Limited access to several border crossings are now in effect. The Canada Border Services Agency and US Customs and Border Protection are cutting back the operating hours at some crossings:
Lacolle Route 221 (Champlain) – 6am to 10pm
Lacolle Route 223 (Rouses Point) – 8am to 8pm
Trout River – 6am to 6pm
Herdman – 6am to 6pm
Noyan – 8am to 8pm
Clarenceville – 8am to 4pm
The Hemmingford and Lacolle crossings on Route 15 will not be affected.
K1037 News has learned that Winona Polson-Lahache is leaving the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK). She has been the Chief Political Advisor since November 2, 2015, and at the MCK since April, 2012. In that time, she has served under three Grand Chiefs, the late Joe Norton, Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer and, since late June, Cody Diabo.
“It’s been an absolute privilege,” Polson-Lahache said. “There’s no other way to encapsulate being in a role that has afforded me such a gracious opportunity to serve our community. The only reason I have ever done this kind of work is for that full reason, to serve our community and to try and ensure that the rights and interests are protected. And that’s what it’s always been about throughout all of these years.”
Her job will be posted soon.
Polson-Lahache says she doesn’t have another job lined up. She says she will remain on at the MCK to help her replacement learn the ropes, likely through February.
“I think that we’re leaving it in the hands of a very good team here operationally and I’m really hoping that this is also an opportunity for them to build and grow with a new individual,” she said.
After almost 13 years at the MCK, Polson-Lahache felt that now that the new council is settled, it was time for a break.
“The last few years have been a whirlwind with the train blockade and Covid. So, I understand her position in wanting and needing to take a little bit of time off. I am more than happy to help in that space,” Ohen:ton Í:rate Ne Ratitsenhaienhs Cody Diabo said. “She’s going to be really missed at the table. She’s been a staple at that table since I got in (2021) and even before then.”
A dramatic high speed police chase made its way along Kahnawake’s Highways early this morning. The Peacekeepers say they received a call from the Surete du Quebec at 3:45 am – which says it began chasing a BMW on Highway 20 East in Brossard at about 3:30 am. The SQ says they attempted to pull over the car, but the driver took off. That chase eventually led down Highway 138 – bypassing the Mercier bridge, along the 132 into St Constant. Because Roussillon police then joined in the chase, the BMW turned back into Kahnawake and made its way to Route-207. It ended as the car and a Peacekeeper vehicle crashed into the ditch by the Lahache Shooting Range. The Peacekeepers say no one was hurt. The SQ says the 27 year old man from Verdun was alone in the vehicle. He was arrested and will be charged with evading police, possession of stolen materials, and a knife, as well as with dangerous driving.
The Mercier Bridge will be one lane in each direction from Friday at 10 pm to Saturday at 11 am. The Airlie entrance will be closed.
The R-132 down and up ramps in Kahnawake (La Prairie side) close at 11 pm Friday until 7 am Saturday.
Saturday night, the R-138 down ramp towards Chateauguay will be closed from 10 pm to 7 am Sunday.
The R-138 up-ramp towards Montreal closes Sunday at 10 pm to Monday at 5 am.
Hydro Québec will be shutting off the power Tuesday between the area of Bell’s Beach Road and Barnes Road for 5 hours. The shutoff will begin at 8:30am and will wrap up by 1:30pm. It is for maintenance work. It is recommended to unplug all electronics before the service interruption or to use a surge protection power bar.
The R-132 down ramp in Kahnawake towards La Prairie will be completely closed tonight (Friday) at 10 pm until 7 am Saturday.
The R-138 down ramp in the Chateauguay direction will be closed Saturday night at 10 pm until 7 am on Sunday.
Finally, the R-138 up ramp from Kahnawake towards Montreal will be completely shut down Sunday night at 10 pm until 5 am on Monday.
The Public Safety Division says there was a close call by the railroad tracks at the Adirondack Junction.
According to information provided by Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad (CPKC), three (3) teenagers were seen on the tracks at Adirondack Junction Monday afternoon and were dangerously close to a passing Exo commuter train. The train had to apply its emergency brake bring it to a complete stop.
The Kahnawake Peacekeepers were informed of the incident and responded to the area; however, the teenagers were no longer in the area.
The 20th anniversary edition of the KSCS fun fair is on Thursday August 15th.
It will be at the Kahnawà:ke Sports complex tomorrow between 11am and 4 pm.
The young adult program’s Fun Fair has games, food and refreshments.
In the words of support worker Allison Lahache,
It started 20 years ago when the clients (of the program) wanted to show the community that they are just as capable of doing something as anybody else
Chateauguay Mayor Eric Allard has told K1037 News that he will not be commenting on the lawsuit filed by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) last week against his city in connection with the Industrial Fuel Spill that occurred in February.
The MCK alleges that the Chateauguay Fire Department failed to adequately address the spill during their response, potentially exacerbating the damages suffered by Kahnawà:ke.
As well the MCK says it has come to light that the city did not inform Environment Quebec or Canada about the fuel spill, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and potential environmental impact.
The MCK has indicated that other defendants may be added to the motion within the three-year time limit.
A car ran into the ditch on Route 207 Monday morning. Four men and a woman were on board, none of them locals. The driver swerved to avoid another vehicle that braked suddenly. Two outside ambulances were called in to help out the one that is currently operating with the Kahnawake Fire Brigade. All five were transported to Anna Laberge Hospital with non life threatening injuries.