June 3rd

The first opportunity to hear from all the candidates running in the provincial election campaign in  Kenora-Rainy River.

The Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates forum on June 3rd.

The Chamber says it will be asking questions dealing with sustaining and growing business in the Kenora area.

The forum will take place at the Minis Hall at the Super 8 from 6:30 to 9 PM.

It will be a busy night for political junkies.

That's the same night of the Ontario leadership debate involving Kathleen Wynne, Andrea Horwath and
Tim Hudak.

Kasprik Promoted to City Clerk

A changing of the guard over at city hall.

Heather Kasprik has officially been named Kenora's new City
Clerk.

Kasprik takes over from Joanne McMillan who's last day on the
job was May 15th.

McMillan has retired after working for the municipality for 37 years.

Kasprik has worked for the City since 1995 and has been the deputy clerk for several years.

Fire Hazard Remains Low

Not much activity on forest fire front but the warm weather in the forecast may change things.

The fire hazard remains low with only 9-human caused fires over the long weekend.

A majority of the small fires were in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon districts.

The region has only seen 16-fires this season.

Warm and dry weather will likely send local residents camping in the coming days and the Ministry of

Natural Resources urges folks to ensure campfires are monitored at all times and put out before leaving.

City Concerned About High Water Levels

Hoping for the best, planning for the worst.

Mayor Dave Canfield says water levels on Black Sturgeon Lake are near 1999 flood levels.

Canfield hopes the worst is over.

The water has already flooded out a number of streets North of the city.

Canfield says detours will remain in place until the water subsides.

Flood Warning Continued In Dryden Area

A flood warning remains in effect in the Dryden area.

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the warning will stay in place until Friday morning.

The MNR adds it will reevaluated at that time.

Flooding has already occurred along Highway 605 in the Rugby Creek area and South Minitaki Road as well as Highway 105.

Water levels are expected to rise over the next couple of days impacting low lying areas, streams and water crossings.

The MNR stresses that regular transportation routes to and from their properties may not be passable for an extended period of time.

The public is being asked to avoid crossing submerged roadbeds.

City Changes Contact Number for Fire Permits

Kenora has changed the phone number to contact if you need a burning permit.

Fire Chief Warren Brinkman says it was a house keeping move because the number on
the permit belonged to the old Kenora Police Services.

Kenora city council passed a by-law to change the phone number of burning permits at  yesterday's open council meeting.

Machin Refuses To Hire Fire Chief

Machin town Council has decided to maintain the status quo and not hire a full time Fire Chief.

A request was made by former Volunteer Fire Chief Rob Wisneski to help deal with the training, regulatory issues, inspection, prevention and suppression demands of the job.

Mayor Gord Dingman explains why Council decided to vote against the position.

Machin is now without a Chief and a Deputy Chief and all communications are now directed to the municipal office.

Rickford Makes Announcement on Pipeline Safety

Shining a positive light on a sensitive subject.

Last week in Vancouver Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced a new strategy to focus on pipeline safety in Canada.

The federal Natural Resources Minister
says with the Energy East Project on everyone's minds he is listening to all sides.

Rickford notes Energy East would fall under this new plan focused on compensation, prevention, and preparedness.

Hudak Takes A Pass On Northern Leaders Debate

Tim Hudak will not show up for the northern leaders election debate in Thunder Bay next week.

His spokesperson  says the PC leader has scheduling conflicts.  

Organizer Iain Angus of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association says the event will go ahead anyway with the NDPs Andrea Horwath and Kathleen Wynne of the Liberals

Angus says the precident was set during the last election when the northern debate went on without Dalton McGuinty

Two Fatalities During Victoria Day Long Weekend

The Ontario Provincial police say  that two people died on OPP-patrolled roads over the Victoria Day Long Weekend.

One man died in eastern Ontario when the farm tractor he was driving failed to negotiate a turn on a  township road.

Another man died following a single vehicle collision in northeastern Ontario.

Royal Visit Wraps Up Today in Winnipeg

The Royal visit will wrap up in Winnipeg today.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have a couple of events planned in the Manitoba capital.

Charles will do a photo op at the Assiniboine Zoo where he will feed a polar bear, while Camilla will tour the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company.

The royal couple will fly out of CFB Winnipeg this evening back home to
Jolly Olde England

NorWOSSA Soccer Action on Two Fronts Today

No shortage of high school soccer action today.

Beaver Brae's boys and girls team head to Dryden for games against the Eagles and Fort Frances.

The Broncos play their first games at 9:30 this morning against the Eagles.

Meanwhile, Thomas Aquinas is also on the road in Sioux Lookout for games against the Warriors and Rainy River today and tomorrow.

The NorWOSSA single A and Double A finals will take place next week.