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Year in Review: December 2022

By Ryan Forbes Dec 30, 2022 | 5:00 AM



Below is a collection of some of the most clicked-on stories on KenoraOnline and DrydenNow in the month of December 2022.

Dog’s life saved after it found needles, garbage at Central Park

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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.

Read more here.

Central: City should be responsible for clean-up, not contractor

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Leadership with the Central Community Club is taking action to address concerns in the area but they want to clear the air with the City of Kenora.

When asked who is in charge of maintaining Central, Director of Corporate Services for the City of Kenora, Heather Pihulak, explained that it’s the contractor’s responsibility to keep the area clean during construction work, and asked residents to treat the new rink area with respect.

President of the Central Community Club, Tim Gosnell, took action yesterday morning to lock the player benches area to try to prevent this kind of thing from happening again, but says the city should be the ones responsible for the clean-up.

Read more here.

‘It’s everyone’s problem,’ Council on addressing downtown safety, needles

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Kenora’s new Senior Leadership Team at City Hall says tackling addiction and social issues in the area will be one of their first priorities in 2023, and they plan to do it in partnership with the community.

During the team’s first official Council meeting at City Hall on December 20, returning Councillor Graham Chaze took a few moments to clear the air and address the ongoing situation seen in Kenora’s downtown core.

“The City of Kenora, like many private business owners and residents, struggle with the issues of addictions and homelessness, and needles on their property,” said Chaze.

Read more here.

Deputy Chief Pratt promoted as Readman leaves Kenora Fire

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The City of Kenora has a new Fire Chief after Kent Readman quietly stepped down earlier this month.

Deputy Fire Chief David Pratt has been named as the Kenora Fire and Emergency Services’ new Chief, effective December 5, and will be responsible for all aspects of the service and the city’s Emergency Management Program.

“The fire service finds itself in a season of change,” says Pratt. “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the dedicated, professional and well-trained staff who are ready to help keep our community safe.”

David Pratt was named as Kenora’s Deputy Fire Chief in April 2022 as he became Kenora’s first Deputy Chief in about 16 years. Pratt’s been a part of the Canadian Fire Service since 1998 and has risen through the ranks of fire departments across Canada.

Read more here.

OPP: LCBO needs security upgrades, should close one day per week

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Leadership with the Kenora OPP is continuing to lobby the province to make security changes at northwestern Ontario LCBO locations to better protect employees, officers and those in need of help.

“What we’re looking for across the region – because we all have the same issues whether it be Kenora, Red Lake, Dryden, Sioux Lookout…we’re looking for the LCBO to go to more of a Manitoba model,” explains Inspector and Detachment Commander, Jeff Duggan.

Duggan explains that he’d hope to see security personnel present at the LCBO’s entryway who would be checking residents’ identification before letting you inside the store. It would act similarly to Ontario’s regulations for cannabis retailers.

Read more here.

New Indoor Playground coming to Kenora SportsPlex

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The Kenora SportsPlex, formerly known as the J&M Arena on Bunny Street, has received $145,938 to build a state-of-the-art indoor playground at the facility, named the Lakelife Playroom, with areas for different age groups and a seating area for adults.

“The Kenora SportsPlex is thrilled to bring this exciting addition to our complex and offer an additional recreation amenity for families in our community,” said Chair of the SportsPlex board, Megan Derouard.

The Kenora SportsPlex is a volunteer-run, non-profit facility with a variety of indoor activities for all ages, as well as athletic training for multiple sports, Special Olympics events and Indigenous youth programming. It opened up back in 2014.

Read more here.

Frosted Foods to close permanently

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After nearly 50 years, a favourite Kenora butcher shop will be closing its doors. 

Consumers Frosted Foods has announced that they will be closing permanently. This comes following the passing of founder and owner Doug Johnson on November 15. 

The Frosted Foods family is advising people with outstanding gift cards to use them in full before December 24. All persons with accounts must pay in full by December 31. Flash sales on all stock can be expected throughout the coming weeks. 

Read more here.