Downtown Revitalization = Job Creation

The Downtown Revitialization project is paying dividends for Kenora's Job market.

A new survey conducted by the Lake of the Woods Development Corporation shows that since Phase One of Downtown Revitalization began, 261 jobs have been created.

The Commission interviewed 59 restaurants and retail businesses in the Harbortown area recently.

It found that 129 full-time and 132 part time jobs have been created over the past five
years.

More details on the report will be released this morning at City council's Committee of the Whole meeting.

Rain Reduces Fire Hazard in the Region

Recent rain has helped put a damper on the forest fire situation in northwestern Ontario.

The MNR says it saw a couple of small, new forest fires over the weekend in the Kenora District.

Both were less than a hectare in size and the Fire Rangers crews don't expect any problem with those blazes.

This week's rain has reduced the number of active fires in the region to
just nine including three in the Kenora District.

OPP Working On New Business Plan

The OPP in Kenora is working on a business plan for next year.

Inspector Dave Lucas says they usually do a three year plan and the current one will expire at the end of this year.

He says they've already started to consult local groups and agencies.

The Police Services Board has also suggested that a public meeting be held in November so local residents can give their input on what should be in the OPP's
business plan.

Wynne Says Government Trying to Bring Costs Down

Catching up to Manitoba.

A new report shows Manitoba pays almost 5 thousand dollars less a year in a utility package than Ontario.

Premiere Kathleen Wynne says the cut in auto insurance premiums will help lower the gap.

Wynne says the government remains committed to lower electricity rates and maintaining the rebate programs in Northern Ontario.

Bears Hunt Bear Hunter

A long ordeal for a hunter at a camp in the Dryden area.

Provincial Police received a report from a camp owner that a hunter had left for a tree stand around 2:30 Saturday afternoon and had not returned.

The camp owner checked on him and found 4-cubs and 3-adult bears around the stand not allowing him out of the tree.

Officers arrived and managed to remove the hunter from the tree without incident and without any shots being fired.

No injuries were reported.

The incident happened in the Detour Point area.

Premier On the Hot Seat Over Energy

Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is bringing up the failed conversion of the Thunder Bay Generating Station at Queen's Park.

Horwath used the first Question Period yesterday to ask the Premier  what her government's plan is for the local plant.

Northerner leaders stress that the plant needs to be converted to meet our emerging energy needs.

The Premier responded but only spoke about the funding for roads and the Experimental Lakes Area.

55+ Expo Tomorrow

The 55+ Expo is being brought back for a third year in a row in Kenora.

The Expo presents a wide range of information for local seniors.

Patti Letourneau is one of the organizers and says they have a number of exhibitors and activities lined up.

The 55+ Expo will take place this Wednesday at the Kenora Curling Club from 9:00 to 4:00.

School Stress An Issue

It's a problem we often associate with adulthood, but a national survey reveals high school students are majorly stressed out.

The study shows that 68% worry about finding a job in their field, 58% worry about not getting into their chosen post-secondary program and 51% worry about not being able to pay for it.

Big Brothers-Big Sisters CEO Bruce MacDonald says the difference in attitudes between the students who were sure about going on to post-secondary and those who weren't all that certain stuck out to him.

MacDonald says it speaks to a loss of hope and optimism far too early in a student's high school career.

Blood Donor Clinic Wraps Up Today

Canadian Blood Services is in need of more young people.

The agency is wrapping up its two-day clinic in Kenora this afternoon.

Spokesperson Mike Choi says with an aging donor base, it's important to attract new people every year.

Today's blood donor clinic will run from 9:30 to 12:30 at the Thomas Aquinas
Gym.

Boil Water Advisory Lifted for Drewry Drive

Residents on Drewery Drive can once again drink the water.

The city of Kenora has lifted the boil advisory for the area.

Test results show the water contains no bacteria.

Minister of Natural Resources Outline Priorities

The Minister of Natural Resources will be focusing on northern Ontario as the fall session at Queen's Park resumes starting today.

David Orazietti says that finding jobs for northerners is among his top priorities.

Orazietti outlines one key sector is the forestry sector.

He notes moving the Ring of Fire forward is another priority.

Enrolment Increases at KCDSB

Continuing to grow in Catholic education.

The separate school board has seen an increase of 110 students this year.

Director of Education Phyllis Eikre says there may be a few reasons for the change including new families coming into the area.

Eikre says the change is good for more kids to interact and become friends and allow has paved the way for the board to hire new staff.

Treaty 3 Conference Coming to Kenora

Leaders throughout Treaty 3 will be meeting in Kenora to discuss the future.

They will be attending the "How We Will Sustain Ourselves Conference."

Coordinator Mike Greaves says the meetings will take place from .

Greaves says the meeting will discuss practices, opportunities, and challenges in cross culture collaboration.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at http://keondaatiziying.eventbrite.ca

Peak Season for Asthma Attacks

Don't forget your puffer this season.

President of the Asthma Society of Canada Dr. Robert Oliphant warns we're in the midst of a very dangerous time of year for asthma-sufferers.

About 25-percent of hospital admissions happen in a two week period in September.

He says students are particularly vulnerable when school starts back up after the summer.

Many students take a medication break during the summer...but Oliphant says they should be taking it the entire holiday.

OPP Investigate Home Invasion in Kenora

Provincial Police are looking for two men following a home invasion in Kenora early Wednesday morning.

Police say 2 unknown men entered a Ride Out area home through an open door.

The suspects demanded money and valuables from the residents.

OPP say the men proceeded to assault the residents.

One person managed to escape and call police.

The suspects were wearing dark clothing and both attempted to conceal their identity by covering their faces.

The residents received minor injuries in the attack.

Dryden Woman Injured When Car Hits Horse

A Dryden woman is in Thunder Bay Hospital with life threatening injuries following a collision on Highway 17 in Wainwright Township.

Provincial Police say a small compact car struck two horses around 8:30 Friday evening.

The horses were standing in the eastbound lane.

A young passenger in the vehicle was treated and released from Dryden Hospital.

One horse died at the scene and the other horse is expected to make a full recovery.

Police continue to investigate.

Canadian Heritage River Designation Efforts Continue

Efforts to designate a historic water route through northwestern Ontario continues.

Several groups want a Canadian Heritage River designation in place between Pigeon River to La Lac Croix extended to Lake of the Woods.

President of the Rainy Lake Conservancy Stephen Challais says their proposal is a little unique.

Challais says the proposal is in the nomination phase where a brief is to be submitted to Parks Canada for review before moving further.

Charity Bike Ride Starts Today

A fundraising bike ride in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada is underway.

Dryden Fire Service Education officer Reagan Breeze and three firefighters from Atikokan are taking part in the fundraising and awareness ride.

Breeze says this is the second year of the fundraiser.

Donations can be dropped off at fire hall's in Kenora, Dryden and Atikokan.

Rain Hitting Region Today

Some wet weather is heading our way.

Bill Laidlaw from Signal Weather Services says rain is hitting the region today.

Laidlaw says a low pressure system is moving in from the Dakotas and will create some heavy rain and thunderstorms by the afternoon.

He says the rain will taper off tonight with sunshine expected by mid week.

Electric Car Race Underway

What's being hailed the world's longest electric vehicle race in North America is underway.

A few dozen participants are motoring across North America.

Stephen Bieda of Sun Country Highway says the goal is to stop at as many charging stations located between Seattle and Prince Edward Island as possible.

A site at the Best Western Lakeside Inn is among stations racers could be stopping at.