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Man Killed In Rainy River Crash

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A 27-year-old Rainy River man is dead following a single vehicle crash just before midnight Saturday.

Provincial Police say a westbound pickup truck lost control, rolled over and came to rest in the ditch on Highway 11/71 in Alberton Township.

The passenger of the vehicle, Matthew Parise, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was transported to hospital for medical treatment.

A police investigation determined the driver was impaired by alcohol.

OPP say 27-year-old Kendra Morrison of Chapple faces three charges.

-Operation causing death.
-Operation while impaired-blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
-Dangerous operation causing death

Morrison remains in custody.

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New Case Of COVID-19 In Region

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The Northwestern Health Unit is reporting its 52nd positive case of COVID-19.

The latest comes from the Rainy River area, the second in a week.

Health officials are following up with the person involved and their contacts and anyone who is identified will be notified directly.

A positive test was also reported in the Kenora area yesterday.

Again the Health Unit doesn’t give out specific information.

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NTAB Releases Second COVID-19 Impact Study

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As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on so does the increasing impacts on local businesses and organizations.

The second Northwest Training and Adjustment Board survey found more businesses reduced staff hours, permanently closed or temporarily closed because of the coronavirus.

Tension was also higher as 29% of respondents in May indicated the continued restrictions could put them out of business for good.

That’s compared to 25% in April.

In terms of the financial impact, 28% in May say the estimated loss since the beginning of the pandemic was over $100,000.

That’s up from 16% the month before.

The survey was done before northwestern Ontario moved to Stage 2 of reopening.

Those who responded were asked what they needed to recover.

75% said general tax credits or cuts, 65% called for zero interest loans from banks, while 60% wanted greater economic stimulus funding.

NTAB will now send the data to the municipal, provincial and federal governments.

To view the full report, visit https://www.ntab.on.ca/covid-19/

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FIREFLY Looking At Cautious Approach To Reopening

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FIREFLY child and family services is now working on plans to reopen their offices across the Kenora and Rainy River districts.

Chief Executive Officer Karen Ingebrigtson says she realizes face-to-face programming is important for many.

The organization is continuing to deliver counselling and children’s treatment services virtually and will be looking at implementing in-person services in a phased approach.

Ingebrigtson says the first phase for children rehabilitation services and children and youth mental health services will centre on clients who face barriers and are identified as needing services right away.

She says staff are currently identifying those clients and developing procedures and policies to meet public health recommendations.

Ingebrigtson notes they hope to be offering childcare services in Kenora at King George and Evergreen by June 29th and Cameron Bay Child Care Centre will be looking at reopening July 2nd.

She adds at this time, FIREFLY childcare programs and EarlyON Centres in Sioux Lookout and Kenora remain closed.

FIREFLY continues to accept referrals from third-parties and families and youth.

For referrals or to connect with a service, please contact the Intake line at 1-833-696-5437 or email intake@fireflynw.ca

If you have general questions, questions about closures, or questions regarding FIREFLY EarlyON or Childcare, please call 1-800-465-7203.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, please call Kenora-Rainy River District Crisis Response at 1-866-888-8988 or attend your local emergency department.

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Alzheimer Fundraising Walk Going Virtual

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The Alzheimer Society of the Kenora-Rainy River Districts says its annual “Walk For Alzheimer’s” will be a virtual one this year.

Participants will be able to walk or do any other physical activity from their home.

Executive Director Rossana Tomashowski says registrations are now being accepted on-line.

Tomashowski is asking participants to take a photo of their activity and send it to the Society for virtual display across Canada on May 31st.

She stresses it’s important that they continue the event.

“Because our fundraising is stopped and cancelled because of the COVID-19, this is the only way we can actually reach out to our families and friends and people who support us.”

She notes they receive no government money and the donations they do get support the free services they offer to clients and families.

To register for the walk or to make a donation, visit https://alzheimer.ca/en/krr

Photos can be sent to info@alzheimerkrr.com

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Local Businesses Asked To Complete COVID-19 Survey

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Businesses and organizations in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts are being asked to share their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A second survey is out and is being used as a benchmark on how things are changing as the crisis drags on.

Sonja Wainio is the Executive Director of the Northwest Training and Adjustment Board.

“We just wanted to hear directly from the employers what the direct level of impacts are to them as businesses. Have they been able to stay open? Are any of them working remotely? Have they had to reduce hours? Or worse scenario; Have they had to layoff staff or close their businesses.”

The survey results are being shared with municipal, provincial and federal governments.

Wainio says they want all three to be aware of exactly what is happening to our local businesses.

The deadline to take part in the survey is May 22nd.

You can visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P2COVID19 to take part.

Meantime, Sonja Wainio is urging the public to shop local as the province begins to reopen.

“Please support those businesses, our small businesses. They are the backbone of our community. So if you can, shop local, order online, do whatever you can. We need those people.”

The provincial government is allowing most retail stores in the region to open on Tuesday if they are reading with strict public health measures in place including physical distancing.

For more information on NTAB services, visit https://www.ntab.on.ca/

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Kenora Man Faces Charges After Shooting Incident In Rainy River

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A 45-year-old man from Kenora faces eight charges in connection to a firearms incident Thursday morning in Rainy River.

Antonio Manzo faces four counts of mischief, discharging a firearm in a reckless manner and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, careless use of a firearm and using a firearm while committing an offense.

The incident took place at the Rainy River Medical Health Center.

Manzo appeared in court Friday morning and was remanded into custody.

The OPP in Rainy River says due to a publication ban, there will be no further updates or information provided.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or access their website HERE where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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Recognizing Children’s Mental Health Week

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Kenora-Rainy River District Child and Family Services is trying to raise the profile surrounding mental health among our youth.

This is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

Supervisor of Clinical and Community Services Becky Andrusko says the initiative “aims to promote specific awareness to inspire both a local and national dialogue about the importance of healthy family units and resilient children.”

She says they are also attempting to highlight the critical need for mental health care reform specifically for kids.

Andrusko says identifying early mental health challenges is key.

“This effort requires full family engagement, along with policy leaders and health practitioners helping to support families, so that kids are able to become resilient.”

Recent studies suggest one in five kids in Canada has some type of mental health issue.

Andrusko is also asking the public to wear a green ribbon to show your support.

“The green ribbon campaign itself is part of the social marketing and awareness effort to celebrate kids. The hope is that great strides are being made in highlighting the issues and promoting awareness in the communities across Ontario.”

Because of COVID-19, the agency isn’t able to hold public events to celebrate the week.

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OPP Provide More Details On Firearms Incident In Rainy River

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A person is in police custody after an incident involving a firearm outside the Rainy River Health Centre.

OPP were called to the hospital this morning.

No one was hurt or injured.

A spokesperson with Riverside Health Care reports some property damage in the parking lot.

The incident did prompt Riverside to add additional security at all of its hospitals.

Those measures were removed early this afternoon.

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Firefly Recognizing Speech And Hearing Month

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This is Speech and Hearing awareness month and Firefly in the Kenora and Rainy River districts is trying to raise its profile.

The agency provides service to youth up to the age of 18.

Firefly is sharing information about the importance of helping kids communicate through its website and social media.

Speech and Language Pathologist Carrie Hall says “Sometimes you see us at schools and daycare’s. We might be working with kids who are using a device to communicate, like an iPad. We might just be working on speech sounds or just general language development.”

Hall notes communication is a very important tool.

“Helping children learn how to communicate really helps them to be active participants in the world around them. There’s also a lot of research behind how delayed communication skills can affect later academic development.”

This is also Mental Health Week.

Hall says “If communication skills are keeping you from connecting with the world, it can definitely impact your mental health and well-being in general.”

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