Kenora

Predictions of a fall COVID-19 wave make another booster vaccine campaign likely but questions abound over how the virus will continue to evolve and what protections a new shot could offer.

Several vaccine manufacturers are racing to develop formulas that take into account the more infectious Omicron variant now driving cases, while policymakers are laying the groundwork for another large-scale vaccine blitz.

The level of Lake of the Woods is slowly dropping, but a return to a normal summer level is still months away.

In the Lake of the Woods Control Board's (LWCB) Wednesday update, they say the level of the lake dropped 1 cm (1/2 in) over the past week with little change expected over the next seven days.

"With outflow from Rainy Lake gradually dropping as the lake level falls and forecasted precipitation, the level of Lake of the Woods is expected to remain constant or decrease by 3 cm (0-1 in) over the next seven days," stated the LWCB. 

Another jam-packed night in the Kenora slo-pitch league. On the women's side, Vonda Fletcher had a home run and Maddy Wiebe hit two triples to help the Dunit Diamonds take down Bat Intentions. Debra Kakeway and Chloe Skead each had a home run in the Devil's Gap Chiefs victory over Bob's Burgers. Elsewhere, the Neniska Crushers took down KTown Kafe. On the men's side, the D Smith A's took the game over Sons of Pitches, and it was a tight one, but Lakeside Dental took the win over Matheson Bay.

The search for missing 16-year-old Juan Miguel Tan (Rondilla) has come to an end.

Kenora OPP confirmed Wednesday evening that the teenager was located deceased.

Foul play is not suspected, and the family is asking for privacy.

The family thanks the OPP for their work and assistance, and the community for all of their support.

The OPP says no further information will be released.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Kenora and the surrounding communities.

The agency says, ‘conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts of up to 90km/h and large hail.’

Thunderstorms have developed over Manitoba and will continue to move east into the area this evening. Some of the these thunderstorms could produce strong wind gusts and pea to dime sized hail.

In some ‘lighter on the bank account’ news, gas prices in Kenora have once again dropped. 

As of 2:00 pm, July 6, gas prices at one Kenora gas station dropped by 9 cents.  

The gas price at the Husky on Lakeview Drive went from 214.9 per litre of regular fuel to 205.0 per litre.  

The Rainy River Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received information on June 29, about an individual who was unlawfully in possession of firearms at a Lake of the Woods Township residence.  

With assistance from the Rainy River Detachment Crime Unit and the North West Region Emergency Response Team, OPP officers were able to execute a search warrant and seize a .22 calibre rifle, pellet guns and ammunition.  

Charges have been laid following multiple acts of arson and mischief in Kenora. 

The Kenora Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Kenora Crime Unit shared that they have caught and charged a person in connection with the multiple fires and acts of mischief that took place on June 28, 2022. 

On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at 12:48 a.m. members of the Kenora OPP received a report of a fire at Fifth Street South and Sixth Avenue South Police responded with Kenora Fire and the fire was extinguished.

The Matiowski Farmers' Market has ramped up to near full capacity and if you are looking for arts & crafts, fresh garden veggies, produce and locally made, grown, or created items, this is the place to be during a visit to downtown Kenora.

"We are almost at capacity. We are so excited to have seasonal, local and visiting residents here.  We've got schools in Manitoba and Ontario out and it is just abuzz, and there's 12 more weeks that we are under the Whitecap every Wednesday," said market coordinator Helena Devins.

It was announced on July 5, that the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital (RLMCMH) will be closing its Emergency Department for a 12-hour period on Thursday, July 7, from 8:00 pm until 8:00 am on Friday morning due to a physician shortage.  

The next closest Emergency Department is in Dryden, over 216 kilometres away.