Labor Day Picnic Back Again this Year

Back by popular demand.

The annual Labor Day Picnic.

Last year, the picnic was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers.

But president of the Kenora and District Labor Donna Wiebe says
all their union locals stepped up to the plate this year.

The Labor Day picnic will take place on Monday starting at 11:00 at
Beatty Park in Keewatin.

Wiebe says in addition to guest speakers and musical entertainment,
the Circus Kids will be performing and minnow races will also be
back.

Birth Control Drug Recalled

Some concerns for women taking Freya-28 for birth control.

The Northwestern Health Unit says there has been a recall on the drug.

Gillian Lunny is the Manager of Sexual Health and Harm Prevention and says the recall regards a package with to many placebos.

Lunny says anyone who may be affected can get the pills replaced at their pharmacy.

Longbow Lake Fire Brigade Yard Sale This Weekend

A Labor Day tradition is expected to attract hundred of people.

The Longbow Lake Fire Brigade is holding its annual yard sale
tomorrow.

Art Friesen is one of the organizers and says they have a wide variety of
goods for sale.

Last year, Friesen says the Yard Sale generated 23 thousand dollars for
the Volunteer Fire Department.

The yard sale starts at 9:00 sharp and will run until 1:00.

Ontario Lags Behind in Utility Costs

A study by the Province of Manitoba shows that a utility bundle costs almost
five thousand dollars more in Ontario.

The Manitoba government compared electricity, home heating and insurance costs in each province.

Kenora mayor Dave Canfield says he's not surprised Ontario has the highest
costs in Canada.

The report shows the Utility Bundle in Manitoba cost 27 hundred dollars compared to 76 hundred in Ontario.

Local Groups Get Funding For Griffith Mine EA

Two First Nations groups are getting Federal funding to participate in the environment assessment for the Griffith Iron Ore redevelopment project in Ear Falls.

Wabauskang First Nation is receiving 50-grand, while the Metis Nation of Ontario is welcoming 37 thousand dollars.

Both groups will be able to review and provide comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and draft Environmental Assessment Report.

Northern Iron is hoping to re-open the Griffith Mine, with plans to produce roughly 16-thousand tonnes of ore per day.

OPP Get Ready for Labor Day Long Weekend

We are approaching the last long-weekend of the summer.

And the Ontario Provincial Police are reminding folks to be careful.

Sergeant Shelley Garr says they have seen an increase in water related accidents in the region this summer, so they will have their Marine Units out in full force.

Garr is also reminding motorists to slow down now that kids are back in school.

Gravelle Looking Forward to Premier's Visit to the Northwest

Not much is being said about Premier Wynne's planned trip to northwestern Ontario this weekend.

After leaving Kenora Monday, she'll be heading to Thunder Bay.

Area business leaders are being invited to the Tuesday event and MPP Michael Gravelle says it's going to be helpful to discuss to the region's economy.

Gravelle says he will be there, as will the Chamber of Commerce but other invitees haven't been announced.

Youth Trapping Program Announced

A new program in Northwestern Ontario targeting youth with an interest in trapping.

It was introduced by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and will be available to those age 12 to 15-years old.

Shannon Gutoskie is a spokesperson with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and says it's great news for the region.

Gutoskie says there's a course youth must take, and they also need their parents or guardians consent.

Ladies Slo-Pitch Picture A Little Clearer

The play-off picture is a little cleared today in the Days Inn Ladies Slo-Pitch League.

Northern Harbor has earned a berth into the A-side final with an 8-3 win over the Shoal Lake Troopers.

Shannon Robinson had a pair of in-the park home runs in that game.

Meanwhile, Dunit Contracting stayed alive in the A-side play-offs with a 6-4 win over the Trashers.

They'll play the Troopers tonight for the right to advance to next week's finals.

In the C-side play-offs, Riverview Industries got by the Hoggettes 16-5 while Guns and Roses upended the Bimose Angels 29-9.

Riverview will play Guns and Roses tonight for the right to advance.