Thursday, December 24, 2009

Shoplifter Assault Dryden

A 22-year-old Dryden man is in custody following a reported assault on Tuesday.

Police say a security officer was trying to arrest a shoplifter at a local grocery store when he was assaulted by the suspect.

Issac Smith faces counts of theft under 5-thousand dollars, breaching an undertaking and assault with intent to resist arrest.

OPP Ride Check Northwestern Ontario

O-P-P continue their watch for drunk drivers this holiday season.

More than 18-thousand vehicles have been stopped in RIDE spot-checks across northwestern Ontario since the Festive Campaign began in late November.

In the Rainy River district, over 44-hundred vehicles have been stopped with just one impaired driving charge laid.

Two other motorists had their licenses suspended for recording a blood alcohol level of between point-0-5 and point 0-8

Pinecrest Home for Aged Fund

A new endowment fund has been set up for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation.

The Pinecrest District Home for the Aged has established a 50 thousand dollar fund.

Income from the fund will be used by the long term care facility to operate its programs.

Anyone can contribute to the endowment fund and donations will be accepted either through the foundation or Pinecrest.

In the past five years, the Community Foundation has presented over 547 thousand dollars in grants to various community groups.

Ice Candles Festival Today

The Lake of the Woods Cemetery's Festival of Lights is a go for this evening.

Over 60 volunteers will light the ice candles this afternoon starting at 1pm.

Parks Supervisor Barb Manson says the ice candles will be left burning up until Boxing Day.

Manson says they're happy to have the help lighting the candles, and is thanking the festivals many volunteers.

Immigration Project NWO

Dryden is being encouraged to join a Northwestern Ontario Immigration Portal.The initiative is being run by the City of Thunder Bay.

Dryden Community Matters Spokesperson David Durance says the goal is to showcase participating Communities to newcomers.

Some 27-Municipalities are invovled in the project which is being funded by the Provincial Government.

The City of Kenora was also asked to participate in the project.

November Policing Stats

November was a slower month for Kenora OPP.

Inspector Dave Lucas has provided a monthly update to the Kenora Police Services Board.

Lucas says uniformed officers accrued over 256 hours of over time last month.

OPP responded to over 1-thousand calls for service which is a slight decrease from October's monthly stats.

Christmas Eve Weather Forecast

You don't have to dream about a White Christmas, Mother Nature is granting your wish.

Environment Canada is calling for 10 centimetres of snowfall in much of Northwestern Ontario.

Spokesperson Peter Kimbell says the next couple of days will see snow and heavy winds.

Kimbell adds motorists should still be careful on area roadways since the wind and snow could make visibility difficult.

Lions Club Draw


Some lucky person will walk away with cash or a car tomorrow, courtesy of the Kenora Lions Club.

The draw will take place at noon around the City's Christmas Tree on Main Street.

President Don Brown says money raised will go towards the local hospital.

This year's funds will go towards purchasing an eye washing system at the hospital.