Kenora

If you’re heading out on the water soon, officials with the City of Kenora are reminding you to be extra cautious around homes with the extreme and rising water levels in the area.

The City of Kenora says boaters should use caution when going past homes on waterways that are sandbagged, as wakes can damage or overcome sandbagged walls that have been built to protect homes.

“People that are still on the waterways should be extremely cautious of creating wake,” explains Kenora’s Fire Chief and Community Emergency Management Coordinator, Kent Readman.

Canadians across the country organized parties, donned traditional British garb and planted trees over the weekend as they joined the world in celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee marking her 70 years on the throne.

The Canadian festivities were more muted affairs compared to the boisterous, four-day party that took place in London in honour of the occasion. 

Gasoline prices continued to trend upward across much of Canada over the weekend and experts warn more increases are coming this week.

National average gas prices rose to about $2.06 on Sunday, up almost three cents from the day before and 11 cents higher compared with a week ago, according to the Canadian Automobile Association.

"We're seeing gas price records repeatedly shattered across the country," said Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy.

It was a big night for Beaver Brae students.  

Kenora students in grades 9-12 gathered on the greenbelt on Friday to take the customary pre-prom photos with their friends.

Luc Boucha was on the Greenbelt with his prom date Tessa Penner, both seniors enjoyed the occasion. 

Environment Canada says there is the possibility of funnel clouds forming across the region this afternoon into this evening.

The weather agency says, ‘these types of funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms. This weak rotation is normally not a danger near the ground. However, there is a chance that this rotation could intensify and become a weak landspout tornado.’

A long-time Scouts Canada event was able to return last week in Kenora.

Staff with the City of Kenora have been forced to close down a number of docks and boat launches in the community, due to rising and extreme water levels in the area.

The City of Kenora’s Municipal Emergency Control Group says Parks and Facility staff recently conducted an assessment of all city-owned docks for structural issues, and some have now become unstable, or have been covered by rising water levels.

The following docks have now closed for the time being:

Officers in the Rainy River District and the Fort Frances community are warning the public about potentially tainted drugs in the region.

The OPP says since Wednesday, officers have responded to numerous overdoses in the Town of Fort Frances. While all of the individuals have recovered, the OPP is reminding the public about the risks of taking non-prescribed medication and illicit drugs.

The signs and symptoms of an overdose include:

The 2022 Walleye Weekend has been cancelled. 

The Sioux Lookout Walleye Weekend committee announced their decision on Wednesday, June 1. In a Facebook post, the committee listed extremely high-water levels, boat launch access/logistics, and safety concerns as the reason behind the cancellation.  

The committee expressed their sincere apologies and stated that they understand the frustration.  

Kenora residents face lengthy delays along Lakeview Drive this morning.