Dryden

The COVID-19 outbreak at Kenora’s Pinecrest Home for the Aged is still in effect and has grown from three to eight residents.

The outbreak was first reported on January 4 after three residents tested positive.

Now, Assistant Administrator Michelle Spencer says the outbreak has grown to eight residents as of January 9, with one of the positive residents located in Unit 2 – which is not in an outbreak.

Ontario’s average gas price has been dropping over the past week – but prices haven’t budged in the Kenora District where we continue to pay the most for fuel across the province.

The average fuel price in Ontario is sitting at 139.7 per litre according to statistics from GasBuddy, but drivers in Kenora are paying 160.9, Dryden’s paying 154.9 and Red Lake’s up to 164.9 per litre. Prices aren’t listed for Sioux Lookout.

A number of First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario now have a stake in a local business after the ThawiKayhiGan Group (TKG Group) acquired Oshtugon Computers Inc. for $3.7 million.

The TKG Group was established in 2018 and is owned equally by Kingfisher Lake, Kasabonika Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekeka, Wawakapewin and Wunnumin Lake First Nations. The group, based in Thunder Bay, works to generate new economic opportunities for its communities.

City Councillors in Dryden will be taking a close look at the municipality’s spending and its finances tonight at City Hall.

City Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll is expected to present the city’s final 2023 Budget document to Mayor Jack B. Harrison and fellow Council members tonight during their Committee of the Whole meeting, after revisions were made in November and December.

The Kenora AAA Thistles fell in both of their games over the weekend.

They hosted the Yellowhead Chiefs and only scored the lone goal in Saturday's match, but lost 3-1. They were blanked in yesterday's matinee 3-0.

They'll be on the road to take on Interlake this weekend in a double header.

The Sioux Lookout Bombers proved successful in their 2-game series this weekend. They hosted Fort Frances where they outscored the Lakers 9-5 on Friday and clobbered them 13-3 on Saturday.

Officers in northwestern Ontario were kept busy over the holiday season as the OPP checked over 30,000 vehicles for impaired driving through their annual Festive RIDE campaign.

In the North West Region, the OPP says 140 drivers were issued charges for Impaired Driving, while 19 drivers were issued Warn Range (16) or Zero Tolerance (3) suspensions.

Overall, local officers checked 31,698 vehicles through 2,266 separate RIDE events.

Rocks will be flying at Kenora’s curling rinks this month!

The Kenora Curling Committee says they’re gearing up and getting ready for their annual Lake of the Woods Open Bonspiel this weekend, before the Northern Ontario Curling Association’s Provincial Championships come to town two weeks from now.

A number of community leaders have come together to support members of Wabaseemoong Independent Nation who went without running water over the holidays.

Shortly before Christmas, the Wabaseemoong community lost all access to running water due to mechanical issues at their water treatment plant’s pumphouse and engineers were dispatched to investigate and repair any issues. Over 350 community members had to be evacuated as a result. 

Northwestern Ontario is welcoming one of the region’s New Year’s babies of 2023.

Staff with Sioux Lookout’s Meno Ya Win Health Centre say Kreeo Southwind-Kakekagumick was born on January 5 at 2:52 p.m., weighing six pounds and six ounces, to parents Kasha Kakekagumick and Alex Southwind of Frenchman’s Head.

Requests for information on New Year’s babies in Kenora or Dryden have not been returned to date.

The Dryden GM Ice Dogs and Sioux Lookout Bombers are back from the holiday break.

The Ice Dogs will host the Thunder Bay North Stars, while the Bombers welcome the Fort Frances Lakers. Puck drop tonight for both games is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Kenora Under 18 AAA Thistles are also back on the ice this weekend after a lengthy holiday break.

They'll play host to a doubleheader against the Yellowhead Chiefs at the Kenora Recreation Centre tomorrow and Sunday. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, while Sunday will see a 1:30 p.m. matinee game.