News Owners for Minaki Lodge

The former Minaki Lodge property north of Kenora will soon have a new owner.

Bob Banman, a former member of the Manitoba Legislature and Steinbach developer, Bob Schinkel are teaming up to re-develop the property on the Winnipeg River.

Banman says they want to create several condo units in the buildings that were once used for hotel rooms.

Banman says they are still waiting for the courts to approve the sale.

Once that's complete, they will begin work with the Ontario government on a site plan for the Minaki Lodge property.

Kenora Golfers win NorWOSSA Silver Medals

Kenora high school golfers earned three medals at the NorWOSSA championships.

The season wrapped up last week in Fort Frances, with the Beaver Brae Boys team earning the silver medal.

Brent Arsenault from Beaver Brae also took silver in boys individual play.

Danielle Toth was a silver medal winner in the girls individual bracket.

Hampton speaks out against Far North Act

The Far North Act isn't going to improve relations between the provincial government and

local first nations.

That's the feeling of Kenora-Rainy River M.P.P. Howard Hampton.

He say the legislation, which was passed last week really undermines the rights of

aboriginal communities in the far north.

The Nishinabe-Aski Nation says there could be protests over the Far North Act similar to the HST protest earlier this year.

Treaty Three meets with Children and Youth Services Minister

Grand Council Treaty #3 says its pleased with recent meetings with the minister of

Children and Youth services.

The provincial Native Child Welfare conference wrapped up yesterday in Fort Frances.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says she had a chance to meet with the minister, Laurel Broten.

Broten also gave the key-note address to the agencies attending the three day conference.

Kelly says she is hopeful the new relationship with the ministry will produce meaningful results for children and youth within Treaty Three communities.

Nuclear Waste Storage Sites Sought in NWO

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is combing the area looking for communities interested in information on a proposal to establish used nuclear fuel storage sites.

Ear Falls has started the process by initiating a feasibility study, while Ignace is looking for more details.

Spokesperson Michael Krizanc says people have plenty of questions.

Krizanc says this is a long term process and any community interested in getting information

can contact the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for details about the project.

Confederation College is seeking a new president

Confederation College's President is retiring.

Pat Lang has held the position for the last ten years and says she wants the new President to bring in change.

Lang will retire this summer in July.

A national search for a replacement will get underway as soon as possible.

DOKURA votes on October 25th

The District of Kenora Unincorporated Areas Ratepayers Association is looking for

a couple of representitives to sit on the Kenora District Services Board.

Elections in two areas will also be held on October 25th.

In Lake of the Woods North, Ingrid Parkes and Barry Baltessen are going to be

on the ballot.

Returning officer for the vote, Jack McKenzie says any registered property owner

in the Unincororated areas will be eligible to vote.

McKenzie says they will have polling stations set up around the region at community

halls and fire halls.

In the Oxdrift area, Sarah Campbell and Ray LeRay are the only two candidates running

for one seat on the District Services Board.

Busy Week for Municipal Candidates

Its going to be a make or break week for the candidates running in the municipal

elections.

There are five all-candidate forums scheduled this week over the next five days.

The first event is up tonight at the Minnis Hall of Super 8, where the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates forum.

That will be followed by forum sponsored by Kenora's Young Business Professionals

tomorrow night, and a senior's forum Wednesday morning.

On Thursday, the mayoralty candidates will be on CJRL for a special hour-long talkback

show.

Broncos lose first game in WHSFL

A reality check for Beaver Brae's Football team.

The Broncos lost their first game of the season yesterday afternoon, a 29-10 decision to Kildonan East.

Head Coach Chris Penner says he wasn't surprised by the result.

One of the bright spots for the Broncos was running back Scott Morgan, who ran for 171 yards on 16 carries, including a 70 yard touchdown run in the
second quarter.

Up next for Beaver Brae is Miles MacDonnell.  The Buckeyes will be in Kenora next Thursday.

Take back the Night

About 50 people braved wet conditions for the annual Take Back the Night March in Kenora.

The march started at the Museum last night and made its way down Second Street South to the Kenora Metis Office.

The annual event is an effort to eradicate violence against women.

New contract for Contact North

Contact North is now providing distance education and training to teach more remote First Nations youth how to govern in their communities.

Contact North's Maxim Jean-Louis says an agreement with the National Centre for First Nations Governance, is helping to bring workshops to addional communities.

Jean-Louis says the program has the potential to go nationwide.

Compton appointed to LOW Foundation Advisory Group

Kenora mayor Len Compton may be leaving office later this fall, but he'll still have some association with city council.

Council has appointed Compton as the city's community liason to the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation.

Compton will be asked to act as a liason between the group and the city.

The city is also being asked to cover any travel costs Compton may incur to participate in the meetings.

Council says it also support the development of a bi-national water Quality management

board for the Lake of the Woods Watershed.

North Spirit Hydro Dam Proposed

The Provincial Government is spending 100-thousand dollars to help the remote Northern community of North Spirit Lake explore clean energy possibilities.

The First Nation is looking at developing a small hydro-electric generating station on Flanagan River, about 175-kilometres north of Red Lake.

The study will determine site conditions, water level variations, plant capacity and energy production.

Cost savings and ecological benefits will also be determined.

Parks, Trails and Beaches Report Released

A lengthy report on how to improve Kenora's Beaches, Parks and Trails has been tabled

before city council.

The 93 page report was compiled by the consulting firm of Scatliff and Miller and Murray.

Mike Scatliff says if the city decided to implement all the suggestions in the report, it would

cost almost 15 million dollars.

The report looks at refurbishing Garrow, Anicinabe and Coney beaches, as well as

improvements to Portage Bay, and downtown Keewatin.

Scatliff says the report is based on broad consultations with local residents over the

past year.

Kenora and Dryden finalize Recycling agreement

Kenora City Council has laid the groundwork for a deal with the City of Dryden to haul its recyclables to Winnipeg.

The city is getting funding from the Continuous Improvement Fund to help puchase a truck which will haul recyclables from both communities.

Operations manager Rick Perchuck says if the system proves effective, its possible they could come to similar agreements with other communities in the region such as Red Lake and Fort Frances.

Under the agreement, the City of Kenora will send a truck to Dryden twice a week to pick up recyclables.

The other three days a week, the truck will be used to take Kenora's recycling to Winnipeg.

Far North Act Passes Third and Final Reading

Business leaders in northern Ontario are joining First Nations in expressing disappointment with today's passage of the Far North Act.

Harold Wilson, chief operating officer of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce, says the bill will make it harder for companies and First Nations to do business in the north.

Some First Nations leaders have warned of unrest and uncertainty in the north because of the passage of the Far North Act, which they say violates treaty rights.

Broncos face Kildonan East in WHSFL

Another big test for Beaver Brae's Football team.

The Broncos are at home today against the Kildonan East Reivers.

Beaver Brae still has an unblemished 2-0 record in the Winnipeg High School Football League, and is in a three way tie for first place.

The Reivers meanwhile, have a 1-1 record.

Game time is 3:00 this afternoon at Pete Fair Memorial Field.

Natural Gas Prices going up?

The cost of natural gas is coming down, but Union Gas customers in northwestern Ontario may still an increase on their bills next month.

The cost of a cubic metre of natural gas will drop 3-cents beginning October 1st.

But the Ontario Energy Board says customers bills may go up four to seven dollars over the next year because of the price difference for natural gas paid by Union Gas over the last three months and the price it expects to pay in the next quarter.

Tourism Changes in Store for 2011

There will be a bit of a change to the city's tourism landscape next summer.

The main tourism information outlet for Kenora will be the new Discovery Center on Cameron Bay.

The building is just under construction and is slated to be open by next spring.

The Discovery Center will replace the old tourism bureau on Highway 17 east.

The City also plans to operate the Thistle Pavillion as a secondary tourist information bureau next summer.

City council endorsed the changes at a special meeting held Wednesday morning.

AbitibiBowater Prepares to Exit Bankruptcy Protection

AbitibiBowater has achieved another step towards its exit from bankruptcy protection this fall.

The company says creditors in the United States gave its stamp of approval to a reorganization plan this week.

It received approval from Canadian creditors last week.

The plan still needs court approval in both the UnitedStates and Canada.