Kenora

The Ontario government is working to make life more affordable for drivers across the province, by cutting the provincial gas tax.

“The reality is that people simply cannot afford the price of gas right now,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “It’s a real problem and our government is doing something about it. As promised, we’re cutting the provincial gas tax.”

One of his first moves as Ontario’s newly re-elected Premier, Ford says the gas tax cut will save drivers 5.7 cents per litre on regular fuel and 5.3 cents per litre on diesel for six months, effective July 1.

Multiple people had their lives changed on Tuesday morning after a fire destroyed/damaged a restaurant, two boutiques and multiple apartments.  

A late-night drive is what potentially saved multiple people's lives.  

Kim Boucher and her son, Darian Desrosiers, were out driving around 2:00 am on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, when luckily, they spotted the beginnings of the fire that ended up destroying The Hungry Pug, Poplar and Birch, and multiple apartments.  

A local small business owner is encouraging everyone to shop local and support Kenora’s downtown core after another devastating fire for the community earlier this week, which has forced her own business to close down.

Owner of Poplar + Birch at 213 Matheson Street South, Ashley McKay, says she made it to the scene of the Hungry Pug Cafe around 7 a.m. after making the ‘mistake’ of not taking her phone to bed, something she says she won’t be doing again.

In Kenora’s Women’s Slo Pitch action, the Devils Gap Chiefs had a big night winning 29 to 9, Bob’s Burgers won 19 to 16 against Dunit, Kenora DJ Services ran up the score against the Fashion Clippers 27 to 5 and the Mustangs took out Neechies 36 to 13.

Sunday’s the season opener at Lake of the Woods Speedway.

Race fans will get to see 4 classes: The Riverview Industries WISSOTA Modifieds, Q104 WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, WISSOTA Pure Stocks and 4-cylinders.

Hot laps begin at 4 p.m. with racing at 4:30 p.m. Lake of the Woods Speedway is located at 556 Jones Road.

Due to the pandemic, it's been a few years since the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has played in Kenora, but they'll return this weekend! 

On Saturday, July 2, at 7:30 p.m., WSO music director Daniel Raiskin will lead the orchestra in a free concert under the Whitecap Pavilion. 

"I always love doing these kinds of outdoor community concerts," says Raiskin. "For avid classical music lovers and symphony goers, it's a much more relaxed way to experience the orchestra. And for those that are new to classical music, it's a really fun way to introduce them to it."

New federal regulations to force down the greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel will cost Canadians up to 13 cents more per litre at the pump by 2030.

An impact analysis of the Clean Fuel Regulations published Wednesday estimates they will cut about 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2030, or five to six per cent of what Canada needs to eliminate to meet its current targets for that year.

By Kelly Geraldine Malone and Brittany Hobson

Many communities are reimagining Canada Day celebrations to recognize Indigenous Peoples, as the country continues to reckon with its legacy following the discovery of possible unmarked graves at former residential schools. 

“Being Canadian is engaging with these really difficult things,” said Sean Carleton, an assistant professor of history and Indigenous studies at the University of Manitoba.

Officers with the Kenora OPP are actively investigating two mischief and vandalism incidents with graffiti, which appear to be linked.

Two benches along the Rotary Rabbit Lake Walking Trail have been vandalized, as well as a home and a garage in the Mellick Avenue area.

It’s been an unusual few days in the Kenora community, as emergency workers continue to respond to a number of fires in the community, both small and large.

The latest was a small bush fire near Seven Generations Education Institute on Veteran’s Drive, which the OPP says was extinguished by members of the Kenora Fire and Emergency Service shortly before 1 p.m. this afternoon.