Elisa is a staff writer at the Fort Frances Times. She studied Psychology and Professional Writing & Communication at the University of Toronto and is also a contributing editor for Archetype: A Literary Journal. Her short stories have been published in Mindwaves, Compass, and Medium Magazine.
The government is currently considering all input to determine the best way to balance the recovery and protection of Black Ash, said Gary Wheeler from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Black Ash was classified as endangered in Ontario by The Committee on the Status of Species at […]
Most river basins have an above average amount of water in the snowpack, increasing the risk for spring flooding particularly for the Bad River and the St. Louis River. Spring flooding is highly dependent on weather conditions in March and April. Ketzel Levens, meteorologist at National Weather Service Duluth, said […]
The investigation into one’s ancestry can be a fun and challenging process that reconnects people with their roots. Those interested in genealogy services can now book an appointment at the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre. The services started in Fort Frances this early March and are led by […]
A local operating room nurse travels to Central America to work for two weeks in a historic hospital, helping many who have waited decades receive a life-altering surgery. She encounters language-barriers, erupting volcanoes and the culture shock of an underdeveloped healthcare system. In early February, Tashina Morgenstern traveled to Antigua, […]
The Mental Health Remote Care Monitoring Program may be a new frontier in mental health support for the residents of Fort Frances. The program recently launched in February. Clients experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression can learn new wellness strategies through SeamlessMD, a patient engagement application designed for healthcare […]
At the first annual Anishinaabeg Women’s Empowerment (AWE) Collective Gala Night held this past weekend on February 25, a sold-out event held at the Seven Generations Education Institute Fort Frances Campus, seven Anishinaabe women were honored for awards based on the Seven Grandfather teachings. Morningstar Tom said she was shocked […]
What started as an idea discussed by friends over breakfast has bloomed into an event promoting the empowerment and leadership of Anishinaabeg women. The Anishinaabeg Women’s Empowerment (AWE) Collective will be hosting its first AWE Talks Gala Night on Saturday February 25 at Niizhwaaching Aanikoobijigeng Gikinoo’amaadiiwigamig (Seven Generations Education Institute […]
A provincial recovery strategy to protect the endangered Black Ash tree, has caused concerns for forestry stakeholders. Ian Armstrong, general manager at Boundary Waters Forest Management Corporation, said that while he agrees that a strategy to protect Black Ash is needed, he compared the current one to placing a “glass […]
After over four decades, ownership of The Place Fine Foods has been transferred to the Fitzgeralds who will take on the role of running a small, family-run grocery store with a longstanding reputation for friendly faces and fresh goods. Trevor Fitzgerald officially received ownership of The Place Fine Foods located […]
Tbaytel has tripled its 600 MHz holdings to bolster its 5G coverage in northern Ontario after the results of a recent spectrum auction by Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) Canada. The federal government announced the winners of its residual spectrum license auction Jan. 25 with Tbaytel receiving two licenses […]
As part of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association’s annual Public Education Symposium (Jan 26-28) retired trustee and past chair Raymond Roy was honored with the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association’s (OPSBA) Bernardine Yackman Memorial Award on January 27 in Toronto. Only two other members from the Rainy River District […]
In recent months, Northridge Funeral Home Ltd has seen their workload triple, leading to the last remaining funeral home directors in northwestern Ontario to sound the alarm to provincial leaders and voice concerns to their licensing body. Jason Lilley, founder and funeral director at Northridge Funeral Home, said they typically […]
Judokas from the Borderland Judo Club have just returned from the Inner City Judo tournament in Winnipeg this past weekend, Saturday, February 4, bringing back a boatload of medals and making sensei Gordon Witherspoon and Randy Ball very proud. The tournament consisted of judo clubs from all over Manitoba and […]
Want to send your special Valentine a sweet message? Oh Boy Sweets, a small business selling custom-made sugar cookies, is having a Valentines Pop Up Sale on Thursday, February 9 between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Curvy Chick. Jen Tkachyk, the creator and momma baker of Oh Boy Sweets, […]
Teenagers in foster care often have an independent spirit that has given them a reputation of rebellion, causing many potential foster parents to rethink whether they are suited for the role. One foster parent residing in Fort Frances (speaking on the condition of anonymity and who will be referred to […]
It’s not always glamorous working in Hollywood, says Amanda Penny, an assistant costume designer for the series “Glamourous” that is scheduled for release on Netflix this year. A visit to the boutique to purchase haute couture names like Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, and Louboutinis only one scene of the show for […]
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young-Hoon said the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) will advance priorities on mental health promotion, wellness and addictions for the next four years. In the first year of their strategic plan, NWHU’s objective is to produce mental health and wellness population health reports, complete a […]
Foster care is a way of providing a temporary home for a child who is unable to live with their family. To deliver the services needed, Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services (KRRCFS) is looking for more foster families willing to provide a home and the critical support needed […]
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program has been extended to 2024 to surrounding communities outside Thunder Bay. The program will stop onboarding new employers by this November, unless the program is once again extended, said Stacey Platt, workforce development officer from the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission […]
The weekend was dampened by news of another mass shooting that killed 11 people and injured 9 more on a Saturday night at Monterey Park, California, when Lunar New Year (LNY) celebrations were at their peak. According to police, the person suspected of carrying out the shooting, age 72, was […]
On January 11 at the township of Emo council meeting, a representative from S. Burnett & Associates Limited (SBA), who is responsible for completing funding applications on behalf of the township, provided updates on various projects happening in town. First brought to council’s attention were updates on the reconstruction of […]
Tashina Morgenstern to live a lifelong dream of nursing in the developing world. She’s joined with other healthcare professionals for a term in Guatemala An OR nurse from Fort Frances has always dreamed of using her skills to help the less fortunate. With the nonprofit organization Medicos en Accion, this […]
One third of menstruators under the age 25 say they struggle to afford period products, said Sabrina Baldini, the speaker from the Period Purse who delivered a presentation to over 80 students at Fort Frances High School (FFHS) last week on January 12. In 2015, Canada removed the goods and […]
Around midday on January 4, 2023, at the Fort Frances city hall, representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society and council members raised a dark blue “Forget Me Not” flag in the cold January air, proclaiming January as National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and kickstarting a series of fundraising and advocacy events striving […]
Due to the success of an immigration pilot program placing skilled foreign workers in top sector jobs, the program has been extended to 2024 and will be introduced to Fort Frances this week. The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) reported after its third year of administering the Rural […]
While many area residents geared up for winter festivities over the holidays, some were faced with the stark reminder that they don’t have a family to go home to. A volunteer at the Fort Frances Family Centre expressed concern that the people who need the most help are the ones […]
As we enter the seventh year since British Columbia declared an opioid crisis, Fort Frances town councillor and social worker Mandi Olsen knows that there’s still a long road ahead. She and others continue to search for the answers to difficult questions such as how substance users get addicted in […]
Many are reflecting on the year that has passed, including Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health at the North Western Health Unit (NWHU), who shared a word of thanks to staff, partners, and the public for their continued efforts, and reminded everyone to protect their loved ones during the […]
Local actor Scott Barker, best known for appearances in Amazon Original ‘Reacher’ and the Hallmark classic ‘Christmas in Montana,’ revisits his life in film and the friendships made when away from home on the holidays. The movie screen casted light upon a sparse audience. In one of the rows, Scott […]
Last week we read a story about Marilou Amarille who was one of the first international students in Fort Frances. Our phone call was almost an hour long and despite the distance and barrier of technology, it felt like we were sitting around a kitchen table telling stories. Perhaps it’s […]
With potential upgrades to CN infrastructure throughout Fort Frances entering the planning phase, Mayor Andrew Hallikas has concerns around safety and compensation for the town. The Ranier Railroad Bridge was constructed in 1908 by the Canadian Northern Railway (CN) and the Duluth, Rainy Lake and Winnipeg Railway. It’s a single-track […]
Renberg Originals, a relic of local art and history, will be on display at the Fine Line Art Gallery for a short time. The sculptures were recently unveiled after the artist’s daughter discovered boxes where the pieces were stored for likely over two decades. Residents are welcomed to view, or […]
Special education resource teachers at the Fort Frances High School have formed a new club that helps build new friendships and create an inclusive environment for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the school. The new Best Buddies Club at Fort Frances High School aims to build friendships between […]
One of six graduates from the first cohort of international students at the Rainy River District Campus in Fort Frances sheds light on the experience of immigrating to a new country, and shares that being able to graduate college was better than a dream come true. Originally established in Thunder […]
Following the successful completion of events held in honour of National Addictions Awareness week surrounding the theme “a community of caring,” a local leader for the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic located in Fort Frances highlighted that the continued partnership of multiple health organizations make it possible for more […]
After an unexpected partnership with a Canadian celebrity, a locally owned maple syrup company had 18 days to produce 20,000 bottles of syrup—they normally only made a few hundred bottles a week. Since then, the business has rapidly grown in popularity and demonstrated the effectiveness of small northern Ontario businesses. […]
There are only a handful of FoodCycler machines remaining for those who want to participate in a new pilot program that will provide an alternative to traditional composting through waste diversion technology. The town has almost hit the one-month mark of the pilot program and so far, those participating have […]
The profits from a silent auction at the Fine Line Art Gallery on Scott Street will help keep the gallery open and preserve the painted history of a small town for years to come. The Fine Line Art Gallery currently houses 13 local artists who pay a small monthly membership […]
The Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances is inviting all community organizations and businesses to participate in the Santa Claus Parade by registering a festive float that will bring holiday magic to Scott Street. On Saturday, November 26, the Kiwanis Christmas Parade will be held at 5:30 p.m. beginning at Scott […]
On Wednesday, November 2, Darcy Oliver laid a wreath at the cenotaph in Fort Frances, in memory of his late father, Bert Oliver, who belonged to the 17th Field Regiment, 37th battery in the Second World War. Bert is a war veteran who belonged to the Legion for over 65 […]
As of October 3, Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) welcomed newly appointed Acting Inspector Cheryl Gervais and Acting Sergeant Major Tricia Rupert in their new roles. Both women had recently been honored with awards for their service in policing and shared with the Times the journeys that led to their […]
Fort Frances High School continues to coordinate with Riverside Healthcare through the Meals on Wheels food delivery program enabling students to work toward their required 40 volunteer hours for graduation while gaining life skills and unforgettable experiences. Across the district, organizations have encountered a shortage of volunteers, making it difficult […]
Fort Frances Airport reports increasing fuel sales for air travel in northern Ontario, comparing this year’s fuel sales to both pre-pandemic times and during the pandemic, when border restrictions limited travel but forest fires that needed to be serviced resulted in one of the busiest fire seasons the airport had […]
Following the announcement of a COVID-19 outbreak at a hospital in the region, Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) reminds residents to stay up to date on their vaccinations to minimize the need for hospital visits, and announces changes in local COVID-19 reporting. On October 14, Riverside Health Care in conjunction with […]
Borderland Pride released a statement on October 11 expressing their disappointment, after receiving no response to a survey, aimed at assessing views on LGBTQ2+ inclusion and ongoing litigations against the Township of Emo. The survey was issued to Emo council candidates Geoffrey Pearce, Lisa Teeple, Gerald Wieringa, Phil Whatley, Frank […]
A team of board members is a defining factor of any program that runs like a well oiled machine. When the Board dissipates, the manpower required to keep a program going is lost. Organization and administration tasks get placed on the few remaining and the program becomes less feasible, or […]
This week marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. Firefighters across the country are hosting educational campaigns to remind the community on best practices for fire safety surrounding the theme “Fire won’t wait, plan your escape.” Wayne Riches, captain of fire prevention education for the Fort Frances Fire Department, […]
Riverside Health Care says that Bill 7 will have negligible impact on Rainycrest Long Term Care due to human resource challenges that require the home to operate at a reduced capacity of 122 beds, and that staffing shortages are the cause for major concern. Effective on November 17, 2022, Bill […]
Soccer is a sport that promotes teamwork, concentration, and self-discipline. With comfy shoes, a ball, and enough space to run around in, anyone and everyone can play. Starting October 3, the Fort Frances Youth Soccer (FFYS) program runs on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The five to seven age group will […]
After a year of collaboration between numerous committees, the Fort Frances region is set to experience its largest full-day event commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A Powwow, walk and other events will take place September 30, to honour the survivors of residential schools and recognize the ongoing impacts […]
My mentor recently passed away and for the third time in my life, I grieved. Family and friends overflowed from the hall at his funeral. The evening prior, almost 3000 people gathered for the visitation. They waited for hours in a winding line that stretched through the doors and down […]
After a heated debate during a public meeting held on Sept. 13 in the Township of Emo, a proposed declaration of equality formally stating allyship with members of the LGBTQ2+ community was approved by town council members—but not without opposition. “I’ll sign it, but I’ll make my statement very clear. […]
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) released a statement advising that the Rainy River Tributary Bridge on Highway 602, commonly known as the ‘Bailey Bridge’, approximately 1.6 kilometers west of Oakwood Road, will be closed for the foreseeable future. The bridge is scheduled for construction in 2023. It has not been […]
An Anishinaabe Elder is pioneering a new self-healing program rooted in Anishinaabeg teachings about the land. Gilbert Smith has lived his entire life in Naicatchewenin First Nations. For the past eight years, he’s been creating a program called Kadamizwin, a word from the Anishinaabe language meaning “knowledge.” “And it’s about […]
On Monday September 5, multi-award winning Indigenous-Canadian duo, Twin Flames, performed at the Duke Arena in Couchiching First Nation. The concert was originally scheduled for Canada Day but postponed until Labour Day after lead singer Chelsey June contracted COVID-19 and was unable to perform. June and husband Jaaji received an […]
On Monday, at the Fort Frances Courthouse, former registered practical nurse Lindsey Coyle pleaded guilty for criminal negligence causing death to the late Hermina Fletcher who was receiving care at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances. The investigation of the death of 76-year-old Hermina Fletcher began on January 14, 2015. Rainy […]
Over the past few years, fire departments in northwestern Ontario have been losing members. In hopes of building back their roster, the Alberton, Chapple, Emo & La Vallee Fire & Emergency Services (ACEL) is now urgently recruiting volunteer firefighters — an opportunity to team up with brave individuals to help […]
Donovan Miller has a home and a job to look forward to. But he hasn’t always been so lucky. The 53-year old has been a long-time client at the Fort Frances Family Centre, and credits the facility for his recovery. “I’m not homeless anymore, but I was living on the […]
The District is facing a new challenge. But this one is all rhythm, with no blues. The Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre is challenging local businesses and organizations to a dance-off challenge. They kicked it off with a toe-tapping video set to Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose.” In the challenge video, the camera […]
As a new school year approaches, many families brace themselves for early mornings and busy schedules. This makes August the perfect time to have fun with the family, and there’s no better way to do so than at the Community Family Health and Safety Summer event. Families can enjoy obstacle […]
New Brunswick recently reported the province’s first confirmed case of monkeypox, making a total of seven provinces and territories that have been exposed to the virus. As of August 12, Ontario reports the highest of the seven affected provinces with a total count of 511 confirmed cases, followed by Quebec […]
Chelsea Blackjack is just one member in a growing list of people who have lost a loved one to drug overdose. She knows all too well the growing frustration across the community, as lives are lost and families broken due to the opioid crisis, and she has decided to take […]
I walk down only one flight of stairs to get to my workplace. Hunched over my computer and sitting cross-legged in my desk chair, I cruise through Fort Frances with a click of my mouse. Welcome to the life of a remote worker. From the Google maps street-view, the Fort […]
Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) reports that COVID-19 activity has been increasing across the region. The public is strongly encouraged to wear masks indoors and follow isolation measures when symptomatic or testing positive. Although case numbers may not have increased drastically, the numbers only include individuals who have been PCR tested. […]
The government is currently considering all input to determine the best way to balance the recovery and protection of Black Ash, said Gary Wheeler from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Black Ash was classified as endangered in Ontario by The Committee on the Status of Species at […]
The investigation into one’s ancestry can be a fun and challenging process that reconnects people with their roots. Those interested in genealogy services can now book an appointment at the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre. The services started in Fort Frances this early March and are led by […]
A local operating room nurse travels to Central America to work for two weeks in a historic hospital, helping many who have waited decades receive a life-altering surgery. She encounters language-barriers, erupting volcanoes and the culture shock of an underdeveloped healthcare system. In early February, Tashina Morgenstern traveled to Antigua, […]
The Mental Health Remote Care Monitoring Program may be a new frontier in mental health support for the residents of Fort Frances. The program recently launched in February. Clients experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression can learn new wellness strategies through SeamlessMD, a patient engagement application designed for healthcare […]
After over four decades, ownership of The Place Fine Foods has been transferred to the Fitzgeralds who will take on the role of running a small, family-run grocery store with a longstanding reputation for friendly faces and fresh goods. Trevor Fitzgerald officially received ownership of The Place Fine Foods located […]
Tbaytel has tripled its 600 MHz holdings to bolster its 5G coverage in northern Ontario after the results of a recent spectrum auction by Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) Canada. The federal government announced the winners of its residual spectrum license auction Jan. 25 with Tbaytel receiving two licenses […]
In recent months, Northridge Funeral Home Ltd has seen their workload triple, leading to the last remaining funeral home directors in northwestern Ontario to sound the alarm to provincial leaders and voice concerns to their licensing body. Jason Lilley, founder and funeral director at Northridge Funeral Home, said they typically […]
Judokas from the Borderland Judo Club have just returned from the Inner City Judo tournament in Winnipeg this past weekend, Saturday, February 4, bringing back a boatload of medals and making sensei Gordon Witherspoon and Randy Ball very proud. The tournament consisted of judo clubs from all over Manitoba and […]
Want to send your special Valentine a sweet message? Oh Boy Sweets, a small business selling custom-made sugar cookies, is having a Valentines Pop Up Sale on Thursday, February 9 between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Curvy Chick. Jen Tkachyk, the creator and momma baker of Oh Boy Sweets, […]
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young-Hoon said the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) will advance priorities on mental health promotion, wellness and addictions for the next four years. In the first year of their strategic plan, NWHU’s objective is to produce mental health and wellness population health reports, complete a […]
Foster care is a way of providing a temporary home for a child who is unable to live with their family. To deliver the services needed, Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services (KRRCFS) is looking for more foster families willing to provide a home and the critical support needed […]
The weekend was dampened by news of another mass shooting that killed 11 people and injured 9 more on a Saturday night at Monterey Park, California, when Lunar New Year (LNY) celebrations were at their peak. According to police, the person suspected of carrying out the shooting, age 72, was […]
One third of menstruators under the age 25 say they struggle to afford period products, said Sabrina Baldini, the speaker from the Period Purse who delivered a presentation to over 80 students at Fort Frances High School (FFHS) last week on January 12. In 2015, Canada removed the goods and […]
As we enter the seventh year since British Columbia declared an opioid crisis, Fort Frances town councillor and social worker Mandi Olsen knows that there’s still a long road ahead. She and others continue to search for the answers to difficult questions such as how substance users get addicted in […]
Many are reflecting on the year that has passed, including Kit Young Hoon, medical officer of health at the North Western Health Unit (NWHU), who shared a word of thanks to staff, partners, and the public for their continued efforts, and reminded everyone to protect their loved ones during the […]
Special education resource teachers at the Fort Frances High School have formed a new club that helps build new friendships and create an inclusive environment for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the school. The new Best Buddies Club at Fort Frances High School aims to build friendships between […]
One of six graduates from the first cohort of international students at the Rainy River District Campus in Fort Frances sheds light on the experience of immigrating to a new country, and shares that being able to graduate college was better than a dream come true. Originally established in Thunder […]
Following the successful completion of events held in honour of National Addictions Awareness week surrounding the theme “a community of caring,” a local leader for the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic located in Fort Frances highlighted that the continued partnership of multiple health organizations make it possible for more […]
There are only a handful of FoodCycler machines remaining for those who want to participate in a new pilot program that will provide an alternative to traditional composting through waste diversion technology. The town has almost hit the one-month mark of the pilot program and so far, those participating have […]
On Wednesday, November 2, Darcy Oliver laid a wreath at the cenotaph in Fort Frances, in memory of his late father, Bert Oliver, who belonged to the 17th Field Regiment, 37th battery in the Second World War. Bert is a war veteran who belonged to the Legion for over 65 […]
As of October 3, Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) welcomed newly appointed Acting Inspector Cheryl Gervais and Acting Sergeant Major Tricia Rupert in their new roles. Both women had recently been honored with awards for their service in policing and shared with the Times the journeys that led to their […]
Fort Frances High School continues to coordinate with Riverside Healthcare through the Meals on Wheels food delivery program enabling students to work toward their required 40 volunteer hours for graduation while gaining life skills and unforgettable experiences. Across the district, organizations have encountered a shortage of volunteers, making it difficult […]
This week marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. Firefighters across the country are hosting educational campaigns to remind the community on best practices for fire safety surrounding the theme “Fire won’t wait, plan your escape.” Wayne Riches, captain of fire prevention education for the Fort Frances Fire Department, […]
Riverside Health Care says that Bill 7 will have negligible impact on Rainycrest Long Term Care due to human resource challenges that require the home to operate at a reduced capacity of 122 beds, and that staffing shortages are the cause for major concern. Effective on November 17, 2022, Bill […]
Soccer is a sport that promotes teamwork, concentration, and self-discipline. With comfy shoes, a ball, and enough space to run around in, anyone and everyone can play. Starting October 3, the Fort Frances Youth Soccer (FFYS) program runs on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The five to seven age group will […]
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) released a statement advising that the Rainy River Tributary Bridge on Highway 602, commonly known as the ‘Bailey Bridge’, approximately 1.6 kilometers west of Oakwood Road, will be closed for the foreseeable future. The bridge is scheduled for construction in 2023. It has not been […]
On Monday, at the Fort Frances Courthouse, former registered practical nurse Lindsey Coyle pleaded guilty for criminal negligence causing death to the late Hermina Fletcher who was receiving care at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances. The investigation of the death of 76-year-old Hermina Fletcher began on January 14, 2015. Rainy […]
I walk down only one flight of stairs to get to my workplace. Hunched over my computer and sitting cross-legged in my desk chair, I cruise through Fort Frances with a click of my mouse. Welcome to the life of a remote worker. From the Google maps street-view, the Fort […]
