Kenora

Hundreds of front-line healthcare staff at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital had a feast of authentic East Indian cuisine yesterday, thanks to the generosity of a local business owner and Council members.

A 59-year-old Machin man has been arrested and charged after officers conducted a search of his vehicle during a Festive RIDE stop. 

On November 26, 2022 OPP officers with the Dryden Detachment were conducting a festive RIDE program on Highway 105 in the Township of Machin. A driver approached the RIDE program and was requested to provide a breath sample. The driver refused to provide a breath sample, at which point the driver was placed under arrest.

Officers then searched the vehicle and located a quantity of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine and Canadian Currency.

Visitor restrictions are returning to normal at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Leadership says the COVID-19 outbreak that was reported on November 15 is now over, after support and consultations from the Northwestern Health Unit.

“Thank you to the entire LWDH team for the tremendous effort to manage the outbreak and for the care they put into their work each and every day,” wrote the hospital, in a prepared statement.

This was the hospital’s fourth reported COVID-19 outbreak in 2022.

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kelly on November 23, 2022 at the age of 42. Beloved husband of Krista (nee Smith) for 15 years. Cherished father of Reese and Rylee. Loving son of Roy and Sandy Burchall. Dear brother of Traci VanderByl (Skip). Treasured son-in-law of James and Judith Smith. Brother-in-law of Brandon Smith (Elise). Uncle of Mya and Cooper. Will be sadly missed by family and friends. Kelly was born in Kenora and grew up at Longbow Lake.

The Alberta government has introduced a bill that would grant Premier Danielle Smith and her cabinet broad powers to rewrite provincial laws behind closed doors in an effort to push back against Ottawa. 

The proposed legislation would also allow cabinet to direct “provincial entities” — Crown-controlled organizations, municipalities, school boards, post-secondary schools, municipal police forces, regional health authorities and any social agency receiving provincial money — to not use those funds to enforce federal rules deemed harmful to Alberta's interests.

Residents are warned to keep a close eye on their pets and children in the Central Park area, after vets helped to save the life of a dog over the weekend.

Kenora resident and dog-walker Bailey Hall says on Sunday, she and her clients’ dog were taking a walk through the new Central Community Club rink area at Central Park when the dog discovered an area filled with garbage, discarded clothing and items associated with drug use.

Kenora – Rainy River MPP and Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Greg Rickford, says the government has ‘no plans’ to back down from Bill 23 and their latest housing initiative despite calls for further consultation with First Nation communities.

Ontario’s Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, aims to address the provincial housing crisis by building 1.5 million new homes and apartment units by 2032 – with a mix of ownership and rental options across the province.

A 15-year-old from Fort Frances is facing 16 charges of Mischief after a string of incidents involving vehicles in Fort Frances over September and October.

The Fort Frances OPP says police were called to investigate 13 separate incidents of damage to vehicles in the area between September 19 and October 10, with most of the damage occurring overnight.

As a result of the OPP’s investigation, a 15-year-old who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act is facing 16 counts of Mischief under $5,000.

Laney 'Lynx' Smith
June 29, 1993 - October 14, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our nephew, dad, and brother Laney Smith, a member of Whitedog First Nation, Ontario passed away at Montfort Hospital in the ICU unit in Ottawa, Ontario on Friday, October 14, 2022.

He was predeceased by his parents Darnell Land and Loretta Smith.  Grandparents Nazareth Sr., Agnes Land and Robert Boyd Sr., uncles Bradley, Bryden, Barret, Lawrence, Twin Boy Land, Gregory Boyd, Robert and Robert Jr. Smith (Robish), his aunties Arlene Land and Jane Smith.

Robert Gregory Wade Kelly, Ogemaabines was born October 19, 1977 at Lavendrye General Hospital to Kathy Kishiqueb and Robert Smith. Greg was a proud band member of Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, Ontario and passed away Sunday, November 13, 2022 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre.