Thursday, August 11, 2011

Bombardier Strike in Thunder Bay over

Striking Canadian Auto Workers members at Bombardier's Thunder Bay plant have reached a tentative agreement after just one day on the picket line.

Both sides reached an agreement last night.

The 700 union members, who assemble rail cars at the plant, are expected to vote on the offer on Saturday.

Staff walked off the job Tuesday but both sides returned to negotiations yesterday morning.

Bike Trails coming to City

The City of Kenora hopes to become more cycler friendly in the next few months.

Work is underway to develop a bicycle route through town.

Councillor Sharon Smith says that will include a marked route along Lakeview Drive, once that section is re-paved in the fall.

The route will include "share the road" signage, as well as bicycle stencils on the shoulder of the road.

OPP Arrest Two people in Rideout area

The OPP have arrested two people as a result of a drug bust in the Rideout area of town.

The Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and the Drug Unit executed a search warrant on a home on Mascott Avenue earlier this week.

Police say 3.5 grams of marijuana, six oxycodone pills and other drug paraphenalia were seized.

50 year old Leo Delorme and 22 year old Harley McLeod from Kenora have been charged with possession of a narcotic.

They are scheduled to make a court appearance in September.

Economic Development Commission Present Q2 report

All the city's investment in infrastructure over the past couple of years is starting to pay off.

That's the message of the chair of the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission.

Dennis Wallace presented the second quarter report to council this week and says there is a lot of interest in the former Abitibi property.

Wallace admits it could take a couple of years for the interest to translate into actual jobs, but says the foundation is there for growth.

City Council Turns Down Funding for Fellowship Center

Kenora City council has turned down a request from the Fellowship Center for a 12 thousand dollar grant.

The emergency shelter had requested the funding to help cover utility costs and recycling.

Councillor Sharon Smith says while the City doesn't have the funds to give the shelter money,
she suggested that Fellowship Center work with the Kenora Assembly of Resources to see if they can share some services.

The Kenora Assembly of Resources operates a couple of programs on the Kenora Harborfront
including the Green Team and Buck's Brigade.

Slight Improvement in Forest Fire Situation

The Ministry of Natural Resources continues to gain the upper hand on several wildfires in Northwestern Ontario.

There are now 95-active fires, down from 110-fires last night.

Information Officer Gabby Rivard says they are also getting fresh blood to help in suppression efforts.

There were just two new forest fires reported in northwestern Ontario yesterday.

US Economic Woes Good News for Local Housing Market?

Economic troubles south of the border could help out the housing market in Kenora.

Lakehead University Economics Professor Livio Di Matteo says the turmoil will likely mean interest rates will stay low which will make it easier for people to get a mortgage.

Di Matteo says the Federal Reserce Bank vowing to keep interest rates low will likely cause the Bank of Canada to do the same or even lower its rate.