A news release from the hospital states that damage has had a significant impact on hospital operations and services. All surgeries have been cancelled through the end of May, the Respiratory Therapy Clinic is closed, and the hospital Gift Shop, which was also impacted, remains closed until further notice.
The Surgical Services Team is continuing to work with regional hospitals to identify alternatives for general surgeries and regional orthopedic, gynecological, urological and ophthalmology procedures.
The feasibility of mobile medical units is being evaluated with the Province of Ontario’s Emergency Medical Assistance Team.
LWDH is also working with the Ministry of Health to explore additional infrastructure expertise and identify preventative measures moving forward.
Kenora’s Sakatcheway Anishinabe School is celebrating the success of its third annual Anishinabe Chess Invitational tournament.
Forty-five students from nine public and reserve schools across Northwestern Ontario gathered to compete, ranging in age from 10 to 20. Matches were held across junior, intermediate and senior divisions.
“[The students] were really stressed and on edge because it’s a tournament and it’s highly competitive,” said Sasha Sadrudin, teacher at Sakatcheway and organizer of the tournament. “I would attune it to the same thing that athletes feel right before a tournament. There’s an eagerness to compete.”
The tournament was held from Thursday to Friday. It was hosted by the Seven Generations Education Institute, who provided the chess tables as well as breakfast and lunch for competitors. Grand Council Treaty #3 secured hotel rooms for families that travelled from out of town.
Representatives from the Kenora Chiefs Advisory, Lake of the Woods Hospital Mental Health Unit and the Kenora Sexual Assault Centre set up booths during the event to share valuable health information with attendees.
“A lot of tournaments in northwestern Ontario have historically been athletic tournaments. From what I know, there’s never cerebral-style clubs like chess or robotics or public speaking. I’ve been playing chess at our school club for years, and my students said, ‘wait, we want to play other kids.’ I put the idea to Grand Council, and they said absolutely,” Sadrudin said.
Sadrudin said an Anishinabe public speaking competition is in the works to help students develop interpersonal skills and self-confidence.
“[This tournament] resulted in a lot of intense, competitive play, but at the same time, very good comraderie that was built between the students and even the coaches,” he said.
The Lake of the Woods Hospital Mental Health Unit provided 130 stress balls for competitors. Sadrudin said they needed another shipment by the second day of competition.
“The kids were definitely on edge, but they played fabulously.”
Participating schools are listed below, per Sasha Sadrudin:
Sakatcheway Anishinabe School, Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation)
Pegamigaaboo School, Mishkosiminiziibiing First Nation (Big Grassy First Nation)
Gaagagekiizhik Elementary School, Kenora
Bimose High School, Kenora
Keewatin Public School, Kenora
K’aa N’aa Matay Wiigiam, The Teaching Lodge School, Obashkaandagaang First Nation (Washagamis Bay)
Bever Brae Intermediate School, Kenora
Bever Brae High School, Kenora
Mizhakiiwetung Memorial School, Wabaseemoong First Nation (White Dog First Nation)
Ten-year old Kenora native Lochlan Hawes is in the running for $20,000, a tour of the Planetary Society with Bill Nye, and a feature in Reader’s Digest.
Hawes is among the top 1% of applicants for “America’s Favorite Student,” a contest for young students aged 6-17 from Canada and the US.
“We’ll donate some of [the prize money] to my cousin Harper’s GoFundMe, because she has CTNNB1,” Lochlan said.
CTNNB1 Syndrome is an ultra-rare genetic disorder that impairs growth of the brain and central nervous system. When Lochlan’s cousin Harper was 20 months old, her parents were told that she would most likely not walk or talk and would have severe global and intellectual delay. Harper has since learned to walk short distances with the help of leg braces and a walker. She began to communicate verbally shortly after her 5th birthday.
Some of Lochlan’s prize money would go to his cousin Harper Tanton’s treatments. (via Christopher Hawes)
Now eight years old, Harper has been selected as just the third child worldwide to participate in a groundbreaking human clinical trial for a new gene replacement therapy designed specifically for CTNNB1 Syndrome.
“After years of investing in Harper’s therapies (upwards of $20,000 annually), [Harper’s parents] Scott and Tara find themselves financially stretched, making it challenging to provide Harper with this unique opportunity,” Harper’s family wrote in their GoFundMe.
Lochlan says his prize money will go towards Harper’s treatment and his future post-secondary education.
“Harper’s a really great kid,” said Lochlan’s dad Christopher Hawes. “She’s really sweet and funny. We’re supporting her in many ways, and this will be another great way to do that.”
Lochlan and his family (via Christopher Hawes)
According to Lochlan, math is his favourite subject because he enjoys the rules and patterns behind solving problems.
“He legitimately loves learning,” Lochlan’s dad said. “Honestly, it’s been so exciting to learn with him and take him to his limits of understanding things.”
Born in Kenora, Lochlan moved to Thunder Bay two years ago. He plays competitive soccer and trains several times a week. He likes to play chess and cross country skis in his spare time.
“I’d like to meet Bill Nye,” Lochlan said. “We see him in science. He’s happy and always positive.”
With enough votes, Lochlan will advance to the semifinals of America’s Favorite Student. Click here to place your vote.
“We’ve had some wonderful support from friends and family and we’re now at the quarterfinal phase, which is amazing. The next step is to get some more momentum. We’re hoping people will vote for Lochlan help him go to the Planetary Society and meet Bill, and win some money for his education and to share with his cousin,” Lochlan’s dad said.
As another Northwestern Ontario winter fades into memory, we’re taking a moment to look back at the season that once again reminded us just how breathtaking this region can be. From deep freezes and fresh snowfall to golden hours that seemed to set the sky on fire, winter gave us no shortage of unforgettable moments, and you captured them beautifully.
Beautiful Sunset by Connie Calvert
Throughout the season, viewers from across NWO shared scenes that told winter’s story in quiet, powerful ways. Frozen lakes stretched out beneath pastel skies, framed by towering evergreens dusted in snow. Several submissions featured sunsets blazing through the trees, rich oranges and pinks melting into deep purples as daylight slipped away over snow-covered landscapes. Even in the coldest months, there was warmth in the light.
Some photos highlighted the stillness of winter mornings: the sun low on the horizon, casting long beams across icy paths and untouched snow, reminding us how peaceful the world can feel before the day fully wakes up. Others captured dramatic skies, soft cloud layers streaked with colour, glowing halos around the sun, and subtle rainbows hidden in winter light, proving that the sky itself was often the main event.
Fireworks by Connie Calvert
One striking submission showed a nighttime winter gathering illuminated by fireworks bursting into the sky, their reflections glowing against the snow below. In a season defined by darkness and cold, moments like these stood out, proof that winter is also a time for connection and celebration.
Winter’s Last Glow by Robert Williams
Now, as temperatures slowly rise and the days stretch longer, spring is beginning to take over. Snowbanks will shrink, trails will soften, and those same landscapes will soon look completely different. But thanks to you, the magic of this winter is preserved, one photo at a time.
Ignace, ON – Matt Doran
Thank you to everyone who shared their view, their moment, and their slice of Northwestern Ontario with us this season. As we close the chapter on winter, we’re already looking ahead, because no matter the season, there’s always something worth showing off in NWO.
🌅❄️🌱 Keep sharing your views, and keep showing us your NWO.
Kenora’s own Sophie English has claimed her third record in paraswimming.
The 15-year old phenom swims in the S6SB6SM6 class. She posted a time of 15:28 in the 800m freestyle short course at a Winnipeg meet last month, the best junior paraswimming time in her class in Canadian history.
English captured the paraswimming provincial record for her class in the 200m backstroke last year, breaking a mark that stood for over 14 years. She also holds the provincial record in the 200m breaststroke for her class.
English is a member of the Kenora Swimming Sharks club.
“I’ve watched Sophie show up every single day and give everything she has,” said Swimming Sharks head coach Janet Hyslop. “For that dedication to be recognized with a Canadian record, it means the world to her, to our club, and to everyone in Kenora who has supported her along the way. This is her moment.”
A 39-year old man is dead after an altercation with Kenora OPP officers.
The provincial Special Investigations Unit is investigating the incident.
Police say they responded to a call about a man in distress in the Ena Lake area around 6 pm Monday night. He was armed with a knife.
According to police, officers fired their tasers after an unsuccessful attempt at negotiation. Multiple officers then shot their firearms at the man.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS responders.
The SIU encourages anyone with information about the investigation to contact their lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
As winter in NWO edges toward its slow, beautiful fade, we’re taking a moment to reflect on something special… the way you see this place we all love.
Over the past season, fans of yoursunsetcountry.ca , yourborderland.ca and yourkenora.ca have shared so many of stunning photos, sun dogs glowing fiery sunsets stretching across lakes, quiet forests heavy with snow, and the wildlife that watches us from the treeline. Each image is a reminder that even at the tail end of winter, NWO has a magic that never really goes away.
This is beauty in cold weather. – Connie Calvert
Camouflage? – Connie Calvert
But what really makes this collection meaningful isn’t just the scenery, it’s the people behind the lens. And Connie, we see you… thanks for all the fantastic submissions.
It’s the way you bundle up, head out onto the ice, or pause on your morning or evening commute because the sky suddenly turned pink. It’s the way you notice the small things: the tracks on a frozen bay, the halo around the sun, the way the last light of day filters through snow‑covered pines. It’s the way you share those moments with all of us. Your photos let the whole region, and far beyond, see Northwestern Ontario through your eyes. They remind us why we love it here: not only for the landscape, but for the people who live close to it, look closely at it, and cherish it enough to capture it.
Sun Dogs captured by Government Dock – Janine Ahoff
Sunset Extraordinaire – Dana Leonzio
So as winter slowly loosens its grip and we begin to look toward longer days, we thank you… Thank you for braving the cold, for stopping to notice beauty, and for showing us your Northwestern Ontario! Reminder: Daylight saving time will begin this year on March 8, at 2 a.m so be ready to set your clocks forward! Hoo-rah to more sunshine!
Please keep the photos coming, we never get tired of seeing what you see! Snap away! 📸
Email in your photos:
Kenora – info@yourkenora.ca Dryden – info@yoursunsetcountry.ca Fort Frances/Rainy River – info@yourborderland.ca
Special weather statements have now been lifted for areas including Kenora and Dryden.
Environment Canada says the anticipated storm system has moved further south.
Those regions were under special weather statements on Tuesday.
Around two centimetres of snow is now expected throughout Wednesday.
Other areas in Northwestern Ontario are expecting higher accumulations. Regions including Nestor Falls, Atikokan and Fort Frances remain under special weather statements with 10 to 15 centimetres of snow expected tonight and on Thursday, with wind gusts up to 80 kilometres an hour.
Thunder Bay regions are under winter storm warnings with up to 40 centimetres of snow expected.
If you have travel planned, be aware that you could experience winter weather conditions.
It’s recommended that you allow extra time for travel, as road conditions could be impacted.
