Orihel Recieves Diamond Jubilee Medal

A Diamond Jubilee Medal has been awarded to the founder of the Coalition to Save the Experimental Lakes Area.

The M.P. for Winnipeg Center Pat Martin says that it recongises Diane Orihel's determination to raise awareness about the ELA and indepent sceiene and research.

Orihel is the leading voice of the coalition, calling on the federal government to continue to operate the research facility.

Good Financial News for Catholic School Board

Some good news on the financial front for the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

The separate school board's audited financial statements from last year shows a 1.2 million dollar increase in its suplus.

On the budget front, Superintendent of Administrative Services Judy Green says they will also see a slight reduction in their projected deficit for 2012/2013 despite some increased costs.

Green says they were able to reduce their deficit this year thanks to a slight increase in enrolment.

There are about 11 more students than their budget projections.

District Services Board Finalizes Budget

Depending on where you live, you could pay more or less for social services this year.

The Kenora District Services Board approved its 2013 budget, and CAO Dan Mcneill says the tax levy varies by municiplaity.

He says the overall increase is 1.1 percent, but Kenora will be hit with a 5 percent hike.

Red Lake has the largest increase at 9 percent.

The biggest decline is in Ignace at 4 percent.

Some Provincial Parks May Escape Closure

There may be life after all for at least three of the 10 provincial parks slated for closure in northern Ontario.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities has been meeting with the Ministry of Natural Resources to try and reverse the decision.

Al Spacek is the president of FONOM and says initially they were trying to keep at least five of the parks open.

Spacek says they are working on a pilot project to keep Fushimi Park near Hearst, Ivanoe near Chapleau and Rene Brunelle near Kapuskasing open this summer.

Sewer and Water Rates to Increase in the New Year

Kenora homeowners can expect another big increase in their sewer and water bills in 2013.

City council held its final open meeting of 2012 last night, and approved a 10 percent increase in sewer and water rates.

Council actually approved the rate increase in the budget process last year, which will see rates increase by 10 percent a year for at least the next five years.

The rate increase is due to come into effect as of January 1st.

Campbell Outlines Changes to Travel Grant

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell is clarifying statements she made recently about the Northern Ontario Travel Grant.

Campbell had expressed concern about the doubling of the distance requirement, only later to learn it was a change made several years ago.

But Campbell says there is a change for the accommodation portion of the grant., which now requires a reciept. 

The province had beefed up the travel grant a hundred dollars for travel a few year ago.