Monday, January 25, 2010

Drug Bust

The OPP's drug unit in Sioux Lookout has been kept busy in recent weeks.

Two more drug busts were made this past Thursday.

Three people were arrested and more than 15 thousand dollars worth of Oxycondone pills have been seized.

29 year old Joy QueQuish from of Big Trout Lake has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Meanwhile, 38 year old Jason Wilson and 28 year old Dorothy Ombash from New Saugeen First Nation were charged in a separate bust.

Swine Flu Update

Northwestern Ontario has been swine flu free so far in 2010.

The latest statistics from the Ministry of Health show there wereno new cases of the H1N1 virus last week in either the NorthwesternHealth Unit or Thunder Bay Health Unit catchment areas.

Across the province there were just nine new cases of swine flu reported last week, and fewer cases of influenza "A".

Tyrell Obit

A former member of Kenora city council has passed away.

Friends say Chuck Tyrell died Thursday evening at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Tyrell served several terms on council and also chaired the finance committee for several years under former mayor Kelvin Winkler.

He was a well-known local businessman, but was slowed by health problems in recent years.

Cattle Market

An official with the Ministry of Agriculture says a new abattoir to open next week in Emo will put the district's cattle producers in a good position to help sell their products to local consumers.

Barry Potter a livestock specialist says by building a brand, local producers can actually take advantage of a local market that's somewhat distant from others in the country.

Potter says the Ministry has established a number of programs that can help cattle farmers establish those brands.

Chamber Business Awards

The Kenora Chamber of Commerce is once again holding its annual business awards and annual general meeting.

This year's event is sold out and President Dwayne Yaremko says they've had a great response for the business nominations.

Developer John Gale will be the guest speaker at next month's awards and AGM.

OFIA presentation in Dryden

The provinical government will be getting an earful when it holds pre-budget consultations this week in Dryden.

The Ontario Forest Industries Association is one of the groups planning to makea deputation.
Jamie Lim is president of the OFIA and says the government needs to make more land available for logging.

Lim says once the economy starts to turn around, communities in northern Ontario are going to need access to lumber to take advantage of the improved market situation.

Highway 17 Open

Wicked weather conditions last night caused some troubles on the trans canada highway.

This morning, Highway 17 A is open to one lane of traffic following last night's closure.

Meanwhile, Highway 105 has been re-opened in both directions from Vermillion Bay to Red Lake.

Police continue to caution motorists to drive with care during this snow storm.

School Buses Cancelled

All school buses in the Kenora area have been cancelled.

Cancelled buses include Excel Coach Lines, Hutchison Bus Lines and Iron Range in the communities of Kenora, Vermilion Bay, Sioux Narrows, Dryden, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout, Hudson and Ignace.

Northwestern Ontario Student Services Transportation Manager Judi Green says they made the decision to cancel the buses late last night.

Green notes the bus cancellation is also for students with the Kenora Catholic Board.