Dryden

Kenora MP Eric Melillo has high expectations for this year’s federal budget as the country gets prepared to move past the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, is set to unveil Canada’s 2022 Federal budget on April 7 at the House of Commons in Ottawa, with many calling for the government to help reduce our cost of living that’s only continuing to rise.

Over four million Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes and fled the war-torn country following Russia's invasion over a month ago.

Kenora resident Peter Kirby has set up an information session for Monday night (April 4, 2022) to see if Kenora residents would be willing to house Ukrainian refugees that are making their way to Canada.

Kirby created this meeting in light of speaking with local residents and seeing the potential for Kenora to be a centre for welcoming refugees.

Though snow is still on the ground and the threat of snow is possible people may want to start thinking about when they will remove their winter studded tires.

Ontario mandates that studded tires can only be used in Northern Ontario between September 1 and May 31 each year, as the studs can cause damage to roadways.

Studded tires are not allowed in Southern Ontario unless you’re visiting from out-of-province or a resident of Northern Ontario.

Kenora's Jamie Bruce is following in the footsteps of Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson. Bruce placed third at the 2022 St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open in Tennessee over the weekend. He caught his two-day limit weighing in at 34 pounds and 7 ounces. It was another Canadian who took first. Cooper Gallant reeled in 36 pounds one ounce for the top spot.

Special teams were the difference as the Winnipeg Jets dropped a 3-2 decision to the Los Angeles Kings Saturday night at Canada Life Centre.

Adrian Kempe scored a shorthanded goal for the Kings 2:21 into the first period.

The Jets tied the game four minutes later as Nikolaj Ehlers potted his 22nd of the season.

Los Angeles took the lead for good when captain Anze Kopitar beat Connor Hellebuyck at 10:32 of the opening frame.

Gabriel Vilardi extended the Kings lead with a power play goal 3:05 into the second period.

Thunder Bay’s Colleen Morrow is the latest winner of the Dryden Regional Health Services Foundation’s 50-50 draw, taking home $51,138.

“You’re kidding me,” said Morrow, when she heard the news. “That’s awesome.”

The foundation says the draw also provided $51,138 towards planned upgrades and equipment purchases for the Dryden Regional Health Centre’s Operating Room.

You can watch a video of the winning call HERE.

A year ago in March is when the federal government said when they were going to end boil water advisories in First Nation communities.

Though they have made some headway and ended many advisories they weren’t successful on their promise.

Kenora MP, Eric Melillo says that out of the 20 First Nation communities affected in Ontario over half are in his riding.

Kenora soon enough will be home to additional affordable housing units following a $3,780,000 investment Friday afternoon (April 1, 2022) from the province to the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB).

The 20 self-contained bachelor units will be located at 10, 12, and 14 Matheson Street South and have a targeted completion date of around March 2023. Residents will be close to the downtown core of Kenora, public transportation, schools, amenities, grocery stores, pharmacies, and employment opportunities.

Kenora MP Eric Melillo is continuing to question the federal government on why 1,600 voters from three northwestern Ontario communities weren’t able to vote on election night.

Pope Francis has apologized for the Roman Catholic Church's role in residential schools.

The Pontiff, speaking in Italian, asked for God's forgiveness for the deplorable conduct of members of the Catholic Church.

"I want to say to you with all my heart: I am very sorry," Francis said, during a final meeting with First Nations, Inuit and Métis delegates at the Vatican.

"And I join my brothers, the Canadian bishops in asking your pardon."

Francis also said he will come to Canada.