Kenora

The City of Kenora’s last municipal budget was approved on Tuesday (May 18, 2022), by city councillors.

Kenora’s 2022 operating budget was highlighted by a 2.17 per cent increase in residential property taxes for this year.

A new report says digital technology has become so widespread at such a rapid pace that Canadians have little idea what information is being collected about them or how it is used.

The report by David Lyon, former director of the Surveillance Studies Centre at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., highlights a need for more transparency in data collection and analysis, as well as new digital rights and means of ensuring justice for Canadians.

Water levels across the watershed are rapidly approaching the 2014 peak level.

Lake of the Woods rose 26 cm over the past week sitting at an average level of 323.66 m, which is over the 95th percentile level for this time of year.

An official with the Lake of the Woods Control Boards, says the Winnipeg River is up about 6 feet.

The water level along the Winnipeg River, between Kenora and Minaki, is expected to rise 12 - 16 cm over the next week and will continue to rise, along with Lake of the Woods, for the foreseeable future.

The region’s extremely high water levels have caused evacuations, flooding, washouts and much more.

The over 300 cm of snow the area received this winter, accompanied by over 88 mm of rain in May alone, have caused the unprecedented water levels across the region. Various areas north of Kenora have been closed and are currently under an Evacuation Order.

A Flood Warning remains in effect for Red Lake, with a Flood Watch issued for Kenora and Dryden. The orders have been issued by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

The gas prices in Kenora continue to hit all-time highs!

Kenora has officially broken the $2 a litre mark, as two service stations in the city increased their price on Tuesday (May 18, 2022) to 202.9. The increased prices are expected to hit the remaining fuel stations at any time now.

Tuesday’s increase once again broke the Kenora area’s all-time highest price record, which was 199.9 that was set on Monday (May 16, 2022), dating back to 2008. The previous record was set back on May 8, 2022, when the price jumped up to 195.9 cents per litre.

Motorists that use Pinecone Drive should exercise caution navigating the roadway as the road has deteriorated, causing the shoulder of the road to fail.

City crews are setting up barriers along the shoulder of the road and continue to monitor the conditions.

The Kenora Area Media Literacy Competition was held this morning at King George VI public school. The speech competition included grade 4 to 6 students from five area schools. The winner was SMB grade 5 student Mayah Hughes

“I did gender equality because when I go to school, I overhear people that think boy and girl are not equal and I just thought both genders are equal,” said Hughes.

As of 8:55 am Wednesday, May 18:

East Melick Road closed at Essex Road.

East Melick Road is closed 600m north of the Portier bridge. 

City of Kenora officials issued a flood watch on Sunday (May 15, 2022) for Carlton Road, Anderson Branch Road, and Peterson Road as city road patrollers are concerned with rising water levels in those areas.

Highway 105, from Highway 17 to Highway 609, is fully closed due to water over the road.

The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to sweep the Seattle Mariners today when the Major League Baseball squads meet for the final game of their three-game series at Rogers Centre. Last night, centre-fielder George Springer's bases-clearing triple in the second inning was all the offence the Blue Jays needed in a 3-0 victory.

On July 1, 2022, the price of bag tags and tipping fees at the Waste Transfer Station are set to increase, as announced at a City Council meeting on Tuesday (May 17, 2022).

The price of bag tags will jump up by $0.50 to $2.50 for both Kenora residents and non-residents. The minimum tipping charge will also rise by $5 up to $20.