By Carrie Ivardi
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

KENORA — Archie McKay has been sentenced to imprisonment for life. The Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug man was convicted last May on five counts of second-degree murder for setting the fire that killed his partner, Geraldine Chapman, their daughter, Shyra Chapman, and three children in Geraldine’s care, Angel McKay, Karl Cutfeet and […]

By Jon Thompson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ricochet

A northern Ontario MPP submitted a formal complaint to Queen’s Park’s house speaker on Thursday after security wouldn’t allow observers into the gallery wearing an “Every Child Matters” t-shirt, and in another case, a sewn patch of the Transgender pride flag. Thunder Bay-Superior North NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois sent speaker […]

By George Lee
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Macleod Gazette

A lack of good water infrastructure persists as a health and welfare threat for Indigenous communities across Canada, as two days underscoring the issue surfaced last week in the Alberta legislature. National Indigenous Water Operator Day was March 21 in Canada, followed by World Water Day on March 22. Both […]

By Brenda Sawatzky
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Niverville Citizen

Manitoba’s Finance Minister, Adrien Sala, introduced the upcoming year’s budget on March 24. The financial plan is said to focus on creating good jobs, lowering the cost of living, and finding new ways to improve the healthcare system. One key strategy, with the potential to affect every Manitoban, is a […]

EVENTS CALENDAR The Rainy River Festival of the Performing Arts runs from March 26 to Apr. 24 with full schedule to be released. For more information visit ff-festival.com. The 55+ Movie Matinee for March will feature “I still Believe” the tru-life story of Christian Music star Jeremy Camp and his […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — The city is seeing increasing levels of poverty due to a lack of affordable and supportive housing, barriers to employment for marginalized populations and growing reliance on emergency shelters and community services, according to a new report. The Lakehead Social Planning Council provided the city’s quality of life standing […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

ATIKOKAN — An Atikokan councillor wanted to “start the conversation” to reexamine what time zone the town is in. That discussion has now ended — at least in council chambers. At its March 23 committee of the whole meeting, council agreed with a recommendation by administration to halt further exploration […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

A proposal by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to bury millions of spent and radioactive fuel rods from the country’s nuclear reactors in a specialized underground facility near Ignace is going to be subject to a federal independent review panel process. The decision by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada […]

By Carrie Ivardi
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — At an information session on Wednesday local staff learned about the government’s plan for both the Thunder Bay jail and the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre to remain operational once a new complex is complete. Members of the provincial leadership, including Kevin Sawicki, executive director of corrections and […]