OPP release of American angler found near Morson

The OPP are continuing to search for a missing angler in the Morson area of Lake of the Woods.

Two men were reported overdue Monday night, after they had gone out fishing in a  16 foot boat.

The body of 73 year old James Wealther from Addison, Illinois was found on the shore of the lake on Tuesday.

The OPP say the capsized boat was also located in the area.

The Marine Unit, along with an Underwater Search and Recovery Unit are continuing their search for 69 year old Richard Herman from Peoria, Illinois.

OPP hiring Summer Students

The OPP has extended the deadline for any student who wants to apply for their summer constable positions.

Today was supposed to be the last day to accept applications, but that has been moved now to June 3rd.

Constable Dave Cain says the job is ideal for any youth interested in a career in policing.

Cain says the Kenora Detachment of the OPP has received funding to hire three students once again this summer.

School vice-principals appointed

With the school year quickly winding down, local school boards are starting to think ahead to the fall.

Both the Kenora Catholic and Keewatin-Patricia District School Boards have finalized their hirings for principals and vice-principals.

The separate school board has announced that Nicole Kurtz will be taking over as vice-principal at St. Margarite Bourgeois.

At the public board, Gail Mutrie has been appointed as the acting vice-principal at King George.

The changes will take effect September 1st.

OPP hand out awards in annual ceremony

A Kenora police officer involved in a shooting in downtown Kenora, almost a year ago, has received a comendation from the OPP.

Katheryn Moyer had to shoot 39 year old Helen Proulx last June, after the Grassy Narrows resident threatened her with a small knife.

OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis presented the awards at a ceremony yesterday in Dryden and says this is a way to thank those who keep our streets safe.

Moyer received the Commissioner's Citation for Bravery for her courageous actions involving a knife wielding woman in downtown Kenora.

Rickford picks up new duties on Parliament Hill

When Greg Rickford returns to Parliament Hill, he won't be enjoying much free time.

The Kenora Conservative MP has been named Parliamentary Secretary to 3 Ministers; Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Canadian Northern Economic Development and FedNor.

Rickford notes he's excited about the opportunity.

Rickford says he's always had a passion for issues in the Arctic as well as aborignal concerns.

Provincial cash announced for Local Roads Boards

The Provincial Government is providing 25 million dollars to local roads boards across the province.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the 191 rural road boards in the region will share that cash.

Gravelle says the money is used on roads in a number of unincorporated communities across the northwest.

No Target Store expected in Kenora

It looks as if Kenora won't be getting a Target store any time soon.

Earlier this year, Target announced it was buying up a number of Zeller's outlets in Canada.

Yesterday the company announced which of the 105 stores across Canada would be initially converted.

Spokesperson Amy Reillery says they hope to have the new stores open by 2013.

The only Zeller's in northwestern Ontario to be converted is in Thunder Bay.

Four stores in Winnipeg will be changed over to Target outlets.

Saints Girls host NWOSSA soccer championships

The Thomas Aquinas Girls soccer team is eyeing a return trip to the All-Ontario Championships.

The Saints are hosting the NWOSSA championships this weekend.

The best-of-three final against Terrace Bay begins this evening at 6:00 at the T.A. soccer field.

Game two is scheduled for 10:00 tomorrow morning, and game three if necessary is at 2:00 Saturday afternoon.

The winner will move onto the OFSAA finals next week.

Final Draft from Lake of the Woods Task Force Complete

A task force set up by the International Joint Commission to look at water issues on Lake of the Woods has come up with its final draft report.

The final report will be presented to the IJC in July, but between now and then local residents will get a chance to comment on the recommendations that are being made.

Kelli Saunders is the Canadian secretary on the task force and says one of the main recommendations is representation by first nation groups in the decision making process.

Other recommendations, include streamlining the number of agencies working in the Lake of the Woods

and Rainy River drainage basins, and reviewing water level guidelines for the lake.

A public consultation session is scheduled to take place in Kenora on June 16th.

MNR sending more Fire Rangers Out West

The Ministry of Natural Resources is sending more firefighters to Alberta.

An additional 82 forest fire staff will leave today for the Western Province, bringing the total of Ontario staff to 191.

Half of the resources are from Northwestern Ontario.

There were no new fires reported yesterday in this Region and crews are making good progress on a large fire currently being held near Savant Lake.

The MNR is also controlling a small fire about 22-kilometres southeast of Red Lake.

OPP see an increase in drug related crime in Kenora

The Kenora OPP says there has been an increase in the number of assaults, break and enters and mischief complaints in the first three months of 2011.

Inspector Dave Lucas presented his most recent report to the police services board Wednesday morning.

He says they are noticing a trend in those areas and are taking action to address those problems.

Lucas also submitted his 2011 business plan to the Police Services Board, which was drafted following community consultations and an analysis of crime in the city since the OPP took over in the summer of 2009.

Cancer Care Northwest sees room for improvement

Cancer Care Northwest has made improvements to its colorectal cancer programs.

That's one of the areas they saw improvements in a province wide cancer index.

Vice President Micahel Power says even though they did well they will continue to work towards improvement.

The screening rates for that cancer are below the provincial average and came in at 26 percent.

Search continues for missing angler near Morson

An OPP dive team is expected on Lake of the Woods near Morson today in search of a missing boater.

The man was with another fishing on the lake and reported overdue Monday.

OPP found their capsized boat Tuesday and the body of the other man on the shore.

No names have been released.

Bronco Girls win NorWOSSA Gold

Beaver Brae's girls soccer team is heading to the provincial championships.

The Broncos edged the Dryden Eagles 2-1 in penalty shots yesterday in the gold medal game.

They now head down to Windsor next week for the OFSAA Championships.

Meanwhile, Beaver Brae's boys had less success.

The Broncos dropped a 1-0 decision to Fort Frances in the gold medal game, and had to settle for silver this year.

Angler Drowns on Lake of the Woods

One person is dead and another is still missing following a fishing expedition on Lake of the Woods.

The OPP say they were contacted Monday night about two overdue anglers near Morson.

The OPP's Marine Unit was dispatched to the scene, and officers managed to locate the body of one of the men on shore.

His boat was located a short distance away and had capsized.

The Northwest Emergency Response Unit is continuing to search the shoreline for the other missing man.

The OPP's Underwater Search and Recovery Unit is expected to be on the scene later today.

Kenora BIZ Reflects on a Year of Success

The Kenora Business Improvement Zone says it will continue to do what it can to improve the downtown area.

BIZ held its annual general meeting last night, and chair, Kerick Funk outlined some of their successes in the past year.

That included 50 thousand dollars in funding for the new Harborfront Tent, and the installation of cigarette butt containers on light standards.

BIZ says it still wants to deal with the parking issue in the downtown core, specifically, it wants to make sure parking spaces in front of local businesses are set aside for customers, and not the staff of local businesses.

NAN looking for Better Education Funding

The Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation is again calling on the Federal Government to better fund aboriginal education.

Terry Waboose says the funding gap is growing bigger each year.

Waboose says they're working on creating a self governing first nation's education system that would give them more control over funding and curriculum.

Fire Hazard Reduced to Low in NWO

All the rain this weekend has reduced the fire hazard in northwestern Ontario.

We started the weekend with a high to extreme hazard, but its now down into the low range.

Fire Information Officer Debbie McLean says there were very few new fires reported over the past four days.

McLean says Thunder Bay fire #22, which forced the evacuation of 11 people in Wabakimi Provincial Park over the weekend, is now listed as being held.

Fort Frances Area Man killed in Train Accident

A Morley Township man has been identified as the victim of a collision involving a vehicle and a train near Fort Frances last Friday night.

92-year-old Donald Robert Bolen was killed in the mishap that occurred at a CN Rail crossing on Highway 617 in Stratton.

Both OPP and CN Rail Police have determined the red lights at the crossing were flashing and operating property at the time.

A post mortem examination is taking place in Kenora at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Beaver Brae hosts NorWOSSA ``AA`` Soccer Finals

The NorWOSSA Double A Soccer championships take place in Kenora today.

The host Broncos already have a bye into this afternoon's gold medal games.

Now they are just waiting to find out who they will play.

In semi-final action this morning, Dryden will take on Fort Frances in both the boys and girls semi-finals.

Those games are scheduled to start at 10:00.

The finals will go at 2:00.