By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

It’s that time of year again when performers across the district are called to take part in the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts. The Festival returns for its 83rd year in 2025, with competition beginning on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with the French drama and speech arts […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

Beleaguered Sunny Cove Camp is once more the subject of discussion as the town looks at alternative directions the property could be taken. At last night’s meeting of town council, Rainy Lake property returned to the agenda. Since its shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has extended after significant structural […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

Council has adjusted how much it is spending in its capital budget for 2025 as it continues towards final approval for its financials for the year. At a special budget meeting held last night, Tuesday, February 18, 2025, council was presented with an updated budget item to consider, specifically the […]

Ontario is in the middle of an election, but you’d be forgiven for having not noticed that. In spite of everything going on in the world, here in our corner of it, we’ve slid into an almost anemic election season. The premier called for a snap election on January 24, […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

Voters in the Kenora-Rainy River will have five names to choose from on their ballot this election. According to Elections Ontario, as of closing of nominations, members from five of Ontario’s registered political parties have stepped forward to represent the riding as part of the next provincial government. In the […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

A mechanical failure at Rainycrest has caused a heater to fail, though staff have assured residents and families there is no risk involved. According to an email sent out to residents, families and decision-makers by Raincrest Long-Term Care Home Administrator Tara Morelli, a rooftop heating unit on the northeast corridor […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

After nearly 50 years, Mark Howarth is setting off onto his next chapter. Howarth, the longtime owner of Leon’s, formerly Howarth’s Home Centre, in Fort Frances alongside his wife Twyla, has officially retired from the family business he has been running for close to five decades. It’s a significant milestone […]

By Ken Kellar
Editor
kkellar@fortfrances.com

A fishing site that aims to connect anglers with the best fishing around the world has named Fort Frances as one of Canada’s Best Fishing Destinations for 2025. FishingBooker is an online marketplace that claims to have 6,000 fishing guides in over 100 countries that “helps customers find and book […]

Bob Dylan probably said it best: “The Times, they are a-changin’.” I don’t imagine Dylan had the Fort Frances Times in mind when he wrote that song in the early 60s (though we were here when he did) but it’s apropos of both the situation I find myself in now, […]

By Ken Kellar
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
kkellar@fortfrances.com

The mayor of Fort Frances is part of an alliance he says is aimed at standing up for the rights of Canadian border towns as the United States government continues to threaten heavy tariffs against the country. As part of his regular update to council made at Monday night’s regular […]