Dryden

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller said Wednesday Pope Francis's upcoming trip to Canada remains unchanged at the moment, but the pontiff's health is an "extreme concern."

Miller's comments come after the Vatican announced last week the 85-year-old Pope would reschedule an upcoming trip to Africa to avoid interrupting therapy he is undergoing for his knee. 

After two years of searching and a 27-month-long investigation by the North West OPP, two men are now facing charges related to the disappearance and suspected murder of 26-year-old Alyssa Turnbull from Nipigon, but her suspected killers remain at large.

The majority of the remaining mask mandates were lifted on June 11, despite that, a number of healthcare settings in the region have decided to keep their mask policies.  

Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) announced through a social media post that they will continue to ask patients and visitors to wear a hospital-provided mask.  

The decision was made with vulnerable patients and staff in mind.  

Environment Canada says more storm activity in northwestern Ontario is expected to bring more high winds, rain and possible hail again to the region later today.

Environment Canada Meteorologist, Gerald Cheng, says Tuesday’s storms in the area brought 20.9 mm of rainfall at the Kenora Airport, the majority of this month’s overall total of 30.6 mm.

Dryden Regional Health Centre announces a new addictions program.  

In a press release, the Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) announced on June 6, that they have added a new program and clinic to their service, a program that will provide resources and support to individuals with addiction concerns.  

The clinic will operate on Monday afternoons through the Dryden Area Family Health Team building located at 40 Goodall Street. 

The leader of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora, President and CEO Ray Racette, says he’s nervous heading into the summer season with an ongoing and worsening staff shortage and the potential for future spikes of COVID-19 cases in the community.

In a conference with regional media members on June 13, Racette fielded questions related to the hospital’s staff shortage, which the hospital has recently described as ‘critical’, especially in the Emergency Room department.

For the second time today, a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Kenora, Dryden, Vermilion Bay and the surrounding communities.

There is potential for severe thunderstorms to develop along an approaching cold front. The main threats are damaging wind gusts of 90 to 110 km/h, nickel to ping-pong ball-sized hail, heavy rain, and a tornado may also be possible.

Environment Canada says severe thunderstorms could hit the region this afternoon into this evening.

If it looks like there is a lot more cotton seed and yellow pollen floating around these days, there is a reason for that. 

Carla Hyrcyna, co-owner of St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre Ltd, explains why the trees are sending out an abundant amount of seeds this spring. 

At 8:23 a.m. CDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing up to toonie-sized hail and heavy rain.

This severe thunderstorm is located 14 kilometres south of Lost Lake, moving north at 40 km/h.

Hazard: Toonie size hail.

Locations impacted include:
Eagle Lake and Lost Lake.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says the Canadian government will suspend COVID-19 vaccine mandates for domestic and outbound international travellers and federally regulated workers.

The new rules will come into effect on June 20, though the requirements for foreign nationals coming to Canada will not change.

Intergovernmental affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc warns the government is prepared to "bring back" necessary policies if there's a resurgence of the virus in the fall.