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Below is a collection of some of the most clicked-on stories on KenoraOnline and DrydenNow in the month of November 2022.
OPSEU staff to join CUPE’s strike action, NWO schools affected
Mediation between the Ontario government and the Canadian Union of Public Employees has ended without a new deal in sight – and roughly 60,000 education workers from two unions are set to strike on Friday.
As a result, the Ontario government is expected to pass legislation today to force workers to stay on the job. Bill 28, the Keeping Students in Class Act, is set to mandate a new 4-year deal for CUPE members, which leadership rejected earlier this week.
‘They’ve left us no choice’ CUPE on second strike
Leadership with the Ministry of Education and the Ontario government say they’re doing everything they can to stop education workers from striking again across the province.
This comes as members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees gave the government another 5-day notice to strike on November 16, which leaves a second protest possible for Monday, November 21.
The union says after resuming negotiations with the government, following Bill 28 getting repealed on Monday, they were able to reach common ground on wages – but the government wouldn’t budge on CUPE’s demands for additional supports and staffing levels within schools.
MNRF proposing to cut walleye catch limits by half
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.
Currently, Ontario and Canadian residents who carry a sport licence have a daily catch limit of 4, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm. They may be in possession of 4.
Those with a conservation licence, may have a limit of 2, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm and possess 2.
‘I’ve never won anything!’ Kenora woman wins big with Catch the Ace
A local woman has won $27,926.40 after ‘Catching the Ace’ at the Kenora Legion.
On Friday, the community was invited back to the Kenora Legion Branch 12 after two and a half years for the chance to win the progressive pot. Catch the Ace was put on hold after the world was rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.
Legion President Jason Lava invited Ponton up to choose her envelope, where she chose envelope #49. It was then that the crowd drum rolled in anticipation. Lava peeked into the envelope.
Dryden business wins $100,000, has major plans to expand
Dryden’s Agritech North has won $100,000 in Canada’s first-ever Indigenous business pitch competition – and after a bumpy first year for the new company, a number of new expansion plans are in the works.
Agritech North works to grow a variety of lettuce, herbs, teas and fruits using a vertical drip-fed hydroponic farming system, producing hundreds of pounds of product year-round in a warehouse using water, opposed to soil.
The two appeared on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network’s first-ever Indigenous business pitch competition Bear’s Lair this fall, in which 18 Indigenous entrepreneurs showcased their products and services to Indigenous business experts, similar to that of CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
Dryden man facing life in prison after two counts of murder
39-year-old Justin Desautels of Dryden faces life behind bars after the murder of two seniors in the community two years ago.
Desautels has plead guilty to two counts of Second Degree Murder after a string of assaults in the Arbour Jade Trailer Park on McGogy Road on March 2, 2020, which carries an automatic life sentence in Canada. Although, that sentence is up to the judge’s discretion.
He’s also pleading guilty to Aggravated Assault, two counts of Break and Enter to Commit Robbery and Cause Bodily Harm to Peace Officers.
Court documents from 2020 explain that Desautels broke into two homes that night, was in possession of crystal meth and seriously assaulted three residents.
Third youth charged with murder in Dryden cold case
A third youth who cannot be named under Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act is facing charges of first-degree murder related to the death of Henry Stone-Arnold in 2018.
Stone-Arnold of Dryden was reported missing on August 10, 2018, and was last seen alive at the Husky Gas Bar on August 8. His white Dodge Ram was found abandoned at a local business the following day.
After an extensive search of the area, Stone-Arnold’s remains were found on private property off of Trist Road on August 17, about 1 kilometre away from his vehicle. Police noted his remains had been ‘intentionally damaged’ and foul play was heavily suspected.
No charges were laid for over four years.