Kenora

The Northwestern Health Unit is warning the public about a spike in HIV in the community, mostly due to residents sharing drug equipment and taking part in unprotected sex.

During the City of Kenora’s Emergency Council meeting on Downtown Safety over the holidays, local Physician Johnny Grek warned that Kenora is seeing increasing rates of HIV and AIDS in Kenora’s transient population with 15 cases in the last 9 months, after no cases in the city for over 8 years.

Leadership with the Kenora OPP say the amount of time officers have patrolled the streets of Kenora has doubled over the last three years, and further increases are expected in 2023.

In response to an emergency Council meeting at City Hall to discuss business owners and residents’ concerns downtown over the holidays, with the Kenora OPP in attendance, Detachment Commander Jeff Duggan recommitted to increasing OPP foot patrols in downtown Kenora.

The United States and Canada face off tonight in Halifax in another installment of their hockey rivalry, with a trip to the world junior hockey championship final on the line.

The rivals advanced to the semifinals after polar-opposite quarterfinals Monday, with Canada beating Slovakia 4-3 in overtime and the U.S. routing Germany 11-1. The U-S beat Canada in the final of the 2021 tournament in the COVID-19 bubble in Edmonton, their last meeting at the world juniors.

Czechia plays Sweden in today's other semifinal game.

The City of Kenora is prepared to spend another $60,000 or so to find out how to best repair Coker Road and help prevent any future flooding north of the Kenora bypass.

During December 20’s Council Meeting at City Hall, Mayor Andrew Poirier and fellow councillors passed and approved a recommendation to spend $55,600 and HST in the 2023 Municipal Capital Budget for geotechnical engineering work on Coker Road.

The Ontario government says a new service with pharmacists will soon help to reduce emergency room visits and hospital wait times across the province.

As of January 1, Ontario residents are now able to visit pharmacies for thirteen minor ailments which would normally need a prescription from a physician for treatment, as pharmacists can now use their knowledge and judgment to recommend over-the-counter medications for minor illnesses.

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Plumridge – a resident of Fort Frances, Ontario passed away at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

Betty was born in Emo, Ontario on January 13, 1950.

She was predeceased by her husband Munroe who passed away on September 3, 2011.  Her and Munroe were married on September 9, 1972, Munroe was buried on their 39th Wedding Anniversary.

She is survived by on Kevin of Thunder Bay, Ontario, her nephew Mark Kepes and numerous nieces and nephews in Germany.

39-year-old Justin Desautels of Dryden could receive a life sentence on Thursday after three vicious assaults and two deaths at the Arbour Jade Trailer Park in 2020.

Desautels’ final sentencing date is scheduled in Dryden courts on January 5.

The 39-year-old has previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Second Degree Murder, two counts of Break and Enter to Commit Robbery, and one charge of Aggravated Assault and Cause Bodily Harm to Peace Officers after the incident at the trailer park on March 2, 2020.

Judith Reynard

At the age of 80, Judie passed away peacefully on December 25th with her daughters by her side.  

Leonard Derouard
(May 1, 1959  - December 21, 2022)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Len on December 21, 2022. 

Len was predeceased by his loving parents, John and Therese Derouard. He was the cherished brother of Paul (Anita) Derouard, Wilf (Emily) Derourard, Linda Derouard, Allan (Sandy) Derouard, Marie (Stephen) Lundin, Jane (Perry) Dubchak and John (Michelle) Derouard.

With her family by her side, Cheryl Favreau (Sundin) a resident of Laclu Ontario passed away on December 19th, 2022, at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, at the age of 76.