COVID-19

Rocky View Schools has forwarded a letter to parents and guardians penned by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

In the letter, Dr. Hinshaw addresses some of the questions and concerns parents may have about their children 12 years of age and older receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Hinshaw often refers to her own experience as a parent and empathizes with others over the concerns that they may have regarding COVID-19.

A barber planning to do outdoor haircuts says the province cut his plans short.

Earlier this week, Jeremy Regan, the owner of Winnipeg barbershop Hunter & Gunn, learned that outdoor gatherings were allowed and decided to cut hair on people's lawns. After receiving a lot of traction, his plans have been cancelled. 

Albertans have answered the call and gotten their first dose of COVID vaccine.

Active cases are down by 40 per cent from June 1 and Premier Jason Kenney says it's thanks to the vaccines.

Albertans who have received their first dose vaccination in March or earlier have now booked their second dose and those who were vaccinated in the month of April would be able to book their next shot on June 14th and that those vaccinated in May would be able to do that on the 28th.

With the province now in step one of the roadmap to reopening, visitor restrictions have been revised at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Now, one (1) designated visitor for each admitted patient will be allowed to visit between the hours of 4:00pm and 7:00pm. All designated visitors are required to bring and wear a mask upon entering and for the duration of their time in the hospital.

Everyone entering Lake of the Woods District Hospital will be screened at the entrance and be provided a sticker that must be worn while in the building.

Effective June 10, 2021 restrictions have been eased by the provincial government in accordance with Stage 2 of Alberta's Open for Summer Plan allowing for the following:

• Eastlink Centre is re-opening Monday, June 14
• The Grande Prairie Outdoor Pool has increased capacity to 20 people per booking effective June 10, 2021. 
• Revolution Place, Dave Barr Community Centre and The Leisure Centre are now open to the public and available for bookings.
• The Montrose Cultural Centre is re-open to the public and available for bookings.

The Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its new president of the Board of Directors, Ozzie Sawicki.

Sawicki has called Cochrane home for the past 16 years and has been a prominent business owner in the community as well. Sawicki is the Director & CEO of Amped2Play Inc. and was a serving director before becoming the new president.

Outgoing Chamber President, Kelly Sinclair says, “I am thrilled that Ozzie has stepped forward to take over the presidency. I have the utmost confidence that he will guide the Chamber to further success.”

Manitoba has unveiled its path to a reopening strategy.

Premier Brian Pallister says their safe summer reopening path includes more openings and fewer restrictions for Manitobans, beginning by Canada Day.

The Northwestern Health Unit has reported two new cases of COVID-19 across the district.

One case in each of the Kenora and Red Lake Health Hubs was reported.

Follow up with the persons involved and their contacts has started according to protocol. Anyone who is identified as a contact for these cases will be contacted directly.

Currently, the district has five active cases in the catchment area. Three in the Kenora Health Hub, one in the Red Lake Health Hub, and one in the Sioux Lookout Health Hub.

As Indigenous and Catholic leaders prepare for a possible fall meeting with the Pope, an Archbishop says reconciliation conversations continue to be a priority.

Archbishop Richard Gagnon of the Winnipeg Diocese and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says that a long-anticipated trip to the Vatican could come to fruition this fall.

Kenora residents and business owners have waited for this day since the Ontario government laid out the Roadmap to Reopen plan back on May 20, 2021.

Today marks the start of Step One of the province's re-opening plan. One of the most notable items on the list of the Step One plan is outdoor dining is allowed with a maximum of four people per table, which residents haven’t been able to do in months.