OSSLT Results Questioned

Some trustees with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says they aren't happy with the recent Grade 10 Literacy test rersults.

At last nights board meeting, the 2011-2012 results were revealed and one trustee said that more work needs to be done with students.

However Director of Education Jack McMaster has a different take saying they are always trying to

improve their EQAO results. 

Just 69 percent of the students in the public school system successfully completed the Literacy test, compared to 87 percent at the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

Kenora Supports Thunder Bay Disaster Relief

Kenora is the latest municipality to come to the aid of Thunder Bay.

Thunder Bay has been asking for financial support following a devastating flood at the end of May.

The City is trying to raise five million dollars for a flood relief program, funding which will be more than matched by the provincial government.

So far, Dryden and Fort Frances have committed one thousand dollars to the disaster relief effort.

Councillor Ron Lunny says he'd be willing to provide even more support if its needed.

OPP Continue Investigation into Rainy River Fire

More details are being released about a fire that destroyed a Rainy River landmark.

On Monday, Ontario Provincial Police and fire fighters responded to the fire at the Canadian Northern Hotel.

When crews arrived, they saw a small amount of smoke coming from the roof area.

Officials confirmed that no one was inside the building, and no one was injured as a result of the incident.

The building was destroyed, but crews were able to contain the fire and protect the surrounded buildings.

The investigation is continuing.

Brew Pub Opening Delayed

Its going to take longer than expected to quench your thirst at the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company.

Taras Manzie was hoping to set up a brew pub in the old Kenora Fire Hall before the end of this year.

In an update to city council yesterday morning, Manzie says his goal is to brew beer, sell to patrons at the pub, and also have an off-sale outlet.

Manzie says the licencing requirements are very time consuming so he says their goal now is to open the brew pub in time for next year's May long weekend.

Kindergarten Classes Filling Up

Four and five year olds are filling up classes in the Keewatin Patricia District School Board.

Full-day kindergarten is in it's third year, and 6 new classes were added this year in area schools.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says there's endless opportunities for the children to learn.

After 2015, all schools in the district will have full-day kindergarten.

Council Debates Non-Profit Housing Merger

Kenora city council still hasn't decided whether to merge the boards of the Kenora and Keewatin Non-Profit Housing Corporations.

The city began the process over the summer, but there is still some concern there may not be any cost savings.

Councillor Sharon Smith says she's not opposed to an amalgamation of the boards, but she wants some hard facts first.

Council will vote on whether to put a transition board in place at Monday's open meeting.

That would give the city a year to decide whether to go ahead with the merger.

Fire Hazard on the Rise

Kenora continues to be one of the busier districts in terms of forest fires.

So far this week, there have been four new wild fires.

The MNR says only one was caused by humans, there rest were the result of old lightning strikes.

All four fires were relatively small and have been contained by fire crews.

The fire hazard has risen to high to extreme across much of the region.

OPP in Fort Frances Arrest Suspect in Assault

A woman in Fort Frances is telling a harrowing tale.

Provincial Police say the woman was walking with her two kids on Sunday afternoon when she was approached by a man on a bike who began uttering threats.

Police say the man then took out a knife and held it to her throat.

The woman was able to fight off her attacker and the suspect rode off into the bush.

Treaty Three Police later picked him up and arrested him for Assault with a weapon and Uttering death threats.

He has been identified as 36-year-old Benjamin Budge of no fixed address.

Bronco Golfers Finish Third in Atikokan

A third place finish for Beaver Brae's boys at the second NorWOSSA golf tournament of the season.

The Broncos finished behind Sioux Lookout and Dryden yesterday, at the tournament held in Atikokan.

Brae's Brae's boys had a collective score of 352, which was 39 shots back of Dryden.

The next tournament will take place Monday in Sioux Lookout.