Heat record broken, colder temperatures on their way

Northwestern Ontario had summer-like weather on Wednesday as the region broke a 44-year-old heat record for the day.

Environment Canada Meteorologists say the Kenora Airport recorded a high of 19.4 degrees on November 2, shattering 1978’s record of 16.1 degrees on the same day. The normal high for November 2 is about 2 degrees.

This comes after the Kenora area was just shy of breaking a nearly 70-year-old record on November 1, as temperatures reached a high of 13.3 degrees – below 1958’s record of 15 degrees.

Roadway repairs, closure for Coker Road

Drivers north of the Kenora Bypass are warned of delays in the Coker Road area.

The City of Kenora says a portion of Coker Road, east of Kelly Road, is closed to all traffic until further notice, as contractors work on road repairs. Traffic control is in place.

The City apologizes for the inconvenience and reminds the community to always slow down and move over near working crews.

Nov. 3 Sports Update

The St. Thomas Aquinas Saints couldn't get the sweep yesterday when they hosted the Atikokan Voyageurs in one of their final regular-season games.

The Senior Girls' and Junior Girls' took their basketball games 51-22 and 31-17. The Senior Boys' Volleyball team won their match in three straight sets, but it was the Junior Boys' who fell to Atikokan 2 sets to none.

The Saints will host their final regular season game today when they welcome Pelican Falls for boys' volleyball. Elsewhere, the Sioux North Warriors will host the Dryden Eagles today.

Shine the Light and Wrapped in Courage campaigns recognize Domestic Violence Awareness month

November is Domestic Violence Awareness month and Women's Shelter, Saakaate House is running a few campaigns to bring forth the issues of domestic violence.

"Since last November in Ontario, there have been 40 femicides. A part of recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month is keeping those numbers in mind because they are people who are loved and missed and who experienced domestic violence," says Executive Director of Women's Shelter, Saakaate House Kendall Trembath. 

14, 17-year-olds charged in Wabaseemoong murder

A suspicious death in Wabaseemoong First Nation is now being considered a murder, and a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old are in custody as a result.

On October 27, members of the Treaty Three Police Service and Northwest EMS responded to a Wabaseemoong First Nation residence for a report of an individual facing life-threatening injuries.

42-year-old Raymond Land of Wabaseemoong later passed away while at the hospital. A post-mortem examination was conducted in Toronto to confirm the cause of death.

KPDSB schools to stay open during Friday strike

Leadership with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says despite province-wide strike action on Friday, schools will remain open and students are expected to be in their classrooms that day.

However, if strike action continues past Friday – closures are expected.

Director of Education, Christy Radbourne, says non-union staff members will be deployed to KPDSB schools on Friday to provide additional health and safety support as members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees – including custodians, maintenance and trade staff – take to the picket lines.

20 Pinecrest residents test positive for COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak at Kenora’s Pinecrest Home for the Aged has grown to 20 residents.

Assistant Administrator and Human Resources Manager with Pinecrest, Michelle Spencer, says the majority of residents within the unit are unable to adhere to isolation requirements, and 20 of the 21 residents within the unit have tested positive for the illness.

The outbreak was first reported on October 28. This is Pinecrest’s fifth COVID-19 outbreak this year. Staff are reminding the public to always wear a mask around their residents at all times.

Kenora on track to break 44-year-old heat record

Northwestern Ontario could break an over-40-year weather record today.

Meteorologists say the region hit a record high of 16.1 degrees today in 1978, and today's forecast is calling for a high of up to 18 degrees.

The Kenora area was just shy of breaking a nearly 70-year-old record on November 1, as temperatures reached a high of 13.3 degrees – below 1958’s record of 15 degrees for the day.