Dryden

Disclaimer: This article is the first part of a four-part series. This series will discuss sensitive matters pertaining to the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

As the bombs began to fall on Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities, one Kenora paramedic felt an overwhelming need to help.  

Residents north of the Kenora by-pass have been hit hard in the last few weeks as they have dealt with washed-out roads, and severely high water levels, which has caused overland flooding in some low-lying areas.

These treacherous conditions, therefore, caused many residents to evacuate their homes and properties, as the worry of being stranded and cut off from emergency services, and the rest of the community became more of a reality.

Over a week ago the Kenora Recreation Centre was turned into an evacuation facility, for those that left their homes north of the by-pass, following the city issuing an Evacuation Order for areas east of Black Sturgeon Lake on May 13, 2022. 

As of May 24, 2022, Coker road evacuee Aimee Baldwin has been the only one that has used the rec centre since it became an evacuation centre, back on May 13, 2022.

The Dryden Detachment of the OPP is reminding area residents to follow safe Internet practices after a report of a sextortion scam. 

Sextortion is a form of extortion where an online blackmailer uses the threat of publishing or sending intimate images or videos to contacts unless the victim meets their demands.

In response to the rising water levels and localized flooding in the area, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout has taken further action and declared a State of Emergency on Tuesday (May 24, 2022). 

Mayor Doug Lawrance says the decision to declare a State of Emergency is twofold.

As of 6:00 am Wednesday, May 25: 

Hwy 72, Sioux Lookout, at the Hwy 516 Jct, the hwy is closed due to water over the road. Detour signs are posted.

Blue Lake Loop Road – Vermilion Bay, between Hwy 647 Jct and Quibell Rd is closed. Traffic control in place.

Quibell Rd. - Vermilion Bay, Hwy 609/Quibell Rd. closed to commercial vehicles and heavy trucks. Passenger vehicles and school buses only. Signage in place.

The ongoing maintenance of the water distribution system in Dryden will be cause for more traffic disruptions on Wednesaday, May 25, 2022.

From 7:30am to 4:00pm today, Orvis Street will be closed between Van Horne Avenue and Pitt Avenue.

Van Horne Avenue will remain open, but motorists can expect short construction delays throughout the day.

Residents with questions or concerns can call Dryden Public Works at (807) 223-2367.

Canada has purchased more than 20,000 rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine, Defence Minister Anita Anand said Tuesday.

Anand, speaking at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Victoria, said the $98-million purchase will include the needed fuses and charge bags and comes from the $500-million Ukrainian military aid package announced in April's federal budget.

She said the rounds, which are the NATO artillery standard of 155 millimetre and will work with the artillery guns Canada shipped to Ukraine in April, are "exactly what Ukraine has asked allies to provide."

As the water levels continue to decline and the lack of precipitation in the recent days the City of Kenora says that has allowed crews to continue work 500m north of Bells Point Road. The work will continue throughout the rest of the week, with timelines and updates coming in the next day or two. 

Flooding across the region and the driver shortage is continuing to impact school bus routes.

The following routes have cancelled stops or delays on Wednesday, May 25.

Kenora

• KN13, KN15, & KN88 – all stops north of the Kenora By-pass (Hwy. 17A) will be cancelled due to road closures.

Red Lake

• RL6 – stops on Dupont Drive and Young Street east of Chelsea Street will be cancelled due to conditions on Young Street.

Dryden/Vermilion Bay