Kenora

It was a big night at The Cave Bowling Alley for Special Olympics bowling on Monday.

Leading the men was Micheal Vivian with 198, Sterling Schabler with 179, Patrick Medicine scored 177 and MVP of the night Robert King landed three strikes in a row to score 167.

For the ladies, Jody Derouard led the way with 174, Megan Wheatstone was next with 154, Tammy Wright scored 152 and MVP of the night Ava Keewatin had 143.

Staff with the Northwestern Health Unit have declared the influenza outbreak at Kenora’s Pinecrest over, and visitor restrictions are returning to normal for residents in Unit #3.

The Sioux Lookout OPP is asking area residents to check their properties for any sign of 31-year-old Larhonda Miranda Shingebis, who was last seen on November 5.

The OPP says Shingebis was last seen in the area of Sturgeon River Road wearing a grey hoodie, black pants and black and white shoes and was carrying a small black backpack with white writing on it.

She is described as Indigenous, 5’5”, 120 lbs, with a slim build and brown hair that is usually kept in a bun. She was first reported missing on November 14.

The Sioux Lookout O.P.P.,  the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management are investigating a fire in Sioux Lookout. 

On Thursday, November 17 around 9:00 a.m., emergency crews were called to a residential fire in the area of Queen Street. The fire was contained and extinguished, and there were no injuries. The fire was limited to the garage and woodshed. 

The Ontario Provincial Police Festive R.I.D.E. Campaign is underway for 2022 in an effort to Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere.

"The OPP is doing the Festive R.I.D.E. program again this year.  Officers will be out all day and night.  It's on now until January 2," said Detachment Commander, Inspector Jeff Duggan.

Mandatory Alcohol Screening allows police officers to demand a breath test from any driver, including those pulled over in Festive R.I.D.E. stops, even if there is no evidence the driver has consumed alcohol.

Anglers could see a decrease in possession and catch limits on Lake of the Woods.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is looking to make changes regarding fishing regulations as data studies have shown that the walleye population is vulnerable. Specifically, there are three ecological issues of concern:

Sol Mamakwa is pushing the government to ensure an adequate supply of pain and fever medication reaches youth in the far north.

The Ontario government is promising to improve the safety of northwestern Ontario’s highways over the winter season.

The Ministry of Transportation explains that after a technical review of the safety and snow clearing on the two highways, they will be implementing a new ‘ON Trans-Canada” level of service with snow expected to be cleared to bare pavement within 12 hours of a snowstorm.

That’s a 4-hour improvement over what northwestern Ontario currently sees.

Students within the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board are expected in their classrooms Monday as leadership with the Ontario government and the Canadian Union of Public Employees reached a tentative deal Sunday afternoon.

“Today, I am proud to confirm that the parties have come together to reach a tentative agreement that will provide stability for children, keep kids in the classroom and 2 million children will be learning tomorrow,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

The final sprint is on at the Public Order Emergency Commission, which has already heard from more than 60 witnesses over five weeks on the government's response to last winter's "Freedom Convoy" protests.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and seven cabinet ministers will appear this week before the inquiry tasked with scrutinizing their decision to invoke the Emergencies Act in response to weeks-long demonstrations that overran downtown Ottawa and choked several border crossings.