By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

An annual event that’s always sure to put smile on the faces it draws from near and far, the Nestor Falls Winter Carnival has grown into a staple of Northwestern Ontario’s winters. As such a popular tradition, it can make visitors wonder how it started in the first place. The […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

In keeping with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, several local agencies are preparing to host a household items giveaway. Every International Women’s Day is given a theme to inspire action within communities. Previous iterations have seen slogans such as “Accelerate Action” in 2025 or “Inspire Inclusion” in 2024. This […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

The water treatment plant in Rainy River, Ont. will soon have upgrades put into place after a provincial investment of $2,074,000. The provincial funding will allow the town to replace outdated system hardware without placing heavy debt on the town, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford said while visiting the facility […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

After a successful initial run, Grand Council Treaty #3’s “Here’s a Thought” virtual speaker series will continue throughout 2026 with no planned end date with experts speaking twice a month on a diverse range of topics viewed through an Indigenous lens. The series was launched in December by the Gikinoo’amaadiwin […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

The Devlin Community Hall in La Vallee, Ont. will get more than $250,000 from the province to fund renovations, keeping the local event venue running for years to come, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford announced on Feb. 12. The investment comes from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), which […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Family and friends of Fort Frances bartender and DJ Carl “Jerome” Tuesday expressed relief that he had been reported safe Wednesday morning, after a week-long search initiated when the family lost contact with him. Tuesday’s mother, Lana Bruyere-Tuesday posted on social media around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday that he had been […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

People who have worked with Wayne Smith throughout his three-decade career all agree on the same thing about him — his ability to lead and teach. The former chief was reminded by friends and colleagues about the significance this impact made during his retirement party last week, held at the […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Holes were carved and rods started pulling in fish flopping on the ice during Sunday morning’s fishing derby in Rainy River, Ont. Honouring the late Rick Bourre, an active member of the Rainy River community and avid outdoorsman, the Rick Bourre Memorial Ice Fishing Derby brings the community together in […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

If there’s one thing that Wayne Smith has valued highly during a remarkable 32-year tenure as chief of Naicatchewenin First Nation, it’s consistency. While many First Nations see a high turnover in governance – the average length in Canada for a single executive position is around 3.5 years – Smith’s […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

A new skating path at Legion Park in Fort Frances is opening Friday morning at 11 a.m. The addition of a new loop brings a third location for outdoor skating in town, alongside the McIrvine and East End rinks. A grand opening is planned for the loop this Friday, January […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Emo will be getting more than $1.4 million from the province to upgrade its wastewater treatment equipment, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford announced on Jan. 22. The investment is part of $700 million in provincial funding announced last week to assist 127 municipalities and First Nations communities in upgrading and […]